Trojans Looking for Another Win: Game Preview – Dakota State vs #20 Dickinson State

The Dakota State Trojan football team will take the field for the final time this season as they host the No. 20 ranked Dickinson State Blue Hawks at the Dan Beacom Track Complex.

These two teams matched up back in week five of this season when the Trojans were on the Blue Hawks home turf. Dickinson State came out on top 40-14. This time around, they face a new and improved Trojan team that is looking to spoil an undefeated North Star Athletic Association run for the Blue Hawks.

Dickinson State

Dickinson State comes in rolling on the offensive side of the football. Quarterback Will Madler is playing some of his best football of the year. Claiming the last two NSAA Offensive Player-of-the-Week honors for the Blue Hawks and outscoring their opponents 89-17. Madler went 27-for-39 passing in his last two outings, while throwing for 230+ yards and three touchdowns in both games.

Their running game also remains effective with Braden Zuroff leading the way. In the last outing against Valley City State he had 18 carries for 94 yards with two TDs on 5.2 yards per carry. On the year he averages more than 100 yards per game on the ground. Certainly not a one dimensional offense by any means. They take what is given to them and score efficiently.

Their defense is still as deep as it was in week five. They allow 14.9 points per game this season and have let no team score more than 21 all season. In week five, Krew Mathern came away with two momentum shifting interceptions against the Trojans. He leads his team in sacks with six and is one of their top tacklers. This defense allows just 62.2 yards rushing and the rushing department is not where the Trojans have had tons of success. Though it has seen some light with their current backfield duo.

Dakota State

The Trojans come into this game feeling good. Garnishing win number one last week to get the juices flowing. The offense had a nice day against Mayville State in their win last week. Even put up their most points since week three (20) in their 19-14 victory. Tray Hettick will get to see Dickinson State for the second time for a full game – the only one of which Hettick has gotten to see twice with the reins at QB.

The offense had success scoring TDs on three straight drives for the first time this season. It has a lot of possibilities now as well with that backfield duo of Tyce Ortman and Preston Iverson. Hettick opened the passing game up last week as well and shined. He was just short of a trio of touchdowns and one yard shy of 300 yards through the air.

Defensively, the Trojans put it all together for a full game defensively last week. Credit to the work from Defensive Coordinator Anvil Sinsabaugh and his crew. The task gets no easier today. DSU’s defense allows less than 190 passing yards per game in conference play. Coming off a three INT week against Mayville State, the secondary will be tested again today. Madler will air it out and the defense knows how this QB can pick them apart if they’re not careful.

Kickoff is set for 12pm today with pregame set for 11:30am on Jammin Country 103!