Southern Utah Falls Short In Comeback Attempt At Abilene Christian
Oct 15, 2022, 6:35 PM | Updated: 8:44 pm
(Courtesy of Southern Utah Athletics)
(Courtesy of Southern Utah Athletics)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Southern Utah football team fell short in its comeback attempt and fell in a close loss to the Abilene Christian Wildcats.
The Wildcats hosted the Thunderbirds at Anthony Field at Wildcat Stadium in Abilene, Texas on Saturday, October 15.
Abilene Christian defeated Southern Utah, 21-18.
Final from Abilene#FocusFightFinish x #TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/AAIHItQMyT
— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) October 16, 2022
The Thunderbirds struggled to find points in the first half of the afternoon contest. SUU connected on a 28-yard field goal late in the second quarter to find a spot on the scoreboard. However, a pair of touchdowns gave ACU a 14-3 lead at the halftime break.
In the second half, the Thunderbirds found the end zone for the first time as Justin Miller hit Isaiah Wooden for a 47-yard touchdown. The big play cut Abilene Christian’s lead to 14-10 with 5:42 left in the third quarter.
Isaiah Wooden wins the jump ball and scampers in for the TD!
🟣: 14
⚡️: 10#FocusFightFinish x #TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/U04Spksk0N— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) October 15, 2022
The Wildcats opened fourth quarter with their third touchdown of the afternoon and took a 21-10 lead.
With 2:41 remaining in the game, Miller found Ethan Bolingbroke for five yards and six points. The Thunderbirds converted a two-point try and cut ACU’s advantage to only three points.
Bolingbroke Wide OPEN for the TD!
🟣: 21
⚡️: 16 pic.twitter.com/3KyC44jAtN— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) October 15, 2022
Going for 2???
Yes!
🟣: 21
⚡️: 18 pic.twitter.com/0RhkEUr1RR— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) October 15, 2022
Unfortunately for the T-Birds, there wasn’t enough time left on the clock after the Wildcats picked up a first down on their next and drive and Abilene Christian was able to run out the clock.
The T-Birds fell despite outgaining the Wildcats in total offense, 375 yards to 280 yards.
Miller finished the game 26/45 passing for 289 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Wooden led SUU with five catches for 117 yards and a touchdown. The T-Birds’ leading rusher was Braedon Wissler with 27 yards on five carries.
Wildcats quarterback Maverick McIvor was 17/27 passing for 162 yards and a touchdown.
With the loss, Southern Utah fell to a 3-4 record, including 1-2 in Western Athletic Conference action.
The Thunderbirds’ next game is at home against the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks on Saturday, October 22 at 1 p.m. (MDT). The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
