GALLERY Sept. 5, 2009
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(Glendora, CA) - The USD Toreros (1-0) defeated Azusa Pacific 24-12 in their 2009 season opener with some physical defense and a balanced offensive attack. The game was played at Citrus Stadium to accomodate a Cougar record crowd of 5,124. The season opening win was USD's fifth straight, and head coach Ron Caragher's third. The Toreros totaled 291 yards of offense with 190 coming on the ground and 101 yards through the air. The Torero defense held the Cougars (0-2) to just 12 rushing yards on 23 attempts.
"I was pleased with our physicality of being able to run the football and defend the rushing game," said head coach Ron Caragher. "We were able to move the chains, and it was definitely a physical game up front. We have a very good defense this year, and I know we can improve in some areas on offense and be a good football team. JT (Rogan) gave us a big boost to the game. He really energized our offense."
After a scoreless first quarter, USD got on the scoreboard first as captain JT Rogan scored on a 2-yard rush with 8:34 left in the first half. That culminated an 8-play, 51 yard drive for the Toreros. Sophomore WR John McGough hauled in a 11-yard reception from QB Sebastian Trujillo with 3:28 left to put the Toreros up 14-0. Azusa's Ben Hansen connected on a 22-yard field goal with two ticks left before intermission for a 14-3 halftime score.
After a scoreless third period, APU's Hansen connected on a 41-yarder to pull the Cougars to within 14-6. First year Torero Stanley Shurson answered with a 48-yard field goal with 10:29 to go to increase USD's lead to 17-6. His 48-yard ties USD's mark for 4th longest field goal in program history. With 2:49 to go, USD's Godfrey Smith juggled a Trujillo pass in the far right corner of the endzone and pulled it in for a 24-6 advantage. APU's Mark Berry picked up a Torero fumble and bolted 64 yards for a TD with under a minute left.
USD's balanced rushing attack was paced by Phil Morelli who netted 82 yards on 19 carries, all in the 2nd half. JT Rogan was solid gaining 50 yards on 7 carries, including his 2-yard score. Matt Jelmini (43 yards) and Brendan Feliczak (27 yards) also looked good. Smith (4 receptions for 62 yards, 1 TD) and McGough (2 catches for 31 yards, 1 TD) were Trujillo's main targets. Trujillo finished 8-for-12 for 101 yards and 2 TDs.
Defensively the Toreros were paced by strong safety Derek Pilkington (8 tackles), LB Loka Kanongataa (7 stops, 1 QB sack, 1 fumble recovery) and DE Kevin Dunn (6 tackles). The Toreros continue their road slate with a game at Northern Colorado on September 12th.