What's Happening?
Southern Utah Thunderbirds secured a 31-24 victory over the Abilene Christian Wildcats in a United Athletic Conference game. The match, held on October 19, 2025, saw Southern Utah improve their record to 2-5 overall and 1-2 in the conference. Key performances
included Joshua Dye, who ran for 179 yards and scored two touchdowns, and Bronson Barron, who threw a decisive 17-yard touchdown pass to Shane Carr with just over two minutes remaining. Abilene Christian, now 3-4 overall and 2-1 in the UAC, had taken a 24-21 lead earlier in the fourth quarter with a 28-yard touchdown pass from Stone Earle to Javon Gipson. However, Southern Utah's Jayden Rogers tied the game with a 19-yard field goal before Barron's game-winning pass.
Why It's Important?
This victory is significant for Southern Utah as it marks their first conference win of the season, potentially boosting team morale and providing momentum for upcoming games. For Abilene Christian, the loss is a setback in their conference standing, affecting their chances for a higher placement in the United Athletic Conference. The game highlighted the competitive nature of the conference and showcased individual talents such as Joshua Dye's impressive rushing performance and Stone Earle's passing abilities, which are crucial for both teams' future prospects.
What's Next?
Southern Utah will look to build on this victory as they continue their conference schedule, aiming to improve their standing and end the season on a positive note. Abilene Christian will need to regroup and address the issues that led to their defeat, particularly focusing on reducing turnovers, as Earle threw three interceptions during the game. Both teams will prepare for their next matchups, with Southern Utah hoping to capitalize on their recent success and Abilene Christian seeking to rebound and maintain their competitive edge in the conference.
