Southern Utah Lets Lead Slip Away In Close Loss To UC Davis

CEDAR CITY, UTAH- The Southern Utah Thunderbirds took on the #15 UC Davis Aggies on Saturday night in Eccles Coliseum.

The Thunderbirds led by eight at halftime, but were unable to keep pace, giving up 18 points in the third quarter and falling despite a late effort.

Southern Utah Versus UC Davis Recap

First Half

The Thunderbirds set the tone of defense early. The UC Davis Aggies were only four plays into the opening drive when Miles Hastings was picked off by Lacarea Pleasant-Johnson who toted the rock to the endzone, giving Southern Utah the lead.

@lpj3100 with a huge PICK 6⃣ right out of the gate!

⚡️: 7
🐴: 0

📺: https://t.co/XqMjoGFkU6 @espn pic.twitter.com/aVNetBVMTX

— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) September 15, 2024

UC Davis responded with a 17-play drive that resulted in a field goal, making the score 7-3.

The score remained the same until late in the second quarter with 1:46 remaining in the half. Targhee Lambson put the exclamation point on an 88-yard Thunderbird drive with a 3-yard touchdown run. Braedon Wissler propelled Southern Utah on the drive with a 26-yard run.

That's another one for touchdown Targhee 🏈@nolimit_targ
⚡️: 14
🐴: 3

📺: https://t.co/XqMjoGFkU6 @espn pic.twitter.com/dSgRXNgYVA

— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) September 15, 2024

The Aggies were able to cut into the deficit just before half time, kicking a 37-yard field goal with four second remaining on the clock.

The Thunderbirds led at the break 14-6.

Second Half

Southern Utah received the second half kick, but went three-and-out, punting it away to UC Davis.

After gaining possession, the Aggies went 68 yards over eight plays, scoring a touchdown and punching in a 2-point conversion to tie the game at 14.

UC Davis continued to dominate the third quarter, holding the Thunderbirds scoreless while breaking the tie with a total of of 18 points in the frame.

UC Davis’ dominant 15-minute stretch included a 10-yard and 60-yard touchdown passes, and a 23-yard field goal.

The Aggies entered the fourth quarter with a 24-14 lead over the Thunderbirds.

A 9-play SUU drive that bled into the fourth halted at the 26-yard line, where Bronson Barron missed an important field goal.

Southern Utah would mount a comeback attempt of their own, scoring on a another Targhee Lambson touchdown run from two yards out. The score came with 5:13 remaining in the game.

A second touchdown from Targhee takes it to a 1⃣ score game!!!

⚡️: 21
🐴: 24 pic.twitter.com/Y2KvMZljNh

— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) September 15, 2024

SUU regained possession following a punt from UC Davis with 1:53. With under two minutes remaining, and a change to either tie or win the game, Bronson Barron and the Tunderbirds started their drive. Barron completed four passes before throwing the sealing interception with 25 seconds on the clock.

Final score, Southern Utah 21, UC Davis 24.

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Southern Utah will head north to take on conference foe Idaho State in Pocatello. Kickoff will be at 4 p.m. MT on Saturday, September 21.

KSL Sports coverage of College Football can be found here.

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