October 25, 2024
Week 8 Preview
MADISON, S.D.—The Dakota State University (S.D.) Trojan football team (4-3 overall record, 2-3 North Star Athletic Association record) looks to snap their three-game losing streak as they play their home finale Saturday late afternoon. The Trojans host Valley City State (N.D.) (2-4 overall record, 1-3 NSAA conference record) in both teams' second North Star conference meeting. Kick-off is set for 4 p.m. at Brian Kern Family Stadium on Blankley Field.
Despite starting the 2024 season with four straight wins, Dakota State dropped their third straight game on Oct. 19. The Trojans fell short to Jamestown (N.D.) 21-13 to kick off the second half portion of the North Star conference schedule at Hansen Stadium on Rollie Greeno Field
Valley City State (N.D.) is coming off from a bye week on Oct. 19 after closing their first half portion of the conference schedule with a 38-7 home rout over Jamestown in Valley City, N.D. Holding a 14-0 halftime lead, the Vikings outscored the Jimmies 24-7 in the final thirty minutes of the game.
Dakota State won the first North Star conference meet over Valley City State on Sept. 21 at Lokken Stadium. The Trojans held the Vikings scoreless for the first three quarters and held on to a 19-8 road victory. It was the second victory in Valley City in two years for the Trojans.
Next Up: Dakota State takes their second North Star bye week next Saturday and returns on Nov. 9 as they begin their two-game road trip at Mayville State (N.D.). The game is set for 4 p.m. in Mayville, N.D.
Week 8 Quick Hits
+ Dakota State (S.D.) and Valley City State (N.D.) will be meeting for 37th time in the all-time meeting on Saturday. Both teams had meet for two meetings for the second straight year and their third time in the past four seasons.
+ VCSU will be starting their second half portion of the North Star conference schedule on Saturday. DSU began their second half of the NSAA slate on Oct. 19, despite falling short at Jamestown (N.D.) 21-13.
+ The Trojans are 2-2 record at home this season, seeking to snap their two-game losing home skid after winning their first two games at home.
+ Dakota State is seeking for their first home field winning record since 2022, where they finished with a 3-2 home record, which capped off with a 13-0 shutout victory in The Last Game at the Trojan Field.
+ DSU is seeking for their first home victory over the Vikings since Oct. 16, 2021, where the Trojans earned a 24-10 upset victory over the 15th-ranked VCSU squad.
+ Dakota State and Valley City State are 3-3 record in the last six meetings since Oct. 16, 2021. The Trojans
+ Both teams will be playing their final North Star conference meeting on Saturday. They will join the Frontier Conference next season in 2025-26.
+ Dakota State is looking for their first win during the month of October. The last time the Trojans won during the month of October was during the 2022 season where they went 3-2 record.
The Series (37th meeting - VCSU leads series 30-6)
Last Meeting—Sept. 21, 2024, Lokken Stadium on Shelly Ellig Field, Valley City, N.D.—Dakota State (S.D.) spoiled Valley City State's (N.D.) homecoming in the first North Star conference meeting in Valley City, N.D.
Tyce Ortman rushed for a season-high 161 yards with a touchdown in Trojans' 19-8 victory over the Vikings. It was the second road victory for DSU at Valley City State in the last three road meetings.
After a scoreless first inning, the Trojans got on the scoreboard as Ortman rushed for an 11-yard touchdown followed by
Carson Sauseda's PAT extra point kick for 7-0 lead with 5:49 left. DSU extended their lead to 14-0 as
Melek Ford caught an 8-yard touchdown pass from
AJ Donovan with eight seconds left before halftime. DSU recorded a safety in the third quarter to make it 16-0 and ballooned their lead to 19-0 in the fourth quarter after a 43-yard field goal by Sauseda. VCSU scored a touchdown with less than two minutes left in the game.
Donovan finished the game by going 16-for-27 with 148 yards and a touchdown for Dakota State.
Austin Lake had four receptions for 33 yards.
Collin Brueggeman led the defense with nine tackles. Kaden and
Taron Serr each tallied five tackles.
Oscar Kooistra had two quarterback sacks of 21 yards loss. DSU held VCSU to seven rushing yards in the game.
Dakota State-Valley City State all-time series began in 1986 when the Vikings won the first four meetings. DSU earned their first win over VCSU on Sept. 5, 1998, at the Trojan Field by the score of 27-7. Both teams were former members of the Dakota Athletic Conference during the 2000's decade and original members of the North Star Athletic Association.
Jimmies hold off Trojans in NSAA football 21-13
Jamestown, N.D. (Oct. 19, 2024)—Jamestown (N.D.) scored 14 points within a span of eight seconds in the late first quarter, holding off Dakota State (S.D.) 21-13 to kick off their second half portion of the North Star Athletic Association schedule at Hansen Stadium/Rollie Greeno Field.
