September 26, 2026
ASHLAND, Ore. — No. 21 Dakota State (S.D.) rallied from an early 11-point deficit and survived Southern Oregon's potential game-winning field goal attempt when time expired Saturday afternoon, escaping Raider Stadium with a 27-25 victory.
The Trojans improved to 4-1 overall after scoring 21 points in the second quarter and getting a go-ahead 22-yard field goal from
Malte Hamann with 2:42 remaining. Southern Oregon dropped to 1-3.
Dakota State's defense played a major role in the comeback, intercepting Southern Oregon quarterback Dom Montiel three times.
Tamareon 'Frosty' Foster collected two interceptions, including a 17-yard interception return for a touchdown, while
Aidan Jahns added another pick.
The Trojans finished their Frontier Conference cross-over with an undefeated 2-0 record, extending their all-time conference crossover record to 4-0 since last year (swept both Arizona Christian and Southern Oregon).
Saturday's contest was the final non-conference game for both teams as they prepare for the divisional play next Saturday.
How it happened
Southern Oregon struck first after Dakota State was forced to punt on its opening possession. The Raiders marched 77 yards in nine plays, capped by Montiel's 35-yard touchdown pass to Walker Bonar. Colton Samis ran in the two-point conversion for an 8-0 advantage with 10:42 remaining in the first quarter.
Andy Nguyen extended Southern Oregon's lead to 11-0 with a 37-yard field goal with 1:42 left in the opening quarter. SOU used 12 plays for 60 yards in 4:35 in their second scoring drive of the game.
The momentum shifted toward Dakota State in the second quarter.
T. Foster intercepted Montiel's pass at the SOU 41-yard line, setting up the Trojans' first scoring drive. Dakota State traveled 41 yards in five plays as
Tray Hettick connected with
Trajan Davis for a 10-yard touchdown. Hamann's extra point trimmed Southern Oregon's advantage to 11-7 with 10:50 remaining in the half.
Jahns produced another takeaway on Southern Oregon's next possession, giving Dakota State its second interception of the quarter.
T. Foster's biggest play came later in the period. With Southern Oregon backed up near its own goal line, T. Foster intercepted Montiel's pass and returned the ball 17 yards for a touchdown. Hamann's PAT extra point gave Dakota State its first lead of the afternoon at 14-11 with 2:53 remaining.
The Trojans quickly stretched their lead after forcing another Southern Oregon punt. Hettick directed a five-play, 75-yard scoring drive in just 34 seconds, finding
Maddox Kihne for a 15-yard touchdown with 1:09 remaining.
Southern Oregon answered before halftime, however, as Montiel connected with Sean La Chapelle for a 20-yard touchdown with 24 seconds remaining, cutting Dakota State's halftime lead to 21-18. Montiel's 49-yard pass to Fresh Ison highlighted the scoring drive for the Raiders.
Dakota State produced only points of the third quarter on a lengthy 14-play, 68-yard possession. Hamann finished the drive with a 24-yard field goal, extending the Trojans' advantage to 24-18 with 3:30 remaining in the period.
Southern Oregon regained the lead midway through the fourth quarter. The Raiders drove 76 yards in nine plays, with Montiel finding Milan Reilly for an 18-yard touchdown. Nguyen's extra point put Southern Oregon ahead 25-24 with 6:05 to play.
Dakota State immediately responded.
Starting at its own 30-yard line, the Trojans drove 65 yards in nine plays and consumed 3:15 off the clock. Hamann capped the possession with a 22-yard field goal, putting Dakota State back in front 27-25 with 2:42 remaining.
Southern Oregon had one final opportunity. The Raiders marched 61 yards in 11 plays and moved into field-goal range. Nguyen attempted a 31-yard field goal before the time expired, but his kick missed – wide left, preserving Dakota State's two-point victory.
Inside the box score
Southern Oregon held a 446-355 advantage in total offense and registered 21 first downs compared with Dakota State's 20 first downs. The Raiders generated 361 passing yards and 85 rushing yards, while the Trojans finished with 290 passing yards and 65 rushing yards.
The difference came in turnovers. Dakota State did not turn the ball over, while its defense intercepted Southern Oregon three times. The Trojans also converted all four of their trips into the red zone, producing two touchdowns and two field goals.
Dakota State converted 5-of-16 third downs and 2-of-3 fourth-down attempts. Southern Oregon was 7-of-19 on third down and converted its only fourth-down attempt. The Raiders were penalized nine times for 101 yards compared with five penalties for 52 yards by the Trojans.
Hettick completed 27-of-42 passes for 290 yards with two touchdowns. He also rushed five times for 16 yards.
Kihne led the Trojan receiving corps with eight catches for a game-high 103 yards and a touchdown. Davis caught six passes for 64 yards and a touchdown, while
Thonye Charles added five receptions for 63 yards.
Jevon Denis finished with four catches for 25 yards,
Preston Iverson had two receptions for 17 yards, and
Tim Halbur recorded an 18-yard reception.
Iverson led Dakota State's ground game with 30 yards on 10 carries, including a game-long 22-yard run. Davis rushed eight times for 15 yards.
Kaden Van Otterloo paced Dakota State's defense with a game-high 13 tackles and a sack. Jahns collected nine tackles, an interception and a pass breakup.
T. Foster recorded two interceptions, returning them for 21 yards, highlighted by his 17-yard pick-six.
Jacob Imdieke and
Josiah Perez each finished with six tackles.
Lamarcus Osborne added four tackles and a sack as Dakota State finished with two sacks and four tackles for loss.
Hamann was perfect in the kicking game, making field goals from 24 and 22 yards while converting all three extra-point attempts.
Sam Marcus punted six times for 238 yards, averaging 39.7 yards per punt with three kicks placed inside the Southern Oregon 20-yard line.
Montiel completed 25-of-43 passes for 361 yards and three touchdowns but was intercepted three times. He was also sacked twice.
Fresh Ison led the Raiders on the ground with 73 yards on 18 carries and added four receptions for 72 yards. Dawson Douglas led Southern Oregon's receivers with seven catches for 91 yards.
Bonar caught three passes for 66 yards and a touchdown, Reilly had six receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown, and La Chapelle added a 20-yard touchdown reception. Caden Simmons finished with two catches for 41 yards.
Raiden House led Southern Oregon defensively with 12 tackles, followed by Isaiah Griffin with eight and Da'mon Carter with seven. The Raiders recorded one sack and five tackles for loss.
Up next
Dakota State returns home for their next two games, starting their Frontier East Division play. The Trojans host the defending East Division champion No. 2 ranked Montana Tech, who suffered their first setback of the season Saturday at No. 3 ranked College of Idaho.
Kick-off is set for 1 p.m. at Brian Kern Family Stadium on Blankley Field in Madison, S.D.
