Raiders to revisit past failure vs. Humboldt
Southern Oregon coach Jeff Olson doesn't need to be reminded — about the last time his team played in the Redwood Bowl.
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"It's a game I'd like to forget," he said.
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Olson and the Raiders (1-0) will get their chance to bury — the past and the Humboldt State Lumberjacks (1-1) when the two teams resume — their college football rivalry, 6 p.m. Saturday in Arcata, Calif.
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The last time SOU made the trip to Arcata, the Raiders — ran out to a 10-0 lead only to watch the Lumberjacks score the game's — final 31 points and win going away.
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It was a devastating loss that Olson has since labeled — the worst Raider performance in his nine-years as head coach.
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But that was then.
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"I constantly remind our people not to look back on things," — Olson said. "It's a new year, a new season, and as far as I'm concerned — right now this is just the next step in the process of moving forward — for us."
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The 16th-ranked Raiders took the first step last week. — Senior quarterback Brandon Griffith completed 21 of 33 passes for 271 — yards and three touchdowns and the Raider defense kept visiting Si Tanka — Huron out of the end zone in a 21-7 SOU win.
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Olson liked what he saw out of Griffith and loved what — he saw out of the Raider defense, but wants to clean up the penalties — and limit turnovers. SOU was penalized 10 times for 90 yards and turned — the ball over three times.
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SOU's defense will probably face a much stiffer test in — the NCAA Division II Lumberjacks. Humboldt State is led by senior quarterback — Jason Baughman, who passed for 468 yards in a loss at Raider Stadium last — year.
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Baughman's favorite target is Great Northwest Conference — all-star wide receiver Dustin Creager, who leads the Lumberjacks in both — receptions (13) and receiving yards (184).
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Last year in Arcata, the Lumberjacks decimated the Raiders — through the air when Chris Dixon completed an astounding 41of 48 passes — for 401 yards. SOU's pass defense looked much improved in the season-opener, — however, and Olson has been impressed with its tenacity.
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"I just feel that this is a group that's going to battle — for 60 minutes regardless of the circumstance," he said. "Are we going — to play any better, I don't know. But I just anticipate a very, very solid — performance for 60 minutes."
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The game will be broadcast locally on KCMX (880-AM).