CEDAR CITY, Utah — Southern Utah showed its quick start in conference play was no accident as the Thunderbirds shut out Sacramento State, 44-0, on Saturday at Eccles Coliseum.

The victory improved SUU to 4-2 overall and a perfect 3-0 in Big Sky Conference games. The Thunderbirds have now outscored their opponents, 118-3, in league action. The Hornets dropped to 1-6 overall and 0-4 in the Big Sky.

For the second consecutive week, the Hornets found themselves down early. The T-Birds took the opening kickoff and drove 75 yards on seven plays for a touchdown. The score came on a 10-yard pass from Ammon Olsen to Mike Sharp.  On the play, Olsen threw to the sideline where Sharp was able to step out of a tackle and walk into the end zone just two minutes into the game.

The Thunderbirds extended their lead to 14-0 with 7:44 remaining in the first quarter when Justin Brown broke free in the middle of the field and darted into the end zone for a 40-yard touchdown catch from Olsen. The play appeared to be coming back, but a flag for offensive pass interference was picked up keeping the touchdown on the board.

The final score of the half came on a high arching pass to the right corner where Sharp was able to outjump the Sacramento State defender for a 32-yard touchdown reception.

SUU added three more scores in the third quarter to push its lead to 37-0. Brown struck first with a 48-yard completion with 5:57 left in the period. Just 95 seconds later, Keita Calhoun converted a 25-yard field following a T-Bird interception. Sharp added his final score with a 50-yard catch up the left sideline with 57 seconds remaining in the third.

The Hornets' best chance to score came midway through the third quarter when they were able to move inside the red zone. However, a penalty pushed the ball back outside the 20-yard line and a field goal attempt was blocked.

The final points of the game came with 8:12 remaining in the fourth quarter on a 12-yard rush around the right side from Naia Ursua.

Overall, Southern Utah posted 570 yards of total offense while limiting Sacramento State to 187. Olsen was 27-of-40 for 421 yards and five touchdowns. Brown led all players with 160 yards on seven grabs while Sharp had nine catches for 154 yards. Malik Brown also cracked the century mark with 105 yards on the ground.

True freshman Nate Ketteringham, who was making his first career start, finished the night 14-of-33 for 117 yards. Nnamdi Agude and Jordan Robinson tied for the team lead with four receptions. Agude paced the team with 54 yards. Robinson had his streak of four straight 100-yard rushing games come to a close as he was limited to 29 yards on 10 carries.

Darnell Sankey (14), Manoah Pearson (career high 13), Austin Clark (career high 10) and Manny Scott-Anderson (career high 10) each finished with double-digit tackles. The Hornets had 12 tackles-for-loss as a team, led by sophomore Ben Sorensen who had 3.5.

Sacramento State returns home to host Idaho State on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 6 p.m. The game will serve as Homecoming for the University.

NOTES: Senior punter Smith Heath set the Sacramento State single-game record with 14 punt attempts…Anthony Payne grabbed his second interception of the season, coming down with the ball in the end zone…true freshman Mister Harriel made his collegiate debut and carried the ball eight times for 29 yards.