2024 Southern Utah Thunderbirds football team

The 2024 Southern Utah Thunderbirds football team represented Southern Utah University as a member of the United Athletic Conference (UAC) during the 2024 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Thunderbirds were coached by third-year head coach DeLane Fitzgerald and played at Eccles Coliseum in Cedar City, Utah.

2024 Southern Utah Thunderbirds football
ConferenceUnited Athletic Conference
Record7–5 (6–2 UAC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorBrad Robbins (1st season)
Defensive coordinatorJohn Kelling (3rd season)
Home stadiumEccles Coliseum
Seasons
← 2023
2025 →
2024 United Athletic Conference standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 15 Abilene Christian $^   7 1     9 5  
No. 14 Tarleton State ^   6 2     10 4  
No. 22 Eastern Kentucky ^   6 2     8 5  
Southern Utah   6 2     7 5  
Central Arkansas   3 5     6 6  
Austin Peay   3 5     4 8  
North Alabama   3 5     3 9  
West Georgia*   1 7     4 7  
Utah Tech   1 7     1 11  
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – FCS playoff participant
  • Note: West Georgia is ineligible for the UAC title and FCS postseason play due to transition from NCAA Division II.
Rankings from STATS Poll

Schedule

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DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
August 297:00 p.m.at No. 12 (FBS) Utah*ESPN+L 0–4952,210
September 77:00 p.m.at UTEP*ESPN+W 27–24 OT41,609
September 146:00 p.m.No. 15 UC Davis*ESPN+L 21–245,013
September 214:00 p.m.at Idaho State*ESPN+L 28–388,688
September 2812:00 p.m.at Austin PeayESPN+W 28–173,988
October 56:00 p.m.No. 14 Tarleton State
  • Eccles Coliseum
  • Cedar City, UT
ESPN+L 37–38 OT3,562
October 122:00 p.m.Eastern Kentucky 
  • Eccles Coliseum
  • Cedar City, UT
ESPN+W 42–215,134
October 2612:00 p.m.at West GeorgiaESPN+W 28–172,243
November 22:00 p.m.at No. 17 Abilene ChristianESPN+L 25–289,701
November 91:00 p.m.North Alabama
  • Eccles Coliseum
  • Cedar City, UT
ESPN+W 38–263,042
November 163:00 p.m.at No. 24 Central ArkansasESPN+W 38–314,024
November 231:00 p.m.Utah Tech
  • Eccles Coliseum
  • Cedar City, UT
ESPN+W 37–34 2OT4,115

[1][2]

Game summaries

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at No. 12 (FBS) Utah

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Game One – Southern Utah Thunderbirds (0-0) vs No. 12 (FBS) Utah Utes (0-0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Thunderbirds 0 0 000
No. 12 (FBS) Utes 7 28 7749

at Rice-Eccles StadiumSalt Lake City, UT

  • Date: Thursday August 29, 2024
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 76 °F (24 °C)
  • Game attendance: 52,210
  • Referee: Henry Johns
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Richard Cross (play-by-play), Barrett Brooks (analyst), and Shane Sparks (sideline reporter)
Game information
First quarter
  • (8:46) UTAH – Dijon Stanley 64-yard pass from Cameron Rising (Cole Becker kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 90 yards, 2:56; Utah 7-0)
Second quarter
  • (14:48) UTAH – Brant Kuithe 29-yard pass from Cameron Rising (Cole Becker kick) (Drive: 8 plays, 67 yards, 3:01; Utah 14-0)
  • (11:27) UTAH – Brant Kuithe 18-yard pass from Cameron Rising (Cole Becker kick) (Drive: 3 plays, 48 yards, 1:44; Utah 21-0)
  • (9:04) UTAH – Dijon Stanley 79-yard pass from Cameron Rising (Cole Becker kick) (Drive: 1 play, 79 yards, 0:12; Utah 28-0)
  • (1:08) UTAH – Brant Kuithe 11-yard pass from Cameron Rising (Cole Becker kick) (Drive: 11 plays, 74 yards, 5:34; Utah 35-0)
Third quarter
  • (4:23) UTAH – Mike Mitchell 4-yard run (Cole Becker kick) (Drive: 12 plays, 57 yards, 6:09; Utah 42-0)
Fourth quarter
  • (11:05) UTAH – Caleb Lohner 20-yard pass from Isaac Wilson (Trey Coleman kick) (Drive: 1 play, 20 yards, 0:07; Utah 49-0)
Statistics SUU UTAH
First downs 9 26
Total yards 150 513
Rushing yards 79 185
Passing yards 71 328
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 8–21–1 17–26–2
Time of possession 28:45 31:15
Team Category Player Statistics
Southern Utah Passing Jackson Berry 6/11, 54 yards, INT
Rushing Targhee Lambson 6 carries, 44 yards
Receiving Mark Bails 3 receptions, 42 yards
Utah Passing Cameron Rising 10/15, 254 yards, 5 TD
Rushing Dijon Stanley 6 carries, 34 yards
Receiving Dijon Stanley 3 receptions, 150 yards, 2 TD

