The Dakota State Trojans football program from 2020 to present represented Dakota State University in college football during the 2020s. The Trojans compete at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) level, and were members of the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) though the 2024 season. Dakota State will compete as a member of the Frontier Conference beginning in 2025. Josh Anderson, who has served as Dakota State's head coach since 2009, has led the team for the entire decade to date. Dakota State played home games at Trojan Field in Madison, South Dakota through the 2022 season. The Trojans hosted games Dan Beacom Track Complex in 2023 before moving to the Brian Kern Family Stadium in 2024.

2020

The 2020 Dakota State Trojans football team represented Dakota State University as a member of the North Star Athletic Association during the 2020–21 NAIA football season. Led by 12th-year head coach Josh Anderson, the Trojans compiled an overall record of 4–5 with all games played again conference opponents, placing fourth in the NSAA.

Schedule

2021

The 2021 Dakota State Trojans football team represented Dakota State University as a member of the North Star Athletic Association during the 2021 NAIA football season. Led by 13th-year head coach Josh Anderson, the Trojans compiled an overall record of 6–4 with a mark of 5–3 in conference play, tying for third in the NSAA.

Schedule

2022

The 2022 Dakota State Trojans football team represented Dakota State University as a member of the North Star Athletic Association during the 2022 NAIA football season. Led by 14th-year head coach Josh Anderson, the Trojans compiled an overall record of 6–4 with a mark of 4–2 in conference play, tying for second place in the NSAA.

Schedule

2023

The 2023 Dakota State Trojans football team represented Dakota State University as a member of the North Star Athletic Association during the 2023 NAIA football season. Led by 15th-year head coach Josh Anderson, the Trojans compiled an overall record of 1–9 with a mark of 1–7 in conference play, placing last out of five teams in the NSAA. The 2023 season was the first and only season in which the Trojans played home games at the Dan Beacom Track Complex in Madison, South Dakota.

Schedule

2024

The 2024 Dakota State Trojans football team represented Dakota State University as a member of the North Star Athletic Association during the 2024 NAIA football season. Led by 16th-year head coach Josh Anderson, the Trojans compiled an overall record of 6–4 with a mark of 4–4 in conference play, placing second in the NSAA.

Dakota State played home game at the newly opened Brian Kern Family Stadium in Madison, South Dakota. The Trojans played their first game in the new stadium on August 29, against , winning by a score of 34–3. To celebrate the opening of Brian Kern Family Stadium and the Beacom PREMIER Complex, Dakota State University held an event named Trojan Nights inside Brian Kern Family Stadium. This event included musical acts from Old Dominion, Brothers Osborne, and Elle King.

Schedule

Preseason NSAA preseason poll NSAA Preseason 1. Dickinson State25 (5) 2. Valley City State19 3. Jamestown15 4. Mayville State8 5. Dakota State7

Personnel Roster 2024 Dakota State Trojans FootballQuarterbacks 9 – Tray Hettick – Sophomore (6'3, 205) 18 – AJ Donovan – Freshman (6'2, 185) 12 – Joseph Cole – Sophomore (6'4, 185) 14 – Tell Murray – Freshman (6'1, 170)

Running backs 0 – Tyce Ortman (C) – Senior (5'11, 195) 3 – Preston Iverson – Sophomore (5'6, 165) 32 – Matthew Birkland – Freshman (5'9, 170) 46 – Anthony Moser – Freshman (5'6, 185) 13 – Niyongabo Yohana – Freshman (5'8, 170) 15 – Xander Sheehan – Sophomore (5'11 180) 25 – Reggie Cavanaugh – Freshman (5'8, 170 28 – Dacian Muldrew – Freshman (5'8, 150) 29 – Colin Iverson – Freshman (5'5, 185)

Wide receivers 6 – Melek Ford – Junior (6'4, 170) 11 – JerQon Conners – Senior (5'11, 180) 5 – Austin Lake – Senior (6'0, 190) 2 – Noah McCant – Sophomore (5'8, 175) 4 – Maddox Kihne – Sophomore (5'10, 170) 15 – Tysen Grinde – Freshman (6'3, 185) 1 – Jovi Wolf – Freshman (5'10, 175) 88 – Jasper Gibson – Sophomore (6'5, 230) 10 – Dylan Langerock – Freshman (6'3, 200) 85 – Grant VanDenHul – Freshman (6'6, 170) 16 – Caden Langenfeld – Freshman (5'10, 160) 86 – Jacob MacDonell – Junior (5'10, 175) 80 – Timothy Halbur – Freshman (6'1, 190) 89 – Amari Dirks – Freshman (6'0, 190) 81 – Payton Anderson – Freshman (6'1, 185) 82 – Levi Miller – Freshman (5'9 165) 83 – Pierce Gomarko – Freshman (6'0 175)

