This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
There's a strange thing happening in the Big Sky Conference.
Nobody can score a touchdown against Southern Utah.
The 24th-ranked Thunderbirds have won consecutive league games over Northern Colorado, Weber State, Sacramento State and UC Davis by a combined score of 152-9.
The four opponents have kicked three field goals in 16 quarters.
Not surprisingly, Southern Utah has ridden its nearly impenetrable defense to the top of the Big Sky. Heading into Saturday's game against Cal Poly at Eccles Coliseum, the Thunderbirds are tied for first place with perennial Football Championship Subdivision power Eastern Washington.
Not bad for a team that was an injury-plagued 3-9 last season, or one picked sixth in the conference in the preseason.
"We don't put a lot into polls and we don't put a lot into standings halfway through the season," coach Ed Lamb said. "That doesn't mean a lot. … [But] I've been pleased with the effort, focus and concentration our players have had since starting 0-2."
In the opening weeks of the season, Southern Utah lost at Utah State (12-9) and South Dakota State (55-10). The rout by the Jackrabbits has proven completely out of character for the Thunderbirds, who rank fourth nationally in scoring defense (11.9) and 20th in total defense (305.4).
The streak without allowing a touchdown, of course, has become a daily topic of conversation among SUU's players.
"They talk about it, probably more than we'd want them to," Lamb said. "So many times, we've been fortunate. We've given up [big] plays, but the offense hasn't been giving up field position with a lot of turnovers, so those plays aren't touchdowns."
More than any streak, Lamb said, "… We're focused on the mechanics of playing solid defense."
Sacramento State coach Jody Sears witnessed Southern Utah's domination during a 44-0 loss to the Thunderbirds.
"I saw this coming two years ago, when they had a good defense," he said. "They had some injuries last year … [but] they are reaping what they've been sowing the last three or four years.
"They are a very strong, very mature, very well-coached team. They know who they are. They know what they want to do. They know how good they can be."
According to Sears, Southern Utah's improvement on offense has helped its defense by controlling the ball, providing leads and allowing more aggressive schemes to be called.
"When they started spreading it out and chucking the ball around, I said, 'We all better batten down the hatches because those boys are coming and they're very good football players,' " Sears said.
Lamb credits defensive coordinator Demario Warren for much of Southern Utah's success: "He's stayed very consistent and he works his tail off. Our players, from Day 1, wanted to help him be successful because of the way he approaches it."
On the field, defensive end James Cowser and safety Miles Killebrew are SUU's leaders. Both are seniors. Both are being watched by NFL scouts.
"Cowser," said Cal Poly coach Tim Walsh, "is probably the best defensive player in the country at our level."
Twitter: @sluhm —
Stingy SUU
• Southern Utah has not allowed a touchdown in four Big Sky Conference games.
• The Thunderbirds rank 11th in the Football Championship Subdivision in scoring defense.