Thunderbirds Knock Down Stephen F Austin Lumberjacks To Even Record

The Southern Utah University Football team took care of business on the road Saturday defeating Stephen F. Austin 45-17. Both teams had a sluggish start and there was only a total of 13 points scored in the first half.

However, the Thunderbirds were able to build momentum in the second half to be able to pull away from the Lumberjacks. With the win, the T-Birds were able to even theor record at 5-5.

In post game comments, Coach DeLane Fitzgerald made note of the difference in the performance of the team between the two halves noting, “we looked like a team that traveled halfway across the country in the first half but we came out of the locker room wanting it more than they did. At the half, our coaches challenged the team to prove that they love football more than the guy across the line from them."

The first quarter was pretty much all defense as the only points scored in the first frame was a 34 yard field goal of the foot of Tyler Graham for the Thunderbirds. SFA answered with a field goal in the second quarter to tie the game.

With :22 seconds left before halftime, quarterback Justin Miller connected on a 25 yard strike to Isaiah Wooden, and with the extra point good the T-Birds took a 10-3 lead at the break.

The Thunderbirds stopped SFA on its opening drive of the second half. It took just two plays for Miller to find Wooden for his second touchdown of the game, making the score 17-3. The Thunderbirds would add on by scoring again on their next drive when Miller hit Wooden for another 38-yard touchdown pass.

The Thunderbirds entered the last quarter with a 24-3 lead. Southern Utah would add to that lead when Miller connected with Wooden for their fourth combined touchdown of the game. The Lumberjacks would answer with a touchdown of their own to make the score 31-10. However, the Lumberjack score wouldn't slow down the Thunderbirds. After a failed onside kick attempt Braedon Wissler scampered in to the end zone from 30 yards out.

An interception by George Ramirez on the next SFA drive would lead to Cade Bowring getting his first career rushing touchdown for the Thunderbirds.

Justin Miller completed 13 of 19 attempts accumulating 223 passing yards and throwing four touchdown passes. The SUU ground game was led by Braedon Wissler who had 107 yards on 17 carries.

The Thunderbirds will end the season next week with another road trip, albeit a short one. The T-Birds will tangle with the Utah Tech University Trailblazers in St. George in the “Battle For The Axe.” Kickoff time for that game has been changed to 5:00PM and you can hear the game on KSUB.