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Record-setting running back, potent Southern Oregon ground game bury
Northern
It started out like a snowflake and it snowballed into an avalanche.
The Southern Oregon Raiders got a record-setting rushing performance from
All-American tailback Dusty McGrorty to bury the Lights 61-0 Saturday in
Ashland, Ore.
The Raiders needed just over two minutes to score on their opening drive and
never looked back, rolling up eight more touchdowns and 580 yards in total offense
to end the game as quickly as it started.
Northern didn't help matters, committing six turnovers and never getting into
any type of offensive rhythm.
"We have to get away from the snowball effect," said head coach
Walt Currie. "When they score on us or we commit a turnover, we need to
regroup and refocus, not commit another one."
As the Southern Oregon's lead snowballed, so did McGrorty's rushing numbers.
The senior rushed for a career-high 250 yards
and four touchdowns on 32 carries. McGrorty's performance moved him to the
top of the school's all-time rushing list.
"He's the best running back we've ever played against," Currie
said. "They were trying to get him the record, so he played almost the
entire game and he ran like he wanted the record."
SOU, which came into the game 0-3 on the season, defeated Northern for the
fourth time in as many years.
Northern didn't score on the Raiders in those four losses. The Lights' best
scoring opportunity came in the fourth quarter when Chris Nagel's 32-yard
field goal attempt was blocked. Northern's offense only made it inside the
red zone once.
The six turnovers definitely didn't help Northern's offensive woes.
"That's the youth showing with the turnovers," Currie said.
"We can't turn it over six times like that and expect to win or even be
in the game."
There were still some bright spots for Northern. Because the Raiders were so
far ahead, the Lights were able to play several of their younger players in
the second half.
Northern was led by quarterback Neill Crandell, who threw for 125 yards and
rushed for 24 more. Nick Arnold added four catches for 56 yards.
As for the Raiders, Currie found them strikingly similar to last weekend's
opponent, Carroll College.
"They're right up there with Carroll in terms of talent and
athleticism," Currie said. "Their problem is since they're
independent, nobody in NAIA wants to play them. Instead, they have to move up
a division to find games."
Northern will host Rocky Mountain College for its homecoming festivities this
weekend.
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