Dixie State shutout to end 2013 season

CWU blanks Storm 44-0

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ST. GEORGE, Utah – Eleven senior classmen put on the Dixie State colors for the last time Saturday night. Unfortunately, the memories of a 44-0 loss to Central Washington on Sark Arslanian Field will sour what has been the best season to date in the NCAA-era.

The shutout loss ends Dixie State's season with a 4-7 overall record and a 4-6 mark in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play. CWU ends season number one under head coach John Picha with a 7-4, 7-3 record.

Starting without All-American tight end candidate Joe Don Duncan (Corona, CA/Notre Dame), the GNAC's leading offense entering the game was held to just 139 total yards. Senior quarterback Griff Robles (Spanish Fork, UT/Spanish Fork) completed just eight of 25 passes for 75 yards. Mitch Frei (Santa Clara, UT/Snow Canyon) was the favorite target – five grabs for 51 yards. Joel Davis (Natchez, MS/Natchez) led the rushing corps with 39 yards on eight rushes.

Central Washington posted a field goal from Sean McDonald after they set up on the Dixie 31 after the first Robles interception. A second field goal early in the second quarter pushed the lead to 6-0.

At that point, CWU tailback Jordan Todd began his journey to a 200-yard day. His run for 19 yards set up CWU's first touchdown – a 51-yard reverse TD pass from Jesse Zalk to D.J. Richardson. On the next possession, Todd broke through a seam for a 55-yard touchdown run to push the lead to 20-0.

McDonald made the score 23-0 at the halftime break with a 23-yard kick.

CWU quarterback Jake Nelson (7-11, 115 yds.) connected with Richardson and Adam Schechter on successive possessions to balloon the lead to 37-0. The final score came off a fumble and defensive score by Donnie Johnson.

Todd completed his night midway in the third quarter with 226 rushing yards. CWU amassed 451 yards of total offense.

Senior linebacker Jake Duncan (Corona, CA/Notre Dame) led the Red Storm nine tackles, including three for loss. Daniel Moffett (Kaysville, UT/Davis) and Will Bostic (Kissimmee, FL/Osceola) each forced fumbles in the second half.

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