ASHLAND, Ore. - Jace Billingsley shouldered the load on the road for Eastern Oregon, rushing 45 times for 245 yards, leading the Mountaineers to a come-from-behind 31-27 victory over fourth-ranked Southern Oregon at Raider Stadium.
 
The victory for the No. 16 ranked Mountaineers (8-3, 7-3 Frontier) keeps the squad in position for their first-ever NAIA Football Championship Series selection.  The determination of at-large berths will be unveiled tomorrow morning following the final NAIA Top-25 Coaches' Poll, with the NAIA Selection Show set for 3 p.m. (PT)
 
Billingsley led the Mountaineers' offensive ground attack that rushed for 337 yards on 60 carries. Bartlow followed with 79 rushing yards. On the offensive air attack, Bartlow was 10-of-13 for 129 yards and one touchdown. EOU outgained the Raiders, 466 to 442. EOU controlled the clock as they held the ball for 38 minutes and eight seconds for the game.
 
Southern Oregon jumped out to an early lead over EOU, taking their first possession of the game 71 yards, on 10 plays, resulting in a 6-0 lead over Eastern Oregon. Austin Dodge capped off the drive with a one yard touchdown run.
 
Eastern Oregon's first possession was a three and out and Southern Oregon's offense continued to click. The Raiders took two minutes and 25 seconds to go 69 yards on seven plays. Dodge found Ryan Retzlaff for a 27 yard touchdown, putting SOU ahead 13-0.
 
The Mountaineers responded on their next possession. Using the ground game of Billingsley, EOU slowly moved the ball down the field and chewed up eight minutes on a 16 play drive that covered 75 yards. Bartlow capped off the drive with a one yard touchdown run and EOU found themselves down six, 13-7.
 
Southern responded quickly as they answered on the next drive. On a third and five, Dodge found Matt Retzlaff for a 24 yard touchdown, extending the Raiders lead to 20-7. Southern Oregon forced the Mountaineers to a three and out and looked to increase their lead over EOU. After advancing to the Mountaineers 20 yard line, EOU's defense did not budge and Southern Oregon had to settle for a 37 yard field goal attempt. Aldrick Rosas' field goal went wide left and EOU took possession.
 
After taking over on their own 20 yard line, EOU went 80 yards in seven plays. Billingsley put the Mountaineers down to the Southern Oregon's 31 yard line after a 26 yard rush. On the very next play, Bartlow found Justin Hernandez for a 31 yard touchdown, putting EOU down six, 20-14.
 
The Mountaineers' defense started to come up big and on Southern Oregon's next possession Ryan Watson picked off Dodge and returned it to Southern Oregon's 16 yard line. EOU wasted no time as Billingsley scored from 16 yards out on the first play of the drive and took a 21-20 lead, which EOU would take into halftime.
 
On the first possession of the second half, the Mountaineers looked to extend their lead. EOU took five minutes and 25 seconds off the clock. EOU had the ball down to Southern Oregon's four yard line, but the drive stalled and EOU settled for a 23 yard field goal by Marc David.
 
The Mountaineers' four point lead was erased on the Raiders next possession. Dodge found Jeremy Scottow, for an 11 yard touchdown, putting the Raiders back on top, 27-24.
 
Eastern Oregon answered right back as Billingsley recorded his second rushing touchdown of the game, this time from seven yards out to put the Mountaineers on top, 31-27.
 
The Mountaineers' defense came up big in the fourth quarter as Eastern Oregon forced two turnovers on downs. Southern Oregon was held scoreless in the fourth quarter and EOU claimed their eighth victory of the season with a 31-27 win.
 
Eastern Oregon will find out tomorrow, Sunday, Nov. 16, if they will qualify for the NAIA Football Championship Series. The NAIA Selection show will air at 3 p.m. PT on NAIA.org.