Willamette used three big scoring plays in the first half to take control and roll to a 42-24 victory over No. 24 Southern Oregon today in Salem.

The 13th-ranked NCAA Division III Bearcats improved to 2-1 on the season. Southern Oregon fell to 2-1 on the season and opens the home portion of the 2010 schedule next Saturday against NAIA foe Menlo.

Southern Oregon started the game quickly, taking the opening kickoff and driving 73 yards to take a 7-0 lead on a one-yard touchdown by Brandon Baldwin (Palo Cedro, Calif./Foothill).

Willamette responded by taking advantage of the big play. The Bearcats scored on a 49-yard pass play, a 50-yard run and a 77-yard run to take a 21-7 lead.

The Raiders forced a pair of fumbles late in the second quarter and finally were able to convert one to points with a 24-yard field goal by Tyler Crowley (Palo Cedro, Calif./Bishop Quinn).

Southern Oregon forced a pair of turnovers in the third quarter, but again came up empty. After forcing a fumble, the Raiders handed it right back with a fumble by Baldwin that was returned 19 yards for a touchdown and a 28-10 advantage.

Willamette pushed the lead to 35-10 in the fourth quarter before Danny Keenan (Pacifica, Calif./Terra Nova) caught a pair of touchdowns for the Raiders to cut the advantage to 35-24.

The Bearcats added a late score.

Senior Vance Beach (Mesa, Ariz./Dobson) turned in his best day of his career, going for 187 yards on eight catches. Baldwin finished with 65 yards on 19 carries. Junior quarterback Mike McDonald (Burbank, Calif./Burbank) completed 26 of 46 passes for 364 yards and two scores.

Terrell Malley had eight rushes for 165 yards and two scores to led the Willamette offense.

The SOU defense was led by newcomer JT Gilmore (West Covina, Calif./Taft) and his game-high 12 tackles and game-high three tackles-for-loss. Juwuan Brown (Long Beach, Calif./Long Beach Poly) and Jarrod Moroni (Eugene, Ore./South Eugene) both had a sack.

On the day, the Raiders forced four turnovers.