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CEDAR CITY — It would be easy for Utah to look past Southern Utah in the home opener Thursday at Rice-Eccles Stadium, especially with the rivalry game against BYU just a week later.
But that would be a mistake. The Thunderbirds nearly beat Utah State in last season’s opener, and remember Portland State and former Mountain Crest quarterback Alex Kuresa who beat Washington State in 2015?
This David can’t wait to take a shot at Goliath.
“They’re fast, they’re big and their front line is really tough,” said SUU wide receiver Mike Sharp, who prepped at Dixie High. “We’re going to have to have a quick game, get the ball out on time and make big plays.”
Southern Utah isn’t lacking in confidence, just one season after winning its first Big Sky Conference title and its second trip to the FCS playoffs in three years.
“I think we compare very similar to them,” said SUU linebacker Mike Needham, a Desert Hills High product. “We have guys who are just as fast as them.
“Maybe they have more depth; that’s how it is at bigger schools. But in size and speed, we’re right there.”
New coach Demario Warren hasn’t named a starting quarterback for the Thunderbirds’ opener. But former BYU and Jordan High star McCoy Hill will battle with former Lone Peak quarterback Tannon Pedersen.
Hill likes his chances, though.
“I’m absolutely preparing to be the starter and go in and play Utah,” Hill said.
Hill ran the scout team in 2015, and played in just one game with BYU before transferring this spring. But the Thunderbirds and former head coach Ed Lamb recruited him in high school, and he’s eager to show what he can do in command of an offense.
“I think Utah is the same every year. They’ve got a really good defensive line, a fast defense and a great secondary,” Hill said. “I think there’s no difference this year. It’s a great defense, but we like the guys we have. I think we’ll be able to create some good things. Now we’ve just got to make some plays.”
Hill hopes to be the latest BYU transfer to find success in the SUU backfield. Brad Sorensen transferred from BYU and is currently with the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings, and former Cougar Ammon Olson led the team to its second-ever postseason appearance last year.
“I think the reality is I’ve seen a couple of guys come down here, and I’ve gotten to know them," Hill said. "No matter where you are at, you want to be given an opportunity. They’ve got really good players at BYU right now, and I wanted an opportunity. I found it here, and it’s been a great experience for me.”
