Dixie State University scored a touchdown in each quarter Saturday, but Central Washington University rallied in the fourth quarter, handing DSU its seventh loss of the season, 28-34.
The Red Storm went down 0-7 with five minutes left in the first quarter after CWU took one play to run two yards when it was given the ball first-and-goal at the 2-yard line after a blocked punt.
DSU responded quickly on the next possession when senior running back Dejon Coleman broke free for a 66-yard touchdown on the third play of the possession.
Coleman rushed for 118 yards with three touchdowns, averaging 9.8 yards a carry.
CWU finished the first quarter with another successful drive ending with a 10-yard touchdown run by red shirt freshman running back Quincy Carter. CWU missed the PAT attempt, leaving the score 13-7 and the end of the first quarter.
The Storm defense held strong in the second quarter, limiting CWU to a field goal. DSU kept the game close responding with touchdowns following CWU’s field goals and finally took the lead with a 1-yard touchdown from Coleman with 13 minutes left in the third quarter, 21-16.
CWU’s junior kicker Sean McDonald hit his third field goal of the game in the third quarter to bring the game within two points, 21-19.
Coleman scored the fourth and final touchdown for DSU, making the score 28-19 and forced the Red Storm to hold on to nine point lead with 14.5 minutes to play in the final quarter of the season.
CWU responded with 15 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, taking the lead with a 4-yard run with just under two minutes to play in the game sending DSU home heartbroken in its final game of the season.
Defensive tackle Darius Matthews, a mass communication major, said it was emotional playing in head coach Scott Brumfields last game but he was glad to see Brumfield go out with a team that was fighting till the last play.
“I think [Brumfield] has left a hunger behind,” Matthews said “[Brumfield] cared about his athletes like they were his own kids but as you know we haven’t had to winningest record, However; now that he’s gone he’s left that hunger to want to succeed and change Dixie State football.”
The formal application process for DSU’s new head football coach is open now through the end of the business day on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2015. DSU Director of Athletcs Dr. Jason Boothe said the university has been contacted by several potential replacements for Brumfield over the past week.