AT 
Western Illinois at Southern Utah Thunderbirds
Date: 9/23/2023
Kickoff: 7 PM (Central)
Location: Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, UT
Media: ESPN+, Q98.1 FM
Game Notes: Southern Utah | Western Illinois
About Southern Utah
SUU is a public university located in Cedar City, Utah with approximately 14.3k students. They currently compete in the United Athletic Conference (WAC and ASUN football merger) for football and the WAC for all other sports. They have previously been a part of the Big Sky conference, and prior to that, spent some time in the Summit League for non-football sports.
WIU has played Southern Utah 5 times so far, with WIU holding a 4-1 lead in the series. We won both games in a H&H series in '97 and '98, then both in another series in '01 and '02. Last year they got their first win against us, 17-10 in Macomb.
SUU is also the new home for our last head men's basketball coach, Rob Jeter.
Southern Utah's Record and Stats
SUU is currently 0-3 on the season, although they've probably had the toughest schedule up to this point of anyone in the FCS. They lost at FBS Arizona State, 21-24, then lost at FBS BYU 41-16, and last week lost at FCS #16 UC Davis, 23-21. So, all three on the road, against 2 P5 FBS teams (both future members of the Big 12), and a ranked FCS team...with two of those games within a FG.
Last season, they went 5-6 including the previously-mentioned 17-10 win against us in Macomb.
Their primary QB is Senior Justin Miller, who has a 127.85 QB rating in 3 games, averaging 227 ypg with essentially a 50% completion rate, 5 TDs, and 2 INTs. Top receivers are R-Freshman WR Zach Mitchell (93 ypg, 2 TDs) and Senior WR Isaiah Wooden (87 ypg and 3 TDs). On the ground, they rely on R-Sophomore RB Braedon Wissler (27 ypg) and Junior RB Targhee Lambson (25.67 ypg and 2 TDs).
Defensively, Sophomore LB Kohner Cullimore (20 tackles, 2 for loss) and R-Senior LB Aubrey Nellems (19 tackles, 1 for loss) lead the team in tackles. Sophomore CB Quadir Lockett-Smith has the team's only interception, to go along with 11 tackles.
Their regular punter is junior Alyas Vigil, with a 41.39 yard average and 1 of 50+ yards, although their QB has also made 3 punts this season. In FGs, R-Freshman Kicker Tyler Graham has 2 attempts, making 1 from 29 yards and missing one in the 40-49 yard range.
Chance of Victory
Massey Ratings says we have an 18% chance of a win, with a predicted score of 35-21.
Sagarin gives us about a 28% chance to win.
Scott Lawson - Board Admin
