Despite Miller’s Five Touchdowns, SUU Falls To NAU On Score As Time Expires
Feb 27, 2021, 4:41 PM
No. 8 Southern Utah hosts Weber State in the second round of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017 at 6 p.m. MT in Cedar City. (Courtesy of Deseret News)
(Courtesy of Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Southern Utah football team fell to the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks on touchdown as time expired despite five passing touchdowns by Thunderbirds quarterback Justin Miller.
The Lumberjacks hosted the T-Birds in Flagstaff, Arizona on Saturday, February 27.
Final Minute
Southern Utah owned a 33-28 lead and had possession at the NAU 19 yards line when Demario Warren decided to go for it on 4th & 1.
The Lumberjacks forced a turnover on downs with 53 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
NAU had two timeouts remaining and proceeded to march down the field.
With five seconds left in the game, SUU committed pass interference and set the Lumberjacks up at the two-yard line.
NAU quarterback Keondre Wudtee received the snap with two seconds to go and completed a pass in the endzone to Coleman Owen as time expired.
Southern Utah fell 34-33 in its first game in 462 days.
Northern Arizona defeats Southern Utah on a last second touchdown. 😳
FINAL@SUUFB 33@NAU_Football 34
Justin Miller led SUU with 5 passing touchdowns.#TBirdNation #BigSkyFB #LetEmKnowpic.twitter.com/nGwhS4hIFs
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 27, 2021
The Thunderbirds were led by Miller’s big passing performance. He finished 29/40 passing for 288 yards, five touchdowns, and an interception.
The first @SUUFB touchdown in 462 days.#TBirdNation #BigSkyFB #LetEmKnow
pic.twitter.com/iSlsThRkFd— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 27, 2021
Three of Miller’s touchdown tosses were caught by Brandon Schenks. He finished the contest with five catches for 74 yards and three touchdowns.
The T-Birds strike back with a deep toss of their own. 💥
Justin Miller ➡️ Brandon Schenks
Schenks with his 3rd TD of the game. 🔥 @SUUFB 27@NAU_Football 21
13:22 3Q#TBirdNation #BigSkyFB #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/0Hu6a9wcLF
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 27, 2021
Landen Meesom led the Thunderbirds with 10 receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown.
Tanner McLachlan added four catches for 30 yards and a touchdown.
Wudtee carried NAU as he was 17/25 passing for 252 yards and two touchdowns.
FINAL | Heartbreaking 💔
That said, we're so thankful to be back playing the game we love. See you next weekend in Cedar City. #StormTheSky x #11United pic.twitter.com/ydRJ3xqfdK
— SUU Football 🏈 (@SUUFB) February 27, 2021
With the loss, the Thunderbirds opened the 2021 spring season with an 0-1 record.
Southern Utah’s next game is against the Idaho State Bengals on Saturday, March 6 at 12 p.m. (MDT).
