Offense comes up short in 19-14 road loss for Red Storm

Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News

MONMOUTH, Ore. – Over the last 33 minutes of the Red Storm’s game against Western Oregon, Dixie State outscored the Wolves 14-3.

Unfortunately, it was not enough to overcome the 16-0 barrage WOU landed in the first 15 minutes as DSU fell 19-14 on the road against the Wolves.

featdsufootball14The Red Storm had a good scoring chance late in the game. But with 4:27 to play, Wolves cornerback Breeon Moreno intercepted Dixie quarterback Ben Longshore’s pass at the WOU three-yard line. The turnover halted a seven play, 45-yard drive. The play came on a fourth and 5 with the Red Storm looking at a five-point deficit, making the decision to go for a field goal moot. The Wolves were able to get necessary yardage to garner first downs, force Dixie to use its three timeouts, and run out the clock to preserve the victory.

Western Oregon running back Nathan Penaranda ran for 110 yards on 18 carries, while Wolves backup quarterback Trey Shimabukuro threw for 303 yards and two touchdowns. Western Oregon’s starter at quarterback, preseason all-conference selection Ryan Bergman, sat the game out with an injury. Wide receiver Paul Revis made nine grabs for 121 yards.

Longshore threw for 216 yards and a touchdown. Nate Stephens led the Dixie State receiving corps for the second straight week with four catches, while Brock Johnson netted the most yards with 61 on three grabs.

For the game, the Wolves time of possession was nearly double that of the Red Storm. The Wolves also ran 35 more plays and out-gained Dixie State 436-257 for the game.

WOU scored on its first three possessions, all on sustained drives. The first score was a Nate Correa field goal from 21 yards out. That was followed by two touchdown passes from Shimabukuro. The first was to Revis from 28 yards out. The final one to all-conference receiver Tyrell Williams from 3 yards. Dixie’s first three offensive possessions ended with a fumble and two punts.

Down 16-0 and on defense, DSU linebacker Trevor Oakley forced a fumble that was recovered at the 11-yard line and returned for a score by defensive back Nate Perry. The defensive score cut the WOU lead to 16-7 heading into halftime.

Ben Longshore, Dixie State University vs. Simon Fraser University, St. George, Utah, Oct. 4, 2014 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Ben Longshore, Dixie State University vs. Simon Fraser University, St. George, Utah, Oct. 4, 2014 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News

Dixie’s offense finally got on the board in the second half. After safety Zac Christian intercepted Shimabukuro and returned the ball 29 yards to the Wolves 43-yard line. Longshore found tight end Dalton Groskreutz for a 34-yard gain on second-and 10 to put DSU at first and goal in the red zone. Longshore then connected with wide receiver Conor Sklarsky from 7 yards out for the touchdown to pull within 16-14.

Western Oregon added another field goal midway through the final stanza for a 19-14 lead.

Defensively for DSU, Christian led the way with 11 tackles. Defensive linemen Jake Miller and Pauli Latu each had 10 stops. Miller totaled three tackles for loss including a pair of sacks.

The Red Storm remains winless at 0-6 (0-2) and will travel next week to Glendora, Calif.,to take on Azusa Pacific on Oct. 18 at 6:30 p.m. Pacific (7:30 p.m. Mountain).

Stats: WOU 19, DSU 14

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2014, all rights reserved.

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