Trailblazers look to tame Grizzlies ranked passing attack

Dixie State University football | File photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News

GAME PREVIEW CAPSULE
Adams State University (3-5 overall, 3-4 in the RMAC) at Dixie State University (3-5 overall, 3-4 in the RMAC) today, 1 p.m., Legend Solar Stadium in St. George
Previous Meeting: Dixie State defeated ASU on the road 24-21 (Oct. 29, 2016)
Overall Series Record: Adams State leads series 4-3
Broadcast: (Television) CEC-TV – TDS Cable Channel 22; (Audio) ESPN SportsRadio 97.7 FM; Online Video and LiveStats at DSU Stretch Internet Portal

TRAILBLAZERS
Head coach: Shay McClure (2nd year, 3-5, 9-10 overall)
Offense: Pro Set
Offensive PPG: 25.8
Defense: Pro 4-3
Defensive PPG: 27.8
Last Game: Lost to Colorado Mines on the road last week 19-17
Players to watch: Quarterback Malik Watson started but was replaced by Blake Barney for most of the game. Barney was thwarted from the go-ahead touchdown by inches with a forced fumble. Sei J Lauago leads the team in rushing (478 yards) despite missing the last three games. In his absence Jeffrey Coprich (273 yards)and Lika Palmer (201 yards) have carried the load. Orlando Wallace (43 catches) and Kasey Allison (35 catches) lead the receiving corps. Brad Duran got his first receiving touchdown last week. Tim Ah Hee and Braden Peterson anchor the offensive line. Defensively safety Mike Jones leads the team with 66 tackles and four forced fumbles. Linebackers Noe Perez and Tane Tuifua trail him with 59 and 51 tackles respectively. Defensive back Trayvon Watson has 50 tackles and leads the team in interceptions with cornerback Jaylen Moore (two apiece). Perez also leads the team in sacks (3). Remington Kelly, Amate Savusa and Donovan Williams anchor the defensive line.

GRIZZLIES
Head Coach: Timm Rosenbach (3rd year at ASU 8-21)
Offense: Spread
Offensive Average: 32.0
Defense: Multiple
Defensive Average: 44.8
Last Game: Lost to Colorado Mesa at home 70-21
Players to watch: Quarterback Nick Rooney leads the RMAC with 300.9 yards passing per game, completing 186-of-307 passes for 2,106 yards and 19 touchdowns to go with six interceptions. His favorite target and RMAC receiving leader, Chad Hovasse averages 110.0 yards receiving per game. Through eight games, Hovasse has made 63 catches for 880 yards and nine touchdowns. Two other ASU receivers have caught five or more touchdown passes, including Marquese Surrell (54 receptions, 737 yards, 8 TD) and James Holtrop (40 receptions, 403 yards, 6 TD). Defensive back Garrett Jackson leads the attack with 76 tackles (8.5 TFL) and two sacks. Defensive backs Michael Cirino and Ashton Lawson lead the team in interceptions with two takeaways each.

GAME OUTLOOK
Adams State enters the game with the same record as Dixie State. The Grizzlies have scored 30 or more points in four games this season and have earned wins over Western State (51-14), Fort Lewis (34-27) and South Dakota Mines (52-44). The Grizzlies lead the RMAC and rank second nationally in pass offense, averaging 349.8 yards through the air per game. Defensively, the Grizzlies allow 503.0 yards per game (263.2 rush, 239.8 pass) and have logged a combined eight sacks. This matchup seems tailor-made for the Blazers. DSU has a very good pass defense to counter the Grizzlies and a dangerous run offense when it is clicking to take advantage of the weak run defense of ASU. I don’t think this game will be as close as last year.
STGNews.com Prediction: DSU 35, ASU 21

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