Aug. 28—MITCHELL — The 2026 college football season for Dakota Wesleyan University begins Saturday night against a ranked opponent and an in-state foe, traveling east to take on Dakota State.
The Tigers got into the win column in the 2025 game, behind strong defense and special teams. Those elements, plus an improved offense, will be important as DWU looks to spoil the Trojans' season opener on the road, looking for their first road win over DSU since 2015.
Here's a look at DWU's matchup on Saturday:
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Kern Family Stadium, Madison.
Records: DWU in 2025: 4-7 (3-7 GPAC); DSU in 2025: 8-2 (5-1 Frontier)
Coaches: DWU's Alex Kretzschmar (8-14, third season); Hastings' Josh Anderson (72-102, 18th season)
All-time series: Saturday's game is the 80th all-time meeting and Dakota Wesleyan leads series 41-37-1.
Last meeting: DWU won 16-14 on Aug. 30, 2025 in Mitchell.
Last time out: DWU lost its 2025 season finale 24-7 to Hastings at Joe Quintal Field. DSU ended its 2025 season with a 50-3 home win over Montana State-Northern.
Notes: The home team has won four games in a row in this series. DSU was the last road winner, claiming a 6-0 victory in 2021 in Mitchell. ... This is the 11th straight season the two teams have played in August in a season-opening game. Dakota State is 9-2 in that part of the series. ... Since the two schools began playing for the Chamber of Commerce trophy, the Trojans lead the series 6-2.
About the Tigers: DWU is looking for its first win over a ranked team since 2017, when DWU knocked off No. 24 Midland on Sept. 30, 2017 in Mitchell. ... DWU was picked to finish ninth in the Great Plains Athletic Conference's preseason poll. ... The Tigers threw for 221 yards per game in 2025, the most passing yards per game for DWU since 2020. ... DWU returns 2025 all-GPAC selections in offensive lineman Gavin Pischke and defensive lineman Cody Winslow, who were both picked to the league's second team. ... DWU has won its last two road games dating back to 2025, with road wins at Doane and Mount Marty. ... The Tigers go into the 2026 season looking to reverse turnover struggles from last season, when DWU was minus-11 in turnover margin.
About the Trojans: DSU is ranked in the preseason for the first time since 2018, ranked No. 25 nationally. ... The Trojans were picked to finish second in the Frontier Conference East Division. ... Emery native and junior Brandon Kjetland is the listed starter at left tackle and Freeman Academy product Maddox Kihne is a starter at wide receiver after making 31 receptions for 481 yards and five touchdowns in 2025. ... Herreid native Tray Hettick returns at quarterback as a senior after throwing for more than 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns last season.
Next: Dakota Wesleyan holds its home opener and opens GPAC play by hosting Doane at 1 p.m. on Sept. 5. Dakota State will play at Black Hills State at 2 p.m. on Sept. 5 in Spearfish.
GPAC schedule
Thursday, Aug. 27
Midland 31, Dickinson State 0
Western Illinois 65, Northwestern 14
Friday, Aug. 28
Dordt at Indiana Wesleyan, 5 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 29
Clarke (Iowa) at Mount Marty, 1 p.m.
Benedictine (Kan.) at Morningside, 6 p.m.
Mayville State (N.D.) at Briar Cliff, 6 p.m.
Waldorf at Concordia (Neb.), 7 p.m.
Texas College at Doane, canceled.
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