It's been a long seven months for college football fans, but the wait is over Saturday.

NAIA teams will take to the field across the nation, including in Ashland when the Eastern Oregon University Mountaineers take on Southern Oregon University. The Raiders hold a series lead of 42-13-3, but EOU has won four out of the past five meetings.

Eastern seems to be building some momentum in its program, winning five games last season after a 1-10 season in 2007 and came in third in the Frontier Conference preseason coaches' poll. The game could be a great jump start to a breakout season for the Mountaineers.

“Every game is important for this Eastern Oregon football program,” EOU head coach Tim Camp said. “Not one game on our schedule is more important than another one. We have to take each game as they come. Play hard, fast and continue to improve as an individual and as a program. You must have getting better on your mind daily.”

The Mountaineers are 4-5 in their season openers since 2000. Last year they opened with a 38-28 victory over Montana Tech. This is the first time in a decade that EOU opens the season in the month of August.

The Raiders are 4-5 in their season openers this decade. Last season Southern Oregon defeated Montana Tech on the road 30-25, but then lost five straight games and ended the season 3-7 as an independent in the NAIA.

Southern Oregon is 20-18 at Raider Stadium since 2000. The trip to Ashland has presented problems for the Mountaineers; EOU is 2-3 there since 2000 and has been outscored 76-115 in those games.

“This is a very competitive and spirited game for both programs each time we play,” Camp said. “Raider Stadium is one of the toughest small college football stadiums that any team could play in. I know one thing, you better not go in there half stepping or they will get all over you.”

The last time Eastern Oregon played at Raider Stadium, which seats 4,000, the Mountaineers won in a 9-3 defensive battle on Sept. 2, 2006. The 2007 season opener in La Grande was a classic. The Raiders left the Grande Ronde Valley with a 48-45 four-overtime victory.

Last season Eastern ended the year with a 27-10 win in La Grande. EOU jumped out to a 20-3 lead and held off the Raiders in the second half. The Mountaineers amassed a total of 334 total yards and gave up 267. Graduated senior, C.J. Taylor, rushed for 116 yards and Chris Ware threw for 125 yards completing 10 of his 18 passes.

“That game is behind us,” Camp said. “We do not look back anymore. This is a new season for both squads. We are focused on us and the program getting better each and every day.”

Southern Oregon begins 2009 with nine selections to the Preseason All-Independent team led by Vance Beach's two selections. The junior was voted on as a wide receiver and a kick returner. Beach caught 32 balls last year for 288 yards and also returned 15 kickoffs for 275 yards.

Joining Beach on the offensive team are linemen Trent Henson, Jordan Myers and Buddy Tuamasaga. Henson and Myers were both members of the All-Independent team last season. Sophomore fullback Brent Koontz also made the team.

Defensively, lineman Will Watson, linebacker Kevin Harrell and defensive back Akeem Jackson made the team. Watson finished with 39 tackles, 3.5 tackles-for-loss and two sacks last year. Harrell led the team with 76 tackles and Jackson had 27 tackles and two interceptions.

“Southern is a very good football team,” Camp said. “They are well coached and play very hard in all 3 phases of the game. It would be very hard for me to say that they are strong in one area. As I stated they are a very strong football team and program. We will have our hands full.”

Saturday's kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. Early forecasts for Ashland are sunny with no chance of showers and a high of 89 degrees. Wind is estimated at SSW at nine miles per hour.