Football 9/13/2023 7:05:00 PM Nick Huntimer, Dakota State (S.D.) Sports Information Director

DSU hosts Valley City State (N.D.) in Trojan Day homecoming football game

Seniors ceremony to be held at 3:35 p.m., kick-off at 4 p.m. Saturday

September 13, 2023

Week 4 Preview
MADISON, S.D.—The Dakota State University (S.D.) Trojan football team (0-3 overall record, 0-1 North Star Athletic Association record) looks to pick up their first win of the season Saturday late afternoon as they prepare for their annual Trojan Day homecoming game. The Trojans host Valley City State (N.D.) (1-1 overall record, 0-0 NSAA conference record) with a kick-off starting at 4 p.m. There will be a tailgate meal at 12 p.m., as well as seniors ceremony scheduled for 3:35 p.m. at the Dan Beacom Track Complex.

Dakota State dropped their North Star conference season opener on Sept. 9 to Waldorf (Iowa) at Bolstorff Field in Forest City, Iowa. Despite a slim 7-6 deficit in the early second quarter, the Warriors scored 21 straight points and pulled away past the Trojans by the score of 35-20.

Valley City State has not played since Sept. 1, where they fell to NCAA Division II and former Dakota Athletic Conference foe South Dakota Mines 31-14 in Rapid City, S.D. The Vikings won the 2023 season debut at home as they held on to defeat rival Jamestown (N.D.) by the score of 23-15.

Saturday's meeting will be the 34th meeting between Dakota State and Valley City State. The Trojans won the previous meeting in Valley City, N.D. on Oct. 8, 2022, by the score of 31-17.

Next Up: Dakota State takes a week off from the North Star Athletic Association play next Saturday. The Trojans return to action on Saturday, Sept. 30 as they visit Mayville State (N.D.) in Mayville, N.D.

Week 4 Quick Hits
+ Valley City State (N.D.) and Mayville State (N.D.) will be playing their North Star Athletic Association season opener on Saturday. Three NSAA members had already played their NSAA opener this season.
+ The Trojans had won the last two Trojan Day homecoming games, defeating Iowa Wesleyan 24-7 in last year's homecoming game and rallying back to defeat Mayville State (N.D.) 20-16 in 2021 homecoming game at Trojan Field.
+ Dakota State had won three times in the last four Trojan homecoming contests since 2019.
+ Saturday's game will be the first Trojan Day homecoming game to be held at the Dan Beacom Track Complex.
+ VCSU had not made a trip to Madison, S.D., since Oct. 16, 2021, when DSU upset NAIA's nationally ranked No. 15 Vikings squad by the score of 24-10. The Trojans came up with four interceptions, with two 'Pick Six' returns for touchdowns, a fumble recovered from VCSU's failed punt, and a blocked punt.
+ After DSU's win over VCSU in Madison on Oct. 16, 2021, it was the first victory for the Trojans over the Vikings on DSU's home football field since Sept. 5, 1998.
+ DSU earned two victories in the last three meetings with VCSU. The Trojans outscored the Vikings 22-7 in the fourth quarter in last year's meeting in Valley City, N.D., securing a 31-17 victory.
+ The Dakota State University Trojan football developmental team is scheduled to host Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) on Sunday at the Dan Beacom Field, with a kick-off at 3 p.m.

The Series (34th meeting - VCSU leads series 28-5)
Last Meeting—Oct. 8, 2022, Lokken Stadium, Valley City, N.D.—Dakota State (S.D.) took advantage of Valley City State's (N.D.) trio of turnovers, scoring 22 points from those turnovers to rally back for a 31-17 road victory. It was the first win in Valley City since Oct. 21, 2017, for the Trojans.

The Trojans grabbed a 3-0 lead after the first quarter before the Vikings outscored DSU 10-6 in the second quarter. VCSU held on to a 10-9 halftime lead, while both teams were unable to score in the third quarter. The Vikings extended their lead to 17-9 with 13:23 remaining before the Trojans roared back by scoring 22 unanswered points. The Trojans scored 14 points in a span of 17 seconds in the fourth quarter.

