Dustan Hovorka

A native of McCook Lake, South Dakota, Dustan Hovorka ranks as arguably the best wide receiver in school history. Hovorka, who helped lead the Cougars to USF’s second NAIA national title in 2006, also coached on two USF NCAA DII playoff teams.

A three-time All-American, Hovorka, who owns the school mark for longest receiving touchdown at 91 yards, recorded 1,000 yards receiving in all four of his seasons and still owns 12 school records at USF. Hovorka is the only player in school history with three receiving games of 200 yards or more and the only USF wide receiver to record double digits in receiving touchdowns for four straight years. His 4,801 receiving yards is 1,339 more than second place Jon Ryan (2007-10) at 3,462, and his receptions of 291 is 57 more than second place and USF Hall of Famer Kalen DeBoer with 234. Of Hovorka’s 58 touchdowns, which rank fourth all-time, 55 came by receiving, which is a school record.

With major contributions from Hovorka, the Cougars had a combined 48-4 record from 2003-06 with the NAIA title in a 14-1 season in 2006 when Hovorka had 76 receptions for 1,304 yards and a school record of 19 touchdowns. The 2003 team finished 12-1 and reached the national semifinals (16-13 loss to Northwest Oklahoma State) as Hovorka had 66 receptions for 1,174 yards and 11 touchdowns. In 2004, the Cougars finished 11-1 with a bid for a perfect season ending in a 24-3 loss to Azusa Pacific in the playoffs. Hovorka had 76 receptions for 1,191 yards and 11 touchdowns to lead the offense. In 2005, the Cougars, led by Hovorka’s 73 catches for 1,132 yards and 14 touchdowns, reached the national semifinals before falling to Carroll College in an 11-2 season.

Hovorka, who prepped at Dakota Valley, played six seasons for the Sioux Falls Storm in the Indoor Football League. He retired as a football player to enter coaching. He joined USF and served as a wide receivers coach, recruiting coordinator and offensive coordinator from 2014-16. While he was on the USF football staff, USF finished 32-5 with a conference title in 2016. He mentored 17 student-athletes who earned all-league honors and had two All-Americans. He helped coach USF to the playoffs twice and postseason three times. Hovorka, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from USF in 2008, is now offensive coordinator at Lindenwood University in the MIAA Conference. He is married to Kari Keating and lives in Maryland Heights, Missouri.