RICHMOND, Kentucky - The Thunderbirds traveled east to take on Eastern Kentucky on Saturday afternoon. Southern Utah scored first and last, earning the 27-17 victory on the road against the Colonels. The win brings the Thunderbirds' overall record to 5-5 on the year with a 4-2 mark in conference play. Eastern Kentucky drops to 4-6 with a 2-4 record against the UAC. 

The Thunderbirds' win was highlighted by another record-setting performance from Joshua Dye, who continues to etch his name into the SUU record books. Dye rushed for a career-high 221 yards and three touchdowns, moving into fifth all-time for most rushing yards in a single season. He now sits just one touchdown shy of tying the program's single-season rushing touchdown record, cementing his place as one of the most dominant backs in the FCS this year. Shane Carr put together a career-high performance with 124 yards on seven catches, keeping the dynamic Thunderbirds offense moving and helping Southern Utah secure another impressive victory. 

Coach DeLane Fitzgerald Said

"I'm really proud of how our guys competed tonight. We played tough, disciplined football on both sides of the ball and found a way to make plays when it mattered most. Joshua Dye continues to be special for us, but this was a full-team win, from the offensive line opening holes to the defense making key stops in the second half. This group is growing every week, and I'm excited about the direction we're heading."

1st Quarter:

The Thunderbirds drove down the field to start the game, but had to settle for a field goal by Jayden Rogers from 39 yards out. The Colones answered with their own drive ending in a 36-yard field goal to tie the game up at 3-3. 

2nd Quarter: 

Southern Utah started the second quarter out with a long drive that finished in a six-yard rushing touchdown by Joshua Dye, his 20th of the year. EKU tied the game up at 10-10 on a 27-yard touchdown pass. The Thunderbirds took the 17-10 lead with just under two minutes to play in the half on Dye's second rushing touchdown of the game. The Colonels answered quickly, though, to tie the game at 17-17 with just under a minute to go in the half. The Thunderbirds would cross midfield but ran out of time for a late score before the break.

3rd Quarter: 

Southern Utah kicked off to start the second half and held the Colonels to their first three-and-out of the game. After a drive deep into the EKU end of the field, the T-Birds settled for a 32-yard field goal by Jayden Rogers to take a 20-17 lead with seven minutes to go in the third. 

4th Quarter: 

Daniel King pinned the Colonels deep, and Southern Utah's defense stepped up in a big way to give the T-Birds the ball back. Joshua Dye took over on three plays to score his third touchdown of the game and bring the score to 27-17. From there, it was the defense that came to finish the job, holding the Colones to stops on consecutive drives and allowing the Thunderbirds to run out the clock for the win. 

Offensive Leaders

​​Southern Utah's offense continued to move the ball efficiently behind a balanced effort through the air and on the ground. Quarterback Bronson Barron delivered a sharp performance, completing 18 of 25 passes for 256 yards without a turnover, spreading the ball around to seven different receivers. Shane Carr led the receiving corps with a season-high 124 yards on seven catches, including a 44-yard grab that marked the team's longest play of the day. On the ground, Joshua Dye once again powered the Thunderbird rushing attack, piling up 221 yards and three touchdowns on 33 carries, averaging 6.7 yards per rush. His consistent production and ability to break big runs fueled an SUU offense that totaled 495 yards, keeping the Thunderbirds in rhythm throughout the game. 

Defensive Leaders

Southern Utah's defense turned in a strong second-half performance in the win, with several key contributors leading the way. Mason Stromstad and Henry Harper were forces in the front seven, each tallying five total tackles and a sack, with Harper's coming on a six-yard loss. Blake Stillwell matched their production with five tackles of his own, providing steady support in the middle of the field. Barron Taylor added four solo stops, while Sebastian Adamski and TrayVaughn Swanigan brought consistent pressure, with Adamski recording a quarterback hurry and Swanigan adding two. The Thunderbird defense controlled the line of scrimmage, limited explosive plays down the stretch, and set the tone for another complete team effort.

Next Up

Southern Utah returns to Eccles Coliseum next week for the final home game of the season. The Thunderbirds will take on Central Arkansas on Saturday, November 15, for Senior Day. The Game will kick off at 6:30 p.m. MT and can be streamed on ESPN+. Live stats will be available on suutbirds.com.

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