at UTEP (FBS)

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Game Two – Southern Utah Thunderbirds (0–1) vs UTEP Miners (FBS) (0–1) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34OTTotal
Thunderbirds 6 0 810327
Miners (FBS) 14 0 37024

at Sun BowlEl Paso, TX

  • Date: Saturday September 7, 2024
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 82 °F (28 °C)
  • Game attendance: 41,609
  • Referee: Rory Bernard
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD
  • Box Score
Game information
First quarter
  • UTEP – Jevon Jackson 5-yard pass from Skyler Locklear (Buzz Flabiano kick), 10:33. UTEP 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:27.
  • SUU – Zach Mitchell 40-yard pass from Bronson Barron, 6:09. UTEP 7–6. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:24.
  • UTEP – Skyler Locklear 5-yard run (Buzz Flabiano kick), 1:35. UTEP 14–6. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 4:34.

Second quarter

  • UTEP – Buzz Flabiano 43-yard field goal, 2:57. UTEP 17–6. Drive: 7 plays, 50 yards, 2:59.

Third quarter

  • SUU – Targhee Lambson 20-yard run (Mark Bails Jr. run), 6:31. UTEP 17–14. Drive: 6 plays, 50 yards, 2:53.

Fourth quarter

  • SUU – Targhee Lambson 46-yard run (Danny King kick), 13:15. Southern Utah 21–17. Drive: 4 plays, 60 yards, 1:37.
  • SUU – Danny King 38-yard field goal, 2:39. Southern Utah 24–17. Drive: 11 plays, 59 yards, 5:37.
  • UTEP – Skyler Locklear 4-yard pass from Jaden Smith (Buzz Flabiano kick), 0:00. Tied 24–24. Drive: 9 plays, 77 yards, 2:34.

Overtime

  • SUU – Danny King 33-yard field goal. Southern Utah 27–24. Drive: 7 plays, 9 yards.
Statistics SUU UTEP
First downs 21 17
Total yards 383 423
Rushing yards 268 124
Passing yards 115 299
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 11–18–0 23–30–0
Time of possession 31:24 28:36
Team Category Player Statistics
Southern Utah Passing Jackson Berry 10/17, 75 yds
Rushing Targhee Lambson 20 rushes, 183 yds, 2 TD
Receiving Zach Mitchell 3 receptions, 62 yds, TD
UTEP Passing Skyler Locklear 22/29, 295 yds, TD
Rushing Jevon Jackson 20 rushes, 80 yds
Receiving Kam Thomas 5 receptions, 99 yds

vs. No. 15 UC Davis

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Game Three – No. 15 UC Davis Aggies (1–1) vs Southern Utah Thunderbirds (1–1) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 15 Aggies 3 3 18024
Thunderbirds 7 7 0721

at Eccles ColiseumCedar City, UT

  • Date: Saturday September 14, 2024
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 80 °F (27 °C) • Wind: N 12 miles per hour (19 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 5,013
  • Referee: Zach Erdmann
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD
  • Box Score
Game information
First quarter
  • SUU – LaCarea Pleasant-Johnson 59-yard interception (Danny King kick), 13:11. Southern Utah 7–0.
  • UCD – Hunter Ridley 39-yard field goal, 4:37. Southern Utah 7–3. Drive: 11 plays, 54 yards, 8:34.

Second quarter

  • SUU – Targhee Lambson 3-yard run (Danny King kick), 1:21. Southern Utah 14–3. Drive: 12 plays, 88 yards, 6:05.
  • UCD – Hunter Ridley 37-yard field goal, 0:00. Southern Utah 14–6. Drive: 6 plays, 56 yards, 1:21.

Third quarter

  • UCD – Winston Williams 10-yard pass from Miles Hastings (Lan Larison pass), 10:43. Tied 14–14. Drive: 7 plays, 68 yards, 3:03.
  • UCD – Lan Larison 60-yard pass from Miles Hastings (Hunter Ridley kick), 8:39. UC Davis 21–14. Drive: 1 play, 60 yards, 0:13.
  • UCD – Hunter Ridley 23-yard field goal, 1:45. UC Davis 24–14. Drive: 4 plays, 2 yards, 1:27.

Fourth quarter

  • SUU – Targhee Lambson 2-yard run (Danny King kick), 5:13. UC Davis 24–21. Drive: 9 plays, 74 yards, 3:44.
Statistics UCD SUU
First downs 18 22
Total yards 355 340
Rushing yards 89 210
Passing yards 266 130
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 24–31–1 14–28–1
Time of possession 30:10 29:50
Team Category Player Statistics
UC Davis Passing Miles Hastings 24/30, 266 yds, 2 TD, INT
Rushing Lan Larison 15 rushes, 88 yds
Receiving Lan Larison 7 receptions, 92 yds, TD
Southern Utah Passing Bronson Barron 7/15, 81 yds, INT
Rushing Targhee Lambson 24 rushes, 149 yds, 2 TD
Receiving Mark Bails Jr. 7 receptions, 45 yds

at Idaho State

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Game Four – Southern Utah Thunderbirds (1–2) at Idaho State Bengals (1–2) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Thunderbirds 0 0 000
Bengals 0 0 000

at ICCU DomePocatello, ID

  • Date: Saturday September 21, 2024
  • Game time: 4:00 PM MST
  • Game weather: None (Indoor stadium)
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics SUU IDST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Southern Utah Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Idaho State Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at Austin Peay

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Game Five – Southern Utah Thunderbirds (1–3) vs Austin Peay Governors (1–3) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Thunderbirds 0 0 000
Governors 0 0 000

at Fortera StadiumClarksville, TN

  • Date: Saturday September 28, 2024
  • Game time: 12:00 PM MST
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics SUU APSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Southern Utah Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Austin Peay Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at No. 14 Tarleton State

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Game Six – Southern Utah Thunderbirds (2–3) vs No. 14 Tarleton State Texans (4–1) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Thunderbirds 0 0 000
No. 14 Texans 0 0 000

at Memorial StadiumStephenville, TX

  • Date: Saturday October 5, 2024
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m.
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics SUU TAR
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Southern Utah Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Tarleton State Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs. Eastern Kentucky

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Game Seven – Eastern Kentucky Colonels (3–2) at Southern Utah Thunderbirds (2–4) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Colonels 0 6 8721
Thunderbirds 7 7 141442

