Facing FBS opponent Texas-El Paso on Saturday night, the Thunderbirds prevailed in overtime to secure a historic victory, 27-24.
The game got off to a fast start, as UTEP received the opening kickoff. Using a 9-play, 75-yard drive, the Miners took a 7-0 lead with a touchdown at the 10:33 mark of the opening quarter.
Southern Utah responded with a scoring drive of its own, highlighted by a 40-yard trick play touchdown pass from Bronson Barron to Zach Mitchell with just over six minutes to play in the first period that capped an 8-play, 75-yard drive. The T-birds went for a two-point conversion but were unsuccessful, making the score 7-6.
Wanna see some 🪄
T-Birds getting a tricky 6:09 left in the 1st!
⚡️: 6
⛏️: 7📺: ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/AwS7jbP3tB
— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) September 8, 2024
The Miners added another touchdown near the end of the quarter, taking a 14-6 into quarter two. UTEP added a field goal for the only score of the second period for either side, putting SUU into a 17-6 hole with just under three minutes in the half.
Southern Utah nearly added points with just two seconds remaining in the first half, but a muffed snap stopped any potential field goal attempt as the score remained 17-6 heading to the halftime break.
Third quarter
Receiving the ball to start the second half, the T-birds used a seven-play drive to get into field goal range. Targhee Lambson exploded for a 39-yard run on the third play of the drive, but SUU missed the field goal attempt, and the drive ended with no points.
Despite another special teams miscue, the T-birds’ defense gave the offense another chance at a score, forcing UTEP into a three-and-out on the next possession.
Thanks to a poor punt from the Miners, the drive started at midfield for Southern Utah. Braedon Wissler for 24 yards on the first three plays of the series, before Targhee Lambson found the endzone from 20 yards out on the sixth play of the drive. The T-birds once again went for two, and Mark Bails Jr. converted the attempt on the ground, making the score 17-14 with 6:31 left in the quarter.
That’s a Targhee Touchdown!!! And Mark Bails Adds the 2pt conversion! @nolimit_targ
⚡️: 14
⛏️: 17📺: @espn pic.twitter.com/h7LqHKvm5H
— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) September 8, 2024
Each of the following drives ended in punts for both teams, and SUU stopped UTEP’s final drive on fourth-and-one to force a punt to begin the final frame.
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Fourth quarter
Following the Miners’ punt, it took just four plays for the T-birds to find the endzone again. Targhee Lambson continued his big game on the ground, scoring on a 46-yard run to put the road team ahead, 21-17 with 13:15 remaining.
UTEP looked to respond to falling behind, and they nearly did just that on the next drive. Using five minutes of the clock, the home team marched 66 yards in 10 plays while reaching the four-yard line. While it looked like the Miners could retake the lead, a false start penalty on fourth down forced a field goal attempt. The 26-yard attempt was no good, giving the ball back to the T-birds with just over eight minutes to play.
Southern Utah took advantage of the missed field goal on its next drive, using nearly six minutes of the clock as they looked to pull off the upset. Driving 59 yards in 11 plays, Daniel King kicked a 38-yard field goal through the uprights to put the T-birds up 24-17 with 2:39 left.
The game wasn’t over, however, as UTEP drove down to the four-yard line with nine seconds to play. The Miners got revenge on the next play, using a trick play like SUU had earlier to score a touchdown with no time on the clock. The extra point attempt was good, and the game headed to overtime.
Overtime
The T-birds received the ball to begin the extra period, but back-to-back penalties nearly killed the drive altogether. Facing a second-and-34 from the 37-yard line, quarterback Jackson Berry ran 21 yards, which put SUU in field goal range. Two plays later, Danny King put the visitors in front with a 33-yard field goal, 27-24.
UTEP took over on the next drive, and it appeared that SUU had recorded the upset after a missed 38-yard field goal. However, Southern Utah was called for an offsides penalty on the missed attempt, giving the Miners a first down on the 15-yard line. UTEP wasn’t able to capitalize though, and once again lined up for a field goal attempt to tie the game and send it to a second overtime. The Miners kicked a 32-yard attempt, but the kick missed wide left and sealed the SUU upset victory.
Top performers
Southern Utah won the game thanks to a big performance on the ground, led by Targhee Lambson. The T-birds racked up 268 rushing yards in the game, led by 183 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries from Lambson.
Jackson Berry played a solid game at quarterback for SUU, completing 10-of-17 passes for 75 yards and adding 53 rushing yards on 13 carries. Most importantly, Berry did not commit any turnovers, which proved vital in a tight contest.
Junior Kameron Rocha led the defensive side of the ball for the T-birds, recording 9 tackles and 2 tackles-for-loss. Kohner Cullimore chipped in with 8 tackles and 1.5 TFLs.
A historic result
The win over FBS foe UTEP of Conference USA was a historic upset and is one of the greatest wins in the Division I FCS era of Southern Utah football.
SUU has now defeated four FBS programs in school history, with the last happening on August 29, 2013, at South Alabama. The T-birds also defeated UNLV on September 24, 2011 (41-16) and Arkansas State on September 20, 1997 (34-24).
Birds are Flying High! ✈️#Elevate ⚡️ #TBirdNation ⚡️ #RaiseTheHammer pic.twitter.com/GQxPl6HMSf
— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) September 8, 2024
Up next
Southern Utah (1-1) returns to Cedar City for its home opener next.
The T-birds will face FCS No. 18 UC Davis on Saturday, September 14 at 6 p.m. MT. The game can be seen on ESPN+.
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