Zach Brooks finished the game by going 9-of-16 for 176 yards and a touchdown for Dakota State. He also had two rushing touchdowns. Seven different DSU players recorded a reception in the game. Cole Sylliaasen had a 21-yard touchdown reception. Tyce Ortman rushed 17 times for 70 yards and a touchdown, while Gavin Holland added nine rushes for 23 yards. Mason Lloyd had 31-yard interception return. Jeremiah 'JJ' Beck had nine tackles. Devonte Murphy registered a forced fumble and fumble recovery.

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

Trojans drop North Star conference opener
Forest City, Iowa (Sept. 9, 2023)—Dakota State (S.D.) and Waldorf (Iowa) went through a closely tight contest through the early second quarter at Bolstorff Field in the North Star Athletic Association season opener. The Warriors went on to score 21 straight points and pulled away past the Trojans by the score of 35-20.

Waldorf took the first possession of the game and rolled to a 7-0 lead after using 15 plays for 75 yards in 5:44. Dakota State answered with 13 plays for 52 yards in less than five minutes and had to settled for a 31-yard field goal by Aidan Jahns with 4:18 to go in the first quarter.

Blake Duran intercepted WU's pass in the end zone in the early second quarter and answered with 14 plays for 63 yards in 7:47 on the ensuing scoring drive. The Trojans trimmed the Warriors lead to 7-6 after a 34-yard field goal by Jahns. Waldorf scored the next 14 points to balloon their lead to 21-6 by halftime. The Warriors added a touchdown and PAT extra point to widen their lead to 28-6 in the third quarter before the Trojans ended their scoring drought. Tyce Ortman kicked off the fourth quarter with a 1-yard touchdown with 14:55 remaining (DSU trailed 28-13). WU extended their lead to 35-13 on the next possession before DSU closed with another touchdown with 38 seconds remaining (WU led 35-20).

Ortman rushed 22 times for a season-high 159 yards and a touchdown for DSU. He also had a 22-yard reception. Joseph Cole was 13-of-25 for 134 yards. Austin Lake caught five passes for 51 yards. Cole Sylliaasen had three catches for 14 yards. Duran had six tackles and an interception return of 20 yards. Joey Hoeschen added six tackles. Caleb Dwyer tallied five tackles and a quarterback sack.

Waldorf outgained Dakota State 467-364 in total offensive yards.   The Trojans registered 25 first downs compared to the Warriors 24 first downs. DSU rushed for a season-high 204 yards (WU 142 rushing yards).

DSU to honor 12 seniors Saturday before kickoff
Madison, S.D. (Sept. 13, 2023)—The Dakota State University Trojan football program will be honoring their 12 seniors prior to the homecoming football kick-off on Saturday. The seniors ceremony is tentatively set for 3:35 p.m., followed by the kick-off at 4 p.m. versus Valley City State (N.D.) in the North Star Athletic Association at the Dan Beacom Track Complex.

The twelve seniors are Mason Lloyd, Robert Cage, Zach Brooks, Cole Sylliaasen, Marcis Hausman, Gavin Holland, Jeremiah 'JJ' Beck, student assistant coach Cade Sortino, Beau Bertram, Brandon Daniels, Michael Hybertson, and Devonte Murphy.

Murphy is a 2-time North Star Athletic Association All-Conference defensive lineman, second team in 2022 and first team in 2021. Beck was also an All-Conference First team selection in 2022.

Two Dakota State football players were also named to NAIA Football Scholar Athlete during their career. They are Sylliaasen and Hausman.

50th Anniversary - 1973 DSC Football SDIC Champions
Madison, S.D. (Sept. 13, 2023)—Dakota State (S.D.) will be honoring the 50th anniversary of the 1973 Dakota State College Football South Dakota Intercollegiate Championship Team on Saturday. The team will be recognized during halftime of the football game.

