October 3, 2026
October 3, 2026
MADISON, S.D. — No. 22 Dakota State (S.D.) erased a 13-point deficit and grabbed a third-quarter lead Saturday afternoon, but No. 6 Montana Tech scored the final 13 points to secure a 33-21 victory in the Frontier Conference East Division opener at Brian Kern Family Stadium.
The Trojans, who finished second in the Frontier East last season with their lone setback to defending divisional champion MT, fell to 4-2 overall and 0-1 in the Frontier East. The Orediggers improved to 5-1 overall and 1-0 in division play.
How it happened
Montana Tech struck first after putting together a 12-play, 80-yard drive that consumed 7 minutes, 34 seconds. Anders Thompson capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run with 5:22 remaining in the opening quarter. The extra point was unsuccessful, leaving the Orediggers with a 6-0 lead.
The Orediggers extended their advantage midway through the second quarter after intercepting Dakota State quarterback
Tray Hettick near midfield. Montana Tech quarterback Jarrett Wilson finished the ensuing six-play, 50-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown run, pushing the visitors' lead to 13-0 with 3:59 remaining in the half.
Dakota State needed just 45 seconds to answer. Hettick connected with
Maddox Kihne for a 68-yard touchdown pass, trimming Montana Tech's lead to 13-7 with 3:14 remaining.
Montana Tech responded quickly, as Thompson scored his second 1-yard touchdown run to extend the Orediggers' advantage to 20-7 with 2:13 left in the second quarter.
The Trojans produced another explosive scoring play just before halftime. Taking possession at their own 29-yard line with 27 seconds remaining, DSU moved 71 yards in four plays. Hettick connected with
Grant VanDenHul for a 44-yard Hail Mary touchdown as time expired, and
Malte Hamann's extra point cut Montana Tech's halftime lead to 20-14.
Dakota State's defense came up with a stop to open the second half when Montana Tech missed a 35-yard field goal. The Trojans responded with a nine-play, 80-yard touchdown drive that consumed 4:23.
Hettick finished the march with a 3-yard touchdown pass to
Jevon Denis. Hamann's extra point gave Dakota State its first lead of the game at 21-20 with 5:53 remaining in the third quarter.
The Trojan defense created another opportunity later in the quarter.
Tamareon 'Frosty' Foster intercepted Wilson and returned the ball 14 yards, giving DSU possession at its own 37-yard line with 2:15 remaining.
Montana Tech's defense answered with an interception early in the fourth quarter. The Orediggers then marched 74 yards in nine plays, regaining the lead on Wilson's 42-yard touchdown pass to Levi Torgerson with 8:50 remaining. The two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving Montana Tech with a 26-21 advantage.
Dakota State was unable to respond offensively. Montana Tech sealed the victory with an eight-play, 39-yard scoring drive, capped by Wilson's 2-yard touchdown run with 56 seconds remaining for the final 33-21 margin.
Inside the box score
Hettick completed 21-of-34 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns. He was intercepted four times and was sacked four times.
Kihne led the Trojans' receivers, catching six passes for 165 yards and a touchdown. His 68-yard touchdown reception was DSU's longest play of the game.
Thonye Charles added three receptions for 45 yards, while Denis caught four passes for 42 yards and a touchdown. VanDenHul's lone reception went for a 44-yard touchdown when the first half expired.
Trajan Davis added three catches for 14 yards.
Dakota State's ground game was held to 18 yards. Davis rushed four times for nine yards,
Cole Ruesink added six yards on two attempts and
Preston Iverson finished with six yards on five carries.
Foster led the Trojan defense with a game-high 17 tackles, including nine solo stops, and recorded a 14-yard interception return.
Aidan Jahns followed with 11 tackles.
Trevon Johnson and
Kaden Van Otterloo each registered eight tackles, while
Michael Foster finished with six.
Jacob Imdieke added five tackles.
Sam Marcus punted four times for 148 yards, averaging 37 yards per punt with one landing inside the 20-yard line. Hamann was perfect on all three extra-point attempts.
Wilson completed 20-of-30 passes for 256 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He also rushed 12 times for 47 yards and two touchdowns.
Ikaika Ho led Montana Tech's ground attack with 74 yards on 13 carries. Gunnar Peterson rushed six times for 35 yards, while Merek Mihelish added 31 yards on four attempts. Thompson scored twice on three carries.
Torgerson led the Orediggers' receiving corps with 10 catches for 104 yards and a touchdown. Nick Michelotti added three receptions for 73 yards, while Kieran Netburn caught two passes for 44 yards.
Trevor Miller and Kellan Beller each recorded seven tackles for Montana Tech. Miller registered 2.5 sacks and four tackles for loss, while Beller added an interception. Asher Feddes finished with six tackles.
Beller, Jalen Perkins, Brady Swenson and Luke Donally each intercepted a pass for the Orediggers. Donally returned his interception 29 yards and also recorded a sack.
Dakota State finished with 338 yards of total offense on 52 plays, averaging 6.5 yards per play. The Trojans generated 320 yards through the air but were limited to 18 rushing yards on 18 attempts.
Montana Tech totaled 455 yards on 70 offensive plays, also averaging 6.5 yards per play. The Orediggers rushed for 199 yards and four touchdowns while adding 256 passing yards.
Montana Tech held a 29-16 advantage in first downs and possessed the ball for 38:33 compared to Dakota State's 21:27. The Orediggers converted 9-of-14 third-down attempts, while DSU was 4-of-10.
MT intercepted four Dakota State passes, while Foster recorded DSU's lone takeaway with his third-quarter interception. Montana Tech's defense also registered four sacks for 29 yards.
Dakota State was penalized seven times for 78 yards, while Montana Tech committed five penalties for 50 yards.
Up next
Dakota State continues their Frontier East Division action next Saturday as they host Dickinson State (N.D.). The homecoming football game is set for 3 p.m. kick-off at Brian Kern Family Stadium on Blankley Field.
