The Raiders get ready to take the field against Montana Western at Raider Stadium
ASHLAND, Ore. – Southern Oregon football continued their losing streak Saturday, falling to No. 8 Montana Western 40-20. It marked the fourth straight loss for the Raiders since their win against Simpson during week one of the season.
Despite playing two top-10 teams in the NAIA, the toughest opponent this season continued to be roster health. Key defensive player, cornerback Jalin Speed suffered a neck injury and did not return. Kicker Danny Alvarez went down with a knee injury and also missed the rest of the game.
Cornerback Jalin Speed and Kicker Danny Alvarez are the latest in a long list of players to suffer injuries this season
The Raiders allowed a 28-yard touchdown run on the Bulldogs’ first possession, but immediately answered back with a Dom Montiel 6-yard touchdown pass to receiver Trevor Jaasko. However, that would be the closest the Raiders would get.
By the end of the first quarter, Montana Western built a two-score lead that they never surrendered. The lack of depth created by injuries this season was especially evident in the second half as the Raiders slowed down on both sides of the ball.
“We don’t finish drives the way we need to probably finish them and we don’t finish games the way that we need to finish them,” Head coach Berk Brown said after the game. “ We’re just not playing complimentary football right now and we need to find ways to fix that and that’s my job.”
Southern Oregon started the year with three players on the NAIA 99, a list of the top returning players across the country. After the injury to Jalin Speed and with Gunner Yates scheduled to get surgery next week, defensive end Gabe Foster could be the only player in that group available for the foreseeable future.
”We’re going to have to lick our wounds and figure out where we need to put guys to be successful,” Brown said.
Even in the loss, the Raiders showed some glimpses of hope. A young and inexperienced offensive line with many new starters only surrendered two sacks, one being on the final play of the game.
Jaasko made five catches for 84 yards and two touchdowns. With 13:36 left in the game, freshman receiver Donovan Glover caught his first touchdown pass in his collegiate career and finished with four receptions and 72 yards. Quarterback Dom Montiel posted his second 300-yard game and threw three touchdown passes, but was intercepted three times.
The Raiders now head into a rematch against the Simpson Red Hawks. In their only win of the season, the Raiders dominated Simpson 59-0.
Luke Doten is an anchor/reporter at NewsWatch 12. You can reach Luke at lukedoten@kdrv.com.