Dakota State Trojans football explained

Teamname:	Dakota State Trojans football
Currentseason:	2024 Dakota State Trojans football team
Athleticdirector:	Bud Postma
Headcoach:	Josh Anderson
Headcoachyear:	16th
Hcwins:	64
Hclosses:	100
Stadium:	Brian Kern Family Stadium
Stadcapacity:	2,533
Location:	Madison, South Dakota
Conference:	North Star Athletic Association
Bowlwins:	1
Bowllosses:	0
Natltitles:	0
Allamericans:	32
Fightsong:	DSU Fight Song
Rivalries:	Dakota Wesleyan (Chamber of Commerce Traveling Cup)
Websitename:	dsuathletics.com
Websiteurl:	https://dsuathletics.com/sports/football

The Dakota State Trojans football team represents Dakota State University, competing as a member of the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).^[1] During the 2025–26 academic year, the Trojans will be moving to the Frontier Conference.^[2] The school's first football team was fielded in 1908. The Trojans play their home games at Brian Kern Family Stadium.^[3] Their current head coach is Josh Anderson.^[4]

History

Conference affiliations

• South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference (1917–2000)
• Dakota Athletic Conference (2000–2011)
• NAIA independent (2011–2013)
• North Star Athletic Association (2013–2025)
• Frontier Conference (2025–)

^{[5] [6]}

Conference championships

Dakota State has won 5 conference championships.

1973^[7]	South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference		6–3	5–0
1975^[8]			6–3–1	4–1
1976^[9]			8–2	4–1
1977^[10]			10–0	5–0
1978^[11]			8–2	6–0

Bowl games

Dakota State has played in one postseason bowl game. The Trojans have an all-time record of 1–0–0 in bowl games.

1971

Boot Hill Bowl

Northwestern Oklahoma State

W 23–20^[12]

Coaches

Current coaching staff

Head coach & tight ends	Josh Anderson	North Dakota State University
Offensive coordinator & quarterbacks	Logan Levy	University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Defensive coordinator & middle linebackers	Anvil Sinsabaugh	Morningside University
Defensive backs	Daidrick Kibbie	Dakota State University
Offensive line	Deonte Randle	Dakota State University
Defensive line	Ryan Ross	Briar Cliff University
Wide receivers	Tobin Sharp
Outside lnebackers	Devonte Murphy
Safeties	Brock Swanson
	Clifton Marshall
	Mike Trimble
	Cole Cartwright

^[13]

Head coaches

1	Charles C. Wagner	1910–1923
2	George E. Thompson	1924–1927
3	J. Elbridge Curtis	1928–1930
4	Chuck Reynolds	1933–1941
5	Bill Bulfer	1946–1954
6	Neal Tremble	1955
7	Homer Englehorn	1956–1961
8		1962–1969
9		1970–1972
10		1973–1976
11		1977–1978
12		1981–1983
13		1984
14	Larry Traetow	1985–1988
15	Gary Roach	1989–1995
16	Scott Hoffman	1996–1999
17	Marc Bergan	2000–2001
18	Gene Wockenfuss	2002–2003
19	Nate Holtz	2004–2006
20		2007–2008
21		2009–present

Rivalries

Dakota Wesleyan

See main article: Chamber of Commerce Traveling Cup. The Chamber of Commerce Traveling Cup is a traveling trophy awarded to the winner of the annual game between the Dakota State Trojans and the Dakota Wesleyan Tigers. The traveling trophy was introduced in 2017.^[14] Dakota State currently holds a series lead of 6–1.

