CEDAR CITY, Utah - In a thrilling football clash, Southern Utah engaged in a fierce contest against #25 Central Arkansas, concluding with a final score of 29-27 in favor of the Bears. The game featured impressive performances on both sides of the ball and high-stakes plays that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very end despite a lightning delay. 

Head Coach DeLane Fitzgerald Said

1st Quarter: Thunderbirds Fall behind

The Bears received the opening kick and had to settle for a 34-yard field goal after marching down the field and being stopped by a tough T-Bird defense. Stingy defense by both teams characterized the majority of the first quarter but Central Arkansas broke through on an 18-yard touchdown pass with just over a minute to go in the quarter. 

2nd Quarter: Thunderbirds Get on the Board

The Thunderbirds started the second quarter off by capitalizing on good field position with an eight-yard touchdown pass from Justin Miller to Timothy Patrick to make the score 10-7. The Bears bounced back quickly driving 65 yards in just eight plays to score again and extend the lead back to 10. The T-Birds went three and out the following possession and Central Arkansas drove the ball back down the field settling for their second field goal of the game, a 34-yard blast by Gaster. Southern Utah looked like they had found a rhythm driving down the field, but when the drive stalled the Thunderbirds sent out the field goal unit but the kick sailed just right of the uprights. The Bears looked to answer with a long field goal of their own as the clock hit zeros but Gaster's kick flew to the right of the goalposts making the halftime score 20-7 in favor of the Bears. 

3rd Quarter: The Action Continues 

Southern Utah, refusing to back down, managed to score again with a touchdown pass early in the third. Justin Miller found Zach Mitchell on a 22-yard pass, cutting the deficit to 20-14. The action didn't slow down as Central Arkansas added back to their lead with a touchdown pass from McElvain to Kylin James, stretching their advantage to 26-14. 

Lightning Delay:

For the second time this season, the Thunderbirds were forced to take a break from action as lightning began to strike all around Cedar City. The delay would last just over 40 minutes and would separate the third and fourth quarters. Much like the game at Arizona State, the T-Birds came out of the delay ready for action.

4th Quarter: Bears Hold On

The final quarter delivered the most intense moments of the game. Central Arkansas, determined to not let go, secured a field goal expanding the lead to 29-14. Southern Utah initiated a late-game surge with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Miller to Patrick, bringing the score to 29-21.  But the drama wasn't over yet. Southern Utah defensive back Cody Coleman gave the Thunderbirds another shot with an interception on the Bears side of the field. The drive looked like it might stall at the 20-yard line. In a fourth-and-three situation, Miller connected with Patrick for the pair's third touchdown of the game. The T-Birds elected to go for two but were unsuccessful. The Southern Utah defense stopped the Bears and forced a punt but were unable to complete the comeback as Central Arkansas' defense held. 

Offensive Leaders

Southern Utah's offensive leaders showcased their prowess in the game, contributing significantly to the Thunderbirds' impressive victory. Quarterback Justin Miller led the Thunderbird passing attack with a 106.4 passer rating. Miller completed 20 of 44 passes for 186 yards, connecting for 4 touchdowns. His top target was Timothy Patrick, who hauled in five receptions for 79 yards and scored three touchdowns. Other key contributors in the receiving corps included Isaiah Wooden and Zach Mitchell. Wooden recorded four catches for 47 yards, while Mitchell added four receptions for 25 yards, finding the end zone once.

On the ground, Braedon Wissler spearheaded the rushing attack, carrying the ball seven times for an impressive 61 yards, averaging 8.3 yards per carry. Targhee Lambson and Miller also contributed to the rushing game, albeit with more modest gains. Despite the challenging nature of the game, these offensive leaders for the Southern Utah Thunderbirds played pivotal roles in a hard-fought battle against the Bears.

Defensive Leaders

In the contest against Central Arkansas, the Thunderbirds had a formidable defense with some standout leaders. Defensive back Trevon Gola-Callard and linebacker Kohner Cullimore were tackling machines, each tallying 12 total tackles, while defensive lineman Robert Horsey and defensive end Julian Sanderlin showcased their disruptive prowess with seven tackles apiece, including tackles for loss. Defensive lineman Anisi Purcell, contributed both in tackles and as a pass rusher, recording seven tackles and one sack. In the secondary, Lacarea Pleasant-Johnson and AJ Felton displayed their pass defense skills with two pass breakups each, while Coleman grabbed a key interception.

Horsey, Purcell, and Aubrey Nellems led the Thunderbirds in sacks, each registering a sack. This defensive unit demonstrated resilience and playmaking ability against the Bear's powerful offense.  Southern Utah made some significant stops and created a pair of turnovers in the closely contested game.

Next Up

The Thunderbirds will head out on the road for a United Athletic Conference matchup with Tarleton State. Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m. MT and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+. 

Single Game Tickets

Single-game tickets for the 2023 season are now available. Get over to tbirdtickets.com to get your seats for this year's home games!

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