Thunderbirds Celebrate Seniors Versus Lincoln

CEDAR CITY, Utah - Saturday will be Senior Day for the Thunderbirds football program, and Coach DeLane Fitzgerald would love to send these guys out on a big win. The T-Birds will be taking on Lincoln University at 1:00 p.m. in Eccles Coliseum. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and on KSUB 107.7FM/590AM.

Game Information

Southern Utah vs. Lincoln

Date: November 4th, 2023

Kickoff Time: 1:00 PM MT

Venue: Eccles Coliseum

Stream: ESPN+

Radio: KSUB 590

Stats: LiveStats

Coach DeLane Fitzgerald Said

"The most important thing about Saturday is that it is Senior Day. We're going to say goodbye to two handfuls of seniors and we need to do it the right way."

"Lincoln is coming in here with a new offensive coordinator and a brand new offense. They're playing much better football and have improved dramatically from a year ago."

Senior Day

This Saturday we will take the chance to honor the Seniors who will be playing in their final home game. These dedicated players have given a lot to the program in their time as Thunderbirds. Here is a list of those who will be honored before the opening kickoff.

#2 WR- Timothy Patrick Jr.

#4 DE- Julian Sanderlin

#4 WR- Ethan Bolingbroke

#7 CB- AJ Felton

#8 WR- Isaiah Wooden

#10 CB- Jordan Washington

#12 QB- Justin Miller

#22 LB- Aubrey Nellems

#23 RB- Landon Freeman

#24 DB- Cody Coleman

#44 DL- Robert Horsey

#52 DL- Aaron Romero

The Game

The Thunderbirds are coming off a dominant 52-14 victory over Abilene Christian, showcasing their offensive firepower. Their balanced attack, with both a strong ground game and a potent passing attack, makes them a versatile threat to their opponents. With a solid defense that allows just 27.75 points per game, they have the potential to control the game on both ends of the field.

In stark contrast, the Oaklanders have grappled with offensive struggles, only managing an average of 9.7 points per game. Their passing game has shown potential, averaging 136.8 yards per game, but their rushing game lags behind with 87.7 yards per game. The team's defense has been conceding an average of 40.0 points per game.

Key T-Birds to Watch:

The offensive lineup of the Southern Utah Thunderbirds has been coming on strong for the last couple of weeks. A balanced attack has contributed to back-to-back high-scoring contests. In the rushing department, Braedon Wissler and Targhee Lambson have stood out, with Wissler leading the way at 441 yards. Lambson had a breakout performance last week scoring three total touchdowns and rushing for over 100 yards. Their contributions have in turn opened up the passing game. Quarterback, Justin Miller, maintains an impressive passer rating of 136.42, including an impressive 201.7 QBR last week against the Wildcats. Miller has already accumulated 1,715 passing yards and 17 touchdowns.

Isaiah Wooden has been the primary target for the Miller for the last two seasons and will look to continue his impressive season this week in his final home contest. Wooden has racked up 566 receiving yards this season and 1,398 over his career as a T-Bird. Timothy Patrick has also put up quite an impressive stat line with 18 catches for 261 yards and four touchdowns. In all, eight different receivers have scored touchdowns this season. The Thunderbirds also have six athletes with more than 100 yards receiving this season.

The Thunderbird defense has been led by several standout athletes. Aubrey Nellems leads all tacklers with 57 total takedowns while Kohner Cullimore and Trevon Gola-Callard are right behind him with 56 apiece. The Thunderbirds have consistently shown their ability to disrupt opposing offenses. The defensive front has been led by graduate transfer defensive lineman Robert Horsey. Horsey has accumulated 30 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and eight tackles for a loss. Anisi Purcellleads the teams in sacks this season with four.

The secondary has been bolstered by safety George Ramirez and defensive back Quadir Lockett-Smith, who have collectively contributed 60 tackles and provided crucial pass defense. Cornerback AJ Felton has emerged as a ballhawk, tallying a team-leading seven pass breakups and three interceptions. The Thunderbirds' defense has demonstrated that it can limit opposing offenses giving up just 109 yards per game of rushing. The T-Birds held ACU to just 79 passing yards last week and will look to stop the Oaks at every opportunity this Saturday.

A Look at Lincoln

Let's delve into the offensive leaders for the Lincoln Oaklanders, highlighting their impressive all-purpose yards and contributions to the team's performance. First, we have Otis Weah, who has showcased his versatility in nine games played. Weah has accumulated 646 rushing yards and 225 receiving yards, resulting in a total of 871 all-purpose yards. With an average of 96.8 all-purpose yards per game, he stands out as a dynamic force on the field, capable of impacting both the ground and air game. Weah is undoubtedly one of the key playmakers to watch for the Oaklanders.

Shamon Gennes is another standout offensive leader, having participated in all nine games. Gennes has added 274 receiving yards, as well as contributing 5 punt return yards and an impressive 259 kickoff return yards. This combination results in a total of 538 all-purpose yards, and he maintains an average of 59.8 all-purpose yards per game. Gennes not only provides a reliable target in the passing game but also offers a valuable dimension to special teams. Quarterback Tj Goodwin has thrown for 1187 yards and nine touchdowns this season. Goodwin connected on two touchdown passes last week against the Owls. These players are vital components of the Lincoln Oaklanders' offensive strategy and are poised to make a significant impact in the upcoming games as they strive for a breakthrough in the win column.

The Lincoln Oaklanders' defensive unit, despite a challenging season, boasts standout players who have made substantial contributions. Marquise Lawson, a dominant force, played in all nine games, amassing 50 total tackles, 8 tackles for loss (35 yards), 3 sacks (23 lost yards), an interception, and a blocked play. He's been a linchpin in disrupting opposing offenses.

Sheick Diakite has also been notable, with 34 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss (26 lost yards), 1.5 sacks (21 lost yards), and a crucial quarterback hurry. His ability to pressure quarterbacks and disrupt opposing teams has been a key asset. These players form the foundation of the Oaklanders' defense, showcasing resilience and determination in the face of challenges, with their roles pivotal as the team continues to pursue success in upcoming matchups.

Fan Appreciation Deal

If you mention reading this preview at the ticket window you can get buy one get one tickets for the game excluding chairback seating. Thank you to all of our fans who have been with us all year!