By Spencer Rodak, Stadium Sportzz
The Southern Utah vs. Utah Tech football rivalry may be new on the stage, but it delivered a classic on Saturday afternoon as the T-birds topped the Trailblazers in 2OT, 37-34.
While the ‘Battle for the Axe’ is a renewal of an old junior college rivalry decades ago, the reborn version is beginning to leave its mark since Utah Tech’s move to Division I in 2020.
As the two teams prepared for battle in Cedar City on Saturday afternoon, it appeared on paper that the game could be a one-sided affair in favor of the home team.
Southern Utah came into the game with a 6-5 record, needing a win to clinch a second-straight winning season and a second-place finish in the United Athletic Conference. A win for the T-birds even meant the possibility – albeit a slim one – of an FCS playoff appearance.
If SUU came out on top – playoff berth or not – it would be one of the best seasons in recent memory. The season included a win over FBS program UTEP, the first for the T-birds in over a decade. They also secured a win at FCS No. 24 Central Arkansas during the year, the first win over a ranked opponent since the 2017 Big Sky championship season. Seven wins would also be the most since 2017, and back-to-back winning seasons hadn’t happened since 2016-17.
Utah Tech, on the other hand, was in a tough spot.
The Trailblazers didn’t have anything to play for other than pride, as a season with new head coach Lance Anderson and a number of new faces did not translate to success on the field.
UTU entered the game with a 1-10 mark (1-6 UAC), although the one victory did come against then-No. 9 Central Arkansas.
But even while one team had something to play for and the other did not, it was clear from the start that this renewed rivalry meant a lot to everyone involved, showing there are many more classics on the way.
Utah Tech starts fast
The Trailblazers received the opening kickoff on a windy afternoon, methodically driving down the field. UTU would find the end zone on its opening possession at the 8:36 mark of the opening period. Quarterback Reggie Graff connected with Eni Falayi to cap a 13-play, 75-yard drive.
1Q – …. a Reggie Graff jump pass over the middle to Eni Falayi for the first TD of the game!
#UtahTechBlazers | #UACFootball pic.twitter.com/3aM0KYkCLM— Utah Tech Football (@UtahTechFB) November 23, 2024
Finding themselves down early for not the first time this season, the T-birds looked to respond. Instead, SUU went three-and-out and was forced to punt it away.
Utah Tech capitalized on the momentum from its first drive, needing just three plays to add to its lead. On the third play of the drive, Graff again connected with Falayi, this time for an 81-yard score. The PAT was successful, putting the visitors ahead 14-0 with 5:26 on the clock and stunning the home crowd.
1Q – TOUCHDOWN!!! Reggie Graff over the middle to a wide open Eni Falayi, who wins the foot race to the end zone for an 81-yard TD strike and a 14-0 Trailblazer lead!#UtahTechBlazers | #UACFootball pic.twitter.com/Z0B9rBAwos
— Utah Tech Football (@UtahTechFB) November 23, 2024
Thunderbirds storm back
Down 14-0, Southern Utah began to find its footing in the game. Following the Utah Tech touchdown, the T-birds marched 70 yards in six plays, capped off by a 2-yard Targhee Lambson rushing touchdown to make it 14-7 near the end of the opening quarter. A Jackson Berry 40-yard pass to Shane Carr set up the score.
Shane breaks away in FILTHY fashion for a 40 yarder to set up a Targhee TD 😮💨
⚡️: 7
🦬: 14📺: @espn pic.twitter.com/c8RtCnGqo0
— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) November 23, 2024
The Trailblazers were stopped again on their next possession, and SUU would start the drive on its own 8-yard line with just under two minutes gone by in the second quarter.
Despite the difficult starting field position, the Thunderbirds would drive 92 yards in just over five minutes to cut into the UTU lead. On the drive’s final play, Berry found Carr for another 40-yard pass play – this time a touchdown throw – to make it 14-13. SUU would miss the PAT, keeping Utah Tech in front.
Jackson 🎯 Shane = 6️⃣!!!
⚡️: 13
🦬: 14📺: @espn pic.twitter.com/rKLB223iBQ
— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) November 23, 2024
UTU looked to keep its lead intact on its next possession, and they picked up a first down early in the drive. However, the offense stalled from there as an SUU sack and a pair of offensive penalties forced a punt.
After Gabe Nunez returned the punt 18 yards to the 42-yard line, the T-birds began their next drive looking to seize the lead for the first time. Aided by a third-down conversion and a 22-yard Lambson run, SUU would take the lead for the first time with 2:24 left in the half. Lambson would run the ball in for a 2-yard score, and Carr would convert the two-point attempt to put the home team up 21-14, which held until halftime.
