SOU release - ASHLAND – Southern Oregon set an unreasonably high bar for the 2025 season with its first shutout in seven years and 542 yards of offense in a 59-0 debut win over Simpson (Calif.) on Thursday night at Raider Stadium's Laurel Field.  The margin of victory was the Raiders' widest in a shutout since 2003. Despite kicking off to start the contest, they scored two touchdowns within the first five minutes – a 60-yard strike from Dom Montiel to Brandon Barthel on their first play from scrimmage, and the 40th of Gunner Yates' career.  Montiel, the junior Oregon State transfer from Coos Bay, showed off his arm with 346 passing yards and four touchdowns without an interception on 21-of-28 accuracy. He and Barthel ignited the Raiders throughout the evening, also hooking up for a 53-yard TD to open the second half and a 14-yard score 10 minutes later. Barthel, a senior receiver, ended up with 182 yards on seven receptions.  Defensively, Spencer Kuffel – who missed last season after totaling six interceptions during an all-star 2023 campaign – made his return in style with an interception, 2 ½ tackles for losses and seven total tackles. Da'mon Carter added an interception as SOU limited the Red Hawks to 46 passing yards on 15 attempts.  Raiden House and Will Kanavalov Jr., the team's new starting linebackers, led the Raiders with eight tackles each as they surrendered just 193 total yards. Aukai Grace blocked a 34-yard field goal attempt that represented Simpson's best chance to get on the board, and Gabe Foster registered his eighth sack in six games dating back to last season.  In two matchups since Simpson debuted its football program last year, SOU has outscored the Red Hawks 129-7 combined.  The Raiders supplemented Montiel with another new quarterback, Rieger Sayre, who muscled his way to 55 rushing yards on six tries and second-half touchdown runs of 13 and six yards. Redshirt-freshman running back Logan Whitlock needed only six tries to compile his 52 yards.   Their other touchdowns came from Trevor Jaasko on a 48-yard connection with Montiel and Coen Coloma's four-yard rush. Danny Cossette tacked on a 27-yard field goal that made the score 25-0 midway through the second quarter.  NOTES:  Yates, making his 22nd career appearance, becoming the fourth player in the team's 40-touchdown club. He joined Dusty McGrorty (79), his father, Griff Yates (60), and Matt Retzlaff (47). Yates has scored at least once in 13 consecutive outings. He netted 43 yards on five touches.  Montiel's passing-yardage total was the highest for a Raider making his first start since Jack Singler in 2016. Barthel's receiving-yardage total was the highest for a Raider since Christian Graney broke the team record with 267 in 2022.  The Raiders have won eight home games in a row dating back to 2023. This was their first ever on a Thursday at Raider Stadium.  Donovan Glover began his true-freshman season with six catches for 55 yards.  Game 2 is Sept. 6 at NCAA Division II affiliate Western Oregon. It'll be the teams' 77th all-time meeting and first in 15 years.