DSU Snaps Losing Streak

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Dakota State outgained Briar Cliff (Iowa) 484-386 in total offense yards Saturday afternoon as the Trojans ended their losing streak with a 35-28 road victory at the Memorial Field.  The Trojans trailed 28-21 in the early fourth quarter and rallied for victory by scoring the final 14 points of the game. 

Dakota State recorded their first victory of the season and ended their 10-game losing streak.  In addition, the Trojans ended their 17-game losing streak on the road (last DSU’s road win was at Mayville State on Nov. 8, 2008 in Mayville, N.D.).  Briar Cliff, a member of the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC), dropped their overall record to 1-6.

The Trojans defeated Briar Cliff for the second straight year where the series began last season at the Trojan Field.

Briar Cliff scored its first points of the game in the opening quarter after DSU suffered a turnover on DSU’s 34-yard line with eight minutes and 17 seconds left on the clock.  BC’s Robert Wilson opened with a 25-yard rush, and then scored a 9-yard touchdown run.   Andrew Harris’ PAT kick was good to give Briar Cliff a 7-0 lead with 7:48 remaining in the first quarter.

DSU answered back on the ensuing possession.  The Trojans used 11 plays for 87 yards in 6:28 for their scoring drive.  Brandon Large connected to Stacey Berg for a 12-yard touchdown pass.  Berg’s PAT kick was successful as the Trojans tied the game at 7-7 with 1:16 left in the first quarter.

The Chargers made it 14-7 in the early second quarter when PJ Quiroga threw a 78-yard touchdown pass to Tyler McGhee.  Harris’s added the PAT kick to take a seven-point lead with 8:47 remaining before intermission.

Dakota State responded back with a six-yard touchdown pass from Large to Carl Curtis with 18 seconds left before halftime.  Nic Behrens’ PAT kick was good as DSU tied the game at 14-14 by halftime.  The Trojans used 10 plays for 65 yards in 1:17 in the scoring drive.

DSU took the lead for the first time in the game in the early third quarter.  Kris Dearie rushed for a nine-yard touchdown run with 11:09 left in the third quarter.  Behrens’ PAT kick was good to give DSU a 21-14 lead.  The Trojans recorded eight plays for 67 yards for their score.

BC tied the game in the ensuing possession.  Quiroga threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Troy Dobbins.  Harris added a PAT kick to tie the game at 21-21 with 8:21 remaining in third quarter.

The Chargers overtook the lead in the early fourth quarter.  Wilson rushed for a 12-yard touchdown while Harris added a PAT kick to give BC a 28-21 lead with 14:51 remaining in the game.

The game was tied for the fourth time with 11:57 left in the game.  DSU’s John Niesen ran for a one-yard touchdown followed by Behrens’ successful PAT kick to tie the game at 28-28.  Dakota State recorded nine plays for 68 yards in 2:43 for the score.

Dakota State took the lead with less than two minutes remaining in the game.  Niesen fumbled the ball on BC’s 1-yard line and was recovered by Berg for a one-yard touchdown run.  Behrens’ PAT attempt was successful to give Trojans a 35-28 lead.

The Trojans’ defense stopped Briar Cliff in the final minutes of the game and secured the victory.

Large completed 27 passes in 40 attempts for 317 yards and recorded two touchdowns for Dakota State. Niesen rushed 36 times for 154 yards with a touchdown.  Bobby Tisch had eight catches for 86 yards.  Curtis added four receptions for 47 yards and a touchdown.  Berg recorded four receptions for 45 yards and a touchdown.  Zach Ely had three catches for 58 yards.

Quiroga was 19-for-35 with 291 passing yards for the Chargers.  He recorded two touchdowns and an interception.  Wilson ran for 88 yards in 16 rushing attempts with two touchdowns.  McGhee had five catches for 133 yards and a touchdown.  Bryce Harshman added five receptions for 76 yards.

Eric Liles and Preston Powell each had five tackles for DSU.  Craig Hertz had an interception and returned for 11 yards.  Poggemeyer and Licht each had a quarterback sack. 

Josh Block recorded 11 tackles and an interception for Briar Cliff.  Harrison Wentland added nine tackles.  Paul Blanchard, Alfredo Vizcarra and Derreon Richardson each had a quarterback sack. 

Dakota State had 30 first-downs in the game, which tied for the second most first-downs in DSU Football record book.  Briar Cliff had 14 first downs.

The Trojans outrushed the Chargers 167-95.  DSU had 317 passing yards compared to Briar Cliff 291 passing yards.

DSU was penalized 12 times for 117 yards in the game.  The Chargers had 10 penalties for 110 yards.

Both teams were 5-for-13 in third-down conversions. 

The Trojans maintained ball control for 36 minutes and 11 seconds.  Briar Cliff had a time possession of 23 minutes and 49 seconds.

Dakota State will look to make it two straight wins next Saturday (Oct. 20) as they travel to Sioux Center, Iowa.  The Trojans face their seventh opponent from the GPAC – Dordt (Iowa).  Kick-off is set for 1 p.m. at the Open Space Park.