#25 Football 10/10/2024 3:40:00 PM Nick Huntimer, Dakota State (S.D.) Sports Information Director

Trojans host (21) Dickinson State (N.D.) to conclude NSAA football first-half Saturday

Dakota State (S.D.) looks to swing back in the winning column at Brian Kern Family Stadium

October 10, 2024

Week 6 Preview
MADISON, S.D.—The Dakota State University (S.D.) Trojan football team (4-1 overall record, 2-1 North Star Athletic Association record) looks to swing back in the winning column as they remain home Saturday afternoon. The Trojans host the conference's leader and nine-time defending champion Dickinson State (N.D.) (4-1 overall record, 3-0 NSAA conference record). Kick-off is set for 12 p.m. at Brian Kern Family Stadium on Blankley Field.

Both teams faced extremely windy conditions on Oct. 5. The Trojans came up short by the score of 13-12 to Mayville State (N.D.) at Brian Kern Family Stadium. Dakota State's four-game winning streak came to an end and suffered their first home setback at the new football stadium. The Trojans' defense unit had been holding their opponents to 7.5 points per game at Brian Kern Family Stadium this season, prior the game on Saturday.

Dickinson State held on to a 19-6 home victory over Valley City State (N.D.) on Oct. 5 at Biesiot Activities Center in Dickinson, N.D. The Blue Hawks exploded for 13 points in the second quarter and ballooned their lead to 19-0 before the Vikings scored their first points with less than a minute and half remaining in the game.

It will be the second straight meeting that Dakota State will be hosting Dickinson State. The Blue Hawks defeated the Trojans in the previous meeting on Nov. 11, 2023, held at the Dan Beacom Track Complex which served as a temporary home football game in 2003.

Next Up: Dakota State starts their second half portion of the North Star conference schedule at Jamestown (N.D.), next Saturday. Kick-off is set for 4 p.m. at Hansen Stadium/Rollie Greeno Field in Jamestown, N.D.

Week 6 Quick Hits
+ Saturday's contest will be 27th all-time meeting between Dakota State (S.D.) and Dickinson State (N.D.). The Blue Hawks own 24-2 all-time series record over the Trojans, including winning the previous 12 meetings.
+ Dickinson State, who had won the previous nine North Star Athletic Association regular-season football titles, is currently on a 36-game conference winning streak. The Blue Hawks had not lost in the NSAA conference play since late 2019 season.
+ Saturday will be the conclusion of the first half of the North Star Athletic Association football schedule. The second half of the league football schedule starts next Saturday, with each team with four teams remaining on their 2024 schedule.
+ Dakota State is playing their second game of their two-game home stand at Brian Kern Family Stadium. Last year, the Trojans hosted Mayville State (N.D.) and Dickinson State in their two-game home stand at Dan Beacom Track Complex.
+ Dakota State is seeking for their first win over Dickinson State since Oct. 17, 2015, where the Trojans won in a high scoring affair by the score of 54-21 at Trojan Field (former field).
+ The Trojans and the Blue Hawks play their second NSAA meeting in Dickinson, N.D., on Nov. 16, which will be their final regular-season contest of 2024.
+ Dakota State have two home games remaining on their 2024 schedule, including Saturday versus No. 21 ranked Dickinson State and on Oct. 26 versus Valley City State (N.D.).
+ The Trojans' first all-time win over the Blue Hawks came on Sept. 15, 2007, by the score of 14-12 at Trojan Field.

The Series (27th meeting - DiSU leads series 24-2)
Last Meeting—Nov. 11, 2023, Dan Beacom Track Complex, Madison, S.D.—Dickinson State (N.D.) competed the North Star Athletic Association season series sweep of Dakota State (S.D.) with a 52-0 victory at Dan Beacom Track Complex in both teams' regular season finale.

