Sagan Osborne – Dickinson State Sports & Marketing Information Director
Dickinson, N.D. – Dickinson State battled through extremely windy conditions to take down in-state rival Valley City State University, 19-6, on Saturday at the Biesiot Activities Center.
With both offenses forced to keep the ball on the ground the majority of the day, it was the Blue Hawk defense that held strongest, holding VCSU to just 169 total yards (101 rushing) in the victory.
The first quarter was largely uneventful, with neither team even threatening to score. The Blue Hawks battled through the wind on their drives in the quarter, but both drives came to end as a turnover on downs.
The DSU defense set the tone early, forcing a three-and-out on both VCSU drives with the wind in the first quarter.
It didn't take the Blue Hawks long to break through once they had the wind at their back, as Will Madler connected with Semaj Clark for a 54-yard touchdown pass on just the second play of the second quarter to put the Blue Hawks on the board first. Chase Miller connected on the PAT to make it 7-0 DSU.
After the Blue Hawks' next possession ended on a missed field goal, they got back into the endzone after the defense forced a turnover when Riley O'Donnell knocked the ball loose from VCSU's Trent Finney, and recovered the fumble, on a third down completion.
DSU handed to ball off to running back Darion Brown on the next three plays for 30 yards and Braden Zuroff had back-to-back one-yard carries ending in a touchdown to make it 13-0 DSU.
Brown found the endzone with 5:54 left in the third quarter to make it 19-0 Dickinson State, as the Blue Hawks continued to dominate the contest.
VCSU finally broke through with a touchdown late in the fourth quarter, but their onside kick attempt was corralled by the Blue Hawks to seal the win.
"The guys did a great job of fighting through the brutal wind conditions," said Head Coach Pete Stanton. "The conditions neutralized the game but we did a good job of limiting mistakes and getting the job done."
Stat Leaders
Dickinson State (ND):
- Rushing Leader: Braden Zuroff - 24 carries for 84 yards and 1 touchdown.
- Passing Leader: Will Madler – 10-20 for 108 yards and 1 touchdown.
- Receiving Leader: Semaj Clark - 2 receptions for 59 yards and 1 touchdown.
- Tackling Leader: Riley O'Donnell - 6 total tackles (5 solo, 1 assisted) and 1 sack.
Valley City State:
- Rushing Leader: Avery Thorsgard - 31 carries for 75 yards and 1 touchdown.
- Passing Leader: Avery Thorsgard – 7-13 for 68 yards.
- Receiving Leader: Ka'Ua Nishigaya - 2 receptions for 35 yards.
- Tackling Leader: Micah Olson - 8 total tackles (8 solo).