Football 10/20/2023 11:30:00 AM Nick Huntimer, Dakota State (S.D.) Sports Information Director

Trojans play final NSAA football road contest at Valley City State (N.D.) Saturday

Dakota State (S.D.) seeks for their first win of the season

October 21, 2023

Week 8 Preview
MADISON, S.D.—The Dakota State University (S.D.) Trojan football team (0-7 overall record, 0-5 North Star Athletic Association record) plays their final North Star Athletic Association football road contest Saturday afternoon. The Trojans travel to Shelly Ellig Field at Lokken Stadium to take on Valley City State (N.D.) (4-2 overall record, 3-1 NSAA conference record). Kick-off is set for 4 p.m. in Valley City, N.D.

Dakota State kicked off their second half portion of the North Star Athletic Association schedule at home versus Waldorf (Iowa) on Oct. 14. The Trojans committed two turnovers early in the game, falling to the Warriors by the score of 34-14 at Dan Beacom Track Complex. DSU was playing their first of the three NSAA home contests on their second half of the conference schedule.

Valley City State was idle last Saturday (Oct. 14) and did not play since their 28-24 come-from-behind victory at Waldorf on Oct. 7 in Forest City, Iowa. The Vikings trailed 24-0 by halftime and roared back with 28 second half points to earn the victory. VCSU scored the game-winning touchdown with 2:02 remaining in the game. Valley City State outgained the Warriors 353-341 in total offensive yards.

VCSU held on to defeat DSU in the first North Star Athletic Association meeting earlier this season at the Dan Beacom Track Complex. The Vikings won by the score of 14-6 in a defensive battle with the Trojans.

Next Up: Dakota State takes the final North Star Athletic Association bye week next Saturday (Oct. 30). The Trojans return home to conclude their two regular-season contests, starting on Nov. 4 versus Mayville State (N.D.).

Week 8 Quick Hits
+ Saturday's game will be the 35th all-time meeting in the series between Dakota State (S.D.) and Valley City State (N.D.).
+ The Trojans are seeking for the first road victory this season. The last time DSU earned a road victory was on Oct. 29, 2023, with a 12-6 victory at Iowa Wesleyan in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.
+ Dakota State ended their 2023 road schedule with a three-game winning streak, which began with a 31-17 victory at Valley City State on Oct. 8, 2023, thanks to their 22 fourth-quarter points explosion..
+ The Vikings took the second NSAA bye week last week to start the second half portion of the conference schedule. The Trojans will be taking their second conference bye week next Saturday (Oct. 28).
+ Dakota State and Valley City State had traded wins in the previous five meetings, with the Vikings winning the most recent meeting on Sept. 16. DSU won the last meeting held in Valley City, N.D., on Oct. 8, 2022, while VCSU earned a victory over DSU on Nov. 6, 2021. The Trojans upset the nationally ranked Vikings' squad on Oct. 16, 2021, at former Trojan Field.
+ The Trojans have two home game remaining on their regular-season schedule, both games during the month of November. DSU hosts a pair of teams from North Dakota, Mayville State (N.D.) on Nov. 4 and Dickinson State (N.D.) on Nov. 11.
+ Valley City State begins their second half portion of the NSAA schedule on Saturday, with four games remaining.
+ The Dakota State University Trojan football developmental team ended their regular-season schedule on Oct. 15 with a 14-12 road setback at Mount Marty (S.D.).

The Series (35th meeting - VCSU leads series 29-5)
Last Meeting—Sept. 16, 2023, Dan Beacom Track Complex, Madison, S.D.—Valley City State (N.D.) pulled away late in the game, earning a 14-6 low scoring affair victory over Dakota State (S.D.).

The Vikings took the first lead at 7-0 in the first quarter with 8:01 on the clock. The Trojans followed up with a 36-yard field goal to trim VCSU's lead to 7-3 with 1:28 remaining in the first quarter. Both teams did not sure in the second quarter as the Trojans trailed 7-3 at halftime.

Jahns added a 24-yard field goal in the third quarter as Dakota State cut Valley City State's lead to 7-6. VCSU snapped their scoring drought with a touchdown in the fourth quarter and secured the victory.

Joseph Cole was 15-of-27 for 126 passing yards for DSU. He also rushed 17 times for 45 yards. Gavin Holland ran nine times for 32 times. Austin Lake had five receptions for 40 yards. Jeremiah 'JJ' Beck tallied 10 tackles.

Valley City State outgained Dakota State 255-215 in total offensive yards. The Trojans rushed 89 yards to the Vikings 80 yards. Both teams registered 15 first-downs in the game.

DSU-VCSU all-time series meeting began in 1986 when the Vikings won the first four meetings. Dakota State earned their first win over Valley City State on Sept. 5, 1998, at the Trojan Field by the score of 27-7. DSU had won two times in the last four meetings with VCSU. Both teams were former members of the Dakota Athletic Conference during the 2000's decade.

Waldorf (Iowa) sweeps season series with Trojans
Madison, S.D. (Oct. 14, 2023)—Waldorf (Iowa) exploded for 296 rushing yards and took advantage of Dakota State's (S.D.) two early turnovers for a 34-14 North Star Athletic Association victory at the Dan Beacom Track Complex.

Waldorf caught two interceptions in the first quarter, including a 'Pick Six' return for touchdown to fuel to a 14-0 lead. Dakota State answered with a touchdown on the ensuing possession. Preston Iverson rushed for a 3-yard touchdown, followed by Aidan Jahns' PAT extra-point kick as the Trojans trailed 14-7 near the end of the first quarter.

