Dixie State's football team picked up what could be called as a "program-building" win.

Finally.

For only the second time in 17 tries since becoming an NCAA Division II team in 2006. DSC won on the road. Its 30-23 come-from-behind victory Saturday over Azusa Pacific marked the first time in five chances this season DSC prevailed in a game decided by seven points or fewer.

"I'm really proud of our kids." DSC coach Ron Haun told KDXU 890 AM after the game. "We got behind and our kids hung in there and we got over that wall. We're learning."

DSC (3-6) trailed 23-16 heading into the fourth quarter. but scored twice and held the Cougars (1-7) off the scoreboard.

The go-ahead touchdown came on a third-and-1 play from the Azusa Pacific 5 with 5:27 remaining. Hill ran a bootleg from an inverted wishbone formation in which DSC typically hands the ball off to Teddy Owens (Pleasant Grove. UT/Pleasant Grove HS). The speedy Hill beat the pursuing APU defenders to the end zone to break the 23-23 deadlock.

"We threw the boot in and it was a good time to have it." Haun said. "It's a good play if it works."

It was the crowning moment of the evening for Hill. who had a brilliant statistical night. He threw for 241 yards and a score and rushed for 95 yards on 14 attempts.

"How about Dexter Hill (Pocatello. ID/Highland HS)." Haun said. "Is that a great effort or what?"

Running back Adam Wells (Kenmore. WA/Inglemoor) had 83 yards on the ground. including a 50-yard touchdown in the third quarter to give DSC a short-lived 16-13 lead.

Wide receiver Skyler Ence (St George. UT/Pine View) made seven catches for 82 yards. Fellow wideouts Judd Thompson (Crystal Lake. IL/Prarie Ridge HS) (3-65) and Kyser Christensen (Boise. ID/Centennial) (3-50) had nice evenings as well.

Zack Manning (Mountain Green. UT/Morgan) made a 46-yard field goal at the end of the first half to cut the deficit to 13-9. After Wells' run gave DSC a lead. APU countered with a Jon Davis 4-yard touchdown catch with 7:09 to go in the third.

A Cory Lenahan 47-yard field goal pushed the lead back to seven for the Cougars before Owens pounded his way in from the 2 to tie it at 23 early in the fourth.

"It's a great win for us." Haun said. "Our kids didn't want to lose. That's a good trait. We'd lost these close ones and we talked about getting over the hump. and that's what happened."

DSC hosts Western Washington at noon Saturday in its final home game of the season.

DAVID CORDERO-THE SPECTRUM