The Trojans were unable to convert their scoring opportunity to kick off the game after registering 14 plays for 54 yards in eight minutes and three seconds. The Blue Hawks grabbed a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter and exploded for 28 second-quarter points to balloon their lead to 35-0 by halftime. Dickinson State outscored Dakota State 17-0 in the final thirty minutes of the game to secure the victory.

Tray Hettick finished the game with 85 passing yards for Dakota State. Michael Foster led the Trojans' defense with seven tackles. Taron Serr added five tackles. Blake Duran registered two pass break-ups.

Dakota State and Dickinson State were former members of the Dakota State Athletic Conference. The all-time series meeting began when the DAC conference was formed in 2000. The Blue Hawks had won the last 12 meetings with the Trojans.

When DAC conference dissolved in after the 2010-11 season, Dickinson State joined the Frontier Conference while Dakota State competed as an NAIA independent. The North Star Athletic Association was formed in 2013-14, where Dakota State was one of the original five members. Dickinson State then joined the NSAA conference and reunited with the former remaining DAC members in 2014-15 (along with Presentation, S.D.).

Comets hand Trojans first setback of the season
Madison, S.D. (Oct. 5, 2024)—Dakota State (S.D.) and Mayville State (N.D.) faced extremely windy, gusty conditions in the North Star Athletic Association contest at Brian Kern Family Stadium. The Comets took advantage of the Trojans' miscues, holding on to a 13-12 nail-biter.

Both teams struggled to move the ball in the opening quarter, with the Trojans recording 10 yards in the first two possessions and the Comets 14 yards on their first possession. MSU blocked DSU's punt to take advantage of the starting field, paving to their first touchdown of the game for a 7-0 lead.

DSU answered with a 14 plays for 74 yards in 7:16 as Tyce Ortman rushed for a 7-yard touchdown, but trailed 7-6 after a missed PAT extra point kick. MSU led 7-6 by halftime before DSU overtook the lead in the third quarter, thanks to back-to-back 16-yard rushing by Ortman. He rushed for a 1-yard touchdown as the Trojans regained their lead at 12-7 with 8:45 remaining. Mayville State regained their lead with a touchdown in the early fourth quarter for a 13-12 lead. DSU was unable to convert their opportunities to regain their lead as the Comets secured the victory.

AJ Donovan was 10-of-21 for 186 yards for Dakota State. Austin Lake caught three passes for 81 yards, highlighted by a 51-yard reception in the second quarter. Maddox Kihne had a 24-yard reception. Ortman finished the game with 22 rushes for 75 yards and two touchdowns. He also had two catches for 38 yards. Caleb Dwyer tallied 11 tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss of 12 yards, a pass break-up, and a fumble recovery. Jay Skogerboe added nine tackles. Brooks Jansen had seven tackles, 3.5 tackles-for-loss of six yards and a quarterback sack. Collin Brueggeman and Joey Hoeschen each had six tackles.

Dakota State outgained Mayville State 264-179 in total offensive yards in the game. The Comets rushed 135 to the Trojans 78 yards. DSU threw for 186 yards to MSU 44 passing yards.

Trojans defense in the NAIA, NSAA ranks
Madison, S.D. (Oct. 10, 2024)—According to the NAIA-PrestoSports website as of Thursday, Dakota State ranks 10th in the NAIA and leads the North Star Athletic Association in scoring defense. The Trojans hold their opponents to 11.3 points per game (allowed 7.5 points per game at home). DSU allowed an average of 10.0 points per game during the league play, which is the second best points allowed in the conference.

Dakota State is also ninth in the NAIA in total yards allowed with an average of 231.3 yards per game. The Trojans are second in the NSAA in yards allowed (behind Dickinson State, N.D., with 223.6 yards allowed per game). DSU also is second in the North Star with 200.8 yards allowed per game during the conference season.

Dakota State's pass defense ranks second in the North Star Athletic Association with 145.3 yards per game. The Trojans are also second in the league in rushing defense with 86.0 yards allowed per game. Dakota State ranks second in the NSAA with 13 quarterback sacks this season.

