The Southern Utah University football team took down Eastern Kentucky University in a United Athletic Conference match-up at the CG Bank Field at Roy Kidd Stadium in Richmond, Kentucky, with a final score of 27-17.
Southern Utah is now on a four-game win streak, with all four wins coming against fellow UAC teams. SUU is now ranked third in the conference with an overall record of 5-5 and a conference record of 4-2
EKU drops to 4-6 on the season with a conference record of 2-4. The Colonels now rank sixth in the conference.
First quarter
On Southern Utah’s first drive, they got on the board with a successful Jayden Rodgers 39-yard field goal that was set up by three chunk plays. A 24-yard gain by tight end Hayden George and a 16-yard run by running back Joshua Dye. Bronson Barron also connected with Gabe Nunez for a 16-yard pickup that helped put the Thunderbirds in field goal range.
The Colonels’ first drive started with a 32-yard run by running back Brayden Latham. The drive then stalled out and EKU settled for a 36-yard field goal to tie the game at three.
Second quarter
On SUU’s first drive of the second quarter, Barron found Shane Carr down the field for a 44-yard completion. Dye would then follow that up with a six-yard touchdown run to the corner of the end zone to put the Thunderbirds up 10-3.
EKU’s next drive started at their own 15-yard line, and after a short five-yard gain on the kickoff, running back Brady Hensley broke loose on a 31-yard run, getting them up to their 46-yard line.
On the next play, Eastern Kentucky’s Myles Burkett was intercepted by defensive back Raymon Crump, who returned the ball ten yards before it was dislodged, allowing EKU’s Hunter Gulley to recover and give them a fresh set of downs.
The Colonels were able to capitalize on the fumble recovery. Burkett connected with wide receiver Marcus Calwise Jr., who cut upfield and found the end zone for the 27-yard score. The extra point was good, tying the game at 10.
The T-Birds’ next drive started on the EKU 35-yard line after a touchback. SUU drove down the field but was unable to convert on a third and six after a Dye false start penalty. Southern Utah opted to keep the offense on the field on a fourth and two. Dye received the handoff and was able to get the edge and get into the end zone, going up 17-10.
Before the end of the half, Burkett was able to break out for a 22-yard touchdown run to tie the score at 17.
Third quarter
EKU received the ball to open the third quarter. They were unable to convert on a third and nine after a seven-yard gain and opted to kick the first punt of the game.
Nunez returned the punt to the SUU 24-yard line, but a penalty on the return took it back to their own 14. Barron and Anson Kraut connected for a 37-yard gain downfield that helped put them on the Colonials 37. Barron also scrambled for a 10-yard pickup to put the T-Birds in scoring position.
After an incomplete pass on a third and nine, the SUU was forced to settle for a 32-yard field goal to take the first lead of the second half.
Fourth quarter
The T-birds were forced to punt on their opening drive of the fourth quarter, and EKU was forced to punt as well.
The next time the Thunderbirds got the ball back, they started on the Colonials’ 49. Dye broke out for a 41-yard dash that got them inside the five. Dye was able to punch the ball into the end zone from the one-yard line to seal the win for the T-birds 27-17.
Top T-Birds
— Dye rushed for a season high 221 yards and three touchdowns. This is Dye’s second game with over 200 yards on the ground.
— Barron completed 18/25 of his passes for 256 yards.
— Carr hauled in seven catches for 124 yards, averaging 17.7 yards per reception.
Up next
The Thunderbirds will host the University of Central Arkansas at the Eccles Coliseum on Saturday, Nov. 15, at 6:30 p.m.
Author: Andrew Streeter
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Jack Paul
