ST. PAUL, MN – In an offensive battle, the University of San Diego football team (3-4, 2-2 PFL) was edged at St. Thomas (7-1, 5-0 PFL), 49-42.
 
Graduate quarterback Judd Erickson completed 33-of-49 pass attempts for a career-high 361 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions.
 
All-purpose threat Re-al Mitchell caught nine passes and rushed four times for 209 total yards and two touchdowns.
 
Sophomore wide receiver Vance Jefferson caught six passes for 35 yards and a touchdown, and also threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Ja'seem Reed in the second quarter. Wide receiver Michael Carner ended with eight catches, 96 yards, and a touchdown in the loss.
 
Graduate defensive lineman Mykee Irving led the defense with 10 total tackles, while fellow linemen Will Buck and Jacob Saewitz each added a sack.
 
USD drops to 3-4 (2-2 PFL) on the season, and will return home to face Butler next Saturday.   
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• On the first drive of the game, the San Diego defense stacked the box and came up with a stop on fourth-and-1.
• After USD was forced to punt on its first drive, Ruben Lopez jumped on a fumble. Isaiah Smith immediately followed with a three-yard touchdown run to the left side.
• St. Thomas answered on the next drive with a 75-yard touchdown pass, tying the game at 7-7 with 8:23 left in the first.
• Sacks from Buck and Saewitz forced the Tommies to punt with the first quarter winding down.
• Erickson's 13-yard pass to Mitchell and 17-yard strike to Reed set up USD deep in St. Thomas territory. On the first play of the second quarter, Erickson threw it up to Jefferson in the back of the end zone for a one-yard touchdown and the 14-7 advantage.
• On the following drive, St. Thomas was successful on a double pass and tied the game with a 36-yard touchdown.
• Eric Haney picked up a rolling punt at the USD 9, and evaded multiple defenders during a spectacular 74-yard return. USD later missed a 35-yard field goal attempt.
• With just over five minutes to play in the second quarter, Jerry Riggins blocked a St. Thomas punt that was downed at the opponent 4. On a third-and-5, Jefferson took an end around from Mitchell, evaded a defender, and threw a dart to Reed in the end zone for the 21-14 lead.
• After the kickoff, St. Thomas instantly tied the game again with a 70-yard rushing touchdown. At halftime, the game was locked at 21-21.
• On USD's first possession of the second half, Erickson stood tall in the pocket and delivered a perfect throw while being hit to Mitchell down the right sideline. He broke free from the defender and sprinted to the end zone for a 73-yard touchdown.
• The Tommies quickly answered once again, taking the kickoff 95 yards to make it 28-28. On its next offensive possession, WR Andrew McElroy struck again with a 57-yard touchdown catch. St. Thomas led 35-28 with 8:41 left in the third.
• On a designed run, Mitchell dashed up the middle and broke multiple tackles during a 53-yard touchdown to lock the game at 35-35.
• On the first play of the fourth quarter, St. Thomas quarterback Cade Sexauer rushed for a 14-yard touchdown. With 7:30 left in the game, the Tommies extended their lead to 49-35 with a 41-yard touchdown pass.
• San Diego registered an eight play, 79-yard drive in 3:33 to cut the deficit to 49-42. Carner grabbed a 17-yard touchdown over multiple defenders with 3:50 left.
• USD got the ball back with 55 seconds left on its own 27 and no timeouts. The Toreros drove down to the St. Thomas 37, but turned it over on downs.

 
TORERO TIDBITS

• Over the last two games, Erickson is 59-89 (66.3%) for 652 passing yards, six touchdowns, and no interceptions.
• Mitchell continues to be a triple threat this season as a passer (8-10, 88 yards, 3 TD), rusher (44 attempts, 202 yards, 2 TD), and receiver (9 catches, 147 yards, 1 TD).
• Jefferson notched his seventh total touchdown of the season. As a receiver, he has 82 catches for 961 yards and eight touchdowns in 18 career games. As a passer, he is 2-2 for 39 yards and two touchdowns this year.
• In two career games against St. Thomas, Carner has 14 receptions for 206 yards and two touchdowns.
• The teams combined for 91 points and 942 yards.
• Smith leads USD with three rushing touchdowns this season.
• Reed ranks third on the team with 22 catches and 243 receiving yards, and tied for second with three receiving touchdowns.
• Saewitz leads the team and PFL with 11 tackles for loss.
• St. Thomas has won 37 straight regular season home games.

 
UP NEXT
San Diego will host Butler next Saturday, November 5 at 1:00 PM. The Toreros hold a 21-5 lead in the all-time series, including nine straight wins and 16 of the last 17. Last season, USD won 52-21 after outscoring the Bulldogs 38-7 in the second half.