ST. GEORGE, Utah – Ben Longshore (Santa Clarita, CA/Canyon) threw for 240 yards and three scores to Nate Stephens (Redding, CA/Shasta), two coming in the fourth quarter, to lead Dixie State to its first victory in its last 10 games. In front of a Homecoming crowd of 3,116, the Red Storm triumphed 28-6 over Menlo College in non-conference play.
 
Dixie State improves to 1-7 on the year while the Oaks fall to 2-6.
 
Longshore continued his maturation process as the Dixie State signal caller completing 19 of 32 passes for the game without an interception. Stephens entered the game with one TD reception on the season and bested his previous seven games with a trio of scoring grabs. Colton Peterson (Logan, UT/Skyview) returned to the backfield after a month's injury absence to post 64 rushing yards on 12 carries, including a score.
 
The game opened with the teams punting on their first two possessions. Dixie State earned great field position at the Menlo 49 halfway through the first quarter. Peterson provided the catalyst for a three-play scoring drive running for 36 yards on the opening play. Backed up after a holding penalty, Longshore found Stephens in the corner between double coverage for a touchdown.
 
Menlo's next drive was stalled after a 4^th down and 4 reception fell short of the sticks.
 
With a 7-0 after one quarter, Dixie State drove down to the one-yard line before fumbling away a scoring chance at the goal line.
 
Redemption came on the Storm's subsequent drive. A short Menlo punt placed DSU at the Oaks' 23-yard line. The drive went six plays, all rushes, culminating in a Peterson dive into the end zone for a 14-0 lead.
 
Menlo held the ball for the final five minutes of the first half. Garland Munns (Garland, UT/Bear River) intercepted a Jake Neal pass, but was stripped from behind on the return to give the ball back to the Oaks. Dixie State held the visitors scoreless after another fourth down pass fell incomplete.
 
Down 14-0 at the break, Menlo opened the third quarter with their lone scoring drive of 55 yards on eight plays. The scoring dash from Jake Fohn from 12 yards out cut DSU's lead to 14-6 after the point-after kick was missed.
 
Dixie State's second offensive series of the second half looked promising after a great grab from senior Antonio Morton (Seattle, WA/Ballard) put the Storm three yards short of the end zone. On the next play, the hurry-up offense was a bit rushed leading to DSU's third fumble of the game. Menlo recovered but stalled out on the following drive. 
 
Another short field gave Dixie State a great chance to increase the lead late in the third and early into the fourth quarter. Longshore made three strong passes in the drive. The first to Stephens on third down extended the drive. The second to Morton for 29 yards put the ball on the one. The third and final pass was a quick TD pass to Stephens in the flat.
 
After another Menlo drive ended with a punt, Dixie State started their last point-scoring drive at the 30. Longshore found a quick strike to Brock Johnson (South Weber, UT/Northridge) for a first down. Later, the QB called his own number and scampered for 16 yards. Dalton Groskreutz (Santa Clara, UT/Snow Canyon) made back-to-back catches, including a 33-yard grab putting DSU inside the Menlo-10. Two plays later, Longshore found Stephens left uncovered in the back of the end zone.
 
A final chance for the Oaks in the final two minutes of the game ended with a Jacob Witham (Las Vegas, NV/Palo Verde) interception of backup QB Nate Dodson.
 
Dixie State outgained Menlo 390-257 for the game. Stephens led all Dixie State receivers with eight grabs for 96 yards. Morton had four catches while Groskreutz, Brock Johnson (South Weber, UT/Northridge) and Peterson each had two.
 
Leading the defense with his third straight game with 10 or more tackles was junior linebacker Robert Metz (Tucson, AZ/Canyon Del Oro). His 15 stops included 11 solo tackles. Will Bostic (Kissimmee, FL/Osceola) had nine stops and a pass breakup. Trevor Oakley (Santa Ana, CA/Foothill High School ) had seven stops, as did Zac Christian (Plain City, UT/Fremont) in the opening half before suffering a leg injury late in the first half.
 
Dixie State looks to continue its winning ways next Saturday returning to GNAC action against South Dakota Mines. Kickoff with the Hardrockers is set for 6:05 p.m. from Hansen Stadium.