College football: SUU defense stifles Portland State

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Cedar City • Aaron Cantu threw for one touchdown and rushed for another to lead Southern Utah over Portland State 17-7 in Big Sky Conference play on Saturday.

Cantu was 14 of 25 for 119 yards, hitting wide receiver Fatu Moala from 5 yards for a second quarter touchdown and taking it in himself from the 1-yard line with six minutes left in the game to seal the win for the Thunderbirds (5-2, 2-1 Big Sky).

The Vikings (3-4, 0-3) suffered five turnovers during the game including two Kieran McDonagh interceptions. A DJ Adams fumble in the second quarter was recovered by Southern Utah's Tommy Collet Jr. at the Vikings' 19-yard line and converted seven plays later into a Thunderbirds touchdown.

Portland State's only touchdown came when freshman backup QB Paris Penn replaced McDonagh with seven seconds left in the first half for a fourth-and-goal 1-yard rush.

"Early on in the week we put a lot on our defensive staff and those guys worked their tails off," SUU Coach Ed Lamb said. "There was not a play that they got … that our guys didn't see. … Our guys were so well-prepared."