Trojans Break Through for First Win; Defeat Mayville State 19-14
The Dakota State Trojans football team has captured its first win of the year, defeating Mayville State, 19-14 at the Dan Beacom Track Complex.
The Trojans took their revenge against Mayville State yesterday, but the Comets didn’t make it easy. It was a battle that came down to the wire and had some interesting moments.
MSU struck first in the game with an early 7-0 lead in the opening quarter on a short pass touchdown to Mason Ollman. It took a quarters length worth of time for another score to get tacked on by either team. Tray Hettick had a downfield bomb to Roger Moore that got 72 yards, but the Comets forced a fumble inside their own 10. The Trojans Austin Lake was able to corral the ball and get into the end zone and save the touchdown they had in hand.
On the point after attempt, Braxton Lacher and Cole Sylliaasen couldn’t connect on the snap for an extra point try by Aiden Jahns. Making the score 7-6 with the Comets still on top. Ahead of this TD drive, the Trojans had five straight drives resulting in punts to begin the game. After the first TD, they followed it up with another one to answer a score by Mayville State. Though they couldn’t convert the two point conversion and went into halftime trailing 14-12.
How The Tide Turned
DSU began the second half with a TD drive to make it three straight and went up 19-14. They failed to score the rest of the game and Jahns missed a field goal from 38 yards out. Yet the Trojan defense was able to contain the Comets and hold them from scoring in the second half.
Hettick finished the game for the Trojans going 21-for-37 with three TDs through the air and 299 yards passing. Roger Moore had a pair of receptions for 87 yards, which led the Trojans. Lake led in receptions with six and 81 yards receiving. Michael Hybertson added three receptions for 39 yards and two TDs. The offense was perfect on fourth down going 2-for-2 on their attempts.
The Trojan defense dominated the second half. Only allowing 101 yards of offense and limiting the Comets to just 10 yards rushing in the second half. DSU snatched two of their three interceptions in the second half, one by Michael Foster and another by Jay Skogerboe. The first coming in the first half by Robert Cage, which was huge for the Trojans early in the game. Three INTs in the game against the Comets, is as many as Dakota State has had all season.
Next Game
DSU will have one final football contest this season and in the North Star Athletic Association ever. They’ll host Dickinson State at 12pm at the Dan Beacom Track Complex on Saturday and will look to upset the recently crowned 2023 NSAA conference champion Blue Hawks.