Tight ends 8 – Owen Heath – Sophomore (6'2, 230) 84 – Nathan Cook – Senior (6'2, 225) 17 – Gus Sanford – Junior (6'0, 195) 42 – Eddie Merrell III – Freshman (6'3, 265) 87 – AJ Siemsen – Freshman (6'2, 200) 43 – Camdyn Stoterau – Freshman (6'2, 180) 41 – Kaden Van Egdom – Freshman (6'3, 215) Kicker/Punter 37 – Carson Sauseda – Junior (5'10, 200) 36 – Joshua Smith – Junior (5'11, 170) 35 – Thomas Mechels – Freshman (6'2, 220)

Long snappers 98 – Braxton Lacher – Senior (6'0, 230)

Offensive linemen 75 – Tyler Kjetland (C) – Junior (6'5, 305) 68 – Sam Sather – Junior (6'3, 300) 51 – Joseph Taylor – Senior (6'1, 285) 78 – Uziel Ruiz – Sophomore (6'4, 330) 65 – Joshua Shaffer – Junior (6'2, 275) 58 – Jack O'Neil – Junior (6'0, 290) 74 – Brandon Kjetland – Freshman (6'5, 310) 55 – Kendall Cauley – Freshman (6'2, 265) 73 – Thomas Lett – Junior (6'6, 305) 71 – Seth Gawerecki – Sophomore (5'11, 220) 54 – Derek Moreno – Freshman (6'1, 270) 61 – Kasey Gerhard – Freshman (6'0, 260) 50 – Zane Tucker – Sophomore (6'1, 280) 64 – Ethan Crouch – Freshman (6'4, 280) 72 – Ashton Engen – Freshman (6'4, 260)

Defensive linemen 77 – Brooks Jansen – Junior (6'3, 260) 99 – Kacey Cauley – Sophomore (6'1, 250) 92 – Jack Hemmen – Sophomore (6'2, 280) 69 – Joey Hoeschen – Senior (5'11, 260) 90 – Caleb Dwyer – Junior (6'3, 240) 7 – Jordan Cooper – Freshman (6'3, 215) 76 – Brandon Jansen – Junior (6'3, 225) 97 – Rashad Debose – Freshman (5'8, 240) 79 – Griffin Reiner – Freshman (6'1, 295) 91 – William Katchmark – Junior (5'11, 250) 95 – Elliot Devries – Freshman (6'0, 255) 96 – Lamarcus Osborne – Freshman (5'9, 280) 51 – Allen Reed – Sophomore (6'0, 255) 94 – Jacob Imdieke – Freshman (6'3, 270) 93 – Robert Begalka – Freshman (6'0, 260) 66 – Bonnard Bosler – Freshman (6'1, 205) 56 – Ty Black Elk-Volkmann – Freshman (6'2, 230) 62 – Demetrious Moctezuma – Freshman (5'9, 250) 67 – Caden Beauchamp – Freshman (6'3, 215) 57 – Jaden Fisher – Freshman (6'1, 225) Linebackers 0 – Gabriel Chambliss – Junior (6'0, 205) 11 – Chris Guipi-Bopala – Senior (6'0, 215) 34 – Cole Paulson (C) – Sophomore (5'9, 205) 55 – Collin Bruggeman – Senior (6'2, 200) 54 – Oscar Kooistra – Sophomore (6'4, 235) 48 – Taron Serr – Junior (6'1, 210) 47 – Cooper Vincent – Senior (5'9, 195) 14 – Justin Holm – Freshman (5'10, 190) 40 – Rhet Bertram – Junior (6'4, 205) 25 – Kyle Bares – Freshman (5'10, 210) 59 – Ashton Wienk – Freshman (6'0, 200) 53 – Dylan Jessen – Freshman (5'10, 210) 45 – Ronald Begalka – Freshman (6'3, 200) 33 – Alexzander Lillefloren – Freshman (6'2, 215) 12 – Kaden Van Otterloo – Freshman (6'2, 210) 13 – Aiden Geraets – Freshman (6'0, 205) 58 – Devan Hendricks – Freshman (6'0, 185) 52 – Lucas Chamberlain – Freshman (6'1, 180) 50 – Brock Tuttle – Freshman (5'11, 225) 39 – Carson Fielder – Freshman (6'2, 195)

Defensive backs 4 – Kaden Eng – Junior (6'1, 200) 6 – Jay Skogerboe (C) – Senior (6'1, 190) 2 – Deveon Moses – Junior (6'0, 180) 5 – Blake Duran – Senior (5'11, 155) 3 – Michael Foster – Junior (5'10, 180) 1 – Tristen Perry – Junior (6'1, 170) 9 – Trey Ortman – Gr. (6'2, 190) 10 – My'Quel Johnson – Junior (5'10, 190) 19 – Trevon Johnson – Junior (5'9, 170) 8 – Tamareon Foster – Sophomore (5'10, 185) 22 – Jordan Upton – Freshman (5'10, 175) 27 – Devyn Anderson – Freshman (6'0, 170) 26 – Aidan Jahns – Sophomore (6'3, 195) 20 – Nicholas Randall – Freshman (6'2, 165) 23 – Trent Foss – Freshman (5'10, 175)Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt

Coaching staff Head coach & tight ends Josh Anderson North Dakota State UniversityOffensive coordinator & quarterbacks Logan Levy University of Maryland, Baltimore CountyDefensive coordinator & middle linebackers Anvil Sinsabaugh Morningside UniversityDefensive backs Daidrick Kibbie Dakota State UniversityOffensive line Deonte Randle Dakota State UniversityDefensive line Ryan Ross Briar Cliff UniversityWide receivers Tobin Sharp Outside linebackers Devonte MurphySafeties Brock Swanson Clifton Marshall Mike Trimble Cole Cartwright

2025

The 2025 Dakota State Trojans football team represents Dakota State University as a member of the Frontier Conference during the 2025 NAIA football season. Led by 17th-year head coach Josh Anderson, the Trojans play home games at Brian Kern Family Stadium in Madison, South Dakota.

