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TUESDAY November 25, 2003 - Subscribe - Contact Us Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels November 14, 2003 Raiders aiming to regroup By Joe Zavala Ashland Daily Tidings Southern Oregon tailback Dusty McGrorty will have to carry the load against a rejuvinated Eastern Oregon team Saturday. Satsuki Doi | Ashland Daily Tidings In the midst of the most turbulent week in his eight years at the Raider helm, Southern Oregon University football coach Jeff Olson just wants to talk football. Not suspensions. Football. He'll soon get his wish. One week after a road trip to Western New Mexico ended with 14 SOU seniors suspended for violating team policies, the depleted Raiders on Saturday will face Eastern Oregon in La Grande. The contest will mark both teams season finale. SOU (4-4) could be entering the game on high note following last week's 40-28 win - its third win in a row and fourth in five tries. Instead, the Raiders will be trying to figure out ways to overcome the loss of 10 would-be starters. "Hey, there's a football game," joked Olson Thursday, while fielding more questions about his squad's momentary but gargantuan laps in judgment. Olson is trying to look at the bright side. "I've seen leadership surface from people who before, had not been nearly as assertive," he said. "It's been an eye-opener for me to look at some people and say, 'Wow, this guy really has it in him.'" At first, the Raiders had a hard time adjusting to so many key losses, but according to Olson that didn't last long. "Tuesday was quiet," he said, "but if there's a silver lining, it seems like (the suspensions) brought this group closer together and it's brought out some leaders that we didn't have before." That's good news for Olson and company, because they'll probably need all that leadership and more to beat Eastern shorthanded. The Mountaineers (4-5) rallied in the final minute for a 43-36 road victory over Puget Sound last week and is on a two-game winning streak for the first time since 2000. While Eastern has struggled stopping teams this season - it's allowing 400 yards a game, including 207 on the ground - the Mountaineers have moved the ball effectively while scoring 64 points in their last two games. The EOU offense, which is averaging 317 yards per game, relies heavily on a passing offense that produces 198 yards a game. Last week, Mounties' quarterback Scott Jensen led that offense by completing 12 of 20 passes for 317 yards and four touchdowns. Nine of his completions, including a 93-yarder and the 27-yard game-winner, went to wideout Mat Hamlin, Eastern's leading receiver. Hamlin has 41 catches for 513 yards and three touchdowns and Andre McIntosh has 21 catches for 460 yards and three scores. Eastern quarterback Aaron Hazel may also see some action. He's completed 78 of 150 passes for 802 yards, three touchdowns and five interceptions. Jensen has completed 58 of 108 passes for 942 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions. When EOU runs the ball, three backs will take turns carrying the load: Damien Johnson (101 carries, 413 yards), Justin Alsterlund (79 carries, 364 yards) and Major Caldwell (66 carries, 315 yards). With the defense hurt the most by the suspensions - eight Raider defensive players will miss the game - Olson says the play of the backups will be crucial. "Depth could be an issue, but we're going to go to battle," he said. "Yeah, it's going to be a challenge, but it's not like we're pulling guys off the scout team to play. Four starters on defense will not be starting, one of whom had missed time anyway." On the other side of the ball, the suspensions should not significantly impact the Raider offense. The entire offensive line remains intact, and running behind them will be All-American tailback Dusty McGrorty. McGrorty has gained 1,399 rushing yards, 18 touchdowns, and is averaging a staggering 6.6 yards per touch and 175 yards per game. He is 161 yards away from eclipsing his 2002 output, which took him 10 games to pick up, and is three scores away from breaking the NAIA all-time career rushing touchdown record. It'll be tough to break that record. McGrorty will be running into an EOU defense that's holding opponents to 119 yards per game on the ground. McGrorty is one of seven Raider seniors who will be suiting up for the last time Saturday. The others are kicker Steven Baker, offensive lineman Todd Wesolowski, offensive lineman Thane Woodley, offensive lineman Aaron Hayman, offensive lineman Marc Garcia and defensive lineman Cory Sanborn. DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved .:Advertisements:. What do you think of the new site? Let us know!