Dakota State in the NSAA conference ranks
Madison, S.D. (Oct. 10, 2024)—Dakota State's (S.D.) Tyce Ortman leads the North Star Athletic Association in rushing yards per game and rushing touchdowns. He averages 99.6 rushing yards per game and collects seven rushing touchdowns this season.

Austin Lake is third in the league with 49.0 receiving yards per game for the Trojans. JerQon Conners also ranks fourth with 36.6 receiving yards per game this season. Melek Ford is tied for third most receiving touchdowns with three.

Collin Brueggeman ranks fifth in the North Star conference with 6.6 tackles per game for DSU. Brooks Jansen is also fifth in the league with 2.5 quarterback sacks. Carson Sauseda leads the league with five field goals made.

Dakota State ranks second in the North Star conference with 302.0 total offensive yards per game. The Trojans are also second in the league with 132.7 rushing yards per game. DSU tied the league in rushing touchdowns with nine.

Trojans at Brian Kern Family Stadium
Madison, S.D. (Oct. 10, 2024)—Prior to the game on Saturday at Brian Kern Family Stadium, Dakota State (S.D.) is holding their opponents to 7.5 points per game at home this season. The Trojans are 2-1 record in the new football stadium.

Dakota State held their rival Dakota Wesleyan to three points in the season home opener on Aug. 29, followed by six points by Jamestown (N.D.) during Trojans' homecoming football game on Sept. 14. DSU is averaging 20.7 points per game at home.

NSAA conference second half begins next Saturday
Madison, S.D. (Oct. 10, 2024)—Next Saturday, October 19, will be the start of the second half of the North Star Athletic Association football schedule. The contests will be a flip-flop from the first half portion of the NSAA conference schedule.

Dakota State will play three road contests and one home game during the second half of the conference schedule. The Trojans begin their second half of the league schedule at Jamestown (N.D.) and return home for their home finale versus Valley City State (N.D.), on Saturday, Oct. 26.

Each of the North Star member will also take a bye week during their second half of the conference schedule, where Dakota State is scheduled for Nov. 2 with a bye week.

DSU closes out their conference schedule on the road at Mayville State (N.D.) on Nov. 9 and at Dickinson State (N.D.) on Nov. 16. The North Star Athletic Association's regular season champion will represent the conference for the NAIA Football Championships Series (FCS), which is set for Nov. 23.

DSU football tickets available online
Madison, S.D. (Aug. 24, 2024)—The Dakota State University Athletics are going digital with tickets for their home sporting events.

Tickets to Dakota State's home football games are now online. There are options to purchase tickets for the following categories: general admission, all sports season pass, DSU student season pass, DSU staff/faculty season pass, and season ticket reserved seats.

Make sure to check out on DSU Athletics website on dsuathletics.com or download the Trojan Nation fan app to purchase the tickets DSU home sporting events.

2024 DSU Football Team Leaders

Rushing: Tyce Ortman - 498 yards (110 attempts - 99.6 yards per game)
Passing: AJ Donovan - 334 yards (26-of-48 - 54.2 completion rate)
Receiving Yards: Austin Lake - 245 yards (14 receptions - 49.0 yards per game)
Tackles: Collin Brueggeman - 33 tackles (12 solos, 21 assists)
Tackles-for-loss: Chris Guipi-Bopala - 6.0 tackles-for-loss (15.0 yards loss)
Quarterback sacks: Brooks Jansen - 2.5 quarterback sacks (10.0 yards loss)
Interceptions: Deveon Moses - 3 interceptions (60 yards return each)
Fumble recoveries: Gabriel Chambliss, Deveon Moses, Chris Guipi-Bopala, Kaden Eng, Caleb Dwyer - 1 fumble recovery
Scoring: Tyce Ortman - 48 points (8 touchdowns)
Punting: Tyce Ortman - 36.7 yards per punt (26 punts for 953 yards)
Scoring (kicking): Carson Sauseda - 28 points (13 PAT extra-points, 5 field goals)