ST. GEORGE – Dixie State will have to keep searching.

In a game where both teams were looking for their first win, the Red Storm fell to the visiting Clan from Simon Fraser University, 29-19.

“This was definitely a game we needed,” said Dixie State head coach Scott Brumfield. “Simon Fraser played well, but even with our injuries this is a game we should have won.”

The Red Storm was without quarterback Hayden Gavett, who started the first three games and platooned with starter Ben Longshore last week. Gavett suffered a bruised thigh last week against Azusa Pacific. “We are limited to what we can do without Hayden,” said Brumfield. “With him we have a dual threat in our running game. We did not have that tonight.”

The Red Storm had the initial score of the game. After the defense held SFU twice, once on downs and once forcing a punt, DSU scored on its second possession with an 11-yard pass from Longshore to Conor Sklarsky. The PAT attempt failed but Dixie led 6-0 with 4:41 left in the first.

The Clan scored twice in the second quarter. Wide receiver Kyle Kawamoto hauled in a 12-yard pass from quarterback Tyler Nickel at the 6:09 mark. The Clan led 7-6, then added 3 as kicker John Tiernan added a 42-yard field goal to put the Clan up 10-6 going into halftime.

Dixie took the kickoff to begin the second half. On its first possession, tight end Dalton Groskreutz had the ball stripped on a reception. The fumble was returned for a touchdown by Jordan Herdman and the Clan’s lead was stretched to 17-6 just 17 seconds gone in the second half.

Later in the third the DSU offense was pinned deep in their own territory. Longshore was subsequently sacked in his own end zone for the safety. The Clan led 19-6 with 5:53 to go in the third quarter.

After the two teams traded kicks, DSU was pinned again deep in its own territory. Robert Metz’s punt was returned 61 yards for touchdown by Earl Anderson. With 2:12 remaining in the third, DSU faced a 26-6 deficit.

The Dixie offense put together a quick drive, going 75 yards in seven plays. Running back Joel Davis found the end zone on a 1-yard plunge with 19 seconds left in the quarter and it was 26-13.

Both defenses stiffened in the fourth as both teams traded kicks. SFU got on the board again with another Docherty field goal, this one from 43 yards. The Clan held a 29-13 advantage with 6:06 to go in the game.

The Red Storm would score once more. Longshore would find Brock Johnson with a 9-yard strike with 3:48 left. Trying to pull within one score the Red Storm went for two. Longshore’s pass was broken up and Dixie trailed 29-19.

The Red Storm defense limited the Clan to 280 total yards. “Our defense played very well tonight,” said Brumfield. “They held their offense to 13 points and kept a very talented receiving corps in check.”

Longshore completed 27 of 47 passes for 315 yards and two interceptions. SFU’s Nickel completed 15 of 21 passes for 108 yards and one interception.

Lemar Durant led SFU with catches (5) and receiving yardage (47). Nate Stephens led the Red Storm with nine catches for 126 yards.

The Clan move to 1-4, 1-1 in conference play. Dixie State falls to 0-5, 0-1 in the conference. The Red Storm will travel to Monmouth, Oregon next week to play an afternoon game against the Western Oregon Wolves. Western Oregon fell to 2-3 today after its loss to No. 5-ranked North Alabama. Gametime is 2:00 p.m. MST.

Stats: SFU 29, DSU 19

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