PLU ends SOU's winning ways

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

2001-12-15

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PLU ends SOU's winning ways PUYALLUP, Wash. - Since 1947 the Pacific Lutheran football team has handed Southern Oregon University 16 losses in 18 games. This season, the same teams met up with familiar results. Seth Berghoff returned a pair of interceptions for touchdowns as PLU handed Southern Oregon its first loss of the season with a 48-38 win on Saturday at Sparks Stadium. The fourth-ranked Raiders failed in its bid to get off to a 6-0 mark, the best start for an SOU team since 1947. The Lutes have now won four straight to improve to 4-2. Berghoff's final pick turned out to be the most damaging. "We came back and then the game went back and forth," said SOU coach Jeff Olson. "I'm very proud of the kids." SOU trailed 41-38 and was marching to what looked like a possible go-ahead score late in the game. Quarterback Travis Mari hooked up with Danny Negra on an apparent 69-yard score only to have the touchdown waved off because Mari had crossed the line of scrimmage. "That was kind of a freakish play," said Olson. "The umpire was knocked down and didn't even see the play." Two plays later, Berghoff sealed the win with his second interception of the contest. The Raiders 34-24 early in the fourth quarter before whittling the lead to three in the final minutes. "I'm very proud of their effort," said Olson. "They put themselves in a situation to win the game." Southern Oregon totaled 432 yards of offense with running back Dusty McGrorty leading the way with four touchdowns and 106 yards on 22 carries. Mari finished 22-for-32 for 320 yards and two touchdowns. Mari's favorite target, Leo Stoddard, had 10 receptions for 185 yards. The Raiders (5-1) visit Azusa Pacific next Saturday at 6 p.m.   Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.