Football 9/11/2024 9:43:00 PM Nick Huntimer, Dakota State (S.D.) Sports Information Director

DSU hosts Jimmies in Trojan Days homecoming, NSAA conference opener

12 seniors to be recognized 30 minutes prior to kick-off Saturday

September 11, 2024

Week 3 Preview
MADISON, S.D.—The Dakota State University (S.D.) Trojan football team (2-0 overall record, 0-0 North Star Athletic Association record) returns home Saturday afternoon at Brian Kern Family Stadium on Blankley Field. The Trojans kick off their eight-game NSAA conference schedule versus Jamestown (N.D.) (0-2 overall record, 0-0 NSAA conference record). Kick-off is set for 4 p.m. There will be a tailgate on the east lawn area of the Beacom PREMIER Complex's parking lot. Seniors will be recognized at approximately 3:30 p.m.

Dakota State earned their second straight victory after defeating NCAA Division III Nebraska Wesleyan 41-25 on the road on Sept. 7. The Trojans posted its 2-0 start for the first time since the 2014 season. DSU also earned their first road victory since the late 2022 season (defeated Iowa Wesleyan 12-6 in late October 2022).

Jamestown dropped a pair of games against NCAA Division II opponents, most recently a 17-10 setback at Chadron State (Neb.) on Sept. 5. The Jimmies opened their season with a 23-6 road defeat to Mary (N.D.) on Aug. 29.

UJ returns to the North Star Athletic Association for the first time since 2017, which both DSU and UJ met for the last meeting. The NSAA conference will be in their final chapter this season. Dakota State will be transitioning to the Frontier Conference next season, while Jamestown will play in NCAA Division II's Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).

Next Up: Dakota State heads north to take on Valley City State (N.D.) in the North Star conference action. Kick-off is set for 4 p.m. at Shelly Ellig at Lokken Stadium on the campus of VCSU in Valley City, N.D.

Week 3 Quick Hits
+ Dakota State (S.D.) is 1-0 record at home at the new football stadium, the Brian Kern Family Stadium on Blankley Field.
+ Jamestown (N.D.) returns to the North Star Athletic Association for the first time since the 2017-18 season. The Jimmies had been part of the original NSAA conference in 2013-14 and moved to the Great Plains Athletic Conference from 2018-23.
+ The Trojans and the Jimmies are meeting Saturday for the first time since Sept. 30, 2017 (in Jamestown). The last time UJ played in Madison was on Sept. 24, 2016, where DSU came up with a 36-17 homecoming victory at the former Trojan Field.
+ Dakota State had won five times in the last six meetings with Jamestown since Oct. 27, 2012, with three wins in the last four home meetings in Madison.
+ The Trojans poured in 41 points in their road victory at NCAA Division III Nebraska Wesleyan on Sept. 7. It was the highest points total scored since the 2021 season when DSU scored 40 points versus Presentation (S.D.) on Sept. 18 and 53 points versus Iowa Wesleyan on Oct. 23, both games at the former Trojan Field.
+ Dakota State plays their lone home game during the month of September. The Trojans travel to Valley City State (N.D.) next Saturday to conclude the month of September and takes a bye week on Sept. 28 before returning home on Oct. 5.
+ DSU and UJ will be playing their second NSAA meeting of the season on Oct. 19 in Jamestown, N.D.
+ The Trojan developmental football team (1-0 overall record) opened their season with a 23-20 thrilling victory at rival Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.). DSU hosts Mount Marty (S.D.) at Brian Kern Family Stadium on Blankley Field with a 3 p.m. kick-off on Sunday.

The Series (29th meeting - UJ leads series 19-9)
Last Meeting—Sept. 30, 2017, Rollie Greeno Field, Jamestown, N.D.—Dakota State (S.D.) and Jamestown (N.D.) faced windy conditions in their last meeting held in Jamestown, N.D. The Trojans rallied from a 14-7 deficit in the fourth quarter, tied the game at 14-14 and forced overtime. After the Jimmies failed to score on the first possession in overtime, DSU earned the victory with a touchdown for a 20-14 victory.

Dakota State registered their third straight victory in the series meeting with Jamestown, DSU's fifth win in the last six meetings. The Jimmies tallied 306 total offensive yards compared to the Trojans' 255 total offensive yards. UJ outrushed DSU 213-172. Jamestown threw for 93 yards to DSU 83 passing yards, despite the winds.

Dakota State defeated Jamestown 36-17 during Trojan Days homecoming game on Sept. 24, 2016, at the former Trojan Field. There was an hour lightning delay to start the game.

The series began in 1982 where Jamestown had won the first six meetings. The Trojans notched their first victory over the Jimmies in 1994, when Dakota State shut down Jamestown by he score of 37-0. Both DSU and UJ were original members of the Dakota Athletic Conference and North Star Athletic Association.

There was only one meeting in the all-time series between Dakota State and Jamestown that went in double overtime. The Trojans earned the double overtime thriller by the score of 35-34 at the Trojan Field in 2012.

Dakota State returns to Jamestown in mid-October on Hansen Stadium/Rollie Greeno Field. The Trojans had won the last two meetings held on Rollie Greeno Field.

DSU defeats NCAA Division III Nebraska Wesleyan 41-25
Lincoln, Neb. (Sept. 8, 2024)—Dakota State (S.D.) raced to a 7-0 lead after a quick first possession of the game at Abel Stadium and never trailed for a 41-25 road victory over NCAA Division III Nebraska Wesleyan. It was the DSU's first win over NCAA Division III since Sept. 21, 2019, when they defeated Wisconsin-Stevens Point at the Trojan Field during the Trojan Days homecoming game.

