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Show T-birds tie Highland Cowboys; 3-3 deadlock in defensive game LAS VEGAS, N.M. Playing in miserable football conditions, the Southern Utah State College Thun-derbirds Thun-derbirds opened conference play with a 3-3 deadlock against New Mexico Highlands Saturday. Playing in New Mexico, the Thun-derbirds Thun-derbirds found themselves locked in a fierce defensive battle with the Cowboys. The tough T-bird defense continually pounded the Cowboys who had fewer than 200 yards total offense for the game. Coach Jack Bishop was pleased with the entire Thunderbird defensive squad. "The entire defense played very well, it's extremely hard to single out anyone because it was a real team effort," he said. New Mexico jumped on the scoreboard in the second quarter with a 36-yard field goal. David Lucero kicked the field goal that was barely good after hitting the crossbar. The field goal was good after the Cowboys failed to capitalize on a fumbled punt by SUSC. The Thunderbird offense had its ups and downs as it moved the ball well to a certain extent. "We did a very good job of moving the ball between the thirty yard lines, but we need to do a better job of getting the ball into the endzone," Bishop said. Several times the T-Birds did play magnificent offense. SUSC running back Curry Ancar played an outstanding out-standing game. Ancar is a converted defensive back, and several times he nearly broke things open. Early in the first quarter Ancar broke one run loose and rambled for 62 yards before being stopped. The run failed to give the Thun-derbirds Thun-derbirds a touchdown, however, after a tough Cowboy defense stopped them cold on the 8-yard line. SUSC quarterback quar-terback Bob August, who started for the Thunderbirds, had a fourth down pass picked off spoiling the big T-Bird drive. SUSC had its own field goal attempt in the second quarter, with lineman Dan Shail striving to get T-Birds on the scoreboard. Shail was filling in for an injured Rick Harrison who normally does the kicking for the team. However Shail's kick lacked enough boot to go the 36 yards for the score. Being down 3-0 at the half the Thunderbirds had survived a tough defensive battle. Linemen Doug Snell and Kevin Singleton put on tough pass rushes as did other Thunderbird linemen. Their linebacking crew also deserves much credit. They were playing without the strength of Marvin Magalei who may be out for the season with a broken shoulder blade. The Thunderbird secondary also deserves praise. Tai Viamaona and Dave Peck combined for some key tackles in preventing the Cowboys from scoring. The third quarter began and Shail was once again called into duty to kick a field goal. After driving into New Mexico territory, the T-Birds found themselves on the ten yard line. Unable to score, Shail booted a 27-yard at tempt, once again the kick was no good. The SUSC offense was relying heavily on the quickness of Ancar and some good passing from August to his receiving corps. August successfully completed passes to tight end Steve Bullard and wide receiver Rick Snow. However, August's passes were not able to penetrate the New Mexico defense for a touchdown. Early in the fourth quarter, the Thunderbirds pushed hard again for a scoring drive. Unable to reach a first down, Shail was once more called into duty, but this time his 27-yard field goal was good, and the score stood at 3-3. After a fourth quarter interception by Sam Gallegos, the Thunderbirds had one more shot at a scoring drive. Junior Kirk Hafen came into the ballgame replacing August at the quarterback position. Hafen attempted to move the ball from his 25-yard line but was unable to do so because of a strong New Mexico defense. Regaining possession of the ball, the Cowboys then burned up the remaining seconds of the game resulting in a 3-3 tie. Coach Bishop was pleased with his team's performance. "I'm pleased that we've only had three turnovers and five penalties in two games. We'd like to keep up that type of performance," he said. Saturday the Thunderbirds will take on conference foe Mesa in a game to be played in Cedar City. |