October 4, 2025

BUTTE, Mont. – Dakota State (S.D.) was unable to overcome NAIA's nationally-ranked No. 5 Montana Tech's offensive explosion in the first half Saturday afternoon at Alumni Coliseum, falling 49-21 in the Frontier Conference East Division opener.  

The Trojans' three-game winning streak came to an end, falling to 3-2 overall record and 0-1 record in the Frontier East Division.  The Orediggers remained undefeated this season, raising their overall record to 6-0 and 1-0 Frontier East record.
  First Quarter Highlights
The Orediggers scored on their first three possessions to build a 21–0 lead in the opening quarter. Jarrett Wilson found Levi Torgerson on a 62-yard touchdown strike midway through the period, followed by a 75-yard scoring run from Nate Milanowski and a 65-yard Wilson-to-Nick Michelotti connection just minutes later.

Dakota State's defense produced an early highlight when Jordan Cooper forced and recovered a fumble at midfield to halt one Tech drive.
  Second Quarter Highlights
The Trojans capitalized on a 75-yard drive to start the second quarter. Tray Hettick engineered an eight-play series capped by Kacey Cauley's one-yard plunge to cut the deficit to 21–7.  It was his first career collegiate football touchdown for Cauley.

Montana Tech answered with a trick play when Torgerson threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Wilson, giving the Orediggers a 28–7 halftime advantage.
  Third Quarter Highlights
Wilson added a seven-yard rushing score midway through the third quarter to extend Tech's lead, but Dakota State responded with an impressive 89-yard drive. Hettick connected with Maddox Kihne on a 14-yard touchdown late in the quarter to make it 35–14.
  Fourth Quarter Highlights
Early in the fourth, Hettick and Melek Ford hooked up on an 18-yard touchdown strike to pull DSU within 35–21. Montana Tech's offense, however, sealed the win with two late scores — a six-yard touchdown pass to Wykece Johnson and a nine-yard run from Christian Vette to complete the 49–21 final.
  Team and Individual Highlights
Dakota State racked up 388 yards of total offense on 66 plays, including 288 passing yards from Hettick (18-for-39, 2 TDs, 1 INT). Kihne led all Trojan receivers with 7 catches for a career-high 108 yards and a touchdown, while Ford added 5 receptions for 86 yards and a score. Victor Boggs, Jr. tallied four catches for 52 yards.

Cauley rushed for a touchdown, and Kihne added 106 kick-return yards to total 214 all-purpose yards.

Defensively, Brooks Jansen paced the Trojans with nine tackles, while Josiah Perez and Deveon Moses each recorded seven. Cooper added a forced fumble and recovery.

Montana Tech amassed 555 yards of offense, led by Wilson's 336 passing yards and three touchdowns plus a rushing score. Torgerson caught 13 passes for 185 yards and a touchdown.
  Up Next
Dakota State stays on the road as they continue their Frontier East Division action, visiting Dickinson State (N.D.), who lost to Mayville State (N.D.) 34-32 on the road in three overtimes.  Kick-off is set for 2 p.m. (Central Time)/1 p.m. (Mountain Time) at Biesiot Activities Center in Dickinson, N.D.