2025 Southern Utah Thunderbirds football team

Last updated

2025 Southern Utah Thunderbirds football
Southern Utah Thunderbirds Script Logo.png
Conference United Athletic Conference
Record1–4 (0–1 UAC)
Head coach
Defensive coordinator John Kelling (4th season)
Home stadium Eccles Coliseum
Seasons
  2024
2026 
2025 United Athletic Conference standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 18 West Georgia*  2 0   5 0  
No. 3 Tarleton State  1 0   5 0  
No. 12 Abilene Christian  1 0   2 3  
No. 23 Austin Peay  1 1   3 2  
North Alabama  0 0   1 3  
Eastern Kentucky  0 1   2 3  
Central Arkansas  0 1   1 4  
Southern Utah  0 1   1 4  
Utah Tech  0 1   1 4  
  • * – Ineligible for the UAC title and FCS postseason play due to transition from NCAA Division II.
As of September 28, 2025
Rankings from STATS Poll

The 2025 Southern Utah Thunderbirds football team represent Southern Utah University as a member of the United Athletic Conference (UAC) during the 2025 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Thunderbirds are led by fourth-year head coach DeLane Fitzgerald and play their home games at the Eccles Coliseum in Cedar City, Utah.

Contents

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
August 306:30 p.m. Idaho State * ESPN+ W 46–245,137
September 67:00 p.m.at San Diego *No. 24ESPN+L 27–302,564
September 136:30 p.m.No. 18 Northern Arizona *
ESPN+L 49–523,084
September 208:00 p.m.at No. 9 UC Davis *ESPN+L 34–5017,217
September 276:30 p.m.No. 18 West Georgia Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Eccles Coliseum
  • Cedar City, UT
ESPN+L 24–275,769
October 45:00 p.m.at Tarleton State ESPN+
October 186:30 p.m. Abilene Christian
  • Eccles Coliseum
  • Cedar City, UT
ESPN+
October 256:00 p.m.at Utah Tech ESPN+
November 16:30 p.m. Austin Peay
  • Eccles Coliseum
  • Cedar City, UT
ESPN+
November 81:00 p.m.at Eastern Kentucky ESPN+
November 156:30 p.m. Central Arkansas
  • Eccles Coliseum
  • Cedar City, UT
ESPN+
November 2212:00 p.m.at North Alabama ESPN+

[1] [2]

Game summaries

vs Idaho State

Idaho State Bengals (0-1) at Southern Utah Thunderbirds (0-0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bengals0147324
Thunderbirds151014746

at Eccles ColiseumCedar City, Utah

  • Date: August 30
  • Game time: 6:30 p.m. MDT
  • Game attendance: 5,137
  • Referee: Zachary Erdman
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First Quarter
  • SUU – Gabe Nunez 22-yard pass from Bronson Barron (Bronson Barron–Gabe Nunez pass), 10:32. Thunderbirds 8–0. Drive: 5 plays, 52 yards, 2:26.
  • SUU – Mark Bails 13-yard pass from Bronson Barron (Jayden Rogers kick), 3:06. Thunderbirds 15–0. Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards, 3:02.
Second Quarter
  • SUU – Joshua Dye 32-yard run (Jayden Rogers kick), 13:19. Thunderbirds 22–0. Drive: 4 plays, 67 yards, 1:27.
  • IDST – Damien Morgan 19-yard pass from Jordan Cooke (Trajan Sinatra kick), 10:35. Thunderbirds 22–7. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 2:44.
  • IDST – Mason Young 15-yard fumble return (Trajan Sinatra kick), 10:20. Thunderbirds 22–14.
  • SUU – Jayden Rogers 20-yard field goal, 4:45. Thunderbirds 25–14. Drive: 10 plays, 72 yards, 5:35.
Third Quarter
  • SUU – Niko Alailefaleula 4-yard pass from Bronson Barron (Jayden Rogers kick), 9:45. Thunderbirds 32–14. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:15.
  • SUU – Will Burns 72-yard run (Jayden Rogers kick), 7:01. Thunderbirds 39–14. Drive: 4 plays, 91 yards, 2:13.
  • IDST – Brett Spencer 1-yard run (Trajan Sinatra kick), 2:59. Thunderbirds 39–21. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:02.
Fourth Quarter
  • IDST – Trajan Sinatra 40-yard field goal, 14:45. Thunderbirds 39–24. Drive: 9 plays, 57 yards, 1:48.
  • SUU – Joshua Dye 19-yard run (Jayden Rogers kick), 4:04. Thunderbirds 46–24. Drive: 11 plays, 98 yards, 6:14.
StatisticsIDSTSUU
First downs1928
Total yards361563
Rushing yards23323
Passing yards338240
Passing: Comp–Att–Int24–50–119–25–0
Time of possession22:4737:13
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Idaho StatePassingJordan Cooke23/45, 334 yards, TD, INT
RushingTytan Mason3 rushes, 15 yards
ReceivingMichael Shulikov7 receptions, 115 yards
Southern UtahPassingBronson Barron19/25, 240 yards, 3 TD
RushingJoshua Dye28 rushes, 180 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingShane Carr6 receptions, 77 yards

