SAN DIEGO — San Diego football (2-0, 0-0 PFL) on Saturday afternoon unleashed an aerial assault — led by three passing touchdowns from Grant Sergent — to take down Division II Central Washington (0-1, 0-0 Lone Star) by a 26-7 margin at Torero Stadium. With the win, USD has now claimed a 2-0 start to its 2024 season, a feat the program has not achieved in a full, non-shortened season since 2011. 

Sergent commanded the USD offense with 231 passing yards, including passing touchdowns to Ja'Seem Reed, Cole Monach, and Kenyon Sims. Reed paced the Torero receivers with 74 total yards, including a 24-yard score in the fourth quarter.

The Toreros got on the board first when Sergent found Sims for a 28-yard touchdown reception early in the first quarter. The Wildcats swiftly responded with a first quarter touchdown of their own, taking a 7-6 lead after 15 minutes of play.

Saturday's second frame began with punts from both teams, before Sergent found Monach for a 39-yard strike to take a 12-6 lead, which USD took into halftime

Central Washington forced a San Diego punt to open up the third period of play before defensive lineman Jae'Von Reels picked off a pass in remarkable fashion and took it all the way back for a pick-six, extending the Toreros' advantage to 19-6.

San Diego's defense held firm to shut out CWU through the fourth quarter, setting up Sergent to find Reed for one last touchdown that gave the Toreros a 26-7 lead they did not relinquish. 

Isaiah Smith tallied 41 yards on the ground, Sims led the Toreros with 89 all-purpose yards, and Giovanni Iovino paced the USD defense with 13 total tackles, including 1.5 tackles for losses. 

After a BYE week, the Toreros will be back in action on Saturday, September 21, when they will conclude their 2024 non-conference campaign by traveling to North Dakota to take on the North Dakota Fighting Hawks. Kickoff at the Alerus Center is set for 11 a.m. PST.