SACRAMENTO, Calif. – After falling behind early, the Southern Utah University football team went on to score 20 points, but it was not enough as Sacramento State claimed a 41-20 victory Saturday night at Hornet Stadium.

The setback dropped SUU to 1-5 on the season and 0-3 in Big Sky Play. The Hornets improved to 3-2 for the year and stayed unbeaten in league competition while moving to 2-0.

"We didn't come out ready to go," said SUU head coach Demario Warren. "They had two weeks to prepare and had a good game plan. We had a couple three and outs early, but they ran the ball well and we couldn't tackle them. Our guys battled and fought and tried to put themselves back in the game. I love their fight and I appreciate that they continue to work hard."

The Thunderbirds quickly found themselves in a hole when Sacramento State jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter. SUU appeared to be turning the tide when Isaiah Williams punched in his second touchdown of the season from five yards out. The score was set up by a huge pass from Justin Miller to Frank Harris III. The T-Birds set up the 40-yard strike on a flea flicker play. Miller handed the ball to Karris Davis who then pitched it back to his quarterback for the pass.

Southern Utah was unable to cut into the lead any further in the opening half, and the Hornets added one more touchdown to take a 24-7 advantage with them to the locker room.

After Sacramento State scored the first points of the second half, SUU was able to find the end zone again when Miller connected with Ethan Bolingbroke from 13 yards out to give the T-Birds their second score of the game. Southern Utah went for a two-point conversion to make it a two-possession game, but the try was unsuccessful.

The Hornets added 10 more points for the night before backup quarterback Tyler Skidmore entered the game and led SUU on one final drive. Skidmore and his running backs chipped away down the field before the sophomore quarterback hit David Atencio on a 29-yard pass to place the Thunderbirds at the one-yard line. Jordan Jefferson then capped the drive on a run up the middle to wrap up the scoring for the night.

Miller finished the game with 197 yards passing while Skidmore added 75. Bolingbroke was the top target on the night with eight catches while Harris III led the team in receiving yards with 72. Williams led the ground attack with seven carries and 31 yards for a score.

Defensively, the T-Birds were paced by All-American Linebacker La'akea Kaho'ohanohano-Davis who recorded nine tackles. Aubrey Nellems, Jayden Clark and Francis Bemiy each chipped in five tackles with Nellems and Bemiy earning tackles for loss.

SUU will remain on the road next week as it travels to Northern Arizona for a trophy game against the Lumberjacks. Kickoff is slated for 2:00 p.m. MT with the game available to stream on ESPN+.

POSTGAME NOTES

-Frank Harris III recorded career highs in both receptions and receiving yards with five catches for 72 yards

-Isaiah Williams became the second T-Bird with multiple rushing touchdowns after his visit to the end zone in the second quarter

-La'akea Kaho'ohanohano-Davis led the Thunderbirds in tackles for the fourth game this season

-Devon Sa'Chisolm recorded the first three receptions of his career Saturday. The first was a 17-yard completion to help SUU convert a 3rd down and 12

-Ethan Bolingbroke followed up his career night against Portland State with a new career high eight receptions to go with 59 yards and a touchdown

POSTGAME QUOTES

"Today was just tackling. I think that was the biggest thing. They made a couple plays on our corners who were right there. We knew this offense was good and we tried to adjust, but it was just too little too late. We just have to make sure we're in the right position to make plays and execute."

-Warren on the defense giving up too many big plays

"Ethan was behind some really good players for us who went down, so he got an opportunity and made the most of it. Isaiah is part of a loaded backfield but he's continued to try to be a spark plug for our offense."

-Warren on Bolingbroke and Williams stepping up the last two games

"We have a trophy game next week, so we just have to focus on that now. We'll watch the film and focus on how we can improve"

-Warren on the team regrouping and moving on to next week

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