at Eccles ColiseumCedar City, UT

  • Date: Saturday October 12, 2024
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 75 °F (24 °C) • Wind: NE 13 miles per hour (21 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 5,134
  • Referee: John Kellermeier
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD
Game information
First quarter
  • SUU – Targhee Lambson 3-yard run (Jayden Rogers kick), 4:31. Southern Utah 7–0. Drive: 12 plays, 69 yards, 6:06.
Second quarter
  • EKU – Patrick Nations 34-yard field goal, 14:01. Southern Utah 7–3. Drive: 16 plays, 58 yards, 5:30.
  • SUU – Gabe Nunez 11-yard pass from Jackson Berry (Jayden Rogers kick), 6:03. Southern Utah 14–3. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 7:58.
  • EKU – Patrick Nations 47-yard field goal, 0:02. Southern Utah 14–6. Drive: 6 plays, 45 yards, 0:38.
Third quarter
  • EKU – Joshua Carter 2-yard run (Jeremiah Bailey pass), 11:23. Tied 14–14. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:37.
  • SUU – Devin Downing 12-yard pass from Jackson Berry (Jayden Rogers kick), 7:21. Southern Utah 21–14. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:02.
  • SUU – Targhee Lambson 8-yard run (Jayden Rogers kick), 3:13. Southern Utah 28–14. Drive: 7 plays, 31 yards, 3:32.
Fourth quarter
  • SUU – Shane Carr 38-yard pass from Jackson Berry (Jayden Rogers kick), 8:49. Southern Utah 35–14. Drive: 9 plays, 88 yards, 4:59.
  • EKU – Dequan Stanley 9-yard pass from Matt Morrissey (Patrick Nations kick), 5:55. Southern Utah 35–21. Drive: 8 plays, 60 yards, 2:50.
  • SUU – Targhee Lambson 1-yard run (Jayden Rogers kick), 1:58. Southern Utah 42–21. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 3:57.
Statistics EKU SUU
First downs 23 27
Total yards 276 482
Rushing yards 69 278
Passing yards 207 204
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 24–36–1 13–23–0
Time of possession 23:18 36:42
Team Category Player Statistics
Eastern Kentucky Passing Matt Morrissey 24/36, 207 yards, TD, INT
Rushing Joshua Carter 11 carries, 43 yards, TD
Receiving Dequan Stanley 6 receptions, 47 yards, TD
Southern Utah Passing Jackson Berry 13/23, 204 yards, 3 TD
Rushing Targhee Lambson 34 carries, 170 yards, 3 TD
Receiving Devin Downing 3 receptions, 69 yards, TD

at West Georgia

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Game Eight – Southern Utah Thunderbirds (3–4) vs West Georgia Wolves (2–5) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Thunderbirds 0 0 000
Wolves 0 0 000

at University StadiumCarrollton, GA

  • Date: Saturday October 26, 2024
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m.
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics SUU UWG
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Southern Utah Passing
Rushing
Receiving
West Georgia Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at No. 17 Abilene Christian

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Game Nine – Southern Utah Thunderbirds (4–4) vs No. 17 Abilene Christian Wildcats (5–3) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Thunderbirds 0 3 71525
No. 17 Wildcats 14 7 0728

at Wildcat StadiumAbilene, TX

  • Date: Saturday November 2, 2024
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 78 °F (26 °C)
  • Game attendance: 9,701
  • Referee: Matthew Jones
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD
Game information
First quarter
  • (10:03) ACU – Javon Gipson 13-yard pass from Maverick McIvor, Ritse Vaes kick (Drive: 8 plays, 61 yards, 3:33; Abilene Christian 7–0)
  • (2:05) ACU – Isaiah Johnson 6-yard run, Ritse Vaes kick (Drive: 12 plays, 81 yards, 4:44; Abilene Christian 14–0)
Second quarter
  • (10:22) ACU – Isaiah Johnson 1-yard run, Ritse Vaes kick (Drive: 9 plays, 71 yards, 4:38; Abilene Christian 21–0)
  • (0:27) SUU – Jayden Rogers 42-yard field goal (Drive: 11 plays, 56 yards, 2:57; Abilene Christian 21–3)
Third quarter
  • (1:22) SUU – Targhee Lambson 3-yard run, Jayden Rogers kick (Drive: 4 plays, 78 yards, 1:55; Abilene Christian 21–10)
Fourth quarter
  • (9:54) ACU – Sam Hicks 12-yard pass from Maverick McIvor, Ritse Vaes kick (Drive: 12 plays, 88 yards, 6:28; Abilene Christian 28–10)
  • (5:56) SUU – Targhee Lambson 13-yard run, Jayden Rogers kick (Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 3:58; Abilene Christian 28–17)
  • (4:03) SUU – Targhee Lambson 1-yard run, Jayden Rogers kick (Drive: 1 play, 1 yard, 0:04; Abilene Christian 28–25)
Statistics SUU ACU
First downs 17 26
Total yards 296 445
Rushing yards 220 139
Passing yards 76 306
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 12–19–0 22–31–1
Time of possession 25:02 34:58
Team Category Player Statistics
Southern Utah Passing Jackson Berry 12/19, 76 yards
Rushing Targhee Lambson 27 carries, 198 yards, 3 TD
Receiving Devin Downing 2 receptions, 21 yards
Abilene Christian Passing Maverick McIvor 22/31, 306 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing Isaiah Johnson 19 carries, 72 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Blayne Taylor 5 receptions, 81 yards

