Southern Utah Blows Out Lincoln Oaklanders After Slow Start
Nov 4, 2023, 4:42 PM
SALT LAKE CITY – The Southern Utah football team overcame a slow start to blow out the visiting Lincoln Oaklanders of California.
Southern Utah football flies past Lincoln Oaklanders
The Thunderbirds hosted the Oaklanders at Eccles Coliseum in Cedar City, Utah on Saturday, November 4.
SUU defeated Lincoln, 35-6.
Got the W 🙌#FocusFightFinish ⚡️ #TBirdNation ⚡️ #RaiseTheHammer pic.twitter.com/agLdgAsj2b
— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) November 4, 2023
Following a scoreless opening quarter, the Oaklanders were first to find points when TJ Goodwin broke into the end zone on a 12-yard run with 8:50 left in the second quarter. Lincoln took a 6-0 lead on the play.
Late in the first half, Justin Miller connected with Braedon Wissler for a 27-yard touchdown and the Thunderbirds’ first points of the afternoon. After an extra-point kick, Southern Utah jumped in front of Lincoln, 7-6.
Q2 | @Wiss_Mode takes it to HOUSE 🏠🔥
SUU: 7
LU: 6 pic.twitter.com/cfIsl8PLth— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) November 4, 2023
SUU entered the locker room with the one-point lead following the first 30 minutes of action.
RELATED: Southern Utah Flies Past Abilene Christian Behind Ground Attack
After the break, Miller and the T-Birds pushed the pedal to the metal. Only 54 seconds into the third quarter, the Thunderbirds quarterback hit Isaiah Wooden for 58 yards and six points.
Q3 | WHAT. A. PLAY. 😤@justinmiller_12 finds @wooden_isaiah for the TD 🔥
SUU: 14
LU: 6 pic.twitter.com/eSncvFDnuM— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) November 4, 2023
Less than four minutes later, Wooden found the end zone again, this time on a 45-yard strike from Miller. The second Miller-to-Wooden score pushed Southern Utah’s lead to 21-6.
Q3 | Justin Miller + Isaiah Wooden = Touchdown 🔥
It's simple math really 🤑
SUU: 21
LU: 6 pic.twitter.com/YB6MdRrYbI— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) November 4, 2023
With 7:23 remaining in the third quarter, Miller powered into the end zone for a one-yard touchdown run to make it 27-6 on the scoreboard.
Q3 | @justinmiller_12 punches it in 🥊
🔥 TOUCHDOWN SUU 🔥
SUU: 28
LU: 6 pic.twitter.com/Z5mrRKFhgp— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) November 4, 2023
in the fourth quarter, Landon Freeman reached paydirt on a five-yard run to stretch SUU’s advantage to 35-6.
Q4 | Landon Freeman won't be denied on this carry 👊
TOUCHDOWN SUU 🔥
SUU: 35
LU: 6 pic.twitter.com/vINzLuIDDa— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) November 4, 2023
RELATED STORIES
Miller finished the game 17/29 passing for 252 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. Wooden had seven catches for 168 yards and two touchdowns to lead SUU’s receivers.
Up next for SUU football
With the win, the Thunderbirds moved to a record of 4-5 this season, including 2-2 in United Athletic Conference games.
Southern Utah’s next game is on the road against the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks on Saturday, November 11 at 3 p.m. (MDT). The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Kyle Ireland is a Sports Producer and Locals in the NFL Insider for sports.ksl.com. He’s also co-host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on X/Twitter (@kyleireland), Instagram (@kyleirelandksl), and Threads (@kyleirelandksl).
