ST. GEORGE, Utah – Two Dixie State University second-half touchdowns proved to be too much for the Mountaineers as Western Colorado University fell to the Trailblazers 17-10.
 
The Mountaineer defense was a constant threat to the Trailblazer backfield on Saturday. Western defenders recorded five first-half sacks and 10 first-half tackles for a loss. For the game, Western recorded six sacks and 12.5 tackles for a loss.
 
Linebacker Robert Garlock setup Western's lone score of the first half. Garlock blew past Dixie State punt protectors and blocked the Trailblazer punt. Garlock recovered the punt at the DSU 25-yard line.
 
Following a big third-down conversion reception by Jordan Barton, running back Tremell Stanley found the end zone from one yard out, giving Western a 7-3 lead with 2:08 left to play in the first half.
 
Barton was full of big plays on Saturday, helping keep drives alive for the Mountaineers. Barton recorded a team-high 112 yards receiving on seven receptions.
 
The Mountaineers would take that 7-3 lead into halftime.
 
DSU would claim the lead at 10-7 following an 83 yard touchdown pass with 5:58 left to play in the third quarter. It would be the only score of the third quarter for either team.
 
Western kicker Chandler Davis brought the two teams even at 10 points following a 28-yard field goal at the 8:26 mark of the fourth quarter.
 
The Trailblazers responded on their next possession by going 75 yards on nine plays for the game winning score with 2:33 left to play.
 
The Mountaineers were moving the ball down the field and made it to the Dixie State 39 yard line. However, Western was unable to get past the first-down marker and turned it over on downs with 37 seconds left to play.
 
Western's defense allowed -1 rushing yards for the game. The Trailblazers netted 331 passing yards.
 
Josh Nelson tied for a team high in tackles with six. Nelson also had 81 kickoff return yards.
 
Defensive lineman Mark Zavala recorded five tackles and had a team-high three tackles for a loss. Zavala and Taupule Asotau each sacked the DSU quarterback twice.
 
Quarterbacks Dylan Jacob and Cameron Shumway led Western in passing and rushing. Jacob recorded 162 yards passing, while Shumway ran for 42 yards.
 
The Mountaineers will continue the road trip next Saturday at Fort Lewis College.