ARLINGTON, Texas – Justin Miller and Brandon Schenks connected for three touchdowns on offense, and the defense stepped up in the second half to seal the win as the Southern Utah University football team defeated Tarleton State, 40-35, at Choctaw Stadium Saturday night for its first victory of 2021.

The win improved Southern Utah to 1-2 on the year while Tarleton State dropped to an identical 1-2.

"It feels good," said SUU head coach Demario Warren. "We had to get one win out of conference. We didn't play our best football today, but we gutted it out. We needed to get into the fourth quarter of a tight game and see if we could execute. It's not the way I wanted to win, and I thought we could have put them away earlier, but the defense came away with two big stops at the end of the game and I'm excited that the offense could punch it in and take the lead. We have a team that can win a close game."

After losing five games by a combined 15 points last season, including each game being a one-possession game and coming down to the final drive, SUU was able to practice what it had been preaching the entire offseason and finish off Saturday night's victory. The T-Birds allowed only seven points defensively in the second half after giving up 28 before the halftime break. The offense also scored on a game-winning drive with under two minutes to play.

SUU's offense outgained Tarleton State 459-415 in total yardage for the game, including a 304-256 advantage in passing yards. Miller threw for 304 yards and four touchdowns on the night, and Schenks led the team in receiving yards with 109. Karris Davis led a five-headed rushing attack for the Thunderbirds with 50 yards and a score. Thomas Duckett also chipped in 40 yards on the ground.

Defensively, the T-Birds got a huge boost from All-American linebacker La'akea Kaho'ohanohano-Davis who led the team in tackles for a second straight game with 12. The Hawaii native also tallied a sack in addition to a game-clinching interception. AJ Stanley and Francis Bemiy were right behind Kaho'ohanohano-Davis with 11 tackles apiece.

The Thunderbirds started the game red hot, scoring touchdowns on their first three drives of the game. SUU took its first possession of the game 84 yards down the field and capped the drive with Miller's first passing touchdown of the season. David Atencio caught the opening score on a 16-yard strike.

Miller and Schenks made two of their three touchdown connections on the ensuing drives, but the Texans had an answer every time to keep the game close. Tarleton State then took its first lead of the game on a pick-six to make the score 28-21. Miller and Schenks would not let the T-Birds trail for long, though, as they hooked up for a third time to even up the score at 28-28 before the half.

After all sorts of offensive fireworks in the opening half, the third quarter saw the tempo change into a defensive battle. Southern Utah's defense clamped down and forced the first-three punts of the game, while the offense was able to regain the lead on a David Moore III rushing touchdown from six yards out. Moore's touchdown was set up by a long run from Davis who broke a tackle and gained 28 yards. The Thunderbirds went on to miss the PAT after the score, which proved costly when Tarleton State scored a few possessions later to take a 35-34 advantage.

The Southern Utah offense went three and out on the following drive, but punter Jake Gerardi pinned the Texans on their own four yard line which set up a huge stop by the T-Bird defense. The offense took possession of the ball with just over two minutes left on the clock and was able to drive all the way down to the three yard line where Davis punched in what would turn out to be the game-winning touchdown.

The Texans took over looking for a touchdown drive with 1:34 remaining in the game, but SUU's defense stepped up once again and sealed the victory when Alonzo (L.J.) Davis tipped a pass and Kaho'ohanohano-Davis came down with the interception.

The T-Birds' victory closes out the nonconference portion of the schedule as SUU now prepares to welcome a top-10 Eastern Washington team to open Big Sky play on Saturday, September 25. The contest against EWU will serve as Southern Utah's home opener and homecoming game. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. MT, and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

"We know our work is cut out for us next week," Warren said. "We have a top-10 team coming into Eccles Coliseum, but we haven't played a real home game in a long time, so I'm excited to get back in front of our fans. We have one of the best student sections in the country, so I can't wait to see those guys out there next Saturday."

POSTGAME NOTES

-Schenks scored three touchdowns in a single game for the second time in his career. Last season, the sophomore receiver caught three scores in the team's season opener at Northern Arizona.

-Moore III recorded a rushing touchdown for the second-consecutive game

-For the second game this season, Southern Utah's offensive line did not allow Miller to be sacked for the entire game.

-The Thunderbirds did not punt until the 5:20 mark in the fourth quarter

-SUU's defense has forced a turnover in all three games this season

POSTGAME QUOTES

"This was awesome to see. Just the belief and execution late. We made some early mistakes. We gave them a wheel route where we didn't cover the back, we gave up a third down conversion on a busted coverage, and so just being able to hone into your assignment at the end of the game was huge. I'm excited for our defense and for coach Bala. I know he wanted to get that monkey off his back."

-Warren on the team executing late to get a close win

"He's just phenomenal. That dude plays his heart out. He will make a mistake here or there, but I know he is giving me everything he's got."

-Warren on Kaho'ohanohano-Davis making a key sack and interception late in the game

"I love this team. We've worked our butts off, and I'm just excited we got a chance to celebrate. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ gave us the opportunity to come and play against Tarleton out here in Texas, and I just couldn't be more happy for our guys."

-Warren on how he feels about his team's growth from last season

"We just have to get better. We can only focus on us. We're not going to get any better by pressing. We just have to go back to our rules, have a good meeting on Monday, and put this game to bed before we get ready for Eastern Washington. Their quarterback is really good, but I think our offense is really good too. Our defense is starting to come along. They played a heck of a second half only giving up one touchdown after the way they played in the first half."

-Warren on preparing for Eastern Washington next week

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