2013 Homecoming Football: Trojans vs. Bulldogs

Dakota State University took on the #20 ranked Concordia Bulldogs last Saturday for homecoming. The game was close going into halftime with the Bulldogs leading by a touchdown. After halftime, Concordia went on to score seventeen more unanswered points to beat DSU. The Bulldogs came and left Madison undefeated as the Trojan’s record fell to 1-4.

The Trojans started the homecoming game with a drive from their own 25 yards line down to Concordia’s 24 yard line, but DSU was unable to convert the fourth down play and turned the ball over on downs. Preston Powell of Dakota State then forced a fumble from Von Thomas during Concordia’s opening drive. Matt Groff jumped on the ball to recover the fumble. The Trojans got the ball back with about 7 minutes left in the first quarter. DSU could not capitalize on the turnover and had a three and out to quickly end the drive.

The next drive for the Bulldogs resulted in a touchdown. Marching down the field to score the first points of the game, Concordia went 8 plays for 69 yards. Von Thomas threw a 30 yard pass to Derek Klaus to put the ball on the Trojan’s 22 yard line. Thomas then threw a 15 yard strike to Klaus moving the ball to the Trojan’s 7 yard line. Trey Barnes finished the drive with a 7 yard rush to give the Bulldogs their first touchdown. Adam Meirose kicked the extra point giving the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead in the 1^st quarter.

In the 2^nd quarter, neither team scored. Concordia managed to find themselves in the red zone one time, but DSU’s Matt Groff intercepted a Von Thomas pass to end that drive.

Two minutes into the 3^rd quarter, the Bulldogs quickly scored another touchdown. Von Thomas connected an eight yard pass to Connor Kayton for the touchdown extending Concordia’s lead to 13-0. Meirose made the extra point making it 14-0. After another Trojan three and out, Concordia’s Meirose kicked a 28 yard field goal giving the Bulldogs a 17-0 lead in the remaining minutes of the 3^rd quarter.

Early in the 4^th quarter, Matt Kenner of Concordia intercepted a pass from Cole Whisenhunt’s and returned it for a touchdown. Concordia’s Meirose then put the nail in the coffin with his extra point kick. The Trojans put up a valiant effort, but were unable to come back from the Bulldogs 24-0 lead.

Trojan Stats:
Passing: Cole Whisenhunt 5 completions, 16 attempts, 2 interceptions, 55 yards

Receiving: Brendon Waldner 1 catch/30 yards
                  Bobby Tisch 2 catches/13 yards
                  Kris Dearie 1 catch/8 yards
                  Justin Templeton 1 catch/ 4 yards

Rushing: Kris Dearie 11 attempts/57 yards
                Dylan VandeGarde 10 attempts/40 yards
                Cole Whisenhunt 20 attempts/28 yards
                Jacob Patterson 4 attempts/24 yards
                Forest Cazayoux 3 attempts/8 yards
                Peter Ktestakis-Malaga 3 attempts/2 yards

Defense: Matt Groff 1 interception/ 3 assisted tackles
                 Hank Tolleson 1 sack/2 assisted sacks
                 Ridge Lindberg 1 sack/2 assisted sacks
                 Chad John 1 sack/2 assisted sacks
                 Preston Powell 1 forced fumble/3 solo tackles/ 4 assisted tackles