Box Score *Official statistics not provided by Rocky.

BILLINGS, Mont. – The rust Southern Oregon spent over 21 months accumulating was apparent in Saturday night's season-opening 42-28 loss to Rocky Mountain (Mont.) at Herb Klindt Field.

The Raiders went into halftime trailing 28-14, marred by 14 penalties, and gave up two quick touchdowns to start the third quarter – the second on a 50-plus-yard fumble recovery return by Battlin' Bears defensive lineman Dylan Beridon after a sack of Trent Banner shook the ball loose.

Official stats have not been provided by Rocky. Unofficially, Bears sophomore Nathan Dick completed 19 of 30 pass attempts for 206 yards and three touchdowns.

The game started inauspiciously with a wild SOU long-snap that turned into a safety and a Bears field goal. The Raiders briefly took the lead, 7-5, on their fourth possession of the first quarter. QB Matt Struck connected with Sawyer Cleveland for a 96-yard reception, leading to Banner's two-yard keeper into the end zone.

Twenty seconds into the second quarter, however, SOU's roughing-the-kicker penalty enabled a 14-yard touchdown pass from Dick to Carter Garsjo. Minutes later, another botched long-snap went for another safety, and Dick's ensuing TD pass to Lucas Overton suddenly made it 28-7.

Banner found Ben Graziani for an eight-yard TD pass before halftime. In the second half, Struck hit Jackson Clemmer with an eight-yard TD pass and later rushed in for a four-yard score.

The Raiders will attempt to rebound at home next Saturday against Montana State-Northern. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.

More details will be added when statistics are made available.