MITCHELL, S.D. — Dakota Wesleyan University Football hosted the Dakota State Trojans in the annual Chamber of Commerce Traveling Trophy game in what would become an instant classic.
The Tigers would be ready to go from the first moment of the game, as Steven Christion would take the opening kickoff 95 yards to claim an early 7-0 lead. The opening score proved to be key as the contest continued with both defenses battling and giving the opposition issues. DWU’s defense would be led by senior linebackers Joseph VanOverschelde and Grayson Hanson, who combined for 23 total tackles during the game.
Dakota State would find an answer of its own later in the first quarter, but an interception from Mikey Hart would set the Tigers up nicely for a second touchdown. Jed Jenson connected with Sean DeBlieck through a tight window of defenders to take a 13-7 lead following the blocked extra point attempt. The second quarter would remain at a complete stalemate as the Tiger defense prevented the Trojans from connecting on two field goal attempts, keeping their six-point lead heading into halftime.
Both defenses would continue to show out in the second half as Trevor Sladky would pick up another interception for the Tigers, but the offense would be unable to capitalize as the quarter progressed. Dakota State would take a one-point lead towards the end of the quarter on a breakaway touchdown run, but the Tigers would continue to battle into the final quarter of the game. DWU would reclaim the lead with just under nine minutes left in the game after an impressive 41-yard field goal from Danny Carsrud to make the score 16-14.
The Trojans would take the opportunity to run down the clock as they drove down the field on their final possession of the day, and while the Tiger defense had been stout throughout the game, Dakota State would find just enough yards to continue moving the chains as time wound down. DSU would make it into the red zone and run their final four downs within the four-yard line, but DWU’s defense would put together one final stand to keep them out of the endzone, with Weston Wollberg and Gavin Haselhorst notably stepping up to make big tackles just short of the goal line.
The Tigers would force the Trojans to attempt one final field goal to win the game with 37 seconds left, and with the kick attempt hitting the left goalpost and bouncing to the ground, Dakota Wesleyan would kneel out the rest of the game to claim the victory over Dakota State and reclaim the Chamber of Commerce Traveling Trophy. This dramatic finish would mark head coach Alex Kretzschmar’s first win in the out-of-conference rivalry matchup.
The Tigers will be back in action on the gridiron against Dordt down in Sioux Center, Iowa, on Saturday, September 6th, starting at 1:00 PM. See the entire 2025 schedule here.