Stadiums

• Trojan Field (1968–2022)^[15]
• Dan Beacom Track Complex (2023)^[16]
• Brian Kern Family Stadium (2024–present)^[17]

Individual awards and honors

All-Americans

NAIA

• Robert Caselli (1950)
• Dan Stratton (1970)
• Darwin Robinson (1972)
• Toney Blacks (1974)
• Jeff Rodman (1976)
• Rick Rodman (1977)
• Mike Freidel (1977)
• Jim Janssen (1978)
• Todd Payer (1978)
• Russ Schwartz (1978)
• Brian Leighton (1980)
• Clay Amick (1983)
• Bruce Johannes (1983)
• Bill Nelson (1984)
• Mike Katen (1991)
• Jeff Rensch (1991)
• Tard Smith (1993)
• Max Hodgen (1993-95)
• Steve Eide (1998)
• Larry Voss (1998)

• Jeremy Javers (2000)
• Jared Peterreins (1999-2000)
• Mark Maples (2001)
• Tommy Hofer (2003-05)
• Zac Woods (2014)
• Ben Kullos (2015)
• Austin Opdahl (2016)
• Brodie Frederiksen (2018)
• Curt Boeke (2017-18)
• Caleb Nielsen (2021)
• Noah Guse (2020-21)
• Cody Brown (2022)

^[18]

SDIC honors

All-Conference

• "Ronnie" Best (1930)
• "Art" Johnson (1930)
• "Bud" O'Dell (1930)
• "Red" Olsbo (1930)
• "Buster" Seitz (1955)
• Larry Dirks (1958)
• Bob Nangle (1958)
• John Rath (1958)
• Arlo Sorheim (1959)
• Dick Anderson (1962-63)
• Denny Halseth (1963-64)
• Dick Greenwood (1965-66)
• Loren McKinney (1965-66)
• Tom Petersen (1965-66)
• Gene Elrod (1965-67)
• Paul Tanke (1965-67)
• Dan Meadows (1967)
• Leo Heilman (1969-70)
• Dennis Ziebarth (1969-70)
• Dave Hanneman (1970 and 1972)
• Pat Behrns (1971-72)
• Mike Reed (1971-72)
• Dan Stratton (1971-72)
• Cliff Anderson (1971-73)
• Randy Berlin (1972)
• Darwin Robinson (1972-73)
• Wayne Stowell (1972-73)
• Craig Ebert (1973)
• Deny Lather (1973)
• Mick Twiss (1973)
• Toney Blanks (1973-75)
• Bob Casagrande (1973-75)
• David Roe (1974)
• Jeff Rodman (1974-76)
• Kevin Stormo (1975)
• Bruce Breese (1975)
• Ron Estacion (1975)
• Rick Rodman (1977)
• Mike Freidel (1976-77)
• Russ Schwartz (1977-78)
• Joe Arthur (1978-79)
• Brian Leighton (1978-80)
• Todd Payer (1979)
• Lynn Schuett (1978-79)
• Jim Janssen (1978-79)
• Dale Martin (1979)
• Brian Jacobsen (1980-81)
• Mark Hughes (1982)
• Gene Wockenfuss (1982)
• Clay Amick (1982-83)
• Tim Ramey (1982-83)
• Eugene Tetzlaff (1982-83)
• Rod Kopfman (1982-84)
• Tony Wrice (1982-84)
• Mark Jacobsen (1983-84)
• Bruce Johannes (1983)
• Keith Stifter (1983-84)
• Bryan Lund (1984)
• Mike Thorpe (1984)
• Bill Nelson (1984)
• Sylvester Clark (1984)
• Paul Minor (1984)
• Brian Kern (1986-87)
• Tom Cummings (1989)
• Jeff Rensch (1989-91)
• Earl Berglund (1991-92)
• Dave Colberg (1991-92)
• Mike Katen (1991-92)
• Mike Mason (1991-92)
• Paul Naughton (1991-92)
• Don Simon (1991-93)
• Scott Millett (1991-93)
• Ben Button (1992 and 1994)
• Jason Smidt (1994)
• Tard Smith (1993-95)
• Max Hodgen (1992-95)
• Adam McVane (1994)
• Chad Ostrem (1994)
• Josh Anderson (1994-95)
• Chris Martin (1995)
• Larry Voss (1996-98)
• Derek Bush (1998)
• Steve Eide (1998)
• Jon Knutson (1998)
• Rich Nolte (1998)
• Troy Williamson (1998)
• Kyle Jellema (1998-99)
• Craig Jones (1998-99)
• Jared Peterreins (1998-99)
• Malcom Spaulding (1999)
• Justin Thielke (1999)
• Scot Namanny (1999)

