CEDAR CITY, Utah – The Southern Utah University football team had a close victory on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Eccles Coliseum against the University of Northern Colorado. The Thunderbirds opened strong with a 24-7 lead going into halftime, followed by 17 unanswered points by Northern Colorado. However, SUU was able to respond in the fourth quarter and bring the final score to 31-24.
Following this matchup, Southern Utah is 4-6 for the season and 3-4 in Big Sky Conference play. The Bears are 3-7 for the season and 2-5 in conference play. This was the first Thunderbird win against the Bears since 2015.
First quarter
SUU had a great first half, opening with an 11-play, 75-yard drive. Quarterback Will Burns completed his first of three touchdowns for the night, connecting with Joshua Acord for a 16-yard house call.
The T-Birds had an impressive defensive play later in the first, when Ty Pringle intercepted a pass from Northern Colorado. The Bears were unable to answer and Southern Utah ended the quarter up 7-0.
Second quarter
Burns stayed active in the second, scoring the second Thunderbird touchdown of the game on a 19-yard run to put SUU up 14-0. Burns was also able to connect with Mark Bails on a 25-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 21-0.
Northern Colorado answered with a 27-yard touchdown pass to put their first points on the board.
The Southern Utah defense then had another game-changing play when Ran Sawyer forced a fumble on a punt return, which Talmage Brown recovered. While the offense wasn’t able to produce a touchdown, they were able to move the ball into field goal range. Jayden Rogers sank a 32-yard field goal to put the T-Birds up 24-7 going into the half.
Third quarter
Northern Colorado scored early into the second half with a 39-yard field goal. Bears quarterback Brayten Silbor found Garrett Harstad for a touchdown pass to bridge the gap and bring the score to 24-17. A rushing touchdown with two minutes left in the quarter tied the game 24-24.
Fourth quarter
SUU opened the final quarter of regulation with a 15-play, 75-yard drive. Brown scored a rushing touchdown from Burns to regain a T-Bird lead at 31-24. Northern Colorado attempted to answer, but the T-Bird defense was able to stop the Bears on a fourth-and-one with less than four minutes remaining.
Colorado attempted to complete one final scoring drive, but SUU defense stepped up to keep the lead. On the final play of the game, Parker Vance intercepted a pass from Silbor and preserved a Thunderbird win.
Up next
The T-Birds will look to keep their momentum going with a road game this week against Portland State University on Friday, Nov. 13, at Hillsboro Stadium. Kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m., and the match will also be streamed on ESPN+.
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Author: Lexie Nelson
Photo by SUU Athletics
Editor: Payson Davis
sports@suunews.net
