Oct. 21, 2006
Final Stats
(Des Moines, IA) - In a pivotal PFL contest between the No. 1 mid-major San Diego Toreros (7-0; 4-0 PFL) and No. 2 Drake Bulldogs (6-2; 3-1), the visiting Toreros dealt the Bulldogs a 37-0 loss before 5,263 fans at Drake Stadium. The Torero defense limited Drake to 200 yards of offense, and dealt them their first home shutout since 1991. The 21st-ranked Toreros, winners of 15 straight games, totaled 513 yards of offense. Sophomore running back JT Rogan sparked the offense by totaling 173 yards of rushing with a 4-yard TD run, and Wes Doyle added 7 receptions for 141 yards and a score. Drake's Scott Phaydavong, who came into the game averaging 152 yards rushing per game, was limited to just 51 yards on 19 attempts.
"We got a lot of big performances tonight, starting with the defense," said head coach Jim Harbaugh. "And offensively JT Rogan had a huge game, as did Josh Johnson and Wes Doyle. Our offensive line created big running lanes all night. Tonight we loaded our defense up front and made them pass the ball, and our back (Rogan) outplayed their running back tonight. We are proving week in and week out that this is a really good football team."
Rogan directed USD to a 17-0 halftime lead as he rushed for 111 yards on 13 carries in the first 20 minutes, including a 4-yard TD run around the right side. USD's first score was by Jon Polk who rushed in from 3 yards with 9:21left in the 1st period, culminating a 7-play, 52 yard drive. Hutch Parker nailed a 38-yard field goal with 7:40 left in the 2nd quarter to make it 10-0, and Rogan's TD came with just 1:10 left in the half. The Torero defense, ranked No. 1 in the nation, held Drake to just 60 yards of offense with RB Scott Phaydavong totaling 27 yards on the ground on 11 carries.
Drake had a chance to score early in the 4th period, but Josh Brisco came up with a big hit that forced a fumble; then on a 4th down play, knocked down the pass in the left corner of the endzone. USD added a late score when Johnson (19-of-27 for 287 yards) threw deep and connected with WR Wes Doyle for a 64-yard TD to put a final stamp on the contest.
The Toreros return home next Saturday to face Morehead State in a 4:05 p.m. contest at Torero Stadium.
