For the last three games, the 19th-ranked Southern Oregon University Raiders have been dominate as a squad to say the least; averaging 69.6 points a game, 722 yards on offense, while holding 28.3 a game defensively.
Even though the Raiders are playing in their best football right now, Coach Craig Howard believes that his team has yet to play a “perfect game”.
“We have yet to play a perfect game,” said Howard, “It is important to stay hungry and healthy. “
Heading into Saturday’s Hall of Fame game, the Raiders (5-2) are slotted to play their toughest test all season, taking on number the sixth-ranked, six-time National Champion Carroll College Fighting Saints.
This game will be like a heavyweight title match as the Fighting Saints (6-1), are bringing down a tough defensive line and a tough running game to Ashland, and the Raiders are trying to climb three more spots to make it to the playoffs.
Of their 480 total yards they are averaging a game, 251.75 of those yards are on the ground with 13 of the team’s 27 touchdowns lead by running back Chance Demaris’ 720 yards and six touchdowns; not to mention that also 18 of the team’s 27 sacks come from the defensive line lead by defensive end Sean Condon’s 6.5 sacks on the season. The other nine coming from the linebacker core.
As for the Raiders, ranked first in the nation in passing yards at 439 a game, first in nation in total offense with 644.5 a game and 17th in nation in rushing with 206.7 yards a game. The offensive line would need to buy sophomore quarterback Austin Dodge and the Raiders rushing attack against the power and speed of the Fighting Saint’s front seven on Saturday.
Looking defensively, the Raiders will be bringing in a defense ranked fourth in the nation of allowing teams to convert only 24.5-percent of their 3rd downs and 36.4-percent of 4th downs; the Raiders defense will be expected to slow down a powerful Saints running game and to hold the Saints to below their 28.5 points a game average.
As for the Fighting Saints defense, that is fifth in the NAIA in total defense by allowing a low 253.3 yards a game; eight in rushing defense with 94.1 yards on the ground and 17th in nation in passing defense with 159.1 a game; will be facing a high octane, spread offense by Southern Oregon that is led by Dodge’s 2,763 yards and 25 touchdowns on the season with a two headed monster in senior running back Manny Barragan and true-freshman Zach Marshall. Both have rushed for a combined 1,020 yards and 10 touchdowns at this point in the season.
Both team’s will be looking to send the sparks flying Saturday afternoon at Raider Stadium with kickoff set at 1:05.
Sources:
JMcDonaldMedia 
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