Dakota State Breaks Records, Take Cup In Early Season Affairs
Coach Anderson holds Chamber of Commerce Cup. Image credit @DakotaState on Twitter.
Coach Anderson holds the Chamber of Commerce Cup. Image credit @DakotaState on Twitter.
On Aug., 24, the Dakota State Football team hosted their 2nd annual Ag Bowl against state rival, Dakota Wesleyan. Last year Dakota State hosted Waldorf in the first ever Ag Bowl and handled the Warriors 36-14. This year was much of the same as they beat the Tigers in a shootout 56-39. This years’ version of the Ag Bowl was bigger and packed with 5,500 in attendance and over 1,100 yard of total offense. Not only did Dakota State claim their second straight upset over a ranked Dakota Wesleyan team, but they also claimed the first, newly established, Chamber of Commerce Traveling Cup. The newly introduced cup is sponsored by both the Mitchell Chamber of Commerce and the Madison Chamber of Commerce with Madison hosting the cup for 2017. This cup is sure to be a yearly event, and something to help revive this in state rivalry as well as bring huge crowds to each town.
In a high scoring game, Dakota State broke 9 school records, including completions, single game passing and receiving yards, most catches, as well as a tie for most Point After Touchdown (PAT) kicks. Senior Quarterback Jacob Giles broke 4 records, five including the extension of his career touchdown passes that will only continue to expand as the season rolls on. Senior Wide Out Austin Opdahl broke records for most catches in a game as well as most receiving yards in a game, and extended his record breaking career touchdown receptions that will grow with Giles’ for the rest of the season. Kicker Brwyn Ratcliffe tied the record for most PAT kicks in a game. The team also broke records for most passing yards in a single game, as well and total offensive yards in a game.
The Trojans are 1-1 on the year, as they followed up the DWU win with a loss on the road to Saint Ambrose (IA) 27-24. Giles was 19 of 36 passing for 200 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Opdahl caught 4 passes for 98 and 2 touchdowns. Also adding a touchdown for the Trojans was Mason Leighton. The Trojans will return for two games as they host Mayville State (ND) on Sat 16, set for a 6 p.m kickoff, and then Presentation (SD) the following weekend, Sat. 23 for what will be Dakota State’s homecoming night. That game is slated for 4 p.m.
