MAYVILLE, N.D. – Valley City State erased a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit Saturday afternoon, but Mayville State connected on a 26-yard field goal as time expired to hand the Vikings a 36-33 loss.
VCSU scored consecutive touchdowns in the fourth quarter to tie the rivalry matchup at 33-33 with 4:08 remaining. The Comets answered with a 12-play, 55-yard drive, setting up Dior Evans' game-winning kick.
Laggarius Marshell led the Vikings' ground attack with 133 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries as VCSU finished with 410 yards of total offense, including 239 rushing yards. Nick Mears scored both a rushing and receiving touchdown, totaling 57 yards on the ground and 42 yards through the air.
Freshman quarterback Brayden Medeiros completed 17 of 28 passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns with one interception.
The Vikings began their fourth-quarter rally with a seven-play, 79-yard scoring drive. Marshell contributed runs of 12 and 10 yards before Medeiros found Jonathan Hunter for a 32-yard touchdown on third down. Walker Brondos' extra point pulled VCSU within 33-26 with 11:38 remaining.
VCSU's defense forced a punt on the ensuing possession, giving the Vikings the ball at their own 16-yard line. Exavian Westbrook broke loose for a 25-yard run, and Mears added a 42-yard rush on third-and-two to move VCSU inside the Comets' 10.
Marshell finished the drive with a two-yard touchdown run, and Brondos added the extra point to tie the game. Mayville then used the remaining time to drive into field goal range and secure the win.
Earlier in the game, Brondos connected on a 30-yard field goal to tie the score at 3-3 midway through the first quarter. After Mayville scored a touchdown to move ahead 9-3, James Dahn blocked the extra-point attempt and returned it 97 yards for two points.
Mears gave VCSU a 12-9 lead with a 12-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter. Mayville responded with a touchdown and field goal to take a 19-12 advantage into halftime.
The Comets extended their lead to 26-12 in the third quarter before Medeiros connected with Mears for a 33-yard touchdown. Mayville answered with another score to lead 33-19 entering the fourth.
Hunter finished with two catches for 36 yards and a touchdown, while Rowen Bucao added three receptions for 34 yards. Marshell caught four passes for 24 yards. Brondos made his only field goal attempt and all four extra points.
Gavin Gerhardt and Anthony Madsen paced the Viking defense with eight tackles apiece. Aiden Russell added seven tackles, and Brent Bearman recorded six tackles, including one for loss.
Mayville finished with 479 yards of total offense. Quarterback Aiden Marcussen passed for 230 yards and rushed for 140 yards and two touchdowns.
After three consecutive road games, Valley City State returns to Lokken Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 17, to host Dakota State University at 4 p.m. The Vikings will look to carry Saturday's fourth-quarter offensive momentum into their return home as they continue the search for their first conference win.
