Sept. 6, 2008
Final Stats
SAN DIEGO, CA- The USD Toreros (2-0) defeated Azusa Pacific (0-2) 38-10 this evening at Torero Stadium before 3,261 fans. The win improves USD's home winning streak to a NCAA Division I best 26 games. Junior quarterback Sebastian Trujillo threw for 364 yards and 4 touchdowns, and senior wide receiver John Matthews hauled in 10 receptions for 231 yards and 3 scores. The Toreros defense put the clamps on the APU Cougars limiting them to 95 yards rushing and 274 yards of offense. The Toreros have a bye next week before opening PFL play on the road at Campbell (Sept. 20th).
"I was pleased with how Sebastian (Trujillo) has progressed from last week to this week," said head coach Ron Caragher. " I thought he made smart decisions tonight. He took advantage of what the defense gave us tonight, which was a good press man-to-man, and I thought he handled that very well and got the ball into the hands of our receivers. He just did a great job and played smart."
USD got on the scoreboard first and finished out the opening quarter with a 10-0 lead. The Toreros put together a 16-play, 90-yard drive that was capped off with an 8-yard touchdown pass from Seb Trujillo to senior TE Mitch Ryan with 4:48 to go. Kicker James Cullen converted on a 44-yard field goal with 2:58 to go for the 10-point lead.
The Cougars pulled to within three points at 10-7 with 8:44 left in the 1st half with Michael Van Gorden hauling a 6-yard TD pass from QB Rodney Trimm. USD answered with back-to-back touchdowns from Trujillo to senior WR John Matthews for 4 and 33 yards that gave USD a 24-7 intermission lead. At halftime, Matthews had 8 receptions for two scores and 136 yards.
In the second half, Nick Coppedge busted in from 3 yards for the game's only third quarter score at the 1:16 mark. In the 4th, Matthews hauled in his third touchdown, this time from 52 yards out that put the game out of reach. APU's Ben Hansen would connect on a 38-yard field goal with 7:34 to go for the final 38-10 tally.
For the game, Matthews would finish with 10 receptions for 231 yards and 3 scores. Trujillo connected on 20-of-35 passes for his 364 yards passing and 4 touchdowns. The Torero running attack was paced by Phil Morelli with 14 rushes for 52 yards. The Torero offensive line unit played well throughout, giving Trujillo plenty of time for his passes, and opening up some nice holes for the Torero backs.
The Torero defense was solid all night. Thirteen different Toreros chipped in with three or more tackles. Leading the way was a trio of reserves with 5 tackles each - Mario Kurn, Joe Staab and Jordan Sinclair. Freshman Loka Kanongataa chipped in with 4 stops, on pass break-up and one interception which he returned for 15 yards. Sophomore Paul Tremblay, getting the start at defensive tackle, totaled 4 stops with 3 solo tackles.
USD's next home game isn't until October 4th when they host Valparaiso in the Toreros' homecoming game (2 pm).
