Dixie State Claims Division I Opening Win Over No. 22 Tarleton State

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Dixie State Trailblazers started the Division I FCS era with a 26-14 road upset win over Tarleton State.

It was a solid effort from Dixie State as they start the 2021 spring season with a win over Tarleton State, who entered the game ranked No. 22 in the country.

DSU QB Kody Wilstead threw for 350 yards and one touchdown, while rushing for two yards and another TD. Quali Conley racked up 68 yards and a score on 22 carries. Chase Hess led the Trailblazers’ receiving group with 5 receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown.

On the defensive side of the ball, safety Darrius Nash led the team with 10 tackles, along with two sacks and two forced fumbles.

Tarleton State was held to 128 passing yards and two interceptions. They were able to rush for 128 yards.

FB: HISTORY in Stephenville!! @DixieState_FB opens its D-I FCS era with a WIN at #22 @TarletonFB! #DixieBlazers #WeAreOne #OnTheRISE pic.twitter.com/TmSU9cdrC1

— Dixie State Athletics (@DixieAthletics) February 27, 2021

First Half Full Of Turnovers Between Dixie State And Tarleton State

The first possession of the game went to Dixie State as they turned the ball over on downs on their first drive. Tarleton State couldn’t capitalize as they fumbled the ball on the second play of the game. The Trailblazers took advantage of the miscue as Quali Conley ran in a one-yard touchdown to put DSU up 7-0 with 10:24 remaining in the opening quarter.

The Texans’ second drive resulted in another turnover as Cameron Burston threw an interception. Eight plays into Dixie State’s next drive, they coughed up the ball, committing their second turnover of the game. Tarleton State had to punt when they got the ball back off of the turnover. Another fumble was lost for the Trailblazers but the Texans didn’t capitalize as their next possession resulted in a three-and-out.

Dixie State settled for a field goal to give them a 10-0 lead with 13:16 remaining in the second quarter. Texans QB Cameron Burston threw his second interception of the afternoon and was later replaced by junior signal caller Steven Duncan.

.@DixieState_FB wins their FCS debut against Tarleton State 26-14. Kody Wilstead passed for 350 yards and the defense forced 5 turnovers. @DixieAthletics @kslsports pic.twitter.com/5mBxiAPMuk

— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) February 27, 2021

The Trailblazers missed a field goal with 9:11 left in the half. Then the touchdowns came in as Tarleton State got on the scoreboard as Ryheem Skinner ran in a one-yard TD to cut the DSU lead to 10-7 with 4:05 left in the first half. Dixie State answered with a 4-play, 67-yard drive that resulted in a 43-yard touchdown pass from Kody Wilstead to Chase Hess to put them back up by 10 points with 2:27 remaining until halftime.

Tarleton State couldn’t chip away at the lead again as they missed their first field goal attempt of the season. DSU held a 17-7 lead heading into the locker room.

DSU Defense Holds TSU In Check In Second Half

Tarleton State started the second half with the ball but committed their fourth turnover as Khalil Banks coughed up the ball. Dixie State responded with a touchdown of their own that was set up by a 46-yard pass by Wilstead to Deven Osborne for 46 yards, taking it to the TSU 1-yard line. On the next play, Wilstead ran in the touchdown to give the Trailblazers a 23-7 lead after the missed PAT.

The Texans picked up a massive score that could’ve possibly switched the momentum as Kaylon Horton returned the kickoff for a 93-yard touchdown. Dixie State’s lead was down to 23-14 with 9 minutes left in the third.

Early in the fourth quarter, Dixie State extended their lead with a 48-yard field goal to give them a 26-14 advantage with 13:36 remaining.

Dixie State moved to 1-0 on the season, their first in Division I FCS football. They will travel to New Mexico State to face the Aggies on Sunday, March 7 at 3 p.m. MST.