DSU advances to 7-2 after snowy game in Madison

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - Dakota State used a dominant defensive effort and a string of explosive scoring plays to roll past Rocky Mountain (Mont.) 38–7 Saturday afternoon at Brian Kern Family Stadium, played in 27-degree temperatures with light snow swirling throughout the contest.

It was the first-ever meeting for both teams.

The Trojans improved to 7–2 overall and 4–1 in the Frontier East Division.

DSU reached their seventh win of the season for the first time since 2017 (eight wins).

Dakota State is 4-0 record at home this season, improving their all-time record to 7-2 at Brian Kern Family Stadium (fifth straight home victory.

DSU earned their seventh win in the previous eight games.

Rocky Mountain dropped to 3–6 overall record and 3-2 Frontier East Division record.

Dakota State held Rocky Mountain to just 161 total yards, including only 31 rushing yards on 30 attempts.

The Trojans’ defense forced four interceptions, recorded three sacks, and produced a momentum-defining 65-yard interception return touchdown in the third quarter.

The game began as a defensive stalemate, with neither team scoring in the first quarter.

Dakota State broke through midway through the second when Tray Hettick launched a deep ball to Preston Iverson, who hauled in a 70-yard touchdown with 4:08 left before halftime, giving the Trojans a 7–0 lead.

After the defense forced another stop, DSU struck again quickly.

Hettick connected with Jovi Wolf for a 20-yard touchdown with just 18 seconds remaining in the half, sending Dakota State to the locker room ahead 14–0.

Dakota State blew the game open early in the third quarter.

Following a defensive stop, the Trojans marched 48 yards, capped off by Kacey Cauley rushing touchdown after a fumble and fumble recovery in the end zone for a 21–0 lead after PAT kick by Adrian Villanueva with 11:23 on the clock.

Tamareon ‘Frosty’ Foster jumped a passing lane and returned an interception 65 yards for a ‘Pick Six’ touchdown, extending the advantage to 28–0 with 9:55 remaining in the third quarter.

Despite an unsuccessful punt by the Trojans, Rocky Mountain answered with their lone score of the day—an 11-yard touchdown pass to Eric Lira late in the third quarter—cutting the lead to 28–7 with 3:31 to go in the third quarter.

DSU continued its control early in the fourth.

Samuel Livingston powered in an 11-yard touchdown run on the first play of the quarter, making it 35–7 with 14:53 on the clock after Villanueva’s kick.

The Trojans regained their possession on the ensuing possession after a successful onside kick by Villanueva and recovered by Joseph Cole on RMC’s 30-yard line.

Villanueva then later added a 31-yard field goal to extend DSU’s lead to 38-7 with 12:32 left.