SUU’s run continues
The second half began with one mistake after another, as the T-birds fumbled the opening kickoff, and the Trailblazers recovered. But just two plays later, UTU fumbled the ball, and SUU recovered it.
Southern Utah capitalized on Utah Tech’s mistake, and five plays and 86 yards later, the home team pushed its lead even further. Berry would take off for a 50-yard run to put the T-birds in the red zone, before connecting with Chase Merrell for a 6-yard scoring toss to make it 28-14.
.@jacksonberryyyy was HAULING to set SUU up for their 4️⃣th unanswered touchdown 💨💨
⚡️: 28
🦬: 14📺: @espn pic.twitter.com/d5AbBLMDdb
— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) November 23, 2024
SUU’s defense forced a Trailblazers three-and-out on the next possession, and the T-birds’ offense took over, looking to score even more points.
Southern Utah was able to get into the red zone thanks to the ground game, but they would ultimately be forced to settle for a field goal. The 25-yard kick by Jayden Rogers was good with 5:16 remaining in the third, giving the Thunderbirds 31 unanswered points and a 17-point lead (31-14).
Trailblazers keep fighting
With the game seemingly turning into a blowout, the Trailblazers instead picked themselves up and fought back.
Utah Tech recorded a big 62-yard pitch-and-catch from Graff to running back Bretton Stone on its next drive, but it appeared the drive would end with a field goal attempt.
3Q – Reggie Graff on play action hits Bretton Stone over the middle for a 62-yard pitch and catch! #UtahTechBlazers | #UACFootball pic.twitter.com/3FmxXedatX
— Utah Tech Football (@UtahTechFB) November 23, 2024
The Trailblazers lined up for an attempt, but the SUU defense was called for offsides, giving UTU the ball at the 3-yard line and a first down. Utah Tech was still unable to get the ball into the end zone, but another penalty, this time unsportsmanlike conduct on SUU, kept the Trailblazers’ drive alive yet again. Utah Tech was able to secure a touchdown and cut the deficit to 31-21 with 48 seconds left in quarter three.
3Q – Reggie Graff powers his way into the end zone from 3-yards out to make it a two-score game!#UtahTechBlazers | #UACFootball pic.twitter.com/KzknjeavnE
— Utah Tech Football (@UtahTechFB) November 23, 2024
UTU’s defense forced a punt on the next possession, giving the ball back to its offense as it looked to cut further into the deficit.
A few big plays got the ball moving downfield, but the drive would stall and the Trailblazers would have to settle for a field goal attempt. Or so it appeared.
Once again, an SUU penalty bailed out Utah Tech, and they took advantage of it. Graff would find Falayi for an 11-yard score just a few plays later, making it a 31-28 game with 9:05 remaining.
The next three possessions resulted in punts, and the Trailblazers would get the ball back with a chance to potentially tie or win the game with 1:49 to play. Just 45 seconds later, Utah Tech lined up for a potential game-tying field goal. Ilya Uvaydov stepped up and nailed the 51-yard field goal, knotting the score at 31.
SUU was able to line up for a potential winning field goal with just seconds remaining, but the attempt was blocked, sending the game to overtime.
First overtime
Southern Utah would begin the first extra period on offense and would convert a 37-yard field goal to take a 34-31 lead.
The Trailblazers would answer with a 40-yard field goal of their own, tying the game at 34 and sending it to a second overtime.
Second overtime
Utah Tech began the second overtime with possession, and thanks to a trick play, moved the ball down to the 2-yard line. The Trailblazers nearly took the lead with a potential touchdown, but a Graff pass was just behind an open Jay McEuen. UTU went for it on fourth down, but the pass attempt was batted away in the end zone.
Needing only a field goal to win, the T-birds would line up for a 36-yard attempt. The kick from Jayden Rogers was good, giving SUU a thrilling 37-34 rivalry victory and securing both the Axe trophy and a winning season.
DOUBLE OT WINNER
⚡️: 37
🦬: 34📺: @espn pic.twitter.com/gHvguwbqoh
— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) November 23, 2024
Coach Fitzgerald & Seniors’ postgame
Lambson leaves his mark
In what was his final game in a Thunderbird jersey, running back Targhee Lambson made sure to leave his mark on the program.
Lambson ended the season amassing 1,922 rushing yards on 320 carries, adding 23 touchdowns. The 23 touchdowns tied the SUU all-time single-season record, while his rushing yards total set a new school record, breaking the mark set by Zed Robinson in 1991.
Caption: SUU poses with the \”Battle for the Axe\” trophy after defeating Utah Tech, 37-34. Photo courtesy of SUU Athletics.