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--> --> SOU quarterback Travis Mari is expected to see a heavy pass rush Saturday when the Raiders host McKendree in the opening round of the NAIA playoffs at Raider Stadium. Tidings file photo SOU offense faces big test By Bobby Heiken Ashland Daily Tidings Something will have to give Saturday when the Southern Oregon University Raiders host McKendree College in the opening round of the NAIA playoffs. The SOU offense is outscoring its opponents by an average of 45-18. The McKendree defense is only giving up 11.9 points a game. SOU ranks seventh in the NAIA in total offense, averaging 432 yards. McKendree ranks seventh in total defense giving up a mere 243 a game. "They are an athletic and fast group," SOU head coach Jeff Olson said of the McKendree defensive unit. "They've got a couple guys that are 270, 275 along the defensive line and they get things done." The No. 7-ranked Raiders (8-1) and the 16th-ranked Bearcats (8-2) kick off at 3 p.m. at Raider Stadium. Leading the group for the Bearcats along the defensive line is senior Oku Satcher (6-3, 270), who ranks among the NAIA's best with 12.5 sacks per game and 18 tackles for losses. Teammate Ricardo Harris has 6.5 sacks. "Up front they are as good as anybody we've seen," Raider offensive coordinator Matt Sayre said. "They've got a middle linebacker (Darius Green) that's the fastest one we've faced. They are athletic and they like to run around and make plays." Green has racked up a team-high 65 tackles with 13 having resulted in losses plus four sacks. The key to success for the hosts rests in the offensive line. Behind the likes of Richard Griffin, Jeremy Chapman, Todd Wesolowski, Brandon Spooner and Marc Garcia, the men in the trenches have come of age the past three weeks. "It's a group that has 18 games under their belts and two springs," Olson said. "Last year we were inconsistent week after week because they were inexperienced. Now we can rely on them." The improved line play has given a boost to the offense which is spearheaded by senior quarterback Travis Mari. Mari finished the regular season ninth in the NAIA in passing yards (219.8) and 11th in total offense (226.7). He needs only two touchdown passes to equal the school record (23) held by current Arizona State assistant coach Mark Helfrich. "He's a very experienced quarterback and he's had a significant impact for us this year," Olson said. "He's the type of quarterback that takes what the defense gives him." SOU has been able to burn opponents through the air or on the ground during the 2001 season and fans can expect a blend of both Saturday. "Their pass rush is extremely good," Sayre said. "So we'll need to keep them off-balance. We're going to need some big plays, but that's been our MO the entire season." Sayre and Mari have been able to turn to a lot of people for big plays, the biggest being sophomore running back Dusty McGrorty. The former 2A Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year at Warrenton has been on fire since coming off a rib injury earlier in the year. "When Dusty was injured the rotation got crowded," Sayre said. "We've sorted that out and the more reps Dusty gets the better he gets. He's very determined." McGrorty leads the nation in scoring (14.7 points a game) and needs 78 yards to become the school's sixth straight 1,000-yard rusher. "There came a point in the season where Dusty said `I want to carry the load and be the guy you rely on,'" Olson said. "He's a running back that is used to having success and the team knows he can produce." When the Raiders go to the air, Mari has a stable of receivers to choose from. Senior Leo Stoddard leads the Raiders with 53 catches for 830 yards. Junior Danny Negra is tops on the team with seven touchdown catches. Tight ends Adam Clinton and Nate VanderKley have 18 and 13 catches each and freshman Carl Dice has caught 13 balls. In all, 13 different receivers have caught at least three passes. "A lot of the credit has to go to Matt's system," Olson said. "You can't plan on going out and stopping so and so. Leo has all the catches. Danny has the touchdowns. The tight ends make big plays, the backs come up with catches." One chink in McKendree's armor is in the Bearcats' last game they were lit up by St. Ambrose for 450 yards. The Fighting Bees passed for 284 yards and rushed for 166 yards in a 28-21 victory. While this is SOU's first trip to the postseason since 1987, McKendree is making its third trip in four years. But the Bearcats haven't got out of the first round yet. "I think playing at home is a big plus for us," Olson said. "The guys can go through their normal routine and hopefully we can sell out this place and have it rockin' on Saturday." Tickets are still available and are on sale at the Raider athletic offices in McNeal Hall. Tickets will be available Saturday at the gate, but all tickets will cost $10. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing