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SOU to play its spring game in Medford By Tim Trower The last time the Southern Oregon University football team's offense took the field, it had a snowball's chance of heating up. That's because it was operating in a blizzard. The conditions will be far different today when the Raiders, coming off one of their most successful seasons in history, showcase a host of returning talent in its first full-contact spring game at 2 p.m. at Spiegelberg Stadium. It will be a controlled scrimmage, meaning there will be limited work in the kicking game and lineups will likely change freely. The idea of playing in Medford is simple: drum up fan interest. "That's probably the main reason to have it there," said coach Jeff Olson. "Medford has a huge fan base. It's an opportunity for people to have a look at us who otherwise might not come to Ashland. "We had a great deal of support last season. Seeing the number of people who turned out for the two playoff games last year, maybe this could be a way to jump-start things." The Raiders matched the school record for victories in going 9-2, advanced to the NAIA quarterfinals for the first time since 1987 and wound up fifth in the national poll, its highest season-ending ranking. In its wintry finale at Raider Stadium in Ashland, SOU lost 16-13 to fourth-ranked Carroll College, which scored the winning touchdown with 30 seconds remaining. Many of the Raiders in that game return for the school's inaugural spring intrasquad. There is no NAIA edict that prevents teams from holding such games, which are commonplace at the NCAA Division I level. The decision to do so is left to respective institutions. SOU has abstained for insurance purposes, said Olson. "Every year, parents and players ask me if we can do that," he said. "Finally, the administration said, 'Let's give it a shot and see how it plays out.' So far, people have been very supportive of it." The Raiders typically wear helmets and shoulder pads for spring drills and steer clear of full contact during their 15 practice days. SOU SPRING GAME WHAT: Southern Oregon, coming off a 9-2 season in which it lost in the national quarterfinals, plays its first full-contact spring game. WHEN: 2 p.m. today. WHERE: Spiegelberg Stadium, Medford. TICKETS: Cost $5. Children admitted free with adult. OF NOTE: Former Eagle Point star Dan Woodward starts at quarterback. Second-team All-American Nick Daniken from Crater heads the defense. Fifteen starters and 42 letter-winners return. FAMILY AFFAIR: The family oriented afternoon will also feature "Red," the Raider mascot, and there will be a post-game autograph session for kids. "We do just about everything in the spring that we would do during the fall," said Olson. "We stress that you don't take people to the ground, no cut blocks, that sort of thing. We do everything we can but not in full pads. We do make a big deal out of our spring. It's the same practice format that we follow in the fall." It bodes well that the Raiders are well ahead of where they were last spring, said Olson. Their first live two-minute drill was crisp and efficient, quite the opposite of a year ago. Fifteen starters and 42 letter-winners return, but the most obvious change will be at quarterback, where former Eagle Point standout Dan Woodward replaces last year's starter, Travis Mari. Woodward, who will be a senior pending a bid to regain a year of eligibility, left football for a couple of years before returning to SOU last season. Dusty McGrorty returns at tailback after leading the country in scoring with 25 touchdowns as a sophomore. All but one of the team's four top receivers are back, as are its 10 best linemen - including second-team All-American center Jeremy Chapman. Defensively, Nick Daniken, a Crater product, returns after also being named second-team All-America. The defensive back and return specialist topped the Raiders with 80 tackles, averaged 35.1 yards per kickoff return and set a school record for punt-return yardage with 580 on 34 returns. Reach sports editor Tim Trower at 776-4479, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.