ST. GEORGE, UTAH – In the first road game of the season, the Fort Lewis College football team will head to Utah to face Dixie State this Saturday night at 6 p.m.
 

The Skyhawks are coming off of a high-scoring affair with New Mexico Highlands this past Friday night, as the Cowboys used a big second quarter and then held off a late run by FLC to collect the 45-31 victory.
 

Jake Lowry led the offense both in passing and on the ground, as he completed 23-46 for 324 yards and two touchdowns. He added 136 yards on the ground on 14 attempts and two more scores. He had a long carry of 52 yards that went for a touchdown. Brayden Lucero also carried the rock 23 times for 90 yards. Ta'Jon Mondy-Smith was the main recipient through the air as he hauled in five passes for 165 yards and both touchdowns. Mason Hatton snagged seven balls for 68 yards.
 

On defense, Donell Pleasant III led the Skyhawks with eight tackles, including a half-tackle for loss. Dre Cortez had seven stops, along with an interception and two passes broken up. Christopher Blanton had two tackles for loss and Nathan Aguilar recorded a sack.
 

The Skyhawks rank high in several RMAC and national categories including leading the RMAC and ninth nationally in third down conversion defense (.111), fourth in the RMAC and 37^th nationally in third down conversion percentage (.438), fifth in the conference and 97^th nationally in first downs allowed on defense (22), first in the RMAC and seventh nationally in first downs on offense (29), fourth in the RMAC and 31^st nationally in kickoff return yards average (23.63), second in the RMAC and fourth nationally in net punting (47.25), fourth in the RMAC and 48^th nationally in passes intercepted (1), first in the RMAC and 12^th nationally in passing offense per game (324), fourth in the RMAC and 39^th nationally in passing yards per completion (14.09), third in the RMAC and 30^th nationally in rushing offense per game (225), tied for first in the RMAC and nationally allowing no sacks, fourth in the RMAC and 41^st nationally in tackles for loss allowed (5), fifth in the RMAC and 89^th nationally in team tackles for loss (5), third in the RMAC and 57^th nationally in time of possession (32:07) and second in the RMAC and 12^th nationally in total offense per game (549).
 

Individually, Javonte Norman is second in the RMAC and 16^th nationally in all-purpose yards (193), Mondy-Smith is seventh and 45^th nationally in the same category (165). Norman leads the RMAC and is second nationally in combined kick return yards (179) and he is also fourth in the RMAC and 20^th nationally in kickoff return yards per game (25.6). Cortez is second in the RMAC and sixth nationally in passes defended. He's also tied for second in the RMAC and tied for 14^th nationally in interceptions per game. Lowry is seventh in the RMAC in completion percentage (50), third and 19^th nationally in completions per game (23), fifth in passing efficiency (110.5), first in the RMAC in passing yards and passing yards per game, good for 12^th and ninth nationally, respectively. Third in the RMAC and 36^th nationally in passing yards per completion (14.09), third and 13^th nationally in points responsible for (24), first in the RMAC and seventh nationally in rush yards per carry (9.71), third in the RMAC and 24^th nationally in rushing yards, third in the RMAC and 21^st nationally in rushing yards per game, fourth and 19^th nationally in scoring (12), first in the RMAC and second nationally in total offense (460), fourth in the RMAC and 25^th nationally in total points scored and fourth in the RMAC and 22^nd nationally in total touchdowns (2). Max Peets leads the nation in punting average (57.5). Mondy-Smith is also ranked high in points responsible for (12), good for ninth in the RMAC and 69^th nationally, second in the RMAC and sixth nationally in receiving touchdowns, second in the RMAC and 10^th nationally in receiving yards, second in the RMAC and seventh nationally in receiving yards per game, fourth in the RMAC and 19^th nationally in scoring (12), fourth in the RMAC and 25^th nationally in total points scored, fourth in the RMAC and 22^nd nationally in total touchdowns and second in the RMAC and 17^th nationally in yards per reception (33). Hatton is third in the RMAC and 29^th nationally in receptions per game (7). Blanton is fourth in the RMAC and 54^th nationally in tackles for loss (2).
 

Dixie State ran into a tough opening week matchup at No. 14 CSU-Pueblo as the ThunderWolves rolled to the 56-14 victory. The Trailblazers used a pair of quaterbacks, as Trent Darms went 12-31 for 142 yards with a TD and three interceptions. Easton Smith also passed six times, completing four for 43 yards. On the ground, Lawrence Starks led the rushing attack with 49 yards on 15 attempts. Xavier Smith caught three passes for 76 yards and a TD. On defense, Shiloh Pritchard tallied seven tackles, two for loss, along with a half-sack, a forced fumble and an interception. CSU-Pueblo, known for their potent ground attack, ran for 496 yards and six touchdowns against the Dixie State defense.
 

Last season, the two teams met in Durango with Dixie State taking the 23-13 victory. FLC held a 13-0 halftime lead behind a pair of Ben Raybon field goals and a touchdown by Hatton on a pass from Nick McNamee. The Trailblazers responded in the second half, scoring 13 points in the third quarter and then 10 more in the fourth to comeback for the win.
 

McNamee completed 13-29 for 195 yards and a score, PJ Hall rushed 18 times for 67 yards and Mondy-Smith caught one pass for 73 yards. Hatton added seven receptions for 72 yards and a TD. On defense, Pleasant III and Darrian Stickney led the team with 11 tackles apiece. OJ Thompson added 10 stops.
 

The last meeting in Utah, Dixie State won a close 16-14 game to finish the season in 2016. FLC nearly did what Dixie State did to them in 2017, as the Skyhawks trailed 16-0, but rallied behind a rushing TD from Bo Coleman and then a passing score from Coleman to Arealous Hughes brought FLC to within two at 16-14.
 

Live video and stats will be available for the game.