Sept. 7, 2005
GAME #2: The USD Toreros will look to continue their winning ways when they host the Southern Oregon Raiders on Saturday, Sept. 10th, at 1:30 pm. Jack Murray (play-by-play) and Rick Hill (color analyst) call the action (all 7 home games) that can be heard via the internet at www.usdtoreros.com.
SERIES RECORD: The Toreros lead the overall series 2-1 after last season's convincing 51-10 victory... USD won in 2003, 24-19, after dropping the series opener in 2002, 31-10... last year Evan Harney rushed for 203 yards and 2 TDs and QB Todd Mortensen connected on 4 TD passes.
HEAD COACH Jim Harbaugh: Harbaugh is his 2nd season after a 7-4 mark in his rookie year. He heads into the Southern Oregon game with an 8-4 record and six- game winning streak. Prior to being named USD's 11th head coach, he spent two seasons in the NFL as an offensive assistant with the Oakland Raiders. He spent 15 years in the NFL with five different teams - Chicago (1987-1993), Indianapolis (1994-97), Baltimore (1998), San Diego (1999-00) and Carolina (2001). A 1987 first round draft pick by the Chicago Bears, Jim played in 117 NFL games with 140 starts. For his career he completed 2,305 of 3,918 passes for 26,288 yards with 129 touchdowns. In 1995 he led Indianapolis to the AFC Championship game; was voted to the Pro Bowl; was named the 1995 Comeback Player of the Year and the AFC Player of the Year; and was runner-up in the NFL MVP voting. A 1986 graduate of the University of Michigan, Jim was a 3-year starter for legendary coach Bo Schembechler. In his senior year in '86, Jim guided Michigan to a No. 2 national ranking while earning Big Ten Player of the Year honors and finishing 3rd in the Heisman race. Jim and his wife, Miah, have three kids - Jay, James, and Grace.
PFL NORTH STANDINGS/SCHEDULE: SAN DIEGO (1-0), Dayton (1-0), Valparaiso (1-0), Butler (0-1), Drake (0-1). SEPT. 10TH SCHEDULE: USD vs. Southern Oregon, Butler at Tiffin, Wittenberg at Dayton, Drake at Illinois St., Valparaiso at South Dakota St.
TOREROS DEAL AZUSA PACIFIC 30-6 LOSS: The USD Toreros opened up the 2005 campaign with an impressive 30-6 win over the visiting Azusa Pacific Cougars before 3,212 fans at Torero Stadium. Dating back to last season it is USD's 6th straight victory, and also snapped a 3-game losing skid to the 4th-ranked NAIA APU Cougars. Sophomore QB Josh Johnson, in his first collegiate start, completed 23-of-34 passes for 286 yards and 3 touchdowns to lead the way. The Torero defense was extremely tough all night limiting Azusa to just two field goals. USD's 30 points were the most scored on APU since 2001 and the 24-point advantage was the Cougars' worse loss in four years. APU opened the scoring in the 1st quarter on a Mike Betancourth 22 yard FG that capped off a 13-play, 75 yard drive with 5:08 left in the period. The Toreros answered with their own 10-play, 68 yard drive that culminated with a 18-yard TD strike from Johnson to senior WR Nick Garton with 1:22 to go. Hutch Parker's PAT kick gave USD a 7-3 lead heading into the 2nd quarter. APU's Betancourth added a solid 45-yard FG in the opening minute of the 2nd quarter, but that would be the last time the Cougars would see any points light up on the scoreboard. Parker added field goals of 38 yards and 29 yards that gave the Toreros a 13-6 halftime advantage. With 5:03 left in the 3rd period, Johnson connected with senior TE Dustin Owen for an 11-yard TD that capped off an 8-play, 53 yard drive, and Parker's 22 yard FG with 2:24 left extended USD's lead to 23-6 heading into the final quarter. Senior TE Matt Koller added a 21-yard TD reception from Johnson for the final 30-6 victory. Offensively USD finished with 449 yards of offense (286 passing; 163 rushing). Redshirt freshman JT Rogan turned in an outstanding game in his first collegiate contest, finishing with 105 yards on 21 carries. Johnson's top targets on the night were senior wideouts Adam Hannula (6 catches for 66 yards) and Nick Garton (6 receptions for 53 yards, 1 TD), and senior TE Matt Koller (4 for 66 yards and 1 TD). Senior punter George Villa averaged 39.5 yards on 4 punts. Defensively the Toreros were paced by LB Ronnie Pentz (8 tackles), DE Eric Bakhtiari (5 tackles) and junior DB Chase McBride (3 tackles, 1 interception).
