Dixie State wrapped up the road portion of its 2021 schedule on the wrong end of a lopsided 59-10 decision at No. 1 Sam Houston on Saturday afternoon at Bowers Stadium. 

The defending 2020-21 FCS champions showed why they were deserving of their top-ranking from the outset, using all three facets of the game to strike for four first-quarter touchdowns to bolt to a commanding lead. SHSU (8-0/4-0 WAC) received the opening kickoff and methodically marched 75 yards on 10 plays, which culminated with an Eric Schmid to Isaac Schley 3-yard TD pass.

Dixie State (0-9/0-3 WAC) got its first turn on offense, but that turn did not last long as the Trailblazers fumbled a handoff exchange inside the DSU 10-yard. Bearkat defender Jahari Kay then scooped up the loose ball and rumbled three yards to the end zone to make a 14-0 game just 4:32 into play.

The Trailblazers regrouped on their next possession, which was kickstarted by a clutch Kobe Tracy-to-Michael Moten 16-yard completion on third down. SHSU was also dinged for a 15-yard personal foul on the play for a late hit on Tracy, which put Dixie State in business near midfield.

The drive would stall at the Sam Houston 25, where the Blazers set up for a 42-yard Conner Brooksby field goal try. However the Bearkats turned away the chance when Zyon McCollum broke through the line and blocked the kick. 

Jaylen Thomas then corralled the ball at the SHSU 34 and scampered 64 yards to paydirt for SHSU's third score of the frame. Sam Houston would tack on a Ramon Jefferson 23-yard touchdown with a 1:18 left in the stanza, and struck for 17 more points in the second quarter en route to a comfortable 45-0 lead at the intermission.

DSU broke through with its first points late in the third when Brooksby connected for a 23-yard field goal, which capped an 11-play, 34-yard drive. Then after a Bearkat punt, the Blazers finally found the end zone with 11:33 to play when Tracy hit Keith Davis in the front corner of the end zone from 27 yards out.

Tracy threw for 240 yards on 28-48-2 passing, while Moten finished with a game-highs of 93 yards and eight receptions, and Drew Kannely-Robles rushed for 42 yards on 10 carries. DSU finished with 298 yards of offense, but was hampered by three turnovers and a 5-of-16 clip on third down.

SHSU racked up 592 yards, with 403 of those yards coming on the ground to go with five total touchdowns runs. 

Dixie State begins its final homestand of the 2021 season next Saturday when the Trailblazers welcome former RMAC foe Fort Lewis to Greater Zion Stadium. Kick-off is slated for 7 p.m.