Facing No. 17/18 Abilene Christian on the road, the T-birds dropped a close contest on Saturday afternoon, 28-25.
The SUU football team let a big opportunity slip away on Saturday, and now they are all but out of the race for a United Athletic Conference title.
Once again, the T-birds fell in a close game, a theme all too familiar in the last few seasons.
With an opportunity to take down a ranked opponent on the road and move into sole possession of second place, the T-birds’ slow start again doomed them to defeat.
Sound familiar? It was nearly the same script as the home game against Tarleton State a few weeks ago. SUU would fall into a 21-0 hole and couldn’t recover, losing a game that had repercussions on the title race.
For some reason, the T-birds could not get started when the game and the other team did, ultimately costing them the game.
Around five minutes into the second quarter, the Wildcats had taken a three-score lead (21-0).
Digging out of the deficit
SUU began to chip away, responding with a field goal before halftime. The T-birds scored the only points of quarter three, thanks to a 3-yard scamper by running back Targhee Lambson following a 76-yard run earlier in the drive.
Big PLAY! @nolimit_targ and he punches it in a couple plays later!
⚡️: 10
🐱: 21 pic.twitter.com/KJ6OVBvKyp— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) November 2, 2024
Abilene Christian would answer with a touchdown under five minutes into the final frame, making it a 28-10 game with under 10 minutes remaining.
The SUU offense was able to get another score via Lambson around the six-minute mark, cutting the deficit back to 11 (28-17).
He is approaching 200 yards on the day with this TD! @nolimit_targ
⚡️: 17
🐱: 28 pic.twitter.com/8HdjTPVhG0— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) November 2, 2024
Southern Utah’s defense would make the next big play, as George Ramirez intercepted a pass on the next ACU drive and took it all the way to the 1-yard line. One play later, Lambson was in the endzone with his third score of the day, making it 28-25 following a successful two-point conversion.
Interception with a big return for @gramirez_9 @nolimit_targ puts it in the endzone on the next play and gets the 2pt. conversion
⚡️: 25
🐱: 28 pic.twitter.com/L0cFIi2RUw— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) November 2, 2024
Big mistake in a big moment
After forcing the Wildcats into a three-and-out, the Thunderbirds’ offense took over with 2:41 on the clock and a chance to tie or take the lead.
Instead, SUU fumbled the ball on the fourth play of the drive and any chance of completing the comeback ended. Abilene Christian ran out the clock to seal the 28-25 win.
Targhee Lambson led the Southern Utah offense once again, racking up 198 yards and 3 touchdowns on 27 carries.
Coach Fitzgerald postgame
Up next
Southern Utah (4-5, 3-2 UAC) returns to Cedar City to battle North Alabama next.
The T-birds and Lions will face off on Saturday, Nov. 9, with kickoff slated for 2 p.m. MT. The game can be seen on ESPN+.
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