From the Back of an Ambulance to the Field: Jaxon Duttenhefer Returns vs. YSU
FARGO (KVRR) –The NDSU Bison remained perfect on the 2025 season (9-0) with a 38-30 win over Youngstown State Saturday, November 1. One of the biggest stories of the game though was the return of senior captain Jaxon Duttenhefer.
“Duttenhefer is an inspiring guy for our whole football team,” said NDSU Bison head football coach Tim Polasek. “He’s an example for our whole student body as far as how to go about handling your business. He’s going to be real successful down the road as well.
Just two weeks ago, in a game versus Indiana State, NDSU Bison standout defensive lineman Jaxon Duttenhefer was carted off the field on a stretcher and taken via ambulance to a local hospital. A friendly-fire play where there was concern for a potential neck injury occurred. He later returned to the field that day in street clothes. After then sitting out the Dakota Marker game versus South Dakota State, the senior captain made his return to the field Saturday in the FargoDome versus Youngstown State.
“It’s wild to think that two weeks ago, I was sitting [on] a stretcher in the back of an ambulance,” said Duttenhefer. “You’re sitting there and you have no idea what the next 30 minutes will bring, what the next hour will bring. Honestly, I think the past two weeks have given me a lot of perspective. What have you maybe taken for granted? What have you maybe not thought about enough? What have you not been thankful for enough? Have you told people enough that you love them? Have you told your brothers enough that you love them? As we got done with warm ups [Saturday], the first thing I said was, I love you all. I almost tearing out thinking about it…I’m super blessed to be able to be out there and to be able to compete with my brothers. I’m just praising God that I healed as fast as I did, and I’m able to go out there and compete.
Duttenhefer ended the game with two assisted tackles. But the simple fact that he was out there means more to the team than any box score.
“To see Duttenhefer just with pads on was really awesome,” said fellow senior captain, quarterback Cole Payton. “[It was also a] little bit shocking, you know, with what he went through. Shout out to [Associate Athletic Trainer] Trish and our athletic training staff and the medical staff and doctors and Duttenhefer’s toughness. I mean, he’s a captain on this team for a reason, and I remember before the game just telling him how happy I was for him and that I loved him.”
Duttenhefer said he is dealing with a little soreness and some range of motion issues. He adds that he lost feeling for about three seconds when it happened, but credits doctors and trainers for helping him get back on the field.
NDSU (9-0) prepares to take on North Dakota (6-3) Saturday, November 8 in Grand Forks.
