November 4, 2017

Photo credits by Lori Waldner

MAYVILLE, N.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) exploded for 20 points in the first-half on a snowy Jerome Berg Field Saturday afternoon, cruising to a 34-6 North Star conference victory over Mayville State (N.D.).  The Trojans outgained the Comets 354-166 in total offensive yards.

Dakota State raised their overall record to 7-3 and 5-2 record in North Star conference games.  It was the first time since 1998 that the Trojans earned their seventh overall win and fifth conference victory.  Mayville State remained winless in 10 games and 7 North Star conference games this season.

Please note that there are some statistics are incorrect and will be updated when it's corrected.  There were no clock available on each of the scoring drives.

The Trojans got on the scoreboard in the second quarter when Jacob Giles hit Brendon Waldner for a 65-yard touchdown.  Brywn Ractliffe added the PAT extra-point to give DSU a 7-0 lead.

Giles added another passing touchdown in the second quarter, throwing a 7-yard pass to Opdahl for DSU's 13-0 lead.  Ractliffe made a successful PAT extra-point kick to make it 14-0 in favor of the Trojans.  DSU used 12 plays for 65 yards in the scoring drive.

Opdahl earned his second touchdown pass of the game from Giles as the Trojans extended their lead to 20-0 by halftime.

DSU made it 27-0 when Giles found Waldner for the second time in the game, recording a 7-yard touchdown pass.  Ractliffe converted the PAT extra-point kick to widen Trojans' lead to 27-0.  Dakota State registered 11 plays in 65 yards in the scoring drive.

Mayville State ended the scoring drought with a 14-yard touchdown pass from Nickolas Nelson to William Wilson.  Dakota State maintained a 27-6 lead in the third quarter.

Giles threw his fifth touchdown of the game in the third quarter, a 21-yard touchdown pass to Trever Listman.  Dakota State's lead grew to 34-6.

There was no score in the final quarter as DSU secured the victory.

Giles broke the all-time career completions after going 19-of-32 with 22 passing yards with five touchdown for Dakota State.  Giles piled up a total of 630 career completions, breaking the previous old record of 619 career completions set by Justin Thielke from 1997-2000.

Opdahl had seven catches for 73 yards with two touchdown for the Trojans.  Waldner added four catches for 81 yards and two touchdowns.  Mason Leighton had four catches for 32 yards, while Listman had two receptions for 27 yards and a touchdown.

Jeb Sanford rushed 18 times for 81 yards for DSU.  Waldner added a rush for 23 yards. 

Curt Boeke and Darby Neal each had a quarterback sack for Dakota State.  Noah Guse and Ryan Dozier each recorded an interception. 

Nelson finished the game by completing 10 passes in 29 attempts for 97 yards and a touchdown for the Comets.  Creighton Pfau was 5-of-16 for 22 yards. 

Hunter McCall had five receptions for 42 yards for MSU.  Wilson had three catches for 48 yards a touchdown.  Obie Wilder rushed eight times for 23 yards.

The Trojans registered 18 first downs in the game compared to the Comets 17 first-downs.

DSU rushed 30 times for 132 yards while MSU was held to 47 rushing yards in 34 attempts.  Dakota State had 222 passing yards compared to Mayville State 119 passing yards.

Dakota State wraps up their regular-season schedule at Presentation (S.D.) next Saturday.  Kick-off is set for 1 p.m. at Swisher Field in Aberdeen, S.D.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director