ST. GEORGE – Dixie State College of Utah’s sophomore quarterback, Cody Stevenson, threw for three touchdowns and sophomore linebacker, Jake Duncan, recorded a career-best 12 tackles en route to a convincing 42-7 victory over Simon Fraser University in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play on Saturday.
The Red Storm improved to 1-2 on the season and claimed victory in a conference opener for the first time since joining the GNAC. Simon Fraser dropped its second straight league game, falling to 1-2 on the year.
Stevenson, who threw four interceptions a week ago, connected on 17 of 24 passes, for 211 yards in three quarters. His first touchdown pass found Joe Don Duncan from 11 yards out early in the first quarter. J.D. Duncan highlighted a solid performance from the DSC defense with 11 solo tackles and a sack. Daniel Moffett made seven tackles and Cache Morgan notched the squad’s first interception of the year.
DSC added a pair of scores in the second quarter to lead 21–0 at halftime. Jesse Ence caught a short pass in the flat and sailed down the sideline for a 72-yard score. A break came the Storm’s way when a fumbled punt snap bounced into the hands of Jameson Schultz. The kicker ran through a sizeable seam, running out of bounds after 30 yards with a series-continuing first down. Ten plays later, Stevenson found junior wide receiver Zack Fox open in the end zone from 8 yards. The Clan was held 84 yards of total offense in the first half, while surrendering 252 yards to the Red Storm.
A field position battle broke out early in the third quarter. DSC took advantage of a drive starting at the Clan 39-yard line. Ence scampered in for a 3-yard touchdown pushing the lead to 28-0.
Freshman signal caller Stefan Cantwell entered the game late in the third quarter and led a successful scoring drive, which included his first collegiate completion to J.D. Duncan.
The quarterback used his feet to find the end zone after a 12-yard run early in the fourth quarter. Shayne Day added the exclamation point, rushing for a 60-yard score with ten minutes left. SFU avoided the shutout when Cole Tudor scored on a 9-yard rush, capping a 13-play, 83-yard drive.
Tudor ended the night as the most prolific Clan runner with 61 yards.
Trey Wheeler was 13-of-28 for 51 passing yards and one interception. The daunting SFU rushing duo of Bo Palmer and Gabe Ephard were held to 48 and 40 yards respectively. Dan Martin made seven tackles, five for loss to lead the Clan defense. Dixie State outgained SFU 495-230 in total yardage.
The Red Storm resume GNAC play next Saturday hosting the conference-leading Western Oregon Wolves (2-1, 2-0 GNAC). Kickoff at Hansen Stadium is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.
NOTES: DSC set school records for most points scored (42), most net team rushing yards (263) and most TDs (6)… The game ended with DSC setting up in victory formation; the last time the Storm did that was last season at Simon Fraser in a 28-21 win.
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