OGDEN, Utah, Oct. 22 – Southern Utah outscored Weber State 32-14 in the second half
to break a three-game losing streak and take a 35-28 win
Saturday night. SUU improved to 4-4 on the season with the win while WSU dipped to 3-4.
Down 14-3 at the break the Thunderbirds got great field
position on the opening kickoff of the third period when Ausitn Minefee
returned the kick 45 yards to the SUU 47. Six plays later Brad Sorensen took
ran two yards up the middle to pull the Thunderbirds within 14-10.
Weber State answered ritght back, goint 76 yards in four
plays to take 21-10 lead on a
5-yard Tanner Hinds run, but SUU pulled within four on a 25-yard TD pass from
Sorensen to Minefee.
One of the strangest plays of the game pulled SUU within two
points as, after a bad snap at the 30-yard line rolled past him, Sorensen
scooped up the ball, scrambled around and spotted Minefee near the end zone and
let go. The ball was intercepted by Jarrett Gooden at the goal line, but
Minefee tackled him for a safety with 1:18 to play in the third period.
SUU then had another big break go its way as Kaden Carli
blocked a punt at the WSU 20,
where Mike Tagliaferi scooped it up and returned it to the two. On the next play Minefee ran two
yards to give SUU its first lead since taking a 3-0 advantage in the second
period, 27-21.
SUU made another big play midway through the fourth period
when Tyler Osborne stripped WSU quarterback Mike Hoke at the 20 yard line,
picked up the fumble and returned it to the four yard line.
The short SUU drive didn't go anywhere, however, and SUU
opted to go for a field goal. Colton Cook knocked it through from 20-yards out,
but WSU was called for a personal foul. The Thunderbirds opted to take the
points off the board and go for six, however, and once again it was Minefee who
was able to cash in, as he ran one yard for a 35-21 SUU lead after a 2-point
conversion.
The conversion was somewhat of a freak play itself, as the
pass was intended for Brady Measom but it caromed off his hands and right to
teammate Easton Pederson for the two.
Minefee finished with 286 all-purpose yards, including 88
rushing, 86 receiving and 112 on kickoff returns. Sorensen completed 18-of-31
passes for 201 yards as the Thunderbirds rushed for a season0-high 147 yards.
Chad Hansen led the SUU defense with 14 tackles, while Blake
Fenn had 11.
Hoke completed 27-of-40 passes for 288 yards with a touchdown
and an interception.
-- SUU --
