Sept. 19, 2005
The USD football team received some good news this morning when it was announced that sophomore quarterback Josh Johnson (Oakland, Calif.) was tabbed the co-PFL Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts in the team's come-from-behind 17-14 win over the Yale Bulldogs. The Toreros also moved up two spots to No. 2 in this week's The Sports Network I-AA Mid-Major Top 10 poll, trailing only PFL-foe Dayton who is also off to a 3-0 start. Johnson shared the honor with Drake's Scott Phaydavong who rushed for 234 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Johnson, who has turned in three straight solid performances in USD's 3-0 start, completed 22-of-34 passes for 198 yards and 1 score. With the team down 14-3 at halftime, Johnson turned in a brilliant 2nd half, completing 18-of-23 passes for 159 yards and the all-important 2-yard TD pass to RB JT Rogan that gave USD its first lead of the game, 15-14 with 6:37 to go. Johnson then connected with WR Nick Garton for the 2-point conversion and final 17-14 tally. Johnson was also productive in the run department. He gained 54 yards of rushing, but the Yale defense sacked him 4 times, so he finished with a net gain of 33 yards.
Through three games Johnson has completed 66-of-97 passes for 658 yards and 6 touchdowns. His pass efficiency rating is 141.31. He has spread the ball around to nine different receivers with senior WR Adam Hannula leading the way with 17 catches. Hannula caught 5 balls on Saturday to become USD's all-time career leader in receptions with 191 (moved ahead of Dylan Ching's 189; 1996-99).
The Toreros, who began the preseason with a No. 7 ranking in The Sports Network I-AA Mid-Major Top 10 poll, moved up to No. 2 this week. Trailing only the 3-0 Dayton Flyers, USD is now ahead of Monmouth (2-1), Duquesne (2-1), Morehead State (3-0), Wagner (3-0), Drake (1-2), Robert Morris (1-1), Marist (2-1) and Central Connecticut State (1-2).
This week the Toreros play their first road game with a 1:00 p.m.Saturday tilt in Princeton, New Jersey, against the Princeton Tigers (1-0).
