Trojan Football secured first 'W' of the season over Comets

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Trojan Football secured first 'W' of the season over Comets

October 31, 2009

MADISON, S.D. - The Dakota State University football team battled with Mayville State Comets at the muddy Trojan Field Saturday afternoon. Both teams were searching for first DAC Conference victory of the season. The Trojans trailed 7-6 at halftime, but scored 36 points in the second half to rout the Comets, 42-7.

The Trojans honored seniors Kyle Gurss, Brandon Stahl, Ryan Poss and Randall Shannon prior to the game as they played their final home football game.

The win snapped Trojans' seven-game losing streak. The Comets suffered their seventh straight loss and dropped to 1-8 overall. Mayville State remained winless in the DAC Conference.

In the opening quarter, the Trojans failed a field goal scoring opportunity as the Trojans fumbled and turned over on downs. Both teams were not able to score in the first quarter.

The Comets scored first in the second quarter. Mayville State's Tanner Carpenter punted the ball and hit Trojans' helmet and recovered at the Trojans' 1-yard line. Carpenter threw a four-yard touchdown to Andrew Marciel to make it 6-0. Carpenter's PAT was good to put the Comets up 7-0.

After Trojan Bryce Logan's interception on the Mayville State's 35-yard line, the Trojans set up a 5-play for 35 yards scoring drive. Drew Allen rushed for a one-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 7-6. Stacey Berg's extra point was no good.

Both teams' drives in the first half lasted no longer than two minutes and five seconds.

The Trojans opened the second half with a scoring drive. The key play in the opening drive of the second half was the 4th down and six yards to go when Trojan Joe Whealy completed a 10-yard pass to John Niesen for a first down. The Trojans continued to march down on the field. Paul Bagala threw a one-yard touchdown pass to Weston Dauz in the 4th-and-1 play to make it 12-7 Trojans. Bagala's two-point conversion rush was good to put the Trojans up 14-7. DSU completed the longest scoring drive of 10 plays for 48 yards in four minutes and five seconds.

DSU continued to score in the third and fourth quarters. The Trojans combined for 36 points in the second half. DSU scores came from 8-yard touchdown pass from Bagala to Derek Spangler, 37-yard touchdown pass from Bagala to Dauz, 34-yard touchdown rush from Allen and 82-yard touchdown pass from Bagala to Berg.

Bagala was 25-for-50 with 308 yards and four touchdown passes and no interceptions for DSU. Berg had four receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown. Dauz added seven catches for 52 yards and two touchdowns.

Allen rushed 17 times for 123 yards with two touchdowns for the Trojans.

Dakota State limited Mayville State' Carpenter to 13-for-35 with 110 yards and three interceptions. Kevin Irby, Jr. had one catch for 29 yards. Victor Redd added two receptions for 24 yards.

Mitchell Ford was limited to nine rushes for 32 yards for the Comets.

The Trojans recorded 22 first downs compared to the Comets' 13. DSU out-gained Mayville State 438-192.

DSU was splendid on defense and forced the Comets to six turnovers in the game - three by interceptions, two by fumbles and one on downs.

Joe Monize, Whealy and Eric Liles each recorded an interception for the Trojans. Brandon Stahl and Dana Felderman each had 10 tackles. Bryce Logan and Felderman each recorded a fumble recovery. Overall as a team, the Trojans had 14.0 tackles for loss of 35.0 yards.

Clifton Krotz and Thomas Sly each had nine tackles for Mayville State.

The Trojans will look to make it two straight wins as they face Comets for the second time. Both teams will play in the Dacotah Bank DAC Football Jamboree on Sunday, Nov. 8th. The game will be held in the FargoDome in Fargo, N.D.

Box Score vs. Mayville State

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director