The Jimmies scored with 2:13 on the clock in the first quarter and then later scored another touchdown with a fumble return to extend their lead to 14-0 with 2:05 left in the first quarter. Dakota State snapped their scoring drought with a 36-yard touchdown reception by
Austin Lake with 3:15 remaining in the second. Nearly two minutes later, the Trojans trimmed the deficit to 14-10 after
Carson Sauseda's 42-yard field goal.
Jamestown's lead grew to 21-10 as they kicked off the third quarter with a four-minute drive for a touchdown. Dakota State answered on the ensuring possession with 14 plays for 67 yards in 7:26 as they settled for a 20-yard field goal by Sauseda. Both teams were unable to score in the final quarter as the Jimmies secured their first win of the season.
AJ Donovan was 21-of-34 for 162 yards with a touchdown for the Trojans.
Tyce Ortman rushed 14 times for 73 yards.
Preston Iverson added 13 rushes for 68 yards. Lake caught four passes for 51 yards and a touchdown.
Melek Ford had three catches for 31 yards.
Taron Serr led the defense with nine tackles.
Deveon Moses and
Blake Duran each had an interception..
Jamestown outgained Dakota State in total offensive yards by 13 yards (296-283). The Jimmies rushed for 147 yards to the Trojans 121 rushing yards. DSU threw for 162 yards compared to UJ 149 passing yards. Jamestown had the ball control for 33 minutes, 31 seconds, while Dakota State registered a possession of 26 minutes, 29 seconds.
NSAA begins second half portion of schedule
Madison, S.D. (Oct. 25, 2024)—The North Star Athletic Association wrapped up their first half portion of the conference schedule on Oct. 12 and began their second half of the conference schedule on Oct. 19. Dickinson State leads the conference standings with a 5-0 record, followed by Mayville State (N.D.) second with 3-2 record and Dakota State (S.D.) third with 2-3 record. Valley City State (N.D.) remains at fourth with a 1-3 record, while Jamestown (N.D.) is fifth with a 1-4 record.
Dakota State is third in the North Star conference standings in scoring defense with 15.6 points per game. The Trojans are second in the conference in rushing defense with 91.8 yards per game. DSU leads the North Star conference in quarterback sacks with 14 sacks.
Tyce Ortman leads the league in rushing yards per game with 94.5 yards per game in four NSAA contests for DSU. He also leads the conference with four rushing touchdowns in the conference games.
AJ Donovan ranks second in the NSAA in passing yards with 606 yards, as well as 202.0 passing yards per game.
Collin Brueggeman is third in the North Star with 34 tackles during the conference season.
Trojans in the NSAA conference ranks
Madison, S.D. (Oct. 26, 2024)—According to the PrestoStats-NAIA statistical website as of Friday, Dakota State ranks second in the North Star Athletic Association in scoring offense with 22.3 points per game. The Trojans are second in the league in total touchdowns (19) and extra point kicks (17).
Dakota State averages 309.7 offensive yards per game, which is second in the North Star conference. The Trojans are second in the league with 904 rushing yards and 1,264 passing yards.
Defensively, DSU is holding their opponents to 16.3 points per game which ranks second best scoring defense in the league. The Trojans also rank second in the conference in total defense allowed with 262.0 yards per game.
Dakota State leads the North Star in interceptions with 12 this season. The Trojans also tied for the most fumble recoveries in the conference.
Trojans leaders in the North Star conference
Madison, S.D. (Oct. 26, 2024)—
Tyce Ortman leads the North Star Athletic Association in rushing categories for Dakota State. He averages 89.9 yards per game and leads the conference with eight rushing touchdowns.
Austin Lake ranks third in the league with 43.9 receiving yards per game for the Trojans.
Melek Ford followed up with 40.7 receiving yards per game, which is fourth in the conference.
Collin Brueggeman ranks fifth in the North Star conference with 6.4 tackles per game for Dakota State.
Caleb Dwyer ranks second in the conference with 4.0 quarterback sacks, while his teammate
Chris Guipi-Bopala is tied for fourth most sacks in the league with three sacks.
Carson Sauseda leads the North Star conference in kicking with 38 points for the Trojans. He leads the league in field goals made with seven and made 17 PAT extra-point kicks this season.
Trojans at Brian Kern Family Stadium
Madison, S.D. (Oct. 25, 2024)—Prior to the game next Saturday at Brian Kern Family Stadium, Dakota State (S.D.) is holding their opponents to 15.0 points per game at home this season. The Trojans are 2-2 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 20.8 points per game at home.
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
