ASHLAND — To opponents, he’s No. 25. To Southern Oregon football fans, he’s Dusty McGrorty.

Either way, come Saturdays in the fall, he’s the one with the most glaring attention for ninth-ranked Southern Oregon (6-2).

He’s either the Raider you most want to stop, or the one you want holding the ball with a game in the balance.

McGrorty is the epitome of contrast.

His three-year accomplishments in Ashland deserve to be shouted out from the mountaintop, yet personal praise is the last thing on the humble junior’s mind.

"Winning is the most important thing to me, by far," says McGrorty.

The fact that he is either No. 1 or 2 in the Southern Oregon record books in nearly every major rushing category is inconsequential to McGrorty, who must have trouble each Halloween because he doesn’t say boo.

"I’ve never been an outspoken type of person," he admits. "My teammates voted me as a team captain, and I didn’t really know what to do with that. I go out there and play as hard as I can and try to lead by example with my work ethic, but I’m not one of those guys who’s going to stand in front of the team and give a big speech."

Truth be told, McGrorty is about as mellow as they come.

"With all the things he’s done," says seventh-year SOU coach Jeff Olson, "there’s only been one time in his three years that he’s been eligible for us that I have seen him show any emotion. He’s just quiet and goes about his business."

That business includes becoming the seventh straight 1,000-yard rusher for Southern Oregon, joining Casey Jackson (1996) and Griff Yates (1997-99). McGrorty is up to 1,074 yards rushing entering Saturday’s regular-season finale against Eastern Oregon (1-8), and has compiled 3,226 yards in his three seasons as a Raider.

McGrorty ranks second only to Yates in career rushing yards, career touchdowns and rushing touchdowns, trailing by 1,333 yards, nine and 10 TDs, respectively.

The former Class 2A player of the year out of Warrenton already holds the school’s single-season record for rushing touchdowns (22), set in 2001.

"It’s something I never expected to come close to," McGrorty says of the school marks. "It’s an indescribable feeling just to be part of the record books with the caliber of backs that have been here."

McGrorty recalls watching Jackson tear it up at Seaside High, then hearing tales of his successes at Southern Oregon. When Olson recruited McGrorty to become a Raider, those positive memories went a long way in getting him to Ashland.

Once in the Rogue Valley, McGrorty played understudy to Yates, whose rushing exploits were pivotal in putting the Raiders back on the map.

But it’s been McGrorty who has gotten SOU over the hump in terms of national ranking and playoff presence.

"I knew I had huge shoes to fill with Griff leaving," McGrorty says of his good friend. "I feel like it’s an honor to even be compared to Griff because I know what kind of running back he was and what he did here.

"To be up there climbing toward his records, and on track to break some of them, it’s just incredible."

Even more incredible is how little credit McGrorty gives himself for being in his current position.

In his eyes, teams don’t focus on McGrorty, they focus on the running attack SOU has established during Olson’s regime. He also says anyone would put up good numbers running behind the offensive line he’s had in his three years.

"I can’t say enough about every one of my linemen," says McGrorty. "My relationship with them on the field is just something you can’t explain. They’re a huge part of why I’ve been able to do the things I’ve done."

Heading into Saturday’s game, McGrorty ranks second in the NAIA for rushing, averaging 153.4 yards in his seven games. A knee injury kept him sidelined for SOU’s 42-0 win over Montana State-Northern.

His five-game streak of 100-yard rushing efforts was snapped two weeks ago when Western Oregon geared its entire attack against McGrorty. To make up for it, he went out and rushed 37 times for 231 yards and two TDs last week against the University of San Diego.

"Dusty ran like a man possessed against San Diego," says Olson. "He just went out and played at a different level than everyone else."

That level isn’t necessarily one of superior talent, it’s one born of a competitive fire that overwhelms McGrorty on game days.

"He’s a very strong, determined runner," says Olson. "He’s not a guy who is going to shake and bake and make you miss; he’s going to punish you."

And he’s a guy Olson confidently says he can count on each time he steps on the field.

"He’s going to bring his ‘A’ game every week," says the coach, "and he’s going to do it with his work ethic and not his mouth or any showboating."

Reach reporter Kris Henry at 776-4488, or e-mail khenry@mailtribune.com