Coming off their first loss of the season, the Southern Utah University football team will host Northern Arizona University on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the Eccles Coliseum in Cedar City.
This game can also be streamed on ESPN+.
Southern Utah
The Thunderbirds enter this week 1-1 on the season. Through their first two games, Southern Utah’s offense has been impressive early. SUU ranks No. 15 in the Football Championship Subdivision averaging 36.5 points per game.
The leader of this offense has been quarterback Bronson Barron. The signal caller from American Fork, Utah has thrown for 568 yards, six touchdowns and zero interceptions in the first two games.
Barron’s favorite targets through two games have been Gabe Nunez and Shane Carr. Nunez, a wide receiver from Beaumont, California has 11 catches for 168 yards and two touchdowns. Carr has 131 yards and one touchdown.
As for the defense, John Kelling’s unit is led by linebacker Sebastian Adamski. The redshirt senior leads SUU with 22 total tackles and 3 tackles for loss. Even with Adamski’s success, SUU has yet to record a sack or force a turnover.
Northern Arizona
The Lumberjacks enter this matchup 1-1 after getting their first win of the season against SUU rival Utah Tech University on Sept. 6. In contrast to their win, NAU’s defense has been an early liability, giving up an average of 34.5 points per game, ranking No. 78 in the FCS.
Despite the early struggles on defense, Northern Arizona has been able to create and force turnovers. The Lumberjacks have recorded four interceptions, one against one of the nation’s best quarterbacks in Sam Leavitt.
Offensively, NAU has found ways to make up for the defensive struggles through quarterback Ty Pennington. The Junior from Sand Springs, Oklahoma has thrown for 433 yards and two touchdowns, while adding an additional touchdown on the ground.
As for the pass catchers, Kolbe Katsis has emerged as Pennington’s favorite target. Katsis, a senior from Owasso, Oklahoma has nine catches for 158 yards and a touchdown.
Southern Utah is 11-16 all-time against Northern Arizona with the Lumberjacks winning the previous three games. SUU’s last win over NAU came on Nov. 16, 2019.
Author: Jack Paul
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Heather Turner
