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--> --> Travis Mari makes a pass on the run vs. Simon Fraser. Tidings file photo Mari's magic Senior quarterback may be the missing piece of SOU's postseason puzzle By Bobby Heiken Ashland Daily Tidings The rise of the Southern Oregon University football program to No. 4 in the nation could have to do with any number of things. But the No. 1 reason has been the play of transfer quarterback Travis Mari. The senior from Humboldt State has given the Raiders (5-0) a new look offensively and now opposing defenses are on their heels. "His play has been a big difference for us," SOU head coach Jeff Olson said. "He has the ability to do so many things that it really puts the pressure on opposing defenses." Mari didn't think he'd be playing football his senior year. After three years at Humboldt State, Mari had seen his role go from freshman starter to watching from the sideline as a junior. "I knew I wasn't going to go back and play at Humboldt State," Mari said. "It was just too frustrating. It left a pretty sour taste in my mouth about football. I didn't want my career to end on the sideline." Mari then made phone call to Olson to offer his services for his senior season. "I knew there wasn't going to be much interest for a senior quarterback," Mari said. "But I also knew they didn't have an established quarterback." Olson admits to having some reservations. "Anytime you bring in a one-year player you have to be careful," Olson said. "At the time we had seven other quarterbacks and I would much rather build with a guy that's going to be around for three or four years." But something clicked in the conversations between the two and Mari became a Raider. "You could tell that he was a total team player," Olson said. "In talking to him he never bad-mouthed the other program. We told him he would be No. 8 out of eight and he accepted the challenge." Mari showed up in Ashland during spring term and immediately began to work his way up the depth chart. By the start of fall camp he was one of three guys battling for the starting job. Finally in the preseason scrimmage against College of the Siskiyous, Mari emerged as the man. "He really separated himself from the pack during that scrimmage," Olson said. "He had earned the spot up to that point and then he went out and demonstrated poise and leadership. After that we knew he was the one." Mari took over the Raider offense and has put up some impressive numbers. Under his command, SOU has outscored its opponents 217-59 and the normally methodical Raider-run offense now ranks ninth in the nation in total offense (430.6 yards per game) and 11th in passing (240.6). Mari ranks 10th (227) and 12th (218) individually in the same categories. And after three-year starting quarterback Dan Walters filled his role in executing SOU's ground control offense, Mari has given SOU something a little different. "Dan did a great job for us and got us back-to-back winning seasons," Olson said. "But Travis has brought more of an element of a big play. When he gets flushed out of the pocket he can still make the play. Nothing seems to phase him." Mari has impressed fans with his never-say-die attitude. Against Linfield the 6-2, 225-pounder made life difficult with his elusiveness in the pocket. He also has a flare for the dramatic. Against the Wildcats he almost completed a pass left-handed as he was falling to the ground. Against Simon Fraser he completed a basketball chest pass for a first down seconds after having his head whipped around on a personal foul face mask penalty. "I just hate giving up on a play," Mari said. "The smart play would probably be to throw it away, but that's not the way I think. I've got a problem with taking a sack. It's all just a reaction." Those reactions have been working so far and Raider fans will have to wait until next week when SOU travels to Pacific Lutheran to see what his next highlight will be. "I'm having a lot of fun," Mari said. "The biggest difference is winning. I can't wait for the next game." 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