vs. North Alabama

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Game Ten – North Alabama Lions (3–7) at Southern Utah Thunderbirds (4–5) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Lions 0 7 19026
Thunderbirds 7 14 10738

at Eccles ColiseumCedar City, UT

  • Date: Saturday November 9, 2024
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 49 °F (9 °C) • Wind: SE 3 miles per hour (4.8 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 3,042
  • Referee: Michael Lennie
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Spencer McLaughlin (play-by-play), Dallin Richards (analyst) and Kendall McGuire (sideline)
Game information
First quarter
  • (4:01) SUU – Targhee Lambson 18-yard run, Jayden Rogers kick (Drive: 13 plays, 84 yards, 7:27; Southern Utah 7–0)
Second quarter
  • (11:08) SUU – Targhee Lambson 1-yard run, Jayden Rogers kick (Drive: 12 plays, 72 yards, 6:49; Southern Utah 14–0)
  • (1:56) SUU – Targhee Lambson 2-yard run, Jayden Rogers kick (Drive: 9 plays, 79 yards, 4:30; Southern Utah 21–0)
  • (1:17) UNA – Dakota Warfield 22-yard pass from TJ Smith, Scott Payne kick (Drive: 2 plays, 78 yards, 0:32; Southern Utah 21–7)
Third quarter
  • (7:42) SUU – Jayden Rogers 50-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 42 yards, 4:20; Southern Utah 24–7)
  • (6:58) UNA – Justin Lake 70-yard pass from TJ Smith (Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 0:44; Southern Utah 24–13)
  • (5:33) SUU – Shane Carr 33-yard pass from Jackson Berry, Jayden Rogers kick (Drive: 4 plays, 60 yards, 1:25; Southern Utah 31–13)
  • (5:24) UNA – Takairee Kenebrew 75-yard pass from TJ Smith (Drive: 1 play, 75 yards, 0:09; Southern Utah 31–19)
  • (0:40) UNA – Jayvian Allen 3-yard run, Scott Payne kick (Drive: 5 plays, 82 yards, 1:32; Southern Utah 31–26)
Fourth quarter
  • (10:51) SUU – Kameron Rocha 48-yard interception, Jayden Rogers kick (Southern Utah 38–26)
Statistics UNA SUU
First downs 18 23
Total yards 487 407
Rushing yards 35 177
Passing yards 452 230
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 21–34–2 21–31–0
Time of possession 20:32 39:28
Team Category Player Statistics
North Alabama Passing TJ Smith 21/34, 452 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
Rushing TJ Smith 7 carries, 31 yards
Receiving Takairee Kenebrew 5 receptions, 187 yards, TD
Southern Utah Passing Jackson Berry 21/31, 230 yards, TD
Rushing Targhee Lambson 31 carries, 165 yards, 3 TD
Receiving Gabe Nunez 7 receptions, 94 yards

at No. 24 Central Arkansas

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Game Eleven – Southern Utah Thunderbirds (5–5) at No. 24 Central Arkansas Bears (6–4) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Thunderbirds 0 0 000
No. 24 Bears 0 0 000

at Estes StadiumConway, AR

  • Date: Saturday November 16, 2024
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics SUU UCA
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Southern Utah Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Central Arkansas Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs. Utah Tech

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Game Twelve – Utah Tech Trailblazers (1–10) vs Southern Utah Thunderbirds (6–5) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Trailblazers 0 0 000
Thunderbirds 0 0 000

at Eccles ColiseumCedar City, UT

  • Date: Saturday November 23, 2024
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics UTU SUU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Utah Tech Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Southern Utah Passing
Rushing
Receiving

References

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  1. ^ "2024 Southern Utah Thunderbirds schedule". FBSchedules. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  2. ^ Ireland, Kyle (November 20, 2023). "Southern Utah Releases 2024 Football Schedule". KSL Sports. Retrieved March 23, 2024.