San Diego Toreros (2-1, 0-0 PFL) • Drake Bulldogs (1-1, 0-0 PFL)
Saturday, September 28, 2024 • 11:00 a.m. PST / 1:00 p.m. CST
Drake Stadium (14,557) • Des Moines, Iowa
Live Streaming • ESPN+ | Live Statistics • USDToreros.com
Social • Facebook.com/USDFootball • Twitter.com/USDFootball • Instagram.com/USDFootball
SAN DIEGO — The Toreros will will look to get back in the win column as they open the Pioneer Football League season with a road affair at Drake on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 11 a.m. in Des Moines, Iowa.
The game will be streamed live on ESPN+ while Braden Suprenant will also be calling the action over the air on radio on USDToreros.com. Live statistics will also be available on USDToreros.com.
ALL-TIME SERIES AGAINST DRAKE
• USD is 20-11 all-time against the Bulldogs with last season's 20-25 loss in Torero Stadium snapping a 10-game San Diego win streak that dated back to 2013.
LAST TIME OUT
• San Diego held a 17-10 lead early in the second half against FCS No. 10 North Dakota before the Fighting Hawks used 24 unanswered points in the third quarter to defeat the traveling Toreros, 41-24, on Saturday, Sept. 21 at the Alerus Center.
• North Dakota was able to fend off the visitors by rushing the football and forcing timely turnovers that saw them make five trips to the red zone. The Fighting Hawks rushed for 267 yards and three touchdowns to the Toreros 61 yards. Three NoDak backs rushed for 50-plus.
• Defensively, the Toreros held strong for three of four quarters of play. San Diego limited UND quarterback Simon Romfo to just five completed passes while picking him off twice to bring the season interception total to six.
HOW IT HAPPENED
• On the opening drive of the game, a NoDak interception saw the Fighting Hawks offense start inside the USD 30. The Torero defense would get a crucial stop, however, ceding just a 24-yard field goal.
• Graduate quarterback Grant Sergent avenged his first pick of the season by leading the Toreros down the field on their second drive, capped by a 14-yard blown coverage touchdown pass to junior Cole Monach.
• After a UND three-and-out, the Toreros eased down the field again as Sergent would again find his receiver wide open, this time connecting with Ja'seem Reed for a 28-yard score to increase the lead to 14-3.
• Two offensive plays later Seidl found a gap on the left sideline for a 70-yard touchdown run to put top-10 NoDak back within a score with 11:04 to go in the second quarter.
• The USD defense held UND at bay the rest of the first half as the Fighting Hawks would miss a 30-yard field goal and San Diego junior Ruben Lopez intercepted a tipped ball on the ensuing North Dakota drive. The Torero offense couldn't take advantage of the opportunities either however, and both teams would head to the locker rooms at the half with the score 14-10.
• On the fourth play of the second quarter graduate Matt Ballentine intercepted Romfo, his team-leading second pick on the year, and took the ball 24 yards to the UND 43. The Toreros would settle for a career-high 54-yard field goal from senior Aidan Lehman on his only attempt since week one.
• It was then that the hosts answered for 24-unanswered points in the period. On the next offensive snap, Bo Belquist caught a 69-yard touchdown pass. Then the Fighting Hawks capitalized on a muffed USD punt on a drive that ended with a Gaven Ziebarth one yard score and the first UND lead of the game.
• The Toreros found their way into the redzone, but Sergent was intercepted for the second time on the day. NoDak scored seven on their third consecutive drive of the quarter as Belquist gathered his second deep touchdown.
• A 31-yard field goal pushed the UND lead to 34-17 before the end of the quarter after having trailed by seven exactly 11 minutes prior.
• San Diego started the fourth quarter strong, surging down the field in a drive that would culminate with a one-yard rushing touchdown for senior Logan Gingg, his second TD of the season.
• UND would get the last say however answering and sealing the game with another rushing touchdown of their own.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES
• Senior wide receiver Ja'seem Reed highlighted the USD day with 11 receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown, his fifth career 100-yard performance. Reed reeled in eight of 10 targets for 82 yards and a TD-catch in the first half alone.
• Four Toreros fronted the defense with six tackles: Eric Haney, Giovanni Iovino, Malachi Cooper and Trey Ortega. San Diego won the first down battle, 20-18, 11-6 in the first half.
• Early in the second quarter senior Aidan Lehman, on his only attempt since week one,54-yard field goal.
MALACHI COOPER GARNERS PFL DPOTW
• Senior defensive lineman Malachi Cooper has been named the PFL Defensive Player of the Week for September 22, 2024, the Pioneer Football League announced on Sunday afternoon.
