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21FB_Saige-Wilkerson_SOU
Isabella Evans
10
Southern Oregon SOU 3-7 , 3
14
Winner Eastern Oregon EOU 4-6 , 4
Southern Oregon SOU
3-7 , 3
10
Final
14
Eastern Oregon EOU
4-6 , 4
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
SOU Southern Oregon 0 7 3 0 10
EOU Eastern Oregon 0 0 7 7 14

Game Recap: Football | | William McLaughlin

Last Second Touchdown Lifts Mountaineers Over Raiders on Senior Day

LA GRANDE, Ore. - Mountaineers Football capped off the 2021 season in dramatic fashion as they took down in-state rival Southern Oregon University, 14-10, on Senior Day thanks to a last second touchdown pass from Kai Quinn to Saige Wilkerson. Quinn's heroics snapped a six-game losing streak for EOU and sent their 19 seniors out on a high note.

How it Happened
• Despite the low scoring affair, EOU (4-6) still put up 382 yards of total offense in the win while Southern (3-7) had 292 in the contest.
• Both squads had two turnovers in the game and field goals were not kind to either squad. The Raiders were just 1-2 on the day, while EOU was 0-2.
• Defense reigned supreme in the first quarter as neither team allowed the other to score in the first 15 minutes. SOU had a chance on a field goal attempt from 35 yards out but it was wide left.
• The Raiders struck first in the first 10 seconds of the second quarter to go ahead 7-0. A drive that stemmed back from late in the first set SOU up to grab the game's first lead.
• Ben Graziani pulled in a 12-yard touchdown pass to make it a 7-0 game following the made PAT. It remained at for the rest of the first half despite chances from both teams.
• Southern looked like they were about to score again midway through the second, but an interception by Blaine Chavez at the EOU 16 ended the drive and put the Mountaineer offense back on the field.
• The ensuing drive EOU got down to the SOU two-yard line but had to settle for a potential field goal. Zachary Cahill attempted a kick from 19 yards out but it hit the left post to keep the score at 7-0.
• Fast forward to the third quarter, EOU ended its scoring drought on the opening drive of the second half. Quinn got the offense down to the SOU eight-yard line and on a second and goal, he punched the ball in on run to bring the score to a deadlocked tie of 7-all.
• Midway through the third, Southern retook the lead as the Raiders nailed a 37-yard field goal to go ahead 10-7 with 6:26 to play in the quarter. The field goal was the lone make of the game.
• The score remained at 10-7 until the final three seconds of the game. The Raiders looked to burn clock time and eventually punted the ball away to EOU with 53 seconds left in regulation.
• EOU started at its own 10 with just under a minute to play and needed to move fast. They did just that. Quinn's first three completions to Cade Reed, Malachi Spurrier, and Isaiah Thomas in that order cleared 43 yards before a spike stopped the clock at 19 seconds.
• Quinn then found Jonah Blackham for eight yards and then ran for another 11 yards to the near sideline to set up a first down at the SOU 21 with nine seconds left in the game.
• EOU had just one shot at a touchdown before potentially settling for a field goal. Enter Saige Wilkerson.
• On the next play, Quinn found Wilkerson down the middle of the field for the gamewinner as Wilkerson rose up and pulled in the catch for what was an exciting and memorable win for EOU.
• The Raiders had just two seconds to make something happen after the ensuing kickoff. On the Hail Mary pass, Brennen Hull pulled in the interception in the endzone to keep the Raiders from spoiling the Mountaineers Senior Day.

Mountaineers Stat Leaders
• Kai Quinn was 20-24 for 284 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed 52 yards and scored once.
• Isaiah Thomas had eight catches for 187 yards, both of which were game highs. 
• Saige Wilkerson had the lone touchdown grab, the gamewinner, and finished with three catche for 36 yards.
• Hayden Brandon and Solo Taylor led the defense in total tackles with 10, respectively.
• Chase Van Wyck finished with 3.5 tackles for loss, while Sage DeLong had 2.0.

For the Raiders
• Blake Asciutto was 2-36 passing for 200 yards and one touchdown but was intercepted twice.
• Hykeem Massey and Chris Quiray each rushed for 49 yards to lead the ground game.
• Bryce Goggin had a team best 66 yards receiving on 6 catches.
• Drew Schuler led the way in total tackles with 12.
• Bryce Kasch had nine tackles and 3.0 tackles for loss.

By the Numbers
19 - The Mountaineers recognized 19 outstanding seniors prior to Saturday's season finale.
3 - EOU's win over Southern snaps a three-game home losing streak to the Raiders.
51.5 - Sage DeLong finishes his EOU career with 51.5 tackles for loss, second most in program history.
48.5 - Chase Van Wyck finishes his EOU career with 48.5 tackles for loss, third most in program history.

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