This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Cedar City •For Southern Utah, it was victory at long last.

For Weber State, the search for victory will last a little longer.

Quarterback Ammon Olsen threw for second-half touchdowns and defensive back Josh Smith intercepted a pass at the goal line with five second remaining Saturday night to help Southern Utah defeat Weber State, 31-28.

The Thunderbirds improved to 1-4 this season in the Big Sky Conference opener for both teams. The Wildcats dropped to 0-5.

"That was a game where one team was going to win on the last play," Southern Utah coach Ed Lamb said. "... I'm so proud of my guys for hanging in there, lead change after lead change. It was an emotional roller-coaster, that's for sure."

Southern Utah took a 28-24 lead with 14:20 remaining when Olsen hit Mike Sharp with an eight-yard touchdown pass.

With 2:41 left, Weber State drove to the Thunderbird 34-yard line, where the Wildcats faced fourth-and-seven. Coach Jay Hill elected to go for a first down rather than attempt to tie with what would have been a 51-yard field goal, but quarterback Billy Green was sacked.

"That was huge," said Southern Utah defensive end James Cowser, who forced Green into the arms of teammate Kouri Jones with a strong outside rush.

"I missed the tackle, but Kouri was there."

Southern Utah tried to run out the clock, but it faced a fourth down after reaching the Weber 34.

With one minute remaining, Tate Lewis attempted a pooch kick. But Shaydon Kehano grabbed the line-drive punt on the run and nearly broke loose.

Kehano was pushed out of bounds at the Weber 46 and the Wildcats quickly moved into position to at least tie the game.

On third down from the Thunderbird 25-yard line, however, Green went for the end zone and Smith stepped in front of the receiver for the game-clinching interception.

What was he thinking as the play developed?

"Just make a play for the team," Smith said.

What about Cowser?

"I saw the ball go in the air and then I saw Josh's eyes light up," he said. "... I was overjoyed."

Smith started to return the ball, but quickly went to the turf, with a little help.

"I was like, 'Get down, get down,'" Cowser said. "... I actually hit him pretty hard — harder than I should have."

Turnovers proved to be a key to Weber State's near-miss and Southern Utah's last-second victory.

Green was intercepted three times, and the Wildcats fumbled the ball away at the SUU two-yard line early in the fourth quarter.

Offensively, Chris Robinson scored three touchdowns for Southern Utah, including two on 26- and 27-yard passes in the third quarter when the Thunderbirds overcame a 17-10 halftime deficit.

"We weren't worried about playing an 0-4 team," Olsen said. "We just wanted this win." —

Storylines

O Ammon Olsen throws three touchdown passes in the second half as Southern Utah defeats Weber State, 31-28.

• Cornerback Josh Smith ends the Wildcats' final chance with a goal-line interception with five seconds left.

• The Thunderbirds improve to 1-4 this season in the Big Sky Conference opener for both teams. Weber is 0-5. —

SUU 31, Weber St. 28

Weber St. 0 17 11 0 — 28

S. Utah 10 0 14 7 — 31

First Quarter

SUt • FG McGirr 36, 11:12.

SUt • Robinson 10 run (McGirr kick), 7:00.

Second Quarter

Web • Kehano 59 pass from Green (Kealamakia kick), 14:52.

Web • Batchelor 24 pass from Green (Kealamakia kick), 9:30.

Web • FG Kealamakia 37, :58.

Third Quarter

SUt • Robinson 27 pass from Olsen (McGirr kick), 12:48.

Web • FG Kealamakia 34, 6:17.

SUt • Robinson 26 pass from Olsen (McGirr kick), 4:14.

Web • Batchelor 64 pass from Green (Garry pass from Parson), 2:54.

Fourth Quarter

SUt • Sharp 8 pass from Olsen (McGirr kick), 14:20.

Attendance • 3,238.

Web SUt

First downs 22 22

Rushes-yards 31-151 40-136

Passing 341 224

Comp-Att-Int 23-37-2 19-35-0

Return Yards 27 41

Punts-Avg. 5-47.0 9-38.1

Fumbles-Lost 3-2 0-0

Penalties-yards 9-86 11-85

Time of Possession 29:46 30:14

Individual Statistics

Rushing • Weber St., Zac.Smith 17-126, Bolen 8-50, Kehano 2-4, Wilkes 1-(minus 1), Green 3-(minus 28). S. Utah, M.Brown 12-73, Olsen 17-20, Lewis 1-19, T.Afatasi 6-17, Robinson 1-10, Cantu 1-0, .

Passing • Weber St., Green 23-36-2-341, Team 0-1-0-0. S. Utah, Olsen 19-33-0-224, Cantu 0-2-0-0.