Football 11/20/2011 2:17:00 AM SUU Strategic Communication

Sorensen Passes for 398 Yards as T-Birds Post 27-24 Victory at NAU

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Nov. 19 - Southern Utah University's Brad Sorensen threw for 398 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the Thunderbirds picked up a victory at Northern Arizona, 27-24, on Saturday afternoon. The result gives SUU a winning season with a finishing record of 6-5 and a perfect 3-0 mark against current Big Sky Conference teams (Sacramento State, Weber State) with the team set to transition to that conference in 2012-13.

"It seems every game we have with NAU is tremendously close and back-and-forth and has really been a heartbreaker for our guys lately and I hope this is a heartbreaker for NAU," head coach Ed Lamb said after the win. "We owe them one and I hope it builds a rivalry that the Big Sky has afforded us."

Northern Arizona jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter behind a pair of touchdowns by running back Zach Bauman. The sophomore ran for scores of 20 and 64 yards and finished the quarter with 109 yards on the ground, but finished the night with 157 overall as the SUU defense began to clamp down beginning in the second quarter.

Southern Utah put its first points on the board with a 23-yard field goal, trimming the margin to 14-3. Following an interception late in the quarter by Brad Sorensen, the Lumberjacks had the ball on the eight-yard line, but a staunch defense held NAU to a field goal to make the score 17-3.

On the ensuing possession, Southern Utah converted on a third and 17 with less than a minute on the clock as Sorensen found Jared Ursua for a 27-yard touchdown, making the score 17-10 on the successful PAT by Colton Cook. The score capped an eight-play, 69-yard drive for the Thunderbirds with the 17-10 score holding into the halftime break.

Southern Utah's defense made two big stops on Northern Arizona's first two drives of the third quarter, forcing a fumble at the SUU 2-yard line and then recording three consecutive losses on an NAU first and goal. The stops pushed the Lumberjacks back and a 30-yard Northern Arizona field goal was missed wide right on fourth down.

The T-Bird offense put points on the board and tied the game at 17-17 as a Henna Brown one-yard carry capped a four-play, 35-yard drive for the Thunderbirds with 1:12 remaining in the quarter.

Southern Utah took its first lead of the game on its opening possession of the fourth quarter as Sorensen found Abbel Aiono on a deep crossing pattern. Aiono rumbled down the field for 60 yards and the score to give the Thunderbirds a 24-17 lead following the PAT. The T-Bird defense then continued its strong play in the quarter with back-to-back sacks on third down, the first being negated by a penalty, to force the Lumberjacks to punt.

SUU capitalized on the stop and tacked on a 32-yard field goal by Cook with 6:46 remaining to extend the lead to 27-17. The drive clicked off close to four minutes from the game clock and featured a 46-yard run by Austin Minnefee on the second play from scrimmage.

Southern Utah's defense allowed its first points of the second half on the Lumberjacks subsequent drive as NAU marched 80 yards in nine plays to pull to within three, 27-24. Northern Arizona quarterback Cary Grossart capped the drive with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Ify Umodu.

The Thunderbirds got the ball with 3:01 left and were able to run out the clock to secure the victory. The biggest play on the final clock-killing series for Southern Utah was a 28-yard catch made by Fatu Moala on third down and nine to extend the drive. A final first-down run by Minnefee on third down and one put the finishing touches on the Thunderbird win.

Sorensen finished the game completing 29-of-41 passes and racking up 389 yards in the air. Jared Ursua led all Thunderbird receivers with 135 yards on nine receptions and a touchdown. Minnefee ended the night with 96 yards on the ground.

The victory caps a winning season, marking back-to-back victorious campaigns for Southern Utah as the T-Birds finished the year at 6-5.

"For us to get to a winning season with a win is sweet and gives us a lot of momentum for the offseason," Lamb concluded. "There are so many lessons to be learned this year for our underclassmen that will translate into a better squad next year and I'm excited for that."

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Players Mentioned

#15 Abbel Aiono: TE; 6' 3"; Senior

#7 Henna Brown: RB; 6' 0"; Junior

#95 Colton Cook: K; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#8 Fatu Moala: WR; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#4 Brad Sorensen: QB; 6' 5"; Junior

#5 Jared Ursua: WR; 5' 11"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#15 Abbel Aiono
: 6' 3"; Senior
: TE

#7 Henna Brown
: 6' 0"; Junior
: RB

#95 Colton Cook
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: K

#8 Fatu Moala
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: WR

#4 Brad Sorensen
: 6' 5"; Junior
: QB

#5 Jared Ursua
: 5' 11"; Senior
: WR