SAN DIEGO - Behind 13 unanswered points and a strong defensive showing, San Diego football (1-4, 1-1 PFL) outlasted St. Thomas (2-2, 1-1 PFL) at Torero Stadium, 27-24.

Earning his first career start at USD, quarterback Judd Erickson found wide receiver Christian Brown for a 37-yard pass early in the first quarter. The duo connected again later on the drive for a six-yard touchdown to give San Diego a 7-0 lead. Late in the first frame, safety Michael Hawkins thwarted a fake field goal attempt to keep the Tommies off the board. 

St. Thomas scored back-to-back touchdowns to take the lead, including an interception return late in the first and a 31-yard touchdown pass early in the second. The Toreros answered less than two minutes later, as Erickson launched a 30-yard touchdown pass down the left sideline to wide receiver Michael Carner. Safety Hunter Nichols secured interceptions on back-to-back drives late in the second quarter, and the teams went into halftime locked at 14-14. 

A 44-yard field goal and another interception return put St. Thomas back in front in the third quarter, 24-14. On San Diego's next offensive drive, the Tommies came up with their third interception and returned it to USD's five-yard line. The Toreros defense allowed just four yards on three consecutive runs, then forced a turnover on downs with a sack from defensive tackle Will Buck and safety Maverick Martin to keep the deficit at 10. 

With 4:12 remaining in the third quarter, kicker Brandon Eickert connected on a 27-yard field goal to make it a one-score contest. In the biggest defensive play of the game, Kama Kamaka ripped the ball from the running back, recovered the fumble, and ran it back 38 yards for a touchdown to tie the game at 24. 

After six scoreless drives in the fourth quarter, running back Terrence Smith dashed for 63 yards to set up USD at the opponent's 17-yard line. Eickert later knocked in a 31-yard field goal to put the Toreros in front, 27-24. 

The defense produced another two sacks on the next St. Thomas offensive drive, the first a combination between Buck and Muhindo Kapapa and the next from linebacker Jagger Pagano. Cornerback Amir Wallace later broke up a fourth-and-16 pass to seal the win.

Quarterback Mason Randall ended with 117 passing yards after entering in the second half. Carner led all receivers with 110 yards on six catches. Smith rushed 14 total times for 83 yards, compiling an average of 5.9 yards per rush.

Defensively, Hawkins led the team with 11 total tackles, including 2.5 for a loss in addition to two pass breakups. With two today, Nichols increased his career interception total to six. Kamaka forced the fifth fumble of his career and scored his first touchdown.

USD returns to the gridiron next Saturday, October 9 at Butler. Kickoff is scheduled for 9:00 AM PST.