Thunderbirds hope to finish strong at home

CEDAR CITY — Southern Utah plays its final home game of the season today when the Thunderbirds host South Dakota State at 1 p.m. in Eccles Coliseum. It's also SUU's final Great West Football Conference game of the 2006 season.

The Thunderbirds are coming off a bye week and will be looking to snap a five-game losing streak. The skid began when Cal Poly came back from a 14-3 fourth-quarter deficit to take an 18-14 win on Sept. 30. The Thunderbirds went on to lose another close decision at McNeese State, Oct. 7, giving up another fourth-quarter lead to fall 30-27.

In the three games since, the Thunderbird offense has struggled, scoring just seven points each time out in losses at I-A Florida Atlantic and in a pair of setbacks against GWFC foes, at UC Davis and at home against North Dakota State.

Meanwhile, South Dakota State (6-3, 2-0 GWFC) has been one of the hottest teams in the conference. After beginning the season with three straight losses, the Jackrabbits have reeled off six straight wins, including a 29-28 win at Cal Poly and a 22-21 home win over UC Davis.

Heading into today's game the Jacks are tied for first place in the GWFC, along with North Dakota State.

Today's game marks the third meeting between the two schools. The series began with a 23-17 Thunderbird win in double overtime in Cedar City in 2004. S.D. State evened the series last year, returning the opening kickoff back for a touchdown in a 55-7 Jackrabbit pounding in Brookings, S.D.

T-Birds on the air

South Dakota State (6-3, 2-0) at Southern Utah (3-6, 0-3)

Today, 1 p.m.

Eccles Coliseum

TV: none

Radio: KSUU 91.1 FM