SAN DIEGO – San Diego opens its 2018 season when it plays host to Western New Mexico on Saturday at 2 p.m. (PT) at Walter J. Zable Field at Torero Stadium.
 
The Toreros return to action after a stellar 2017 campaign that included the team's sixth Pioneer Football League title in the past seventh year and a trip to the FCS Playoff second round for the second consecutive season.
 
A free live stream and live statistics will be available via USDToreros.com.
 
TOREROS IN 2018
• USD begins its 56th season of play, and 26th season as a member of the Pioneer Football League in 2018. The Toreros own the second-most PFL titles with nine (Dayton leads with 12) and have won six of the past seven PFL championships (2017, 2016, 2015c, 2014, 2012c, 2011c) and nine overall when adding in titles from 2007c, 2006, 2005.
 
COACH LINDSEY BEGINS SIXTH SEASON
• Over the past five years under head coach Dale Lindsey, the Toreros are 27-2 overall in home games at Torero Stadium, including a perfect 5-0 mark this past season. Lindsey has yet to drop a home PFL contest in four seasons (20-0 record).
 
TEAM CAPTAINS
• Daniel Cooney (OL), Anthony Lawrence (QB) and Marcus Vaivao (LB) were selected as the team captains for 2018.
 
ALL-TIME SERIES AGAINST WESTERN NEW MEXICO
• USD is 7-0 all-time against WNMU, with all seven victories coming in the Toreros home opener (34-20 in 2017; 27-0 in 2016; 45-21 in 2015; 23-17 in 2014; 38-35 in 2013; 34-27 in 2012; 30-10 in 2011).
 
• In last year's matchup, Anthony Lawrence passed for 187 yards and two touchdowns, and Emilio Martinez rushed for 96 yards on 17 carries with one touchdown.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
• The Toreros head to Davis, California, on Sept. 8 for a week two matchup against UC Davis at 7 p.m. at Aggie Stadium. UC Davis opens their 2018 season on the road this Thursday at San Jose State. The Aggies were 5-6 overall and 2-5 in the Big Sky in 2017.
 
OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK
• STATS FCS Walter Payton Award Watch List selection, Anthony Lawrence, will lead the offense at quarterback for the fourth straight season. He will be protected by two-time All-American, Daniel Cooney on the offensive line.
 
• The Toreros are stacked in the backfield with a group of backs that feature a healthy mix of speed and power. Emilio Martinez returns after a breakout freshman campaign in which he led the team with 1,051 yards rushing and averaged 5.3 yards per carry. He racked up 10 touchdowns while averaging 79.5 yards per game.
 
•  Jojo Binda Jr. averaged 4.5 yards per carry and found the end zone six times. The Toreros also add sophomore transfer, Terrence Smith, to the mix who showcased breakaway speed during USD's spring scrimmage.
 
•  The Toreros lost their top two receivers from a year ago, Justin Priest and Ross Dwelley, to graduation but USD returns a group of talented pass-catchers with plenty of experience. Michael Bandy is the leading returning receiver, averaging 14.7 yards per catch with a pair of touchdowns.
 
DEFENSIVE OUTLOOK
• The Toreros have a big hole to fill up front with the graduation of the FCS all-time sack leader, Jonathan Petersen. All-PFL honorable mention, Connor Spencer, was second last year with 3.5 sacks and had 5.0 tackles for loss.
 
• Linebackers KJ Mahoney and Marcus Vaivao will solidify the middle of the field. Mahoney was third on the team last season with 74 tackles, including 37 solo takedowns, to go along with two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. Vaivao was fifth on the team with 55 tackles.
 
LAWRENCE SELECTED TO WALTER PAYTON AWARD WATCH LIST
• Anthony Lawrence was one of 25 players named to the STATS FCS Walter Payton Award Watch List, which is considered the Heisman of the FCS. It is the second consecutive year Lawrence has received preseason recognition for the award.
 
PRESEASON HONORS CONTINUE FOR LAWRENCE
• Lawrence was named to the College Football Performance Awards 2018 FCS National Performer of the Year Trophy Watch List. Lawrence is one of 36 FCS players named to the watch list with the winner being announced on Jan. 9, 2019.
 
LAWRENCE APPROACHES ALL-TIME PASSING RECORDS
• Lawrence ranks among the top quarterbacks in Torero history in the following career categories.
Passing Yards • 3rd, 8,521
Passing Attempts • 3rd, 1,033
Passing Completions • 3rd, 512
Completion Percentage • 3rd, .657
Efficiency Rating • 3rd, 157.6
Touchdown Passes • 3rd, 81
Total Offense • 3rd, 8,500
 
COONEY EARNS SECOND ALL-AMERICA HONOR
• Daniel Cooney (OL) was named a 2017 AFCA Football Championship Subdivision Coaches All-America second team selection. It was the second consecutive season Cooney earned second team honors. The honor highlighted standout season for Cooney who also earned All-PFL first team recognition.
 
