DICKINSON, N.D. – The Valley City State University football team dropped a 24–3 road contest to Dickinson State on Saturday at the Biesiot Activities Center.
The Blue Hawks scored touchdowns on their first two possessions to build a 14–0 halftime lead and held the Vikings to 191 yards of total offense. VCSU moves to 1–7 overall and 0–4 in Frontier Conference play, while Dickinson State improves to 4–5 overall and 3–1 in conference action.
Dickinson State opened the scoring with a 7-yard touchdown run by Ty Dassinger in the first quarter. Dassinger added a 3-yard touchdown reception from Hudsen Grovom in the second quarter to extend the lead.
The Vikings held Dickinson State to three points in the third quarter before getting on the scoreboard with 10:22 remaining in the fourth. Walker Brondos connected on a 30-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 17–3.
The Blue Hawks answered with a 36-yard touchdown pass from Grovom to Adrien Calderon with 8:52 remaining, accounting for the final margin.
Laggarius Marshell led VCSU's rushing attack with 65 yards on 13 carries, including a 35-yard run. Simon-Peter Johnson caught two passes for a team-high 64 yards, while Tyson Ball led the Vikings with four receptions for 37 yards. Brayden Medeiros completed 10 of 25 passes for 129 yards.
Gavin Gerhardt, Caleb Torke and Aiden Russell each recorded eight tackles to lead the Viking defense. Solomon Harris added seven tackles, Lorenzo Luchi finished with six, and Khalil Toney broke up two passes.
Dickinson State finished with 425 yards of offense, including 268 on the ground, and held possession for 36:34. Dassinger rushed for 107 yards and scored twice, while Grovom threw for 157 yards and two touchdowns.
The Vikings have a bye next week before returning home to host Montana State-Northern on Saturday, Nov. 7. Kickoff is scheduled for noon at Lokken Stadium.
