The biggest question mark heading into Carroll's 2014 season was Mac Roche. Just how would Mac Roche handle moving from backup into the starting role? That question seems to have been answered. Unfortunately for the Saints -- who last year boasted one of the best defenses in the nation -- a new question has arisen: What happened to the defense?

Picked apart both on the ground and through the air Saturday, No. 2 Carroll lost its season opener to No. 22 Southern Oregon 38-35 at the Raiders' temporary home at Ashland High School's Walter A. Phillips Field. SOU (2-0) piled up 302 rushing yards (280 net) and 281 yards through the air en route to its second consecutive home win over the Saints.

Roche acquitted himself well in the NAIA Game of the Week, passing for three touchdowns and running it in for another. But the defense simply could not stop SOU quarterback Austin Dodge and running back Melvin Mason.

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