San Diego wins opener

From the San Diego website

Toreros Shutout Azuza Pacific 27-0 In Home Opener USD Sets New School Record With 14th Straight Home Victory


Sept. 1, 2006
Final Stats
(SAN DIEGO, CA) - The USD Toreros (1-0), ranked No. 1 in preseason polls among I-AA Mid-Major programs, opened the 2006 season in fine fashion with a convincing 27-0 home victory over the 11th-ranked NAIA Azusa Pacific Cougars (0-1) before 4,467 fans. The Toreros, looking to continue their winning ways under 3rd-year head coach Jim Harbaugh, set a new school record with their 14th straight home win at Torero Stadium dating back to the 2004 season. After going 8-0 at home last year, the Toreros were tied with a mark that dated back over a three-season span between 1980-82. The Torero defense held Azusa to just 113 yards of offense, while juniors Josh Johnson and JT Rogan paced the USD offense with two rushing scores each.
"I am very proud of our guys on both sides of the ball," said Coach Jim Harbaugh. "Azusa is a scholarship team, but we executed well tonight and our defense made a definite statement. That we are going to be a physical team this season. I was so proud of our goal line stand and in shutting out our opponent. So there again, that is just more proof of our defensive statement."
The Toreros got their first touchdown with 5:24 left in the first quarter when running back JT Rogan scored on a 3-yard run, culminating a 9-play, 52-yard drive that took 4:22. In the second quarter a Josh Johnson 7-yard run with 12:10 left gave USD a 13-0 advantage. Azusa followed with their own impressive drive marching all the way down to the USD 3-yard line over 12 plays and approximately 8 ½ minutes. Facing a third-and-goal from the three, APU QB Ryan Bridges attempted a pass to the right corner of the end zone and Torero senior Chase McBride came up with the big interception. San Diego got the ball back with 3:18 left in the half and would go 80 yards in five plays with Johnson sprinting up the left sideline for a 29-yard touchdown score.

Both teams were held scoreless in the third period, and JT Rogan put the finishing touches on the final score with a 1-yard TD plunge with 13:21 to go. For the game Josh Johnson completed 11-21 passes for 138 yards, and rushed 7 times for 67 yards and 2 TDs. Rogan carried the ball 18 times for a total of 55 yards with 2 scores. Wide receiver Kenny Stivers turned in a nice game with 4 catches for 70 yards, while Ben Hannula hauled in 3 for 29 yards.
Defensively the Toreros turned in a solid group effort with five players netting 5 or more tackles. Senior corner back Josh Brisco led the team with 6 tackles, while Chase McBride, Jonathan Espe, Tyler Evans and Jared Forrester each chipped in with 5 stops. Besides McBride's interception, he also tallied two tackles for loss. Freshman punter John McSorley punted three times for 105 yards (35.0 ave.) with a long of 37 yards and one inside APU's 20-yard line.
The Toreros will gun for their 15th straight home win on Saturday, Sept. 9th when they host Dixie State College in a 6:00 p.m. contest.