at San Diego

No. 24 Southern Utah Thunderbirds (1-0) at San Diego Toreros (0-1) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 24 Thunderbirds----0
Toreros----0

at Torero StadiumSan Diego, CA

  • Date: September 6
  • Game time: 6:00 PM PDT
  • TV: ESPN+
StatisticsSUUUSD
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Southern UtahPassing
Rushing
Receiving
San DiegoPassing
Rushing
Receiving

No. 18 Northern Arizona (Grand Canyon Rivalry)

No. 18 Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (1-1) at Southern Utah Thunderbirds (1-1) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 18 Lumberjacks----0
Thunderbirds----0

at Eccles Coliseum • Cedar City, UT

  • Date: September 13
  • Game time: 6:30 p.m. MDT
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Spencer McLaughlin (play-by-play), Dallin Richards (analyst) and Kendall McGuire (sideline)
StatisticsNAUSUU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Northern ArizonaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Southern UtahPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at No. 9 UC Davis

Southern Utah Thunderbirds (1-2) vs. No. 9 UC Davis Aggies (1-1) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Thunderbirds7137734
No. 9 Aggies14821750

at UC Davis Health StadiumDavis, CA

  • Date: September 20
  • Game time: 8:00 p.m. MDT
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 82 °F (28 °C)
  • Game attendance: 17,217
  • Referee: Jeff Rink
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Scott Marsh (play-by-play) and Scott Gordon (analyst)
Game information
First Quarter
  • (10:53) UCD – Zach Jones 11-yard run, Hunter Ridley kick (Drive: 7 plays, 84 yards, 2:36; UC Davis 7–0)
  • (7:39) UCD – Winston Williams 10-yard pass from Caden Pinnick, Hunter Ridley kick (Drive: 4 plays, 68 yards, 1:25; UC Davis 14–0)
  • (2:02) SUU – Gabe Nunez 28-yard pass from Bronson Barron, Jayden Rogers kick (Drive: 2 plays, 52 yards, 0:46; UC Davis 14–7)
Second Quarter
  • (7:01) SUU – Braedon Wissler 15-yard pass from Bronson Barron, Jayden Rogers kick (Drive: 16 plays, 80 yards, 8:02; Tied 14–14)
  • (5:57) UCD – Jordan Fisher 6-yard run, Dylan Mauro rush (Drive: 2 plays, 63 yards, 0:55; UC Davis 22–14)
  • (1:15) SUU – Joshua Dye 8-yard run (Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 4:34; UC Davis 22–20)
Third Quarter
  • (14:48) UCD – Jordan Fisher 75-yard run, Hunter Ridley kick (Drive: 1 play, 75 yards, 0:12; UC Davis 29–20)
  • (11:10) SUU – Will Burns 1-yard run, Jayden Rogers kick (Drive: 7 plays, 66 yards, 3:31; UC Davis 29–27)
  • (7:55) UCD – Mitchell Dixon 8-yard pass from Caden Pinnick, Hunter Ridley kick (Drive: 1 play, 8 yards, 0:08; UC Davis 36–27)
  • (0:55) UCD – Carter Vargas 23-yard run, Hunter Ridley kick (Drive: 8 plays, 83 yards, 3:33; UC Davis 43–27)
Fourth Quarter
  • (9:29) UCD – Carter Vargas 47-yard run, Hunter Ridley kick (Drive: 6 plays, 78 yards, 3:46; UC Davis 50–27)
  • (1:15) SUU – Braedon Wissler 1-yard run, Jayden Rogers kick (Drive: 14 plays, 93 yards, 3:32; UC Davis 50–34)
StatisticsSUUUCD
First downs2818
Total yards549519
Rushing yards233357
Passing yards316162
Passing: Comp–Att–Int23–43–113–21–0
Time of possession36:5923:01
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Southern UtahPassingBronson Barron23/43, 316 yards, 2 TD, INT
RushingJoshua Dye20 carries, 155 yards, TD
ReceivingGabe Nunez8 receptions, 106 yards, TD
UC DavisPassingCaden Pinnick13/21, 162 yards, 2 TD
RushingJordan Fisher12 carries, 170 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingSamuel Gbatu Jr.3 receptions, 45 yards

