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Photo by Jim Craven SOU defenders J.R. Guthrie, (38) and Mike Seedborg (8) converge on Eastern's Jeremy Riggle. Unyielding SOU routs Eastern By Randy Hammericksen ASHLAND -- He may be the best NAIA tailback in the country. But after Game 1 of the 1999 football season, Southern Oregon University All-American tailback Griff Yates wanted to salute his defense. "Don't talk to me, go talk to the whole defense because they deserve it," Yates said Saturday after SOU exploded for 21 points in the fourth quarter to roll past Eastern Oregon State, 34-2, at Raider Stadium. The Raiders, who had lost their previous two season openers, controlled the game from the outset with their punishing defense. The Mountaineers had only 126 total yards, eight first downs, no touchdowns and no field goals. The only way Eastern Oregon could get on the scoreboard was due to a high snap on a punt by Southern Oregon that sailed out of the end zone for a safety late in the second quarter. "It's the most disciplined and close defense we've had since I've been here," said Southern Oregon coach Jeff Olson. "They aren't very big, but they are quick and they don't give up on anything." SOU nose guard R.J. Josephson, a senior from Eagle Point High, had seven tackles. Six of them were for losses, including three quarterback sacks. Linebacker J.D. Callicoatt of Grants Pass and cornerback Jenner Yriarte of Eugene made seven tackles apiece, and former Crater High defensive back Nick Daniken made six tackles and had an interception from his cornerback position. "It's a blast being out here playing defense for this team," said Josephson. "Everybody is flying around and giving 110 percent. Nobody on this defense takes a down off. Speed kills, and our defense has it." Yriarte, a junior from South Eugene High and one of the emotional leaders of the defense, returned back-to-back punts for 45 and 60 yards. The first set up a touchdown, the second was for a fourth-quarter touchdown. "The newspaper is going to write that I scored a touchdown, but it wasn't just me," Yriarte told his celebrating teammates after the game. "Actually, it was 11 guys scoring. I got some great blocks to score that touchdown. That won't show up in the paper, but it was there and that's what it takes. Keep it up." Yriarte's first punt return midway through the fourth quarter set the ball up at the Eastern SOU,5D Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.