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DWU defeats Trojans in battle of long-time football rival
September 1, 2012
MITCHELL, S.D. – The Dakota State University football team traveled to the Joe Quintal Field for a 65th meeting with long-time rival Dakota Wesleyan Saturday evening. The Trojans quickly jumped for an early lead, but the Tigers scored 33 straight points to earn a 40-14 win.
Dakota State dropped their overall record to 0-2. Dakota Wesleyan, member of the Great Plains Athletic Conference, won their season opener and currently leads the all-time series record of 34-30-1.
In the first possession of the game, DSU's Carl Curtis connected to Zach Ely for an 81-yard touchdown pass with fourteen and 41 seconds in the first quarter. Nic Behrens' PAT kick was good as the Trojans grabbed a 7-0 early lead.
DWU answered back quickly 10 seconds later as Josh Endres recorded a 75-yard touchdown run with 14:31 left in first. The PAT kick by Dan Porter was good as the Tigers tied the game at 7-7.
The Trojans regained their lead back in the ensuing possession. Brandon Large threw an 82-yard touchdown pass to Stacey Berg on a 3rd-down-and-5 situation on DSU's 18-yard line. Behrens' PAT kick was successful as Dakota State earns a 14-7 lead with 13:02 left.
The Tigers used 13 plays for 68 yards for the next score. Endres scored a 7-yard rushing touchdown. Porter's PAT kick was good as DWU tied the game at 14-14 with 6:45 left in the first quarter.
After DSU's turnover on its own 27-yard line, Dakota Wesleyan earned their first lead of the game as Jon Bane connected to Arthur Brown for an 11-yard pass. Porter's extra-point kick was good as the Tigers grabbed a 21-14 lead with less than five minutes remaining in the opening quarter.
DWU made it 28-14 when Endres rushed for a 69-yard touchdown to extend their lead to 27-14 with 24 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Porter's PAT kick was no good.
Both teams were unable to score in the second and third quarters.
The Tigers added 13 points in the final quarter (60-yard touchdown pass from Bane to Michael Brown and Anthony Cervantes' 25-yard interception return for touchdown).
Large was 11-for-24 with 197 passing yards for the Trojans. He recorded a touchdown and two interceptions. Berg had five receptions for 155 yards with a touchdown. Kris Dearie had 13 rushes for 59 yards.
For Dakota Wesleyan, Bane was 16-for-23 with 211 passing yards and recorded two touchdowns. Endres rushed 24 times for 221 yards and had three touchdowns. Arthur Brown had seven receptions for 40 yards and a touchdown. Michael Brown added four catches for 94 yards and a touchdown.
Craig Hertz led DSU's defense with 12 tackles. Eric Liles added 11 tackles.
DWU had 452 total offensive yards compared to the Trojans' 352. The Trojans had 278 passing yards while the Tigers had 211 passing yards. DWU recorded 241 rushing yards compared to DSU 74 rushing yards.
The Tigers had 15 first-downs while DSU had 14 first-downs.
Dakota Wesleyan had a ball control for 30 minutes and one second. The Trojans had time possession of 29 minutes and 59 seconds.
Dakota State continues their action on the road next Saturday (Sept. 8). The Trojans travel to Crete, Neb. for another match-up from the GPAC – Doane (No. 21 in the NAIA Preseason Coaches' Top 25 national poll). Kick-off from the Simon Field is set for 7 p.m.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
