Dating back to when Jim Harbaugh first put USD’s football program on the map in 2004, the Toreros have been defined by a high-flying, innovative passing game.
Quarterback Josh Johnson winged his way into a journeyman NFL career. Reid Sinnett is a backup QB for the Miami Dolphins. Anthony Lawrence has flung passes professionally in Japan.
But on a warm, 80-degree afternoon in front of a homecoming crowd at Torero Stadium on Saturday, USD turned back the clock and played old-fashioned football, relying on its defense to defeat Drake 13-10 in front of an announced 3,358.
The game featured a record-tying 53-yard field goal by a USD freshman, an about face by the offense and two game-changing plays by defensive end Muhindo Kapapa.
With 1:03 to play and the Bulldogs on their 48 trying to drive into position to attempt a game-tying field goal, Kapapa racked up sacks on back-to-back plays.
Two downs later, with Drake facing fourth-and-27, Cassius Johnson intercepted a pass to ice matters as the Toreros (3-4, 3-1 Pioneer Football League) won their third straight.
Muhindo, who came into the game with half a sack, finished with three.
“There is nothing that surprises me about Kapapa,” said USD head coach Dale Lindsey. “He’s about doing the right thing and doing it well.”
Kapapa’s first sack was for nine yards and forced the Bulldogs (2-5, 1-3) to burn their last timeout. The second was for eight yards and turned the visitors desperate.
Regarding the first sack, when he slanted hard left, Kapapa said, “Coach always preaches taking the space. I saw the space and took him down.”
He muscled through more traffic for the second sack.
“I clubbed, I ripped, got by the guy, saw the (QB) and had to make him pay,” said Kapapa.
USD overcame a miserable first-half performance by its offense, the Toreros trailing 3-0 at intermission. (The last time USD was shut out: 1999.)
Freshman Pable Tager tied the game on USD’s first possession of the third quarter with a 53-yard field goal, tying the school record set 30 years ago by Dave Bergman.
The Toreros answered a Drake touchdown drive with one of their own on their next possession, the touchdown coming on a 10-yard Mason Randall pass to Michael Gadinis.
USD scored on its third straight drive, kicking a field goal for a 13-10 lead. But it wasn’t Tager who supplied the winning points. Tager handles long kicks while Brandon Eickert boots shorter placements.
But the winning placement, from 44 yards, was no chip shot.
Special teams coordinator Ben Barton decides which kicker to call on.
“Karma,” said Lindsey.
After a sloppy first half (5 of 12 for 53 yards), Randall was dialed in the second half, finishing 19 of 30 for 180 yards, the touchdown and no interceptions.
Told the offense delivered when needed, Lindsey said, “That’s what you’re supposed to do. We don’t put you out there not to score.”
“Homecoming, we kept it close for the fans,” joked Randall.
“A little too close.”
Norcross is a freelance writer.
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