The 1973 season was a year to remember for the Dakota State College football team and their fans. The Trojans claimed their first-ever South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference (SDIC) title in football program history, downing all five SDIC foes.

Despite falling the first two games of the season, Dakota State opened the season with a hard-fought 21-19 victory over highly-ranked conference foe Huron (S.D.). The Trojans then rolled past South Dakota/Springfield 33-6 and held on to defeat South Dakota Tech by the score of 23-21.

Dakota State, coached by Dr. Joel Swisher, destroyed rival Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) 44-14 before falling to Northern State (S.D.) 28-27 in a non-conference game. DSC won the final conference game, routing Black Hills State (S.D.) 52-34. Dakota State was ranked No. 17 in the final NAIA Division II football national poll.

More facts on 1973 DSC Football SDIC Championship Team
Madison, S.D. (Sept. 13, 2023)—Dr. Joel Swisher was named the NAIA District 12's Coach of the Year after guiding Dakota State to their first ever SDIC Championships in program history in 1973. Darwin Robinson and Deny Lather were the co-captains of the team.

Dakota State led in four different categories in five SDIC conference games. The Trojans led in rushing yards per game (229.4 yards), passing yards per game (182.2 yards), total offense yards per game (411.6 yards) and defense rushing yards per game (86.2 yards). DSC was second in the SDIC in total defensive yards per game (224.6 yards)..

The Trojans had six players named to SDIC All-Conference team. They were Darwin Robinson, Wayne Stowell, Toney Blanks, Craig Ebert, Mick Twiss, and Deny Lather. Bob Casagrande and Terry Kasperbauer each received the SDIC All-Conference Honorable Mention. Dakota State was ranked No. 17 in the final NAIA Division II Football national poll.

Upcoming DSU football schedule
Madison, S.D. (Sept. 13, 2023)—Dakota State (S.D.) will be taking a week off in the North Star Athletic Association next Saturday and return to action on Saturday, Sept. 30. The Trojans begin their two-game road trip at Mayville State (N.D.).

The Trojans wrap up their first half of the North Star Athletic Association schedule on Oct. 7 at Dickinson State (N.D.). Dakota State starts the second half of the conference schedule at home versus Waldorf (Iowa) in the annual Rushin' for a Cure game on Oct. 14.   DSU plays the final road game at Valley City State (N.D.) on Oct. 21. The Trojans play the final two home games on Nov. 4 versus MSU and Nov. 11 versus DiSU.

DSU football games on KJAM radio
Madison, S.D. (Aug. 25, 2023)—KJAM Radio will broadcast all 10 Dakota State (S.D.) football in 2023.

The Trojan football games can be heard live on Jammin' Country 103.1 FM. You can also go to the following link to list to the game on https://www.amazingmadison.com/dsu-sports/.

Drew Ivery is the 'Voice of the Trojans' this season. The audio link to the KJAM radio is also available on DSU athletics' website on dsuathletics.com.

2023 DSU Football Team Leaders

Rushing: Tyce Ortman - 198 yards (36 attempts - 66.0 yards per game)
Passing: Adin Jungers - 262 yards (25-of-44 - 56.8 completion rate)
Receiving Yards: Austin Lake - 207 yards (19 receptions - 69.0 yards per game)
Tackles: Chris Guipi-Bopala - 16 tackles (10 solo, 6 assist)
Tackles-for-loss: Cooper Maras - 3.5 tackles-for-loss (9.0 yards loss)
Quarterback sacks: Devonte Murphy, Caleb Dwyer - 1 quarterback sack (10.0 yards loss/7.0 yards loss)
Interceptions: Jay Skogerboe. Blake Duran - 1 interception (0 yards return/20 yards return)
Fumble recoveries: N/A
Scoring: Tyce Ortman - 12 points (2 touchdowns)
Punting: Cole Sylliaasen - 31.3 yards per punt (6 punts for 188 yards)
Scoring (kicking): Aidan Jahns - 9 points (3 PAT extra-points, 2 field goals)