Isaiah Wooden Leads Southern Utah To Win Over Stephen F. Austin
Nov 11, 2023, 7:14 PM | Updated: Nov 13, 2023, 3:28 pm
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Southern Utah Thunderbirds blew out the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks, 45-17, behind a dominant second half offensively.
The T-Birds scored 35 of their 45 points in the second half, including a 21-point fourth quarter.
SUU improves to 5-5 with the win.
FINAL in Nacogdoches#FocusFightFinish ⚡️ #TBirdNation ⚡️#RaiseTheHammer pic.twitter.com/Idi1HC1as0
— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) November 12, 2023
First Half
The story was defense for both sides early on.
Neither the Thunderbirds nor the Lumberjacks were able to score through the first 12 minutes.
Near the end of the first quarter, SUU capped off a 10-play drive with a 34-yard field goal to get on the board.
Up and Good for 3 by Tyler Graham! pic.twitter.com/esjCsuYRvI
— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) November 11, 2023
Stephen F. Austin responded with their own field goal on their first drive of the second quarter.
Southern Utah was forced to punt away after getting the ball back.
The Lumberjacks got into field goal range again but the 48-yard attempt was missed, leaving the score at 3-3.
The Lumberjacks tie it up with a field goal. 14:19 in the 2nd
⚡️: 3
🪓: 3— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) November 11, 2023
But not for long.
Southern Utah marched down the field and found Isaiah Wooden in traffic for a highlight touchdown grab.
The catch gave Wooden his tenth touchdown reception this season.
That’s another @wooden_isaiah TOUCHDOWN! His 10th of the year!
⚡️: 10
🪓: 3 pic.twitter.com/bBS7yIrANi— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) November 11, 2023
The first half came to a close with Southern Utah holding a seven-point lead over Stephen F. Austin, 10-3.
Second Half
The first 30 minutes were mostly defense. The second half made a complete 180.
Southern Utah scored two touchdowns on their first two drives after the break.
In between the scores, the Thunderbirds defense forced back-to-back three-and-outs.
Not ☝️Not ✌️ but 3️⃣ touchdowns for @wooden_isaiah
⚡️: 24
🪓: 3 pic.twitter.com/A7VqPZBsBX— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) November 12, 2023
Both touchdowns were through the air from more than 35 yards. Wooden caught both of the deep balls to record a hat trick through three quarters.
SUU held a 24-3 lead going into the final quarter.
Wooden continued to add to his total as he caught a touchdown pass from the red zone for his fourth of the night.
Make that 🍀# 4 for @wooden_isaiah
⚡️: 31
🪓: 3 pic.twitter.com/pjg4kBTrct— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) November 12, 2023
The Lumberjacks responded with a three-play, 75-yard drive that resulted in their first touchdown of the game.
Braedon Wissler got in on the fun for Southern Utah as he took a handoff for 30 yards and a touchdown about halfway through the fourth.
30 yard rushing TD for @Wiss_Mode
⚡️: 38
🪓: 10 pic.twitter.com/m0HDZTENBN— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) November 12, 2023
The Thunderbirds then intercepted Stephen F. Austin on their side of the field and bought out the offense in a great position.
Cade Bowring had his number called on two runs and that’s all it took to get into the end zone once again.
Career TD number ☝️ for Cade Bowring!
⚡️: 45
🪓: 10 pic.twitter.com/CBWP1aLSgL— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) November 12, 2023
Stephen F. Austin added one more late touchdown.
Southern Utah picks up its fifth win in convincing fashion as they move past the Lumberjacks on the road, 45-17.
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Chandler Holt is a co-host for the Jazz Notes podcast and a Digital Sports Producer for sports.ksl.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter @ChandlerHoltKSL or on Threads @chandlerho1t.
