Sept 14, 2003

Final Stats

CEDAR CITY, Utah (AP) - Ryan Zimmerman threw for 182 yards and two touchdowns as Southern Utah beat Stephen F. Austin 22-21 on Saturday night.

Zimmerman replaced injured starter Casey Rehrer late in the second quarter.

He connected with Jake Box for a 3-yard touchdown pass with 35 seconds remaining to cut the Lumberjacks lead to 21-20. Then the Thunderbirds (1-2) faked on a point and Wes Patterson ran for a two-point conversion, giving Southern Utah its first lead of the game.

With Southern Utah trailing 21-7, Zimmerman led the Thunderbirds on an 11-play, 80-yard drive that included two fourth-down conversions. Zimmerman capped the drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Cory Ashby to cut the lead to seven.

Zimmerman threw two early interceptions before finishing 18-of-37.

The Lumberjacks defense caused five Southern Utah turnovers, including three interceptions. However, the Lumberjacks kicker Ryan Rossner missed two field goals.

Zeke Dixon threw for 229 yards and two touchdowns for Stephen F. Austin.

The Lumberjacks rushed out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter after a 32-yard touchdown run by Cliff Edwards and a 20-yard touchdown pass from Dixon to Michael David.

The 'Jacks wasted numerous opportunities in the first half to put the game away and went in at halftime leading only 14-7. SFA scored a touchdown in the third quarter to build its lead back to 14 points, but managed only 107 yards of offense in the second half.