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Trojans welcome Concordia (Neb.) in DSU's annual homecoming football game
September 25, 2012
THIS WEEK: The Dakota State University football team (0-5 overall record) returns home for their two-game home stand Saturday. The Trojans are searching for their first win of the season as they welcome Concordia (Neb.) (1-3) of the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) in the Trojan Annual homecoming football game. Kick-off is set for 4 p.m. at the Trojan Field. There will be a tailgate party with a free concert, starting at 1 p.m. on the east side of the Trojan Field's parking lot area. The tailgate will start with an opening act of Amos Slade, taking the stage at 1 p.m. Kory and the Fireflies will take that stage at around 2 p.m
THE SERIES: In both teams' first-ever meeting in series history on Oct. 1 in Seward, Neb., Concordia used a big third quarter to break up a 14-14 halftime tie for a 49-21 victory over Dakota State. The Bulldogs scored 28 unanswered points in the third quarter to earn a 42-14 lead. The Trojans were outrushed by Concordia 456-66. Dakota State outpassed the Bulldogs 279-66. Concordia will visit the Trojan Field for the first time in team history.
LAST TIME OUT: Dakota State faced their third straight opponent that was ranked in the NAIA's 'Top 25' national poll on Sept. 22. The Trojans dropped a 47-12 road decision to then-No. 16 Northwestern (Iowa) in Orange City, Iowa. The Red Raiders scored the first 23 points of the ball game through the second quarter. DSU trimmed their deficit to 23-6 by intermission and 23-12 in the early third quarter. NWIA scored 24 unanswered points to secure the victory over DSU. The Red Raiders outgained the Trojans 499-255 in total offense yards. After dropping their first three games of the season, Concordia recorded their first victory of the season as they defeated Dordt (Iowa) 52-12 last Saturday (Sept. 22) in Seward, Neb. The Bulldogs exploded for 31 points in the second quarter for a 38-0 halftime lead and never looked back. Concordia's defense recorded four interceptions in the game.
FOOTBALL FORECAST: As of Tuesday, the weather forecast for Saturday calls for sunny skies with a high temperature of 75 degrees. The wind will be from the southeast at 5-10 miles-per-hour.
BERG TOPS NATION'S RECEIVER: According to the NAIA-DakStats statistical website, Stacey Berg tops in the nation in two different categories. He leads the nation in all-purpose yards of 817 yards and total receiving yards of 697 yards. Berg ranks second in the nation in receiving yards per game with an average of 139.4 yards per game and sixth in total receptions with 30 catches.
TROJANS IN THE NATIONAL RANKS: Dakota State is fifth in the nation in total pass offense with 1324 yards. The Trojans are 12th in pass offense per game (264.8), 15th in pass efficiency (147.3) and 39th in scoring offense with 98 points. The DSU's defense ranks fifth in the nation in opponents' fourth-down conversion (20 percent) and 47th in pass defense per game (201 yards). The Trojans rank 32nd in the nation in PAT kicking (91.7 percent). Brandon Large is fifth in the nation in total passing (1215) and 13th in passing yards per game (243.0 yards). Craig Hertz ranks fifth in the nation in tackles per game (12.5). Nic Behrens is fifth in total field goals with five and 15th in total scoring (kicking) with 26 points.
DSU QUICK LEADERS: Brandon Large leads the Trojans' offense attack with 1215 passing yards. He is 82-for-144 (56.9 completion rate) with eight touchdown passes and two rushing touchdowns this season. Kris Dearie records 162 rushing yards and averages 32.4 rushing yards per game. Stacey Berg amasses 30 catches for 697 yards (139.4 yards per game). He recorded his longest catch of 82 yards on Sept. 8 at Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.). Craig Hertz leads the team in total tackles with 50 (12.5 tackles per game). Josh Licht records 1.5 quarterback sacks for the Trojans (0.3 sacks per game).
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 & LISTEN: All Dakota State home football matches will be webcast live video and audio. There is no charge to the webcast. Fans wanting to follow the action can go to the following link: http://streaming.dsu.edu/Athletics-Live. The link also will be available on www.dsuathletics.com in the 'Live Games' tab above the 'Upcoming Events.'
LIVE STATS/PLAY-BY-PLAY: Live stats and play-by-play will be available in all Dakota State's home games. The live stats link is available on game day on www.dsuathletics.com under 'Live Games' tab above the 'Upcoming Events.'
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 stays home for their next game on Saturday, Oct. 6. The Trojans welcome another opponent from the GPAC, Hastings College. Kick-off is slated for 4 p.m. at the Trojan Field.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
