CEDAR CITY, Utah - Get ready for an electrifying showdown as the Southern Utah Thunderbirds take on the Tarleton Texans this Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Stephenville, Texas. The game promises to be a thrilling clash of contrasting styles, with the Thunderbirds hunting for their first United Athletic Conference win, while the Texans aim to build on their impressive 4-1 start. 

Game Information

Southern Utah at Tarleton

Date: October 7th, 2023

Kickoff Time: 6:00 PM MT

Venue: Memorial Stadium 

Stream: ESPN+

Radio: KSUB 590

Stats: LiveStats

Coach DeLane Fitzgerald Said

"They are a well-coached football team by Todd Whitten… There is not a better person not a more classy guy in this profession than Todd Whitten"

"They run Coach Whitten's offense with the same principles that he's done for 10 or 15 years. This is the first year of him not calling the offense but I'll bet their offensive coordinator can probably teach you the mesh offense and the mesh passing routes probably 25 different ways."

"Tyrone Nix is a great defensive coordinator. This is his second season as DC there, but the head coach, coordinators, and the coaching staff are doing a really nice job there" 

Check out this Week's Coaches Show

The Game

The Thunderbirds have had a challenging start to the season, sitting at 1-4. They're coming off a heartbreaking 29-27 loss to #25 Central Arkansas, a game that saw improvement fall just short of the goal. With an average of 24.40 points per game and a well-rounded offense, Southern Utah has shown the potential to get the ball across the goal line.

The Tarleton Texans have been in impressive form this season, boasting a 4-1 record. Their latest triumph, a hard-fought 14-13 road victory over Southeastern Louisiana, showcased their ability to grind out wins even in tight matchups.

Key Matchup Factors:

• Offensive Clash: The Thunderbirds' prolific passing game against the Texans' sturdy defense will be a key matchup to watch. Can Tarleton's defense continue to stifle opposing quarterbacks, or will Southern Utah's passing attack find a way to break through?

• Ground Battle: Tarleton's strong rushing attack could set the tone on the ground averaging 158.2 yards per game. Can the Thunderbirds' stout run defense (77 yards per game against) contain the Texans' rushers, or will Tarleton's ground game prove too much to handle?

• Turnover Battle: Winning the turnover battle will be crucial, as it could swing momentum in favor of the team that capitalizes on their opponent's mistakes. 

Key T-Birds to Watch:

The Southern Utah Thunderbirds' offensive lineup boasts key players who hold pivotal roles in both the running and passing games. In the rushing department, Braedon Wissler and Targhee Lambson have emerged as standout performers, with Wissler gaining 58 yards on the ground against Central Arkansas and Lambson impressively scoring two touchdowns against Western Illinois. These two dynamic athletes are eager to deliver a breakout performance in week six. Meanwhile, returning quarterback, Justin Miller, maintains an impressive passer rating of 123.54, highlighting his efficiency in the passing game. Miller has already racked up 1110 passing yards and 11 touchdowns, with Zach Mitchell and Isaiah Wooden emerging as his primary targets. Mitchell's impressive average of 76.40 receiving yards per game speaks to his reliability, while Wooden's remarkable four touchdowns showcase his big-play capability. Timothy Patrick impressed the crowd last Saturday with three touchdown receptions.  

Southern Utah University's defense has been characterized by tenacity and a knack for making crucial plays in the early stages of the 2023 season. Led by standout defenders such as linebackers Kohner Cullimore and Aubrey Nellems, as well as defensive back Trevon Gola-Callard, the Thunderbirds have consistently demonstrated their ability to disrupt opposing offenses. Cullimore, in particular, has been a dominant force on the field, amassing an impressive 38 total tackles and registering 5 tackles for a loss, continually pressuring opposing quarterbacks. Nellems is close behind with 27 tackles to his name, while Gola-Callard rounds out the top three with 34 tackles. The Thunderbirds' defense has also applied relentless pressure on opposing offenses, thanks to their formidable pass rushers up front.

