Oct. 16, 2004

Box Score

San Diego, CA - USD QB Todd Mortensen passed for three touchdowns and rushed for another as San Diego defeated Valparaiso 49-14 in a PFL North Division contest. With the win the Toreros improve to 3-4 on the season and even their PFL mark at 1-1. Valparaiso falls to 3-5 and 0-2).

San Diego junior Evan Harney was a workhorse, rushing for 191 yards and one touchdown on 32 carries. Torero junior Nick Garton caught two touchdown passes - a 16-yarder and a 56-yarder. The Toreros raced out to a 14-0 first-quarter lead on Harney's 16-yard touchdown run with 5:47 left. After forcing a Valpo punt, San Diego's Michael Gasperson blocked the punt and returned the ball four yards for a touchdown.

The Crusaders scored their first touchdown - a 4-yard pass from Dustin Shamburg to TE Kenny Keil - to cap off a 15-play, 79-yard drive early in the second quarter. Jeff Horton had a 27-yard run to put Valpo in scoring position. Kevin Knutson caught two passes for 15 yards and Joe Blahowicz snagged two aerials for 14 yards during the drive.

Mortensen and USD answered with a six-play, 74-yard drive that culminated with Mortensen's 1-yard touchdown plunge to extend the Torero lead to 21-7. Valpo had another scoring opportunity thwarted in the final minute of the first half when Shamburg's third-down pass was intercepted by sophomore safety Scott Cooper. It was Cooper's second straight game with a pick.

In the third quarter, San Diego went 88 yards on 10 plays to push its advantage to 28-7 on Mortensen's 16-yard touchdown pass to Garton.

Valpo struck quickly on its next possession as reserve quarterback Joe Milazzo connected with Blahowicz on a 39-yard pass to set up a 5-yard touchdown by Horton.

The Toreros pulled away with three straight touchdowns. Mortensen lofted a 3-yard scoring pass to TE Matt Koller near the end of the third quarter and then hit Garton in stride for a 56-yard touchdown with just under eight minutes remaining. Redshirt freshman Kevin Herron scampered for a 77-yard touchdown to increase the USD lead to 49-14.

Mortensen completed 17 of 27 passes for 264 yards. Garton finished with three receptions for 86 yards and two scores. The Toreros finished with 577 total yards to 266 for Valpo. The Toreros also won the first-down battle 25-15.

The Torero defense turned in another solid outing and was paced by LB Tyler Evans (10 tackles), DB Philip Bretsch (8 tackles, 1 pass breakup), sophomore safety Scott Cooper (7 tackles, 1 interception) and LB Kyson Hawkins (6 tackles, 2 QB sacks).

The Toreros play another home contest next Saturday, October 23rd, when then host Davidson from the PFL South Division in a 7:00 p.m. contest.