In its final non-conference game, the SUU football team fell behind early and couldn’t recover in a 38-28 loss to the Idaho State Bengals.
The Bengals notched the game’s first touchdown, scoring on their first drive to take a 7-0 lead after forcing an SUU punt.
SUU marched to the ISU 33-yard line on its next possession, but a sack on second down gave the T-birds a long third down. The offense could not convert, setting up a fourth-and-seven that SUU went for. However, the attempt was no good, giving the ball back to Idaho State.
The Bengals took advantage of the turnover on downs and just over four and a half minutes later marched into the endzone for a 14-0 lead.
Southern Utah responded early in the second quarter, capping a five-play, 54-yard drive with a Jackson Berry touchdown pass to Gabe Nunez to make the score 14-7.
The first play of the second quarter 🤌🏼@jacksonberryyyy to @nunez_gabe_9
⚡️: 7
🐅: 14#Elevate ⚡️ #TBirdNation⚡️#RaiseTheHammer pic.twitter.com/RH9OAMMZ3k— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) September 21, 2024
The momentum would not carry any further for the T-birds, and Idaho State would add a touchdown and field goal in the quarter to take a 24-7 halftime lead.
Second half
It appeared SUU would score the only points of the third quarter with 40 seconds left, when Jackson Berry scampered into the endzone to cut the deficit to 24-14.
Instead, the Bengals responded immediately, needing just one play to sprint down the field for a 75-yard touchdown run to push the lead back to 17 (31-14).
Southern Utah scored an early touchdown in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit back 10 with 12:24 to play. But it was too little, too late for the T-birds, as they were unable to get any closer from there.
Idaho State added another touchdown with just under two minutes to go, and a late SUU touchdown with six seconds remaining made the final score 38-28.
Despite outgaining the Bengals in the game – including rushing for 218 yards – SUU was unable to secure the win.
Targhee Lambson once again led the offensive attack for Southern Utah, racking up 172 yards and a score on 26 carries. Shane Carr led the receiving corps, catching seven passes for 104 yards and a touchdown.
The T-birds were gouged by 262 yards on the ground from ISU, while also committing nine penalties for 105 yards in the loss.
Up next
Southern Utah (1-3) travels to Tennessee next, opening United Athletic Conference action at Austin Peay.
The T-birds and Governors will square off on Saturday, September 28 at 12 p.m. MT, and the game can be seen on ESPN+.
