Dixie State Unable To Maintain Quick Start Against Kennesaw State

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Dixie State football team failed to maintain the lead after a quick start on the road against the Kennesaw State Owls.

The Owlz hosted the Trailblazers at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, Georgia on Saturday, March 20.

Kennesaw State defeated Dixie State, 37-27.

Tough outcome on the road. 🦬

FINAL@DixieState_FB 27
No. 9 @kennesawstfb 37

The Trailblazers fall to 1-3 on the season.#DixieBlazers

📷: @KSUOwlNation pic.twitter.com/2AtazH8hmt

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 20, 2021

The Blazers jumped out to a 7-0 lead after marching 71 yards down the field for a touchdown on their opening drive of the game. The score came on a 10-yard burst by Quali Conley.

An impressive opening drive gives the Trailblazers the first points of the game. 💪 @DixieState_FB 7@kennesawstfb 0

9:33 1Q#DixieBlazers

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 20, 2021

A field goal by the Owls cut Dixie State’s lead to four at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, things went all Kennesaw State’s way.

Another Owl touchdown and the Blazers find themselves down double-digits.@DixieState_FB 7@kennesawstfb 17

9:44 2Q#DixieBlazers pic.twitter.com/Uut7BOlN77

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 20, 2021

The Owls took advantage of errors by the Blazers, including a fumble returned for a touchdown, and scored 20 unanswered points before halftime.

20 unanswered points by the Owls in the first half.

HALFTIME@DixieState_FB 7@kennesawstfb 20#DixieBlazers pic.twitter.com/ao8FQ2hGRu

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 20, 2021

Kennesaw State had possession to open the second half and added another touchdown to extend its lead to 20 points.

Late in the third quarter, the Trailblazers scored their second touchdown of the contest on a 27-yard touchdown from Kody Wilstead to Deven Osborne with 4:34 remaining until the fourth.

Wilstead ➡️ Osborne for 6️⃣.@DixieState_FB 14@kennesawstfb 27

4:34 3Q#DixieBlazers

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 20, 2021

After an Owl field goal late in the third, Dixie State cut the deficit to 10 points on a touchdown from Wilstead to Chase Hess with 9:50 left in the game. The Blazers tried to make it a one-score game but failed on a two-point conversion.

The Blazers cut it to 10 after a touchdown. Two-point conversion failed.@DixieState_FB 20@kennesawstfb 30

9:50 4Q#DixieBlazers

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 20, 2021

With 5:56 to go, Kennesaw State’s Kyle Glover made it a 17-point contest.

Running out of time, the Blazers scored in less than two minutes on a three-yard keeper by Wilstead to make it a final margin of 10 points.

Trailblazers aren’t done yet. Wilstead powers into the end zone.@DixieState_FB 27@kennesawstfb 37

4:04 4Q#DixieBlazers

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 20, 2021

Final Stats

The Blazers finished the game with 351 total yards compared to the Owls’ 408 yards.

Wilstead led Dixie State passing 21/39 for 230 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 56 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

Conley ran the ball 18 times for 81 yards and a score.

Osborne finished with nine catches for 121 yards and a touchdown.

Kennesaw State was led by Glover and Tommy Bryant, who ran for a combined 182 yards and three touchdowns.

Kyle Glover straight up the middle for 6⃣🔥

Owls up 37-20 🦉#GoldStandard | #OneKS pic.twitter.com/DPkQ9zFiBD

— Kennesaw State Football (@kennesawstfb) March 20, 2021

Up Next

With the loss, the Blazers fell to 1-3 on the season.

FB: Final from Kennesaw – @DixieState_FB 27, No. 9 @kennesawstfb 37. DSU (1-3) will close out its 2021 Spring schedule next Saturday night at home vs. @FLCSkyhawks. Kick off at Greater Zion Stadium is set for 7 p.m. #DixieBlazers #WeAreONE #OnTheRISE pic.twitter.com/7azXcUGSmR

— Dixie State Football (@DixieState_FB) March 20, 2021

Dixie State’s next game is at home against Fort Lewis on Saturday, March 27 at 7 p.m. (MDT).