CEDAR CITY, Utah - Saturday will be Senior Day for the Thunderbirds football program, and Coach DeLane Fitzgerald would love to send these guys out on a big win. The T-Birds will be taking on Lincoln University at 1:00 p.m. in Eccles Coliseum. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Game Information
Southern Utah vs. Lincoln
Date: November 4th, 2023
Kickoff Time: 1:00 PM MT
Venue: Eccles Coliseum
Stream: ESPN+
Radio: KSUB 590
Stats: LiveStats
Coach DeLane Fitzgerald Said
"The most important thing about Saturday is that it is Senior Day. We're going to say goodbye to two handfuls of seniors and we need to do it the right way."
"Lincoln is coming in here with a new offensive coordinator and a brand new offense. They're playing much better football and have improved dramatically from a year ago."
Check out this Week's Coaches Show
Senior Day
This Saturday we will take the chance to honor the Seniors who will be playing in their final home game. These dedicated players have given a lot to the program in their time as Thunderbirds. Here is a list of those who will be honored before the opening kickoff.
#2 WR- Timothy Patrick Jr.
#4 DE- Julian Sanderlin
#4 WR- Ethan Bolingbroke
#7 CB- AJ Felton
#8 WR- Isaiah Wooden
#10 CB- Jordan Washington
#12 QB- Justin Miller
#22 LB- Aubrey Nellems
#23 RB- Landon Freeman
#24 DB- Cody Coleman
#44 DL- Robert Horsey
#52 DL- Aaron Romero
The Game
The Thunderbirds are coming off a dominant 52-14 victory over Abilene Christian, showcasing their offensive firepower. Their balanced attack, with both a strong ground game and a potent passing attack, makes them a versatile threat to their opponents. With a solid defense that allows just 27.75 points per game, they have the potential to control the game on both ends of the field.
In stark contrast, the Oaklanders have grappled with offensive struggles, only managing an average of 9.7 points per game. Their passing game has shown potential, averaging 136.8 yards per game, but their rushing game lags behind with 87.7 yards per game. The team's defense has been conceding an average of 40.0 points per game.
Key T-Birds to Watch:
The offensive lineup of the Southern Utah Thunderbirds has been coming on strong for the last couple of weeks. A balanced attack has contributed to back-to-back high-scoring contests. In the rushing department, Braedon Wissler and Targhee Lambson have stood out, with Wissler leading the way at 441 yards. Lambson had a breakout performance last week scoring three total touchdowns and rushing for over 100 yards. Their contributions have in turn opened up the passing game. Quarterback, Justin Miller, maintains an impressive passer rating of 136.42, including an impressive 201.7 QBR last week against the Wildcats. Miller has already accumulated 1,715 passing yards and 17 touchdowns.
Isaiah Wooden has been the primary target for the Miller for the last two seasons and will look to continue his impressive season this week in his final home contest. Wooden has racked up 566 receiving yards this season and 1,398 over his career as a T-Bird. Timothy Patrick has also put up quite an impressive stat line with 18 catches for 261 yards and four touchdowns. In all, eight different receivers have scored touchdowns this season. The Thunderbirds also have six athletes with more than 100 yards receiving this season.
The Thunderbird defense has been led by several standout athletes. Aubrey Nellems leads all tacklers with 57 total takedowns while Kohner Cullimore and Trevon Gola-Callard are right behind him with 56 apiece. The Thunderbirds have consistently shown their ability to disrupt opposing offenses. The defensive front has been led by graduate transfer defensive lineman Robert Horsey. Horsey has accumulated 30 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and eight tackles for a loss. Anisi Purcell leads the teams in sacks this season with four.
The secondary has been bolstered by safety George Ramirez and defensive back Quadir Lockett-Smith, who have collectively contributed 60 tackles and provided crucial pass defense. Cornerback AJ Felton has emerged as a ballhawk, tallying a team-leading seven pass breakups and three interceptions. The Thunderbirds' defense has demonstrated that it can limit opposing offenses giving up just 109 yards per game of rushing. The T-Birds held ACU to just 79 passing yards last week and will look to stop the Oaks at every opportunity this Saturday.
A Look at Lincoln
Let's delve into the offensive leaders for the Lincoln Oaklanders, highlighting their impressive all-purpose yards and contributions to the team's performance. First, we have Otis Weah, who has showcased his versatility in nine games played. Weah has accumulated 646 rushing yards and 225 receiving yards, resulting in a total of 871 all-purpose yards. With an average of 96.8 all-purpose yards per game, he stands out as a dynamic force on the field, capable of impacting both the ground and air game. Weah is undoubtedly one of the key playmakers to watch for the Oaklanders.
Shamon Gennes is another standout offensive leader, having participated in all nine games. Gennes has added 274 receiving yards, as well as contributing 5 punt return yards and an impressive 259 kickoff return yards. This combination results in a total of 538 all-purpose yards, and he maintains an average of 59.8 all-purpose yards per game. Gennes not only provides a reliable target in the passing game but also offers a valuable dimension to special teams. Quarterback Tj Goodwin has thrown for 1187 yards and nine touchdowns this season. Goodwin connected on two touchdown passes last week against the Owls. These players are vital components of the Lincoln Oaklanders' offensive strategy and are poised to make a significant impact in the upcoming games as they strive for a breakthrough in the win column.
