SAINT GEORGE, Utah - Southern Utah returned the axe to Cedar City thanks to a mixture of a dominant rushing attack and a record-breaking day by senior quarterback Justin Miller in the Battle for the Axe rivalry game. The Thunderbirds shook off a sluggish start to surge to a 24-16 victory against Utah Tech.
SUU improved to 6-5 overall and 4-2 in the United Athletic Conference. Utah Tech fell to 2-9 on the season and 1-5 in conference play. That's Southern Utah's first winning season since the 2017 squad earned a berth in the playoffs with a 9-3 record.
Coach DeLane Fitzgerald Said
Record Watch:
- Senior quarterback Justin Miller moved atop a pair of career charts with his performance today. Miller broke both the total career yards and total career passing yards records, previously owned by Brad Sorensen.
Miller closed his career with 9,447 total yards to break the previous record of 9,377 set by Sorensen from 2010-12. Miller also finished his career with 9,534 total passing yards to clear the 9,445 put up by Sorensen.
- Senior wide receiver Isaiah Wooden moved into a second-place tie with Tysson Poots for the most receiving touchdowns in a season with 14. Poots owns the record with 15 in 2009 and captured 14 touchdowns in 2008.
1st Quarter: Defensive Slugfest
The 'Blazers opened the rivalry battle with an eight-play 75-yard drive to capture a 6-0 lead thanks to a Nygel Osborne rushing touchdown from 12 yards out with 10:48 to play. SUU's special teams managed to stop the point after attempt.
Following an SUU punt on its first drive of the game, the 'Birds defense stepped up in a big way on Utah Tech's second drive of the day. Senior defensive tackle Robert Horsey collected a pair of tackles for loss while Sophomore cornerback Quaidr Lockett-Smith ended the drive with a near interception to force a punt.
The Thunderbirds followed with a 13-play 62-yard drive spanning 6:11 of play, but could not get on the board after a missed field goal with eight seconds in the quarter. Most of the yards came by way of passes from senior quarterback Justin Miller. Miller connected with junior running back Targhee Lambson for 14 yards before rolling out to hit senior wide receiver Isaiah Wooden for 16 yards on the left sideline.
2nd Quarter: All Three Phases
Southern Utah's special teams showed up again with 12:00 to play with a blocked 47-yard field goal attempt. That sparked SUU's offense as it marched down the field on an eight-play 86-yard drive to take a 7-6 lead thanks to a Miller seven-yard scamper with 7:55 on the clock. Lambson accounted for more than 50 of the yards on the 4:05 drive.
The Thunderbird defense gave the offense a short field thanks to an athletic interception by sophomore safety Trevon Gola-Callard at the Tech 48-yard line.
Wooden corralled his 14th receiving touchdown of the season thanks to a three-yard strike by Miller to put the "Birds up 14-6 at the 3:24 mark. SUU drove 48 yards in seven plays as part of a 3:14 drive. Miller keyed the drive thanks to an 18-yard connection with freshman wide receiver Gabe Nunez.
After a 10-play 69-yard drive by Tech, the 'Birds locked down the 'Blazer offense at the goal line to force a 25-yard field goal that pulled Tech to within 14-9 with 37 seconds in the half.
3rd Quarter: Running the Rock
Tech returned fire on the opening drive of the second half to take a 16-14 lead with 11:52 on the clock. Osborn's second rushing touchdown capped a four-play, 68-yard drive that took 1:11 off the clock.
The Thunderbirds countered to take a 17-16 lead thanks to a 31-yard field goal from freshman kicker Tyler Graham. Graham's kick closed out a five-play,61-yard drive that ate up 1:41 on the clock. Sophomore running back Braedon Wissler shined during the drive with a 60-yard rush off the right side to get the 'Birds into the red zone.
Southern Utah's defense made another stellar play on the goal line at the 2:26 mark with a fumble recovery that stunted an impressive 15-play, 72-yard drive by the 'Blazers that chewed up 7:45 from the clock. Sophomore linebacker Kohner Cullimore forced the fumble with Horsey securing possession with a recovery.
SUU's offense made the turnover hurt behind a motivated offensive line that blew open multiple gaping holes en route to a four-play, 94-yard touchdown drive to push the lead to 24-16 at the 48-second mark. Wissler closed the drive with an impressive 26-yard rushing touchdown. Meanwhile, Lambson continued his monster game with a 62-yard rush during the drive.
4th Quarter: Drain the Clock
Southern Utah's defense collected a third turnover at the 8:18 mark as senior cornerback Cody Coleman forced a fumble and graduate student cornerback Jordan Washington recovered the turnover.
The teams then traded drives before the 'Birds drained the clock with a nine-play, 29-yard drive that took the final 4:23 off the clock.
Offensive Leaders
The Thunderbirds dominated the rushing game with a pair of 100-yard rushers. Junior running back Targhee Lambson exploded for 138 rushing yards on 14 carries for a 9.9 average. Sophomore running back Braedon Wissler raced his way to 130 yards on 14 carries for a 9.3 average. Overall, the T-Birds outrushed UTU, 274-178.
Senior wide receiver Isaiah Wooden concluded his career with a five-catch, 47-yard day including his 14th touchdown.
Defensive Leaders
Sophomore linebacker Kohner Cullimore had a tremendous day with 10 tackles, including four for loss and a forced fumble. Senior cornerback Cody Coleman forced a fumble as well, while sophomore safety Trevon Gola-Callard snatched an interception.
Scoring Plays
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