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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Medford sees rise in unpaid utility bills Medford-Jacksonville bike path becomes part of larger effort Medford clinics testing experimental treatments Public meetings, Sept. 1-5, 2014 Elusive owls get new home in Cascades Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency Services Medford police training program more than a video game Emergency Services Firefighting will close part of Lost Creek Lake over Labor Day weekend MPD crosswalk sting leads to several tickets Politics and Elections Gold Hill mayor faces challenger; other races have one candidate each Medford proposes new rules for pawn shops to help nab thieves Lack of incumbents, pot issue draws 10 for Medford council races Council members in Gold Hill dodge voter recall Bill Pullman campaigns for Oregon GMO labeling law Education Back-to-school shopping can add up RCC program helps prepare Latinos for college SOU launches leadership degree program Medford charter school opens with many changes, including its name Superintendent welcomes staff to a new school year Environment Elusive owls get new home in Cascades Judge won't block release of water Ashland marchers won't give up on climate change message OR-7 could be recollared next month Deadly deer virus may be spreading State news Nation - World Obituaries James (Jim) Michael Giancarlo Janie Sparks Georgia A. 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COLLEGE FOOTBALL Added pieces translate to high hopes for SOU 'D' By SOU Sports Information MailTribune.com By SOU Sports Information Posted Aug. 28, 2014 @ 7:49 pm By SOU Sports Information Posted Aug. 28, 2014 @ 7:49 pm » Social News ASHLAND — If the Southern Oregon University football team's offense gets the inordinate amount of possessions it wants — and has succeeded in creating the last two years — that'll mean more possessions faced, and more work, for the defense. The Raiders are going to allow points. That much is a given. But with several starters back in key positions and some transfers who have already earned the trust of defensive coordinator Berk Brown, they believe those often-misleading numbers will take a dive. SOU's average points allowed (31.7) and total yardage allowed (439.8) improved slightly in 2013 from the previous season, but not to the point that Brown had envisioned. Now in his second year in charge of the defense, and with focus in the offseason on strengthening that unit, the Raiders will begin to find out what's changed starting Saturday at Menlo. "We're way more athletic," Brown said. "A little bit greener, maybe not quite as experienced as a group, but we're way more athletic. I would say we got the right transfers; they're open to the way we do things, they're ready to contribute and they're a pleasure to coach." Compared to the offense it faces every day at practice, this defense is decidedly not yet as seasoned or finely-tuned. But it is more suited to match up with it than it was at this time last year. "It's a pain going against them, but hopefully it makes us better," Brown said. "It keeps me up at night because you try to put your guys in position to make plays against a style that's much different than what we have to prepare for, but I'm excited about how we responded and very excited about what it's going to look like Saturday." DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Daniel Breaux has long been relied on to make plays at defensive end for the Raiders, but now they really need his help in getting several new faces beside him acclimated. A fourth-year starter, the 6-foot-3, 245-pound Breaux has appeared in every game since his freshman season and gotten in on 164 tackles with 13.5 sacks, becoming a second-team All-Frontier Conference performer in 2013. "He's the leader," Brown said. "He's not only helped lead guys, he's really committed himself to getting ready for a big senior year and his play has improved dramatically." Next to him, they'll have the services of three transfers from California junior colleges: David Weider and Joseph Leafoli and end Trevor Jones. Noseguard Jacob Proul's highly-praised work ethic has led to big strides going into his sophomore season, while Grant Torgerson, Armando Gauger and Kalan Hoedl will provide depth. "It's our most improved group by far," Brown said. "We have some guys who got here as freshmen, and others who have fit in extremely well." LINEBACKERS: The lines of communication in the Raider defense run through the linebacker corps, so it is in their favor that most of them have been around. Heston Altenbach, Mylz Blake and Laurence Calcagno are all back after starting a year ago and ending the season as SOU's top tacklers. Calcagno led the way with 93, recording over 10 in each of the last five games. Altenbach is a fourth-year starter, having notched 63 tackles in 2013, and Blake made 73 tackles as a freshman. "I trust those guys to get us in the right calls in every situation," Brown said. "They know the defense as well as I do." Also figuring to get time at the position are returning players Steven Josephson, Daniel Abernethy and Kevin Blueford. DEFENSIVE BACKS: The influx of athleticism could change the way the secondary plays more than anywhere else on the field. "We're just so much more dynamic," Brown said. "We believe that we can cover a lot of people and be a lot more simplistic about it. Because of our athletic ability, we don't have to try to confuse offenses — we can just let our guys play." Dustin Fretwell, a third-year starter, is considered another one of the primary leaders on this side of the ball. He'll be joined by Jaylenn Hart — who appeared in eight games in 2012, transferred, returned, and now might be the team's best open-field tackler — and a pair of Portland State transfers, Karrington Jones and Tyler Rogers. Returners Le'Dontrae Gooden and Kyle Alexander give the Raiders more depth on the corners. Julius Rucker will serve as the free safety after receiving regular playing time while new to the position as a freshman, and Nathan Torres-Walker will see his role expand as a sophomore nickel back. By SOU Sports Information MailTribune.com By SOU Sports Information Posted Aug. 28, 2014 @ 7:49 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 Player-Based Team Names and First-Round Mock Draft Aug. 31, 2014 at 3:00 pm Rankings, Sleepers and Cheat Sheet for Each Position Aug. 31, 2014 at 11:00 am Analyzing Top Fantasy Players, Mock Strategy Options Aug. 31, 2014 at 7:00 am Breaking Down Most Enticing Late-Round Fantasy Targets Aug. 30, 2014 at 9:37 pm Top Fantasy Sleeper Picks, Mock Draft Tips Aug. 30, 2014 at 8:00 am Analyzing 1st-Round Mock Draft, Potential Team Names Aug. 30, 2014 at 7:00 am calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs 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. 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