September 27, 2025

MADISON, S.D. – In a defensive battle that went down to the final seconds, Dakota State (S.D.) edged (RV) Southern Oregon 11–10 on a late field goal Saturday afternoon at Brian Kern Family Stadium on Blankley Field.  It was Trojan Day homecoming game and Seniors Day for the DSU football team (seniors were honored prior to the game).

The Trojans, a member of the Frontier Conference East Division, raised their overall record to 3-1 with their second straight home win and their third straight victory.  DSU finished their Frontier Conference cross-over schedule with a 2-0 record (defeated Arizona Christian 44-27 on Sept. 20 in Glendale, Ariz.). 

Southern Oregon (1-3 overall record), receiving votes in the latest NAIA Football Coaches' Top 25 national poll and a member of Frontier Conference West Division, dropped their third straight game after opening their season with a 59-0 shutout over Simpson (Calif.).

It was both teams' first-ever series meeting.
  First Quarter Highlights
Dakota State opened the scoring late in the first quarter when quarterback Tray Hettick connected with Preston Iverson for a 38-yard touchdown pass, capping an 8-play, 65-yard drive. The PAT extra-point attempt was unsuccessful, giving the Trojans a 6–0 lead with 3:08 remaining.
  Second Quarter Highlights
Southern Oregon answered in the second quarter with a 14-play, 77-yard march, punctuated by Fresh Ison's one-yard touchdown run and Danny Cossette's extra point to go ahead 7–6. The Raiders extended their lead to 10–6 when Cossette converted a 26-yard field goal late in the half.
  Third Quarter Highlights
Both defenses dominated the third quarter. The Trojan front, led by Jordan Cooper (six tackles, one sack, one quarterback hurry) and Caleb Dwyer (four tackles, one sack), pressured Southern Oregon quarterback Dom Montiel throughout. Dakota State broke through with a critical safety at the 3:02 mark when the Raiders' drive stalled deep in their own territory, cutting the deficit to 10–8.
  Fourth-Quarter Highlights
The final period featured missed opportunities until the game's closing moments. After Southern Oregon's Cossette missed a potential 51-yard field goal with 1:35 left, Hettick guided the Trojans 48 yards on seven plays.

With just 12 seconds remaining, kicker Adrian Villanueva drilled a 35-yard field goal to give Dakota State an 11–10 advantage.

It was the second straight game that Dakota State held their opponents to zero second-half points.
  By the Numbers

• Total Offense: Southern Oregon 285 yards (184 pass, 101 rush); Dakota State 245 yards (262 pass, -17 rush).
• Passing Leaders: Hettick went 21-for-32 for 262 yards and one TD; SOU's Dom Montiel finished 17-for-29 for 184 yards.
• Top Receivers: Iverson (6 catches, 75 yards, 1 TD), Maddox Kihne (4 catches, 86 yards), Victor Boggs, Jr. (4 catches, 61 yards). SOU's Trevor Jaasko had 4 receptions for 84 yards.
• Defensive Standouts: DSU's Deveon Moses (9 tackles, 3 breakups), Taron Serr (10 tackles), and Cooper (6 tackles, 1.0 sack, 1 QB hurry). SOU's Gabe Foster led the Raiders with 2 sacks.
• Special Teams: Villanueva (35-yard game-winning FG), Cossette (26-yard FG, 1 PAT). Punter Xander Sheehan pinned SOU inside the 20 three times.

Up Next
Dakota State begins their Frontier Conference East Division play (countable conference game) next Saturday at No. 6 ranked Montana Tech, who is the preseason favorite to win the East Division.  Kick-off is set for 2 p.m. (Central Time)/1 p.m. (Mountain Time) at Alumni Coliseum in Butte, Mont.