Southern Utah Wraps Up Season With Win Over Sam Houston State

SALT LAKE CITY – The Southern Utah football program picked up a victory over the Sam Houston State Bearkats to cap the Thunderbirds’ 2022 campaign.

The Bearkats hosted the T-Birds at Elliot T. Bowers Stadium in Huntsville, Texas on Saturday, November 19.

SUU defeated Sam Houston, 17-7.

Final from Huntsville!#FocusFightFinish x #TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/Hl8VpbDwda

— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) November 19, 2022

The victory helped the Thunderbirds finish their season with back-to-back wins.

Southern Utah used a double-digit first half lead to propel the outcome.

The Thunderbirds started the contest with a 44-yard field goal by Micah Pettit to get on the scoreboard less than three minutes into the opening quarter. Seven minutes later, Thunderbirds quarterback Justin Miller connected with Mata’ava Ta’ase for eight yards and six points. After an extra-point kick by Pettit, the T-Birds took a 10-0 lead into the second quarter.

That's a TAVA TD!!!

⚡️: 10
🟠: 0 pic.twitter.com/mHHuxraXaf

— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) November 19, 2022

Late in the second quarter, the Bearkats found the end zone on a two-yard run by Trapper Pannell and cut SUU’s lead to 10-7.

The Thunderbirds held the Bearkats scoreless over the final two quarters of game time while adding to their total. With 6:22 remaining in the third quarter, Elijah Burns scored on a two-yard touchdown run to push Southern Utah’s lead back to 10 points.

Elijah Burns powers in for the TD! 💪

⚡️: 17
🟠: 7 pic.twitter.com/33CX5mC3ky

— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) November 19, 2022

SUU held on throughout the final 21 minutes and captured the win.

The Thunderbirds won despite losing to the Bearkats in first downs, total yards, rushing yards, penalties, turnovers, and time of possession.

Miller finished the game 13/30 passing for 154 yards, one touchdown, and an interception.

Isaiah Wooden led SUU’s ground attack with six carries for 99 yards. Burns finished with five rushes for 18 yards and a score.

Sam Houston was led by Pannell’s 21 carries for 147 yards and a touchdown.

With the win, the Thunderbirds finished the season with a 5-6 record, including 2-3 in Western Athletic Conference games.

SUU won its opener against St. Thomas (Minnesota) before dropping its first game of the season against the Utah Utes. The T-Birds bounced back with two straight wins before falling into a five-game losing streak. Southern Utah ended its campaign with wins over Lincoln (California) and Sam Houston.

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