Fifteen miles or so from the California border sits Ashland, Oregon. Home to Southern Oregon University, most people recognize and know Ashland for its annual Shakespeare Festival that attracts thousands of visitors each year. Nothing like being hauled up there as a kid on your summer vacation to watch actors in tights bellow out the Bard’s witty and, for some, sacred prose. I remember the stagnant swimming pool with the dead floating fish amongst the lilys at the nearby camping ground interested me more. But, I digress.
As for the university, its enrollment hovers around 5,000 and offers typical bachelor and master degrees that state schools offer. They play sports at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) level. In the hierarchy of things, that puts them four levels down from 1A (1aa, Div. II, Div. III and NAIA). In baseball terms, that would be like a Triple A team playing a team from the Rookie League. Or, maybe not. The last time the Hornets played an NAIA team was during the Moosh era when they handily defeated Azusa Pacific University. If you can name APUs most recognized football alumnus, well; someone impress me.
These SOU Raiders have been playing football since 1927.
Their athletics webpage touts their facility as “one of the best small-college stadia in the West, the 4,000-seat complex features 1,000 covered grandstand seatbacks, excellent media facilities and a large concession stand.” My first thought was that it looked like a scaled down version of University of Oregon’s track stadium where Steve Prefontaine, evolved into a national track icon.
If you are wondering if Sac State has matched up against them before; the answer is yes, with a 4-1 record.
Southern Oregon (4-1)
1955 …A …. SAC ………. 7-6
1956 …A …. SAC …… 27-12
1960 …A …. SAC …… 39-14
1961 …H …. SAC …….. 25-6
1962 …A …. SOU …….. 21-7
Unfortunately, the last time the Green and Gold played the Raiders they lost. I figure this should be a grudge match and the boys should be pumped to avenge that loss 46 years ago.
The player to watch on the Raiders is Darren Price, a 6′1″ wide receiver who ranks eighth in total catches after two games in NAIA play.
I would not call this game a “gimme.” Michigan learned that last year and the Colorado State Rams are still trying to put the best light on a near disaster last week. I do wonder, however, how much the university is paying the Raiders to trek down the capital city. Hopefully, it doesn’t eat into last week’s paycheck.
Christian Okoye (sp?)
Yes, aka the Nigerian Nightmare.