isaiah williams at stetson
47
Winner San Diego USD 4-7 , 4-4
20
Stetson STE 3-8 , 1-7
Winner
San Diego USD
4-7 , 4-4
47
Final
20
Stetson STE
3-8 , 1-7
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
USD San Diego 7 10 9 21 47
STE Stetson 0 7 6 7 20

Game Recap: Football |

Seniors Shine in Football Finale at Stetson

Toreros take down Hatters by a 47-20 margin on Saturday at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium

DELAND, FL — San Diego football (4-7, 4-4 PFL) finished its 2023 campaign on a high note on Saturday, defeating Stetson (3-8, 1-7 PFL) by a 47-20 margin at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium.

The USD offense was headlined by graduate student Re-al Mitchell, who hauled two receiving touchdowns and one rushing touchdown. 

Senior Zamir Wallace led the way for the Torero defense with two interceptions, one of which he returned all the way for a pick-six.

HOW IT HAPPENED
  • An interception from Zamir Wallace on a jumped screen pass allowed the Toreros to get on the board early with a 29-yard pick-six.
  • As the first period of play came to a close, a five-yard rush from San Diego running back Isaiah Williams doubled the Torero lead, moving the score to 14-0. 
  • Stetson responded quickly with a 39-yard quarterback keeper from Brady Meitz, but an impressive redzone stand for the Torero defense forced the Hatters to settle for a 32 yard field-goal attempt, which they missed.
  • The Hatters returned the favor and held San Diego to a field goal attempt on its next possession but the Toreros were able to score, taking a 17-0 lead after kicker Aidan Lehman converted from 21 yards out with five minutes remaining in the second quarter.
  • Stetson wide receiver Ronnel Johnson hauled in a 62-yard touchdown pass to get the Hatters on the board to end the first half, sending the Toreros to halftime leading 17-7.
  • San Diego opened up the third quarter by fumbling deep in its own territory with, which set Stetson up for a 19-yard touchdown pass. A missed point after left the score at 17-13 in favor of the Toreros.
  • After Stetson kept San Diego off the board with a fourth-down stand, the Torero defense helped USD add on later in the third quarter when safety Nick Murray blitzed Hatter quarterback Brady Meitz and forced a fumble. Linebacker Garrett Carney was there to recover the turnover, giving San Diego the ball back on the Stetson eight-yard line. 
  • USD immediately capitalized on the turnover after sophomore quarterback Nathan Brown found Re-al Mitchell on an out-route in the endzone for a six-yard touchdown.
  • A safety on the following drive tacked on an extra two points for the Toreros, moving the score to 26-13 in favor of the away team.
  • A 29-yard pass to wide receiver Josh Heverly was the highlight of USD's next drive, which was capped off by a six-yard touchdown run on a direct snap to Mitchell, pushing the score to 33-13, USD.
  • Stetson's ensuing possession was halted by yet another interception from Zamir Wallace, adding to his career afternoon. 
  • The Toreros again capitalized after the turnover, with Brown again finding Mitchell in the endzone for a 12-yard touchdown pass that marked his third score of the day. After extra point from Lehman, San Diego led 40-13.
  • Stetson answered with a touchdown pass with just under two minutes remaining but got no closer, suffering a 47-20 loss to the Toreros after Jayden Wickware returned an onside kick for a 43-yard score that put the finishing touches on a dominant season finale for San Diego.
TORERO TIDBITS
  • Brown shined at quarterback in his San Diego debut, recording 219 passing yards and two touchdowns while completing 21 of his 27 pass attempts. 
  • Mitchell ended his college career with a huge performance, hauling in two receiving touchdowns and one rushing touchdown as he found the end zone three total times.
  • Zamir Wallace continued to dominate on defense, jumping two passes as he grabbed a pair of interceptions, one of which he returned for a 30-yard touchdown.
  • The Torero defense and special teams unit teamed up to score two of the Toreros' six touchdowns on Saturday.
  • USD's defense also forced four turnovers on the day (three interceptions and a fumble) alongside three sacks and three tackles for losses.
  • Junior Malachi Cooper made his presence known on defense, notching three sacks and five total tackles (four solo). 
  • Sophomore safety Ryan Meloche sealed San Diego's season-ending victory with a fourth-quarter interception, the first of his young college career.
UP NEXT
San Diego football will resume its pursuit of a 13th Pioneer Football League championship next fall. 
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