CLARKSVILLE, Tennessee - Southern Utah opened conference play with a road victory over the Austin Peay Governors. The T-Birds took down the Governors 28-17 in a tight battle. The win improves the Thunderbirds to 2-3 overall and 1-0 in conference play, while the Governors fall to 1-4 on the year with a 0-2 mark in the United Athletic Conference.
Coach DeLane Fitzgerald Said
1st Quarter:
The first quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team able to finish a drive. The Governors looked to have a good drive started, but a pass down the middle was intercepted by Jayden Robertson and returned back into Austin Peay territory. The Governors answered with an interception of their own on the next play.
2nd Quarter:
The Thunderbirds started the second period by capping a 91-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run by Targhee Lambson. Austin Peay would even the score at 7-7 with a long drive of their own. The Thunderbirds once again drove nearly the length of the field before being rebuffed on the one-inch line by the Austin Peay defense.
3rd Quarter:
Southern Utah kicked off to start the second half and, after a defensive stand, took over and, after just two plays, put the ball in the endzone with a 52-yard pass from Bronson Barron to Gabe Nunez. The Govs wouldn't go away, scoring on the next drive to knot the game up at 14-14. Just before the end of the third quarter, Austin Peay added a field goal to take its first lead.
4th Quarter:
Not long into the fourth quarter, the Thunderbirds broke off a 63-yard touchdown run by Lambson. The long touchdown put him over 100 yards for the game and gave the T-Birds a 21-17 lead. The Thunderbirds added an exclamation point with five seconds left in the game when Jayden Robertson scored on a pick-six, bringing the final to 28-17.
Offensive Leaders
Quarterback Bronson Barron and wide receiver Gabe Nunez posted impressive stats in the game, but the offense was again centered on running back Targhee Lambson. Barron led the passing attack, completing 14 of 25 attempts for 243 yards and one touchdown, settling on a passer rating of 134.8. His primary target, Nunez, delivered an exceptional performance, catching all seven of his targets for 149 yards, including a 61-yard touchdown, averaging 21.3 yards per catch. Lambson was a force on the ground, carrying the ball 24 times for 163 yards and two touchdowns, including a long run of 63 yards, averaging 6.8 yards per carry. These key players were instrumental in Southern Utah, showcasing a balanced attack through the air and on the ground.
Defensive Leaders
The Thunderbirds' defense put on a gritty performance, anchored by standout efforts from safety George Ramirez and defensive end Lando Brown. Ramirez was all over the field, racking up a team-high ten tackles, including six solo stops, along with a crucial sack and tackle for loss. Brown was a relentless force on the edge, recording nine tackles (seven solo), a sack, and leading the team with 2.5 tackles for loss while also putting pressure on the quarterback. Linebacker Trent Whalen was another key contributor, notching nine tackles and a tackle for loss. Defensive tackle Payton Payne made his presence felt in the trenches with five tackles, a sack, and 1.5 tackles for loss. The Thunderbirds' defense made big plays when it mattered and kept the pressure on throughout the game.
Next Up
The Thunderbirds will return to Eccles Coliseum to take on Tarleton State on October 5, 2024.
The Coaches Show
Don't forget to catch the Thunderbird Coaches Show this Monday at 6:00 p.m. MT. You can watch it on YouTube or listen to it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Tickets
Season tickets, mini packages, and single-game tickets are now available! Get yours today by visiting tbirdtickets.com.
Follow Us
For all the latest on Southern Utah football, follow @SUUFB_ on Twitter, @SUUFB on Instagram, and like the Southern Utah Football Facebook page.
Donate
Consider donating today to support Thunderbird athletics. To learn more about how you can help, click here.
