Montana vs. Southern Utah: Series History and Stats

Southern Utah University rejoined the Big Sky Conference after a short four-year hiatus. SUU left the Big Sky in 2021, joined the WAC in 2022, and spent the past three seasons in the United Athletic Conference. Let's look at some history and facts of Southern Utah University.

SUU is located in Cedar City, UT (population 35,235). The university was founded in 1897 and has approximately 15,000 students enrolled

The Thunderbirds began playing football in 1963. SUU was an NAIA team until 1986, when they jumped to the NCAA Division II ranks. They finally made the jump to Division I in 1996. SUU plays its football at Eccles Coliseum.

Since joining the FCS, the Thunderbirds have reached the playoffs three times (2013, 2015 and 2017), losing all three games.

SUU at Utah in 2024. Credit: Chris Gardner (Getty Images)

Montana’s All-Time Record Against Southern Utah

Saturday will be the 11th meeting all-time between the Griz and Thunderbirds. Montana has the edge, going 8-2 through the first 10 games. Montana is 4-1 against SUU as conference opponents and has won four games in a row.

The two teams first met in 1996, when the Griz beat up on SUU 44-13. Griz quarterback Brian Ah Yat threw four touchdowns that day, three of them to Josh Paffhausen.

The last time Montana played SUU was in October 2021, when the Griz eked out a 20-19 win. It was Grizzly Sports Hall of Fame weekend. Montana inducted its 2021 class that included the aforementioned Brian Ah Yat, track star Adam Bork, the late, great Lady Griz legend Skyla Sisco, and men's basketball legend Wayne Tinkle.

Brian Ay Hat. Credit: University of Montana Athletics

Griz quarterbacks have had some huge days against SUU in the past. Griz QB Dalton Sneed went nuclear in November 2018, tossing five touchdowns and over 300 yards in a 57-14 win. Keenan Curren and Sammy Akem each grabbed two touchdowns.

In October 2016, Brady Gustafson threw for four touchdowns and over 400 yards in a 43-20 win.

Former national champion John Edwards threw for three touchdowns and 281 yards with only 5 incompletions in a 68-45 shootout win in October 2002.

Kickoff is 7 pm this Saturday inside the Mecca of FCS Football. Pregame show begins at 5 pm with Denny Bedard and me on Newstalk KGVO.