Aug. 24, 2003

Eighth year head coach Kevin McGarry returns 54 players and 14 starters from last year's 5-5 club that finished in second place in the Pioneer Football League's North Division. Despite losing some key players from the 2002 club, McGarry believes this year's group of returning starters and players, along with an outstanding group of recruits, will provide USD with what is necessary to be successful again as they embark on another tough schedule. The Toreros head into the 2003 season ranked 9th in The Sports Network I-AA Mid-Major Top 10 Pre-Season Poll. The offense, under the direction of first-year offensive coordinator Tim Drevno, will be in good hands with senior quarterback Eric Rasmussen, last year's team Offensive Player of the Year, leading the way. Last year Rasmussen led the NCAA I-AA ranks in passing efficiency with an outstanding rating of 164.2 as he completed 170-of-279 passes (.609 completion percentage) for 2,470 yards, 25 touchdowns and just 1 interception. As a team USD ranked 12th in the I-AA ranks in passing offense (278.1 yards per game). The Toreros also have the luxury of an experienced backup quarterback in Brian Kirkpatrick (26-for-41, 329 yards and 1 TD), a strong throwing and accurate passer, also in his senior year. Despite All-PFL junior receiver Michael Gasperson (57 receptions, 907 yards, 10 TDs) out indefinitely after suffering a knee injury on the last day of spring practice, Rasmussen will have a solid group of receivers to throw to. Sophomore Adam Hannula (44 receptions, 641 yards, 7 TDs) is now the key target, but opponents will also have their hands full trying to cover the likes of senior Brent Labarrere (14 for 180 yards) and junior Nick Garton (15 for 161 yards), and a trio of capable tight ends - senior Jeff Incerty (17 for 309 yards, 2 TDs), senior Kyle O'Connor (13 for 241 yards, 2 TDs) and redshirt freshman Dustin Owen. Despite losing their top two running backs in Kenneth Villalobos (618 yards, 6 TDs) and Philip Thrash (389 yards, 2 TDs), the Toreros will count on junior Baxter Box to pick up where the graduated seniors left off. Box, who carried the ball just 9 times last year for 44 yards, was an All-District pick his senior year at Highland Park HS in Dallas, Texas when he totaled 1,200 yards. Box will be pushed by a handful of returners and newcomers. Most notably is newcomer Evan Harney who started his collegiate career at UC Irvine in baseball - Harney rushed for 1,500 yards and 20 TDs his senior year at nearby Fallbrook HS with the team winning the CIF Division I title. The offensive line will be anchored by two players that earned 2002 honorable mention All-PFL honors - senior guard Ariel Bellofiore (6-2, 353 lbs.) and junior tackle Keith Zapalac (6-4, 270 lbs.). Sophomore guard Josh Sanders (6-3, 290) rounds out the trio of returning offensive linemen that started. Junior tackle Matt Collins (6-5, 275), who earned honorable mention All-PFL honors in 2001, returns after sitting out the 2002 campaign and will improve the line's strength. The defense, under the helm of defensive coordinator Jason DesJarlais, will center around the play of senior linebacker Andy Guzenski who was tabbed the team's Defensive Player of the Year in 2002. Guzenski led the Toreros in tackles for the second straight season with 90 on his way to earning First Team All-PFL honors. Guzenski is joined by seven other returning starters - senior free safety Bryan Newbrough (73 tackles, 3 interceptions), senior invert Adam Combs (58 tackles, 6 tackles for loss), senior invert Kyle Fitzgerald (53 tackles), senior defensive back Gavin Ng (45 tackles, 5 for loss), senior tackle Josh Noga (39 tackles), senior end Chris Conroy (26 tackles) and junior end Daniel Howard (25 tackles). Others expected to see plenty of action on the defensive side of the ball include junior tackle Ashur Benjamin, junior linebacker Jeff Langdon, junior linebacker Paul Kumer and junior end Josh Pierce. A quartet of transfers will bolster USD's defensive depth - defensive back Allen Russell (Nevada), tackle Joe Maietta (St. John's), invert Philip Bretsch (UC San Diego) and end Jeromy White (Ohio U.). The special teams unit, under the guidance of first-year coordinator Richard Sanchez, will play a strong role in USD's success this season. Senior Gavin Ng, the 2002 Special Teams Player of the Year, returns after averaging 22.1 yards per kickoff return and 9.2 yards per punt return. Senior Adam Williams, who ranked 20th in the nation in kicking, returns after leading the Toreros in scoring with 67 points. He converted 11-of-16 field goals and 34-of-35 PAT kicks. Williams, along with senior Brent Labarrere, shared the punting duties in 2002. Labarrere averaged 39.7 yards on 26 punts while Williams netted 34.5 yards on 17 punts. Once again USD undertakes a very challenging schedule. Seven of USD's ten games will be played at Torero Stadium. Home nonconference contests include Azusa Pacific, La Verne, Holy Cross, Southern Oregon, and Marist. PFL opponents Drake and Butler also visit. USD's road games include Davidson, Valparaiso and Dayton. The PFL Championship game on November 22nd will be played at the site of the North Division winner.