CEDAR CITY, Utah - Get ready for a showdown under the lights as the Southern Utah University Thunderbirds face off against the #16 UC Davis Aggies on September 16th, 2023, at UC Davis Health Stadium. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. MT, and it promises to be an electrifying matchup that football fans won't want to miss.

Game Information

Southern Utah at UC Davis

Date: September 16th, 2023

Kickoff Time: 8:00 PM MT

Venue: UC Davis Health Stadium

Stream: ESPN+

Radio: KSUB 590

Stats: LiveStats

Coach DeLane Fitzgerald Said

"They are probably the most well-coached team that we will play the rest of the year"

"Their players are smart… they play smart and do things the right way. They are one of the bigger and stronger teams that we will play going forward and they have some playmakers."

"We know they are a good team but we won't know how good they are until Saturday night."

"We don't want to be a football program of peaks and valleys, we are trying to play good football every single Saturday, we want to try and pick up two or three wins in September to put us in a good position going into conference play." 

Check out this Week's Coaches Show

The Game

Both teams are eager to rebound from tough losses in their previous outings. UC Davis is looking to bounce back after a challenging 55-7 defeat at the hands of Oregon State, while Southern Utah is seeking redemption following a 41-16 loss against BYU. This game presents an opportunity for both squads to prove their mettle and pick up some winning momentum before starting conference play.

On the field, expect to see high-intensity action as these teams leave it all on the gridiron. Southern Utah will be striving to showcase their offensive prowess and tighten up their defense to secure a much-needed victory. UC Davis, on the other hand, will be aiming to use their home advantage to bounce back and deliver an inspiring performance for their fans.

Key T-Birds to Watch:

The Southern Utah Thunderbirds offense showcases key players who play pivotal roles in both the running and passing games. In the rushing department, Braedon Wissler and Targhee Lambson have been instrumental with Wissler gaining 68 yards and Lambson scoring two touchdowns. These two have added depth and reliability to the ground attack over the first two games. Returning quarterback Justin Miller maintains a passer rating of 124.83, demonstrating his efficiency in the passing game. Miller has thrown for 358 yards and two touchdowns, with Zach Mitchell and Isaiah Wooden emerging as his primary targets. Mitchell has averaged an impressive 93.50 receiving yards per game, while Wooden's 52-yard reception against Arizona State and his impressive touchdown in Provo highlight his big-play capability. Together, these players form the nucleus of the Thunderbirds' offensive efforts, combining their strengths to make an impact both on the field and on the scoreboard.

As the season progresses, these offensive standouts continue to be key contributors to Southern Utah's game plan, showcasing their versatility and skill sets. Whether on the ground or in the air, their collective efforts drive the Thunderbirds' offensive success and play a vital role in the team's overall performance on the gridiron.

The Southern Utah Thunderbirds' defense is anchored by several key players. Defensive backs Trevon Gola-Callard and Lacarea Pleasant-Johnson, both with 11 total tackles, lead the team in solo tackles, demonstrating their effectiveness in stopping opponents in the open field. Aubrey Nellems and George Ramirez, each with 10 total tackles, contribute to the team's strong defensive presence. Cornerback Jehvonn Lewis has also been a standout with 7 total tackles and 2 tackles for loss. Cornerback Quadir Lockett-Smith has made an impact with 7 total tackles and an impressive interception that came against BYU. Anisi Purcell and Payton Payne have also been notable with 4 total tackles each on the defensive line and both have contributed to the team's 9 total tackles for loss.

Overall, the Thunderbirds' defense has shown resilience and versatility, tallying 113 total tackles, 9 tackles for loss, and 1 interception across two games. They have effectively disrupted opposing offenses and made key plays to support the team's defensive efforts.

Assessing the Aggies

The UC Davis Aggies' offense boasts a dynamic ground game led by Lan Larison, who has rushed for an impressive 164 yards on 31 carries, averaging 5.3 yards per carry, and scoring three touchdowns. Matteo Perez adds depth to the rushing attack, contributing 87 yards on 16 carries and finding the end zone once. In the passing department, Miles Hastings has maintained a completion rate of 65.38%, amassing 290 passing yards and throwing one touchdown pass, demonstrating efficiency at the helm.

Through the air, Trent Tompkins and C.J. Hutton have emerged as top targets for Hastings, with Tompkins securing 8 receptions for 65 yards and Hutton making 7 catches for 62 yards, including one touchdown. These key offensive players collectively drive the Aggies' offensive efforts, combining a potent rushing attack with reliable receiving options to keep the chains moving and put points on the scoreboard.

