CEDAR CITY, Utah - The final game of the 2023 season looms large for the Thunderbirds as they travel south to take on Utah Tech for a chance to earn a winning season. The "Battle for the Axe" will take place at Greater Zion Stadium in St. George on Saturday, November 18, 2023. The game will kick off at 5:00 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+. 

Game Information

Southern Utah at Utah Tech

Date: November 18th, 2023

Kickoff Time: 5:00 PM MT

Venue: Greater Zion Stadium

Stream: ESPN+

Radio: KSUB 590

Stats: LiveStats

Coach DeLane Fitzgerald Said

"They are well coached and their guys play hard. Every film that you pull up on them they are playing hard and giving it their best effort."

"After not playing well against them last year, we have the chance to go down there and redeem ourselves."

Check out this Week's Coaches Show

The Game

The Thunderbirds are coming in hot off a 45-17 win at Stephen F. Austin. Their well-rounded approach in the game features a formidable ground game and a potent passing attack, rendering them a multifaceted threat to their adversaries. Supported by a sturdy defense, allowing just 24.50 points per game, the Thunderbirds have the ability to control the game on both sides of the ball. The T-Birds are riding their first three-game win streak in years and looking to finish the season with a victory over their rivals to the south.

In contrast, the Trailblazers have lost their last four games and struggled this season to a 2-8 record. Their passing game exhibits promise, with an average of 273 yards per game. While their defense concedes an average of 39.20 points per game. The Trailblazers fell to Austin Peay last week 17-30 on the road in Clarksville.

Key T-Birds to Watch:

The Southern Utah Thunderbirds' offensive lineup has surged impressively throughout the conference play, marked by a well-balanced attack leading to a streak of high-scoring games. Notably, Braedon Wissler and Targhee Lambson have shone in rushing, with Wissler amassing 556 yards and Lambson delivering standout performances, notably securing three touchdowns and over 100 yards against ACU. These contributions have notably opened up opportunities in the passing game, led by quarterback Justin Miller, boasting an impressive 142.62 passer rating with 2,362 passing yards and 27 touchdowns. Miller has shattered several program records this season and eyes further records in passing and total yards.

Isaiah Wooden has been Miller's top target for two seasons, accumulating 857 receiving yards this season and 1,689 throughout his tenure as a T-Bird. Wooden has led the team with 13 touchdown receptions, including a four-touchdown spectacle against SFA last week. Alongside Wooden, Zach Mitchell and Timothy Patrick have displayed impressive stats, with Patrick securing 21 catches for 302 yards and four touchdowns, while Mitchell has grabbed 35 catches for 447 yards and four touchdowns. The team has seen nine different receivers score touchdowns, with seven athletes surpassing 100 receiving yards this season.

The Thunderbird defense has thrived with standout tacklers like Aubrey Nellems, leading the team with 75 total tackles, closely followed by Kohner Cullimore and Trevon Gola-Callard with 64 and 63 tackles, respectively. The defensive front, notably led by graduate transfer Robert Horsey, has been disruptive, amassing 43 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 10 tackles for loss.

In the secondary, safety George Ramirez and defensive back Quadir Lockett-Smith have contributed a combined 69 tackles and crucial pass defense support. Cornerback AJ Felton has emerged as a force, leading the team with nine pass breakups and three interceptions. Notably, the Thunderbirds' defense has exhibited its prowess by limiting opponents to a mere 99.8 rushing yards per game, holding the Lumberjacks to a mere 22 rushing yards in their last game.

As they gear up to face the Trailblazers, the Thunderbirds aim to further fortify their defense, building upon their stellar performances.

Tracking The Trailblazers

The offensive starters for Utah Tech have showcased a balanced attack led by Ronnie Walker Jr. and Kobe Tracy. Walker Jr. leads the ground game with an impressive 552 net yards across 123 attempts, showcasing his ability to grind out yards at an average of 4.5 yards per carry. Additionally, Chris Street's explosive bursts have contributed significantly, averaging an impressive 6.3 yards per carry and accumulating 357 net yards, finding the end zone twice in his 57 attempts. Together, Walker Jr. and Street have  formed a dynamic rushing duo, anchoring Utah Tech's ground attack and providing essential yardage.

In the passing game, Kobe Tracy emerged as the driving force, displaying precision and efficiency with a rating of 121.84. Tracy commanded the air, amassing 2535 yards and 19 touchdowns in 213 completions out of 383 attempts across ten games. His leadership and accuracy bolstered the team's aerial assault, consistently finding key targets like Rickie Johnson and Beau Sparks. Johnson emerged as a primary target, hauling in 66 receptions for 773 yards and scoring five touchdowns, while Sparks added his flair with 73 receptions for 699 yards and seven touchdowns. Tracy's ability to spread the ball among various receivers elevated Utah Tech's passing game, creating a multifaceted offensive threat difficult for opponents to contain.

The Trailblazers' defensive unit has been spearheaded by standout performers Dondi Fuller and Syrus Webster. Fuller's impactful presence was evident in his 86 total tackles, combining 37 solo tackles with 49 assists. His ability to disrupt plays in the backfield stands out, with 7.5 tackles for loss and 2 sacks, showcasing his versatility in both stopping the run and generating pressure on quarterbacks. Webster complements the defensive effort with 75 total tackles, displaying dominance with an impressive 12.5 tackles for loss and 7 sacks. His disruptive playing style creates chaos for opposing offenses, consistently penetrating the line of scrimmage and making pivotal plays.

Jared Fotu and Will Leota have added considerable strength to the Trailblazers' defensive lineup. Fotu's 74 total tackles, though not as flashy as some others, showcase his reliability in stopping plays, while Leota's presence is felt with 70 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss, and an interception. Jagger Williams and Brevin Hamblin have also contributed significantly, displaying prowess in their defensive roles. The collective effort of these players form a robust defensive core for the Trailblazers.

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