FOUR TOREROS EARN PRESEASON PFL HONORS
• Anthony Lawrence (QB), Zach Nelson (FB) and Daniel Cooney (OL) were named to the offensive team, while Connor Spencer (DL) represented the Toreros on the defensive side of the ball.
 
TOREROS FAVORITE IN PFL FOR EIGHTH STRAIGHT SEASON
• San Diego was selected to finish first in the Pioneer Football League Preseason Coaches Poll for the eighth consecutive season.
 
• USD was selected to finish first with 81 points, followed by Dayton with 72 points. Drake was selected to finish third, followed by Butler and Valparaiso (48-point tie), Jacksonville (47 points), Marist (44), Morehead State (22), Stetson (19) and Davidson (11).
 
OVER A DECADE OF DOMINANCE
• Over the past 13 seasons (2005-2017) the Toreros have combined for an overall record of 111-37 (.750), and a PFL mark of 75-15 (.833). USD's overall home record since the start of the 2005 campaign is 67-10 (.870).
 
• Including the last five home wins of the 2004 campaign, the Toreros strung together a school record 28 straight home victories (2004-08).
 
TOREROS ADD DAVID VELLON
•- David, a nine-year-old from Poway, California, will be joining the Toreros as part of TeamIMPACT, a national nonprofit that matches children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses with college sports teams to foster confidence, optimism and a sense of belonging.
 
• David signed his commitment letter during a post-practice press conference held on the field in front of his family, USD Alumni and new teammates. Remarks were made by athletics director, Bill McGillis.
 
• Throughout the season David will be with the Toreros and with team advocates, Daniel Cooney, Bryan Doyle, Tanner Wilkey, Victor Lopez and Zach Nelson.
 
2017 ALL-PFL SELECTIONS
• Anthony Lawrence (QB) was named the PFL Offensive Player of the Year and Jonathan Petersen (DL) earned PFL Defensive Player of the Year honors.
 
• The Toreros had 19 players earn All-PFL honors in 2017. All-PFL returners include first-team selections Lawrence, Zach Nelson (FB) and Daniel Cooney (OL). Emilio Martinez (RB) was a second-team selection, while KJ Mahoney (LB), Connor Spencer (DL) and Marcus Vaivao (LB) earned honorable mention accolades.
 
2017 FCS ATHLETICS DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION ACADEMIC ALL-STARS
• Anthony Lawrence and Max Michaels were named to the 49-member FCS ADA Academic All-Star Team. Each of the nominees were required to have a minimum grade point average of 3.20 (on a 4.00 scale) in undergraduate study and have been a starter or key player with legitimate athletics credentials. Schools are limited to two nominations each year, and San Diego was one of just 10 institutions to have both of their student-athletes named.
 
WINNING IN THE CLASSROOM
• USD had 52 players named to the PFL Academic Honor Roll in 2017. The academic honor roll consists of student-athletes who participated in football at member institutions during the fall semester and posted a 3.0 grade-point average or higher during the semester
 
COACHING STAFF RELOADS
• The Toreros had some movement and shuffling among its coaching staff as three coaches departed. USD offensive coordinator, Tanner Engstrand, took a position at Michigan, defensive coordinator Steve Irvin went to UNLV, and tight ends and special teams coach Ronnie Pentz went to New Mexico State.
 
• Offensive line coach Jim Jackson and former receivers coach Christian Taylor have been elevated to co-offensive coordinators. Secondary coach Bobby Jay has been promoted to defensive coordinator.
 
• The Toreros added three new assistants, including Joe Staab (nickelbacks), Cory White (tight ends) and Taylor Chapatte (wide receivers).
 
TICKETS
• Season tickets can be purchased at the following prices - $60-75 (plus a per-account contribution) for reserved seating, $50 (faculty/staff), and a promotional offer of $40 (plus a per-account contribution) for recent USD graduates within last five years.
 
• Single game ticket prices for football include the following: reserved seating ($25), general admission ($10 adult, $5 children). USD faculty and staff receive up to four free general admission tickets (available upon request).
 
• The Toreros provide an excellent Family Four Pack for $48; this comes with four general admission tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas and one popcorn. Group tickets for general admission are $7 (10 to 19 people), and $5 for groups of 20 or more. Additionally, all military personnel (with proper ID) can receive a complimentary ticket for all Torero home games (excluding premium games).