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CEDAR CITY, Utah - Sept. 24 - Southern Utah University football will open its Big Sky Conference slate when the Thunderbirds host in-state rival Weber State on Saturday night. Both teams will be looking for the first victory of the season after matching 0-4 starts to begin the 2014 campaign.

The Thunderbirds' schedule has been one of the most difficult in school history with a pair of FBS opponents and two FCS foes that have been ranked among the top-15 in the nation. The start has included losses at Nevada (28-19), No. 3 Southeastern Louisiana (41-14) and Fresno State (56-16) and a home opening loss to No. 11 South Dakota State (26-6).

The games have all been competitive, but Southern Utah has found its defense on the field for close to 100 plays more than the offense. The discrepancy has led to SUU opponents averaging 525.0 yards per game, including 275.8 yards on the ground and 249.2 yards in the air and 37.8 points per game.

More time on the field for the defense has also led to greater opportunities as the Thunderbirds have intercepted a pass in each game this season. Miles Killebrew continued the trend in Fresno, picking off his second pass of the year. Interceptions have also played a part for Southern Utah on offense as the T-Birds have thrown picks returned for touchdowns in each of the past three games.

Chinedu Ahanonu is currently second in the Big Sky and second in the FCS with 55 tackles on the year, averaging 13.8 per game. Fellow linebacker Josh Kariya is also among the conference leaders, ranking fifth with 42 tackles on the year and averaging 10.5 per game. Miles Killebrew and James Cowser round out the top 10 in tackles in the conference, averaging 9.5 per game.

Cowser is also atop the league in sacks, ranking second with 4.0 and is first in the league in tackles for loss, totaling 11.0 so far this season for 35 yards. The mark in TFLs is also third in the nation among FCS programs.

Offensively, Southern Utah is averaging 125.8 yards per game rushing, 222.2 yards per game passing and 13.8 points per game. Quarterback Ammon Olsen played all but the final series in Southern Utah's loss at Fresno State and had his best game of the year, throwing for over 300 yards (314) with two touchdowns. The junior also carried the ball for 16 yards. Olsen's arm strength was on display as he completed passes of 61 yards to Justin Brown and 32 yards to Mitch Jessop.

Scouting Weber State

Weber State has opened the year with losses at Arizona State (45-14), Sacramento State (42-31) and Stephen F. Austin (35-20) in addition to a home opening loss to No. 1 North Dakota State (24-7).

The Wildcats have struggled to contain opponents' running attacks during the year, allowing 859 yards on the ground with teams averaging 214.8 yards per game and totaling 13 touchdowns. Big plays have also been costly to WSU as opponents have averaged 13.9 yards per catch in the passing game and have scored more points on fewer plays.

Weber State's offense will have a familiar look to Southern Utah fans as former Thunderbird offensive coordinator Steve Clark is at the reins with a former BYU quarterback taking the snaps. Transfer Billy Green has totaled 1,046 yards in the air so far this season completing 106 passes on 181 attempts with two interceptions and five touchdowns.

Green's favorite target has been wide receiver Shaydon Kehano with the senior leading the team in receptions (38), yards (393) and touchdowns (4). Running back Zach Smith has shouldered the load in the rushing game, leading the team with 58 attempts, 331 yards and two touchdowns.

Defensively, Emmett Tela leads the team with 37 tackles, including a team-best 3.5 tackles for loss. Jake Gallegos has recorded half of the teams' three sacks during the year and Josh Burton and Deon'tae Florence are tied for the team lead with one interception apiece.

The defense also has Southern Utah ties with former Thunderbird defensive coordinator Justin Ena now in charge of the Weber State side. The final tie to SUU resides in wide receiver coach Fesi Sitake who was a player and former coach for the Thunderbirds.

The Series

Weber State holds a narrow 7-5 advantage over Southern Utah since the 1988-89 season, the first Division I season for SUU. The universities have met each of the past three consecutive seasons with the road team coming away with the victory in each contest. The pass three games have all been decided by seven points or less.

Last time against Weber State

OGDEN, Utah, Nov. 9, 2013 – Southern Utah scored 24 unanswered points to take a 24-7 lead early in the fourth quarter then held on to post a 27-21 win over Weber State.

Last Week

FRESNO, Calif. - Sept. 20 - Southern Utah University football took its first lead of the year, but was too late in answering a Fresno State 35-point run and fell to the Bulldogs 56-16 on the road.

Looking Ahead

Southern Utah will continue Big Sky Conference play at Cal Poly next weekend in California.