CEDAR CITY, Utah - Excitement fills the air as the Southern Utah Thunderbirds opened football fall camp today with their first meetings ahead of the inaugural season as part of the United Athletic Conference. The team, fans, and community have been eagerly preparing for this moment as the summer draws to a close and the season begins. With the schedule laid out before them, the team is prepared to make their mark on the brand-new football conference and look to make year two under Coach DeLane Fitzgerald a success.

Coach DeLane Fitzgerald Said

"Our players and coaches are extremely excited about starting camp today. For people that love football, the way we do the first day of camp is very similar to Christmas Day when we were children. We couldn't be more excited!

Now we've got to focus, be persistent, and put in the hard work required to achieve all the goals that we have set for ourselves this fall. Our football program improving each day of camp will be the key to our success going forward." 

The 2023 Schedule

The Thunderbirds are in for a challenge, facing some strong opponents with impressive records from the 2022 season. They will kick off the year on August 31st, 2023, facing a tough Arizona State team, a member of the PAC-12 with a competitive history. This first game will be a big test for Southern Utah, giving them a chance to see how they compare with a team from a historically great conference.

BYU, an in-state powerhouse, is up next on September 9th. A newly minted BIG 12 team with an impressive 8-5 record last season the Cougars present a tough challenge for the Thunderbirds. This matchup will be just the second time the two teams have met despite being so close in proximity. The last time the two teams squared off was in 2016 when Southern Utah made the trip to Provo and came out with a 37-7 loss. 

As the early season progresses, the Thunderbirds will pick up two more non-conference games with challenging matchups against UC Davis on the road and Western Illinois at Eccles Coliseum. The game against the Leathernecks will be Homecoming for Southern Utah and the first time the home crowd will get a look at the team. Both of these matchups give the T-Birds a chance to prepare for a long stretch of conference games. 

This first season of Football for the United Athletic Conference will feature games with Central Arkansas, Tarleton State, Austin Peay, Abilene Christian, SFA, and Utah Tech. Each game will be a chance for Southern Utah to improve its resume and build a reputation in the UAC.

Phil Steele Preseason All-UAC

With the start of camp, you can often look forward to some preseason accolades and predictions. Southern Utah was well represented on the esteemed Phil Steele Preseason All-United Athletic Conference Team. This recognition highlights the talent, dedication, and hard work of these outstanding student-athletes.

1st Team Selections:

WR Isaiah Wooden

LB Kohner Cullimore

2nd Team Selections:

LB Aubrey Nellems

QB Justin Miller

OL Lyle Santos

AP Isaiah Wooden

3rd Team Selections:

DL Payton Payne

WR Timothy Patrick

DL Julian Sanderlin

LB Trent Whalen

KR Isaiah Wooden

4th Team Selections:

PR Ethan Bolingbroke

Coach Fitzgerald said of the recognition, "Our staff and players are happy for the guys that were named to Phil Steeles's preseason all-conference team. We understand that a preseason all-conference team is a prediction. There's not a ton of stock put into it, it's just a jumping-off point for all of our players." 

These exceptional individuals have consistently demonstrated their prowess, leadership, and commitment to excellence on the field. Their inclusion in the Phil Steele Preseason All-UAC Team is a testament to their skills and the recognition they have garnered from their peers and the media.

The Southern Utah Thunderbirds are about to embark on a memorable season—one filled with challenges, triumphs, and the chance to make history. As the team continues to prepare for the opening game, the excitement in Cedar City can be felt all around. 

Single Game Tickets

Single-game tickets for the 2023 season will be available at midnight tonight! Get over to tbirdtickets.com to get your seats for this year's home games!

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