The Southern Utah University football team will travel to Pocatello, Idaho to take on Idaho State University on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 4 p.m. Southern Utah is 7-11 against Idaho State with the Bengals winning 26-24 in 2021. This game can be streamed on ESPN+.
Idaho State
Idaho State is looking to improve from a disappointing 3-8 season last year. The Bengals come into this game with a 1-2 record overall. The sole win this year came against Western Oregon University 50-10. As a team, ISU is averaging 31 points a game. That is eight points better than the previous year.
The Bengals have started the season with some quarterback controversy. Redshirt senior Kobe Tracy has started all-three games for Idaho State, but has struggled in different moments of the game. In their most recent game, Tracy was only six of 18 for 72 yards and a lost fumble in the first half against North Dakota State University. Senior Hunter Hays looked sharp last week, going 18 of 23 for 206 yards and four touchdowns.
Idaho State loves that Hays has the ability to extend plays outside the pocket. Hays leads the Bengals in rushing yards with 94. Senior running back Donald Austin receives the most rushes, averaging 7.2 yards per carry.
Senior defensive lineman Cortland Horton leads the team in sacks with four and 19 total tackles. If Southern Utah is going to want to establish the run and protect their quarterback, they will need to contain Horton.
Southern Utah
The Thunderbirds are 1-2 entering this week coming off a heartbreaking 24-21 loss in their home opener against the University of California, Davis. The offense struggled early on, averaging only 16 points per game giving up 32.33 points.
After struggling against UC Davis, starting quarterback Jackson Berry was benched late in the third quarter for Bronson Barron. In a little over a quarter of the play, Barron completed seven of his 15 passes for 81 yards and one interception. SUU fans will be eager to see who starts for them.
As much as the passing game has struggled, Southern Utah has dominated running the ball. Senior running back Targhee Lambson has been the sole heartbeat for this offense. Lambson is averaging 125.3 yards per game with four touchdowns.
On the defense, Lacarea Pleasant-Johnson has been all over the field for the T-Birds with two interceptions including one returned for a touchdown. Pleasant-Johnson has recorded half a sack. Junior linebacker Kohner Cullimore leads the team in tackles with 18.
Author: Jack Paul
Photographer: Gannon Lovisa
Editor: SUU News Copy Editor
