CEDAR CITY, Utah – The Southern Utah University football team faced off against No. 14 Idaho State University for their Homecoming game on the night of Saturday, Sept. 26. Despite a huge fourth quarter comeback, Southern Utah wasn’t able to hold off the Bengals and lost 28-24. The Thunderbirds now hold a 1-4 record on the season, with a 0-2 conference standing.
This continues Idaho State’s undefeated record of 4-0 and brings them to 1-0 in their Big Sky Conference opener. With this win, Idaho State leads the all-time series against Southern Utah 13-8-1, and is now 3-5-1 in Cedar City.
First quarter
The Thunderbirds were able to move the ball on the opening drive, but were ultimately forced to punt. The defense came out strong and forced a fumble to give the ball back to the offense, which resulted in a rushing touchdown by quarterback Will Burns.
Idaho State wasn’t able to answer Southern Utah’s score after the former missed a 54-yard field goal. The quarter ended with SUU up 7-0.
Second quarter
Southern Utah opened the second quarter by punting, but a sack from Myles Amey and Mason Stromstad on top of a delay of game penalty forced ISU to give the ball right back. The Thunderbirds were able to move the ball into the red zone on their next possession, but a tipped-ball interception turned the ball back over to Idaho State.
After another punt by the Bengals, the ensuing drive ended with a career-long 54-yard field goal for T-Bird kicker Jayden Rogers. It was the second-longest completed field goal in SUU program history.
On their next possession, Idaho State had the ball for a long time and eventually found their way into the endzone to make the score 10-7 in favor of Southern Utah. The Thunderbirds were able to move the ball downfield as Will Burns connected with Floyd Chalk for a 39-yard reception, but they ran out of clock in the half as they got just nine yards from scoring.
Third quarter
The Bengals came out strong to open the second half. After marching 75 yards, Idaho State scored on an 18-yard rush, taking the 14-10 lead. Neither team was able to score on the following two drives and were both forced to punt.
ISU was able to extend their lead on the next drive thanks to a 56-yard reception and subsequent four-yard rush from Chedon James. That brought the Bengals’ lead to 21-10 to close out the third.
Fourth quarter
The Thunderbirds had the ball to start the final quarter, and Burns was able to complete his second rushing touchdown of the game with a 23-yard scramble. SUU linebacker Sal Avila forced a fumble on Idaho’s kick return, but the T-birds weren’t able to move the ball and missed a field goal attempt.
On ISU’s next drive, Tim Christian pulled down an interception, SUU’s first of the year not recorded by safety Parker Vance. Chalk then completed a scoring 45-yard run, taking back the lead and making the score 24-21.
The Bengals returned with a 43-yard touchdown, retaking the lead and bringing the game to 28-24. Southern Utah was forced to punt the ball, but the defense had another huge play and got possession back on a fumble recovery.
The Thunderbirds almost regained the scoring lead, but a fumble on the five-yard line gave the Bengals back the ball with less than two minutes left on the clock. Idaho State drove the ball down but wasn’t able to score as they missed a field goal attempt. SUU was able to complete a first down, but the Bengals defense didn’t let up as they closed out the game and beat Southern Utah 28-24.
Top T-Birds
— Will Burns completed 20 of his 32 passes, a mark of 62.5%. He passed for 198 yards, threw one interception, rushed for a net 72 yards and had two rushing touchdowns.
— Floyd Chalk had a net 163 yards on the ground and scored a touchdown. He averaged 8.2 yards per carry and posted a 62-yard rush.
— Myles Amey and Mason Stromstad combined for a sack. The former had four tackles while the latter led the team with 10, including a tackle for a loss.
— Tim Christian recorded his first interception as a T-Bird. He had four tackles, with three of them being solo.
Next week
Southern Utah will be looking for their first win since week two as they face Utah Tech University next week. The T-Birds will be on the road for The Battle for the Ax in St. George, Utah, at Greater Zion Stadium. Kickoff is at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3, and the game is available to stream on ESPN+.
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Author: Lexie Nelson
Photograph by SUU Athletics
Editor: Payson Davis
