STEPHENVILLE, Texas — After a strong first half, Tarleton State wasn't able to keep the momentum going and Southern Utah mounted a late comeback to take the United Athletic Conference matchup.
 
The Texans (4-2, 1-1 UAC) fell 27-26 on Saturday night at Memorial Stadium in Stephenville, Texas, to the Thunderbirds (2-4, 1-1 UAC). Tarleton led 20-0 at halftime and 26-14 in the fourth quarter, but Southern Utah scored two touchdowns over the final three minutes to steal the win.
 
SUU QB Justin Miller found an open Targhee Lambson for a 12-yard score with 2:55 left, then safety Trevon Gola-Callard forced a Kayvon Britten fumble, which Josh Lopez returned 23 yards for the go-ahead, and eventual game-winning, touchdown with 2:29 remaining.
 
Texan QB Victor Gabalis finished 13-of-31 for 152 yards and a touchdown, tossing his score to Jaden Smith from 14 yards out in the first quarter. Britten rushed for 93 yards on 17 carries (5.5 yards per carry) and a touchdown, scoring on an 11-yard scamper to make it 20-0 in the second quarter. Running back Caleb Lewis carried it 13 times for 82 yards (6.3 YPG) and his first Texan touchdown, an 8-yard run in the fourth quarter to make it 26-14. Benjamin Omayebu led the receiving group with 44 yards on six catches. Darius Cooper played his first game since the season opener, finishing with three catches and 38 yards.
 
Defensively, Kasyus Kurns picked off Miller on Southern Utah's first drive of the game that set up Smith's touchdown for the Texans. Kurns also added eight tackles. Patrick Jones and Devin Sterling each led the team with 10 tackles apiece. Kyle Taylor had nine tackles and a sack.
 
On special teams, Adrian Guzman shined, going 4-for-4 on kicks, 2-of-2 on field goals from 40 and 35 yards out. He also averaged 42.6 yards across five punts, including a 58-yard boot that pinned the Thunderbirds inside the 5-yard line. Deangelo Rosemond had three kickoff returns cover 107 yards, peaking at 51 yards long.
 
For Southern Utah, they were led by Miller's 34-of-45 passing for 314 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Aubrey Nellems had a game-high 14 tackles, and the Thunderbirds had three sacks.
 
This was the third all-time meeting between Tarleton and Southern Utah, all within the last two years. All games have had chaotic endings, with each ending in a one-possession game.
 
Saturday marked Tarleton's Legends Game as the Texans hosted the 2002-03 men's basketball team to honor them with a special presentation in the second quarter. The coaches from that team performed the coin toss just ahead of kickoff. Also pregame, Tarleton State President Dr. James Hurley and Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Lonn Reisman gave a team autographed ball to head coach Todd Whitten for earning his 100th win with the program last week.
 
The Texans will play at Eastern Kentucky next, returning to Richmond, Kentucky, where they played two years ago. They'll match up with the Colonels on Saturday, Oct. 14, at 2 p.m. CT at Roy Kidd Stadium.