Football | 10/9/2010 3:08:34 PM

Box Score [Box score]

ST. GEORGE, Utah - Western Oregon scored 31 unanswered points to defeat Dixie State 40-27 and move to 3-1 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.

The Wolves (4-2) fell behind 20-6 early in the second quarter after a pair of big plays by Dixie State (1-5, 1-4 GNAC), but stormed back behind AJ Robinson's 298 yards passing and 45 rushing yards.

Robinson got the comeback started when he found Justin Ore wide open across the middle for a 25 yard gain and the first of his two touchdowns on the afternoon. This was the second of two big gains for WOU on the drive, as the play before Robinson connected with Trevor Roush on a 21-yard strike.

Western Oregon would keep the momentum flowing on its next possession by taking advantage of a penalty by Dixie State and marching down the field in seven plays for Kelly Morgan's first of two field goals on the day. This one, which was from 40 yards out, pulled the Wolves within four (20-16), with three minutes left in the first half.

WOU would take over the lead right away in the second half, as it returned the first kickoff of the second half 52 yards to the Dixie 44. Robinson then hit Justin Wright for the score from 33 yards out two plays into the drive to take the 23-20 lead.

Then after an interception by the Wolves' Bryce Peila, Robinson led WOU on an 80-yard drive. He found Ore on a 41-yard pass and to get the Wolves to the four yardline, and then finished off the drive by connecting with him for the score from two yards out.

However, the final blow would be delivered by Robert Young and the Western Oregon defense. With just under five minutes to go in the third quarter, Dixie's Cody Stevenson fumbled the ball and Young scooped it up and scampered 36 yards for the touchdown that capped off the Wolves' 31 unanswered points.

With the lead, the Wolves defense became more aggressive as it registered three sacks and Caleb Singleton picked off his fourth and fifth passes of the season. His first pick came in the endzone and helped WOU thwart the Red Storm's comeback attempt with six minutes left in the game.

Singleton was joined by Scotland Foss for the team-lead with nine tackles. Jerome Acoba had two of the Wolves' four sacks on the day. Meanwhile, WOU's offensive line did not yield a sack.

Robinson spread the ball around the field as he connected with nine different receivers. Ore led the team with 88 yards and two touchdowns on five catches. Trevor Gates was Robinson's top target with six receptions for 71 yards. He also connected three times apiece with Wright and Roush.

Roush had 44 yards rushing and Western Oregon's first touchdown of the day to go along with Robinson's team-high 45 yards on the ground.

Stevenson led the way for the Red Storm by connecting on 19-of-32 passes for 330 yards and four scores. However, he also threw three interceptions.

This was the Wolves' third win in four tries at Dixie State.

Next week, Western Oregon will take on Central Washington at the Battle in Seattle, in Qwest Field, on Saturday, Oct. 16. Kickoff will be at 6:00 p.m.