CEDAR CITY, Utah - Southern Utah football hits the road again this week to take on the No. 9 Aggies from UC Davis in a Saturday night matchup. The Thunderbirds are coming off a heartbreaking 52-49 loss to Northern Arizona, while UC Davis was idle in week three.
The Game
The Thunderbirds enter the week with a 1-2 record. Despite putting up huge numbers offensively, the T-Birds have lost two close games. The Aggies began their season 1-1, but have actually played three times. UC Davis' week zero matchup against Mercer was called in the fourth quarter due to lightning and ruled a no-contest. The Aggies followed that up with a nail-biting victory over Utah Tech in St. George before traveling to Washington for a money game that ended in a 70-10 loss.
This will be the third time in four years that the Thundebirds have taken on UC Davis, with the first two going the way of the Aggies. The two programs have a long history, having been in the Big Sky together for many years. The series dates back to 1993 with UC Davis holding a 14-9 edge.
Check out this Week's Coaches Show
On this episode of the Thunderbird Coaches Show, Coach Fitzgerald and host Jon Smith are joined by defensive end Lando Brown as they break down the Battle for the Grand Canyon and preview this weekend's game against UC Davis.
Key T-Birds to Watch:
The Thunderbirds' offensive unit has been firing on all cylinders through the first three games, with standout performances in both the ground and air attacks. Leading the rushing charge is Joshua Dye, who has emerged as a dominant force in the backfield. Dye has carried the ball 61 times for an impressive 383 yards, averaging 6.3 yards per carry and finding the end zone six times. His average of 127.7 rushing yards per game sets the tone for the Thunderbirds' run-heavy approach. Complementing Dye's efforts is backup quarterback Will Burns, who has only appeared in two games but made a significant impact with 131 rushing yards on just nine carries, averaging a staggering 14.6 yards per attempt, including a 72-yard touchdown burst.
Through the air, quarterback Bronson Barron has been a clear leader, posting a stellar 163.31 passer rating with 837 yards and seven touchdowns, while maintaining a clean sheet with zero interceptions. His efficient 67% completion rate has helped distribute the ball effectively among a talented receiving corps. Gabe Nunez has been Barron's top target, hauling in 17 receptions for 251 yards and two touchdowns, averaging over 83 yards per game. Not far behind is Shane Carr, who has 220 receiving yards and two scores of his own, averaging 15.7 yards per catch. Together, Nunez and Carr have created a reliable one-two punch in the passing game. With a balanced offensive attack led by Dye and Barron, the Thunderbirds have shown they can strike quickly and consistently both on the ground and through the air.
The Thunderbirds' defense has been led by a strong core of playmakers, with linebacker Sebastian Adamski setting the tone. Adamski leads the team with 34 total tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss and a sack, consistently disrupting plays at the line of scrimmage. Defensive end Lando Brown has been a dominant force up front, racking up a team-high 3.0 sacks and two quarterback hurries. Josh Dunn and Baron Taylor have also been key contributors, combining for 32 tackles and multiple tackles for loss, with Taylor adding a forced fumble. In the secondary, Blake Stillwell and Jakobi Spence have locked down passing lanes, each recording three pass breakups. Up front, Joe Tongamoa has chipped in with 1.5 tackles for loss and two QB pressures, helping anchor a defensive line that's kept steady pressure on opponents.
About the Aggies
Jordan Fisher has taken the lead in the rushing unit, averaging 58.5 yards per game with 117 total yards and a 66-yard touchdown run for the Aggies. He has been complemented by Matteo Perez and Carter Vargas, who have each added 49 rushing yards and averaged over 5 yards per carry. At quarterback, Caden Pinnick has commanded the passing game, completing 61.7 percent of his throws for 303 yards and four touchdowns across two games. His top target has been Samuel Gbatu Jr., who has posted 102 receiving yards on six catches, including two touchdowns and a long 60-yard strike. Stacy Dobbins adds steady production with 91 yards on eight receptions, while Zach Jones contributed a touchdown grab among his 46 receiving yards.
UC Davis saw several standout performers on the defensive side of the ball through their opening two games. Leading the charge was Rex Connors, who racked up a team-high 23 total tackles, including 13 solo stops, while also breaking up a pass. Right behind him was Khalani Riddick with 15 total tackles and a pass breakup of his own, along with a fumble recovery that added a key spark for the Aggie defense. Cole Batson and Porter Connors each contributed 12 tackles, with Batson also registering a quarterback hurry and Porter recovering a fumble. Nate Rutchena made his presence felt with 10 tackles, including 2.0 tackles for loss, while also securing an interception. Drew Cofield and Ty Richardson chipped in with 7 tackles apiece, with Cofield adding an interception and a pass breakup to his stat line. The Aggies' defense showed depth as well, with multiple players like Jayden Stanley and Jacob Psyk contributing key tackles for loss. Altogether, the unit has totaled 144 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 5 pass breakups, and 2 fumble recoveries through two contests, showcasing a balanced and opportunistic defensive effort.
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