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The best way to store your books Dave Ramsey: Buy the dream car! Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs NEWS NOW Calendar: Wednesday, Oct. 15 ... Merkley-Wehby to debate in Medford ... Calendar: Tuesday, Oct. 14 ... Calendar: Wednesday, Oct. 15 ... Merkley-Wehby to debate in Medford ... Calendar: Tuesday, Oct. 14 ... COLLEGE FOOTBALL Dodge eyes title as he sits atop record book Coach, teammate say quarterback's skill-set and leadership set him apart By Joe Zavala Ashland Daily Tidings DailyTidings.com By Joe Zavala Ashland Daily Tidings Posted Oct. 12, 2014 @ 3:24 pm By Joe Zavala Ashland Daily Tidings Posted Oct. 12, 2014 @ 3:24 pm » Social News The record books are overflowing with West Coast quarterbacks, those dink-n-dunk artists, masters of the 5-yard slant that nets 10. But anybody who’s watched the Southern Oregon Raiders since 2011 knows that the man who will go down as the NAIA’s all-time passing king has done it, and continues to do it, his own way. And Saturday against Montana Western that way was best illustrated early in the third quarter when Austin Dodge dropped back on a first-and-10 play at the SOU 36. He rolled to his right, leaned back into his familiar gunslinger wind-up and unloaded a perfect spiral that traveled 50 yards through the air before dropping into the waiting arms of Dylan Young. It sailed over the defender’s fingertips with about six inches to spare - as if Dodge had dropped it off a six-foot ladder - and Young gathered himself, turned and raced toward the end zone before being caught at the 1. How many times have Raider fans seen plays similar to the one Young caught for a 63-yard gain, setting up SOU’s second touchdown en route to a 31-6 win? Too many to name here. For most of Dodge’s reign as NAIA passing king, the Raiders’ philosophy has seemed to be, “when in doubt, throw it deep.” And for three and a half seasons Dodge has delivered, usually on target, again and again. He’s averaging 14.42 yards per completion this season, which tops even his 14.13 mark in 2012. But what’s even more remarkable is that despite the sheer number of deep balls he attempts, Dodge’s completion percentage the last three seasons has never dipped below 65 percent. That’s how he was able to shatter the all-time career records for passing yards and touchdown passes two weeks ago, and that’s why, by the time he’s done, those marks will likely stand for a long, long time. “Look at how many quarterbacks have played, look at how many teams have played,” SOU head coach Craig Howard said. “In the history of the game of football in the NAIA nobody’s done what Austin Dodge has done right here in Ashland, Oregon. I don’t think people really understand the significance of that. If it was NCAA Division I he’d be on the cover of Sports Illustrated. He would be the biggest news in the nation.” The real goal Playing in front of his home fans for the first time since setting both records Sept. 27 at Montana State-Northern, Dodge admitted on Saturday that he knew the marks were within reach then, as has become his custom, casually shifted the attention to his teammates and spoke of the ultimate goal, which he says goes well beyond his gaudy numbers. “It was something on the radar, obviously,” he said. “When you’re not playing and you’re sitting at home, you know where you’re at and where you’re standing. But in the end it’s all about team success. An individual accolade is all the result of a team effort. Without the big boys up front, without the playmakers on the outside it wouldn’t be possible. But you know what, I’d give it all back for a ring. We’re on our way to it. We’re 6-0 and we’re rolling.” But come on, Dodge. You’re the ALL-TIME leading passer in NAIA history. And with still five regular season games to go you’ll bury everybody else before closing your locker for the last time, possibly in the NAIA championship game. How about THAT? “It’s surreal,” he said. “It really is surreal, and it’s tough to take it in right now. But at the same time we’ve got business to take care off. We’ve got to be one-and-oh every week and that’s what we’re focused on. The records may fall but the record we’re going for is an undefeated season and a national championship.” Dodge may not feel comfortable talking about himself or his accomplishments, but Howard has no such reservations. Dodge, says Howard, is much more than a deep-ball specialist or a system quarterback who’s benefited from SOU’s wide open spread, no-huddle offense. He can make all the throws – see his perfect fade to Young for an 8-yard touchdown Saturday – he’s got quick feet and seems to sort of glide away from pressure, he reads defenses like a book and, of course, he packs a cannon arm. Also, says Howard, Dodge comes fully equipped with another important attribute, one that casual fans may not fully appreciate. “He’s got the quickest release of any quarterback I’ve ever seen, not just coached,” Howard said. “That’s why he doesn’t get sacked. Now, we’ve got a good line coach and we’ve got a good scheme, but they don’t sack him because he’s quicker than Dan Marino on his release, or as quick. That’s quite a statement, but not many quarterbacks have that quick release. “So, you combine the quick release with the uncanny knack to throw the deep ball on target. A lot of guys can throw it 70 yards, but you don’t know where it’s going to land. He’s like a golfer that can drive it off the tee and put it in the hole, and not many guys can do that. So it’s a combination of those things.” Leadership As for the intangibles, Dodge is one of the most dedicated players on the team. Howard found that out early on. After Dodge made his first start on Sept. 17, 2011, the then freshman transfer responded to a disappointing loss to Willamette the same way he now responds to blowout victories, by showing up early the next day (6:30 a.m., remembers Howard) to break down the film. By focusing via meticulous film study on the few mistakes he does make, Dodge has been able to minimize those miscues. Indeed, opposing defenses should save and bronze the footballs Dodge has thrown for picks, so rare and valuable they have become. The updated totals are staggering: 122 touchdown passes and 36 interceptions, including only four so far this season. And while he’s fond, while making his postgame media rounds, of flashing his megawatt smile and dishing out the familiar clichés like the team spokesman that he is, Dodge isn’t afraid to call out teammates. Once the lights and cameras go away, Raider receiver Matt Retzlaff said, Dodge’s laser-like focus keeps teammates on their toes. “Throughout each week of practice he’s our leader on the field, he’s the one that gets everyone pumped up and excited and really puts the boot in our butt on Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday,” Retzlaff said of Dodge. “And Saturdays, those are just the results of his preparation and our preparation. “He’s a leader, but I think where that comes from is he’s so damn competitive. He does not like losing. He doesn’t like losing in practice against our scout team or the defense, so he brings that every single day. And being a teammate of him, you gotta love him for that because that just boosts everyone’s enthusiasm and makes you want to get better every single day.” Joe Zavala can be reached at 541-776-4469 or [email protected]. By Joe Zavala Ashland Daily Tidings DailyTidings.com By Joe Zavala Ashland Daily Tidings Posted Oct. 12, 2014 @ 3:24 pm » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. fantasy football Calvin Johnson's Injury Makes Joique Bell Week 7 Fantasy Stud Oct. 15, 2014 at 5:57 pm Asiata's Value Makes Him a Week 7 Bargain Oct. 15, 2014 at 4:14 pm Branden Oliver Will Maintain Fantasy Football Value Throughout 2014 NFL Season Oct. 15, 2014 at 3:58 pm Fantasy Football: Projecting Winners and Losers for Week 7 Oct. 15, 2014 at 1:16 pm Is Returning Ingram a Fantasy Target? 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