Dec. 2, 2006

Final Stats

(West Long Branch, NJ) - For the second straight year the USD football team is the Mid-Major National Champion after they defeated 2nd-ranked Monmouth University today 27-7 in the inaugural Gridiron Classic. The Torero defense held the Hawks to just one score, while the offense generated 324 yards of offense. Eric Bakhtiari and Ben Hannula led the defensive effort, while Josh Johnson orchestrated the Torero offensive efforts. Bakhtiari had a monster game, finishing with 9 tackles (6 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss (-22 yards) and 3 quarterback sacks (-17 yards). Hannula pulled in two interceptions to stop Hawk drives, including a 37-yard interception return for a TD for the game's first score. The Toreros finish the season with an 11-1 record, and will be awarded the Sports Network Cup on December 14th in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

"I told the team after the game how proud I was of them," said head coach Jim Harbaugh. "This is the best USD football team in the history of the program. They went 7-0 in the PFL, played its toughest schedule, knocked off the 2nd ranked team in today Gridiron Classic, and were ranked as high as No. 14 in the national polls."

After Hannula's interception return gave the Toreros a 7-0 lead, JT Rogan busted in for two touchdown runs of 5 and 4 yards in the 2nd quarter to give the team a 19-0 intermission lead. Monmouth got back in the game in the 3rd quarter when David Sinisi scored from 1-yard out with 8:11 to go. The defense for both teams made the big plays throughout most of the 2nd half, but USD was able to add one last score on a Brendan Feliczak 3-yard score with 3:29 to go to ice the game.

Despite battling fierce winds, Josh Johnson was able to complete 18-of-30 passes for 180 yards. He also led the Torero ground attack with 104 yards rushing on 13 carries and was named the game's Most Valuable Player in post-game ceremonies. John Matthews hauled in 5 receptions for 71 yards, and was followed by Wes Doyle with 4 catches for 53 yards. Besides Bakhtiari and Hannula, the Torero defense was paced by Josh Brisco (6 tackles), Tyler Evans (5 stops) and Hanner Hart (5 tackles).

Monmouth, the Northest Conference champions, were led by QB Brian Boland (14-24 for 145 yards), RB David Sinisi (38 yards, 1 TD), WR Chris Kiley (5 catches for 51 yards) and LB Mike Castellano (13 tackles).