CEDAR CITY, Utah – Southern Utah University will welcome home a legendary team this weekend as the 2010 Thunderbirds Football team is celebrated during Saturday’s Homecoming game. Fifteen years ago, SUU captured its first-ever Great West Conference title, finishing a perfect 4-0 in league play to bring a championship back to Cedar City.

The 2010 squad was a special one, featuring balance, discipline, and explosive playmakers on both sides of the ball. Under head coach Ed Lamb, the Thunderbirds established themselves as the team to beat in the GWC, riding a high-powered offense and a stingy defense to the championship.

Air Attack Led by Sorensen

Quarterback Brad Sorensen directed SUU’s passing game with remarkable efficiency in his first season at the helm. He completed nearly 67 percent of his passes (261-of-390) for 3,163 yards and 21 touchdowns. The 3,163 yards still sit as the second most in a single season by an SUU quarterback. Sorensen’s consistency and poise provided the backbone of an offense that averaged almost 300 yards per game through the air.

His favorite target was Tysson Poots, one of the most decorated receivers in program history. Poots hauled in 85 passes for 1,230 yards and 11 touchdowns, leading the conference in receiving yards per game (111.8) and securing his spot with the second-most receiving yards in a season at SUU. Fellow wideout Fesi Sitake provided a dynamic complement, catching 82 passes for 877 yards and five scores. Together, the pair gave Southern Utah one of the most feared receiving duos in the FCS.

Ground Game Balance

While the passing attack made headlines, SUU’s ground game was equally reliable. Austin Minefee led the way with 764 rushing yards and five touchdowns, averaging 5.7 yards per carry. Deckar Alexander added another 420 yards, while Major Gray contributed three rushing scores. The Thunderbirds finished with 1,485 rushing yards as a team, outpacing their opponents by more than 200 yards on the ground.

Defensive Dominance

The defense was relentless, holding opponents to fewer than 19 points per game. Blake Fenn anchored the unit, racking up 97 tackles and an interception, while Akeem Anifowoshe added 87 stops and 12 tackles for loss. The T-Bird pass rush was powered by Tyler Osborne, who notched 18.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks, and Cody Larsen, who contributed 6.5 TFLs and four sacks.

In the secondary, Erron Vonner and Colin Pretlow combined for double-digit pass breakups, frustrating opposing quarterbacks all season long. The defense forced eight fumbles and recorded 27 sacks, consistently giving the offense opportunities to strike.

A Legacy of Champions

The 2010 Thunderbirds not only captured a conference title but also laid the foundation for the program’s future success as it prepared to transition into the Big Sky Conference. Their perfect league record and balanced attack remain a proud chapter in SUU Football history.

This Homecoming, we honor the players, coaches, and staff who brought a championship to Southern Utah and cemented themselves as one of the most accomplished teams in program history.

Fans are encouraged to join us at Saturday’s game as we celebrate the 2010 Great West Conference Champions and relive the unforgettable season that defined a new era of Thunderbird Football.

The Thunderbird Coaches Show

Don’t forget to check out the Thunderbird Coaches Show at our new time every Tuesday at noon MT. You can watch it on YouTube by clicking here or on WatchSports.com. If you are more of an audio person, find it on your favorite podcast sites like Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Tickets

Season tickets and single-game tickets are now available! Get yours today by visiting tbirdtickets.com

Follow Us

For all the latest on Southern Utah football, follow @SUUFB_ on Twitter, @SUUFB on Instagram, and like the Southern Utah Football Facebook page.

Donate

Consider donating today to support Thunderbird athletics. To learn more about how you can help, click here.