The Warriors scored ten points in the second quarter to balloon their lead to 24-14. DSU kicked off the third quarter with 11 plays for 70 yards in 5:54 as Iverson rushed for 5-yard touchdown. Jahns added the PAT extra-point kick to cut WU's lead to 24-14. Waldorf secured the victory after adding ten more points in the fourth quarter.

Tray Hettick finished the game by going 14-of-30 for 146 yards for Dakota State. He also ran 14 times for eight yards. Austin Lake caught five receptions for 64 yards. He also threw for 14 yards. Michael Hybertson had two catches for 19 yards. Iverson rushed 16 times for 70 yards with two touchdowns.

Jeremiah 'JJ' Beck led the Trojans' defense with 12 tackles. Collin Brueggeman added eight tackles. Brandon Dannenbring and Devonte Murphy each added seven tackles. Marcius Hausman recorded six tackles. Jay Skogerboe and Roger Cage each registered a pass break-up.

Waldorf outgained Dakota State 362-241 in total offensive yards. DSU threw for 1960 yards compared to WU 66 passing yards. Both teams recorded 17 first-downs in the game. The Trojans were 4-of-14 on third downs, while WU converted 4-of-11 on third down plays.

A look back to Trojans-Vikings series
Madison, S.D. (Oct. 20, 2023)—Dakota State (S.D.) will be meeting Valley City State (N.D.) for their 35th all-time meeting on Saturday at Shelly Ellig Field at Lokken Stadium.

The all-time series began in 1986 where the Vikings won the first four meetings. The series returned in 1997, while the Trojans earned their first win over VCSU on Sept. 6, 1998 at Trojan Field in Madison, S.D., by the score of 27-7. That year, Valley City State was 0-10 overall record.

Dakota State and Valley City State became members of the Dakota Athletic Conference in 2000. The Vikings won the first nine DAC conference meetings before the Trojans earned a 31-21 victory on Sept. 22, 2007.

The Trojans and the Vikings became independent after DAC conference folded in early 2010's and joined the newly formed North Star Athletic Association in 2013. Saturday's contest will be the third time in the past five years that both teams played each other twice during the same season.

Trojans in the North Star conference ranks
Madison, S.D. (Oct. 12, 2023)—According to the NAIA/PrestoStats as of Thursday, Dakota State's (S.D.) Jeremiah 'JJ' Beck ranks third overall in the North Star Athletic Association with 8.4 tackles per game. He is third with 9.0 tackles during five North Star conference contests.

Caleb Dwyer is tied for fifth in overall quarterback sacks with 2.5 sacks in the North Star for the Trojans. Collin Brueggeman also ranks tied for 12th with 1.5 quarterback sacks in the conference.

Austin Lake averages 55.4 receiving yards per game for Dakota State. He ranks fifth overall in the North Star Athletic Association conference. Cole Sylliaasen ranks second in the NSAA conference with 33.8 yards per punt. He leads the North Star conference with 34.5 yards per punt in conference contests.

Aidan Jahns recorded 4-for-4 field goals and 6-for-6 PAT extra-point kicks during the NSAA conference games. DSU is second in the league with 34.5 yards per punt during conference season.

Save the dates - Trojans' 2023 final home games
Madison, S.D. (Oct. 20, 2023)—Save the dates in November as Dakota State (S.D.) plays their final two home contests at the Dan Beacom Track Complex in 2023.

After taking a bye week on Oct. 28, the Trojans return home on Saturday, Nov. 4, as part of mega DSU athletics home events with volleyball and men's basketball. DSU football hosts Mayville State (N.D.) with a 3 p.m. kick-off after volleyball taking on MSU at 12:30 p.m.

Dakota State closes out their regular-season schedule on Saturday, Nov. 11. The Trojans welcome the conference's leader Dickinson State (N.D.) with a 12 p.m. kick-off.

Dakota State's season highs overview
Madison, S.D. (Oct. 20, 2023)—Dakota State (S.D.) played seven games this season prior to their Saturday's contests at Valley City State (N.D.).

The Trojans produced a season-high 270 passing yards in their season-opener at Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) on Aug. 26. DSU also completed season-best 23 completions in the game.

Dakota State had a season-high 83 tackles during the home opener contest against NCAA Division III Wisconsin-La Crosse on Aug. 31.

Dakota State had a pair of season-highs during their North Star Athletic Association season opener at Waldorf (Iowa) on Sept. 9. The Trojans produced a season best 364 total offensive yards, as well as a season-high in 204 rushing yards.

DSU posted its season best pass completion rate of 60 percent (21-of-35) during the game at Dickinson State (N.D.) on Oct. 7.

2023 DSU Football Team Leaders

Rushing: Tyce Ortman - 198 yards (36 attempts - 66.0 yards per game)
Passing: Tray Hettick - 441 yards (45-of-87 - 51.7 completion rate)
Receiving Yards: Austin Lake - 388 yards (37 receptions - 51.7 yards per game)
Tackles: Jeremiah 'JJ' Beck - 59 tackles (22 solo, 37 assists)
Tackles-for-loss: Devonte Murphy - 9.5 tackles-for-loss (27.0 yards loss)
Quarterback sacks: Caleb Dwyer - 2.5 quarterback sacks (19.0 yards loss)
Interceptions: Blake Duran - 2 interceptions (23 yards return)
Fumble recoveries: Devonte Murphy - 1 fumble recovery
Scoring: Aidan Jahns - 19 points (7 PAT extra-points, 4 field goals)
Punting: Cole Sylliaasen - 33.8 yards per punt (28 punts for 947 yards)
Scoring (kicking): Aidan Jahns - 19 points (7 PAT extra-points, 4 field goals)