• Cooper had three tackles for loss and two sacks to lead a San Diego defense that helped keep No. 10 North Dakota's offense in check for a half before the host Fighting Hawks pulled away in the second half. Cooper finished the game with a team-best six tackles (all solo). His first sack came on third down to force a punt after San Diego took a 7-3 lead, and his second on the final drive of the first half.
• He is the second USD player to earn a weekly PFL honor this season after Matt Ballentine (Defensive) was selected back on Sept. 1 after sealing San Diego's football's win over Cal Poly with a clutch 40-yard pick-six.
HIGHEST SCORING DEFENSE
• Despite having played one less games than most teams due to the week three bye, through Sept. 20, the Toreros three interceptions returned for touchdowns was good for:
- Most defensive touchdowns in FCS
- Most pick-sixes in DI FBS/FCS
- Tied-most pick-sixes across all of DI FBS/FCS, DII and DIII
- Tied-most defensive touchdowns in DI FBS/FCS
• Co-defensive coordiantors Mike McGlinchey and Isaac Carter's unit had scored as many touchdowns as it had surrendered with two games in hand in 2024
• As of Sept. 24, the Toreros still rank No. 1 in interceptions returned for TD (3) in FCS and tied for first in DI FCS/FBS
USD FOOTBALL 2-0 FOR FIRST TIME IN 13 YEARS
• San Diego Football unleashed an aerial assault — led by three passing touchdowns from Grant Sergent — to take down Division II Central Washington by a 26-7 margin at Torero Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 7
• The win marked the Toreros' first 2-0 start in a non-shortened season in 13 years
A SIGNATURE VICTORY ON OPENING NIGHT
• San Diego's thrilling season-opening 27-21 victory over Cal Poly on Saturday Aug. 31, marked the third time since 2016 that it has defeated a scholarship opponent.
• It was also just the third night football game that USD has hosted since 2016 and the Toreros' first since 2022 when they defeated La Verne 58-0 in a kickoff that began at 6 p.m..
THREE TOREROS NAMED TO 2024 PFL PRESEASON TEAM
• Three San Diego players were named to the 2024 All-PFL Preseason Team, the Pioneer Football League announced on July 31.
• Defensive lineman Malachi Cooper, linebacker Chase Lyons, and defensive back Eric Haney earned the honor ahead of the Toreros' season opener against Cal Poly.
• Cooper, a San Diego native who attended Serra High School, was named to the All-PFL Second Team last season after recording 24 total tackles (11 solo) and seven tackles for losses across 10 games. This is his first career All-PFL Preseason Team selection.
• Lyons was named to the All-PFL Preseason Team for a second consecutive season following a dynamic junior campaign that saw him pick up a 2023 All-PFL Honorable Mention. He appeared in nine games last season, recording 23 total tackles (14 solo), five tackles for losses, and one sack. Lyons has also earned an All-PFL Second Team selection (2022).
• Haney took home both All-PFL First Team (Defense) and an All-PFL Honorable mention in 2023 after notching 41 total tackles (30 solo) alongside five tackles for losses, two interceptions, and three pass breakups. He recorded a team-high 18 kickoff returns for 411 yards (22.83 yards per return) and had six punt returns for 30 yards. This is his first career All-PFL Preseason Team selection.
KEY SAN DIEGO RETURNERS
• Quarterback Grant Sergent: Started five games in 2023, completing 65 of 105 pass attempts (61.90%) for 893 total yards and seven touchdowns. Averaged 178.60 passing yards per game, posted a 151.54 quarterback rating, and threw only two interceptions.
• Quarterback Dom Nankil: Appeared in eight games (seven starts) in 2023, completing 109 of 183 pass attempts (58.60%) for 1158 total yards and five touchdowns. Averaged 144.75 yards per game, posted a 115.47 quarterback rating, and threw four interceptions.
• Wide Receiver Ja'seem Reed: Led USD with 764 receiving yards (56 receptions) and an average of 69.45 yards per game in 2023. Scored two touchdowns across 11 games.
• Wide Receiver Josh Heverly: Led USD with five touchdowns and an average of 16.88 yards per reception in 2023, totaling 574 yards (52.18 yards per game).
• Running Back Isaiah Smith: 161 yards on 32 carries ranked third on the USD roster in 2023 and are the most of any returning Torero.
• Cornerback Nick Murray: 55 total tackles and three interceptions in 2023 were second on USD roster and are the most among returning Toreros.
• Cornerback Eric Haney: 30 solo tackles in 2023 were third on USD roster and are the most among returning Toreros. Grabbed two interceptions last year, including a game-sealing pick against Dayton at Torero Stadium on September 23. Was named to 2023 All-PFL First Team (Defense) and 2024 All-PFL Preseason Team.
• Linebacker Chase Lyons: 14 solo tackles and a fumble recovery in 2023. Was named to 2024 All-PFL Preseason Team.