No. 18 West Georgia

No. 18 West Georgia Wolves (4-0) vs. Southern Utah Thunderbirds (1-3) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 18 Wolves----0
Thunderbirds----0

at Eccles Coliseum • Cedar City, UT

  • Date: September 27
  • Game time: 6:30 p.m. MDT
  • TV: ESPN+
StatisticsUWGSUU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
West GeorgiaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Southern UtahPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Tarleton State

Southern Utah Thunderbirds (0-0) vs. Tarleton State Texans (5-0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Thunderbirds----0
Texans----0

at Memorial StadiumStephenville, TX

  • Date: October 4
StatisticsSUUTAR
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Southern UtahPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Tarleton StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

Abilene Christian

Abilene Christian Wildcats (0-0) vs. Southern Utah Thunderbirds (0-0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Wildcats----0
Thunderbirds----0

at Eccles Coliseum • Cedar City, UT

  • Date: October 18
StatisticsACUSUU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Abilene ChristianPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Southern UtahPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Utah Tech

Southern Utah Thunderbirds (0-0) vs. Utah Tech Trailblazers (0-0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Thunderbirds----0
Trailblazers----0

at Greater Zion StadiumSt. George, UT

  • Date: October 25
StatisticsSUUUTU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Southern UtahPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Utah TechPassing
Rushing
Receiving

Austin Peay

Austin Peay Governors (0-0) vs. Southern Utah Thunderbirds (0-0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Governors----0
Thunderbirds----0

at Eccles Coliseum • Cedar City, UT

  • Date: November 1
StatisticsAPSUSUU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Austin PeayPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Southern UtahPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Eastern Kentucky

Southern Utah Thunderbirds (0-0) vs. Eastern Kentucky Colonels (0-0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Thunderbirds----0
Colonels----0

at Roy Kidd StadiumRichmond, KY

  • Date: November 8
StatisticsSUUEKU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Southern UtahPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Eastern KentuckyPassing
Rushing
Receiving

Central Arkansas

Central Arkansas Bears (0-0) vs. Southern Utah Thunderbirds (0-0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bears----0
Thunderbirds----0

at Eccles Coliseum • Cedar City, UT

  • Date: November 15
StatisticsCARKSUU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Central ArkansasPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Southern UtahPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at North Alabama

Southern Utah Thunderbirds (0-0) vs. North Alabama Lions (0-0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Thunderbirds----0
Lions----0

at Braly Municipal StadiumFlorence, AL

  • Date: November 22
StatisticsSUUUNA
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Southern UtahPassing
Rushing
Receiving
North AlabamaPassing
Rushing
Receiving

Ranking movements

Ranking movements
Legend:██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre12345678910111213Final
STATS FCS RV24RV
Coaches RVRV

References

  1. Kelley, Kevin (December 23, 2024). "Southern Utah announces 2025 football schedule". FBSchedules. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
  2. "Southern Utah Football Unveils Action-Packed 2025 Schedule". Southern Utah University, Department of Athletics. December 23, 2024. Retrieved March 2, 2025.