Despite Miller’s Five Touchdowns, SUU Falls To NAU On Score As Time Expires
Feb 27, 2021, 4:41 PM
No. 8 Southern Utah hosts Weber State in the second round of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017 at 6 p.m. MT in Cedar City. (Courtesy of Deseret News)
(Courtesy of Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Southern Utah football team fell to the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks on touchdown as time expired despite five passing touchdowns by Thunderbirds quarterback Justin Miller.
The Lumberjacks hosted the T-Birds in Flagstaff, Arizona on Saturday, February 27.
Final Minute
Southern Utah owned a 33-28 lead and had possession at the NAU 19 yards line when Demario Warren decided to go for it on 4th & 1.
The Lumberjacks forced a turnover on downs with 53 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
NAU had two timeouts remaining and proceeded to march down the field.
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With five seconds left in the game, SUU committed pass interference and set the Lumberjacks up at the two-yard line.
NAU quarterback Keondre Wudtee received the snap with two seconds to go and completed a pass in the endzone to Coleman Owen as time expired.
Southern Utah fell 34-33 in its first game in 462 days.
Northern Arizona defeats Southern Utah on a last second touchdown. 😳
FINAL@SUUFB 33@NAU_Football 34
Justin Miller led SUU with 5 passing touchdowns.#TBirdNation #BigSkyFB #LetEmKnowpic.twitter.com/nGwhS4hIFs
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 27, 2021
The Thunderbirds were led by Miller’s big passing performance. He finished 29/40 passing for 288 yards, five touchdowns, and an interception.
The first @SUUFB touchdown in 462 days.#TBirdNation #BigSkyFB #LetEmKnow
pic.twitter.com/iSlsThRkFd— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 27, 2021
Three of Miller’s touchdown tosses were caught by Brandon Schenks. He finished the contest with five catches for 74 yards and three touchdowns.
The T-Birds strike back with a deep toss of their own. 💥
Justin Miller ➡️ Brandon Schenks
Schenks with his 3rd TD of the game. 🔥 @SUUFB 27@NAU_Football 21
13:22 3Q#TBirdNation #BigSkyFB #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/0Hu6a9wcLF
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 27, 2021
Landen Meesom led the Thunderbirds with 10 receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown.
Tanner McLachlan added four catches for 30 yards and a touchdown.
Wudtee carried NAU as he was 17/25 passing for 252 yards and two touchdowns.
FINAL | Heartbreaking 💔
That said, we're so thankful to be back playing the game we love. See you next weekend in Cedar City. #StormTheSky x #11United pic.twitter.com/ydRJ3xqfdK
— SUU Football 🏈 (@SUUFB) February 27, 2021
With the loss, the Thunderbirds opened the 2021 spring season with an 0-1 record.
Southern Utah’s next game is against the Idaho State Bengals on Saturday, March 6 at 12 p.m. (MDT).
