Trojans Downed in Defensive Battle; Lose 14-6 to Valley City State

The Dakota State Trojans slipped to 0-4 on the year after a Homecoming/Senior Day loss to Valley City State, 14-6. The Vikings now improve to 2-1 overall (1-0 NSAA) and Trojans drop to 0-4 (0-2 NSAA).

How It Happened

It was Homecoming and Senior Day at the Dan Beacom Track Complex and the Vikings played spoilers. This North Star Athletic Association game was a defensive battle all the way through. The Vikings had five sacks and seven different players with at least part of a tackle-for-loss. The Trojans themselves had nine players in on a tackle-for-loss.

It was an athletic play from Justice Bice of the Vikings with a run five yards out. As he leapt over some Trojans and found the corner of the end zone to give the Vikings their biggest lead of the game at 14-6 with just over 10 minutes remaining. Bice had 16 carries for 48 yards in the game, along with leading the Vikings in receiving with six catches for 88 yards.

The offensive line had its troubles, like any team would, dealing with senior defensive lineman, Riley Gerhardt. He was able to come away with three sacks on the Trojans, which is the total he came into the game with. Led the team in tackles as well with 11. Not only Gerhardt, but the Viking defense in general brought the pressure on sophomore quarterback Joey Cole throughout the game. With a lot of his runs being out of necessity.

DSU

Dakota State failed to get themselves in the end zone in the game, but Aiden Jahns remains perfect on field goal attempts with his two makes in the game. He is 4/4 on the year, all coming in conference play. His longest field goal came in this game as well from 36 yards out.

The Trojans led in rushing again for back-to-back games leading in that department. Finishing with 89 yards, compared to only 80 from VCSU. No Vikings player had more than 50 yards, nor had a yards per carry average above three in the game. Both teams totaled just 20 combined points in the game. Both teams also finished with 15 first downs.

Cole led the way on the ground and in the air with 17 carries for 45 yards. In the pass game, he was 15-for-27 through the air for 126 yards. Junior Austin Lake led the team in receiving again with five receptions for 40 yards. Defensively, senior JJ Beck paced the Trojans. Leading the team with 10 total tackles in the game and was in on tackle-for-loss.

Another solid performance for this Trojan run defense, as well as the defense in general flying to the ball all night. Credit to the slowing down of the air attack for most of this game, minus a couple of big plays. This unit is rounding itself out and meshing on both levels.

Next Game

DSU has a bye week and will not be back in action until Sept. 30 when they travel to Mayville State. Kickoff for that game will be at 3pm, with pregame beginning at 2:30pm on Jammin Country 103.