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.
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+.