Schedule

Rankings

Personnel Roster 2025 Dakota State Trojans FootballQuarterbacks 9 – Tray Hettick – Junior 10 – Mason Miller – Freshman 11 – Sean Eaton – Sophomore 13 – Landon Quist – Freshman 19 – Carter Williams – Freshman

Running backs 2 – Trajan Davis – Sophomore 3 – Preston Iverson – Junior 7 – Ashton Sandbulte – Junior 13 – Niyongabo Yohana – Junior 20 – Darius Jay – Freshman 22 – Sam Glesiah – Freshman 24 – Samuel Livingston – Freshman 25 – Jerys Burckhard – Freshman 46 – Anthony Moser – Sophomore

Wide receivers 1 – Jovi Wolf – Sophomore 4 – Maddox Kihne – Junior 5 – Victor Boggs Jr. – Junior 6 – Melek Ford – Sophomore 12 – Pierce Gomarko – Freshman 14 – Grant VanDenHul – Freshman 15 – Marcuson Taylor Jr. – Freshman 16 – Caden Langenfeld – Freshman 18 – Timothy Halbur – Sophomore 80 – Layton Smith – Freshman 82 – Miles Eide – Freshman 83 – Christopher Aasen – Freshman 85 – Garret Merkley – Freshman 87 – Amari Dirks – Freshman 89 – Kolter Simon – Freshman

Tight ends 0 – Eddie Merrell III – Sophomore 8 – Owen Heath – Sophomore 17 – Gus Sanford – Senior 42 – Kaden Van Egdom – Freshman 43 – Ashton Fairbanks – Freshman 84 – Nathan Cook – Senior 88 – Oliver Wirth – Freshman Kicker/Punter 15 – Xander Sheehan – Senior 35 – Nohel Torres – Freshman 36 – Adrian Villanueva – Freshman 37 – Carson Sauseda – Senior

Long snappers 23 – Cade Willnerd – Freshman 39 – Drew Mildebrandt – Freshman

Offensive linemen 50 – Zane Tucker – Senior 51 – Hudson Kempf – Freshman 52 – Aidyn Janis – Freshman 53 – Thomas Lett – Junior 54 – Derek Moreno – Sophomore 55 – Kendall Cauley – Junior 56 – Brady Altenburg – Freshman 57 – Layton Loup – Freshman 63 – Hudson Arbach – Freshman 65 – Joshua Shaffer – Junior 67 – Shawn Crouch – Freshman 68 – Sam Sather – Senior 70 – Aiden Novak – Freshman 71 – Seth Gawerecki – Senior 72 – Jose Rodriguez – Freshman 73 – Weston Leverson – Freshman 74 – Brandon Kjetland – Sophomore 75 – Tyler Kjetland – Senior 76 – Ethan Crouch – Freshman 78 – Uziel Ruiz – Junior

Defensive linemen 51 – Allen Reed – Sophomore 58 – Parker Petry – Freshman 66 – Bonnard Bosler – Freshman 77 – Brooks Jansen – Senior 90 – Caleb Dwyer – Senior 91 – William Katchmark – Senior 93 – Caden Beauchamp – Freshman 94 – Jacob Imdieke – Freshman 98 – Jaden Fisher – Freshman 99 – Kacey Cauley – Senior 62 – Demetrious Moctezuma – Freshman 64 – Deke Scott – Freshman 79 – Griffin Reiner – Sophomore 92 – Jack Hemmen – Senior 95 – Elliott Devries – Sophomore 96 – Lamarcus Osborne – Freshman 97 – Jeremiah Scott – Senior Linebackers 0 – Gabriel Chambliss – Senior 5 – Josiah Perez – Junior 6 – Joseph Cole – Junior 7 – Jordan Cooper – Sophomore 10 – Ashton Wienk – Sophomore 12 – Kaden Van Otterloo – Freshman 14 – Justin Holm – Junior 23 – Tristan Sontag – Freshman 24 – Cooper Maras – Senior 25 – Kyle Bares – Sophomore 32 – Matthew Caviezel – Junior 33 – Alexander Lillefloren – Freshman 34 – Cole Paulson – Senior 38 – Hayden Westman – Freshman 40 – Rhet Bertram – Senior 41 – Jamal Whithead – Freshman 45 – Talon George – Freshman 47 – Brody Frick – Freshman 48 – Taron Serr – Senior