DAC honors

All-Conference

• Jared Peterreins (2000)
• Craig Jones (2000)
• Justin Thielke (2000)
• Scot Namanny (2001)
• Jeremy Javers (2000-01)
• Brad Callahan (2001)
• Mark Maples (2001)
• Paul Lutu-Carroll (2001-02)
• Jesse Zwetzig (2001-02)
• BJ Podhradsky (2001-02)
• Tommy Hofer (2003-05)
• Ben Buisker (2003)
• Mike Sonne (2003-04)
• Tom Nielsen (2003)
• Blake Klinger (2004)
• Art Solis (2005)
• Nick Podhradsky (2005)
• Donald Strand (2005-08)
• Derek Barrios (2005)
• Derek Gosch (2005 and 2007)
• Gaven Davis (2007)
• Toby Ball (2007)
• Noah Sanderson (2007)
• Aaron Aylward (2008)
• Andrew Fatten (2008)
• Austen Hanten (2008)
• T.J. Simmons (2008)
• Ryan Poss (2009)
• Joe Whealy (2009-10)

NSAA honors

First-team All-NSAA

• Zach Ely (2013)
• Josh Licht (2013)
• Ronnie Jorgenson (2013)
• Zac Woods (2013-14)
• Perry King (2013)
• Cole Potter (2014-16)
• Ben Kullos (2014-15)
• Bobby Tisch (2015)
• Jason Grady (2015)
• Jacob Giles (2016-17)
• Robert Johnson (2016)
• Austin Opdahl (2016-17)
• Justin Pontarelli (2016-17)
• Greg Rodriguez (2016-17)
• Nic Behrens (2016)
• Curt Boeke (2017-18)
• Ryan Dozier (2017-18)
• Dereck DeVries (2017)
• Kaden Hight (2017)
• Brodie Frederiksen (2018-19)
• Brandon Schmit (2018-19)
• Mason Leighton (2018)
• Caleb Nielsen (2018-21)
• John Trout (2019)
• Marcus Vanden Bosch (2019-21)
• Noah Guse (2020-21)
• Devonte Murphy (2021 and 2023)
• Mose Timteo (2022)
• Cody Brown (2022)
• Jeremiah 'JJ' Beck (2022-23)
• Noah Karwacki (2022)
• Braxton Lacher (2023)
• Tyce Ortman (2024)
• Tyler Kjetland (2024)
• Caleb Dwyer (2024)
• Taron Serr (2024)
• Deveon Moses (2024)

Second-team All-NSAA

• Jeremy Christner (2014-15)
• Zach Ely (2014)
• Steven Gram (2014-15)
• Trevor Kenobbie (2014)
• Austin Ross (2014)
• Brendon Waldner (2014)
• Robert Johnson (2015)
• Austin Opdahl (2015)
• Greg Rodriguez (2015)
• Bronson Arguello (2015)
• DaVeon Banks (2015)
• Mitchell Galloway (2016)
• Andrew Adlersberg (2016)
• Thomas Romack (2016)
• Nic Behrens (2016)
• Brodie Frederiksen (2017 and 2019)
• John Trout (2017-18)
• Baily Edwards (2017)
• Danny Jordan (2017)
• Marcus Vanden Bosch (2018)
• Xavier Perez (2019)
• Riley Janke (2019)
• Noah Guse (2019)
• Conner Tordsen (2020-21)
• Braeden Wallenstein (2020)
• Jason Sakamoto (2020)
• Caleb Nielsen (2020)
• Mose Timteo (2021)
• Zach Rohrbach (2021)
• Gustavo Bonilla (2021)
• Jay Skogerboe (2021-22 and 2024)
• Tyce Ortman (2022-24)
• Devonte Murphy (2022)
• Max Sonne (2022)
• Noah Karwacki (2022)
• Tyler Kjetland (2023)
• Uziel Ruiz (2024)
• Melek Ford (2024)
• Austin Lake (2024)
• Collin Bruggeman (2024)
• Carson Sauseda (2024)

Honorable mention All-NSAA

• Austin Ross (2013)
• Bobby Tisch (2013)
• Ben Kullos (2013)
• Cole Whisenhunt (2013)
• Chad John (2013)
• Darion Office (2016)
• Curt Boeke (2016)
• Dereck DeVries (2016)
• Alvin Reels Jr. (2016)
• Brendon Waldner (2017)
• Michael Cleveland (2017-18)
• Brandon Schmit (2017)
• Brywn Ractliffe (2017)
• David Bond (2018)
• Mitchell Galloway (2018)
• Alexander Maxey (2018 and 2020-21)
• Wyatt Sanford (2019)
• Cole McCarty (2019-20)
• Karson Lindblad (2019)
• Braedon Wallenstein (2019)
• Riley Janke (2020)
• Jacob Hirsch (2020)
• Nico Feroni (2021)
• Jason Sakamoto (2021)
• Edward Fritzler (2021)
• Joshua Shaffer (2022)
• Gustavo Bonilla (2022)
• Travis Rebstock (2022)
• Cooper McDermott (2022)
• Tray Hettick (2023)
• Cole Sylliaasen (2023)
• Caleb Dwyer (2023-24)
• Marcis Hausman (2023)
• Chris Guipi-Bopala (2024)
• Brooks Jansen (2024)
• Kaden Eng (2024)
• Joseph Taylor (2024)

^[19]

NFL Players

• Darwin Robinson – Washington Redskins, Seattle Seahawks^[20]
• Danny Stratton – Cleveland Browns^[21]

CFL Players

• Tommy Hofer – Toronto Argonauts^[22]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Athletics . . dsu.edu . November 7, 2024.
2. News: DeSmet . Jordan . May 22, 2024 . Dakota State announces move to Frontier Conference . . Madison, SD . November 7, 2024.
3. News: Borg . Zach . August 30, 2024 . Dakota State thumps rival Dakota Wesleyan to christen Brian Kern Family Stadium . Dakota News Now . . November 7, 2024.
4. Web site: Josh Anderson . . dsuathletics.com . November 7, 2024.
5. News: Dannelly . Jason . April 27, 2013 . DSU accepts invite to join North Star Athletic Association . Victory Sports Network . November 7, 2024.
6. News: Dircks . Jackson . May 22, 2024 . Dakota State University joins Frontier Conference . . November 7, 2024.
7. News: . Beck Paces Tech Win . . . . November 4, 1973 . D5 . November 7, 2024 . .
8. News: . Final SDIC Standings . The Daily Republic . . November 3, 1975 . 9 . November 7, 2024 . .
9. News: . Tigers Halt Dakota State . . . . November 1, 1976 . 21 . November 7, 2024 . .
10. News: Minder . Dean . By toppling DWU—Trojans earn SDIC title . The Daily Republic . . October 31, 1977 . 11 . November 7, 2024 . .
11. News: . SDIC Standings Final . . . November 14, 1978 . 20 . November 7, 2024 . .
12. Web site: . November 22, 2021 . "The Big Play" . dsu.edu . November 8, 2024.
13. Web site: 2024 Football Coaching Staff . . dsuathletics.com . November 7, 2024.
14. News: Mullins . Garrett . September 5, 2017 . Dakota State Breaks Records, Take Cup In Early Season Affairs . The Trojan Times . November 7, 2024.
15. News: . Dakota State Plays Final Game at Trojan Field Today . KJAM . November 7, 2024.
16. News: Huntimer . Nick . September 1, 2023 . Wisconsin-La Crosse hands DSU football home opener setback . dsuathletics.com . . November 7, 2024.
17. News: Huntimer . Nick . August 28, 2024 . DSU football begins new era at Brian Kern Family Stadium Thursday . dsuathletics.com . . November 7, 2024.
18. Web site: Dakota State University NAIA Men's All-Americans . . dsuathletics.com . November 8, 2024.
19. Web site: All-Conference list . . dsuathletics.com . November 10, 2024.
20. Web site: Darwin Robinson - Inducted 2021 . . sdshof.com . November 21, 2024.
21. Web site: 2012 DSU Athletics Hall of Fame . . dsuathletics.com . November 21, 2024.
22. News: Huntimer . Nick . September 25, 2024 . Tommy Hofer - 2024 DSU Athletics Hall of Fame - Football . dsuathletics.com . November 21, 2024.