The Southern Utah University football team kicked off their 2024 season against University of Utah at Rice Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah on Thursday, Aug. 29. The No. 12 ranked Utes dominated in all three phases of the game winning 49-0.
First quarter
Utah got off to a quick start forcing the Thunderbirds to punt on their first possession. Quarterback Cam Rising found sophomore running back Dijon Stanley for a 64-yard touchdown.
Southern Utah went with quarterback Jackson Berry to start the game. The Thunderbirds moved the ball well in their second possession, but were unable to convert on a fourth and eight resulting in a pair of empty possessions.
Second quarter
The Utes turned it on in the second quarter scoring four times in a row, including three passing touchdowns to senior tight end Brant Kuithe. SUU changed quarterbacks, bringing Bronson Barren in. It was not the best of starts for the transfer. Barren completed only 1 out of 7 passes for seven yards. Just before halftime, Southern Utah picked off freshman quarterback Issac Wilson, yet Utah led 35-0 at halftime.
Third quarter
Southern Utah forced a three and out to start the second half, but Berry threw a pick on the ensuing possession to give the ball back to the Utes. Wilson and the offense settled in, stringing off a 12-play 57 yard drive that ended in a Mike Mitchell four-yard rushing touchdown.
Fourth quarter
Freshman cornerback Jayden Robertson picked off Wilson, his second interception of the game. Following a three and out and a touchdown pass from Wilson, the Thunderbirds brought in Jordan Pachot. The junior play-caller went 1-3 for eight yards and was sacked twice. A missed SUU field goal with under two minutes left sealed a 49-0 victory for the Utes.
Top performers
— Rising went 10-15 for 254 yards and five touchdowns in his first game since 2022.
— Targhee Lambson led the Thunderbirds in rushing with 44 yards on 6 carries.
— Stanley accumulated 184 total yards of offense and two touchdowns.
— Darrian Feazell led SUU with six tackles in total.
Author: Jack Paul
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: SUU News copy editor
sports@suunews.net
