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--> --> Oct. 29: Raiders make a statement Ashland Daily Tidings AZUSA, Calif. - Maybe the third time's the charm for the Southern Oregon University football team. The past two years the Raiders have routed Azusa Pacific - only to see the Cougars go on at the end of the season to the NAIA playoffs. That streak may be about to end. SOU used a relentless offense Saturday night and routed Azusa Pacific 64-21 to knock the Cougars out of playoff contention and strengthen the Raiders' own bid for the postseason. "People looked at this game as one of the biggest in the country," Raider head coach Jeff Olson said. "They've only loss five times at home in three years and two of those are to us. We've got a national raters call tomorrow (Monday) and I'm much more looking forward to it after this type of win." The 10th-ranked Raiders (6-1) showed no lasting effects from a loss to Pacific Lutheran the week before, with SOU scoring on its first possession on a 1-yard Dusty McGrorty run. Azusa answered right back with a 14-yard scoring strike from Luke Winslow to Frankie Tapia to tie the score at seven. That was it for the Cougars. SOU went on a 34-0 run through the third quarter to take a 41-7 lead. During the run McGrorty added three more scores and senior quarterback Travis Mari found Danny Negra for two more touchdowns. The only times during the first 45 minutes of action the Raiders didn't score when they had the ball were a blocked field goal, an interception and SOU's lone punt. "To have only one punt is pretty impressive," Olson said. "After their first score, it became obvious that we were the only one that was going to stop our offense." The Raiders also added points on a safety off a bad snap on a punt, McGrorty's fifth touchdown and scoring runs by Bill Jolin and Shawn Wilson. McGrorty finished the game with 170 yards and five touchdowns. The five scores tied the school record for the second time in four games. "He's just so productive," Olson said of McGrorty. "It's either first downs or touchdowns. He likes to have the pressure put on him and when he's inside the 10 he's relentless." Mari finished with 228 yards on 17 of 22 passing. "He's such a competitor," Olson said. "All day he was stepping up in the pocket or rolling out to avoid the rush. On his first touchdown to Negra, Danny was the third or fourth option." As a team the Raiders outgained the Cougars 520-288. "Once we started scoring it turned it into a one-dimensional game," Olson said. "And our defense was ready for them to pass and stepped up. It was impressive." Senior Erube Magana led the Raider defensive effort with 6 1/2 tackles. Seniors Kodiak Malmstrom and James Powers each had a pair of sacks. The Raiders return home Saturday when they host Rocky Mountain. Another big crowd is expected for the 1 p.m. kickoff. "The last couple home games the crowds have been excellent," Olson said. "We hope we have another good one this week. We need that 12th person on our side." 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