RICHMOND, Ky. –  The Colonels dropped to 4-6 in 2025 on Saturday night after falling by 10 points to Southern Utah.
 
The difference in the game came in the second half as the Thunderbirds scored 10 unanswered points to secure the win.
 
"Credit goes to Southern Utah, and a really good 60-minute performance by them," said head coach Walt Wells. "I thought we played well in the first 30 minutes, then came out in the second half and didn't do the things we needed to do to win this game."
 
After a frenetic first half with zero punts that saw both teams put up 17 points, the second half turned into a defensive slugfest with the Colonels struggling to find traction offensively.
 
On the night, quarterback Myles Burkett ended the night going 9-of-16 through the air for 115 yards and one touchdown pass to Marcus Calwise Jr., while Burkett added a touchdown on the ground.
 
On defense, Jaheim Ward led the Colonels with nine tackles, seven of which were solo efforts, and two pass breakups.
 
How It Happened
 
Thunderbirds opened the game with a balanced 8-play, 56-yard drive that ended with a 39-yard field goal to go up 3-0 with 10:33 left in the opening frame.
 
The Colonels answered with a field goal of their own as Buzz Flabiano hit from 36 yards out, capping off an 11-play, 56-yard drive with 4:37 remaining in the first quarter.
 
SUU kept the scoring exchange going with a diving six-yard touchdown run to go up, 10-7, with 13:47 left in the first half, ending a 9-play, 94-yard drive.
 
The Colonels' ensuing drive was almost cut short as the T-Birds intercepted a pass by Burkett before wide receiver Ron Vann Jr., punched the ball loose as Hunter Gulley fell on the loose ball to regain possession for EKU at its 39-yard line.
 
EKU capitalized later in the drive as Myles Burkett scrambled out of the pocket to find Marcus Calwise Jr. for a 27-yard catch and run touchdown, tying the game at 10 with 9:05 remaining.
 
The T-Birds responded with a 12-play, 75-yard drive that chewed up over seven minutes of game clock, finishing with a 10-yard touchdown drive.
 
With under two minutes left in the half, the Colonels were set up by a 35-yard kick return by T.J. Mitchell III, aided by an additional 15 yards tacked on via a late hit penalty against SUU.
 
Four plays later, Burkett made it happen on his feet, scrambling 22 yards to the end zone, tying the game once again, going into halftime.
 
In the second half, SUU scored the only points of the half, converting a 32-yard field goal on its opening drive of the half, and adding a one-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter.
 
Up Next
 
EKU will be at home one final time in 2025 for Senior Day versus No. 20 Abilene Christian on Saturday, November 15 at 3 p.m.