For the fourth time in five games, the Dixie State football team hits the road as the Trailblazers head to Grand Junction, Colorado, for a Saturday evening matchup with No. 23 Colorado Mesa at Stocker Stadium.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., as Dixie State looks to win its third-consecutive game for the first time in its NCAA Division II era. Live audio coverage is scheduled on radio (ESPN Sports Radio 97.7) and internet (SouthernUtahLive.com), with Keric Seegmiller providing play-by-play. Fans can also watch the game online at the CMU Stretch Internet Portal.
All-time vs. Colorado Mesa
Saturday’s game marks the eighth meeting between Dixie State and Colorado Mesa. The Mavericks held on for a 24-14 victory in the inaugural matchup on Aug. 24, 2006, in Grand Junction. DSU recorded its only victory of the series one month later, capturing a 21-6 win in St. George on Oct. 7, 2006. Colorado Mesa has won the last five matchups and holds a 6-1 lead in the series, including a 4-0 mark at Stocker Stadium.
Last meeting
On Sept. 5, 2015, Dixie State could not overcome a string of big Colorado Mesa plays as the Mavericks recorded a 43-3 victory in the season opener in St. George. After both teams punted on each of their first two possessions, Colorado Mesa's defense provided the game's first points as Tom Saager intercepted a Trevor Rea pass and rambled 38 yards for a touchdown to put the Mavericks up 7-0. The interception set the tone for the game as CMU scored 36 of the game’s next 39 points. DSU recorded its only points of the game on a 32-yard field goal just before halftime.
Know your foe
Colorado Mesa enters the game with a 5-1 overall and Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference record. The Mavericks represent the first nationally-ranked opponent for the Trailblazers in 2016. CMU first entered the AFCA Division II Top 25 at No. 25 after a season opening win over Western State. The Mavericks climbed to No. 13 in the poll before falling to No. 23 on Monday after suffering their first defeat of the season, 48-34, at Black Hills State on Saturday.
CMU ranks fourth in the RMAC in total offense, averaging 435 yards per game. The Mavericks do most of their damage through the air with an RMAC second-best tally of 293 passing yards per game. Senior quarterback Sean Rubalcaba has completed 111-of-189 passes for 1,554 yards and eight touchdowns this season and ranks third in the RMAC in passing. The Mavericks will share the wealth in the passing game, as three receivers have logged 20 or more catches (Virnel Moon – 20 receptions, 361 yards, five TD; Josh Brown – 27 receptions, 470 yards, two TD; Marcus Hines – 29 receptions, 325 yards, one TD).
Defensively, the Mavericks allow an average of 474 yards per game (298.0 passing, 176.0 rushing). Senior defensive lineman Blake Nelson ranks fourth in the RMAC with 51 tackles to go with an RMAC-best five sacks, while senior linebacker Marcus Cross is close behind with 44 tackles. Junior defensive back Dustin Rivas ranks second in the RMAC in interceptions with a team-high four interceptions.
All-time vs. AFCA ranked opponents
Saturday’s game marks the 11th meeting between Dixie State and an opponent ranked in the AFCA Top 25. The Trailblazers are 0-10 all-time in matchups against ranked opponents.
Record chaser
With five games remaining in the 2016 season, Dixie State senior running back DeJon Coleman is chasing two different DSU rushing records. Coleman sits in fifth in career rushing yards with 1,120 yards on the ground, just 265 yards behind the leader Adam Wells (1,385 yards – 2007-10). Coleman has also recorded 13 career rushing touchdowns, just one behind former quarterback Griff Robles’ (2012-13) DSU best mark of 14.
Next up
Dixie State returns to Legend Solar Stadium for its homecoming matchup with Colorado Mines on Saturday, Oct. 22, at 1 p.m.
Keric Seegmiller is Assistant Coordinator of Media Relations at Dixie State University and the Voice of Trailblazer Athletics. Contact him at keric.seegmiller@dixie.edu.