ASHLAND – Southern Oregon University's longest fumble-recovery return for a touchdown in at least 20 years gave junior safety Julius Rucker a highlight to remember on Saturday and Frontier Conference defensive player of the week kudos Monday.

Rucker, product of Westview High in Portland, made a team-high eight tackles (six solo) in SOU's 63-21 win over College of Idaho. He scored the third defensive touchdown of his career with 8:20 left in the fourth quarter, when Devvon Gage forced Coyote quarterback Teejay Gordon to fumble and Rucker scooped up the ball and brought it back 94 yards.

The fumble was one of five the Raiders forced and four they recovered in the game. Kevin Blueford Jr. tacked on a 43-yard TD return with 33 seconds remaining.

Rucker continues to lead the Raiders in tackles with 57 this season, including 46 solo, to go with an interception.

He's the second Raider to earn defensive player of the week honors this season. Gage was awarded three weeks ago after his performance at Montana Western.
The Raiders (6-1), who took over the NAIA's No. 1 ranking on Monday, play at Rocky Mountain this Saturday in Billings, Mont.