VCSU ranked 23rd ahead of Jimmie game

Valley City State’s 3-1 start to the season has them in the NAIA top 25.

The Vikings are ranked 23rd in the latest poll, the lone team from the state and one of just two from the Dakotas. Dakota Wesleyan, S.D. (3-0) is ranked 18th. The Vikings’ lone loss came to 11th-ranked Morningside, Iowa (3-1) in their season-opener.

The Vikings put their fresh ranking on the line Saturday against their No. 1 rival — Jamestown College (2-2) in the Paint Bucket Game.

The two teams have met 107 times, but the Paint Bucket Series dates back to 1961. The Vikings currently have a 1-game edge in the series, 29-28. However, the Jimmies have won the last five meetings. It’s the longest streak either school has had over the other since the Jimmies won eight in a row from 1991-1994 — they met two times each those four years. That will be the case this year too. The Jimmies host the Vikings Oct. 22 in their final home game of the season.

— Dave Selvig

Tags: sports, football, naia, jimmies