The Jackrabbits return home after securing their first FCS win of the season vs. MVFC foe Indiana State. The final regular season non-conference contest is against the D1 transitioning Dixie State Trailblazers (0-3) who happen to have a furry cow as their mascot. Dixie State was a successful D2 program that is now in the first year of their transition and will be a part of the WAC. Dixie State has an interesting schedule facing many FCS power programs for a total of 8 games against currently ranked teams.
Paul Peterson is the head coach of the Trailblazers and his offense has been high scoring in his prior two season. Prior to Dixie State he was the head man at Snow College Junior College and prior to that was the offensive coordinator at Sacramento State. Those Sac State offenses were high flying and it appears that is what Peterson is trying to do with the Dixie State offense.
Offense
The Dixie State offense has been inconsistent to start the year. They have scored 7, 3, and 27 points in their three opening games against three Big Sky opponents which equates to 12.33 ppg. They are rushing for just 2.6 ypc or 65 per game. However, they have passed for 236.3 ypg which may be a function of playing from behind. They are converting on 17 of 42 3rd down attempts have have scored on 4 of 7 trips into the redzone including 3 TDs.
The Trailblazers have used two different QBs this season. The first game and a half was led by #4 Kody Wilstead (6-7, 230) but in the last game and half #12 Kenyon Oblad (6-3, 190) has been the QB. It is unclear whether Wilstead lost his job or is injured. Wilstead started his career at BYU while Oblad was at UNLV for a season. Against UC Davis Oblad attempted 58 passes and completed 32 for 342 yards, 4 TD, and 5 INT. He was also sacked 6 times in that matchup. Wilstead is more of a threat on the ground than Oblad. Before sacks he has rushed for 93 yards include a long of 22. Wilstead passed for 159 yards on 15 of 30 passing with an INT in his full game against Sacramento State.
Both quarterbacks seem to have a comfort level with #0 Jalen Powell (5-10, 185) who has 23 receptions for 210 yards. Powell came with Coach Peterson from Snow College and has been an impact player in his previous two seasons with Dixie State. #19 David Fischer (5-10, 180) is the next leading receiver with 8 for 11 yards and 1 TD. #5 Keith Davis (6-1, 190) and #11 Malcom Ross-Turner have 7 and 4 receptions a piece. #82 Taylor Alvarez (6-4, 245) has 2 receptions for 22 yards and 1 TD on the season from his tight end position.
The rushing attack has been ineffective so far this fall but uses two backs. #2 Drew Kannely-Robles (6-0, 200) is the lead dog with 19 attempts for 99 yards and a long of 22. He is also utilized in the passing game with 7 receptions for 76 yards. #7 Quali Conley (6-1, 200) has 24 attempts for 68 yards. Kannely-Robles is a 5th year player while Conley is a second year freshman and was a highly regarded recruit.
From left to right the offensive line goes #72 Ty Hyde (6-7, 250), #63 Mitch Nelson (6-2, 303), #73 Nathen Aceves (6-1, 280), #54 Walter Pongia (6-3, 285), and #52 Cole Watts (6-6, 310. Hyde is a true freshman but the rest have been on campus for a few seasons. This group has allowed 13 sacks through 3 games including the 6 they gave up against UC Davis.
Defense
The Dixie State defense started strong against Sac State but has struggled the past two weeks allowing 41 and 60 points against Weber State and UC Davis. They have registered 5 sacks and have held their opponents to a 41.46% conversion rate on 3rd down. However, opponents have made it into the red zone 16 times scoring touchdowns on 12 and making 1 field goal. Opponents are holding the ball for 34:40 per game which puts a ton of stress on the defense. Dixie State plays the trendy 4-2-5 defense that the Jacks saw at times against Indiana State.
Up front Dixie State has decent size. On the interior #91 Layton Tanuvasa (6-1, 270), #92 Livingston Paogofie (6-0, 273), and #94 Michael Fifita (6-2, 310) are some big bodies that can produce. Paogofie has 7 stops, 5 TFL, and 2 sacks. Prior to this season he was a member of the Colorado State defensive line rotation. Tanuvasa started the first two games of the season and finished with 2 tackles but did not play against UC Davis. Fifita started in his spot and has 5 tackles and a TFL on the season. On the outside are #42 Isaac Fotu (6-2, 245) and #33 Dylan Hendrickson (6-6, 230) who have 8 and 4 sacks. Hendrickson also has one sack.
The two linebackers for DSU are #25 Trace Tupe (6-0, 222) and #3 Malaki Malaki (6-2, 225). Malaki is he second leading tackler on the team with 29 total stops and 4 TFL. Tupe has 10 total tackles including 2.5 for loss. #38 Will Leota (6-2, 190) has also seen plenty of playing time and he has 16 total tackles. Mark Lopez
#13 Colby Williams (5-11, 205), #9 Devyn Perkins (5-10, 185), and #26 Kaejin Smith-Bejgrowicz (6-0, 180) are your starting corners. Williams leads this group with 10 tackles, 1 INT, and 5 PBUs. Perkins has 7 tackles, 1 INT, and 3 PBUs of his own. Smith-Bejgrowicz plays the “star” position which is the cornerback who will often play closest to the line. he Has 7 tackles, 1 TFL, and 1 PBU. #23 Kyle Floyd (6-0, 180) has also seen time as the “Star” and he has 7 tackles and a PBU too. The safety tandem of #17 Tyrell Grayson (6-0, 175, and #6 Darrius Nash (6-1, 205) has been productive. Grayson leads the team with 37 total tackles, including 32 solo while Nash has 17 stops.
Special Teams
The Trailblazer special teams units have been up and down on the year. #89 Andrew Day handles the kickoff duties and has just a 54.7 yard average with 0 touchbacks on 7 attempts. The field goal duties belong to #43 Connor Brooksby and he is 1-3 on the year with his lone make coming from 31 yards and both of his misses from between 40 and 49 yards. Brooksby did have two kickoffs in the opener which both went for touchbacks. Day and #49 Raleigh Phillips have split time as the punter. Day has 10 attempts for a 42.7 yard average and Phillips has a 27.83 yard average on 6 attempts. Together they have combined for 5 to be fair caught, landed 5 inside the 20, and have booted 3 50+ yards.
The punt return duties are handled by David Fisher who has just 1 punt return for -2 yards. Jalen Powell also contributes as the kick returner and he has 8 attempts for 207 yards, a 25.88 yard aveage but he has a long of 50 yards.
Prediction
This game may take on the same look as Lindenwood. The Jackrabbits will need to focus, take care of business early, and hopefully come away injury free.
Jacks 48-
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