Thunderbird fans got an early taste of the excitement for the upcoming football season at the United Athletic Conference (UAC) Media Day on Tuesday, held at Texas Live in Arlington, Texas. With the new season on the horizon, the Thunderbirds are generating buzz as they are projected to finish third in the UAC coaches' poll. This comes on the heels of a strong 2023 campaign where Southern Utah tied for second place with a 6-5 record, marking their first winning season since 2017.

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Adding to the anticipation, the conference revealed its preseason All-UAC team, showcasing two of SUU's defensive stars: defensive lineman Rylen Sua-Filo and linebacker Kohner Cullimore. Both players have been instrumental in the Thunderbirds' defensive schemes.

 

Courtesy SUU Media Relations
Courtesy SUU Media Relations
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Coach DeLane Fitzgerald expressed his pride in last season's achievements and optimism for the future. "We're proud of last season's accomplishments and ready to build on that success," Fitzgerald said in a press release. "Being picked third in the UAC shows our team is earning respect from others in the conference. We're excited for the chance to prove we belong at the top of the UAC. Rylen Sua-Filo and Kohner Cullimore are leaders in our defensive unit. Their preseason All-UAC recognition is well-deserved, and I know they'll continue to lead by example. However, we have a lot of good players on offense, and I believe several of them should have received recognition."

SUU Media Relations
SUU Media Relations
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Sua-Filo, hailing from Orem, Utah, and a proud Orem High School alum, made a significant impact last season. Appearing in all 11 games, he accumulated 28 tackles, including 11 solo and 17 assisted, along with two sacks and seven quarterback hits. His efforts were pivotal in limiting opponents to just 106 rushing yards per game. Sua-Filo's performance earned him 2nd Team All-UAC Defensive Line honors and a spot on the 2023 Phil Steele All-UAC 2nd Team.

SUU Media Relations
SUU Media Relations
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Cullimore, from Gilbert, Arizona, and a Highland High School graduate, was a defensive dynamo throughout the 2023 season. He totaled 73 tackles, with 40 solo and 33 assisted, and added three sacks, ten tackles for loss, and a blocked field goal in the final game of the season. His stellar performance secured him a place on the Phil Steele First Team All-UAC Linebacker.

With Sua-Filo and Cullimore leading the charge, the Thunderbirds are poised for an electrifying season. The combination of experienced talent and fresh enthusiasm positions them as serious contenders in the UAC.

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