BILLINGS, Mont.- The Battlin' Bears host Valley City State on Saturday afternoon in the first-ever matchup between the two programs in Billings, kicking off the Frontier Conference East Division schedule.

Saturday's contest is Military Appreciation Day; current and former military service members will receive free admission by showing their ID at the ticket gate. 

Matchup

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Rocky Mountain College (1-3) vs Valley City State University (1-3)
Herb Klindt Field
1:00 pm (MT) 

Preview

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Protect The Den
The Battlin' Bears host Valley City State on Saturday afternoon for the first-ever matchup between the two programs in Billings, opening Frontier Conference East Division play. Rocky won the inaugural meeting between the teams last season, earning a 31-21 victory on the road.
 
Show Off the Legg
Jordan Legg was a bright spot in Rocky's loss to No. 13 Carroll College, averaging 50.0 yards per punt, highlighted by a 73-yard boot that marks the longest punt in the NAIA this season. His 38.3 yards-per-punt average on the year ranks third in the Frontier Conference.

Watch the Backs
Despite Rocky's running game being held to 98 yards a week ago, the Battlin' Bears' rushing attack will be a key factor in Saturday's contest. Valley City State allows a Frontier-worst 209.8 yards on the ground per game this season, including over 200 yards allowed in each of its past three contests. Jae'sean Pete ranks fourth in the Frontier with 4.9 yards per carry, Ty Battle has three rushing touchdowns over his last three games, and Reid Chauvin emerged as the team's leading rusher last week, totaling 42 yards on eight carries.

Scouting the Vikings 
Valley City State enters Saturday looking to snap a two-game losing skid to open East Division play. The Vikings have been in wire-to-wire battles all season, with all four of their games decided by seven points or fewer, including last week's 50-45 road loss to Simpson University.

Offensively, the Vikings average nearly 30 points per game behind true freshman quarterback Brayden Medeiros, who has thrown for 246.5 yards per game with eight touchdowns and four interceptions. VCSU has received major production from sophomore running back Laggarius Marshell, who ran for 216 yards last week against Simpson and has scored six rushing touchdowns over the past three games. The Vikings have been automatic inside the red zone this season, scoring on all 13 trips and punching it into the end zone on 11 of those tries.

Defensively, linebacker Aiden Russell ranks fourth in the Frontier East with 47 tackles this season, including a tackle for loss. Defensive back Gavin Gerhardt has anchored the secondary with two interceptions and a blocked kick. After allowing just 17.5 points and 355 yards per game in their first two games, the Vikings have surrendered 48.0 points and 528 yards per game over their last two contests.