BROOKINGS, S.D. -- The Thunderbird football team competed in their final non-conference game of the 2019 campaign on Saturday night as they fell to the No. 3 ranked Jackrabbits of South Dakota State 43-7 on the road. 

The Jackrabbits struck first with 6:24 to play in the opening quarter on a 30-yard touchdown throw to jump ahead 7-0. 

SDSU would add two more touchdowns in the second quarter to extend their lead to 21-0 thanks to back-to-back rushing scores. 

It took nearly the entire opening half, but the Thunderbirds were able to get on the board with 29 seconds remaining to cut the SDSU lead to 21-7. Chris Helbig scored his fourth touchdown of the year on the ground to give the T-Birds some momentum heading into the second half.  

Unfortunately for the T-Birds, they had two missed field goal opportunities in the opening half.  

The second half was all Jackrabbits, as SDSU scored 22 unanswered points to extend their advantage to 43-7 and secure the victory. 

Helbig finished the game with 211 yards through the air on 26 completions. 

Lance Lawson was his top target with nine catches for 75 yards. Isaiah Diego-Williams caught four passes for 23 yards. 

James Felila was the top back on the ground with 14 carriers for 46 yards. 

Defensively, Nela Otukolo led the team with seven total tackles. Nathaniel Vaughn finished the night with six. Both Vaughn and Carlton Johnson had interceptions in the contest. 

The Thunderbirds will return to Eccles Coliseum next weekend to open Big Sky Conference play against the Cal Poly Mustangs for Southern Utah's annual Homecoming Game. 

Keep tabs on the Thunderbirds throughout the entire Big Sky Kickoff by following @SUUFB on Twitter and Instagram and by liking the Southern Utah Football page on Facebook. 

Single game tickets and season tickets are available for the remainder of the 2019 campaign at www.tbirdtickets.com or at the America First Event Center Ticket Office.