Southern Utah Thunderbirds football is on the verge of something special in 2015, and the rest of the FCS should be very concerned.
After a rough 0-2 start, the BR-21 Thunderbirds have ripped off six straight wins behind a conference-leading defense, balanced offense, and a coaching staff that has held down the fort amidst incredible adversity.
With just a trio of important Big Sky Conference games left on the slate, here are six reasons you could see Southern Utah playing for the FCS Championship this January in Frisco, Texas.
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Ability to Rebound from Adversity
SUU’s 6-2 record is even more impressive considering the adversity the squad has overcome both off and on the field.
Just three months before the start of season, athletic director Ken Beazer decided to stepdown. Beazer was instrumental in getting Thunderbirds’ football into the Big Sky Conference to set up more regional rivalries.
Along with losing a linebacker’s coach right before camp opened, it was announced in early October that offensive coordinator Gary Crowton would be stepping down for personal reasons.
On the field, the Thunderbirds got off to the kind of 0-2 start that would crush most squads. In the season opener at Utah State, SUU led 9-5 late in the fourth quarter having held Heisman dark-horse candidate Chuckie Keeton to just 110 yards in the air on 16 of 33 passing and an interception. But an 88-yard punt return late in the fourth quarter spoiled the upset.
Things got worse the following week in a 55-10 drubbing at the hands of South Dakota State.
What has SUU done since then? They’ve only ripped off 6 straight wins by the ridiculous combined score of 261 to 53.
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