October 7, 2023

DICKINSON, N.D. – The North Star Athletic Association football conference's leader and nationally ranked No. 22 Dickinson State (N.D.) stayed undefeated in league play Saturday afternoon, rolling past Dakota State (S.D.) 40-14 at Biesiot Activities Center.  The Blue Hawks opened the game with 21 straight points and never trailed in the game.

The Trojans fell to 0-6 overall record and 0-4 NSAA conference record.  Dickinson State, who won the previous eight NSAA football conference titles, raised their overall record to 5-1 and 4-0 record in the league.

Both teams play their second NSAA conference meeting in their regular-season finale on Nov. 11 at the Dan Beacom Track Complex in Madison.

Dakota State begins their second half portion of the NSAA conference schedule next Saturday (Oct. 14), hosting Waldorf (Iowa) at the Dan Beacom Track Complex.  Kick-off is set for 4 p.m.  The game theme is Rushin' for the Cure, encouraging the fans to wear pink clothing to help raise cancer awareness. 

FIRST QUARTER
Dickinson State kicked off the game with 13 plays for 77 yards in six minutes and forty-nine seconds for their first score of the game.  Will Madler threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Nathan Schumacher with 8:04 on the clock.  Chase Miller added a successful PAT extra-point kick to put DiSU up 7-0.

Dakota State went on with seven plays for 20 yards in 4:10 on their first drive of the game.  The Trojans were unable convert their fourth down situation on DiSU's 40-yard line with 3:46 to go in the first quarter.

The Blue Hawks quickly answered with a touchdown on the ensuing possession, thanks to Braden Zuroff's 48-yard rushing touchdown with 2:33 to go in the first.  Miller followed up with the PAT extra point kick to balloon Dickinson State's lead to 14-0.

SECOND QUARTER
After the Trojans were forced to punt near the end of the first quarter, Dickinson State went on to score on the following possession early in the second quarter.  The Blue Hawks recorded six plays for 46 yards as Darion Bown rushed for an 11-yard touchdown with 13:38 on the clock.  Miller kicked the PAT extra point kick to extend DiSU's lead to 21-0.

Dakota State snapped its scoring drought in the second quarter as they answered with a touchdown on their ensuing possession, highlighted by a 53-yard pass from Tray Hettick to Michael Hybertson from DSU's 37-yard line to DiSU's 10-yard line.

Hettick followed up with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Roger Moore with 10:57 remaining in the second quarter.  Aidan Jahns hit the PAT extra point kick as the Trojans trimmed DiSU's lead to 21-7.

Dickinson State then went on with 13 plays for 64 yards in 6:26 as they settled for a field goal.  Miller converted a 22-yard field goal with 4:23 remaining before halftime, increasing their lead to 24-7.

The Trojans moved the ball from their own 25-yard line to DiSU's 48-yard line with eight plays for 27 yards.  DSU turned the ball on downs on DiSU's 48-yard line with 1:28 left.

The Blue Hawks quickly scored on the final possession of the first half, setting for a 48-yard field goal with 31 seconds remaining to stretch their lead to 27-7.

THIRD QUARTER
Dakota State was forced to punt on the first possession of the third quarter.  Dickinson State answered with five plays for 63 yards in 2:01 for their next score, highlighted by a 37-yard reception by Kaden Kuntz.  Madler threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Kuntz with 11:32 on the clock.

Miller kicked the PAT extra point kick as Dickinson State's lead grew to 34-7.

The Blue Hawks regained possession with 10:06 to go as Krew Mathern intercepted DSU's pass on DiSU's 49-yard line.  He also grabbed his second interception with 7:25 to go in the third quarter on the 50-yard line and returned it for five yards to DSU's 45-yard line.

Dickinson State went on widen their lead to 40-7 as Madler connected to Cameron Sheppard for a 34-yard touchdown pass.  Alex Wegner's PAT extra point kick was no good with 5:39 left in the third.

The Trojans ended their scoring drought with a touchdown on the following possession.  DSU used seven plays for 75 yards in less than three minutes.  Hettick threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Hybertson with 2:42 on the clock.  Jahns added the PAT extra point kick as Dakota State trailed 40-14.

FOURTH QUARTER
After Dickinson State was forced to punt to start the fourth quarter, the Trojans used eight plays for 22 yards in 3:09 and were unable to convert their scoring opportunity.  DSU turned the ball on downs with less than 11 minutes in the game on DiSU's 25-yard line.

Blake Duran intercepted DiSU's pass on DSU's 45-yard line but was fumbled as the Blue Hawks regained possession with less than four minutes remaining in the game.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Hettick was 21-of-34 for 223 yards with two touchdowns for Dakota State.  Hybertson had seven catches for 124 yards and a touchdown.  Preston Iverson added three catches for 39 yards and rushed for 24 yards.

Austin Lake had five receptions for 26 yards.  Moore added two catches for 21 yards and a touchdown. 

Jeremiah 'JJ' Beck led the Trojans' defense with eight tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss of seven yards, and a quarterback sack of four yards loss.  Brandon Dannenbring and Chris Guipi-Bopala each added five tackles.  Duran had an interception.

Cole Sylliaasen recorded three punts for 140 total yards, averaging a season-best 46.7 yards per punt.

Madler was 13-of-18 for 183 yards with three touchdowns for Dickinson State.  Zuroff rushed 17 times for 89 yards and a touchdown.  Brown added 49 rushing yards and a touchdown. 

Kuntz caught five passes for 86 yards and a touchdown for the Blue Hawks.  Noah Sickler added six receptions for 75 yards.  Sheppard had three catches for 44 yards and a touchdown.  Schumacher had a touchdown catch.

Joey DeMarco and Brooks Talbot each led the Blue Hawks with four tackles and a tackle-for-loss each.  Matt Anderson had two tackles-for-loss of six yards and a sack.  Mathern had two interceptions.

TEAM COMPARISONS
Dickinson State outgained Dakota State 445-250 in total offensive yards.  The Blue Hawks threw 241 yards to the Trojans 223 yards.  DiSU rushed 204 yards compared to DSU 27 rushing yards.

The Blue Hawks produced 24 first downs compared to the Trojans 14 first downs. 

Dickinson State converted 9-of-17 on third down situations, while Dakota State was 4-of-11 on third-downs.