Football 8/28/2024 2:16:00 PM Nick Huntimer, Dakota State (S.D.) Sports Information Director

DSU football begins new era at Brian Kern Family Stadium Thursday

Trojans host rival Tigers in 9th annual Ag Bowl on Blankley Field at Beacom PREMIER Complex, Brian Kern Family Stadium

August 28, 2024

This Week's Preview
MADISON, S.D.—The Dakota State University (S.D.) Trojan football team (1-9 overall record, 1-7 North Star Athletic Association record in 2023 season) makes their 2024 season debut on the new football stadium, the Beacom PREMIER Complex at Brian Kern Family Stadium on Blankley Field. The Trojans host rival Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) (6-5 overall record, 5-5 Great Plains Athletic Conference record) in the 9th annual Ag Bowl contest and Chamber of Commerce Traveling Trophy Cup. Kick-off is set for 7:05 p.m. Thursday's meeting will be the 78th all-time meeting between the Trojans and the Tigers.

Tailgate starts at 4 p.m., with the live entertainment at 5 p.m. The tailgate area will be located on the east side of the Trojan parking lot area on the south side of the football stadium. There will be a grand opening ceremony during halftime of the football game.

Dakota State looks to improve from last year's record, seeking for a winning record since 2022 when they finished the season with a 6-4 overall record. The Trojans were also tied for second place in the NSAA conference standings that season with a 4-2 record.

Dakota State competes in the North Star Athletic Association's final year in 2024-25, before transitioning to the Frontier Conference next season in 2025-26.

Next Up: Dakota State plays their final non-conference contest of the 2024 season, visiting NCAA Division III Nebraska Wesleyan. Kick-off is set for 7 p.m. at Abel Stadium in Lincoln, Neb.

Week 1 Quick Hits
+ Thursday's game will be the 9th annual Ag Bowl contest. Dakota State is 3-0 record in the Ag Bowl contests with Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) since 2017. The Trojans won the last Ag Bowl meeting with the Tigers by the score of 29-19 in 2022 at the former Trojan Field.
+ DSU's six-game winning streak in the series meeting with DWU came to an end last season at Joe Quintal Field in Mitchell, S.D., by the score of 23-13. The Tigers claimed the first Chamber of Commerce Traveling Cup, which was owned by the Trojans since its inaugural year in 2017.
+ Dakota State had won the previous three home meetings with Dakota Wesleyan, held at the former Trojan Field.
+ Thursday's game will be the fourth consecutive year that both DSU and DWU face each other to begin the season.
+ The Trojans were predicted to finish fifth in the North Star Athletic Association. The Tigers were picked to finish seventh in the Great Plains Athletic Conference this season.
+ Dakota State is scheduled to play five home games and five road games on their 2024 schedule.
+ The Trojans are slated to play eight North Star Athletic Association contests this season, closing their final chapter of the conference. DSU will move to the Frontier Conference, starting in 2025-26.
+ DSU is seeking for their first season home opener victory since 2022, when they defeated rival DWU.
+ The first-ever Ag Bowl contest was held on Sept. 17, 2016, when the Trojans defeated Waldorf (Iowa) by the score of 36-14.

The Series (78th meeting - DWU leads series 40-36-1)
Last Meeting—Aug. 26, 2023, Joe Quintal Field, Mitchell, S.D.—Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) raced to a 21-0 lead over Dakota State (S.D.) in their last meeting. The Tigers withdrew the Trojans' late comeback, holding on to a 23-13 victory in the season opener for both teams. DSU's six-game winning streak in the series meeting came to an end as DWU owns the all-time series of 40-36-1.

Dakota Wesleyan opened the game with 14 points in the first quarter and extended their lead to 21-0 in the early second quarter. The Trojans snapped their scoring drought on the ensuing possession as Tyce Ortman rushed for a 2-yard touchdown (DSU trailed 21-7). The Tigers led 23-7 by halftime. Nathan Cook added a 32-yard touchdown reception from Austin Lake, trailing 23-13 and could get no closer.

The Trojans outgained the Tigers 344-319 in total offensive yards. DSU also recorded 19 first-downs in the game compared to DWU 15 first-downs. Ortman finished the game with 32 rushing yards and a touchdown. Lake had six catches for 57 yards. Chris Guipi-Bopala led the defense with nine tackles. Jay Skogerboe had seven tackles and an interception.

The series began in 1908 with Dakota Wesleyan winning by the score of 6-0. DSU and DWU were formers members of the South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference (SDIC) and played until their final conference contest in 1999, where ethe Trojans won by the score of 45-32. The series briefly returned in 2023 for two years and then again in 2011 where they had played since, except the 2020 season due to COVID. Both teams had played their season opener since 2015.

DSU begins new era at Brian Kern Family Stadium
Madison, S.D. (Aug. 28, 2024)—Dakota State (S.D.) will make history Thursday night as they begin their new era at the newly Brian Kern Family Stadium on Blankley Field at Beacom PREMIER Complex.

After playing for more than 60 years at the former Trojan Field that runs west-east and last season at the temporary Dan Beacom Track & Field Complex, the DSU football team play on the new football field.

