The Southern Utah University football team faced off against the University of Texas El Paso on Saturday, Sept. 8th. The Thunderbirds played in a hostile environment, drew up a second half comeback to win 27-24 in overtime and won their third game against a Football Bowl Subdivision in school history.
First quarter
Both teams began with a shootout on each side. The UTEP offense went first and moved down the field quickly with a 65-yard pass from quarterback Skyler Locklear to wide receiver Kam Thomas. Locklear threw the first touchdown of the game a few plays later to running back Jevon Jackson.
Southern Utah responded forcefully, marching down the field with running back Braedon Wissler. With 40 yards to go, Bronson Barron threw a flea flicker pass into the endzone to receiver Zach Mitchell. The score was 7-6 UTEP after SUU failed a two-point conversion.
In the last six minutes the Miners scored another touchdown with ease off a five-yard touchdown run by Locklear to put them up 14-6.
Second quarter
The Thunderbirds offense continued to get down the field. Quarterback Jackson Berry connected on a third down throw to keep the drive alive. SUU then ran into penalty issues at the end of the drive, giving UTEP the first defensive stop of the game with 10 minutes to the half.
After a few three and outs for both teams, the Miners kicker Buzz Flabiano kicked a 43-yard field goal to increase their lead. The T-Birds tried to respond with a field goal of their own, but did not get a good snap, leaving the halftime score at 17-6 in favor of UTEP.
Third quarter
Southern Utah received the ball and opened with a 40-yard run from running back Targhee Lambson. Despite the chunk plays, SUU did not come away with points after kicker Daniel King missed a 39-yard field goal.
A combination of penalties against UTEP and solid defense by SUU prevented the Miners from increasing their lead. This allowed the Thunderbirds to have a great drive down the field, all done on the ground by Wissler and Lambson. Lambson scored a 20-yard running touchdown with receiver Mark Bails converting the two-point conversion, putting the score at 17-14 UTEP.
Fourth quarter
Southern Utah got great field position, and the offense continued a full ground attack which ended in a remarkable 47-yard rushing touchdown for Lambson. SUU took their first lead of the night up 21-17 on the Miners.
UTEP attempted a field goal on the next drive, but missed it. On the ensuing possession, Southern Utah strung together an 11 play 59 yard drive that resulted in a field goal with under three minutes to play, extending their lead to 24-17.
With under two minutes left, UTEP got the ball. SUU defense forced a fourth down on the drive, but the Miners were able to convert and keep the game alive. In the last seconds of the game, Locklear scored a touchdown on a trick play to tie the game at 24 and force overtime.
Overtime
The Thunderbirds got the ball first, but with a few penalties, getting a necessary score seemed impossible. Remarkably, on second and 35, Berry ran it 20 yards to put them in field goal range. King knocked in the field goal to give SUU a 27-24 lead.
The Miners got the ball with the game on the line. They got very close to the endzone, but Southern Utah kept them out, forcing them to settle for a field goal. UTEP missed the field goal, but SUU jumped too early and gave the Miners another set of downs. The Thunderbirds kept them out of the endzone again, forcing the Miners to try another field goal. Shockingly, Flabiano missed again and there were no flags that time, giving the Thunderbirds a 27-24 overtime win.
Key Players and Stats
— SUU’s first win against an FBS team since 2013 and third in program history.
— Lambson ran for 183 yards and two touchdowns.
— There were 23 total penalties in the game. Nine on SUU, and 14 on UTEP.
— Miners linebacker Kory Chapman had 13 total tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss.
What’s next?
Southern Utah will host the University of California, Davis on Saturday, Sept. 14, at 6 p.m. This will be the first home game of the year, and a rematch of last year’s matchup, where UC Davis won 23-21. This game can be streamed on ESPN+.
Author: Jacob McQueary
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Jack Paul
