The Southern Utah University football team traveled up to Pocatello, Idaho, to face off against Idaho State University on Saturday, Sept. 21. After being down by three scores at the half, the Thunderbirds put together a solid second half performance. However, they couldn’t quite secure the win in the 38-28 loss.
First quarter
Idaho State wasted no time getting on the board with quarterbacks Hunter Hays and Kobe Tracy led with a strong drive, capped off by Hays running the ball in for a four-yard touchdown. Nearing the end of the quarter, Hays ended another impressive 82-yard drive with a seven-yard rushing touchdown, putting the Bengals up 14-0.
Second quarter
The Thunderbirds responded quickly. Six seconds into the quarter, Jackson Berry connected with Gabe Nunez for a 19-yard touchdown pass. Idaho State settled for a 39-yard field goal from Gabe Panikowski on the next possession to go up 17-7. The Bengals managed to put one more scoring drive together before the half, ending with a pass from Tracy to Eric Johnson. The late score put the ISU up 24-7 at halftime.
Third quarter
Southern Utah entered the second half strong, completing an 80-yard drive ending with a two-yard touchdown run by Berry. That drive was quickly answered by the Bengals with a 75-yard touchdown run from Dason Brooks on the next play from scrimmage.. The score was 31-14 in favor of Idaho State.
Fourth quarter
The Thunderbirds did not give up. Running back Targhee Lambson scored on a one-yard run, cutting Idaho State’s lead to 10. However, Idaho State scored the game-sealing touchdown with a 20-yard pass from Hays to Christian Fredricksen. SUU managed to add one more touchdown with a pass from Bronson Barron to Shane Carr, but time was up. The final score was 38-28 giving the Bengals the win.
Key players and stats
— Lambson recorded 172 yards on the ground with 26 carries and a touchdown.
— Carr has seven catches for 107 receiving yards and a touchdown.
— Berry had his best statistical game of the season, throwing for 177 yards and a touchdown.
What’s next?
Southern Utah will go on the road to face Austin Peay State University on Saturday, Sept. 28, at 12 p.m. This game can be streamed on ESPN+.
Author: Jacob McQueary
Photographer: Gannon Lovisa
Editor: Jack Paul
