LA GRANDE, Ore. - Mountaineers Football is back on the road and will look to bounce back after suffering their first loss of the season. Eastern Oregon has another rivalry game on tap this weekend as the team will face an in-state rival and look to maintain a spot atop the conference standings.

OPPONENT
Southern Oregon Raiders (2-2, 2-2 Frontier)

WHERE
Ashland, Ore. - Raider Stadium

WHEN
Saturday, Oct. 2 - 1 p.m. PT

KICKOFF
• Mountaineers Football is back on the road and will look to get back to their winning ways as the team will head to Ashland, Ore. to face longtime in-state rival Southern Oregon
• Eastern Oregon will hope to bounce back after suffering its first loss of the season last weekend to College of Idaho by a final score of 24-7.
• The Mountaineers were picked to win the Frontier Conference in the preseason coaches' poll. They tallied three first place votes and totaled 39 points to edge out College of Idaho and Montana Western.
• In the third regular season installment of NAIA FirstDown PlayBook Top-25 coaches' poll, the Mounties check in at No. 18. They slipped seven spots from No. 11 after dropping their first contest of the year.
• Southern Oregon enters the weekend with an even 2-2 overall record and has the same mark in Frontier Conference play. The Raiders are coming off a 34-33 win over Carroll College this past Saturday.
• The Raiders entered the 2021 campaign picked to finish fifth in the preseason conferences coaches' poll. They tallied 30 points to rank in the top-five. 
• Going into the contest, EOU has won each of the last two match-ups against SOU in Ashland and 5-3 against the Raiders on the road under the direction of Tim Camp.

ON THE AIR
• Coverage for this weekend's game can be found at www.EOUSports.com/watch. Live stats coverage is also available at www.EOUSports.com. 
• All home games this year will be webcast on the Mountie Sports Network at www.EOUSports.com/watch. All games will be Pay-Per-View and can be purchased for $7.95 per game. Fans can also purchase an Eastern Oregon All-Access pass to watch all 2021-22 EOU home sporting events for $100.
• Calling the action for this year's home games will be Trevor Curl on play-by-play and Mat Belote on color commentary. Live streams for all home games will begin at 12:45 p.m. PT.
• Live stats coverage for EOU Football games this season can be accessed at www.eousports.com/livestats.

EOU ATHLETICS SPECTATOR POLICY
• Spectators will be allowed at EOU sporting events, but masks will be required to be worn correctly (over mouth AND nose) at ALL indoor and outdoor events per state and local policy. This is subject to change at any time.
• Failure to comply with conference or institutional attendance policies will result in removal from venue and any further EOU contests.
• General Admission is allowed for both indoor and outdoor events and is on a first come, first serve basis. To see ticket prices for individual EOU sporting events and to purchase tickets, click here.
• Concessions will be available for outdoor EOU athletic events, but not indoor EOU athletic events.
• Students, faculty, and staff wishing to attend indoor EOU Athletic Events can do so for FREE by showcasing their EOU ID card.

MOUNTAINEERS IN THE RANKINGS
• Eastern Oregon checked in at No. 18 this week following its 24-7 home loss to C of I.
• The Mounties slipped seven spots from No. 11,which was their highest ranking this year.
• EOU was preseason ranked No. 18 and still is the highest ranked team out of the Frontier Conference.

SERIES HISTORY
• The Raiders lead the all-time series against the Mountaineers at 55-20-3. Under the direction of Tim Camp, EOU is 7-13 against SOU.
• EOU has fared well in Raider Stadium in recent memory winning the last two contests. Southern last defeated Eastern at home back in 2015.
• Under the direction of Tim Camp, EOU is 7-13 against the Raiders with a 5-3 mark on the road, but a 2-10 mark at home.

LAST MEETING WITH SOUTHERN OREGON
LA GRANDE, Ore. – The Eastern Oregon football team battled on a rainy and windy day at Community Stadium, falling just short against rival Southern Oregon 31-25 on Saturday in Frontier Conference play.
 
The Mountaineers (2-5, 2-4 Frontier) came just 15 yards short of the game-tying touchdown as time expired. EOU outscored the Raiders 10-0 in the fourth quarter and were within striking distance of potentially taking the lead on one of the final plays of the game once again.
 
