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Utah Tech University Athletics

2018 FB - Dejuan Dantzler (CMU Recap)
Lynni Talady - CSC Sports Info
24
Dixie State DSFB 5-4 , 5-3
45
Winner Colorado Mesa CMU 5-4 , 4-4
Dixie State DSFB
5-4 , 5-3
24
Final
45
Colorado Mesa CMU
5-4 , 4-4
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
DSFB Dixie State 6 3 15 0 24
CMU Colorado Mesa 7 10 21 7 45

Game Recap: Football | | By DSU Athletics Media Relations

Trailblazers fall victim to Colorado Mesa second-half surge

Mavericks score 21 unanswered points in the second half to clinch win

Dixie State quarterback Michael Sanders scored his first rushing touchdown of the season on Saturday in a wild third quarter against Colorado Mesa in Grand Junction, Colorado. More importantly, his 1-yard run, and the ensuing extra point, would tie the game at 24-24 with just under six minutes remaining in the frame.

But the Trailblazers (5-4, 5-3 RMAC) wouldn't score again. Meanwhile, Colorado Mesa responded to the DSU touchdown run with 21 unanswered points over the next nine minutes of game time to clinch a 45-24 victory.

Following the Sanders touchdown, the Mavericks countered with an 11-play, 80-yard drive, capped by a 28-yard touchdown run to retake a 31-24 lead.

Dixie State looked to answer on its next drive, moving the ball near midfield when Sanders connected with Xavier Smith for a 12-yard pass. But the next pass was intercepted by CMU defensive back Antonio Clark, who raced 62 yards the other way for a touchdown to push the lead to 38-24 with 1:05 remaining in the third quarter.

The Mavericks tacked on the final touchdown of the game less than two minutes into the final frame, breaking free for an 85-yard touchdown rush to push the score to the final tally of 45-24.

The game got off to a textbook start for the Trailblazers, as the defense forced a CMU three-and-out on the game's opening drive. Sei-J Lauago took the next play 62 yards untouched to the end zone to stake DSU to an early 6-0 lead.

Colorado Mesa took its first lead of the game less than four minutes later, connecting for a 69-yard touchdown pass to build a 7-6 advantage.

Dixie State regained the lead early in the second quarter when A.J. Yergensen nailed a 24-yard field goal to push the score to 9-7 in favor of the visitors, but the Mavericks countered with 10 unanswered points to take a 17-9 lead into the halftime break.

The Trailblazers looked to regain momentum in the third quarter, marching 55 yards in five plays, capped with a 7-yard touchdown pass from Sanders to Dejuan Dantzler. Easton Smith then found Kasey Allison for a 2-point conversion to tie the game at 17-17.

The Mavericks matched the touchdown with one of their own on the ensuing drive, driving 71 yards in six plays to retake a 24-17 lead that held only four minutes before Sanders momentarily pulled DSU even at 24-24 with his 1-yard run.

The Trailblazers finished with 441 yards (355 pass/86 rush) of total offense. Sanders completed 25-of-37 passes for 355 yards and one touchdown. Dantzler led the DSU receivers with 11 catches for 187 yards and one touchdown. Lauago finished with 98 yards rushing and one touchdown on 17 carries.

Defensively, Dixie State conceded 558 yards (303 pass/255 rush) of total offense. Abraham Reinhardt finished with a team-high nine tackles and one sack assist, while Donovan Williams and Malaki Malaki each recorded eight tackles.

The Trailblazers now return home for the 2018 home finale against No. 6 Colorado School of Mines next Saturday at 1 p.m.
 
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