Box Score October 17, 2026

VALLEY CITY, N.D. — Dakota State (S.D.) quarterback Tray Hettick threw for 351 yards and four touchdowns, while Maddox Kihne hauled in 11 receptions for 152 yards and two scores as the Trojans defeated Valley City State (N.D.) 42-21 Saturday afternoon in a Frontier Conference East Division football contest at Lokken Stadium.

Dakota State scored 21 points in the second quarter to break a 7-7 tie and establish a 28-14 halftime advantage. The Trojans added a touchdown in each of the final two quarters to secure the 21-point victory.

DSU, receiving votes (RV) in the latest NAIA Football Coaches' Top 25 national poll, improved to 5-3 overall and 1-2 in Frontier Conference East Division play. Valley City State dropped to 1-6 overall and 0-3 in conference action.

How it happened

Dakota State received the opening kickoff and marched 59 yards on nine plays before its scoring opportunity ended with a blocked 32-yard field goal attempt by Malte Hamann.

The Trojan defense quickly responded when Valley City State quarterback Brayden Medeiros lost a fumble, recovered by Darryl Williams II at the Vikings' 18-yard line.

Dakota State capitalized on the turnover with a three-play, 18-yard scoring drive. Preston Iverson capped the possession with a 4-yard touchdown run with 8:03 remaining in the opening quarter. Hamann added the PAT extra point for a 7-0 Trojan advantage.

Valley City State threatened to score on its ensuing possession, advancing to the Dakota State 2-yard line. However, the Trojan defense delivered a fourth-down stop to preserve the seven-point lead.

Valley City State evened the score early in the second quarter after completing an 11-play, 64-yard drive. Laggarius Marshell scored on a 1-yard touchdown run with 11:25 remaining before halftime. Walker Brondos converted the extra point to tie the game at 7-7.

Dakota State answered with an 11-play, 67-yard scoring drive that consumed 6:13 off the clock. Hettick connected with Kihne for a 9-yard touchdown pass with 5:08 remaining, putting the Trojans ahead 14-7 following Hamann's extra point.

The Vikings responded quickly with a four-play, 65-yard drive. Medeiros found Jonathan Hunter for a 53-yard touchdown reception with 3:40 remaining, tying the game at 14-14.

The Trojans needed just one offensive play to regain the lead, thanks to Kihne's 61 yards kickoff return to VCSU 34-yard line. Hettick fired a 34-yard touchdown pass to Tim Halbur with 3:23 left in the second quarter. Hamann's extra point gave Dakota State a 21-14 advantage.

After forcing Valley City State to punt, Dakota State assembled another scoring drive before halftime.

The Trojans traveled 72 yards on seven plays, capped by Hettick's 5-yard touchdown pass to Kihne with 39 seconds remaining. Hamann converted his fourth extra point of the game as Dakota State took a 28-14 lead into the locker room.

Hettick threw three touchdown passes during the second quarter as the Trojans outscored the Vikings 21-14.

Valley City State opened the second half with a quick three-play, 71-yard touchdown drive.

Medeiros connected with Marshell for a 19-yard touchdown pass with 13:18 remaining in the third quarter. Brondos' extra point trimmed Dakota State's lead to 28-21.

The Trojans answered immediately with a seven-play, 75-yard scoring drive.

Hettick completed his fourth touchdown pass of the afternoon, connecting with Terik Streets for a 24-yard score with 9:57 remaining in the third quarter. Hamann's successful extra point extended Dakota State's advantage to 35-21.

Dakota State carried its 14-point lead into the final quarter.

Dakota State maintained control of the contest in the fourth quarter with its ball-control offense and defensive stops.

After Valley City State turned the ball over on downs, the Trojans put together a 10-play, 48-yard scoring drive that consumed 6:04 off the clock.

Trajan Davis finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run with 3:59 remaining in the game. Hamann added the extra point to increase Dakota State's lead to 42-21.

Dakota State's defense continued its strong fourth-quarter performance when Jayden Brown intercepted Medeiros on the Vikings' next possession.

The Trojans held Valley City State scoreless in the final quarter to complete the 42-21 divisional road victory.

Inside the box score

Hettick directed the Trojan passing attack with 351 yards and four touchdowns on 27-of-32 passing. He completed passes to seven different receivers.

Kihne led all receivers with 11 catches for 152 yards and two touchdowns, including scoring receptions of 9 and 5 yards. He also returned a kickoff 61 yards.

Streets finished with six catches for 71 yards and a 24-yard touchdown reception. Davis contributed five catches for 60 yards, while adding 47 rushing yards on 14 carries and a touchdown.

Halbur recorded a 34-yard touchdown reception. Iverson led the Trojan rushing attack with 48 yards on nine carries, including a 4-yard touchdown run. He also caught one pass for 16 yards.

Samuel Livingston rushed six times for 27 yards and added a 6-yard reception.

Dakota State averaged 7.0 yards per offensive play and converted five of its nine third-down opportunities. The Trojans also converted their lone fourth-down attempt.

Aidan Jahns led Dakota State's defense with seven tackles, including four solo stops and three assisted tackles. He also recorded a pass breakup.

Josiah Perez, Gunnar Sarkela and Tamareon 'Frosty' Foster each registered six tackles. Foster added a tackle for loss and a pass breakup.

Kaden Van Otterloo contributed five tackles and a pass breakup, while Trevon Johnson recorded four solo tackles.

Brown registered an interception, while Williams II recovered a fumble.

Jacob Imdieke and Elliott Devries each recorded a sack and forced fumble as the Trojans generated pressure on the Valley City State offense.

Dakota State limited the Vikings to 74 rushing yards on 22 attempts. The Trojans also held Valley City State to 2-of-8 on third-down conversions and 1-of-5 on fourth-down attempts.

Medeiros completed 20 of 30 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns with one interception for the Vikings.

Hunter led Valley City State's receiving attack with three receptions for 91 yards, highlighted by his 53-yard touchdown catch.

Exavian Westbrook added four receptions for 62 yards, while Tyson Ball caught four passes for 47 yards.

Marshell led the Vikings' ground attack with 57 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown. He also recorded three receptions for 28 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, Lorenzo Luchi led Valley City State with nine tackles and a sack. Khalil Toney and Anthony Madsen each finished with eight tackles, while Aiden Russell and Dorian Sandness added seven tackles apiece.

Caleb Torke recorded an interception for the Vikings.

DSU outgained VCSU 479-338 in total offensive yards.

Up next

Dakota State takes their bye week next Saturday and returns to action on Halloween (Oct. 31) versus Mayville State (N.D.).  The Trojans play their final home contest at Brian Kern Family Stadium on Blankley Field with a kick-off starting at 1 p.m.