Utah Tech University football lost the Battle of the Axe to Southern Utah University 28-7 as Southern Utah rushed for over 200 yards.
Going into this matchup, Utah Tech was 1-5 in the rivalry during the NCAA era.
“The specific rivalry brings us closer together as individual student bodies and supplies a catalyst among students,” Silver Flack, a junior music major from St. George, said. “It gives us a reason to be better.”
Southern Utah drew first blood to start the game with an 11-play drive that ended in a touchdown six minutes into the game. SUU continued momentum as they picked off Utah Tech quarterback Bronson Barben on Utah Tech’s first offensive play.
Utah Tech’s defense was able to hold SUU to a field goal as the T-Birds took an 11-0 lead. SUU held this lead as Utah Tech missed a field goal to end the first half.
“Utah Tech needs to run the ball and be more aggressive with old-school football,” said Nolan Houskeeper, a junior electrical engineering major from Lacey, Washington. “Running the ball would allow for the quarterback to be harder to read while not tipping off the defense.”
In the second half, SUU continued to move the ball down the field while Utah Tech’s drives stalled. The T-Birds opened the scoring again as they scored a touchdown after Utah Tech missed another field goal. Going into the fourth quarter, the T-Birds held an 18-0 lead.
“The offense was clearly lacking with zero points scored through the first three quarters,” Christian Jensen, a sophomore math major from Lehi, said. “If they can find the things that did work in the fourth quarter and find ways to replicate them in the future, then the offense can flow better.”
SUU added to its lead with a touchdown after stopping the Trailblazers on fourth-and-goal. Utah Tech got on the board as Barben found the end zone on a four-yard touchdown run. SUU added one more field goal en route to a 28-7 victory.
Utah Tech falls to 1-7 ahead of a home game against the University of North Alabama Nov. 1.
