ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Maybe Dixie State should have some of last week’s offense for this week’s game.

The Dixie State football team traveled to Central Washington to take on a Wildcat team that dominated Dixie on both sides of the ball. CWU outgained Dixie 581-235 in yardage for the 48-14 win.

The Wildcats initial offensive play would presage the long day ahead for the Storm defense. CWU quarterback Jake Nelson found Kevin McKinney for a 46-yard bomb to score the first touchdown of the game.

On the ensuing possession, DSU quarterback Hayden Gavett reciprocated with a 62-yard pass to receiver Nate Stephens to knot the score at 7-7 just three minutes into the game. That was as good as it would get all afternoon for the visitors. The Wildcats would score 41 consecutive points before Colton Peterson would score the last touchdown of the day on a 15-yard run.

Nelson would get one more touchdown through the air, this time to leading receiver Jesse Zalk and another one on the ground. Wildcat leading rusher Jordan Todd had two rushing touchdowns to go with his 107 yards rushing. The final touchdown was scored by Melvin Thornton who also had 91 yards on the ground.

Wildcat kicker Sean McDonald completed the scoring with two field goals.

The Wildcat defense frustrated Gavett all night, limiting him to four completions on 18 attempts and to negative yards rushing. After nearing close to 400 yards in total offense last week, the sophomore quarterback was held to 87 yards Saturday afternoon.

While turnovers doomed the Red Storm in their first game, they actually won the turnover battle today 4-2. However the Red Storm defense only forced the Wildcat offense to punt twice, while Dixie punters kicked the ball nine times. Garland Munns led the Storm with 10 tackles. Jake Miller had seven tackles, four for loss. Safeties Justin Ence and Aeryus Holloway had nine tackles apiece. Cornerbacks Zac Christian and DeShawn Perkins both recorded their first interception of the season. CWU dominated time of possession 37-23 minutes.

The Red Storm falls to 0-2 while CWU evens its record to 1-1.

The Red Storm will return to friendly environs for the first time this season next week. DSU will host Humboldt State on Sept. 20 at 6 p.m.

Stats: CWU 48, DSU 14

Email: [email protected]