dsu athletics news
dsu athletics pages
CUNE's second-half comeback defeats Trojans in DSU’s annual homecoming football game
September 29, 2012
MADISON, S.D. – Dakota State maintained ball control for nearly 20 minutes in the first-half to gain a 7-0 halftime lead over Concordia (Neb.) Saturday afternoon at the Trojan Field in DSU's annual homecoming football game. The Bulldogs scored 14 points each in the third and fourth quarters to defeat the Trojans 28-7.
Dakota State dropped their overall record to 0-6 on the season. Concordia, member of the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC), won their second straight game to raise their record to 2-3.
Both teams were unable to score in the opening quarter.
The Trojans scored the first points of the game in the early second quarter. John Niesen rushed for a 19-yard touchdown to give DSU a 6-0 lead with twelve minutes and 43 seconds left before halftime. Nic Behrens added the PAT extra point to make it 7-0 in favor of the Trojans. Dakota State used nine plays for 88 yards in 3:45 for the first scoring drive of the game.
DSU missed two field goals (21-yard and 39-yard) later in the second quarter as the Trojans maintained a 7-0 lead at intermission.
Dakota State outgained the Bulldogs 226-88 in offensive yards in the first-half.
Concordia kicked off the second-half with 13 plays and 66 yards in 5:47 to tie the game at 7-7. On a fourth-and-goal situation on DSU's 2-yardline for the Bulldogs, Victor Brown ran for two yard touchdown run. Kenny Zoeller added the PAT extra point to tie the game.
DSU used 10 plays for 65 yards in 4:10 in the ensuing drive. The Trojans committed a turnover on CUNE's 10-yard line when DSU recorded a lateral pass and a fumble, recovered by CUNE on CUNE's 25-yard line with 5:03 remaining in the third quarter.
The Bulldogs overtook the lead from the Trojans as they recorded 10 plays for 75 yards in their next scoring drive. Von Thomas threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Larrington with 1:20 left in the third quarter. Zoeller hit a successful PAT kick to give CUNE a 14-7 lead.
Dakota State was unable to trim their deficit in the early fourth quarter as the Trojans missed a 37-yard field with 12:01 remaining.
Concordia made it 21-7 with less than five minutes left in the game. Thomas connected to Noah Smith for a 14-yard touchdown pass, followed by Zoeller's PAT kick. The Bulldogs recorded eight plays for 38 yards in 3:46 in the scoring drive.
After DSU committed an interception later in the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs extended their lead to 28-7 with 1:36 remaining in the game. Thomas recorded his third touchdown pass of the game. He threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to Colten Quinabo. Zoeller added a PAT extra point for the Bulldogs.
Brandon Large was 30-for-53 with 309 passing yards and recorded an interception for the Trojans. He rushed 18 times for 38 yards. Bobby Tisch had nine receptions for 120 yards. Zach Ely added seven catches for 88 yards. Carl Curtis had six receptions for 70 yards. Niesen rushed eight times for 21 yards and recorded a touchdown. Kris Dearie had two rushes for 31 yards.
For Concordia, Thomas was 18-for-24 with 154 yards and recorded three touchdowns to three different receivers. Smith had five catches for 57 yards and a touchdown. Quinabo added four receptions for 39 yards. Aaron Gillory rushed 15 times for 67 yards.
Eric Liles had 13 tackles for Dakota State. Craig Hertz added 12 tackles. Hertz, Josh Licht, Preston Powell and Ronnie Jorgensen each recorded a half quarterback sack.
Derek Blessing had 10 tackles for the Bulldogs. Dylan Heithoff recorded two quarterback sacks. Avery Oliver added a quarterback sack. Darnell Woods had an interception and returned for 18 yards.
DSU dominated the Bulldogs in total offensive yards in the game. The Trojans recorded 406 offensive yards compared to CUNE 280 yards. Dakota State had 309 passing yards, while Concordia had 154 passing yards. The Bulldogs rushed 35 times for 126 yards compared to the Trojans' 30 rushes for 97 yards.
Dakota State had 25 first-downs in the game compared to the Bulldogs' 19 first-downs. The Trojans maintained ball control for 31 minutes and 58 seconds, while CUNE had time possession of 28:02.
DSU converted successfuly eight times in 17 attempts on third-downs situation, while CUNE was 5-for-13 on third-down conversions.
Dakota State stays home next Saturday (Oct. 5) as they face their fifth opponent from the GPAC. The Trojans will try to attempt to record their first win of the season as they host Hastings (Neb.). Kick-off is slated fo 4 p.m. at the Trojan Field.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
