Playing without starting quarterback Bronson Barron, The Southern Utah University football team lost 52-42 versus Tarleton State University on Saturday, Oct. 4 after leading 35-28 at halftime.
Defensive struggles have continued to dampen SUU’s season. Despite averaging 35.5 points per game over their last five games, all have been losses. They’re 1-6 and 0-2 in the conference.
Tarleton State improved to an impressive 6-0 this season. They’ve averaged over 54 points per game over their last four.
First quarter
The teams traded rushing touchdowns by running backs Joshua Dye and Caleb Lewis to tie the game after four minutes.
After wide receiver Trevon West scored a 32-yard touchdown, SUU quarterback Will Burns had a 67-yard rushing touchdown and tied the game at 14-14 with 3:41 left.
Second quarter
Lewis scored for the Texans 24 seconds into the quarter on a 3-yard rushing touchdown. The redshirt senior from New Orleans has scored in every game and averages 64 rushing yards per game.
Dye answered back with a rushing touchdown after a long drive to even the score again at 21-21. The redshirt sophomore remains one of the top running backs in the country, ranking fifth in all of division one in rushing yards.
The game stayed running-heavy with a touchdown by Tarleton running back Tre Page III. The redshirt freshman from Atlanta already has four touchdowns in five games.
SUU’s following drive ended on a short pass to junior wide receiver Shane Carr for his third touchdown of the year. SUU scored again on Dye’s third rushing touchdown of the game. He has a staggering 13 on the year.
Third quarter
Tarleton State immediately capitalized again and scored on their first drive to tie the game at 35-35. Senior wide receiver Peyton Kramer took a 20-yard pass to the house for his third of the year.
Dye continued to amaze, responding with a 59-yard rushing touchdown. He had facilitated 28 of SUU’s 42 points by this point.
The Texans responded in rushing fashion yet again with a second touchdown from Page. They kicked a 32-yard field goal with 22 seconds left to go up 45-42.
Fourth quarter
After less than a minute, Will Burns got intercepted by defensive back Ja’Voni Melidor. It was the redshirt senior’s first interception of the year and the only interception of the game.
Tarleton State had another uninterrupted drive ending with a 34-yard touchdown by wide receiver Cody Jackson. It was his first touchdown of the year.
The teams both turned the ball over on downs in the remaining minutes of play, but neither team scored again and Tarleton State beat SUU 52-42.
Key statistics
— Gabe Nunez was the only SUU receiver with more than two receptions. He had five with 50 yards.
— Tarleton State had three receivers with over 70 yards. West had 120, averaging 20 per reception.
— Dye and Burns both had over 100 net rushing yards. Page had nearly 200 yards for Tarleton State and averaged over 10 yards per carry.
— Three players recorded a sack. SUU defensive end Henry Harper had his first of the year and Yasir Holmes and Stephen Woods Jr. both had one for Tarleton State.
Up next
SUU has a bye week coming up, so they will return to Cedar City to host Abilene Christian University on Saturday, Oct. 18. The game will be at 6:30 p.m. in the Eccles Coliseum, and will be on ESPN+.
Author: Payson Davis
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Jack Paul
