WEEK 1 GAME PREVIEW: Stevenson Stronger in Sophomore Campaign

DSC QB readies Storm for opening battle with Adams State

Sophomore QB Cody Stevenson

Game Notes: DSC-ASC Notes 9/3/2011
Live Stats: Dixie State Football Sidearm Stats
Live Audio: KUNF 1210AM, KXFF 107.3 FM, Dixie State Athletics Ustream
Live Video: OneSports+, SouthernUtahNow

What a wild experience it has been for #4.

One year ago, Dixie State quarterback Cody Stevenson (Sandy, UT/Juan Diego) was third on the depth chart heading into the opener at Adams State. He entered his first collegiate game, led the team down the field in the fourth quarter, and fired a touchdown pass to account for the offense's only score in a 34-14 loss.

“I was kinda excited to dress,” Stevenson said in reference to the 2010 game at Adams. “That was a big deal.”

Stevenson experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows (which included his fair share of bruises) of being a true freshman signal caller after earning the starting role in week two. The big stage did not intimidate him.

Red Storm Offense vs Adams State 08/28/10

“Thinking back, I should have been nervous, but I was super excited to be the starter,” he said.

Months separated from a Hail Mary touchdown pass to win the Utah State 3A Championship over Hurricane High, Stevenson became the man in charge for the Red Storm.

That responsibility came with a lot of expectations. For some armchair Internet quarterbacks, Stevenson was failing. One such “expert” decided to post his criticisms on a YouTube video of Juan Diego's win in the 3A title game.

It read: Too bad Stevenson can't translate these into wins for DSC. I mean I've heard of college QBs not being able to perform at the pro level, but this kid can't transfer to the college level. –usteeler81.

“My friend showed me the video with the comment,” Stevenson said. “That really fired me up and I now use it as motivation.”

A copy of the comment is taped to the back of Stevenson's locker as a constant reminder.

Now, entering the dawn of a sophomore season, Stevenson becomes one of the wily veterans on an extremely youthful Dixie State College squad. But don't take the squad's youth purely as naiveté and don't think for one second that Stevenson has not thought about taking this group to the upper echelons of the GNAC.

“This summer, we worked hard and bonded as a team,” Stevenson said.

Players who stuck around St. George during the summer did so on their own dime. Most found jobs and worked their schedules around voluntary workout organized and run by Stevenson.

The benefits of the summer program included familiarity between Stevenson and his receiving core.

Stevenson said: “You saw the guys were committed. You get to know what certain guys can do. It helped when we opened camp with timing. For most of the receivers, like Darren (Carter) and Zack Fox (Spanish Fork. UT/Spanish Fork HS), I knew what they were doing on certain routes.”

Stevenson is eager to get on the field and show that last year's 2-8 record, culminating in a 52-0 loss at Southern Utah, was an aberration.

“It's been seven months since the SUU game, we finally have an opportunity to get back on the field,” he said.

As for this year, the feeling is optimistic. Stevenson praised his offensive line.

“They are studs and we have a great intensity.”

Adams State College poses the first challenge. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday at Hansen Stadium.

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