USD football takes down Eagles for sixth straight win

The win secures the program’s 11th straight season with a winning record

MARI OLSON / SPORTS EDITOR / THE USD VISTA

USD football won its sixth straight game of the season on Saturday afternoon, taking down the Morehead State University Eagles, 10-3. 

Head coach, Dale Lindsey, knew that this would be a tough matchup for the Toreros. 

“This ain’t your daddy’s Morehead anymore,” Lindsey said after the game. 

USD started the game off strong with a sack on the Morehead quarterback, but the Eagles drew first blood. They made a successful field goal attempt with just under five minutes remaining in the first quarter, putting the Eagles up 0-3. 

However, junior kicker, Brandon Eickert, tied the game at three with his own field goal three minutes into the second quarter. 

The Torero defense stepped up to deny Morehead scoring opportunities. Senior safety, Hunter Nichols, and redshirt senior defensive lineman, Muhindo Kapapa, made important tackles throughout the game. 

First-year kicker, Pablo Tager, attempted a 51-yard field goal to end the first half, but the ball went wide left of the goalpost, keeping the score 3-3 at halftime. 

Graduate running back, Terrence Smith, and senior running back, Emilio Martinez, were constantly involved for the offense, pushing the Toreros forward inch by inch. 

With less than five minutes to go in the third quarter, first-year wide receiver, Vance Jefferson, made a 39-yard catch to put the Toreros on the one-yard line. Smith ran the ball into the endzone for the ensuing touchdown, and Eickert made the extra point to put the Toreros up 10-3 with 20 minutes of game time left. 

Morehead found themselves with a first and goal situation twice during the game, and the Torero defense twice denied the Eagles any points. At the very end of the third quarter, senior cornerback, Cassius Johnson, blocked a desperately needed 18-yard field goal attempt by the Eagles. 

The fourth quarter was a defensive battle, with possession going back and forth in the middle of the field.

However, the Toreros were eventually victorious only after a controversial call in the last five seconds of the game denied Morehead a game-tying touchdown. 

After a strong drive by the Eagles that started on their own 12-yard line, the Morehead quarterback nearly completed a pass to one of his wide receivers in the endzone, but senior safety, Isaac Haney, made the unlikely interception to deny the tying score. 

The call was controversial: Morehead fans thought their receiver made the catch, but the referees made the decision that it was a USD interception. 

Martinez described his feelings on the sideline as the play unfolded. 

“I was holding my breath to see what they were going to call,” Martinez said. “There have been a lot of controversial calls this season, I’m just glad we were on the good side of this one.” 

Haney knew that he’d made the play immediately, but he had to be sure the referees thought so too. 

“Once I got up, the biggest thing was selling it,” Haney said. “I knew I caught it, but I was afraid of the ref not getting a good view [of the play].” 

As seniors on the team, the win at home meant a lot to Haney and Martinez. 

“Senior day, my last play at home, it feels amazing,” Haney said. 

Martinez was still processing that it was his last home game as a Torero after the win.

“It’s still surreal. I’m just thankful for the opportunity to come here and play football,” Martinez said. 

Jefferson described the impact that the seniors on the team have had on him. 

“I love these guys so much. They support me so much,” Jefferson said. 

Jefferson is currently the leading receiver for the Toreros this season, an impressive feat for a first-year athlete. 

The win on Saturday assured USD football a winning record this season, making this their 11th winning season in a row for the Toreros. 

Lindsey, however, was focused on the future. 

“Let’s make it 12,” Lindsey said. But he admitted, “I think it speaks highly of the team and  the coaches.”  

This was the last game at home for 18 seniors on the football team, many of whom have played for USD for five years. 

Lindsey knows they have had a huge impact on the team. 

“Every year you lose a bunch of good guys, but this crew has really left their mark on the team,” Lindsey said. “We’re gonna miss them.”