MADISON, S.D. — Dakota Wesleyan Football entered hostile territory at the Brian Kern Family Stadium as the Tigers traveled to the 25th-ranked Dakota State Trojans in the annual Chamber of Commerce Traveling Trophy Game.
Dakota State jumped out to a 7-0 lead just over two minutes into the game thanks to a 60+ yard pass play to set them up in goal-to-go territory. In response, the Tigers would put together a solid first drive, including impressive rushes from Landon Iverson, who was able to put together a career-high performance of 75 yards, averaging 5.4 yards per carry, but the DSU defense would stall out the Tiger offense just outside of the red zone. The Trojans would go up 14-0 with about five minutes left in the second quarter off a long third-and-long conversion, followed by another touchdown within the two-minute warning following a short DWU offensive drive, claiming a 21-0 lead. In the first half, the Tigers had a handful of standout performers, including DWU newcomer Reed Rus, who recorded three sacks in the first half and went on to tally eight total tackles, tying at the top of the defensive effort with returner Jestin Bayer with eight tackles of his own. The offensive line would also deliver a stout performance, allowing just one sack throughout the contest. Even with the impressive efforts, the Tigers found themselves needing to dig out of a three-score lead in the second half.
The Tigers would punt in the first drive of the second half, but the defense came up with a big play that flipped the game’s momentum after a tipped pass was intercepted by Jackson Jarding, setting up DWU in plus-territory. With 11 minutes remaining in the third quarter on a crucial fourth down, Caleb Kilbride made an excellent catch on the left seam and took it to the end zone to get DWU on the board. The extra point was blocked, keeping the score at 21-6, but it helped turn the tide for the Tigers.
Dakota State would be forced to punt, setting up the Dakota Wesleyan offense on another scoring drive, opened by a big run from Iverson. DWU got its second touchdown of the game with just under a minute and a half left in the third quarter, as Gus Scott capped off a 97-yard drive with a touchdown reception over the middle of the field. The Tigers were unable to capitalize on the two-point conversion, bringing the score to 21-12. Jed Jenson in the third quarter threw for 97 yards and two touchdowns, with just two incompletions, setting up an impressive comeback effort as the Tigers headed into the final 15 minutes of play.
Less than a minute into the fourth quarter, the Trojans converted on a third-and-long for a 25-yard touchdown and tacked on the extra point, extending their lead to 16 points, but the Tigers were able to answer. DWU marched right down the field and ended its drive with a touchdown pass over the middle to Kilbride for his second touchdown of the game. On the ensuing two-point conversion, Jenson found Steven Christion to bring the score within one possession, 28-20. The Tigers forced a three-and-out from the Trojans, their first of the ballgame, but turned the ball over on their next possession, setting up the Trojans to extend the lead back to two scores at 35-20. In what would have been Dakota State’s closing drive, the Tigers forced a late turnover as Trevor Sladky snagged his first interception of the season, returning it 64 yards, deep into Trojan territory, which set up Jenson’s fourth touchdown pass of the day, this time to Christion, bringing the game back into one possession with just under two minutes to play.
Dakota State recovered the ensuing onside kick, and while a series of timeouts and penalties gave the Tigers one final chance to score, a punt pinning DWU at its own one-yard line stacked the odds too high against the Tiger offense that late into the game, resulting in a 35-27 final score in favor of the Trojans. Jenson ended the day going 20-38 through the air for 226 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions, while Chase McGillivary led the team with 73 yards receiving on seven catches.
The Tigers are in action again next week at the 2026 home opener, hosting the Doane Tigers at Joe Quintal Field on Saturday, September 5th, starting at 1:00 PM.