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CEDAR CITY, Utah – Oct. 21 – The SUU football team will return home to face the University of North Dakota at Eccles Coliseum this Saturday at 1:05 p.m. They will look to get their second win as they face a stifling North Dakota defense.
The Thunderbirds are coming off a loss to Idaho State last week where the Thunderbirds gave up 670 yards of offense. They themselves put up 557 yards of offense but it wasn't enough, as they would lose, 56-28. Quarterback Ammon Olsen accounted for 95 percent of the Thunderbird offense as he threw for 528 yards, and ran for two more yards. He finished the day with three touchdowns and two interceptions. The rushing game was non-existent as the Thunderbirds only gained 29 yards on the ground, proving to be the difference maker in the loss. Chris Robinson had another stand out game for SUU, making nine catches for 191 yards and one touchdown.
The Thunderbird defense will be led by again by Chinedu Ahanonu and James Cowser, as they face a conservative North Dakota offense. Ahanonu has totaled 107 tackles for the season with one sack and one interception. Cowser currently has 8.5 sacks on the season and 19.5 tackles for loss.
Big Sky Individual Standings
Josh Smith is tied for second in the Big Sky with three interceptions on the year. He needs just one more to be tied for first.
Ammon Olsen moved up to sixth place in passing yards per game, seventh in pass efficiency and fifth in total offense.
Chris Robinson moved into the rankings and is tied for ninth in receptions per game and is sixth in receiving yards per game.
Tate Lewis is fourth in punt average at 43.8.
Chinedu Ahanonu is second in the Big Sky in tackles per game with an average of 13.4.
Josh Kariya is ninth in total tackles with a 9.6 average per game.
Miles Killebrew is ninth in total tackles with a 9.1 average per game. He is also fifth in passes defended.
James Cowser leads the conference in Tackles for loss with 19.5 and is second in the conference in sacks with 8.5.
Scouting North Dakota
This week the 'Birds will face a defense that ranks second in the Big Sky in scoring, first in rushing defense, fourth in pass defense, and is second over in total defense. Luckily, the Thunderbirds offense is clicking at the right time.
While North Dakota has a tenacious defense, their offense ranks near the bottom of the Big Sky standings in almost every statistical category. Look for the Thunderbird defense to gain some confidence in this one after giving up 56 points to Idaho State.
Promotions
This Saturday we will feature the fall youth sports here in Cedar City. Any kid wearing their youth sports jersey will receive a free ticket to the game as well as any youth cheerleader wearing their uniform.
SUU football will also be raising awareness of domestic violence in support of the local Canyon Creek Women's Crisis Center.
Looking ahead
Next week the Thunderbirds have their bye week and will prepare to face Sacramento State in Sacramento on November 8.
The Series
The series between the two programs is all knotted up at 3-3. North Dakota got the most recent win in 2012, edging the Thunderbirds in North Dakota 33-29.
