CEDAR CITY, Utah -- The No. 13 ACU football team overcame most of its errors, but it was too many uncharacteristic errors that led to a 31-24 loss at Southern Utah on Saturday night.
The Wildcats -- who outgained the Thunderbirds 430-289 -- lost the turnover battle, 4-1. Southern Utah scored touchdowns off the first three turnovers, and used the last one to kneel out the clock.
ACU quarterback
Stone Earle was 17-of-23 for 225 yards passing, but had the first three-interception game of his lengthy college career. Earle's pick bounced off a receiver's hands into a SUU defender's arms. The second interception was a poor throw behind his target, and was returned for a touchdown.The third pick iced the game for the T-Birds.
Jordon Vaughn set a career-high with 124 rushing yards on just nine carries. He scampered for runs of 56 and 39. Earle gained 55 yards on the ground and scored twice.
Javon Gipson led ACU receivers with three catches for 77 yards and a score.
Southern Utah running back Joshua Dye was bottled up in the first half for just 43 yards, but exploded in the second half, finishing with 179 yards and two TD. Dye came into the game as the FCS leader in rushing TD (13) and third in rushing yards (785). The result snapped the Thunderbirds' five-game losing streak, which included three defeats by three points each.
The Wildcats were just 3-of-9 on 3rd downs compared to their 51% season average -- seventh best in the country.Â
ACU drops to 4-4 overall, and 3-1 in the UAC. SUU is now 2-5 for the season and 1-2 in conference.
NEXT UP
ACU has time to learn from this loss with the bye wek ahead. The Wildcats have two home games on the horizon with the annual Homecoming game on Nov. 1 against rival Tarleton State, followed by Senior Day on Nov. 8 versus Utah Tech.
Tickets for the game against Tarleton State are expected to go fast, so claim your spot at Wildcat Stadium today!
Click here to buy tickets.Â
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