Box Score GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Despite 640 yards of total offense, which featured two 100-yard rushers, five costly turnovers turned out to be the death knell as the host Mavericks of Colorado Mesa intercepted a pass in the end zone during the first overtime to complete a 44-37 win over Dixie State.
 
Sophomore quarterback Hayden Gavett (Corona, CA/Centennial) accounted for 414 of the team's offense – 339 yards through the air and 73 yards on ground. He connected for two touchdown strikes, both to senior wide receiver Dalton Groskreutz (Santa Clara, UT/Snow Canyon), and scampered for a rushing score in the first quarter.
 
The running back duo of Colton Peterson (Logan, UT/Skyview) and Myles Burton (Berkeley, CA/Rodriguez) each topped the century mark. Peterson notched 112 yards on 17 carries while Burton posted 104 yards on 15 attempts. Each added a five-yard rushing TD.
 
But as impressive as those numbers are, Dixie State (0-1) will look at two other numbers as the main culprits for the loss – five turnovers and 13 penalties. Colorado Mesa scored 14 points off of the DSU miscues.
 
CMU struck on the opening play with a 95-yard kickoff return. The lead built to 9-0 after the first of three CMU field goals. After Gavett's rushing touchdown in the first quarter, the Mavs took advantage of three Storm turnovers in the second half to build a 23-13 halftime lead.
 
Out of the break, DSU used three long possessions to dominate the third quarter. Gavett found Jamal Smith (Oxnard, CA/Oxnard) for a 32-yard reception to put the Storm on the CMU 5. One play later, Peterson bulldozed up the middle for the touchdown. The Storm defense forced a three-and-out, but found themselves back at their own 10-yard line resulting from a penalty.
 
The poor field position didn't bother Gavett. He completed five passes in the drive including the TD strike to Groskreutz from seven yards out. Mesa tacked on their only points of the quarter on a 25-yard field goal.
 
DSU converted on three-consecutive third down in the subsequent drive. Nate Stephens (Redding, CA/Shasta) caught a pass for 25 yards to once again set up first and goal. With CMU's defense scrambling to get set, Gavett handed off to Burton who found no resistance to the end zone.
 
DSU held an eight-point lead until early in the 4^th quarter. CMU connected on two great pass plays into the end zone for a TD and two-point conversion. The Mavs had two chances to add points, but both times saw short field goal tries missed right.
 
The Storm went ahead with 42 seconds remaining in regulation off a 25-yard field goal by Alex Giordani (West Jordan, UT/West Jordan).
CMU responded with a quick drive and a crisp 40-yarded in the final seconds to force overtime.
 
The Mavs completed a pass on third down to move the chains in the first OT and punched it in on fourth down from the 1-yard line. DSU chance to reply ended on third down from the 25, when Gavett's pass was picked off in the end zone.
 
Dixie's balanced attack netted 339 passing and 301 rushing yards. CMU finished with 417 total yards on the night.
 
The Red Storm set out on the road again next Saturday to open Great Northwest Athletic Conference play against Central Washington. Kickoff at Tomlinson Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m. Pacific (2 p.m. Mountain).