CEDAR CITY, Utah - The Thunderbirds are down to two more games on the 2025 schedule, and this week is the last chance to catch them at home. Southern Utah hosts Central Arkansas this Saturday, November 15, at 6:30 p.m. MT in Eccles Coliseum. Before the game, the Thunderbirds will honor their senior football players in their final home game. The game can be streamed on ESPN+, and live stats will be available on suutbirds.com.

The Game

The Thunderbirds are on a four-game winning streak and are fresh from beating Eastern Kentucky on the road in Richmond. The T-Birds enter the game with a 5-5 record and sit at 4-2 in conference play. Southern Utah has benefited from balanced effort in all three phases of the game in its recent success, with the explosive offense continuing to shine. The Thunderbirds' defense has proven to be up to recent challenges, holding their opponents to just 16.25 points per game since the bye week. 

The Bears are coming to Cedar City with a 3-7 record this season and a 2-4 mark against the UAC. Central Arkansas has been a tough out in all of its games, falling in very close contests regularly this season. The Bears have averaged 24.5 points per game this season with a balanced attack. The last few weeks have proven that the United Athletic Conference is tough from top to bottom, and every team must bring its best game week in and week out to be successful.   

Check out this Week's Coaches Show

On this episode of the Thunderbird Coaches Show, Coach Fitzgerald and host Jon Smith are joined by defensive end Henry Harper as they break down the win at Eastern Kentucky and preview this weekend's home game against Central Arkansas. 

Key T-Birds to Watch

Southern Utah's offense has been nothing short of explosive this season, powered by one of the most productive ground games in the FCS. At the heart of it all is running back Joshua Dye, who has been a dominant force week after week. Through ten games, Dye has piled up 1,542 rushing yards on 233 carries, averaging nearly seven yards per attempt and 154.2 yards per game. His 22 rushing touchdowns lead all of Division I, firmly establishing him as one of the nation's premier offensive threats. Behind him, Will Burns has provided a strong complementary presence with 297 yards and three touchdowns on just 40 carries, while Braedon Wissler has chipped in 188 yards and three scores to round out a deep and versatile backfield.

Under center, quarterback Bronson Barron has brought poise and precision to a balanced Thunderbird attack. The veteran signal-caller has thrown for 2,000 yards and 11 touchdowns, completing 64.11 percent of his passes and distributing the ball to a wide range of playmakers. His chemistry with Gabe Nunez has been particularly effective, with Nunez hauling in 53 catches for 631 yards and three touchdowns. Shane Carr has been equally impactful, recording 624 yards and four scores, while Devin Downing, Anson Kraut, and Braedon Wissler continue to make key contributions. In total, Barron has connected with 16 different receivers, helping Southern Utah rack up 2,208 passing yards and 12 touchdowns through ten contests.

On the defensive side, the Thunderbirds have been led by linebacker Sebastian Adamski, whose consistency and leadership have been central to the unit's success. Adamski leads the team with 99 tackles, along with seven tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Josh Dunn has been a steady enforcer, notching 65 tackles and two forced fumbles, while defensive back Blake Stillwell has provided solid coverage with 41 tackles and three pass breakups. Linebacker Mason Stromstad brings relentless energy, tallying 47 tackles and six tackles for loss. On the defensive line, Lando Brown has been a disruptive force, recording 12 sacks and 40 tackles. Up front, Henry Harper has added crucial pressure with 4.5 sacks and three quarterback hurries, giving Southern Utah a defensive front that's as aggressive as it is dependable.

Breaking Down the Bears

Central Arkansas's offense features a balanced and powerful attack led by running back Landen Chambers and quarterback Austin Myers. Chambers has been the workhorse for the Bears, rushing for 1,136 yards and eight touchdowns on 212 carries, averaging over 113 yards per game and 5.4 yards per attempt. Since taking over as the starting quarterback in Week 5, Myers has sparked the passing game, throwing for 1,373 yards and 12 touchdowns while completing nearly 58% of his passes. His emergence has helped elevate a talented group of receivers, highlighted by Malachi Henry, who leads the team with 59 receptions for 706 yards and seven touchdowns, and Tyrell Pollard, who adds a deep-threat element with 443 yards and six scores while averaging an impressive 23.3 yards per catch.

Defensive back Dillon Williams leads the Bears with 59 total tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss and an interception, providing steady production in the middle of the field. Linebacker Ashtyn Williams has been equally impactful, totaling 54 tackles and contributing both against the run and in pass coverage. Defensive back Dude Person has been a playmaker in the secondary, recording 53 tackles, three pass breakups, and a forced fumble, while Marcus Washington has added 47 stops and a team-high five pass breakups. Up front, Gary Lewis has been a disruptive force on the defensive line, tallying 6.5 tackles for loss and three sacks, with Trevion Traylor and Jakobe Shell combining for more than 13 tackles for loss to round out an aggressive front. 

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