Oct. 25, 2008
Final Stats
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - San Diego battled back in the third quarter from a 17-3 halftime deficit and in control of a 29-27 lead with 2:24 left in the game until Jacksonville's special teams kicked a 50 yard field goal to defeat the Toreros 30-29 Saturday afternoon at D.B. Milne Field. San Diego falls to 6-1 overall and 4-1 in the PFL while Jacksonville improves to 5-3 overall and 3-1 in the PFL.
San Diego fell behind in the first half 17-3, the first time the Toreros have not held a lead going into halftime this season. After alternating possession six times early in the first quarter, Jacksonville scored first taking a 7-0 lead with 5:45 remaining.
On the next drive, San Diego went four and out having to punt the ball away. Jacksonville marched down the field scoring on a 22 yard field goal to end the first quarter to take a 10-0 lead.
USD scored a field goal in the middle of the second quarter. The Toreros started the nine play drive from their own 33 yardline getting to the Dolphin six yardline where they were forced to kick a field goal which was good from 22 yards by John McSorley making it 3-10.
The Dolphins scored their third touchdown with 38 seconds left in the half on a Josh McGregor 10 yard pass to Rodney Sumter. The extra point good by Donovan Curry to make it 17-3 at the half.
Freshman Taylor Wright started the second half with a 59 yard return to Jacksonville's 31 yardline. The Toreros capitalized with a 9 yard touchdown pass from Sebastian Trujillo to John Matthews cutting the Jacksonville lead 17-10.
The ensuing drive by Jacksonville lead to them punting which put the Toreros on their own 23 yardline. San Diego marched down the field and scored on a 51 yard pass from Trujillo to Matthews again, but could not tie the game as the point after attempt was blocked leaving the score 16-17.
Jacksonville again was forced to punt the ball on fourth and five from USD's 49 yardline turning the ball over back to USD. From USD's 22 yardline, Trujillo again lead the team with an aerial assault finally connecting with wide receiver Ben Hanula on a 15 yard pass as San Diego captured the lead 23-17.
The Dolphins cut the lead with 11:04 remaining in the fourth quarter on a Donovan Curry field goal from 26 yards to bring Jacksonville within three, 20-23.
The Toreros responded with a 67 yard drive ending with a pass from Trujilo to sophomore Godfrey Smith from four yards out extending San Diego's lead to 29-20.
However, Jacksonville would not go quietly as second string quarterback Erik Stepelton lead the Dolphins back into Torero territory to complete a 22 yard pass to Rudel Small in the endzone and cutting USD's lead to two points, 29-27. The following drive by San Diego lead to a holding penalty putting them at 1-18 on their own 13 yardline. The Toreros were unable to break through for a first down and were forced to punt giving Jacksonville possession on the San Diego 37 yardline. The Dolphins were unable to push the ball further than San Diego's 34 yardline during the drive and had to kick a field goal which was good from 50 yards out defeating USD 30-29.
Sebastian Trujillo completed 23 passes for 278 yards of total offense and four touchdown passes. Phil Morelli rushed 19 times for 64 yards. John Matthews hand nine completions for 144 yards and two touchdown receptions. Loka Kanongataa had eight solo tackles, four of which were tackles for loss totaling 20 yards, and two sacks totaling 15 yards.
The football team returns home on November first for more Pioneer Football League action when they face the Dayton Flyers at 6:00 p.m. at Torero Stadium.
