CEDAR CITY, Utah-Saturday, Southern Utah University’s football squad (1-3) celebrates Homecoming in the Big Sky Conference opener against Cal Poly (1-2).
The Thunderbirds’ scoring offense ranks 84th in FCS with 22.3 points per game. The defense, which has given up no less than 34 points in any game this season, ranks 116th nationally, surrendering 42.8 points per game.
SUU is led by redshirt sophomore quarterback Chris Helbig who has completed 91 of his 143 passes (63.6 percent) for two touchdowns and three interceptions throughout the non-conference portion of the season.
Redshirt junior tailback James Felila is the Thunderbirds’ leading tailback this season, with 52 carries for 161 yards and two touchdowns.
Sophomore tailback Lance Lawson remains SUU’s leading receiver on the season as he has hauled in 37 receptions for 326 yards and two scores. Freshman receiver Zach Nelson (9 receptions, 140 yards, 2 TD’s) averages 15.5 yards per grab to help the Thunderbirds stretch defenses.
Sophomore defensive lineman Aaron Romero leads SUU with 2 sacks on the season. Redshirt senior safety Nathaniel Vaughn, redshirt freshman cornerback Carlton Johnson and junior cornerback Khalid Taylor have an interception apiece to pace the Thunderbirds in that statistical category.
The Mustangs come into this game having lost two straight games, to Weber State (41-24) and FCS Power 5 conference foe Oregon State (45-7) after routing San Diego 52-34 to commence the season.
Cal Poly is tied for 57th nationally in scoring offense (27.7 points per game) with Campbell. Their scoring defense is tied for 110th nationally (40 points per contest) with South Dakota.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Jalen Hamler completes 68.6 percent of his passes on the season (24-35) for 515 yards, four touchdowns and an interception. He has also run for 176 yards and three scores on 57 carries.
Sophomore fullback Duy Tran-Sampson (49 car, 317 yards, 2 TD’s) averages 6.5 yards per carry for the Mustangs.
Junior slot-back Lepi Lataimua has 12 carries for 112 yards and a score on the season as he averages 9.1 yards per carry for Cal Poly.
Senior receiver J.J. Koski (13 rec, 319 yards, 2 TD’s) is a big-play threat for the Mustangs as he averages 24.5 yards per catch. Additionally, junior receiver Quentin Harrison (8 rec, 164 yards, TD) averages 20.5 yards per grab for Cal Poly.
Defensively, senior defensive back Kitu Humphrey, sophomore defensive end Cecil Myles and junior linebacker Matt Wright have a sack apiece for Cal Poly.
Junior linebacker Matt Shotwell, senior defensive back Sharky Reza, junior defensive back Kevin Howell and junior defensive back Bradley Mickey have a sack apiece for the Mustangs.
The Mustangs lead the Thunderbirds 20-9 all-time in a series dating back to 1986.