The UC Davis Aggies rely on a formidable defensive core led by standout performers such as Kavir Bains and Lamont Shamburger. Bains, with 11 total tackles and a critical half-tackle for loss, combines with Shamburger, who also boasts 11 total tackles and 2 tackles for loss, to form a solid defensive front. Their tenacity disrupts opponents' offensive plays and contributes to the Aggies' defensive success.

Jehiel Budgett adds a ball-hawking dimension to the defense with an interception, demonstrating his ability to create turnovers. These key defensive starters, with a total of 138 tackles and 10 tackles for loss across two games, provide UC Davis with a strong defensive foundation and the ability to stifle opposing offenses effectively.

Last Time Out: Southern Utah vs. BYU 

PROVO, Utah - Southern Utah Football squared off against BYU and fought for four quarters of intense football. The challenge proved to be formidable. The Cougars came away with a 41-16 win despite the Thunderbirds playing well at LaVell Edwards Stadium. 

First Quarter: Southern Utah Strikes First

Southern Utah set the tone early in the game, showcasing an ability to move the ball. Kicker Tyler Graham nailed a 29-yard field goal, capping off an impressive drive that covered 52 yards in just over four minutes. With this, Southern Utah took a  3-0 lead.

BYU wasn't to be outdone. They quickly responded with a touchdown of their own. Kedon Slovis connected with Isaac Rex for a 20-yard touchdown pass. The drive was an impressive one, spanning 85 yards and lasting 4 minutes and 23 seconds. BYU took a 6-3 lead to the end of the first quarter.

Second Quarter: BYU Extends the Lead

The second quarter saw BYU extend its lead. Slovis orchestrated another touchdown drive, this time connecting with Keanu Hill for an 8-yard touchdown pass. The drive covered 36 yards in just over two minutes, making the score 13-3 in favor of BYU.

Slovis continued to shine, this time targeting Darius Lassiter for a 42-yard touchdown pass. This touchdown extended BYU's lead to 20-3, with the drive covering 78 yards in 4 minutes and 22 seconds.

Just before halftime, Deion Smith capped a 70-yard drive with a  2-yard touchdown, further solidifying BYU's lead. The drive pushed the score to 27-3 in favor of BYU.

Third Quarter: Southern Utah Fights Back

Despite facing adversity, Southern Utah showed its resilience early in the third quarter. Quarterback Justin Miller connected with Isaiah Wooden for a spectacular 33-yard touchdown pass. This brought the score to 27-10, with the drive covering 75 yards.

BYU, however, remained relentless. Kedon Slovis added to his impressive performance with a 6-yard rushing touchdown, extending BYU's lead to 34-10. The drive covered 72 yards in 3 minutes and 25 seconds.

Fourth Quarter: BYU Seals the Victory

In the fourth quarter, BYU sealed their victory. The Cougars capitalized on a muffed punt giving them a short field. It took BYU just one play to score with a 39-yard touchdown pass from Kedon Slovis to Chase Roberts. The score reached 41-10. 

Southern Utah managed to add another touchdown to their tally as Big plays by Zach Mitchell and Francisco Calderon set up a 2-yard Targhee Lambson rushing touchdown. At this point in the game, the mountain to climb was too steep. The final score stood at 41-16, with BYU emerging victorious.

Key Offensive Stats:

Total Yards: Southern Utah - 346, BYU - 394

Rushing Yards: Southern Utah - 84, BYU - 46

Passing Yards: Southern Utah - 262, BYU - 348

First Downs: Southern Utah - 16, BYU - 18

Average Yards per Play: Southern Utah - 5.8, BYU - 7.2

Offensive Leaders

Quarterback Justin Miller completed 16 of 30 passes for 235 yards and 1 touchdown. Wide receiver Zach Mitchell set a new personal best and led the receiving corps with 7 receptions for 135 yards. Receiver Isaiah Wooden grabbed a big-time receiving touchdown in the second half and added 87 yards to his season total. Running back Targhee Lambson rushed seven times for 32 yards and scored his second touchdown of the year.

Defensive Leaders

Safety Trevon Gola-Callard and defensive back  Lacarea Pleasant-Johnson led the Thunderbird defense with seven and six tackles respectively. Cornerback Quadir Lockett-Smith added 5 tackles of his own and an impressive interception early in the game. Defensive tackles Rylen Sua-Filo and Payton Payne buoyed up the defensive line each collecting a tackle and a pair of quarterback hurries. 

Despite facing a formidable opponent in BYU, Southern Utah displayed resilience and moments of brilliance throughout the game. While they may not have secured the win, they certainly showcased their determination and fight on the field.

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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