The Lincoln Oaklanders' defensive unit, despite a challenging season, boasts standout players who have made substantial contributions. Marquise Lawson, a dominant force, played in all nine games, amassing 50 total tackles, 8 tackles for loss (35 yards), 3 sacks (23 lost yards), an interception, and a blocked play. He's been a linchpin in disrupting opposing offenses.
Sheick Diakite has also been notable, with 34 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss (26 lost yards), 1.5 sacks (21 lost yards), and a crucial quarterback hurry. His ability to pressure quarterbacks and disrupt opposing teams has been a key asset. These players form the foundation of the Oaklanders' defense, showcasing resilience and determination in the face of challenges, with their roles pivotal as the team continues to pursue success in upcoming matchups.
Last Time Out: Southern Utah vs. Abilene Christian
CEDAR CITY, Utah – The Thunderbirds played a complete game on Saturday, moving the ball efficiently on offense and forcing multiple turnovers on defense. Southern Utah scored early and often in the 52-14 drubbing of Abilene Christian.
1st Quarter: Thunderbirds Strike Fast
The Wildcats received the opening kick and both teams started with identical three-and-out drives. The Thunderbirds looked to have a drive moving when Miller completed a big 12-yard pass to Isaiah Wooden but the drive would stall just as quickly. The Thunderbirds would gain a huge advantage when AJ Feltonintercepted a pass and returned it to the Abilene 16-yard line. Two plays later Wooden would catch a pass from Miller in the middle of the endzone to make the score 7-0. The Wildcats would bounce back quickly though scoring on a 55-yard run in their next drive to even up the score. Miller finished up the first with a big completion to Ethan Bolingbroke for 19 yards.
2nd Quarter: Thunderbirds Score Three
The Thunderbirds started the second with the ball in plus territory and promptly put the ball in the endzone on an 11-yard touchdown pass from Miller to Targhee Lambson. Southern Utah would force another punt and drive 81 yards in just three plays including a 69-yard run by Lambson and capped with a 6-yard touchdown run by Braedon Wissler. The following drive for Abilene would be short-lived as Trevon Gola-Callard picked off a pass and set up the T-Bird offense on the Wildcat 19-yard line. It would take just two plays for Lambson to score again making the score 28-7 in favor of the Thunderbirds. The Wildcats gained the ball back with good field position and drove 45 yards to score with just 10 seconds left in the half. The Thunderbirds went into the break with a 28-14 lead.
3rd Quarter: Southern Utah Scores Big
The Thunderbirds received the second half's opening kick and marched to midfield before punting. The Justin Miller quick kick went nowhere and gave the Wildcats the ball at their own 46. A Jordan WashingtonInterception and return gave the Thunderbirds back the ball on the Wildcat 32. Braedon Wissler would punch the ball in on a 10-yard touchdown run. The T-Birds would score again on a 25-yard pass from Miller to Wooden to make the score 42-14.
4th Quarter: T-Birds Let the Air Out
The Thunderbirds started the fourth quarter by completing a drive that began with two minutes to go in the third. The drive was finished off when Targhee Lambson went into the endzone for his third score of the game. The Thunderbirds stopped the Wildcats' next drive and got the ball back with a lot of time left to go. The T-Birds would drive 82 yards over a nine-minute span and finish it off with a field goal to make the score 52-14. The score would hold for a big-time United Athletic Conference win.
Offensive Leaders
The offensive leaders for the Thunderbirds put up an impressive performance. Justin Miller completed 18 of his 21 passing attempts, accumulating 172 passing yards and throwing three touchdowns. His top receiver in the game was Isaiah Wooden who caught nine passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns. Targhee Lambsonalso had a big impact with three catches including a touchdown.
On the ground, Lambson put up his biggest game to date rushing eight times for 101 yards and two scores. Braedon Wissler and Grady Robison showcased their running prowess as well in the contest. Wissler carried the ball 17 times for 84 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Robison had a remarkable 60 yards on just six carries. In total, the Thunderbirds rushed for a season-high 308 yards and scored four rushing touchdowns. The Thunderbird offense controlled the game holding possession for over 36 minutes including a drive that lasted over nine minutes.
Defensive Leaders
In the game against the Wildcats, Southern Utah's defense was a total team effort. Aubrey Nellems and Kohner Cullimore led the way in tackles, with Nellems recording six total tackles, while Cullimore made 5 total tackles including a massive 11-yard sack. Abilene entered the game leading the nation with just one sack allowed per game however the Thunderbirds applied the pressure recording three sacks and four quarterback hurries.
In addition to Nellems and Cullimore, Tre Gola-Callard made an impact on the defense, as he recorded four tackles and an interception. Southern Utah would also get key interceptions from Jordan Washington and AJ Felton. In all the Thunderbird defense would hold ACU, who nearly 30 points per game to just 14 points and leave them scoreless in the second half.
Fan Appreciation Deal
If you mention reading this preview at the ticket window you can get buy one get one tickets for the game excluding chairback seating. Thank you to all of our fans who have been with us all year!
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