Sept. 16, 2006

Box Score

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - The University of San Diego football team (3-0) will return to the west coast with a victory after rolling past the Yale Bulldogs (0-1) by a score of 43-17 in Yale's home opener at the Yale Bowl Saturday afternoon. With the win, San Diego increases their win streak to 11 in a row which is currently the longest win streak among all I-AA programs and one game shy of tying a school record.

"It was execution and play making that made the difference today," head coach Jim Harbaugh said. "That was our game plan going into the game. It was a dominating performance by our football team."

The first drive of the game by Yale was interrupted by the San Diego defense when Torero defensive end Jonathan Espe forced Yale running back Mike McLeod to fumble which was recovered by defensive back Pat O' Neill at San Diego's 40 yard line. The Torero offense took full advantage marching 60 yards in nine plays and scoring on a 20-yard pass from quarterback Josh Johnson to wide receiver Wes Doyle in the end zone. Kicker Hutch Parker's point after was good for a 7-0 lead.

Both teams attempted to drive for the end zone but it was San Diego who, early in the second quarter, added to their lead. Johnson rushed for 46 yards on a quarterback keeper right into the end zone with 11:14 remaining the second quarter for a 13-0 lead.

The Bulldogs quickly responded during the kickoff by Hutch Parker who kicked the ball to Yale return man Steven Santoro oh his six yard line. Santoro ran the length of the field to score cutting San Diego's lead 13-7 after the point after was good.

San Diego answered right back on the next drive when from the Yale two yard line JT Rogan rushed through the Bulldog defense into the end zone ending a 12 play, 72 yard drive taking a 20-7 lead.

Yale's next drive ended at their own 47 yard line where they turned it over to San Diego with 1:53 remaining in the second quarter. USD drove 37 yards in eight plays bringing them within field goal range. Parker's 27 yard field goal was good lifting the Toreros to a 23-7 lead.

With 33 seconds remaining in the half, Yale from their own 28 yard line marched down the field starting with a 24 yard completion from quarterback Matt Polhemus to wide receiver Chandler Henley crossing into San Diego territory. Polhemus kept the ball himself rushing for 17 yards to the Torero 31 yard line. With five seconds remaining before halftime, field goal kicker Alan Kimball came in and kicked a 48 yard field goal cutting the Torero lead 23-10.

Returning from halftime, San Diego picked up where they left off as they received the kickoff from Yale starting the drive at their own 25 yard line. Three plays into the drive, Johnson completed a 57 yard pass to Doyle for a touchdown increasing their lead 29-10 in three plays for 75 yards.

However the Bulldogs would no go quietly as they answered with a 43 yard pass from Polhemus to McLeod cutting their deficit 29-17. The Bulldog drive went seven plays for 67 yards.

San Diego took control of the game from here on out as they scored 14 unanswered points. The next touchdown came near the end of the third quarter as Johnson connected with tight end Mitch Ryan on a three yard pass breaking away 36-17. The Toreros drive was 77 yards for eight plays. San Diego's final touchdown came when Johnson connected again with Doyle capping an eight play 77 yard drive and sealing the victory 43-17.

For the Toreros offense, Josh Johnson passed for 345 yards with 28 completions on 35 attempts, no interceptions and four touchdowns. Wide receiver Wes Doyle finished with eight receptions for 190 yards and three touchdowns (20, 57 & 15 yards). A lot of his yardage came after the catch where he made some incredible moves to break free from Yale defenders. JT Rogan totaled 23 rushes for 102 yards with one touchdown, a 2-yard burst with 5:13 left in the second period.

"We just have a great team," Harbaugh said. "Josh Johnson is the best quarterback in 1-AA football and he is definitely a play maker. Our entire defense played and executed well."

Defensively for San Diego, Kyson Hawkins had five solo tackles and three assists. Tyler Evans had six solo tackles and one assist. Eric Bakhtiari had four solo tackles, while Jonathan Espe had three tackles with one sack, a forced fumble and tipped pass. It was Espe's big hit on Yale's opening drive that forced a fumble that was recovered by Patrick O'Neill at midfield. USD would answer with their first score just over 3 minutes later when Johnson found Doyle for the 20-yard TD play.

"Our front four made great plays stopping the Bulldog's running game," Kyson Hawkins said. "Our line backers and defensive secondary were able to make the coverage plays we needed to stop Yale's offense."

San Diego has a bye week on September 23 and will return to action on September 30 going to Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina where they will take on the Wildcats. Kickoff is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. pacific standard time.