GRAND JUNCTION, COLO. – Colorado Mesa University running back David Tann scored three touchdowns and finished with 160 all-purpose yards but it wasn't enough as Colorado Mesa fell to Dixie State 38-31 Saturday (Oct. 15).

The Mavericks went three-and-out in its first series of the game before turning a pair of turnovers into a quick 14 points.

Antonio Clark picked off his second pass of the season and returned it 60-yards to the endzone but a personal-foul penalty negated the return.

Tann rushed for two yards and followed up with a 48-yard touchdown catch to put the Mavericks up 7-0.

The Trailblazers next drive also ended with a turnover, this time a fumble forced by Zac Owen and recovered by Alec Barcellos.

Mesa took advantage of the short field covering 28 yards on four plays ending with a four-yard touchdown run by Tann.

DSU's next drive didn't end in a turnover but a blocked punt by Brad Gillis was just as good as it gave CMU the ball on the Dixie 12 yard-line.

Mesa could not gain any yardage on the drive and would settle for a 30-yard field goal from Ryan Sheehan to lead 17-0.

Dixie, who had just 46 yards of total offense, would score 35 unanswered points.

The Trailblazers choreographed back-to-back touchdown scoring drives of 92- and 80-yards to cut the Mavericks lead to 17-14 at halftime.

Justin Martin returned the opening kickoff of the second half 93 yards to give Dixie its first lead of the game 21-17.

Clifford Simmons, who finished with a game-high 215 rushing yards, scored on 56- and 15-yard runs to push the DSU lead to 35-17.

The Mavericks finally revived its offense with an eight-play, 75-yard scoring drive late in the third quarter. David Tann scored his third touchdown of the game catching a 19-yard pass from Eystin Salum.

Mesa found its self on a must score drive with 10 minutes remaining after Dixie kicked a 42-yard field goal to lead 38-24.

The Mavs manufactured a 14-play, 61-yard drive that put them just six yards from the endzone. The drive ended with an interception after the Maverick receiver fell down.

The Mesa defense made a 3-and-out stop to give the offense another shot with 3:31 remaining.

Eystin Salum completed a pair of 21-yard passes and rushed three times for 21 yards, including a four-yard scamper to the endzone, to pull the Mavericks within seven, 38-31, with 2:16 remaining.

Mesa failed to recover the on-side kick and Dixie ran out the clock.

Dixie State racked up 465 yards of total offense, including 332 on the ground.

Mesa finished with 391 yards of total offense with a balanced attack of 220 passing and 171 rushing.

The Mavs struggled on third down converting 4-of-12. They also trailed 34:53 to 25:07 in time of possession.

Eystin Salum, who replaced Sean Rubalcaba at quarterback, completed 9-of-18 passes for 157 and ran for a team-high 103 yards.

Marcus Cross, Brad Gillis and Alec Barcellos all finished with double-digit tackles for CMU.

Colorado Mesa (5-2, 5-2) will host Adams State (1-5, 1-5) for Homecoming Oct. 22.