CEDAR CITY, Utah -- As season 2.0 for United Athletic Conference (UAC) Football gets set to kickoff, we will preview each of the nine league members as we countdown to the opening of the 2024 campaign and the "Chase for the Crown". Southern Utah was tabbed No. 3 in the preseason Coaches Poll after having chances in every game last season.

NOTEWORTHY
* The Thunderbirds finished 6-5 overall with a 4-2 mark in UAC competition to finish tied for second... In four of their five losses including both conference contests, Southern Utah's margin of defeat was three points or less

* Head Coach DeLANE FITZGERALD has an 11-11 overall record in his two seasons guiding SUU... Fitzgerald needs just three wins to reach 100 for his career having amassed 97 victories in 14 seasons as a head coach with previous stops at Frostburg State (8 years) and Southern Virginia (5 years)

* SUU has to replace the league's leading receiver and top touchdown passer from a year ago but do return their top two running backs in Braedon Wissler and Targhee Lambson along with wideout Zach Mitchell, who ranked second in receiving on the squad... Additionally, the preseason All-UAC duo of Rylen Sua-Filo (DL) and Kohner Cullimore (LB) look to anchor an improving Thunderbird defense 

* The T-Birds are slated to play four of their first five games on the road and only host five games this season at Eccles Coliseum 

SOUTHERN UTAH QUICK FACTS
2023 Record: 6-5 (4-2 UAC / T2nd)
Program Best FCS Record: 9-3 (2017) 
NCAA FCS Playoff Appearances: 3 (Last: 2017)
Head Coach: DeLane Fitzgerald
Career Record: 97-63 (14th Season); 11-11 at UAC (3rd Season)

KEY RETURNERS
- BRAEDON WISSLER (RB, RS-JR) - Thunderbirds top rusher last season finishing with 686 yards on 146 carries (4.7 ypr)... Scored five rushing touchdowns and added a receiving touchdown
- KOHNER CULLIMORE (LB, JR) - Preseason All-UAC selection and SUU's top returning tackler with 73 stops including 40 solo tackles... Recorded 10 TFLs, three sacks along with one PBU, one fumble forced and recovered and one blocked kick

2024 SCHEDULE
Aug. 29 | @Utah
Sept. 7 | @UTEP
Sept. 14 | UC Davis
Sept. 21 | @Idaho State
Sept. 28 | @Austin Peay*
Oct. 5 | Tarleton State*
Oct. 12 | EKU*
Oct. 26 | @West Georgia*
Nov. 2 | @Abilene Christian*
Nov. 9 | North Alabama*
Nov. 16 | @Central Arkansas*
Nov. 23 | Utah Tech

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