Storm Head to Humboldt for GNAC Rematch

League leading Jacks control their own destiny; Homecoming week in Arcata

Cameron Greene (#22) against HSU earlier this year; DSC travels to Humboldt on Saturday

RED STORM FOOTBALL - GAME NOTES AT HUMBOLDT STATE (10.16.10)

THIS WEEK: Travels in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference take the Dixie State College Red Storm to Northern California for a rematch with the league leading Humboldt State Lumberjacks on Saturday, October 16, 2010 at 6:00pm Pacific (7:00pm Mountain) at the Redwood Bowl in Arcata. The game is the sixth on the GNAC schedule or Dixie State this season.

SERIES: The Lumberjacks dominated the first meeting (49-14 in STG) between the teams this season to take a five games to four advantage in the all-time series. Humboldt currently enjoys a two-game win streak over the Storm including the 2009 season finale in Arcata 33-23 – it was the first victory in the GNAC for the Jacks in two years. The last Dixie State win in the series was the first meeting in 2009 at Hansen Stadium. Former QB Judd Thompson (Crystal Lake. IL/Prarie Ridge HS) threw for 264 yards and two touchdowns while the secondary racked up three interceptions in a 24-20 victory. A 2008 victory (19-15) in Arcata is the only road triumph for DSC over Humboldt State.

LAST WEEK: Dixie State opened up a 20-6 second quarter lead before surrendering 31 straight points to Western Oregon. The Wolves defeated the Red Storm 40-27 during DSC's Homecoming festivities. Cody Stevenson (Sandy, UT/Juan Diego) threw for a career-high four touchdown, but he was also intercepted three times. Nash Fowler (Orem, UT/Timpanogas HS) hauled in two of the scoring throws accumulating 156 receiving yards. On the defensive side, Nick Cragin (Issaquah, WA/Skyline) tied the school record with 17 tackles while Keauntea Bankhead (Seattle, WA/Ballard), the GNAC leader in the category and co-holder of the record, finished with 15. Following a non-league road win 49-32 over Azusa Pacific, the Jacks bring a 5-1 overall record and 3-0 GNAC mark into this week's action.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: OFFENSE - Nash Fowler (Orem, UT/Timpanogas HS), WR: Surpassed the 100 career catch benchmark with a third quarter catch against Western Oregon. Had two TD receptions and tallied 162 total offensive yards (156 receiving, 6 rush). This is the second player of the week honor for Fowler this season. DEFENSE - Nick Cragin (Issaquah, WA/Skyline), LB: Tied the single-game tackles record with 17 takedowns. He shares the record with Keauntea Bankhead (Seattle, WA/Ballard) who also had 17 tackles against Humboldt on September 11, 2010. Cragin also added a pass breakup and two tackles for loss in the WOU game. SPECIAL TEAMS: Cliff Leavitt (Kamas, UT/South Summit HS), KR: Was the featured return man for the Red Storm against Western Oregon. Made five returns for 73 yards including a long run of 20 yards.

RED STORM NOTES: With 151 teams competing in NCAA Division-II football, Dixie State sits at #114 in total offense (#50 passing, #133 rushing) and #109 in total defense (#99 rush, #104 pass). Individually, DSC has some noteworthy performers. Keauntea Bankhead (Seattle, WA/Ballard) tops the GNAC tied for 8th in the nation in tackles. #39 in tackles for loss – teammate Nick Cragin (Issaquah, WA/Skyline) is second in the GNAC and #60 in the nation. Mike Langston (Riverside, CA/Ramona) is the 14th-ranked punter in the nation (#1 GNAC) and Nash Fowler (Orem, UT/Timpanogas HS) is #43 in receptions. Cody Stevenson (Sandy, UT/Juan Diego) is tops in the GNAC in overall passing efficiency (131.30 rating).

SCOUTING THE JACKS (from HSU notes): Monday morning's American Football Coaches Association weekly poll again listed HSU among others receiving votes with 13. Jordan McGowan-Smith was selected as GNAC Special Teams Player of the Week after he returned a punt 87 yards at Azusa. McGowan-Smith also had five tackles, including four solos. While some schools already have five GNAC games logged, the Jacks have only played four. The remainder of their schedule is against league opponents, starting with this week's Dixie game. HSU has played every team except Simon Fraser once, and will play the Clan twice in the final three weeks of the 2010 season. Among individual leaders, HSU's Lyndon Rowells ranks first in the GNAC in all-purpose yards with an average of 149.8 per game. He's also second in rushing with 111.8 yards per game. At the current rate, Rowells' average, if maintained the rest of the season, projects to a total that would list him No. 2 on the HSU single-season rushing list, just four yards shy of John Burman's all-time best of 1,233 yards, achieved in 1968. Sergio Allen leads all GNAC players in kickoff returns, averaging 28.9 yards per return.

LISTEN/WATCH THE GAME: Radio coverage with the "Voice of Red Storm Athletics" John Potter will begin at 6:45pm Mountain on Classical 91.3FM, Classical's online audio page (dixie.edu/classical91) and Network1Sports.com. Humboldt State offers free video coverage via UStream. Live stats can be found at http://www.sidearmstats.com/humboldt/football/index.htm.

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