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Trojans face in-state rival DWU in a Saturday night football game
August 30, 2012
THIS WEEK: Dakota State (0-1 overall record) heads to Mitchell, S.D. for a Saturday night football game versus long-time rival Dakota Wesleyan (0-0). This is the first road game for Dakota State this season. The 65th meeting between DSU and DWU will kick-off at 7 p.m. at the Joe Quintal Field.
THE SERIES: The long-time in-state rivalry series began in 1908 where Dakota Wesleyan currently leads the all-time record of 33 wins, 30 losses and one tie. The Tigers defeated Dakota State last season at the Trojan Field by the score of 56-20. The last time both teams met at the Joe Quintal Field was on Sept. 4, 2004. The Trojans squeaked out for a 21-20 win over Dakota Wesleyan.
LAST TIME OUT: Dakota State kicked off their 2012 campaign last Saturday (Aug. 25) at the Trojan Field. The Trojans scored 10 second-quarter points to grab a 10-7 lead over Peru State (Neb.). The Bobcats scored 28 points in the third quarter to earn a 35-17 lead in the third quarter. DSU scored 10 points in the final quarter, but was unable to complete a comeback as the Trojans fell short 35-27. Dakota State had 341 passing yards compared to PSC's 69. Dakota Wesleyan will be playing their first game of the season Saturday. The Tigers completed their 2011 season with a 6-4 overall record and 5-4 conference record in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC). Dakota Wesleyan was picked to finish fourth in this year's GPAC conference.
FOOTBALL FORECAST: As of Thursday, the Saturday's forecast in Mitchell, S.D. calls for mostly clear skies with a high of 98 degrees. The forecast low calls for 68 degrees. The predicted winds will be from the south at 10-15 miles-per-hour.
TROJANS RANK FIRST: According to the NAIA-DakStats statistical website, Dakota State ranks first in the nation in six different categories. The Trojans lead the nation in opponent third-down conversions (10 percent), fourth-down conversion (100 percent), field goals percentage (100 percent), total pass offense (341 yards), pass offense per game (341.0 yards per game) and PAT kicking percentage (100 percent).
DSU DEFENSE RANKS NATIONALLY: Dakota State ranks fourth in the nation in pass defense per game (69.0). In addition, the Trojans are eighth in the nation in pass defense efficiency of 92.5. DSU held Peru State to 1-for-10 in third-downs conversions, which currently top in the nation.
DSU QUICK LEADERS: Brandon Large leads the Trojans' offense attack with 341 passing yards, which ranks first in the nation. He was 26-for-40 with a touchdown and two rushing touchdowns. Kris Dearie records 49 rushing yards. Stacey Berg had seven catches for 179 yards in Trojans' last game versus Peru State on Aug. 25. He ranks second in the nation in receiving yards per game. Eric Liles and Craig Hertz each record 12 tackles for DSU, which ranks them ninth in the nation. Nic Behrens ranks first in the nation in PAT kicking percentage (100 percent) and field goal percentage (100 percent—2-for-2). In addition, he ranks fourth in the nation in punt yards per attempt (40.3 yards). Michael Williams is eighth in the nation in kick-off return yards per attempt (27.3 yards). Carl Curtis ranks 11th in total receptions (6) and 14th in total receiving yards (83 yards).
DSU FOOTBALL HISTORY LESSON: Dakota State is in its 93rd year of competition. The Trojans own an all-time record of 268-452-17. DSU opened their first year of competition in 1908 with an overall record of 4-1-1. Dakota State is in their second year membership with the Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.).
WATCH IT: Dakota Wesleyan will be providing a live video webcast on http://www.ustream.tv/discovery/live/all?q=DWUAthletics. The link will also be posted on www.dsuathletics.com above the 'Upcoming Events' on the 'Live Games' tab on game day.
LISTEN LIVE: KMIT Radio from Mitchell, S.D. will be providing the audio radio broadcast of DSU-DWU football game on Saturday night. The KMIT Radio website can be found on www.kmit.com. The link can be also found on www.dsuathletics.com, above the 'Upcoming Events' on the 'Live Games' tab on game day.
STAY CONNECTED: Stay connected with Dakota State football and athletics all season long on www.dsuathletics.com. The Trojans are also on Twitter, just log onto www.twitter.com/GoDaSUAthletics. The Dakota State University Athletics group page can be found on Facebook.
UP NEXT: Dakota State plays their second road game of the season next Saturday night (Sept. 8). The Trojans travel to Crete, Neb. to take on another member from the GPAC—Doane. Kick-off is set for 7 p.m. at the Simon Field.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
