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http:// --> Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Obituaries Weather Archive Hot Topics Forum Photo Gallery Past Readers Polls Revels Etcetera Backpage O-Zone Special Sections Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad Online Games Movie Preview October 6, 2006 Raiders, Cougars both in search of elusive winning formula By Kris Henry For the Tidings Traditionally when the football teams at Southern Oregon and Azusa Pacific collide, NAIA playoff implications are on the line. That's not the case this year, but that doesn't mean there isn't a lot at stake Saturday when the teams play at Raider Stadium in Ashland. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. After starting slow with a combined 2-7 record in the first half of the season, the Raiders (1-3) and Cougars (1-4) will be vying to take the first step toward a second-half turnaround. Offensive woes have hampered SOU's development thus far, but the Raiders made strides in last week's 30-13 loss at Humboldt State with their first two offensive touchdowns of the season. Sophomore Patrick Preyer had 21- and 1-yard scoring runs in his first game as a starter for SOU, and finished with 81 yards on 21 carries. Azusa Pacific has experienced its share of offensive woes as well, with the Cougars averaging just 215.4 yards and 12.4 points per game. Azusa Pacific has scored just one TD after halftime this season, but most of that can be attributed to its tough schedule. The Cougars, who had a streak of 50 straight NAIA coaches poll appearances snapped last week, have faced five nationally ranked teams in San Diego, Malone (Ohio), Wisconsin-Whitewater, Wisconsin-LaCrosse and Whitworth. Those teams are a combined 19-1 thus far, with the one loss by virtue of the Cougars' 31-6 win over Malone. "The next five games are going to determine this season more than the first five games," said first-year Azusa Pacific head coach Victor Santa Cruz. "This is a great opportunity for us to be the men who we say we are. We can go around and talk about what ifs, unfortunate injuries and the ball bouncing the wrong way, or we can go to work this week and build something great." A real key to Saturday's game will be the play of APU sophomore quarterback Ryan Bridges, who will be making his first collegiate start. Bridges took over for starting QB Rudy Carlton last week after Carlton was lost to a broken collarbone on the fourth play from scrimmage against Whitworth. Bridges held his own against the Division III team from Spokane, Wa., completing 9 of 18 passes for 99 yards and rushing for another 53 yards on 12 carries. While Bridges is relatively inexperienced at the college level, he'll no doubt benefit from playing behind an offensive line that returns all five starters and has allowed just one sack on 105 pass plays this season. Also getting a boost from that group is senior running back Marcus Lampkin, who has rushed 102 times for 313 yards and three touchdowns this season. Lampkin has 1,645 yards rushing in his career and needs 61 yards to move into eighth place on the school's all-time list. Much like at SOU, Azusa Pacific has been led all season by a defense that is allowing only 285.2 yards of total offense and 20.8 points per game. The strength of the Cougar attack has been provided by linebackers Scott Ellis, Travis Bengard and Clint Shamblin, who lead the team in tackles with 44, 37 and 34, respectively. Azusa Pacific also gets a boost from cornerback Cameron Tucker, who leads the team with three interceptions, and defensive lineman Josh Zeno. SOU is averaging eight points and 197.2 yards of total offense overall, and is allowing 22.5 points and 365.2 total yards per game. Redshirt freshman quarterback Casey Mitchell has completed 46 of 94 passes for 397 yards and seven interceptions, with Tim Greenidge (12 receptions, 110 yards), Gabe Hatchett (12, 95) and Steve Jorgensen (10, 94) his main targets. Shane Van Zant leads the Raiders in rushing with 55 carries for 162 yards, while Preyer's effort last week bumped him up to 27 carries for 103 yards and two TDs overall. On defense, SOU is led by linebackers Josh Lopez, Damario Watson and James Williams, who lead the Raiders in tackles with 28, 26 and 25, respectively. Reach reporter Kris Henry at 776-4488, or e-mail [email protected] Leave a Comment: Advertisement: Advertisement: Paid Advertising Inkjet Printers Student Loans Water Filter Helzberg Diamonds Mortgage Calculator Security Systems Advertisement: Copyright © 2006 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. All Rights Reserved.