Dye scores 3 TDs, sets program record in Southern Utah’s 36-34 2OT win over North Alabama

FLORENCE, Ala. (AP) — Joshua Dye scored three touchdowns, including a game-tying score to force overtime in a comeback, for Southern Utah in its 36-34 double-overtime win over North Alabama on Saturday.

Dye scored his second touchdown with 9:42 remaining to cut the Thunderbirds’ (7-5, 6-2 United Athletic Conference) deficit to 28-21.

The Lions (2-10, 1-7) chewed more than seven minutes on a 14-play, 50-yard drive, forcing three Thunderbirds’ timeouts.

Ian Vachon missed a field goal from 35 yards, and the Thunderbirds mounted a seven-play, 80-yard drive capped by a 3-yard touchdown run from Dye to send the game to overtime.

Dye was stopped short on fourth-and-2 to open the extra period, but the Lions turned the ball over on a Roderick Taylor Jr. fumble.

Taylor scored on a 1-yard run in the second overtime, but the two-point conversion failed. The Thunderbirds answered with a 15-yard touchdown from Bronson Barren to Gabe Nunez, and a 2-yard rush from Shane Carr for the game-winning conversion.

The Thunderbirds, who have won six straight games, never led until the game-winning score.

Dye, who had already broken Southern Utah’s single-season records for rushing touchdowns (23) and carries (271), added the net rushing yards record to his tally, finishing with 1,831 yards after a 108-yard day.

John Austin Wood was 15-of-22 passing for 236 yards and a touchdown for North Alabama.

Lando Brown entered the game No. 2 in FCS football in sacks, and added two, finishing with 14.0 on the year.

It was the final game played at Braly Stadium for North Alabama, where its played since 1949. North Alabama moves to Bank Independent Stadium next season.

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