Battling Lincoln University (CA) in the final home game of the season, the T-birds used a strong second half to secure a 35-6 victory.
In what has become a common theme throughout 2023, SUU started slowly on Saturday afternoon.
Lincoln opened the scoring with a touchdown (missed PAT) in the second quarter, while also keeping the home team scoreless for nearly the entire first half.
With only 26 seconds left before halftime, the T-birds scored the first touchdown of the game to jump in front 7-6. Quarterback Justin Miller connected with Braedon Wissler for a 27-yard touchdown pass to finish off an 11-play, 95-yard drive.
SUU’s late first half momentum carried into the second, as the home team broke the game open with three third quarter touchdowns.
T-birds drop WAC Tournament heartbreaker; season comes to end
The first came after just 54 seconds, when Miller found Isaiah Wooden for a 58-yard score to increase the T-birds’ lead to 14-6.
Miller dialed up Wooden for another touchdown only three and a half minutes later, this one from 45 yards out to make the score 21-6.
Southern Utah then increased its lead to 28-6 midway through the quarter, with Miller running in a 1-yard touchdown to cap a 3-play, 46-yard drive.
The T-birds added the final points of the game with just over seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, when Landon Freeman notched a 5-yard rushing score to secure a 35-6 Senior Day victory.
Justin Miller once again led the offense for SUU, recording 252 passing yards and four total touchdowns (3 passing, 1 rushing).
Wide receiver Isaiah Wooden continued his strong season with another great performance, catching seven passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns. The T-birds’ run attack racked up 186 yards against the Oaks, led by a 5-carry, 59-yard effort from Landon Freeman, who also added a touchdown.
SUU’s defense had a solid performance in the game, allowing just 253 yards (149 passing, 104 rushing) and forcing two interceptions.
With the win, Southern Utah improves to 4-5 (2-2 UAC) on the year and has won back-to-back games for the first time this season.
Up next
The Thunderbirds now head to Texas, looking for a third straight win as they battle Stephen F. Austin on Saturday, Nov. 11.
The game will kick off at 3 p.m. MT and can be seen on ESPN+.
USU soccer defeats Colorado State, wins Mountain West Tournament championship