The Blue and Gold defense forced two fumbles in the fourth quarter that each led to points for the Mounties. Running back Victor Dias scored from 15 yards out with 12:30 to play to cut the deficit to 31-22. Then after another fumble, kicker Jaiden Machuca connected on a 24-yard field goal with nine minutes to play to make the score 31-25.
 
The Mounties got two final drives to potentially tie or take the lead, but came up short. The offense turned the ball over on downs around midfield and then got one final opportunity with 13 seconds left. After a first down completion, quarterback Kai Quinn nearly completed a deep pass down the sideline and out of bounds, but the ball was bobbled just before being competed with one second left. On the final play of the game, Quinn completed a 38-yard pass deep down the middle to Saige Wilkerson, who was tackled at the 15 as time expired.
 
Dias led the offense with a workhorse game, rushing 25 times for 147 yards and a score. Quinn finished with two rushing touchdowns while throwing for 153 yards. Wilkerson had three catches for 63 yards to lead the receivers.
 
On defense, the Mountaineers forced three fumbles by Saige DeLong, Gunnar Blix and Dakota Hibbs. Chris Kindle, Zackary Jacobs and Garrett Yunker each came up with the recoveries while Yunker also had an interception.
 
Overall, EOU outgained SOU 354 yards to 261, but a 31-7 run by the Raiders in the second and third quarters proved the difference. Hibbs and linebacker Jacob Shults each had a sack, while Kindle and Luis Cardenas split a sack.

SCOUTING SOUTHERN OREGON
• The Raiders enter the weekend match-up with an even 2-2 record and have the same mark in conference play.
• SOU is coming off a 34-33 home win over Carroll College where the team erased a 20-point deficit in the fourth quarter. The Raiders only other win came back on Sept. 11 against MSU-Northern.
• Offensively, Southern is averaging 26.8 points per game on 346.8 yards of total offense. The damage comes in the passing game as they average 293.0 yards per game while the rush attacks averages just 53.8 yards per contest.
• Defensively, the Raiders are surrendering 27.8 points per game on 347.5 yards of total offense on average. Team put up 139.0 yards on the ground per game and 208.5 yards through the air. The defense has racked up 11 total sacks on the year and has three interceptions.
• Matt Struck has guided the offense in four starts this year at quarterback. He has 1,032 yards passing and thrown 10 touchdown passes already. He has been picked up four times and sports a QB efficiency of 129.5.
• In the ground game, Hykeen Massey leads the way in total rush yards with 121 and averages 3.9 yards per game and 40.3 yards per game.
• Struck does lead the way in rushing touchdowns with two and has 1,034 yards of total offense under his belt. He averages 258.5 yards of total offense per game. 
• Bryce Goggin has been the top receiver for SOU as he leads the way in touchdown receptions, total receptions and yards. He has four touchdowns, 21 total catches and 296 yards receiving. 
• Goggin is currently averaging 14.1 yards per catch and just under 100 yards per game at 98.7. His longest grab of the season is 39 yards.
• Ben Graziani is second in touchdown grabs with three so far. He has 14 catches for 211 so far and averages 15.1 yards per catch. 
• On defense, Stokes Botelho is the team leader in total tackles with 23 with 17 coming on a solo effort. She also has 2.0 tackles for loss, one interception and a pass breakup.
• Second in tackles is Drew Schuler with 21 and he leads the way in solo tackles with 18. Schuler also is tops in tackles for loss with 5.0 and has a sack on the year.
• Tua Laolagi is the leader in sacks for Southern with 4.5 on the year for 27 yards. He is fourth in total tackles with 19 and he has 4.0 tackles for loss. 
• Cesar Ruiz handles the place kicking duties for EOU. He has taken just one field goal attempt, that he made from 38 yards out. He averages 55.4 yards per boot on kickoff.
• Nolan Rinefort is the go-to option in the punt game. He averages 34.2 yards per kick and has had four land inside the 20-yard line. 

LAST TIME OUT
LA GRANDE, Ore. - No. 11 Eastern Oregon Football saw its undefeated start to the season come to an end Saturday afternoon as the Mountaineers dropped a 24-7 contest to College of Idaho inside Community Stadium. With the loss, EOU falls to 3-1 overall and 3-1 in Frontier Conference play.

