The Southern Utah University football team was defeated by the University of California, Davis on Saturday, Sept. 15, by a score of 24-21. The Aggies held on after David Meyer intercepted SUU quarterback Bronson Barron with 25 seconds remaining.
With the loss, SUU falls to 1-2 on the season and UC Davis jumps to 2-1.
First quarter
On the game’s first drive Thunderbird cornerback Lacarea Pleasant-Johnson broke on a curl route, intercepted the ball and took it 59 yards to the endzone. The Aggies next drive spanned eight-and-a-half minutes on 17 plays, and capped off with a 39-yard field goal from junior kicker Hunter Ridley.
The Thunderbirds offense didn’t take the field for the first time until there were under four minutes left in the first quarter. They went three-and-out and UC Davis followed suit.
Second quarter
SUU’s next drive lasted over five minutes, but ended with a turnover-on-downs. Southern Utah got a stop, then drove down the field and running back Targhee Lambson ran it in from three yards out.
The Aggies went down the field and drilled a 37-yard field goal as time expired in the first half, cutting the lead down to 14-6.
Third quarter
UC Davis showed why they are ranked in the top-15 within FCS, outscoring the Thunderbirds 18-0 in the period. SUU had three three-and-out’s in the quarter, while the Aggies kept on rolling.
Aggie quarterback Miles Hastings threw two touchdowns in the third, a 10 yarder and a 60 yarder. UC Davis capped off the third with a 23-yard field goal.
Fourth quarter
Lambson ran over the Aggie defense in the fourth quarter, and on the Thunderbirds first drive in the period he ran for 57 yards. Unfortunately for SUU, the drive ended with a low snap on their 23-yard field goal attempt, which led to kicker Daniel King missing.
The Thunderbirds got a stop, and then drove 74 yards down the field where Lambson ran it in from two yards out. After another stop, SUU got the ball back with 1:53 left in the game. They completed four passes before the untimely interception to clinch the game for UC Davis.
Key statistics
— SUU’s Lambson totaled 149 yards on the ground and scored two touchdowns. He ranks fourth in the FCS in rushing yards on the year, with 376 yards. He tied for seventh in rushing touchdowns with four.
— UC Davis senior Zach Kennedy totaled a season-high in tackles with five and one sack.
— Aggie running back Lan Larison rushed 15 times for 89 yards, while also catching 7 passes for 92 yards and a touchdown.
What’s next?
The Thunderbirds will travel to Pocatello, Idaho to take on 1-2 Idaho State University. The Bengals homecoming game will kick off at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, and can be streamed through ESPN+.
Author: Brig Pyfer
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Jack Paul