DSU looks for 2nd win of season against Western Oregon in rare Friday game

File photo by Robert Hoppie, St. George News

GAME PREVIEW CAPSULE
Western Oregon University at Dixie State University, 6 p.m. tonight, Hansen Stadium
Previous Meeting: October 11, 2014 — Wolves 19, Red Storm 14 (Red Storm get intercepted on game winning drive late in game).
Overall Series Record: Wolves lead head-to-head series 13-2
Broadcast: ESPN SportsRadio 97.7 FM; CEC-TV; southernutahlive.com

RED STORM
dsulogoHead coach: Scott Brumfield (6th year, 12-46 overall)
Offense: Pistol, Pro Set
Defense: Pro 4-3
Last Game: Lost to Azusa Pacific 34-5 (Sept. 26, 2015)
Players to watch: The Storm have good rushers in quarterback Blake Barney and running backs DeJon Coleman and Orlando Wallace. Nate Stephens is a playmaker at wide receiver but they have not figured out how to get the ball to him. Defensively safeties Colton Olson and Kahani Smith and linebacker Robert Metz still lead the team in tackles. Defensive linemen Chris Campbell and Donovan Williams have two sacks apiece.

COUGARS
rp_primary_WOU_Shield_WebHead Coach: Arne Ferguson (11th year at WOU, 65-47 overall)
Offense: Multiple 1-back
Defense: 4-3
Last Game: Lost to Portland State 31-0 (Sept. 26, 2015)
Players to watch: Tre Shimabukuro leads the GNAC with an average of 269 yards per game, and is second iwith 249 yards of total offense per game. His favorite targets are wide receivers Paul Revis and Wesley Gray with 19 catches apiece On defense, lineman Micheal Kluge has 3.5 sacks. Linebackers Shane Kuenzl and Jonathan Breland lead the team in tackles.

GAME OUTLOOK
The Wolves are one dimensional on offense. They only average 1.4 yards per carry, but they lead the GNAC in passing. The Storm secondary will be tested tonight. DSU typically does better against passing attacks. The key question for this game is can Dixie solve its quarterback problem. Barney can run but has difficulty passing. Trevor Rhea can pass but is not a threat to run the ball. Hopefully Barney will get more comfortable with his receivers as he gets more reps. Stephens and Damarrio Hammonds can turn 5-yard passes into big gains. But they need the ball in their hands first. This is a game Dixie can win. Western Oregon has been torched all year by opposing rushers. Coleman is the real deal.

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Twitter: @oldschoolag

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