Season Context
Simpson University returns to open the 2025 campaign after a 4–6 season under second-year head coach Jeremy Cameron. The Red Hawks bring back their starting quarterback and a pair of senior receivers, aiming to improve on a late-season offensive surge and compete in the Cascade Collegiate Conference.
Southern Oregon enters its third season under head coach Berk Brown, fresh off a 7–3 finish in 2024 that saw the Raiders peak at No. 7 and narrowly miss the playoffs after an overtime loss at College of Idaho. Southern Oregon’s offense was paced by junior running back Gunner Yates, who led the NAIA with 1,488 rushing yards and set single-season program records with 27 rushing touchdowns and 29 total scores.
Team Overviews
Simpson Red Hawks
Head Coach: Jeremy Cameron (2nd season)
2024 Record: 4–6 overall
Offense
QB Michael Torres: senior signal-caller with 1,800 passing yards and 14 touchdowns
WR Isaiah Grant: top target who totaled 650 receiving yards
Defense
LB David Ng: team tackle leader with 80 stops
DB Kevin Liu: opportunistic playmaker with three interceptions
Southern Oregon Raiders
Head Coach: Berk Brown (3rd season)
2024 Record: 7–3 overall, Frontier Conference
Offense
RB Gunner Yates: NAIA Offensive MVP candidate averaged 135.3 rushing yards per game and broke single-season records for rushing TDs and total TDs
RB Fresh Ison: graduate transfer to share the backfield load and expand the ground attack
Defense
Front Seven: ranked second in the Frontier in tackles for loss
Secondary: anchored by two returning NAIA All-Region defensive backs
Head-to-Head
This is the first-ever meeting between Simpson and Southern Oregon.
Both teams will use this non-conference opener to iron out schemes before diving into conference play.
Key Players to Watch
Simpson’s Michael Torres (QB): his ability to connect on intermediate throws will keep Simpson within range.
Simpson’s Isaiah Grant (WR): any deep completions could swing momentum in Redding’s favor.
Southern Oregon’s Gunner Yates (RB): if Yates breaks free early, the Raiders will control the clock.
Southern Oregon’s defensive front: early pressure up front will test Simpson’s inexperienced offensive line.
Broadcast & Streaming
Live Stats: naiastats.prestosports.com
Video Stream: Southern Oregon Athletics YouTube channel
Radio: KSKQ 89.5 FM (Ashland)
What to Watch
Opening drives and third-down conversions to see which defense sets the tone. Yates’ workload distribution with Fresh Ison—balance may indicate game script. Simpson’s red-zone efficiency against a Raiders unit that allowed fewer than two TDs per home game in 2024.
Game Odds
Simpson Red Hawks (CA) 54.5
Southern Oregon Raiders – 17.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Wednesday, August 27, 2025
