Red Storm crush Humboldt, snap 8-game losing streak

ARCATA, Calif. – Humboldt State had a dream possession to start the game. The rest of the first half was a nightmare for the Lumberjacks and a dream come true for Dixie State.

‘Jacks quarterback Kyle Morris took his team 77 yards, culminating with a touchdown pass to tight end Trevor Roe-Satkowski on the first possession of the game to take a 7-0 lead. They would not see the end zone again for the rest of the half as Dixie State outscored them 42-3 en route to a 49-24 Dixie State victory Saturday night at the Redwood Bowl.

dixiestateThe Red Storm racked up 558 yards of total offense in the win over the preseason conference favorite Lumberjacks on their home turf. Griff Robles rushed for a game-high 118 yards and three touchdowns. He threw for 283 yards and three more touchdowns, accounting for 401 yards of total offense and six touchdowns.

“Our whole team played outstanding, from the defense to the various facets of the offense,” Robles said. “Our line blocked well, picked up blitzes, the receivers ran great routes and the running backs played well. From a personal standpoint, I had a great game. But so much of that is dependent on the players around me. “

After HSU’s initial touchdown, Robles took the Red Storm 73 yards in seven plays, hooking up with wide receiver Mitch Frei from eight yards out to even the score at 7-7. The Dixie defense held the Lumberjacks on downs the next possession. But after a three-and-out for the Dixie offense, HSU fumbled the punt to give the Red Storm excellent field position at the Lumberjacks 16-yard line. Four plays later, Robles got his first rushing touchdown from one yard out to make it 14-7.

On the next possession HSU pulled within 14-10 on a 46-yard field goal from Matt Bruder. Robles added his two other rushing touchdowns, plus a 26-yard touchdown pass to running back Joel Davis. Davis finished the first half scoring with a 27-yard scamper with 5:42 left on the clock.

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Daniel Moffett

Dixie State’s defense set up several of the scores, playing catch with the Humboldt quarterbacks. The Red Storm had four interceptions in the first half with defensive back Daniel Moffett grabbing three of them. The Lumberjacks used three different quarterbacks, all of whom threw at least one interception.

Defenses dominated much of the third quarter until the Lumberjacks were able to put two touchdowns on the board at the end of the quarter to pull within 42-24. Both scores were runs by Morris.

Dixie began the fourth quarter with a touchdown on its first possession as Robles found Joe Don Duncan from 17 yards out with 13:37 to play, making it 49-24.

“We were excited coming in,” said Duncan. “HSU runs the same defense as Western Oregon (4-3). We actually had some success in that game and we knew that if we cut down on the turnovers our offense was going to have a big game.”

Though the Red Storm offense only scored once in the second half, it had several long drives that chewed up valuable time, keeping the Lumberjacks offense off the field.

Davis finished with 87 yards rushing on 10 carries and 50 yards receiving. Duncan had six catches for 91 yards. Frei had four catches for 76 yards.

The Dixie defense forced a total of five turnovers. Linebacker Jake Duncan finished with an interception and six tackles. Linebacker Nick Largent led the defense with seven tackles.

The victory snaps an eight-game losing streak and puts Dixie State at 1-3 overall and 1-2 in the GNAC and keeps HSU winless at 0-4 and 0-3.

The Red Storm return to the friendly environs of Hansen Stadium next week to face Simon Fraser University, which lost its first game tonight against Western Oregon, 30-9. Game time is at 6 p.m.

 

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2013, all rights reserved.

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