By Spencer Rodak, Stadium Sportzz
Beginning a two-game road trip following a bye week, the SUU football team defeated West Georgia 28-17 to improve to 3-1 in conference play on Saturday.
First half
After both teams stalled on the first few drives, the T-birds were able to break through near the end of the opening quarter to take the lead. With just under two minutes left in the frame, Jackson Berry unloaded a 56-yard bomb to Shane Carr for a touchdown and a 7-0 advantage. The scoring play capped a 7-play, 80-yard drive.
🎯 @jacksonberryyyy to Shane Carr! T-Birds strike first!
⚡️: 7
🐺: 0 pic.twitter.com/iWiukd95mf— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) October 26, 2024
It didn’t take West Georgia long to respond, as they scored the tying touchdown in the opening moments of the second quarter. The Wolves would also add a 42-yard field goal midway through the period, taking a 10-7 lead.
Despite allowing 10 unanswered points, it would be Southern Utah that took the lead back before halftime.
Using over six minutes on the clock, SUU’s Targhee Lambson finished off a 13-play, 71-yard drive with a 1-yard scoring run to make it 14-10 with 53 seconds left in the half.
Who else?!?! Touchdown @nolimit_targ
⚡️: 14
🐺: 10 pic.twitter.com/qiADZUjYbJ— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) October 26, 2024
Second half
The T-birds’ late first-half momentum carried into the third quarter, as they extended their lead with a pair of touchdown drives.
First, SUU made it 21-10 with just over 10 minutes left in the period. Jackson Berry found Chase Merrell for a 12-yard scoring toss, capping off a 9-play, 75-yard possession.
T-Birds add on with a TD pass from @jacksonberryyyy to @chasemerrell84
⚡️: 21
🐺: 10 pic.twitter.com/A4PbAOZCaC— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) October 26, 2024
Southern Utah then made it a three-score lead following a missed West Georgia field goal with 1:44 on the clock. Targhee Lambson finished the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run to put the visitors ahead 28-10.
The Wolves were able to get a touchdown back midway through the final quarter but wouldn’t get any closer.
SUU closed the game by using much of the clock on their final two drives to secure the 28-17 victory.
With the win, the T-birds improved to 4-4 overall, including 3-1 in United Athletic Conference play.
Quarterback Jackson Berry led the SUU aerial attack, completing 16-of-20 passes for 257 yards, 2 touchdowns, and an interception. Targhee Lambson added another strong performance on the ground, racking up 135 yards and 2 scores on 30 carries.
George Ramirez led the T-birds on defense, totaling 10 tackles. The defense allowed just 93 net rushing yards, sending West Georgia to a 0-6 conference record in their debut Division I FCS season.
Coach Fitzgerald postgame
Up next
SUU (4-4, 3-1 UAC) heads to The Lone Star State for a battle with No. 17/19 Tarleton State on Saturday, Nov. 2.
The T-birds and Wildcats matchup will kick off at 2 p.m. MT and can be seen on ESPN+.