ST. GEORGE, Utah – Saturday was a first for Western State Colorado University football. The Mountaineers faced Dixie State University for the first time in program history and suffered the first road loss of the season. Western fell to the Trailblazers 28-20.
 
Near the end of the first quarter, Western (3-2, 3-2 RMAC) running back Austin Ekeler (Sr., Eaton, Colorado), broke a 78-yard run for a touchdown. It is something most Mountaineer fans are accustomed to seeing. However, this time it was called back due to a holding penalty. Instead of giving Western a 7-0 lead, the Mountaineers were forced to punt.   
 
On the following drive, DSU (2-3, 2-2 RMAC) threw an interception, but that too was determined a penalty and the play was called back. The Trailblazers then punched it into the end zone giving them the 7-0 lead at the start of the second quarter.
 
Western and the Trailblazers continued to trade touchdown scores and went into halftime with the Mountaineers leading DSU 14-13 after a missed extra point.
 
After going down 21-14 late in the third quarter, the Mountaineers scored a touchdown at the 6:58 mark of the fourth quarter. Western missed the extra point and found themselves down 21-20, needing the ball back to win the game.
 
Dixie State had other plans, marching down the field on a nine play 4:20 drive, ending in a 13-yard touchdown pass. This gave the Trailblazers a 28-20 lead with 2:32 remaining.
 
Western made it to their own 49 yard line with 1:09 left, but a strip sack gave Dixie State the ball and the win.
 
The Trailblazers out ran the Mountaineers 277 yards to 199. Four DSU rushers ran for 50 yards or more.
 
Ekeler led the Mountaineers in rushing and receiving, recording 163 yards on the ground and 44 yards receiving.
 
Ekeler and quarterbacks Brett Arrivey and Cameron Shumway each recorded one rushing touchdown.
 
Western safety Rodrick Waters led all players in tackles, recording 10 and two tackles for a loss.

Defensive lineman Autin Yurko contributed five tackles, one sack and blocked a Dixie field goal attempt in the second quarter that would have given the Trailblazers the lead.

Western will continue the road trip next Saturday in Durango, Colorado when they face Fort Lewis College.