SAN DIEGO – A perfect field goal as time expired to see through a 30-27 come-from-behind victory encapsulated a perfect day for USD sophomore kicker/punter Emiliano Salazar Saturday, whose performance was recognized nationally as the Stats Perform FCS National Special Teams Player of the Week Monday morning. 

The second year Torero first put USD on the board with a 42-yard field goal in the second quarter, and after the Toreros trailed by as much as 27-10 late in the third quarter, he hit the game-tying field goal from 34 yards out inside two minutes left in the game and the game-winning walk off field goal as time expired from 25 yards out for the 30-27 Torero win over St. Thomas in the PFL opener.

The Orange, Calif. native also went 3-for-3 on extra points on the day inside Torero Stadium and punted twice for 99 yards, an average of 49.5 yards and long of 57. Salazar was named the Pioneer Football League's Special Teams Player of the Week on Sunday afternoon. 

It's the third times a charm for the first year starter as he's the first Torero to earn a national honor this season after running back teammates Matt Colombo and Adam Criter finished as Stats Perform National Offensive Player of the Week honorable mentions in weeks two and four respectively after their performances on the ground against FCS heavyweights that merited PFL Offensive Player of the Week. 

The Toreros (3-2, 1-0 PFL) are receiving votes in FCS polls for the first time under head coach Brandon Moore and are back in action to continue the PFL campaign they were picked in the preseason to win with the first conference road test, at Marist on Saturday, Oct. 4 in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. with kick set for 9 a.m. PST.