Utah Tech lost a hard-fought rivalry game to Southern Utah 46-33 on Saturday night in the annual Battle For the Ax, according to a report published October 3. Despite recording a season-high 572 yards of total offense, the Trailblazers could not overcome a potent Southern Utah run game at Greater Zion Stadium.
Running back Ace Chatman tied a school record by scoring four total touchdowns during the contest. His performance included two rushing touchdowns on 19 carries for 101 yards and two receiving touchdowns on four catches for 28 yards. This marked Chatman's third career 100-yard game and his second 100-plus yard rushing effort of the season.
The Trailblazers' offense was bolstered by the first start of the season for fifth-year quarterback Deacon Hill. Hill completed 9-of-17 passes for 226 yards and one touchdown before leaving the game late in the second quarter due to injury. He was replaced by Bronson Barben, who threw for 165 yards on 11-of-21 passing and one touchdown. The team also recorded a season-high 391 passing yards and 181 rushing yards.
Southern Utah's victory was fueled by quarterback Will Burns, who accounted for 124 passing yards and two rushing touchdowns. The Thunderbirds also recorded 334 rushing yards. Receiver Mike Williams led Utah Tech with a career-high 160 yards on three catches, becoming the first Blazer to surpass 100 receiving yards in a game since Daniel Thomason did so on Nov. 1, 2025.
The 572 yards of total offense marked the first time in over two years that Utah Tech gained at least 500 yards in a single game. The last time the program achieved this was on Sept. 28, 2024, against Abilene Christian. Defensively, Utah Tech's Daylen Love recorded a game and season-high 10 total tackles, while Brevin Czosnyka had six tackles and an interception.
Utah Tech will begin the second half of the 2026 season with three of its next four games played away. The Trailblazers are scheduled to play Portland State at Hillsboro Stadium in Hillsboro, Ore., next weekend at 2 p.m. (MT).
