Blue Hawks sink Vikings in battle of NSAA unbeatens

VALLEY CITY, N.D. – In one of their most dominating performances of the season, Dickinson State claimed sole possession of first place in the North Star Athletic Association with a 34-10 road win at Valley City State on Saturday.

The Blue Hawks allowed just 7 yards rushing (212 total) on the day while also forcing, and recovering, four fumbles on their way to a commanding 24-3 lead in the third quarter.

DSU started fast, with Krew Mathern recovering a VCSU fumble less than three minutes into the game and Braden Zuroff ran it in from 11 yards out just three minutes later for a 7-0 Blue Hawk lead.

The next Viking possession ended the same way as the first, this time it was Collin Bowden jumping on a loose ball as the Dickinson State defense continued to set the tone for the game. The Blue Hawks would settle for a Chase Miller field goal on the ensuing possession, giving them a quick 10-0 lead.

DSU couldn't make it three straight VCSU turnovers to start the game, but after a Viking punt set the Blue Hawks up at their own 38, it only took three plays to score again.

A 16-yard completion from Will Madler to Cameron Sheppard was followed by a Madler one yard scramble to get into Viking territory. Zuroff then took the handoff 45 yards for a touchdown on the next play as he continues to be a force in the DSU offense.

Early in the second quarter the Vikings finally got on the scoreboard with a 24-yard field goal and that score held until the half.

The Blue Hawks got right back to work in the second half, scoring in just 2 minutes and 34 seconds when Madler connected with Noah Sickler for a 13-yard touchdown completion making it 24-3 Blue Hawks.

The only VCSU touchdown of the game came after a fumble on a punt return by the Blue Hawks started the Valley City drive on the DSU 6-yard line.

Darion Brown scored the final Blue Hawk touchdown late in the fourth quarter and Miller connected from 39 yards out the drive before for the final score.

"It was a great road win for our team," said head coach Pete Stanton. "I am so proud of the guys for getting through four road games the way we did. We continue to run the ball well and have done a great job stopping the run on defense. We still left a lot of things out there so we need to keep getting better. We are very excited to be back at the BAC for Homecoming next week."

Zuroff led the Blue Hawk offense, taking 24 carries for 174 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Madler went 15-25 for 179 yards and a touchdown. Sickler hauled in 7 receptions for the third straight game, this time for 79 yards and a touchdown.

Brooks Talbot led the defense with 6 total tackles, including 1.5 for a loss, while Mathern, Riley O'Donnell, and Wyatt Anderson all tallied sacks for the Blue Hawks.