PRINCETON, N.J. – San Diego Football came back from a 21-point deficit and scored 28 unanswered on the road to take down it's second FCS power in non-conference play.
 
After falling behind early but remaining within reach with three second quarter touchdowns through the air by way of redshirt junior QB Tyler Voss, the USD defense blanked Princeton in the second half. San Diego would come out on top with three fourth quarter touchdowns on the ground, all by way of senior back Adam Criter on offense's last three series, untouched on each score in his first career start.
 
"It's a statement for the program that we can win games like this when things aren't going well, and we can turn it around and capitalize," head coach Brandon Moore.
 
After surrendering 338 yards and 35 points in the first half, the San Diego defense rebounded in the second half, only allowing 64 total yards and no points with four timely sacks.
 
No defensive play was bigger than junior defensive lineman Jae'Von Reels' fourth quarter forced fumble in that set up the game-tying touchdown. Sept. 20 holds a special place in Reels' heart as the date marks 16 years to the day of his late father's – Anthony Reels – passing. Reels forced two turnovers on the day, also getting a fourth-and-short stop to kick start USD's first score. 
 
The Toreros utilized both quarterbacks Voss and junior starter Dom Nankil throughout the game, combining for 352 air yards on 38-51 passing as Voss and Nankil notched QBRs of 161.2 and 141.6 respectively.
 
On top of the three touchdowns and 105 rushing yards on 25 attempts, Criter led the team with 10 receptions for 68 yards. Wideouts Christopher Hall and Cole Monach each reeled in seven catches for 90-plus total yards. Senior linebacker Ryan Meloche led the team with a career-high 10 tackles, while sophomore linebacker Nate Fischer was right behind with eight-plus for a fourth straight game and a sack in a third straight to start the season.
 
How it Happened
USD's first turnover of the year on the first drive of the Toreros fourth game and punts on the subsequent two offensive drives were turned into touchdowns by an efficient Princeton offense, seeing USD quickly go down 21-0, 10 minutes into the game.
 
The Torero offense, with Voss fresh into the game under center, would respond with three passing touchdowns in the second quarter.
 
First, a fourth-and-short stop by none other than Reels and the San Diego defense set up great field position, eventually leading to a 4-yard passing touchdown to grad wide receiver Josh Heverly. Heverly climbed the ladder and made a one-handed, toe-tap, SportsCenter Top10-worthy grab, all while being held with his other hand being pinned.
 
On the next offensive set, under pressure, Voss heaved a long ball off his back foot, which the sophomore Hall hauled in and took to the end zone to chop into the deficit again. Entering the game with seven career receptions and 45 yards, the third down, 37-yard house call was Hall's seventh catch of the half, doubling his career total with 90 yards in the first two frames Saturday.
 
After the hosts answered both of USD's first two touchdowns with touchdowns of their own, the Toreros fell behind by 21 again, trailing 14-35 late in the first half. That was until Heverly snagged his second, highlight-reel contested reception in the left corner of the end zone of the quarter, a 17-yard TD with 15 seconds remaining in the half.
 
After 56 points in the first two quarters, neither team scored in the third frame. The quarter was highlighted by senior linebacker Tre Moore – son of head coach Brandon Moore – logging quarterback sacks on back-to-back plays.
 
The defensive duel lasted until inside 10 minutes remaining in the game when the Toreros established the ground game through Criter, scoring three touchdowns on the last three offensive drives of the game after the Downers Grove, Ill. native had just 29 total rushing yards in the three prior quarters.

The first saw him dance into the end zone from four yards out, untouched, to make it a one-score game.
 
On the next play, Reels forced the fumble which was upheld upon review as the Toreros took over again deep in enemy territory, the only turnover the team would need on the day. Three plays after that, Criter rushed into the end zone from 24 yards out, again untouched, to tie the ballgame.
 
The San Diego defense held the Tigers without a first down for a sixth straight drive since the first half, regaining possession with seven minutes to go. The Toreros drove down the field in a span inside six minutes, as Criter, again untouched, gave USD it's first lead of the game from eight yards out with 1:04 remaining.
 
In the ultimate drive of the game, while Princeton did move the chains for the first time in over 32 minutes of play, a 44-yard Hail Mary attempt as time expired was broken up to see through the historic Torero victory.
 
Up Next
Finishing non-conference play 2-2 against four financial-aid funded teams, the Toreros kick off Pioneer Football League play back home on Saturday, Sept. 27 against St. Thomas at 1 p.m. San Diego was picked by the league's coaches in the preseason to win the PFL for the first time since 2019.