Dakota State have 10 games scheduled on their 2024 schedule, with five games at home and five games on the road. The Trojans play their two non-conference foes against rival Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) at home and on the road at NCAA Division III Nebraska Wesleyan on Sept. 7.

The Trojan Day homecoming game is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 14, as they host Jamestown (N.D.) in the North Star Athletic Association conference opener. It will be also our Senior Day as the football team honors their seniors prior to the game.

Dakota State returns 17 starters from last year's squad. The Trojans return North Star Athletic Association All-Conference First Team snapper Braxton Lacher (conference's Snapper of the Year), and Second Team offensive lineman Tyler Kjetland and running back Tyce Ortman.

DSU also returns a pair of North Star Football Honorable Mention recipients Tray Hettick (quarterback) and Caleb Dwyer (defensive line).

Josh Anderson enters his 16th season as the Trojan football head coach. He holds the all-time program record for most football victories as the DSU head football coach.

DSU picks fifth in NSAA football coaches' poll
Madison, S.D. (Aug. 19, 2024)—The North Star Athletic Association Coaches' Preseason Poll was announced by the conference office. Dakota State (S.D.) was edged out by Mayville State (N.D.) by one point for fourth place in the preseason poll.

Dickinson State (N.D.) was the unanimous pick to win the league title, collecting all five first place votes and 25 points to secure the top spot. Valley City State (N.D.) finished second with 19 points.

Jamestown (N.D.), who is returning to the NSAA conference for the first time since 2017-18 season, finished third in the poll with 15 points. MSU recorded eight points, while the Trojans had seven points.

Each North Star football members will be playing a total of eight conference games during the season, playing home-and-away contests. DSU opens their conference play on Sept. 14 in Trojan Days homecoming game versus Jamestown (N.D.). The conference's winner will receive a berth to the NAIA Football Championships Series (FCS), with the opening round set for Nov. 23.

Two Trojans nominees on 2024 AllState Good Works
Madison, S.D. (July 17, 2024)—Braxton Lacher and head coach Josh Anderson of Dakota State (S.D.) were nominees to the 2024 Allstate American Football Coaches Association Team award.

Lacher, a 6-foot and 230 lbs. senior snapper for the Trojans, was the first North Star Athletic Association Snapper of the Year recipient last fall. He was an All-Conference First Team specialist.

Lacher has received numerous academic awards including NAIA and NSAA Scholar-Athlete awards, and the College of Sports Communicators academic award. Lacher served on the Leadership Council in football. He also hosted the DSU Unite fundraiser event for the last two years. He was the President of the Tribeta National Biological Society Dakota State Chamber, a member of the Captain's Council, Trojan Ambassador, and volunteered as the public announcer at DSU's home sports events.

Anderson had been involved with various Champions of Character activities, such as bowling and basketball with the Special Olympics athletes.

Scott & Sara Schlisner and family named Ag Bowl captains
Madison, S.D. (Aug. 23, 2024)—Scott Schlisner's family has been farming in the Madison area since they settled in the area in the late 1800's. Scott and Sara Schlisner and family will be the Ag Bowl captains for Thursday's game against Dakota Wesleyan.

Ag Bowl is an annual event from DSU Athletics in a way of saying thank you to all the local agriculture businesses.

Scott earned his degree from Dakota State ('04) while attending school part-time and working on the family farm, managing Wenk Foods, and raising a family. After graduating with a business administration degree, he became a financial advisor, while continuing to farm. His wife Sara was a student-athlete, who played softball at DSU ('06). They have four kids, Ryan (who attended DSU), Ella, Grady, and Leah.

Graydon Graduated from General Beadle State in 1971. His wife, Cheryl, also attended Beadle Campus School that served as teacher-in-training school. See more of the Schlisner family on dsuathletics.com.

DSU Football tickets available online
Madison, S.D. (Aug. 24, 2024)—The Dakota State University Athletics are going digital with tickets to 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.

DSU Football games on KJAM Radio
Madison, S.D. (Aug. 28, 2025)—KJAM Radio will broadcast the Dakota State's (S.D.) season opener on Thursday evening.

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/.

Matt Groce will be the 'Voice of the Trojans' on Thursday evening. The audio link to the KJAM radio is also available on DSU athletics' website on dsuathletics.com.

2023 DSU Football Returning Team Leaders

Rushing: Tyce Ortman - 255 yards (55 attempts - 51.0 yards per game)
Passing: Tray Hettick - 1,074 yards (98-of-185 - 53.0 completion rate)
Receiving Yards: Austin Lake - 505 yards (48 receptions - 50.5 yards per game)
Tackles: Collin Brueggeman - 57 tackles (18 solo, 39 assist)
Tackles-for-loss: Caleb Dwyer - 5.5 tackles-for-loss (27.0 yards loss)
Quarterback sacks: Caleb Dwyer - 3.5 quarterback sacks (12.0 yards loss)
Interceptions: Jay Skogerboe, Blake Duran - 2 interceptions (0 yards loss/23 yards loss)
Fumble recoveries: Gabriel Chambliss - 1 fumble recovery
Scoring: Preston Iverson - 18 points (3 touchdowns)
Punting: Joshua Smith - 24.8 yards per punt (9 punts for 223 yards
Scoring (kicking): Aidan Jahns - 22 points (10 PAT extra-points, 4 field goals)