CEDAR CITY, Utah -- Excitement is building for the third season of gridiron action in the United Athletic Conference (UAC) and as a lead into the kickoff of the 2025 campaign, we will preview each of the nine league members with a daily countdown in the "Chase for the Crown". In back-to-back seasons, Southern Utah has finished second in the final UAC standings and head into their final campaign in the conference with hopes of grabbing the trophy.

SOUTHERN UTAH QUICK FACTS
2025 Preseason Selection: 4th
2024 Record: 7-5 (6-2 UAC / T2nd)
Program Best FCS Record: 9-3 (2017) 
NCAA FCS Playoff Appearances: 3 (Last: 2017)
Head Coach: DeLane Fitzgerald
Career Record: 104-68 (15th Season)/ 18-16 @SUU (4th Season); 10-4 UAC (3rd Season)

KEY RETURNERS
- SHANE CARR (WR, JR) - T-Birds leading receiver last season tallying 627 yards on 31 receptions (20.2 ypr) highlighted by team-best 6 receiving touchdowns
- LANDO BROWN (DL, R-SR) - Preseason All-UAC selection and one of SUU's top returning tacklers with 47 stops including 27 solo tackles... Recorded team-high 10 TFLs and four sacks along with one PBU

NOTEWORTHY
1. For the first time in over 20 years, Southern Utah will have the benefit of hosting six games at home in Eccles Coliseum

2. The Thunderbirds have been trending upwards under the guidance of head coach DeLane Fitzgerald having boasted an improved record in each of his three seasons in Cedar City, narrowly missing an FCS Playoff appearance in 2024

3. Last season, SUU was one of only 6 FCS programs to post a victory over an FBS opponent (def. UTEP, 27-24) but this year's ledger does not include any FBS foes

4. The 2025 roster for the T-Birds will be one of the most experienced in recent history as over 20 players listed will be entering their final year of eligibility... Fitzgerald states that this year's squad is one of, if not the most cohesive roster he has ever coached in his careeer 
 
5. Southern Utah will need to replace the production of Walter Payton Award Top 3 Finalist and UAC Offensive Player of the Year, running back Targhee Lambson, who amassed 1922 yards on the ground and accounted for 23 rushing touchdowns

2025 SCHEDULE
Aug. 30 | Idaho State
Sept. 6 | @San Diego
Sept. 13 | Northern Arizona
Sept. 20 | @UC Davis
Sept. 27 | West Georgia*
Oct. 4 | @Tarleton State*
Oct. 18 | Abilene Christian*
Oct. 25 | @Utah Tech*
Nov. 1 | Austin Peay*
Nov. 8 | @EKU*
Nov. 15 | Central Arkansas*
Nov. 22 | @North Alabama*

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