Robles accounts for six TDs as Storm rolls at Humboldt, 49-24

Senior QB, stellar first half defense leads Dixie State to first win of the season

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ARCATA, Calif. – Dixie State trailed after the first Humboldt State drive, but responded empathetically with a dominating first half performance to take a 49-24 win over the Jacks at the Redwood Bowl to earn the program's first win of the year.

Senior quarterback Griff Robles (Spanish Fork, UT/Spanish Fork) tallied six touchdowns – three passing and three on the ground – leading the Dixie State to 558 yards of total offense. The Red Storm improved to 1-3 on the season, 1-2 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.

Humboldt State, the preseason favorite to win the league, drove down the field for a quick first quarter touchdown to lead, 7-0. Dixie State responded on the following drive Robles' first scoring throw, a wide-open pass to senior Mitch Frei (Santa Clara, UT/Snow Canyon) in the back of the end zone.

The DSU defense held HSU running back Jamarie Sanders on fourth down in the next series and was primed to punt it away after stalling out after five plays. On the punt by Robert Met (Tucson, AZ/Canyon Del Oro)z, return man Kevin Cooper lost the ball after a hit by Brock Johnson (South Weber, UT/Northridge). Dixie State recovered the loose ball and scored five plays later on a one-yard Robles scamper to lead, 14-7.

Matt Bruder closed the margin to 14-10 piping a 46-yard field goal late in the first quarter.

The opening play of the second set the theme for Dixie State's separation from the Jacks. Robles ran in his second TD, again from a yard out, to increase the advantage to 21-10.

Defensively, DSU had three picks in the second quarter. Daniel Moffett (Kaysville, UT/Davis) intercepted Casey Mintz on his first throw near the sideline and later picked Morris in similar fashion. The second turnover led Dixie State to a score. On fourth down in HSU territory, Robles found Joel Davis (Natchez, MS/Natchez) with screen pass. With blockers in front, Davis weaved his way for 26 yards into the end zone.

Jake Duncan (Corona, CA/Notre Dame) got in to the interception act, setting up the Storm on the Humboldt 29-yard line. Robles found Frei for 17 yards, then ran the remaining 12 yards for his third rushing touchdown. Davis capped the 28-point quarter with a TD run up the middle for 27 yards. Dixie State outgained HSU 171-14 in the fateful quarter to enjoy a 42-10 lead at halftime.

Humboldt State posted a pair of third quarter touchdowns on runs by Morris. But their momentum was qulled by a 65-yard scamper by Robles to end the period. On the third play in the fourth quarter, Robles connected with Joe Don Duncan (Corona, CA/Notre Dame) on a 17-yard pass to post the final score, 49-24.

Robles threw for 283 yards on 22-of-46 passing and added 116 rushing yards. Davis totaled 137 all-purpose yards (87 rush, 50 receiving) while Duncan led all receivers with 91 yards on six grabs. Nick Largent (Escalon, CA/Escalon) led all DSU defenders with seven tackles. Jake Miller (Tremonton, UT/Bear River) and Tim Ehinger (Torrance, CA/West Torrance) each recorded a pair of sacks. Moffett added a third interception in the fourth quarter to cap off a career effort.

Dillon Bishoff (Monroe, UT/South Sevier) made all seven point-after attempts without a miss in his first game as place kicker.

Sanders led the HSU offense with 149 rushing yards while Cameron Buell made 12 tackles.

Dixie State returns home on Oct. 5 to face Simon Fraser in GNAC play. The Clan lost for the first time, 30-9 to Western Oregon at home early Saturday. Kickoff from Hansen Stadium is at 6 p.m.

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