Friday, August 28, 2015

In the third of our 2015 GNAC Football Video Previews, we focus on Dixie State.

Dixie State is aiming to move out of the GNAC cellar in their final season after going 0-6 in conference play last year. Their one win came late in the season, a 28-6 victory on Oct. 25 over NAIA member Menlo. The Red Storm shined brightest on defense last season, ranking third in the GNAC with 233.7 passing yards allowed per game. Dixie State was among the least penalized teams in Division II, ranking 22nd nationally with just 536 penalty yards.

The Red Storm will be led offensively by senior wide receiver Nate Stephens, who earned Second Team All-GNAC honors after finishing second in the league in both reciving yards (89.5 per game) and third in all-purpose yards (120.6 per game). The Red Storm also returns Second Team All-GNAC offensive lineman Lucas Beddow. On defense, Dixie State returns Honorable Mention All-GNAC linebacker Robert Metz, who led the team with 91 tackles.

The Red Storm is in their final season as GNAC football members. The program will play in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference beginning in 2016.

This is the third of seven football preseason videos that the GNAC will release leading up to the season opener between Azusa Pacific and West Texas A&M on Thurs., Sept. 3. All of the videos will be posted on the GNAC YouTube Page.

Wed., Aug. 26: Simon Fraser
Thurs., Aug. 27: South Dakota Mines
TODAY: Dixie State
Sat., Aug. 29: Western Oregon
Mon., Aug. 31: Central Washington
Tues., Sept. 1: Humboldt State
Wed., Sept. 2: Azusa Pacific