SUU Wins The Battle Of The Axe

Southern Utah University capped off its regular season with a dramatic 37-34 double-overtime victory against Utah Tech in the annual Battle for the Axe. The Thunderbirds celebrated their win at midfield, hoisting the Axe Trophy to mark a triumphant conclusion to their season. The victory secured a second consecutive winning season for SUU, finishing 7-5 overall and 6-2 in United Athletic Conference (UAC) play, while the Trailblazers concluded their season at 1-11 and 1-7 in conference action.

The game began with Utah Tech seizing momentum early. The Trailblazers scored on a methodical 13-play, 75-yard opening drive and extended their lead to 14-0 with a deep touchdown pass. Southern Utah answered with a two-yard rushing touchdown by Targhee Lambson, narrowing the gap. The SUU defense tightened in the second quarter, forcing punts and setting up pivotal offensive drives.

Quarterback Jackson Berry connected with Shane Carr on a 40-yard touchdown pass, but a missed extra point left the Thunderbirds trailing 14-13. Lambson struck again before halftime, powering into the end zone for his second touchdown of the day and setting a new SUU single-season rushing record, surpassing Zed Robinson’s mark from 1991.

The second half brought high drama. Southern Utah extended its lead to 28-14 following a critical defensive fumble recovery by George Ramirez and a short touchdown pass to Chase Merrell. Utah Tech battled back, narrowing the gap to 31-28 early in the fourth quarter. A late 53-yard field goal by the Trailblazers tied the game at 31-31, and a blocked SUU field goal attempt sent the contest into overtime.

In double overtime, SUU’s defense stood tall, halting Utah Tech at the two-yard line. Jayden Rogers sealed the win with a 36-yard field goal, sending Thunderbird fans into celebration.

Lambson was the workhorse for SUU, rushing for 164 yards and two touchdowns on 32 carries. Berry added 92 rushing yards, including a spectacular 50-yard dash, and threw for 194 yards and two touchdowns.

The defense also played a crucial role. Ramirez led with 14 tackles and a key fumble recovery, while Lacarea Pleasant-Johnson and Rylen Sua-Filo contributed 2.5 tackles for loss combined. The T-Birds' balanced attack and clutch defensive stops secured their hard-fought victory and ensured the Axe Trophy remained in Cedar City for another year.This thrilling win highlights the resilience and determination of Southern Utah’s football program, setting the stage for continued success in the UAC.

Basketball Moves To 6-1

Also on Saturday The Thunderbirds Mens Basketball team moved to 6-1 after beating the University of Idaho 82-67 on day two of the MTE in San Diego. SUU was a blistering 70% from the field in the first half and 66% from three! With 7:00 minutes left in the first half, it was still a six-point game, but Jamir Simpson went on a personal 5-0 run to push the lead to 11, and the Thunderbirds only allowed five points in the final seven minutes and took a 42-25 lead in the break.

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For the game, SUU shot 57% from the field and 58% from three, making 11 of their 19 deep ball attempts. The Thunderbirds never trailed in the contest and improved to 6-1, the program's best start since 2020.