Dixie State University vs Humboldt State University, St. George, Utah, September 20, 2014 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
ST. GEORGE – The Dixie State offense failed to find its form from Week 1 of the season in its showdown against the Humboldt State University Lumberjacks Saturday night. The Great Northwest Athletic Conference contest was lopsided throughout as Dixie fell 50-3.
“It is very difficult to pinpoint any certain area offensively,” said Dixie head coach Scott Brumfield. “The majority of the blame has to fall on the coaching. We did not have them prepared to play. There was a definite lack of intensity.”
After an hour-plus weather delay, the Jacks took the opening kickoff and marched down the field to get on the board first when Chase Krivashei swept around the right end for the first touchdown. HSU tacked on the two-point conversion to go up 8-0 with 11:49 to play in the half.
On Dixie State’s first offensive play, quarterback Hayden Gavett threw an interception to give the ball back to HSU. The Storm defense held the Jacks in check on the next possession. Dixie drove the ball on its second possession to the HSU red zone. But the Storm’s second turnover came on a sack/fumble of Gavett that was returned 65 yards deep into Storm territory. Just over one minute later, the Jacks capitalized with their second touchdown, a 15-yard run by running back Nick Ricciardulli.
The Jacks piled on another three touchdowns before halftime. Ja’Quan Gardner scored on a sweep around the left side at the 13:42 mark. Dixie freshman kicker Alex Giordanni connected from 35 yards to put the Red Storm on the board. After trading possessions, Dixie would suffer its third turnover with 2:59 remaining when linebacker Travis Hansen intercepted the ball and ran it back for a touchdown. After a quick three-and-out by the Dixie offense, HSU moved the ball down quickly to score its final touchdown of the half with 11 seconds remaining to go up 36-3 on a run around end by wide receiver Cass White.
The Jacks would score two more touchdowns in the third quarter. Both were on 1-yard dives after sustained drives by the HSU offense. Gardner scored again with 10 minutes remaining. Richard Doctor scored with just under five minutes to go in the quarter to get to the final score 50-3. DSU’s offensive woes continued as the Storm could only muster 36 yards in the second half, totalling only 147 for the game.
With the game out of reach, both sides substituted liberally with their second and third team players. Save a missed field goal by HSU, all other fourth quarter possessions ended in punts.
Humboldt State remains undefeated at 3-0, 2-0 in the GNAC. Dixie State falls to 0-3, 0-2 in conference. The schedule does not get lighter for the Red Storm as preseason conference favorite Azusa Pacific University visits next week with All-American running back Terrell Watson. Game time is 6 p.m.
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Dixie State QB Hayden Gavett, Dixie State University vs Humboldt State University, St. George, Utah, September 20, 2014 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Dixie State University vs Humboldt State University, St. George, Utah, September 20, 2014 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Nate Stephens stiff arms Humboldt State defensive back London Miller, Dixie State University vs Humboldt State University, St. George, Utah, September 20, 2014 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Dixie States Bobby Patton takes down Humboldt State RB Ja'Quan Gardner, Dixie State University vs Humboldt State University, St. George, Utah, September 20, 2014 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Red Storm RB Myles Burton, Dixie State University vs Humboldt State University, St. George, Utah, September 20, 2014 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Dixie State RB Joel Davis, Dixie State University vs Humboldt State University, St. George, Utah, September 20, 2014 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Humboldt State defender Dillon Huffman sacks Dixie State QB Hayden Gavett causing a fumble, Dixie State University vs Humboldt State University, St. George, Utah, September 20, 2014 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Red Storm RB Colton Peterson. Dixie State University vs Humboldt State University, St. George, Utah, September 20, 2014 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Humboldt State Lineman Jonathon Rowe (65) and Dixie States Darius Matthews (99), Dixie State University vs Humboldt State University, St. George, Utah, September 20, 2014 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Dixie State University vs Humboldt State University, St. George, Utah, September 20, 2014 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Dixie State University vs Humboldt State University, St. George, Utah, September 20, 2014 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Dixie State University vs Humboldt State University, St. George, Utah, September 20, 2014 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Dixie State University vs Humboldt State University, St. George, Utah, September 20, 2014 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Dixie State DB Jacob Witham heads up field after an interception, Dixie State University vs Humboldt State University, St. George, Utah, September 20, 2014 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Dixie State University vs Humboldt State University, St. George, Utah, September 20, 2014 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Dixie State LB Garland Munns tips a pass and grabs the interception, Dixie State University vs Humboldt State University, St. George, Utah, September 20, 2014 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Darren Cole recently returned to sportswriting after a 20-plus year hiatus. While pursuing other studies, he developed an early passion for sports writing as a senior writer and sports editor for the Ricks College Scroll in 1988-89. Darren has spent the last 20 years writing legal memorandi and appellate briefs. In addition to his legal career, he has also taught legal and criminal justice courses at the university level for nine years as an adjunct professor. Darren is married to wife Lisa, has two sons and is a confessed sports junkie.