CEDAR CITY, Utah - Southern Utah is back on the road this week, heading to the Eastern time zone for a United Athletic Conference matchup with Eastern Kentucky. The game will kick off on Saturday, November 8, at 1:00 p.m. MT and is available to stream on ESPN+. Live stats can be found at suutbirds.com.
The Game
The Thunderbirds are coming off a ranked win over then No. 22 Austin Peay. The T-Birds enter the game with a 4-5 record and sit at 3-2 in conference play. Southern Utah has relied on an explosive offense all season, but the defense has proven to be a key factor for the Thunderbirds down the stretch. SUU will look to continue its win streak on the road against a dangerous Eastern Kentucky team that is also seeking to reach the .500 mark.
The Colonels enter the weekend coming off a 34-13 beatdown of Central Arkansas and are looking to get back in the conference fight under sixth-year Head Coach Walt Wells. EKU is 4-5 on the year with a 2-3 record against the UAC. The Colonels' biggest win of the season so far was taking down a ranked Austin Peay team at home in early October.
Check out this Week's Coaches Show
On this episode of the Thunderbird Coaches Show, Coach Fitzgerald and host Jon Smith are joined by Offensive Lineman Sirri Kandiyeli as they break down the home win over Austin Peay and preview the game on the road at Eastern Kentucky.
Key T-Birds to Watch
Southern Utah's offense has been electric this season, anchored by one of the most dynamic rushing attacks in the FCS. Leading the charge is running back Joshua Dye, who has been nothing short of dominant. Through eight games, Dye has rushed for 1,322 yards on 200 carries, averaging nearly seven yards per touch and 146.78 yards per game. His 19 rushing touchdowns lead all of Division I, solidifying his status as one of the nation's top playmakers. Complementing Dye's power and consistency, Will Burns has added 294 yards and three scores on just 38 carries, while Braedon Wissler has contributed 170 yards and two touchdowns of his own.
Quarterback Bronson Barron has provided steady leadership through the air, guiding a well-balanced Thunderbird offense. The veteran signal-caller has thrown for 1,744 yards and 11 touchdowns while completing 63.23 percent of his passes. His connection with receiver Gabe Nunez has been a major weapon, as Nunez leads the team with 49 receptions for 575 yards and three touchdowns. Shane Carr has been equally dangerous, racking up 500 yards and four scores, while Devin Downing and Braedon Wissler round out a deep and reliable receiving corps. In total, Barron has completed passes to 16 different targets, helping Southern Utah total 1,952 passing yards and 12 touchdowns through eight contests.
Defensively, the Thunderbirds have been anchored by linebacker Sebastian Adamski, who continues to set the tone with 92 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. Josh Dunn has been a steady presence with 60 tackles and two forced fumbles, while defensive back Blake Stillwell has chipped in 38 tackles and three pass breakups in coverage. Linebacker Mason Stromstad adds energy and disruption with 42 tackles and five tackles for loss, and on the defensive line, Lando Brown has been a relentless force, posting 12 sacks and 38 tackles. Alongside him, Joe Tongamoa has added valuable pressure up front with three quarterback hurries and two tackles for loss.
Checking on the Colonels
The Colonels' offense features a balanced attack led by quarterback Myles Burkett, who has thrown for 1,073 yards and five touchdowns across nine games, completing just over 55 percent of his passes. On the ground, the rushing duo of Brayden Latham and Brady Hensley has carried much of the load. Latham leads the team with 484 yards on 113 carries, while Hensley provides explosive production with 426 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 6.4 yards per carry and a long run of 72 yards. Through the air, Marcus Calwise Jr. has been Burkett's top target, hauling in 23 receptions for 310 yards and four scores, while Dequan Stanley and Jayden West add depth to the receiving corps with a combined 31 catches for 354 yards and two touchdowns. Together, the group has powered an offense averaging over 259 yards per game, capable of striking both on the ground and through the air.
Eastern Kentucky's defense has been fueled by a deep and dynamic group of playmakers, led by Kaden Smith and Jaheim Ward, who anchor the unit with 65 and 64 total tackles, respectively. Smith has been a steady presence across the field with 3.5 tackles for loss, while Ward has added a forced fumble and four pass breakups. Braden Sullivan and Derek Taylor have been equally impactful, combining for 113 tackles, with Sullivan adding 4.0 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks to disrupt opposing backfields. Up front, Brad Gurley Jr. has been a force on the defensive line, posting a team-best 8.5 tackles for loss and five sacks, while Cam Junior and Frank Lee IV have added pressure off the edge with a combined 10 tackles for loss and four sacks. In the secondary, Vito Tisdale Jr. has emerged as a ballhawk with four interceptions and seven pass breakups, helping the Colonels limit explosive plays and create key turnovers throughout the season.
Tickets
Season tickets 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.
