2021 FCS Season Preview: Southern Utah Thunderbirds
The Heartbreak Kids were five drives away from a 6-0 season in the Spring. Their competition was largely the small fish of the Big Sky, but the Thunderbirds found a way to take Weber State to the brink with a 16-19 loss. This team is rebuilding like they mean it and want to someday return to the conference title like they did just a few years ago. Last year was a good start on the trail to redemention, but will Southern Utah continue to make progress in 2021?
Schedule
Southern Utah
| Home | Away | Venue | Match Day | TV/Streaming | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Southern Utah  |  San Jose State | CEFCU Stadium | San Jose, CA | - | - |
| Southern Utah |  Arizona State | Sun Devil Stadium | Tempe, AZ | - | - |
| Southern Utah |  Tarleton | Globe Life Park | Arlington, TX | - | - |
Eastern Washington  | Southern Utah | Eccles Coliseum | Cedar City, UT | - | - |
Portland State  | Southern Utah | Eccles Coliseum | Cedar City, UT | - | - |
| Southern Utah |  Sacramento State | Hornet Stadium | Sacramento, CA | - | - |
| Southern Utah |  Northern Arizona | Walkup Skydome | Flagstaff, AZ | - | - |
Northern Colorado  | Southern Utah | Eccles Coliseum | Cedar City, UT | - | - |
| Southern Utah |  Montana | Washington-Grizzly Stadium | Missoula, MT | - | - |
| Southern Utah |  Idaho | Kibbie Dome | Moscow, ID | - | - |
Weber State  | Southern Utah | Eccles Coliseum | Cedar City, UT | - | - |
Key Players
Justin Miller – Quarterback – 6’3” 210 lbs. – RS-SO
Miller has been the heart of the offense the past few seasons. Whether throwing or rushing Miller is the best spark the Thunderbirds have seen since SUU last won a conference championship. If the Thunderbirds have the ball in the last minute of the game they will be in a perfect spot to avoid the results of all last season.
LA’AKEA KAHO’OHANOHANO-Davis – Linebacker – 6’1” 215 lbs. – RS-Junior
Davis is an elite linebacker who will continue to dominate the entire field. Even in the spring season Davis had 57 tackles, 9 TFL, and 7 sacks. Behind Tre Walker and only a few others Davis could be in the running for defensive MVP.
Predicted Finish
Twelfth. The Heartbreak Kids may have flirted with an undefeated season in Spring, but they will simply be defeated this fall. There is NFL worthy talent on this roster, despite it might only be OL Braxton Jones. Southern Utah has made good strides to recruit and strengthen the roster. The schedule just does not seem to favor showing off their good work. Two FBS road trips, a “neutral” visit to Tarleton State at Globe Life Park, Eastern Washington, Montana, and Weber State spell out trouble and set backs for Cedar City.
Records
Best: 3-8
Worst: 0-11
Predicted: 1-10 (1-7)
My name is Ben Schleiger and I’m your representative for the Big Sky Conference. I have done work for multiple newspapers and sports blogs including The Johnstown Breeze, The University of Northern Colorado Mirror, and Mile High Maniac. I am a proud alumnus of the University of Northern Colorado with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Political Science. In my free time, I like watching sports, playing video games, and trying new foods.
Ben
its two hours before the SJS game do you have any injurie news or last minute roster changes.
I think SJS should easily win about 40-14 . They will probably rest their starters in the second half
Give me your first half and final score predictions
Bob