On Saturday, Nov. 15, the Southern Utah University football team defeated the University of Central Arkansas in a United Athletic Conference matchup at the Eccles Coliseum in Cedar City with a score of 28-21.
Southern Utah is now on a five-game win streak, and holds a 6-5 overall record and 5-2 against conference teams.
Central Arkansas falls to 3-8 on the season and 2-5 against conference teams.
First quarter
Southern Utah received the opening kickoff and started at their own 23-yard line. After two short passes, the drive stalled, and the Thunderbirds punted.
On Central Arkansas’s first drive, they were able to drive down the field on big plays through the air. Quarterback Austin Myers found wide receiver Ty Durham for a 16-yard pickup and another pass for 13 yards.
Myers also connected with the wide receiver Malachi Henry for a 13-yard gain. After two short runs and a Thunderbirds pass interference penalty, Myers found Henry in the end zone for the two-yard touchdown.
Second quarter
The Thunderbirds were able to get on the board during their first drive of the second quarter. The drive started with two incompletions from Bronson Barron. On a third and ten, he found Gabe Nunez for a 15-yard pickup and a first down.
Later in the drive, Southern Utah faced a crucial fourth-down situation. The T-birds opted to keep the offense on the field and go for it. They handed the ball off to Joshua Dye, who found a lane and took it 25 yards to the end zone, tying things up at seven.
The Bears got the ball back but went three-and-out, punting it back to the T-birds.
On Southern Utah’s next possession, Dye found the end zone again on a 15-yard run. This touchdown made history and broke the record for rushing touchdowns in a season with 25.
The previous record was broken last season by running back Targhee Lambson. Dye also broke the record for points in a single season with 150.
The Bears were able to respond with a four-yard Landen Chambers rushing touchdown of their own to tie the game at 14.
Third quarter
The Bears received the second-half kickoff and were able to capitalize on their first drive, going 75 yards in nine plays and finishing with a Chambers two-yard touchdown, taking the first lead of the half.
The Thunderbirds were quick to strike back with a touchdown of their own on their next possession. Braedon Wissler had a 15-yard run on the first play of the drive, followed by Dye rushing for 13 yards.
After two short gains by Dye to get them to the three-yard line, the sophomore running back punched it in to tie the game again at 21.
The Thunderbirds got the ball back after defensive back Mikey Allen deflected a Myers pass and intercepted the ball off his own deflection. This helped set up a one-yard touchdown run by Barron to take back the lead 28-21.
Fourth quarter
Both teams stood tall on defense, allowing no points to be scored, and leading to the T-Birds draining the clock and winning 28-21.
Top T-Birds
— Dye scored three touchdowns with 181 yards on 39 carries
— Nunez had six receptions for 73 yards
— Devin Downing finished with five receptions for 70 yards.
— Barron went 20 for 26 for 204 yards and one rushing touchdown
Up next
Southern Utah will play their last game of the season on the road in Florence, Alabama, against the University of Northern Alabama at Braly Stadium at noon.
Author: Andrew Streeter
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Jack Paul
