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Utah Tech University Athletics

FB - E. Smith vs. SDSMT
Stan Plewe/Utah Tech Athletics
14
Dixie State DSFB 4-2 , 4-1
35
Winner Grand Valley State GV 6-0 , 3-0
Dixie State DSFB
4-2 , 4-1
14
Final
35
Grand Valley State GV
6-0 , 3-0
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
DSFB Dixie State 0 0 0 14 14
GV Grand Valley State 14 14 7 0 35

Game Recap: Football | | By DSU Athletics Media Relations

Trailblazers fall at #2 Grand Valley State, 35-14

Kentero Yoshikawa and Kasey Allison catch first TD passes of the season

Dixie State football dropped a 35-14 decision to No. 2 Grand Valley State on Saturday at Lubbers Stadium in Allendale, Michigan.

The Trailblazers (4-2, 4-1 RMAC) seemed to grab the early momentum when Alex Lilliard (San Diego, Calif./Grossmont HS) intercepted GVSU quarterback Bart Williams on the first play from scrimmage. The throw marked Williams' first interception of the season.

Dixie State looked to capitalize on the takeaway on offense, as Sei-J Lauago (Paramount, Calif./La Mirada HS) recorded runs of seven and five yards for a quick DSU first down. Michael Sanders (Phoenix, Ariz./Pinnacle HS) then found Giovanni Sanders (Murrieta, Calif./Murrieta Mesa HS) for an 8-yard completion, but the drive eventually stalled and ended with an incomplete pass on fourth down.

The Lakers quickly took advantage of the turnover-on-downs, marching 63 yards in eight plays to take a 7-0 lead on a 31-yard touchdown pass. GVSU then doubled its lead on the ensuing DSU possession, intercepting a tipped pass and rumbling 47 yards to the end zone to push the lead to 14-0.

The Trailblazers saw an opportunity to cut into the lead early in the second quarter. After forcing a GVSU punt, Easton Smith (Payson, Utah/Payson HS) ran for 11 yards and Sanders delivered a 16-yard strike to Xavier Smith (Kansas City, Mo./Ruskin HS). DSU was in business at the GVSU 19-yard line. However, Dixie State would come away empty handed after three straight pass incompletions and a 36-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left.

Grand Valley State tacked on two more touchdowns in the second frame to push the lead to 28-0 at halftime.

GVSU used a 12-play, 78-yard drive midway through the third quarter to extend its lead to 35-0, but wouldn't score again. The Dixie State defense stiffened, forcing three punts in the final frame.

Meanwhile, the Trailblazer offense came to life, outscoring the Lakers 14-7 in the second half while racking up 143 yards of their 321 yards of total offense in the fourth quarter. After forcing a punt early in the fourth quarter, Dixie State put together its first scoring drive of the game, a 6-play, 51-yard series capped by a 2-yard touchdown pass to Kentero Yoshikawa (South Jordan, Utah/Bingham HS) for his first collegiate touchdown. Yoshikawa also caught passes of 21 and 14 yards on the drive.

After forcing another GVSU punt, the Trailblazers put together their most impressive drive of the game. Dixie State marched 90 yards in seven plays to push the score to the final tally of 35-14. Lawrence Starks (Fontana, Calif./Etiwanda HS) rushed for 31 yards on the drive, while Smith completed 3-of-3 passes for 64 yards, including a 37-yard laser to Conner Miller (Santa Ana, Calif./Brethren Christian HS) and a 16-yard touchdown pass to Kasey Allison (Las Vegas, Nev./Canyon Springs HS), who made his first touchdown catch of the season.

Dixie State finished with 321 yards (253 pass/68 rush) of total offense. Sanders completed 14-of-26 passes for 150 yards, while Smith connected on 7-of-12 passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns. Lauago led all DSU rushers with 37 yards on 18 carries. Xavier Smith (Kansas City, Mo./Ruskin HS) led all DSU receivers with five catches for 72 yards.

Defensively, the Trailblazers allowed 382 yards (246 pass/136 rush) of total offense. Travyon Watson led the defense with a season-high nine tackles, while Abraham Reinhardt (Wailuku, Hawaii/H.P. Baldwin HS) and Mike Jones (San Diego, Calif./Mount Miguel HS) added eight tackles each.

Dixie State resumes RMAC play next Saturday, hosting Western State inside Trailblazer Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
 
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