September 2, 2024

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) announced its first edition of the 2024 Football Players-of-the-Week honors Monday.  Tyce Ortman of Dakota State (S.D.) was selected as the Offensive Player-of-the-Week.  Jayden Heartwell of Dickinson State (N.D.) was chosen as the Defensive Player-of-the-Week.  Hudson Stone of Mayville State (N.D.) was voted as the Special Teams Player-of-the-Week.

NSAA Football Offensive Player of the Week
Tyce Ortman – Dakota State (S.D.) – 5’11” – 195 lbs., Senior – running back – Canistota, S.D. – Ortman rushed 15 times for 89 yards with three touchdowns in fueling Dakota State (S.D.) to a 34-3 season home opening victory over Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.).  He averaged 5.9 yards per rush in the game.  He rushed for a 25-yard touchdown in the third quarter.  Ortman added touchdown runs of 1-yard in the second quarter and sealed the game with a 4-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

NSAA Football Defensive Player of the Week
Jayden Heartwell – Dickinson State (N.D.) – 6’1” – 205 lbs., Senior – defensive back – Anchorage, Alaska – Heartwell scored two defensive touchdowns to propel No. 15 ranked Dickinson State (N.D.) to a 42-17 home victory over Rocky Mountain (Mont.).  He scored on a 66-yard touchdown return and 75-yard fumble return (with a minute left in the first half) to ignite the Blue Hawks’ scoring.

NSAA Football Special Teams Player of the Week
Hudson Stone – Mayville State (N.D.) – 5’9” – 195 lbs. – Freshman – linebacker – St. Michael, Minn. – Stone had two block punts in his first game as Mayville State (N.D.) earned a 24-6 home victory over Montana State-Northern.  One of the block punts turned into a touchdown.  Hudson also recorded two solo tackles on kick-offs.

Recap from last week’s games
All five North Star Athletic Association members were in action on the NAIA Football season opening night on Thursday, Aug. 29.  Dakota State (S.D.) earned a 34-3 rout over rival Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) in the new football stadium debut in Madison, S.D.  The Trojans forced the Tigers to five turnovers (three interceptions and two fumbles) in the game.  DaSU also outgained DWU 365-227 in total offensive yards.  Dakota State is 1-0 record on the season.

No. 15 ranked Dickinson State (N.D.) earned a 42-17 home opening victory over Rocky Mountain (Mont.), sparked by a 66-yard interception return for a touchdown and a 75-yard return for a touchdown.  The Battlin’ Bears outgained the Blue Hawks 363-281.  Dickinson State is 1-0 record on the season.

After a scoreless first inning, Mayville State (N.D.) scored the first 10 points in the second quarter and held off Montana State-Northern by the score of 24-6.  The Comets registered 276 total offensive yards compared MSU-N 158 total offensive yards.  Mayville State is 1-0 record on the season.

NCAA Division II Mary (N.D.) held Jamestown (N.D.) scoreless in the first three quarters.  The Marauders led 23-0 after three quarters before the Jimmis scored in the final quarter.  Jamestown outgained Mary 317-246 in the game, but UJ committed three interceptions.  The Jimmis fell to 0-1 overall record.

Valley City State (N.D.) fell behind to NCAA Division II Minot State (N.D.) 24-0 by halftime.  The Vikings broke the scoring drought with a touchdown and PAT extra point in the third quarter.  The Beavers scored 14 points in the final quarter, earning a 38-7 victory over VCSU.  Minot State outgained Valley City State, who dropped their overall record to 0-1, 416-266 in total offensive yards.

Looking Ahead
Jamestown (N.D.) remains on the road Thursday evening as they play another NCAA Division II opponent.  The Jimmies visit Chadron State (Neb.).

Valley City State (N.D.) also stay on the road Friday as they visit NCAA Division III Augsburg (Minn.).

Mayville State (N.D.) hosts No. 15 ranked Dickinson State (N.D.) in the North Star Athletic Association opener on Saturday afternoon in Mayville, N.D.

Dakota State (S.D.) travels to Lincoln Neb., on Saturday evening.  The Trojans face NCAA Division III Nebraska Wesleyan.

            Thursday, Sept. 5
            Jamestown (N.D.) @ Chadron State (Neb.) – 6 p.m.

            Friday, Sept. 6
            Valley City State (N.D.) @ Augsburg (Minn.) – 8 p.m.

            Saturday, Sept. 7
            (15) Dickinson State (N.D.) @ Mayville State (N.D.) – 1 p.m. (Central Time)/12 p.m. (Mountain Time)
            Dakota State (S.D.) @ Nebraska Wesleyan – 7 p.m.       

NSAA Football Standings
 

School	Overall Record	NSAA Record	Games Behind	Streak
Dakota State (S.D.)	1-0	0-0	----	Won 1
(15) Dickinson State (N.D.)	1-0	0-0	----	Won 1
Mayville State (N.D.)	1-0	0-0	----	Wno 1
Jamestown (N.D.)	0-1	0-0	----	Lost 1
Valley City State (N.D.)	0-1	0-0	----	Lost 1

            Aug. 29 Results
            Minot State (N.D.) 38, Valley City State (N.D.) 7 – FINAL
            Mayville State (N.D.) 24, Montana State-Northern 6 – FINAL
            Mary (N.D.) 23, Jamestown (N.D.) 6 – FINAL
            (15) Dickinson State (N.D.) 42, Rocky Mountain (Mont.) 17 – FINAL
            Dakota State (S.D.) 34, Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) 3 – FINAL