UC Davis jumps out early, rolls past Southern Utah 33-25

CEDAR CITY, Utah (AP) — Jake Maier threw three touchdown passes, Ulonzo Gilliam ran for 140 yards and a score and UC Davis beat Southern Utah 33-25 on Saturday night.

Maier connected with three separate receivers as the Aggies (4-4, 2-2 Big Sky Conference) jumped out to a 26-0 lead with 2:29 to play in the second quarter. Lance Lawson’s 3-yard run for Southern Utah (1-7, 0-4) just before half made it 26-7.

Maier was 25-of-37 passing for 271 yards. Gilliam had 28 carries and scored on a 3-yard run. Niko Harris capped a 16-play, 85-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown run that stretched the Aggies’ lead to 33-7 with 4:28 to play in the third quarter.

Jay Green Jr. had a pair of 1-yard touchdown runs for the Thunderbirds in in the fourth quarter and Manny Berz kicked a 35-yard field goal with a minute left in the game, but UC Davis recovered the ensuing onside kick.