The secondary has been fortified by safety George Ramirez and defensive back Lacarea Pleasant-Johnson, who have collectively contributed 40 tackles and provided crucial pass defense. Safety Quadir Lockett-Smith has emerged as a ballhawk, tallying 17 tackles, four tackles for loss, and securing an interception. The Thunderbirds' defense has showcased its prowess in disrupting opposing ground attacks, holding teams to an average of 77.8 rushing yards through the first five games. That mark ranks the Thunderbirds 6th nationally in stopping the run. Their defensive prowess is sure to be a critical asset in the upcoming matchup.

Tracking The Texans

Victor Gabalis (#11, QB) has been leading the Tarleton passing attack with authority. In five games, he has a passer rating of 120.76, completing 80 of 150 passes for 1,104 yards and 8 touchdowns. He has shown accuracy, completing 53.33% of his passes. Keylan Johnson (#5, WR) has been the primary deep threat for Tarleton, averaging an incredible 32.00 yards per reception. In five games, he has caught 9 passes for 288 yards and scored 5 touchdowns. His ability to stretch the field and find the end zone makes him a game-changer. Benjamin Omayebu (#10, WR) has been a consistent target for the Texans. He has 34 receptions for 292 yards, averaging 8.59 yards per catch. While he hasn't scored a touchdown yet, his reliability and ability to move the chains have been crucial for sustaining drives. Jaden Smith (#7, WR) has contributed with 10 receptions for 161 yards, averaging 16.10 yards per catch. He's found the end zone once and has the ability to make big plays down the field.

Derrel Kelley III (#9, RB) has been a standout performer in the Tarleton rushing attack. In five games, he has carried the ball 64 times for 353 yards, averaging an impressive 5.5 yards per carry. He has found the end zone twice and has a long run of 40 yards. Kelley's ability to break tackles and gain yards after contact makes him a potent weapon in the Texans' ground game. Kayvon Britten (#4, RB) has been another valuable asset in the Tarleton backfield. With 332 rushing yards on 70 carries, he's shown consistency, averaging 4.7 yards per attempt. Britten has reached the end zone five times and brings a powerful presence to the running game.

Patrick Jones (#1, DB) has been a force on the Tarleton defense, recording 36 total tackles in five games. He's shown his versatility with 1 interception and 2 pass breakups, making him a valuable asset in both stopping the run and defending against the pass. Blake Smith (#27, DB) has been a tackling machine, tallying 25 total tackles in five games. He's also contributed with 1 interception and 2 forced fumbles, showcasing his ability to create turnovers and disrupt opposing offenses. Kyle Taylor (#10, LB) has been a disruptive presence with 22 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks. His ability to penetrate the offensive line and generate pressure on quarterbacks has been crucial for the Texans. O'tay Baker (#9, LB) has been a standout on the field, recording 18 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks in five games. His ability to get into the backfield and disrupt plays has made him a key contributor to the Texans' pass rush.

Qua'Shawn Washington (#0, LB) has been a versatile playmaker, contributing with 23 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and 2 quarterback hurries. He's also shown coverage skills with 1 interception and 2 pass breakups. Jalen Carr (#4, DB) has been a ball hawk in the secondary, recording 16 total tackles, 1 interception, and 4 pass breakups in just three games. His ability to read quarterbacks and make plays on the football has been a valuable asset for the Texans. Ty Rawls (#6, LB) has been a versatile contributor with 16 total tackles, 1 interception, and 1 quarterback hurry. His ability to make plays in coverage and contribute in run support makes him a well-rounded defensive asset. These defensive players, along with the rest of the Tarleton Texans' defense, have showcased their abilities to make tackles, create turnovers, and disrupt opposing offenses.

Last Time Out: Southern Utah vs Central Arkansas 

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. 

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 Horseyand 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.

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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