EOU drops season opener in Ashland

Written by Casey Kellas, The Observer August 31, 2009 02:31 pm

NO ESCAPE: Chris Ware and the Mountaineers football team fell to the Raiders in Ashland 33-28 to open the 2009 season. Observer file photo

ASHLAND — The Mountaineers missed their chance to get off on the right foot for the 2009 football season.

Eastern Oregon University traveled to Ashland to face Southern Oregon University, and came back home with a 32-28 loss.

Raiders running back Brandon Baldwin bulldozed the defense for 195 yards on the ground, including two touchdowns.

EOU led 21-16 at the half powered by the passing game.

Chris Ware connected with Kirk Miller on a 21-yard pass play with 11:15 remaining in the first quarter.

Joel Haran plowed into the end zone to cap a 70-yard drive in the second quarter.

Ware hooked up with Miller again, on a 35-yard touchdown pass to close the Mountaineers’ scoring in the first half.

EOU pushed the lead to 28-16 after Ware found Rick Copsey on a 28-yard touchdown pass.

Southern took advantage of two interceptions to outscore the Mountaineers 13-0 in the final quarter.

Ware finished the game 16 of 31 for 315 yards.

Haran led the ground game with 53 yards on 10 carries.

Jordyn Jackson reeled in five passes for 102 yards. Miller caught five passes for 117 yards.

Paul Sweeney led the Southern passing attack with 222 yards, completing 18 of 32 passes.

EOU will host Rocky Mountain College in the home opener at 1 p.m. Saturday.