Southern Utah Shuts Down Western Illinois For First Win Of Season
Sep 23, 2023, 9:29 PM | Updated: Sep 30, 2023, 8:20 pm
SUU football (Courtesy of Southern Utah Athletics)
(Courtesy of Southern Utah Athletics)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Southern Utah football program picked up its first victory of the season behind a strong performance in the second half against the Western Illinois Leathernecks.
Southern Utah earns first win of 2023
The Thunderbirds hosted the Leathernecks at Eccles Coliseum in Cedar City, Utah on Saturday, September 23.
SUU beat Western Illinois, 37-17.
Took care of business tonight 😤#FocusFightFinish ⚡️ #TBirdNation ⚡️ #RaiseTheHammer pic.twitter.com/tfw8vslKZz
— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) September 24, 2023
The T-Birds used a consistent performance to pull out the victory. Southern Utah opened the game by taking a 3-0 lead on a field goal in the opening minutes of the contest. With 7:14 left in the first quarter, SUU’s Justin Miller connected with Zach Mitchell for a touchdown to give the Thunderbirds a 10-0 lead.
Q1 | @justinmiller_12 ➡️ Zach Mitchell ➡️ TOUCHDOWN
⚡️: 10
🐶: 0 pic.twitter.com/WykkKN6AVD— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) September 24, 2023
However, after the strong start, the T-Birds let the Leathernecks back in the second quarter. Western Illinois outscored SUU by 10 points in the final 15 minutes of the first half and the game was tied at 17-17 at the break.
Q2 | Targhee bulldozes his way into the endzone for the TD 👊
⚡️: 17
🐶: 3 pic.twitter.com/rjI87D8Rrm— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) September 24, 2023
Following the break, Southern Utah pitched a shutout on defense and added to its total on offense.
With 1:26 to go in the third quarter, Targhee Lambson crossed the goal line on a nine-yard rush for his second touchdown on the ground. Lambson’s second score gave SUU a 24-17 lead.
Q3 | Targhee takes it to the HOUSE 🏠
⚡️: 24
🐶: 17 pic.twitter.com/hKzYFF4SzW— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) September 24, 2023
Late in the fourth quarter, Southern Utah sealed the game with a touchdown connection between Miller and Isaiah Wooden. The score was a 43-yard touchdown.
Q4 | COLD BLOODED 🥶@justinmiller_12 finds Isaiah Wooden for the TD 👊
⚡️: 30
🐶: 17 pic.twitter.com/mOcdW6BMoP— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) September 24, 2023
With 31 seconds to play, Western Illinois’ Matt Morrissey tossed a pick-six to put the game on ice.
Q4 | @CodyCole_22 with the PICK 6️⃣ 🔥
⚡️: 37
🐶: 17 pic.twitter.com/xIUMJw1ZyH— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) September 24, 2023
Miller finished the game 24/35 passing for 242 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.
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Lambson had 11 carries for 35 yards and two touchdowns.
Mitchell led all SUU receivers with six receptions for 78 yards and a score.
Up next for Southern Utah
With the win, the Thunderbirds improved to a 1-3 record this season.
Southern Utah’s next game is at home against the Central Arkansas Bears on Saturday, September 30 at 6 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).
