SACRAMENTO, Calif., Sept. 21 – Colton Cook kicked a 38-yard field goal in overtime to lift Southern Utah to a stunning come-from-behind victory over Sacramento State Saturday night in the final non-conference game for both schools.
Down 21-13 Southern Utah was aided by two huge penalties against the Hornets in the final minute. With the ball at the eight yard line SUU quarterback Aaron Cantu was intercepted by Mark Williams at the two but pass interference was called, negating the play and giving the Thunderbirds the ball at the Hornet two.
On second and goal Cantu was intercepted again, this time in the end zone by Anthony Payne, who returned the ball all the way for a touchdown, but again the Hornets were their own worst enemies as roughing the passer was called, negating the play and giving SUU the ball again at the two.
After Christian Taele took it to the one Martin took it into the end zone with 31 seconds to play bringing SUU within 21-19.
Needing to go for the two-point conversion Southern Utah was again the beneficiary of some good luck, as Cantu's pass to Fatu Moala was tipped and an alert Griff McNabb pulled in the pass in the end zone to tie the game at 21-21.
SUU won the overtime coin toss and elected to go on defense, then stuffed the Hornets, forcing a 42-yard field goal attempt by Jesse Aguilar, who was 0-4 on field goals heading into the game. Aguilar pulled the attempt wide right and the Thunderbirds took over.
SUU ran the ball four times, setting up Cook for the game-winner. Sacramento State attempted to ice Cook, but the senior calmly put the ball through the uprights, clinching the win.
The field goal was the 38th of Cooks SUU career and it tied Herkey Marxen's 23-year old career field goals record. It was also Cook's second game winner on the final play of the game this season, as he nailed on to lift the Thunderbirds to a 22-21 win at South Alabama earlier in the season.
Martin wound up with a career-high 131 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Thunderbirds, while Moala had season-highs of 11 receptions for 127 yards.
Chad Hansen led the Thunderbird defense with 12 tackles, while LeShaun Sims had nine and both Zak Browning and James Cowser had eight. Cowser had the Thunderbirds' only sack, in overtime, and had a team-best two tackles-for-loss as well.
SUU, which opens the Big Sky season at Northern Colorado next week, improved to 3-1 while Sacramento State dipped to 1-3.
-- SUU --
