SUU Comeback Falls Short at ACU

Southern Utah was on the road again Saturday afternoon, taking on #17 Abilene Christian in a United Athletic Conference showdown. The Thunderbirds fell to the Wildcats 28-25. The loss brings SUU's record to 4-5 on the season, with a 3-2 mark in conference play. ACU improves to 6-3 this year with a 5-1 record against the UAC.

1st Quarter:

The Thunderbirds got the ball to begin the game but were forced to punt after a three-and-out. Abilene marched down the field and scored on a short pass, taking a 7-0 lead. The Wildcats added to their lead, making the score 14-0 after another solid drive ending in a six-yard touchdown run.

2nd Quarter: 

ACU -started the second quarter with the ball and drove 71 yards to make it a three-score game with 10:22 seconds left in the first half. The Thunderbirds got on the scoreboard for the first time when Jayden Rogers nailed a field goal from 42 yards out to make the score 21-3.

3rd Quarter: 

Southern Utah got a stop out of the half and took over on its own 19-yard line. A good drive that took the T-Birds into Wildcat territory stalled and ended in a punt that sailed into the end zone for a touchback. On the Next Thunderbird drive, it was all Targhee Lambson as he took off with a 76-yard run before punching it in on a three-yard scamper to make the score 21-10.

4th Quarter: 

In the final quarter, the Wildcats drove the ball down the field methodically to increase the lead to 28-10. The Thunderbirds answered, putting together another solid drive, capping it off with another touchdown run to make the score 28-17. George Ramirez intercepted a pass and returned it all the way to the one-yard line before Lambson put it in the end zone again. The T-Birds scored the two-point conversion to bring the game to 28-25. The Thunderbirds got the ball back with time to score, but a heartbreaking fumble turned the ball over, and the Wildcats were able to run out the clock to secure the 28-25 final.

Offensive Leaders

Thunderbirds' offense was fueled by a dominant ground game led by Targhee Lambson, who racked up 198 yards on 27 carries (7.3 avg) and scored three touchdowns, highlighted by a 76-yard breakaway. Braedon Wissler chipped in 13 yards on three carries, while Jackson Berry added nine yards on eight attempts. The Thunderbirds totaled 220 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Through the air, Berry went 12-for-19 for 76 yards, with a long of 15 yards, and was sacked twice. Joshua Acord led the receivers with three catches for 17 yards, while Devin Downing added 21 yards on two receptions.

Defensive Leaders

George Ramirez recorded 12 total tackles (seven solo), an interception returned for 94 yards, and a tackle for loss in the battle against the Wildcats. Trent Whalen contributed significantly with nine total tackles (one solo), half a sack for five yards, and a tackle for loss. Kameron Rocha and Anisi Purcell both added six tackles, with Purcell notching a tackle for loss. Lando Brown was a force with five tackles, including half a sack for five yards and two tackles for loss. Jaden Robinson and Jayden Robertson each made key stops with five and four total tackles, respectively. Dean Jones and Josh Dunn also contributed four tackles apiece, while LaCarea Pleasant-Johnson stood out with three tackles and a pass breakup. The defensive effort was bolstered by Walker Harris, Rylen Sua-Filo, and Payton Payne, who slowed the Wildcats in the second half.

Next Up

The Thunderbirds will return to Eccles Coliseum again next week as they take on North Alabama. The game will take place on November 9 and kicks off at 1:00 p.m. MT. You can watch it live on ESPN+.