Toreros steamroll Bulldogs 43-17
Rubin Resnick / Chief Copy Editor / The USD Vista
Another week, another 43 points. The French call this phenomenon deja vu but the Toreros prefer the term consistency.
After last week’s cross country jaunt to North Carolina, the football team hopped back on a plane for their second away game, which occurred at Drake University in Iowa last Saturday.
Like a neighborhood bully that won’t leave his weak and underdeveloped victims alone, the Toreros came storming into Drake Stadium with a point to prove. Drake was highlighted as a school that was capable of taking down the preseason favorite, USD. But, like a lamb to the slaughter, the Bulldogs unwittingly entered a game in which they had no chance.
The highly ranked Toreros offense and defense combined for a total seven touchdowns against the lethargic Bulldogs.
Quarterback Sebastian Trujillo deftly commanded the offense going for 23 of 28 pass attempts, a highly efficient 82 percent completion rate, for 212 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Phil Morelli had another productive performance with 93 yards gained on 22 carries with an additional 17 yards receiving and three touchdowns.
While these performances are respectable on their own merit, wide receiver John Matthews broke the schools career touchdown reception record. It now stands at 38 touchdown receptions and with seven games remaining on the schedule, it is likely that the record could be set as high 45 touchdowns.
Matthews must average at least one touchdown reception per game for the next seven games, which is highly probable if the Torero offense maintains their 40 point per game average.
The defense, led by defensive back Al Adeyemi and linebacker Kyle Negrete, quickly discovered that the Bulldogs bark was worse than their bite. They set the tone by making an interception on the first play of the game.
Drakes next four possessions resulted in consecutive three and out situations, ultimately giving the Toreros a 35-10 at the start of the fourth quarter. Linebacker Steven Roseman sealed the game with a breakaway 70-yard interception return touchdown and defensive lineman John G Sell added insult to injury by scoring a safety in the final minutes of the game.
After housebreaking the Bulldogs in their own stadium during their homecoming game, the Toreros host their own homecoming Saturday facing the Jacksonville Dolphins.
This weekend will be a big one for the Toreros as they continue on the path to a perfect season. Expect a blowout for San Diego as they possess the fourth ranked scoring offense and scoring defense in the Football Championship Subdivision, and they face a dismal Dolphin defense.