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Trojans suffer loss at No. 17 Midland in season football opener
August 27, 2011
BOX SCORE/SCORING SUMMARY -
TROJANS DEFENSIVE STATISTICS
FREMONT, Neb. – The Dakota State University football team could not stop the offensive power of Midland Warriors in both teams’ season opener at Memorial Field Saturday night. The Warriors outgained the Trojans 519-220 in total yards in Midland’s 47-20 win.
Midland, No. 17 in the NAIA Football Preseason Coaches’ national poll, used seven plays and 83 yards in the first four minutes and 34 seconds for the first score of the game. Jerry Denogean connected to Kyle Fries for a 22-yard touchdown. Tanner Jones added a successful PAT kick to make it 7-0 in favor of the Warriors.
Denogean added a one-yard rushing touchdown with 14 minutes left in the second quarter. Jones’ PAT kick was good as Midland extended their lead to 14-0.
Midland made it 21-0 when Khalid Waters recorded a 15-yard rushing touchdown (Jones’ PAT was successful).
The Trojans got on board with 57 seconds left before half-time. Dakota State used three plays for 54 yards in 54 seconds for the score. Brandon Large threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Stacey Berg. Berg added a PAT kick as the DSU trailed 21-7 at intermission.
Robert Ortiz, Jr. returned a 90-yard kick-of return for touchdown to open the third quarter for Dakota State. Dennis Lechner added a PAT kick as the Trojans trimmed Warriors’ lead to 21-14.
The Warriors outscored the Trojans 26-6, including 17 straight points, in the final 29:13 of the game.
Dakota State cut their deficit to 38-20 in the fourth quarter (11:38) when Large connected to Carl Curtis for 79 yards. The Trojans could not convert their 2-point PAT attempt.
Large was 14-for-31 with 201 passing yards for Dakota State. He recorded two touchdowns and two interceptions. Curtis had five receptions for 133 yards and a touchdown. Jeb Olsen rushed eight times for 32 yards.
For Midland, Waters rushed 29 times for 204 yards with one touchdown. Johnson added eight rushes for 67 yards and two touchdowns. Denogean was 16-for-26 with 226 passing yards. He had a touchdown and recorded three interceptions. Derr Middleton had four catches for 85 yards.
Bryce Logan recorded 10 tackles for the Trojans. Joe Monize and Eric Liles each added nine tackles. DeVonte Garcia had two interceptions and returned for 18 yards. Paul Lake added an interceptions and returned for 15 yards.
Dakota State was 1-for-12 in third-down conversions compared to the Warriors’ 6-for-15.
Midland recorded 21 first-downs while the Trojans had nine. The Warriors outrushed DSU 293-19.
DSU had possession for 25 minutes and five seconds compared to Midland’s 34:55.
The Trojans return home next Saturday for their first home game of the season. DSU will welcome their in-state rival Dakota Wesleyan in a night game at Trojan Field. Kick-off is set for 6 p.m. in Madison, S.D.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
