The Southern Utah University football team rallied back for a 36-34 double-overtime win on the road over the University of North Alabama on Saturday, Nov. 22.
SUU moves to 7-5 on the season, with six straight conference wins.
North Alabama falls to 2-10 and just 1-7 in conference play.
First quarter
Southern Utah won the toss and chose to receive, so the Thunderbirds began the game at their own 15-yard line. With momentum from one first down, SUU ultimately punted after a three-and-out.
North Alabama began the day at its own 22-yard line. The Lions easily drove down the field and closed out the drive with a one-yard rushing touchdown for Jayvian Allen, going up 7-0.
SUU was unable to respond and went three-and-out, punting to the North Alabama 40. The Lions capitalized on the great field position and ended the drive with a 13-yard Allen rushing touchdown, leading the T-Birds 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Second quarter
SUU punted early in the second quarter, placing the Lions at their own 35-yard line. The Thunderbird defense made a quick stop, leading North Alabama to punt.
After a punt from both SUU and North Alabama, the Thunderbirds found its offensive spark with a 56-yard run from Ran Sawyer. Josh Dye found the end zone on a two-yard rushing touchdown, SUU now trailing 14-7.
North Alabama marched right down the field with a 61-yard passing touchdown from John Austin Wood to Tanaka Scott, placing the Lions ahead 21-7.
SUU responded with a touchdown of its own as Will Burns strolled untouched into the end zone on a 3-yard rush, cutting the gap to seven.
After a Lions punt and T-Bird turnover on downs, North Alabama took a knee and went into the locker room leading by seven.
Third quarter
The third quarter consisted of multiple long drives resulting in punts.
The final two minutes of the quarter saw an SUU fumble recovered by North Alabama.
Fourth quarter
The Lions turned the SUU turnover into points with a 27-yard receiving touchdown to Kaleb Heatherly.
The Thunderbirds then sustained a long offensive drive, including a fourth-down conversion, resulting in a nine-yard rushing touchdown for Dye.
The score was now 28-21 in favor of North Alabama. The Lions maintained a seven-minute drive resulting in a missed field goal.
SUU responded with a quick, surgical drive for yet another Dye touchdown on a three-yard run.
Regulation came to an end at 28-28 with Lando Brown’s 14th sack of the year. Brown ended the season with the most sacks per game in the Football Championship Subdivision, earning him a Buck Buchanan Award nomination.
First overtime
Southern Utah had possession first in overtime. The drive resulted in a turnover on downs for just the second time this season.
North Alabama then fumbled on its first possession, and the recovery by Henry Harper sent the game to a second overtime.
Second overtime
A holding penalty gave North Alabama a free first down, and Roderick Taylor Jr. turned the momentum into a one-yard rushing touchdown for the Lions. The two-point conversion attempt failed, and SUU got the ball down 28-34.
Gabe Nunez found the end zone on just the second play of the drive with a 15-yard reception, tying the game at 34. Shane Carr then sealed the game with a successful rush for the two-point conversion, giving SUU the win 36-34.
Top T-Birds
— Barron went 18 for 23 for 236 yards and one touchdown.
— Carr had six receptions for 85 yards.
— Dye scored three touchdowns with 108 yards on 23 carries. He led the FCS in rushing yards this season and is a finalist for the Walter Payton Award.
— Jayden Rogers broke the SUU record for points after touchdown made in a single season with 45.
— Sawyer had two receptions for 76 yards in addition to four kick returns for 117 yards.
Up next
Despite a strong showing for a spot in the playoffs, Southern Utah was left out of the bracket and its season has come to a close. Some notable graduating players include Barron, Brown and other top defenders Sebastian Adamski and Josh Dunn.
Author: Kendall McGuire
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Jack Paul
