Football ends disappointing season
Erik Dorn
Issue date: 11/16/09 Section: Sports
If one word was needed to describe the Red Storm's 2009 season, it would be, without a doubt, disappointing.
Head coach Ron Haun failed to improve his team's record this season, instead matching the 4-7 record from 2008.
Senior quarterback Judd Thompson completed 55 percent of his passes this season. He accumulated 2,784 yards, 19 touchdowns and 18 interceptions, while averaging 253 yards per game.
The biggest difference offensively for Dixie State College was the lack of running game over the course of the season. Sophomore running back Tauni Vakapuna racked up 586 yards on 138 carries and scored six touchdowns. Junior running back Adam Wells ran for only 53 yards on 23 carries, but in the passing game he grabbed 38 passes for 389 yards and five touchdowns.
"[The coaches] were trying to get me the ball in space," said Wells, an integrated studies major from Kenmore, Wash. "In the running game there were not many holes that opened up so they got me involved in the passing game. It worked out really well."
Wells said changes in the offense were part of the reason for the lack of running game.
"We had a lot of changes on the [offensive line]," Wells said. "The entire offensive scheme changed. I think we will get it going next year."
Senior wide receiver Skyler Ence led all DSC receivers with 569 yards and four touchdowns. Junior wide receiver Nash Fowler pulled in 39 passes for 518 yards and three touchdowns.
The defense for the Red Storm was the main reason DSC was able to stay in games. Junior linebacker Nick Cragin led the team with 48 tackles, 3.5 sacks and two interceptions. Junior linebacker Keauntea Bankhead racked up 45 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Senior linebacker Micah Harward led the team in sacks with four and grabbed two interceptions, while senior safety Wesley Beavers led the team with five interceptions.
Julian Dalanhese, an integrated studies major from South Jordan, said the defense played as a whole the entire year and really bought into what the coaches were selling.
Head coach Ron Haun failed to improve his team's record this season, instead matching the 4-7 record from 2008.
Senior quarterback Judd Thompson completed 55 percent of his passes this season. He accumulated 2,784 yards, 19 touchdowns and 18 interceptions, while averaging 253 yards per game.
The biggest difference offensively for Dixie State College was the lack of running game over the course of the season. Sophomore running back Tauni Vakapuna racked up 586 yards on 138 carries and scored six touchdowns. Junior running back Adam Wells ran for only 53 yards on 23 carries, but in the passing game he grabbed 38 passes for 389 yards and five touchdowns.
"[The coaches] were trying to get me the ball in space," said Wells, an integrated studies major from Kenmore, Wash. "In the running game there were not many holes that opened up so they got me involved in the passing game. It worked out really well."
Wells said changes in the offense were part of the reason for the lack of running game.
"We had a lot of changes on the [offensive line]," Wells said. "The entire offensive scheme changed. I think we will get it going next year."
Senior wide receiver Skyler Ence led all DSC receivers with 569 yards and four touchdowns. Junior wide receiver Nash Fowler pulled in 39 passes for 518 yards and three touchdowns.
The defense for the Red Storm was the main reason DSC was able to stay in games. Junior linebacker Nick Cragin led the team with 48 tackles, 3.5 sacks and two interceptions. Junior linebacker Keauntea Bankhead racked up 45 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Senior linebacker Micah Harward led the team in sacks with four and grabbed two interceptions, while senior safety Wesley Beavers led the team with five interceptions.
Julian Dalanhese, an integrated studies major from South Jordan, said the defense played as a whole the entire year and really bought into what the coaches were selling.
Be the first to comment on this story