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.
9/23/23 - at Southern Utah
Scott Lawson - Board Admin
Western Illinois University Alum/Fan/Employee
Member of the Marching Leathernecks - 1996-2000
Western Illinois University Alum/Fan/Employee
Member of the Marching Leathernecks - 1996-2000
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- Posts: 13
- Joined: Sun Sep 17, 2023 11:57 am
What is our QB’s ranking and stats compared to Southern UTAh?
Here's a full stats comparison between the two teams.
For the QBs of the two teams:
WIU's Matt Morrissey - 137.2 QB Rating, 67 completions in 115 attempts (58.26% completion rate), 845 yards (281.67 per game), 6 TDs and 0 INTs. Also 2 rushing TDs.
SUU's Justin Miller - 127.85 QB Rating, 44 completions in 89 attempts (49.44% completion rate), 682 yards (227.33 per game), 5 TDs and 2 INTs. 0 rushing TDs.
Scott Lawson - Board Admin
Western Illinois University Alum/Fan/Employee
Member of the Marching Leathernecks - 1996-2000
Western Illinois University Alum/Fan/Employee
Member of the Marching Leathernecks - 1996-2000
- sealhall74
- Posts: 5781
- Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2014 1:18 pm
- Location: Wherever, Windblows
May help our game in one way. Kickoffs, punts and FGs may travel a few yards further. No more pooch kicks please.
Embrace the pace of the race.
Do we do that on purpose, or is our kicking just that bad?sealhall74 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 22, 2023 12:31 pmMay help our game in one way. Kickoffs, punts and FGs may travel a few yards further. No more pooch kicks please.
- sealhall74
- Posts: 5781
- Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2014 1:18 pm
- Location: Wherever, Windblows
We did those on purpose last game because their returner was really good and we could not kick the ball into end zone to prevent a return.rocki wrote: ↑Fri Sep 22, 2023 12:42 pmDo we do that on purpose, or is our kicking just that bad?sealhall74 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 22, 2023 12:31 pmMay help our game in one way. Kickoffs, punts and FGs may travel a few yards further. No more pooch kicks please.
Embrace the pace of the race.
-
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Sun Sep 17, 2023 11:57 am
That’s a very good breakdown, thank you, Sir! I’d say we have a good QB! Not going to this game. Sending lots of positive thoughts and energy to our Leatherneck Football Team! Go Necks!ST_Lawson wrote: ↑Fri Sep 22, 2023 9:04 amHere's a full stats comparison between the two teams.
For the QBs of the two teams:
WIU's Matt Morrissey - 137.2 QB Rating, 67 completions in 115 attempts (58.26% completion rate), 845 yards (281.67 per game), 6 TDs and 0 INTs. Also 2 rushing TDs.
SUU's Justin Miller - 127.85 QB Rating, 44 completions in 89 attempts (49.44% completion rate), 682 yards (227.33 per game), 5 TDs and 2 INTs. 0 rushing TDs.
Yup, there are plenty of weak spots, but I don't think QB is one of them. What's really nice is he should have at least one more year of eligibility left after this. If we can get him a bit better of an O-line, he could be really good.Let’s wrote:That’s a very good breakdown, thank you, Sir! I’d say we have a good QB! Not going to this game. Sending lots of positive thoughts and energy to our Leatherneck Football Team! Go Necks!ST_Lawson wrote: ↑Fri Sep 22, 2023 9:04 amHere's a full stats comparison between the two teams.
For the QBs of the two teams:
WIU's Matt Morrissey - 137.2 QB Rating, 67 completions in 115 attempts (58.26% completion rate), 845 yards (281.67 per game), 6 TDs and 0 INTs. Also 2 rushing TDs.
SUU's Justin Miller - 127.85 QB Rating, 44 completions in 89 attempts (49.44% completion rate), 682 yards (227.33 per game), 5 TDs and 2 INTs. 0 rushing TDs.
He played:
- 2021 at Trinity Valley CC (must have been spring season)
- Fall 2021 in 2 games at UNI
- 2022 season in 3 games at UNI
Scott Lawson - Board Admin
Western Illinois University Alum/Fan/Employee
Member of the Marching Leathernecks - 1996-2000
Western Illinois University Alum/Fan/Employee
Member of the Marching Leathernecks - 1996-2000