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CEDAR CITY — Following back-to-back Big Sky Conference losses, it appears any run for the postseason for the Southern Utah football team is over as it heads into Montana Saturday.
"We expected to compete for a championship; we expected to earn a playoff selection. Both of those are done," Thunderbird Head Coach Ed Lamb said, following SUU's most-recent loss. "At this point, we're playing for each other, pride for the rest of the season and to demonstrate our own personal and team toughness."
The T-Birds (2-4, 1-2 Big Sky) didn't take advantage of back-to-back home games, falling to No. 2 FCS Montana State 24-17 on Sept. 29 and Sacramento State 27-22 last week.
"We're focused on being winners," Lamb said. "That's important for our guys. They have an excellent opportunity to win more games than they lose. There's plenty to play for that way, and there's plenty to play for every week — regardless for what's on the line for the season."
Now the T-Birds will shift focus on a difficult road task at Montana (3-3, 1-2 Big Sky).
Although the Grizzlies have struggled to maintain their No. 11 FCS preseason ranking, SUU quarterback Brad Sorensen said that's no reason for the T-Birds to overlook Montana.
"I think their record is deceiving," he said. "Montana is an awesome team and I think anytime goes to play them, they have to bring their best. They've had some unfortunate losses. They're a much better team than their record shows."
For the third consecutive week, SUU's defense will have to deal with a duel-threat quarterback. The T-Birds struggled last week against Sacramento State's Garrett Safron, who ran for 91 yards and two touchdowns.
Freshman quarterback Trent McKinney, who fits the same duel-threat quarterback style but has gone through his ups and downs in his transition to college, leads Montana's offense.
McKinney has completed 66 percent of his passes this season for 1083 yards on 108 competitions. He's picked up seven touchdowns through the air, but has seven interceptions too. He's also picked up 392 yards and five more touchdowns on the ground.
McKinney averages about 240 total offensive yards per game.
Lamb said the T-Birds need to get back to a state defensively like they did against Montana State, when SUU contained the Bobcats' DeNarius McGhee for the most part.
"We need to get back to that type of mentality because Montana's quarterback is certainly capable of hurting us on the ground," Lamb said.
SUU linebacker Zak Browning, who leads SUU with 45 tackles and three forced fumbles this season, said the defense needs to stick with the coaches if it wants to contain Montana's offense.
"Week after week we just have to look at the playbook — look at the game plan," he said. "We've just got to stay focused and take care of our bodies. That's all we really can do."
Kickoff between SUU and Montana is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. in Missoula, Mont.
