Southern Oregon University (SOU) was in position to be on the winning end of another nail biter and a conference championship. With 1:47 left in the game, junior quarterback Tanner Trosin completed back to back completions for 37 yards to senior receiver, Jeremy Scottow. However, with less than thirty seconds left, his third try to Scottow was picked off, sealing the victory and conference championship for Montana Tech University (MTT). This loss dropped SOU from number one in the nation to number eight. Senior defensive lineman, Grant Torgenson says, “Losing a game by less than 5 is always tough, and then it being for the conference title, and even further more the game being against Montana Tech, who is a rival of ours, made losing extra hard. But the season isn’t over.”
Earlier in the week, offensive coordinator Ken Fasnacht lost his four month year old baby to SIDS. The community was able to show support for Coach Fasnacht and his family at a ceremony on Wednesday and before the game during a moment of silence. For more information, read Ryan Degan’s article, “Raider Football Mourns”.
SOU was facing a banged up MTT quarterback core Friday afternoon. This forced Montana Tech to run the famous wildcat offense; using a combination of running backs, tight ends, and receiver under center instead of a quarterback. SOU wasn’t phased initially, causing MTT to punt on their first three possessions of the game. It wasn’t till the second quarter, down 0-7 when the wildcat offense took off for an eighty-three yard drive, tying the game up. SOU’s experience showed, answering quickly with a touchdown drive of their own. MTT drove the field again, to SOU’s two yard line. Then AJ Cooper, a redshirt freshman cornerback came up with an interception ending the drive and first half.
SOU struck first in the second half with a field goal mid-way through the third. Down 17-7, MTT’s wildcat offense woke up again and scampered their way down to SOU’s ten. This drive was capped off by a touchdown pass from tight end turned quarterback, Andrew Loudenback. Winning 17-14, SOU had a chance to put the game away when MTT fumbled and punted on their next two drives. SOU, however was also unable to convert, missing a field goal and a couple passes.
This left the door open for MTT’s offense, and they took advantage, putting together a seven play, sixty-five yard drive, concluded with another touchdown pass from Loudenback with a 1:44 left in the game. For full stats and breakdown of the game, visit SOU Athletics.
The Raiders next play on the road this weekend against Eastern Oregon University (EOU), a quick turnaround for a team looking to bounce back. “This loss made us hungry. The goal still hasn’t changed, and that’s to win a National Championship and go back to back,” senior offensive linemen, Nate Timatao.