Dakota State kicked off the game with Tray Hettick connecting to Austin Lake for a 48-yard touchdown followed by Carson Sauseda's PAT extra-point kick for a 7-0 lead.

The Trojans ballooned their lead to 24-6 by halftime after outscoring Nebraska Wesleyan 17-6 in the second quarter, highlighted by a 27-yard field goal by Sauseda, Melek Ford's 41-yard touchdown reception, and a 4-yard touchdown reception by Tyce Ortman.

DSU extended their lead to 38-6 in the third quarter after scoring two touchdowns from Ortman's 29-yard touchdown run and Tysen Grinde's 18-yard touchdown reception. The Prairie Wolves outscored the Trojans 19-3 in the final 15 minutes of the game to round out the final score.

Hettick was 18-of-26 for 233 yards with four touchdowns for DSU. Lake caught four passes for 86 yards and a touchdown. Ford added two catches for 52 yards and a touchdown. JerQon Conners had four catches for 31 yards. Grinde had two catches for 23 yards and a touchdown. Ortman rushed 18 times for 89 yards and a touchdown. Preston Iverson ran 14 times for 74 yards. Deveon Moses led the Trojans' defense with six tackles. Jay Skogerboe, Chris Guipi-Bopala, Taron Serr, and Collin Brueggeman each added four tackles. Brueggeman, Kaden Eng, and Blake Duran each recorded an interception.

DSU outgained NWU 406-358 in total offensive yards. The Trojans rushed 172 yards to the Prairie Wolves 57 yards. Dakota state produced 25 first-downs in the game.

Trojans to honor seniors prior to game Saturday
Madison, S.D. (Sept. 11, 2024)—Dakota State (S.D.) will be honoring their twelve seniors during the homecoming football game on Saturday versus Jamestown (N.D.). The seniors ceremony will be held at 3:30 p.m., half-hour before the kick-off at 4 p.m.

The 12 seniors include Tyce Ortman, Blake Duran, Austin Lake, Jay Skogerboe, JerQon Conners, Chris Guipi-Bopala, Cooper Vincent, Joseph Taylor, Collin Brueggeman, Joey Hoeschen, Nathan Cook, and Braxton Lacher.

Ortman was a two-time North Star Athletic Association All-Conference Second Team running back for the Trojans in 2022 and 2023. Skogerboe was also a two-time NSAA All-Conference Second Team defensive back in 2021 and 2022.

Braxton Lacher was the first snapper in NSAA conference history to be named NSAA All-Conference First Team specialist, as well as the conference's Snapper-of-the-Year award in 2023.

Two Trojans earn NSAA Player-of-the-Week awards
Madison, S.D. (Sept. 9, 2024)—Two Dakota State (S.D.) athletes were selected to the second edition of the North Star Athletic Association Football Players-of-the-Week honors after their 41-25 road victory at NCAA Division III Nebraska Wesleyan on Sept. 7.

Tray Hettick was named to the NSAA Football Offensive Player-of-the-Week. He completed 18 times in 26 attempts (69.2 percent completion rate) for 233 yards with four touchdowns for the Trojans. He threw touchdown passes to four different receivers—Austin Lake (48 yards), Melek Ford (41 yards), Tyce Ortman (4 yards), and Tysen Grinde (18 yards).

Carson Sauseda was selected to the NSAA Football Special Teams Player-of-the-Week. He scored 11 points in the game. He made a pair of field goals (27– and 32-yards) to go along with his five PAT extra point kicks. Sauseda recorded eight kick-offs for nearly 500 yards (498 yards), with five kick-offs resulting in a touchback. He averaged 62.3 yards per kick-off. He hit his season-long 52-yard field goal at home versus Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) on Aug. 29.

Upcoming DSU football schedule and events
Madison, S.D. (Sept. 11, 2024)—Dakota State (S.D.) have two football games remaining during the month of September, including the Trojan Days homecoming football game on Saturday versus Jamestown (N.D.).

The Trojans continue their North Star Athletic Association next Saturday at Valley City State (N.D.) before taking the first NSAA's bye week on Sept. 28.

Dakota State returns home for their two-game home stand, hosting Mayville State (N.D.) in the Rushin' for a Cure football game to raise cancer awareness. Kick-off is set for 4 p.m. There is also a volleyball match on the same day versus Mayville State at 1 p.m. in the DSU Fieldhouse, where the annual Dig Pink volleyball match will take place.

The Trojans host the nationally-ranked Dickinson State (N.D.) on Oct. 12. The game is set for 12 p.m. to conclude the first half portion of the North Star conference schedule. The second-half of the conference schedule will flip-flop the home and away contests on the first half of the conference schedule.

DSU football tickets available onlin
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.) homecoming football game Saturday.

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.

2024 DSU Football Team Leaders

Rushing: Tyce Ortman - 178 yards (33 attempts - 89.0 yards per game)
Passing: Tray Hettick - 427 yards (37-of-60 - 61.7 completion rate)
Receiving Yards: JerQon Conners - 122 yards (13 receptions - 61.0 yards per game)
Tackles: Taron Serr - 12 tackles (6 solos, 6 assists)
Tackles-for-loss: Chris Guipi-Bopala - 4.0 tackles-for-loss (13.0 yards loss)
Quarterback sacks: Chris Guipi-Bopala - 1.0 quarterback sack (1.0 yards loss)
Interceptions: Kaden Eng - 2 interceptions (12 yards return each)
Fumble recoveries: Gabriel Chambliss - 1 fumble recovery
Scoring: Tyce Ortman - 30 points (5 touchdowns)
Punting: Tyce Ortman - 40.8 yards per punt (9 punts for 367 yards)
Scoring (kicking): Carson Sauseda - 21 points (9 PAT extra-points, 4 field goals)