Sept. 21, 2013
Final Stats
(San Diego, Calif.) - The USD Toreros (1-2) dropped a hard-fought 42-20 decision to the visiting Harvard Crimson (1-0). Harvard made the most of their first trip to California since 1949 as they totaled 472 yards of offense, including 345 in the air. The Toreros battled in the first half and found themselves down just 14-13, but for the second straight year surrendered 21 fourth quarter points. A couple of key turnovers by the Toreros in the game played a key role in the outcome.
USD finished the game with 390 yards of offense, with 293 coming through the air. Mason Mills completed 27-of-46 passes for 293 yards and 1 score. His favorite target was Reggie Bell who hauled in 7 balls for 101 yards and the lone score thru the air, a 12-yarder in the fourth period that made the score 35-20 with 7:27 to go. Kenn James led the Torero ground attack with 68 yards on 13 carries. From special teams, David Last converted both of is field goals (22 & 30 yards) and freshman punter Ryan Belden averaged 46.2 yards on 5 punts. Safety Matt Miller paced the defense with 8 tackles (6 solo).
Harvard jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter when Mills fumbled the ball away as he was scrambling in the backfield from pressure. Crimson DE Zach Hodges picked up the fumble and raced 53 yards for the game's opening score. Early in the 2nd quarter USD pulled to within 7-3 on a 22-yard field goal by David Last. Harvard answered with a 10-play, 64-yard drive over the next four minutes to go up 14-3.
From there USD strung together their own impressive drive as they marched 75 yards on 11 plays over the next 5:20 that culminated with fullback Montell Allen blasting in from the 1-yard line. The Torero defense stopped the Crimson on their next series when punter David Bicknell couldn't handle the snap and then scooped up the ball and fumbled it out-of-bounds at their own 29-yard line. USD took advantage of the miscue and responded with a David Last 30-yard field goal just before intermission. The field goal was set up by back-to-back pass completions from Mills to Cole Naone of 6 and 12 yards.
In the second half Harvard came out with QB Conner Hempel completing 5-of-6 passes for 75 yards with the last one going to Andrew Fischer for a 10-yard score and 21-13 lead. After the Toreros punted away on their next series, Harvard was marching downfield again. It looked like they were going to score again as Hempel completed a 52-yard pass to Seitu Smith, but CB Yogi Hale forced a fumble just before the goal line and the ball skirted out the back of the end zone for a touchback.
USD answered with a solid drive, taking the ball 79 yards down to the Harvard 1-yard line, but running back Joe Ferguson went airborne on a 2nd-and-goal and had the ball knocked loose by Joshua Boyd with Zach Hodges recovering. The third period ended at 21-13. In the final period Hempel threw three touchdowns while USD only managed one for the final 42-20 score.
Offensively for Harvard, Hempel finished 25-of-34 for 345 yards and 4 touchdowns. Andrew Fischer and Ricky Zorn each hauled in 6 passes. Running back Paul Stanton gave the Torero defense fits as he darted for 64 yards and a score on just 6 carries. Defensively the Crimson was paced by junior DB Norman Hayes (12 stops & 1 interception).
USD opens up PFL play next Saturday against Stetson University. The game can be heard at www.usdtoreros.com with Jack Cronin calling the action.
