CEDAR CITY, Utah - The Thunderbirds are heading back on the road after a decisive win last week to face #17 Abilene Christian in another United Athletic Conference matchup. The game is set for Saturday, November 2, in Abilene, Texas, with a 2:00 p.m. MT kickoff. Catch the action live on ESPN+.

The Game

The Thunderbirds outplayed the Wolves last week, winning 28-17 on the road in West Georgia. The conference win brought SUU's record to 4-4 on the season and 3-1 in conference play. The Wildcats are coming off of bye week and will be well rested heading into this week's game. Abilene Christian has posted a record of 5-3 on the year with a 4-1 mark in UAC play.

Saturday's game will be the third overall matchup of the two universities. Each team has secured a win at home in the all-time series. Though the Thunderbirds took down the Wildcats 52-14 last season in Cedar City, the previous year's game at Abilene was a close one, finishing 21-18 in favor of ACU.

Check out this Week's Coaches Show

This week on the Thunderbird Coaches Show, Coach Fitzgerald and Jon Smith are joined by Lando Brown. The hard-hitting defensive end talks about the win at West Georgia, and we preview the upcoming game at Abilene Christian.  

Key T-Birds to Watch:

The Thunderbirds' offense has been driven by an explosive ground game. Targhee Lambson is leading the way, amassing an impressive 1,233 yards on 202 carries, boasting an average of 6.1 yards per rush, and hitting paydirt 14 times. Braedon Wissler has also chipped in with a solid 189 yards on 50 attempts, adding depth to the rushing attack. Under center, Jackson Berry has thrown for 816 yards and six touchdowns, showcasing his arm strength while distributing the ball effectively to his primary targets. Gabe Nunez stands out among the receivers, with 28 catches for 445 yards and three touchdowns, while Shane Carr isn't far behind, securing 17 receptions for 389 yards and four scores. 

The Southern Utah defense has been led by George Ramirez, who anchors the squad with 57 total tackles, including 38 solo, along with five tackles for loss (TFL) and a sack. Lando Brown has been equally disruptive, tallying 32 tackles, a team-leading 6.5 TFLs, and 2.5 sacks, proving his ability to penetrate opposing offensive lines. Defensive backs Lacarea Pleasant-Johnson, with 24 tackles and two interceptions, and Jayden Robertson, with an impressive four interceptions, are instrumental in shutting down the passing game. This defensive unit's consistent performance, marked by pressure through sacks, tackles for loss, and turnovers, has made it a formidable challenge for many offenses this season.

Wildcats To Watch Out For

The Abilene Christian offense is firing on all cylinders this season, driven by quarterback Maverick McIvor's 2,552 passing yards and 20 touchdowns, averaging 319 yards per game. Top receiver Nehemiah Martinez has been explosive with 689 yards and eight touchdowns, while Blayne Taylor adds 595 yards and six scores to the aerial assault. On the ground, Sam Hicks leads with 671 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 6.3 yards per carry, complemented by Isaiah Johnson's 460 yards and nine touchdowns. With a blend of big-play threats and consistent production, the Wildcats' offense is a constant threat. 

Abilene Christian's defense has relied on standout performers Will Shaffer, Cirby Coheley, and Chris Wright. Shaffer leads the team with 68 total tackles, including 30 solo, while adding four tackles for loss, a sack, and two interceptions. Coheley, with 60 tackles and matching Shaffer's four tackles for loss, has been instrumental in stopping the run and breaking up passes. Wright brings a disruptive presence with a team-high seven tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks among his 56 tackles, also contributing four quarterback hurries. This trio has been pivotal in making ACU's defense challenging to break through.

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