Sept. 23, 2006

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CEDAR CITY, Utah - Bradley George passed for 266 yards on 17-of-34 passing and Alvin Canady amassed 183 all-purpose yards, but Southern Utah scored nine unanswered second-half points to beat Texas State 30-21 Saturday at Eccles Coliseum.

George finished the day with three scores through the air, two of which went to Canady and another to Blake Burton. Burton's score was his first in a year and a day, as his last touchdown came Sept. 22, 2005, at Texas A&M.

Wes Marshall led Southern Utah, throwing for 151 yards and rushing for 99 more, as the Thunderbirds improved to 3-1 on the season. Texas State (1-3) was penalized ten times for 128 yards, as the loss marked the first three-game losing skid for Texas State since the 2004 season.

Southern Utah running back Johnny Sanchez put the Thunderbirds on top 7-0 to open the game, breaking a 74-yard touchdown run that capped a three-play, 83-yard drive with 10:14 to go in the first quarter.

The Thunderbirds drove into Bobcat territory on their next drive, but with the ball resting at the Texas State 21, an SUU fumble was fallen on by Bobcat defensive lineman Ramel Borner. Three snaps later, Canady went 83-yards on a pass from George that tied the game with 3:55 left in the first.

Marshall atoned for his miscue on SUU's next possession, finding Joey Hew Len for 41 yards and a score to put the Thunderbirds back on top 14-7. Texas State would fumble at its own 32 on its next possession, and SUU went up 21-7 seven plays later, converting the short field with a five-yard touchdown pass to Hew Len.

The Bobcats clawed back into striking distance to open the third quarter, as George hit Burton on a three-yard pass that cut the SUU lead to 21-14. Texas State took only two minutes from the clock on the possession, scoring with 13:02 left in eight-plays, sparked by a 38-yard completion from George to Darley that put the ball into the red zone.

Set up by a 24-yard completion from George to Canady, Texas State tied the game with 3:35 left in the third when George again found Canady for 12 yards and his second score catch of the day.

Marshall answered the Bobcat drive only four plays later, scrambling for 38 yards and a touchdown to put SUU on top 28-21 with 1:07 left in the third. SUU would tack on a safety with 7:50 left in the game, going up 30-21 when Texas State fumbled in the Thunderbird end zone after being pinned at the one by the SUU punt team.

Texas State is off next week before opening Southland Conference play in San Marcos against Stephen F. Austin on Oct. 7. The Bobcats and Lumberjacks kick off at 7 p.m. in Bobcat Stadium.