MISSOULA, Montana - The Thunderbirds battled hard at No. 2 Montana on Saturday night, coming away with a 28-21 loss. The Thunderbirds move to 0-1 on the year with a 0-1 record in the Big Sky.
Despite the Thunderbirds controlling much of the game statistically, the T-Birds were unable to come away with points in several critical drives. Southern Utah piled up 510 yards of total offense, including 259 on the ground, held the ball for more than 43 minutes, and recorded 31 first downs while limiting Montana to just 338 yards. The Thunderbirds trailed 21-9 entering the fourth quarter but rallied behind quarterback Will Burns, who accounted for 370 total yards, connecting with Joshua Acord on touchdown passes of 13 and 58 yards to tie the game at 21-21 with 11:41 remaining. Montana answered with an 80-yard drive capped by a 53-yard touchdown pass with 3:14 left to escape with the victory. Despite the loss, the Thunderbirds showed they could go toe-to-toe with one of the Big Sky's top teams. Montana's explosive plays and the Thunderbirds nine penalties for 94 yards and a handful of missed opportunities ultimately proved to be the difference.
Coach DeLane Fitzgerald Said
1st Quarter:
The Thunderbirds started the game off with a big-time interception on the first play from scrimmage by Parker Vance, but the Grizzlies were stout on defense as well, holding the T-Birds to a three-and-out. The first play of the second drive for Montana scored an 85-yard swing pass from Ah Yat to Gillman. Both teams moved the ball but eventually stalled.
2nd Quarter:
Southern Utah had the ball in Griz territory to start the second quarter. Jayden Rogers put the T-Birds on the board with a 50-yard field goal to make the score 7-3. The Grizzlies bounced right back, scoring on the next drive to bring the game to 14-3. Montana drove the ball deep into the red zone, but a fumble out of the corner of the end zone gave the ball back to the T-Birds with five minutes to play in the half. The team moved down the field but eventually tried a field goal that was blocked. Montana pushed the ball into the Southern Utah side of the field before attempting a 54-yard field goal that fell short.
3rd Quarter:
Southern Utah marched down the field with a steady drive, and Floyd Chalk scored the first T-Birds Touchdown of the season on a four-yard scamper to the pylon. The Thunderbirds would fail on the two-point conversion, and Montana answered back with a quick score on a short field, bringing the score to 21-9.
4th Quarter:
Southern Utah scored on the first drive of the fourth quarter, when Will Burns threw a dart to Joshua Acord from 13 yards out, making the score 21-15 after a failed two-point conversion. The Defense stepped up and forced a quick punt, putting the ball back to Burns, who promptly threw his second touchdown pass to Acord, this time from 58 yards out. With the score all tied up at 21-21, the Thunderbirds defense came up with a huge stop. The offense had a decent drive before a pair of negative plays stalled it, and the T-Birds were forced to give the ball back to Montana with just over five minutes to go. Another huge chunk play by the Griz gave them the lead, 28-21, with just over three minutes to play. The Thunderbirds drove all the way down the field but couldn't punch it in, and the No. 2 Montana Grizzlies survived.
Offensive Leaders
Offensively, Will Burns turned in an impressive performance in his second career start, accounting for 370 total yards as he completed 24-of-34 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns while adding 119 yards rushing on 15 carries. Floyd Chalk provided a steady presence in the running game, carrying 25 times for 100 yards and a touchdown while also catching three passes for 24 yards. Through the air, Joshua Acord was Burns' top target, hauling in six passes for 86 yards and two touchdowns, including the 58-yard score that helped bring the Thunderbirds back to tie the game in the fourth quarter. Devin Downing also had a strong showing with five catches for 61 yards, while Camury Reid contributed 29 rushing yards and 13 receiving yards.
Defensive Leaders
Defensively, Parker Vance led the Thunderbirds with eight total tackles, including five solo stops and a tackle for loss. Christian Sampson added five tackles, while Logalima Lesa recorded four tackles, all assisted. Mason Stromstad and Aidan Hall each contributed two tackles, with Hall adding 1.5 tackles for loss and a half-sack. Myles Amey also recorded a half-sack and a tackle for loss, while Jakobi Spence added a tackle for loss. Tim Christian forced a fumble, while Stromstad and Hall each broke up a pass as the Thunderbirds battled throughout against Montana's explosive offense.
Next Up
Southern Utah will square off with Weber State in the Beehive Bowl next Saturday, September 5th, at Eccles Coliseum. That 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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