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Dakota State University

Scoreboard

#5 Josiah Perez, #90 Caleb Dwyer - 10/18/25
Mike Nowka
7
Valley City State (N.D.) VALLEY C 4-3 , 1-2 Frontier East
40
Winner Dakota State (S.D.) DAKOTA S 5-2 , 2-1 Frontier East
Valley City State (N.D.) VALLEY C
4-3 , 1-2 Frontier East
7
Final
40
Dakota State (S.D.) DAKOTA S
5-2 , 2-1 Frontier East
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
VALLEY C Valley City State (N.D.) 0 0 0 7 7
DAKOTA S Dakota State (S.D.) 6 13 14 7 40

Game Recap: Football | | Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director

Dakota State powers past Valley City State (N.D.), 40–7, in Frontier East showdown

DSU is undefeated this season at Brian Kern Family Stadium with a 3-0 record; posts largest margin of victory by DSU squad over VCSU

October 18, 2025

MADISON, S.D. – A dominant all-around effort propelled Dakota State (S.D.) to a decisive 40–7 victory over Valley City State (N.D.) on a cool, breezy Saturday late afternoon at Brian Kern Family Stadium on Blankley Field.  The Trojans earned their fifth victory in the last six games.

DSU raised their overall record to 5–2 overall and 2–1 in the Frontier East standings, while the Vikings slipped to 4–3 and 1–2 in division play.  It was the first time since the 2017 season where Dakota State started their season with an overall record of 5–2.

The Trojans earned their third straight victory over the Vikings in the series meeting, holding VCSU to single digits in all those three meetings.  DSU is also undefeated this season at Brian Kern Family Stadium with a 3-0 record, lifting their all-time home record to 6-2 since the home stadium debut last season (won four straight home games).

The 33-point victory margin is the largest victory by a DSU squad over VCSU, earning their eighth victory in the series meeting history (38th meeting).  The previous DSU's biggest margin of victory over the Vikings was 20 points in 1998 (DSU won by the score of 27-7).

First Half Highlights
After both defenses opened strong, the Trojans capitalized midway through the first quarter. Kacey Cauley finished a 12-play, 70-yard drive with a four-yard touchdown run at the 6:53 mark. The extra-point attempt was blocked, giving DSU a 6–0 lead.

Dakota State's defense forced a fumble late in the first quarter that shifted momentum again. Early in the second, Preston Iverson capped a short field with a nine-yard touchdown rush (12:57), though the PAT missed. Iverson struck again just before halftime, plunging in from three yards out with 49 seconds left, and Adrian Villanueva's PAT extended the lead to 19–0 at the break.

Third Quarter Highlights
The Trojans kept the pressure on when Valley City State fumbled on its opening drive of the half. Tray Hettick immediately connected with Tim Halbur on a 15-yard touchdown pass, pushing the score to 26–0 only 2:24 into the third quarter.

Moments later, Hettick found Maddox Kihne for a 35-yard touchdown, capping another efficient 48-yard drive to make it 33–0. DSU's defense continued to dominate, forcing six sacks and two interceptions in the game.

Fourth Quarter Highlights
Valley City State finally broke through late in the fourth quarter, as Nick Mears powered in from one yard out to complete an 87-yard drive (5:33). But Dakota State quickly answered. After Lucas Chamberlin intercepted a Viking pass deep in VCSU territory, Darius Jay punched in a one-yard touchdown just two plays later (3:06) to close the scoring at 40–7.

By the Numbers
Team Totals
  • Dakota State: 334 total yards (151 rush, 183 pass); 24 first downs; 6-of-15 on third down; 5-for-5 in red zone
  • Valley City State: 192 total yards (87 rush, 105 pass); 15 first downs; 5-of-16 on third down; two turnovers
Individual Leaders – Dakota State Valley City State
  • Ethan Kastner: 12-of-28 passing, 105 yards, 2 INTs; 17 rushes, 24 yards
  • Nick Mears: 3 carries, 5 yards, 1 TD; 2 catches, 9 yards
  • Exavian Westbrook: 3 receptions, 46 yards
  • Caleb Torke: 8 tackles; Gavin Gerhardt 8 tackles
DSU's Defense Highlights
Dakota State's defense posted six sacks, forced three fumbles, and limited VCSU to 2.9 yards per play. Chambliss and Cooper each tallied three tackles for loss, while Caleb Dwyer blocked a field goal.

DSU's Special Teams Highlights
Villanueva went 4-for-6 on PATs and sent four of seven kickoffs for touchbacks. Xander Sheehan averaged 30.2 yards per punt, including one inside the 20.

Up Next
Dakota State takes a bye week next Saturday and kicks off the month of November with their final road contest of the 2025 season.  The Trojans travel to Mayville, N.D., on Saturday, Nov. 1 to take on Mayville State (N.D.) in the Frontier East contest.  Kick-off from the Jerome Berg Field is set for 4 p.m.
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