How it Happened
• The Mountaineers were limited to just 259 yards of total offense and one touchdown. Defensively, Eastern surrendered 419 yards of total offense to the Coyotes (3-1, 3-1 Frontier).
• The Yotes struck first scoring with 9:29 on the clock after defense forced Eastern to punt on the opening drive. Jack hit Isaiah Veal in stride for a 39 touchdown pass. Following the PAT, C of I led 7-0.
• The following drive, the Mountaineers countered scoring on a 24 yard run by Kai Quinn. His touchdown run capped a three-minute drive that saw EOU go 67 yards. From then on, the Yotes kept the Mounties' offense at bay.
• The Yotes retook the lead in the first 13 seconds of the second quarter on a drive that stemmed back to the later portion of the first quarter. The Mountaineers held them to a 23-yard field goal that was nailed by Stan Mulderij to make it a 10-7 game.
• Defense was the theme the rest of the first as both squads kept the other from creating any rhythm. The Yotes took a 10-7 lead into the break and it remained that score until late in the third quarter as a costly turnover by EOU put C of I up by two scores.
• The Mountaineers got a big stop on a fourth and three try from the Yotes at the EOU seven yard line. EOU took over on downs after the incomplete pass but on the first play Quinn was picked off as the Yotes took the ball back for a five yard score to make it a 17-7 game.
• The score remained at 17-7 for a good while as the Mountaineers defense made plays to get the ball back into the offense's hands. Despite their efforts, C of I responded each time and kept the Mountaineers' offense from ever getting a rhythm established.
• The Yotes had chances to extend their lead but missed a pair of field goals in the second half. It was not until late in the fourth quarter when C of I added their final score of the contest. A five yard touchdown pass from Rice to Connor Cagain with 2:14 on the clock brought the score to its final, 24-7.

THE MOUNTAINEERS IN FRONTIER CONFERENCE PLAY
• The Mountaineers are in a four-way tie for first in the league with a 3-1 record.
• EOU is now 74-55 all-time in Frontier Conference play under Head Coach Tim Camp.
• Eastern is 3-1 in Frontier Conference play for the first time since 2014.

THE MOUNTAINEERS AT HOME
• The Mountaineers are now 1-1 at home this year following the 24-7 loss to College of Idaho.
• Eastern Oregon is 36-32 on its home field under the guidance of Tim Camp.
• Since the installation of the turf field in 2018, the Mountaineers are 7-7 at Community Stadium.

THE MOUNTAINEERS ON THE ROAD
• EOU is 2-0 on the road this season following the 10-7 road win at Carroll College. Eastern also has a road win over Montana Tech.
• Dating back to the 2019 season, EOU has won each of its last five road games.
• The Mounties were 2-0 on the road in 2020 with wins at Rocky Mountain and MSU-Northern.

WHEN LEADING AT THE HALF
• This season, Eastern is 2-0 to start the 2021 campaign when leading at the half.
• The Mountaineers were 2-1 in 2020 when they led the opposition at halftime. The lone loss came against College of Idaho.
• EOU is now 52-10 under Tim Camp when leading at the half after defeating Montana Western.

21 AND UP
• Eastern Oregon is 1-0 this season when scoring 21 or more points.
• The Mounties are now 22-25 under Tim Camp when scoring 21 or more points.
• Last season, EOU scored 21 or more points in all four games.
• When scoring 30 or more points, the Mounties are 1-0 this season and 18-9 under Tim Camp.
• Under the guidance of Tim Camp, EOU is 31-2 when scoring 40 or more points.

HIGH POWERED MOUNTIE ATTACK
• The Mountaineers have scored at least one touchdown in 154 consecutive games to keep a streak of not being shutout intact.
• The streak dates back to week eight of the 2006 season.

2021 FRONTIER CONFERENCE/NAIA STAT LEADERS
• The Mountaineers still lead the conference in least amount of penalties and yards at 21 and 185, respectively. Their mark Is 27th best in the NAIA.
• Zachary Cahill is just one of six kickers in the NAIA who has a perfect field goal percentage for anyone who has taken four or more attempts. He is 5-5 on the year.
• EOU's defense currently sits second in the Frontier Conference with 11.0 total sacks. Their number is also tied for 20th in the NAIA.
• Through the air, the Mountaineers have pulled down five interceptions this year. Their total is tied for third most in the Frontier Conference and is tied for 28th most in the NAIA.
• In the punt game, the Mounties average of 39.6 yards per boot is second best in the Frontier Conference and ranks 19th in the NAIA. 
• On kickoff, Easter is third in the Frontier Conference in average yards at 59.6 which is also 12th best in the NAIA. 