Hutch Parker PFL PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Sophomore kicker Hutch Parker, who made 3-of-4 field goals and all three PAT kicks in the 30-6 win over Azusa Pacific, was named the PFL Special Teams Player of the Week... he made field goals of 38, 29 and 22 yards... it is his third PFL award dating back to last season... he has now converted 9-of-12 career field goals and 48-of 49 PAT kicks.
TRI-CAPTAINS ANNOUNCED: Torero players picked three of their senior teammates to represent them as 2005 Team Captains - wide receiver Nick Garton, defensive back Philip Bretsch, and honorary captain Evan Harney.
TORERO TIDBITS: After the first weekend of play among PFL teams, the Toreros ranked first in passing offense (286.0 yards per game), punting (37.8 ave.), and turnover margin (+3.0)... sophomore QB Josh Johnson was first in passing average per game (286.0) and 2nd in pass efficiency (161.5)... sophomore kicker Hutch Parker was first in field goals made per game (3.0) and points per game (12.0)... Chase McBride and Josh Brisco were tied for first in interceptions (1.0)... JT Rogan ranked 3rd in rushing at 105 yards per game.
Adam Hannula CAREER WATCH: Senior receiver Adam Hannula, currently 2nd overall in USD career receptions (180), receiving yards (2,449) and touchdowns (25), is closing in on current record holder Dylan Ching (1996-99)- 189 receptions; 3,111 receiving yards and 32 touchdown receptions.
GASPERSON & MORTENSEN NFL UPDATE: Two key players from last year's 7-4 team, QB Todd Mortensen and WR Michael Gasperson, survived the initial 65-player roster cuts in NFL camps - Mortensen with the Detroit Lions and Gasperson with with the Philadelphia Eagles... however, both players were left off the final NFL-mandated 53-man limits that were announced on Sept. 4th... there is still a chance they could be placed on their respective NFL practice squad teams.
SCOUTING SOUTHERN OREGON: This is the opener for the SOU Raiders... they return 33 lettermen and 13 starters from last year's 3-6 club... the Raiders are under the direction of interim head coach Shay McClure, a former Torero defensive assistant (2 years in late '90's)... returning starters back include Jacobe Krizman (So., RB), Curt Stout (Sr., FB), Adam Akau (So., OL), Dave Tippett (Sr., OL), Willis Cooley (Jr., DL), Chad Harrell (Sr., LB), James Williams (So., LB), Nick Coursolle (Jr., DB), Madison Caeser (Jr., DB), Kelland Quick (Jr., DB), and Jason Woody (Sr., OL)... SOU was the NAIA Independent Champions in 2000 and 2001.
PFL PRESEASON COACHES POLL: The Toreros are picked 3rd in the PFL Preseason Coaches Poll - 2004 champion Drake is the top pick for the North Division as they received 5 first place votes - the Bulldogs are followed by Dayton, San Diego, Butler & Valparaiso.
SPORTS NETWORK I-AA MID-MAJOR PRESEASON: The Toreros are picked 7th in the 2005 The Sports Network I-AA Mid-Major Preseason Poll. Drake University, last year's PFL Champion, is ranked 1st after going 10-2 a year ago. The Bulldogs are followed by Monmouth, Dayton, Duquesne, Robert Morris, Central Connecticut State, SAN DIEGO, Morehead State, Wagner & Albany.
UP NEXT: The Toreros return to Torero Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 17th, to take on Ivy League member Yale University in a 1:30 p.m. contest. It will be Yale's 2005 opener. The Yale Bulldogs lead the series, 2-0, and the Toreros have yet to defeat an Ivy League opponent in 5 tries.
PRINCETON ROAD TRIP: The USD Alumni Association will host a Tailgate Party prior to the USD-Princeton contest on Sept. 24th... For more information, call the USD Office of Alumni Relations at (619) 260-4819... Register at www.usdtickets.com by Sept. 12th.
POSITIVE CHANGES AT TORERO STADIUM: Some positive changes have taken place for Torero Fans at Torero Stadium this season. The biggest change is the USD football team will now be on the south sideline to provide our season ticket holders with a better experience. Also, all non-reserved seating will now be General Admission seating. The USD student section is now located in the east endzone. The End Zone Grill is located near the south side of the endzone and will provide Torero fans with exceptional food from the Johnsonville product line. Ticket prices are $10 reserved, $ 8 general admission adult and $6 general admission for children.
