GAME PREVIEW CAPSULE
Fort Lewis (3-6 in RMAC, 4-6 overall) at Dixie State University (5-4 in RMAC, 5-5 overall) today, 1 p.m., Legend Solar Stadium, St. George
Previous Meeting: Fort Lewis 24, Dixie State 14 (Dec. 2, 2006)
Overall Series Record: Fort Lewis leads 1-0
Broadcast: (Audio) ESPN SportsRadio 97.7 FM; Southern Utah Live; CEC-TV Channel 22 TDS
TRAILBLAZERS
Head coach: Shay McClure (1st year, 5-5)
Offense Average: 25.40
Defense Average: 29.00
Last Game: Lost to CSU-Pueblo 24-13 on the road (November 5, 2016)
Players to watch: Quarterback Josh Thompson has thrown for 1,095 yards and has a 64% completion ratio. Clifford Simms (796 yards) and DeJon Coleman (728 yards) lead the team in rushing. Orlando Wallace (37 catches) and Aub Reed (31) lead the team in receptions. Defensively, Colton Olson leads the team in tackles (65). Right behind him are linebackers Peter Brown (52) and Shiloh Pritchard (50). Linebacker Keanu Foki leads the team in sacks (5.5). Remington Kelly and Dane Griffin have both recorded sacks in two consecutive games.
SKYHAWKS
Head Coach: Ed Rifilato 7th year at Fort Lewis, 26-47, overall 33-51)
Offense Average: 30.50
Defense Average: 27.00
Last Game: Beat New Mexico Highlands 52-7 at home last week (November 5, 2016)
Players to watch: Fort Lewis leads the RMAC in rushing offense (273.8) and ranks fourth in the RMAC in total offense (429.3 yards per game). Running back Drake Griffin ranks third in the RMAC with 1,226 yards rushing (122.6 yards per game) and nine touchdowns. The Skyhawks rank second in the RMAC in rushing defense (125.7 yards per game) and third in total defense (341.9 yards per game). Linebacker Andrew Ike ranks ninth in the RMAC with a team-high 81 tackles, while linebacker Shane Nelson has logged 61 tackles and defensive end OJ Thompson has recorded 50 tackles and leads the team in sacks (4.5). Defensive back Dre Cortez leads the team with three interceptions.
GAME OUTLOOK
The Blazers return home after two consecutive weeks on the road. They have had a breakthrough season, but want to end it with a winning record. The defense has played exceptionally well and perform well if not put into bad field position. Fort Lewis has won three straight after losing six of their first seven. The Skyhawks have scored over 52 points per game in those wins. They won’t have the same success today.
STGNews Prediction: DSU 27, Fort Lewis 21
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