MOUNTAINEERS IN THE CAREER RECORD BOOKS
• Three active players currently rank in the all-time top-10 of the EOU record books in quarterback Kai Quinn and defensive linemen Chase Van Wyck and Sage DeLong.
• Quinn is nwo tied for fourth in career rushing touchdowns with 19. He needs one more to tie for third and is six away from tying for first.
• Quinn is ranked eighth all-time in career rushes with 370. He is 12 carries away from moving up to seventh on the all-time list.
• In the passing game, Quinn is third all-time in touchdowns thrown with 51. He is second in pass attempts and third in pass completions with 1,292 and 667, respectively. 
• Quinn has moved up to second all-time in total offense yards with 10,239. He has 8,870 passing yards and 1,459 rushing yards.
• Van Wyck now ranks third all-time in career tackles for loss with 36.5, and is just 4.0 away from taking sole possession of second.
• Van Wyck also sits third in career sacks with 19.5. He is just 3.0 sacks away from moving up to second. To become the career leader, Van Wyck needs 10.0 sacks.
• Sage DeLong is fifth in career tackles for loss at 35.0 and needs one more to tie for fourth. He is currently fourth in career sacks with 17.0 and is 3.5 away from tying for third with Van Wyck.


AROUND THE FRONTIER CONFERENCE
• With four teams tied for first at 3-1, this weekend's games may potentially help create separation in the conference standings.
• No. 20 Montana Western (4-1, 3-1 FC) will look to win its fourth straight game when the team travels to battle Rocky Mountain College (3-1, 3-1 FC).
• MSU-Northern (0-4, 0-4 FC) will look to win its first game as the Lights host Montana Tech (1-3, 1-3 FC).
• No. 23 College of Idaho (3-1, 3-1 FC) is back home and will look to win its third straight game when the team hosts Carroll College (1-3, 1-3 FC).
• Kickoff for all three games is set for 12 p.m. PT/1 p.m. MT.

A WIN OVER SOUTHERN OREGON WOULD…
• Push EOU's overall record to 4-1 and give the team its first 4-1 start since 2014.
• Extend the Mounties road win streak over Raiders to three straight.
• Keep Eastern undefeated on the road this year at 3-0.
• Be the team's eight win over the Raiders under the direction of Tim Camp.

A LOSS TO SOUTHERN OREGON WOULD…
• Snap a two-game road winning streak over the Raiders.
• Hand the Mountaineers their first road loss of the season.
• Give the Raiders their second straight win over EOU, dating back to the 2019 season
• Drop EOU's record to 7-14 against the Raiders under the direction of Tim Camp.

MOUNTAINEERS FOOTBALL HISTORY
• In 88 seasons of EOU Football the Mountaineers have compiled a 342-516-14 (.400) record in 872 total games played going into 2021.
• EOU won a school-record 10 games in 2016 and made it to the Semifinals of the NAIA FCS Playoffs. EOU has posted a .500 record or better in 31 seasons.
• EOU has won or shared a combined four conference titles in school history with the last coming in 2020. The conference crown in 2020 is the first as a member of the Frontier Conference.
• The Mountaineers have qualified for the NAIA FCS Playoffs once, with their lone appearance coming in 2016.

CAMP AT THE HELM
• Eastern Oregon Head Coach Tim Camp is 77-62 (.554) all-time in his 14th season of leading the Mountaineers.
• Prior to becoming the EOU Head Coach, Camp was the offensive line coach for EOU from 2016-18.
• Prior to working at Eastern Oregon, Camp was an offensive line coach and offensive coordinator at Bucknell University.
• Camp has also served as an assistant coach at University of Nebraska-Omaha, University of the South (Tenn.), and Western Oregon.

UP NEXT
• The Mountaineers will be home for the first time in October when they host Rocky Mountain College on Oct. 9 for Homecoming. Kickoff against the Battlin' Bears is set for 1 p.m. PT inside Community Stadium.

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