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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels September 27, 2004 Boomer roughed up in first Raider appearance By Jennifer Squires Ashland Daily Tidings The quarterback question that plagued the Southern Oregon coaching staff through spring training and on into summer camp may be unresolved, following the Raider' 16-9 loss to Azusa Pacific, Saturday at Raider Stadium. Although senior Brandon Griffith has played the starting role for the Raiders (2-2) through four games this fall, early in the fourth quarter of play against Azusa, head coach Jeff Olson sent in redshirt-freshman Boomer Marshall to run the offense. "We were just looking for a spark," Olson said. "Sometimes a change in a certain spot can make a difference." The switch came after a Griffith fumble at midfield. The Cougars picked up the ball, returned it to the Southern 13-yard-line and, after a Raider defensive stand, kicked a 20-yard field goal that gave Azusa a 13-9 lead with 13:49 remaining. "At that point in the game, it was just to see if we could get a jump-start," Olson said, pointing out how the substitution of senior running back Antar Mahasin for the injured Bill Jolin early in the game boosted the Raider offense. Up until the switch, Griffith had connected on 11 of 24 attempts with one interception, tallying 103 yards and a touchdown. "He did a great job," Olson said. "And he handled it really well (being taken out), said 'Anything I can do to help this team.' He hates to lose." Griffith, the No. 2 Raider quarterback for the past two seasons, earned starting honors after the spring intrasquad game, where three others vied for the position, including Marshall. The fourth quarter Marshall, a South Medford record-breaking all-star, took control with the momentum clearly belonging to Azusa. "Under the circumstances, I think he played well," Olson said. "Brandon was beat up. I think emotionally, he was a little spent." Marshall finished out the final quarter for the Raiders, although he and the offense couldn't find that elusive score Southern Oregon needed to get back in the game. Marshall completed just four of 15 passes for 33 yards and threw two interceptions, including a last-second bomb to the end zone that missed receiver Bobby Poeltl's grasp and was snagged by Cougar Cameron Tucker. "We had to be one-dimensional at the time," Olson said, explaining the need for a touchdown and the short clock required the Raiders look to the air to move downfield and skimp on the running game. "We had to throw the football to move the ball." Unanswered As of press time, Olson would not comment on the possibility of a permanent change to the Raider starting offensive lineup, stating he needed to tell the team what would happen first. "During camp, Brandon earned the opportunity," Olson said. "We're still evaluating film from last (Saturday) night. I'm not sure yet." The decision will have to come fast, as the Raiders bus south to the University of San Diego this Saturday. A year ago, the Toreros scored 17 straight in the second half to squeeze past Southern 24-19 in San Diego. DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams