*This story has been updated to reflect statistical corrections made by the host.
GLENDALE, Ariz. – Southern Oregon came up with five takeaways and compiled 529 yards of offense to thoroughly dominate Arizona Christian in a late-night 48-7 Frontier Conference win on Saturday at ACU Field.
Sophomore running back
Gunner Yates became the third player in team history and first in 21 years to rush for 20 touchdowns in a season, tacking on three more while netting 124 yards on 17 carries. Junior corner
Aukai Grace starred on the other side of the ball with his second and third interceptions of the fall.
The No. 10-ranked Raiders took their record to 6-1 overall and 3-1 halfway through the Frontier schedule. They're among three one-loss teams in the standings behind 4-0 Carroll (Mont.), which beginning next week faces all four of the Frontier's nationally-ranked teams consecutively.
SOU took a two-touchdown lead eight minutes into the game on a pair of big scoring plays – a 38-yard rush from Yates and a 66-yard pass from
Blake Asciutto to
Brandon Barthel. By halftime, another Yates TD and
Brian Batres' 22-yard field goal had the Raiders up 24-0.
Asciutto finished 17-of-27 for 303 yards and, for the sixth consecutive game, did not throw an interception. He helped All-Frontier receiver
Sawyer Cleveland to his second triple-digit outing of the season, a 103-yard performance on six receptions.
Glen Leith-Ross added two second-half touchdowns for SOU, rushing in from one and nine yards out, and Batres recorded a second field goal from 42 yards deep.
In addition to Grace,
Dyllon Daniels collected an interception.
Ty Glumbik and
Cameron Carr forced fumbles that
Da'mon Carter and
Mystic Sampaga recovered, and Glumbik led the team with seven tackles.
ACU fell to 1-5 overall and 1-4 in the Frontier. Three Firestorm quarterbacks completed just nine of their 23 pass attempts for 116 yards, and their rushers netted only 113 yards on 31 attempts.
The Firestorm became the third team this season that SOU has held to seven points.
SOU is back at Raider Stadium to work on a perfect home record next Saturday against Montana State-Northern. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
