ASHLAND, Ore. — The seesaw affair at Raider Stadium tipped fully in Southern Oregon’s favor in the 2nd half of a 44-26 win over MidAmerica Nazarene in the First Round of the NAIA Football Championship Series on Saturday. It started strong for SOU. After a 85-yard kickoff return touchdown by JJ Latu shortly before the end of the 1st quarter, the Raiders had full control of the game with a 17-3 lead, but the Pioneers took over in the 2nd quarter forcing a 17-17 tie right before halftime. The Raiders managed a field goal as time expired in the 1st half, and they carried that momentum into the 2nd half. The field goal was part of a 27-3 run for the Raiders.
The game really opened up on the first play of the 4th quarter. Austin Dodge hit Dylan Young for a 47-yard touchdown that gave the Raiders a 34-20 lead. That touchdown also gave Young the all-time record for career receiving touchdowns by a Southern Oregon wide receiver. Young finished with three receptions for 58 yards and the touchdown. Dodge was 23-35 for 311 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
The Raiders will find out their NAIA Quarterfinal opponent on Sunday morning. The pairings will be announced on www.naia.org.
