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--> --> Nov. 2: SOU is full of firepower By Bobby Heiken Ashland Daily Tidings In year's past the Southern Oregon University football team consisted of a top-rate defense and a run-oriented rushing offense that didn't always keep up. Now the Raiders (6-1) have both the offense and defense operating at full speed and that should spell trouble for Rocky Mountain (3-5) at Raider Stadium Saturday afternoon. The 1 p.m. kickoff will give Raider fans their last regular season look at the No. 10 team in the country. SOU has won 11 of its last 13 games at Raider Stadium. On display will be an offense that ran up 64 points against perennial national power Azusa Pacific last week and is outscoring opponents on average 45-18. The 319 total points rank as the third highest in school history and the Raiders still have two games to play. "They are coming out and playing at a high level every week," Raider head coach Jeff Olson said. "I think a lot of it starts with (SOU offensive coordinator) Matt Sayre and (SOU offensive line coach) Tom Powell. We aren't coming out and relying on any one guy to get it done for us, and that is a big difference. If we are having trouble running the ball, we've got a great deal of confidence in our passing game." The Raider offense ranks fourth in the country with a 443.6 yards-per-game average, which is SOU's most productive total since the record-setting 1991 season (453.6). Individually, senior quarterback Travis Mari is among NAIA leaders with 1,641 yards on 119 of 181 passing and 16 touchdowns. Senior receiver Leo Stoddard ranks fifth in the NAIA with 47 catches for 717 yards and sophomore running back Dusty McGrorty is already getting close to breaking records of SOU great Griff Yates. McGrorty's five TDs last Saturday allowed the former Oregon 2A Player of the Year to take over the NAIA lead in scoring with 19 touchdowns - which is one shy of tying Yates' school and Northwest record of 20 touchdowns in a season. "The offense is also a little older and more mature," Olson said. "The offensive line has another year under its belt and Dusty is now a year older." In Rocky Mountain, the Raiders will face a squad that went to the national playoffs in 1998 and 1999. This year's team, however, is having trouble moving the ball in its spread-option attack. The `explosive' offense has only accounted for 15 scores on the year. "They will come out with an option and then spread it out all over the field," Olson said. "It's going to come down to us being disciplined and playing assignment football." The stingy Raiders' defense is allowing a meager 89 yards per game on the ground. One of the main reasons for the success of the Raider defense has been the play of defensive lineman James Powers. Of his 29 tackles, a team-high 15 have been for losses. The senior also has a team-best 5.5 sacks. "He's having an All-American type of season," Olson said. "He was voted team captain this year and has earned the respect of all his peers. He's undersized but has worked hard and is really quick. He's a great example for the rest of the team." After Rocky Mountain, the Raiders close out the regular season next Saturday at winless Eastern Oregon. If everything holds, it's on to the national playoffs. To make the NAIA playoffs, the Raiders need to finish the regular season in the Top 20 and be the top-ranked independent. So far, so good. 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