Football 11/3/2023 5:31:00 PM Nick Huntimer, Dakota State (S.D.) Sports Information Director

DSU football returns home for final two games at Dan Beacom Track Complex

Trojans begin home stand Saturday versus Mayville State (N.D.) at 3 p.m.

November 3, 2023

Week 9 Preview
MADISON, S.D.—The Dakota State University (S.D.) Trojan football team (0-8 overall record, 0-6 North Star Athletic Association record) returns home for their final two games of the 2023 regular-season. The Trojans begin their two-game North Star Athletic Association home stand at the Dan Beacom Track Complex, hosting Mayville State (N.D.) (2-7 overall record, 2-5 NSAA conference record). Kick-off is set for 3 p.m.

Dakota State took their second North Star football conference bye week on Oct. 28. The Trojans fell short for their first win of the season on Oct. 14 to Valley City State (N.D.) by the score of 21-14. DSU rallied back within one possession in the fourth quarter and could not convert their opportunity to regain their possession late in the fourth quarter.

Mayville State split their previous two games, earning a 20-7 road victory at Waldorf (Iowa) on Oct. 21 and falling to Valley City State 24-7 on Oct. 28. The Comets were held to nine passing yards in the game versus the Vikings.

MSU shut down Dakota State in their first North Star conference meet at Jerome Berg Field in Mayville, N.D., on Sept. 30. Both teams registered less than 200 total offensive yards in the game. The Comets scored 10 points in the second quarter and held on to the victory over the Trojans.

Next Up: DSU stays home next Saturday as they wrap up their 2023 schedule, hosting the North Star's conference leader No. 18 ranked Dickinson State (N.D.). Kick-off is set for 12 p.m. at the Dan Beacom Track Complex.

Week 9 Quick Hits
+ Saturday's game will be the 37th all-time meeting in the series between Dakota State (S.D.) and Mayville State (N.D.).
+ The Trojans are seeking for their first victory of the season. The last time DSU earned a victory was on Nov. 12, 2022, in the last game at the former Trojan Field with a 13-0 shutout victory over Waldorf (Iowa).
+ Dakota State scored at exactly 14 points in the previous three games (at Dickinson State, N.D. on Oct. 7; versus Waldorf on Oct. 14, and at Valley City State, N.D. on Oct. 21).
+ This is the second straight year that the Trojans close out their regular season schedule at home (2022—versus Waldorf).
+ Dakota State had won four times in the last five home meetings with Mayville State, including their third consecutive home victory on Sept. 25, 2021, in the annual Trojan Days homecoming football game with a 20-16 come-from-behind victory.
+ The Comets are 1-4 record on the road this season, earning their first road victory on Oct. 21 with a 20-7 win at Waldorf.
+ Jeremiah 'JJ' Beck leads the Trojans in defense with 59 tackles (22 solo, 37 assists). Devonte Murphy leads the team with 9.5 tackles-for-loss of 27 yards loss.
+ Tray Hettick produced a season-high 252 passing yards in DSU's 21-14 setback at Valley City State (N.D.). Michael Hybertson also recorded a season-high 25.8 yards per receiving (four receptions for 103 receiving yards).
+ Dakota State posted a season-high 347 total offensive yards in their last game on Oct. 21.
+ DSU is playing their second home game on their second half portion of the NSAA football schedule.

VCSU holds off DSU's late comeback in NSAA football
Valley City, N.D. (Oct. 21, 2023)—Dakota State (S.D.) made a late comeback in the fourth quarter in the final North Star Athletic Association road football contest with Valley City State (N.D.) at Shelly Ellig Field at Lokken Stadium. The Vikings held off DSU's comeback as they maintained the final possession for the final eight-plus minutes, earning a 21-14 victory.

VCSU kicked off the game with a touchdown and PAT extra point kick to earn a 7-0 lead with 10:46 on the clock in the first quarter. After the Trojans were forced to punt, the Vikings added another touchdown and PAT extra-point kick to balloon their lead to 14-0 with 2:07 remaining in the first quarter.

Both teams were unable to score in the second quarter as VCSU held on to a 14-0 halftime lead. Dakota State got on the scoreboard to kick off the third quarter, thanks to a 48-yard touchdown receptions by Michael Hybertson from Tray Hettick with 11:55 left. DSU trailed 14-7 after Aidan Jahns' extra point kick. VCSU extended their lead to 21-7 with 3:46 on the clock in the third. Preston Iverson rushed for a 9-yard touchdown in the early fourth quarter as the Trojans trailed 21-14 with 8:37 left. VCSU secured the game by using the final 8:37 of the game, using 15 plays for 42 yards.

Hettick completed 18 passes in 31 attempts for 252 yards with a touchdown for DSU. Hybertson caught four passes for 103 yards and a touchdown. Roger Moore added four catches for 52 yards. Jabe Kieso had a 31-yard reception. Iverson rushed 12 times for 58 yards and a touchdown. Brandon Dannenbring led the Trojans' defense with 10 tackles. Collin Brueggeman added nine tackles and a quarterback sack.

Dakota State outgained Valley City State 347-292 in total offensive yards. The Trojans averaged 6.3 yards per offensive play, while the Vikings averaged 4.7 yards per offensive play.

A look back to Trojans-Comets series
Madison, S.D. (Nov. 2, 2023)—Dakota State (S.D.) will be meeting Mayville State (N.D.) for their 37th all-time meeting on Saturday at the Dan Beacom Track Complex, the temporary field used for football home games this season.

The all-time series began in 1986 where the Comets won the first nine meetings. Dakota State then went on to win 11 straight meetings until the streak ended in 2010.

Dakota State and Mayville State were former members of the Dakota Athletic Conference and then became NAIA independent. Both DSU and MSU became members of the North Star Athletic Association in 2013-14. The Trojans are 10-3 record in the North Star conference play since the conference inception.

Dakota State is 4-1 record during NSAA conference play with Mayville State at home (all games on the former Trojan Field).

MSU had hosted DSU for four straight meetings at Jerome Berg from 2017 through 2020.

Dakota State in the North Star conference ranks
Madison, S.D. (Nov. 3, 2023)—According to the NAIA/PrestoStats as of Friday, Jeremiah 'JJ' Beck of Dakota State (S.D.) is tied for fourth most tackles per game overall in the North Star conference. He averages 7.4 tackles per game prior to the game on Saturday. Collin Brueggeman and Brandon Dannenbring each tied for eight best tackles per game with 8.0 tackles average.

Austin Lake is fifth in the league with 51.6 receiving yards per game for the Trojans. Michael Hybertson also averages 51.5 receiving yards per game, which is sixth best in the North Star conference.

Tray Hettick threw three touchdown passes this season before Saturday's game, which is fifth in the North Star conference. He is fourth in the league with 693 passing yards during conference season.

Cole Sylliaasen is third in the NSAA in putting average, averaging 33.9 yards per punt. He recorded 31 punts for 1,052 yards this season for Dakota State.

Trojans as a team in the North Star conference
Madison, S.D. (Nov. 3, 2023)—According to the NAIA-PrestoStats as of Friday, Dakota State (S.D.) ranks second in the North Star Athletic Association with 189.1 passing yards per game. The Trojans are also second in the league with 142 overall completions.

DSU is third in the North Star Athletic Association in defense allowed per game in six league games, allowing 157 points. The Trojans are also third in the conference with 63.3 tackles per game in conference games.

Dakota State tied for the lead in PAT extra point percentage, making all eight PAT extra points during the conference season. DSU is third in the conference with 31.9 yards per punt (40 punts with 1,275 total yards).

The Trojans are tied for first with 100 completions in the conference season with Dickinson State (N.D.). Dakota State is also second in the conference with 178.7 passing yards in six league contests.

DSU hosts NSAA's conference leader in home finale
Madison, S.D. (Nov. 3, 2023)—Dakota State (S.D.) plays their final North Star Athletic Association contest next Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Dan Beacom Track Complex.

The Trojans welcome nationally ranked No. 18 squad and North Star's conference leader as of Friday, Dickinson State (N.D.). Kick-off is set for 12 p.m.

The Blue Hawks host Valley City State (N.D.) in a potential North Star title clinching game on Saturday in Dickinson.

Dakota State is seeking for their first home win over Dickinson State since Oct. 17, 2015, which was held on the former Trojan Field by the score of 54-21.

2023 DSU Football Team Leaders

Rushing: Tyce Ortman - 198 yards (36 attempts - 66.0 yards per game)
Passing: Tray Hettick - 693 yards (63-of-87 - 53.4 completion rate)
Receiving Yards: Austin Lake - 413 yards (39 receptions - 51.6 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, Collin Brueggeman - 2.5 quarterback sacks (19.0 yards loss/14.0 yards loss)
Interceptions: Blake Duran - 2 interceptions (23 yards return)
Fumble recoveries: Devonte Murphy - 1 fumble recovery
Scoring: Aidan Jahns - 21 points (9 PAT extra-points, 4 field goals)
Punting: Cole Sylliaasen - 33.9 yards per punt (31 punts for 1,052 yards)
Scoring (kicking): Aidan Jahns - 21 points (9 PAT extra-points, 4 field goals)