Southern Utah Falls In Close Contest At Eastern Kentucky
Oct 1, 2022, 8:18 PM
SUU vs. Eastern Kentucky (Courtesy of Southern Utah Athletics)
(Courtesy of Southern Utah Athletics)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Southern Utah Thunderbirds football team came up short in a close contest against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels.
Eastern Kentucky hosted SUU at Roy Kidd Stadium in Richmond, Kentucky on Saturday, October 1.
The Colonels barely beat the T-Birds, 35-28.
Final From Richmond#FocusFightFinish x #TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/sfm8ntioRw
— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) October 2, 2022
A late touchdown was the difference between defeat and a possible overtime period for Southern Utah, who suffered its second loss of the season.
Eastern Kentucky opened the contest with the lone touchdown of the opening quarter at the 9:39 mark, five minutes in the game.
Southern Utah founds its first points of the afternoon on a Joe Davis run early in the second quarter.
Joe Davis with the TD Run!
🔴: 7
⚡️: 7 pic.twitter.com/O33jzAMVta— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) October 1, 2022
Less than three minutes later, the Colonels responded with a score to take a 14-7 lead over the T-Birds. SUU quarterback Justin Miller connected with Steve Jenkins for a one-yard touchdown with 6:07 left in the first half to tie the game.
Steve Jenkins and the TD Stands!
6:07 in the 2nd
🔴: 14
⚡️: 14 pic.twitter.com/vl6IlFPJVp— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) October 1, 2022
Three minutes later, Eastern Kentucky found paydirt and its three touchdown. The Colonels went into the halftime break with a 21-14 edge.
Thunderbirds receiver Isaiah Wooden opened second half scoring with a nine-yard touchdown run to knot the scoreboard at the 5:32 mark in the third quarter.
Isaiah Wooden ties it up!
🔴: 21
⚡️: 21 pic.twitter.com/wxliaIFWmE— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) October 2, 2022
However, the Colonels had another answer and regained the lead with another touchdown before the fourth quarter.
Miller helped the Thunderbirds open the fourth quarter with a game-tying touchdown to Isaiah Williams. The Miller-Williams connection tied the game at 28-28.
Isaiah Williams with the 19yd TD! pic.twitter.com/nCGaTmIJ6O
— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) October 2, 2022
Eastern Kentucky wouldn’t let Southern Utah steal a road victory and the Colonels scored the game-winning touchdown with 6:13 left to play.
Miller finished the game 21/29 passing for 251 yards and two touchdowns. Jenkins led the T-Bird receivers with three catches for 73 yards and a touchdown. Bobby Cole lead Southern Utah’s ground attack with eight carries for 64 yards.
With the loss, the Thunderbirds fell to a 3-2 record this season, including 1-2 away from Cedar City.
Southern Utah’s next game is at home against Tarleton on Saturday, October 8 at 6 p.m. (MDT). The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
