In their final non-conference matchup, the Southern Utah University men’s football team went on the road to face the No. 9 ranked University of California, Davis. SUU fought hard, keeping it close at times, but fell short 50-35.
With the loss, SUU falls to 1-3 on the year and is on a three-game losing streak. UC Davis improves to 2-1.
First quarter
Southern Utah started with the ball to open the game. After one first down, the T-Birds would have to punt to UC Davis. The Aggies had no problem moving the ball on their first drive, gaining 10 or more yards on six of their seven plays. Zach Jones capped off the drive with an 11-yard touchdown.
On SUU’s next drive, Bronson Barron’s pass was intercepted by Trey Carr, giving the ball right back to the Aggies. The UC Davis offense picked up right where they left off, leading a four-play, 68-yard drive ending in a Caden Pinnick passing touchdown to Winston Williams.
Just before the end of the first quarter, Barron would find Gabe Nunez in the back of the endzone for a touchdown.
Second quarter
Opening up quarter number two, SUU found some good rhythm on offense. Southern Utah led a 16-play 80-yard drive with Barron finding Braedon Wissler in the endzone for a touchdown.
UC Davis would then respond in just two plays, scoring a six-yard touchdown and getting the two-point conversion, retaking an eight-point lead.
Just before the end of half, SUU’s Joshua Dye would find the endzone on an eight-yard touchdown, but the T-Birds would fail on the two-point conversion. UC Davis would hold a 22-20 lead at half.
Third quarter
On the opening play of the third quarter, UC Davis’s Jordan Fisher would take it 75 yards for a touchdown. Southern Utah would answer back with a Will Burns one-yard touchdown, cutting the lead to two.
Later in the quarter, Barron would be sacked and fumble the ball deep in their own territory, giving UC Davis great field position. One play later Pinnick would find Mitchell Dixon for a touchdown.
After getting another stop, the Aggies would drive down the field again, leading another touchdown drive just before the end of the quarter, taking a 43-27 lead.
Fourth quarter
UC Davis would add another touchdown, stretching their lead to 23 early in the fourth. SUU battled, scoring a late touchdown by Wissler, but it wasn’t enough. Southern Utah would fall 50-35, dropping a third straight game.
Key statistics
— Barron finished with 316 passing yards and two touchdowns
— Carter Vargas ran for 136 yards on six carries, averaging 22.7 yards per carry
— Dye ran for 155 yards and one touchdown
— Rex Connors led all players with 13 total tackles
What’s next?
SUU will host the University of Western Georgia on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 6:30 p.m. This game will kick off conference play in the United Athletic Conference and will also be SUU’s homecoming game.
Author: Jack Paul
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Heather Turner
