July 18, 2008
TOREROS REPORT TO CAMP AUGUST 4TH: The USD Torero football team, under the direction of second year head coach Ron Caragher, will report to camp on Monday, August 4th. Coach Caragher and his staff are expecting approximately 110 student-athletes to report with the first practice slated for Tuesday, August 5th, at 4:30 p.m. at the Manchester Field (behind Cunningham Baseball Stadium). USD's first week of practices, August 5th through August 10th, will all be from 4:30 p.m. to 7:15 pm. Media can contact the USD media relations office for additional information on the complete camp schedule.
SEASON OPENER AUGUST 29TH AT HOME AGAINST MARIST COLLEGE: The Toreros open their 2008 schedule at home against Marist College on Friday, August 29th, with a 7:00 p.m. contest at Torero Stadium. The Toreros, coming off a 9-2 season, will be putting their 24-game home winning streak on the line against the Red Foxes. Marist will become a member of the Pioneer Football League starting in 2009. USD is also slated for home games against Azusa Pacific (Sept. 6, 6 pm), Valparaiso (Oct. 4, 2 pm - homecoming), Morehead State (Oct. 11, 6 pm), Dayton (Nov. 1, 6 pm), Butler (Nov. 15, 6 pm) and UC Davis (Nov. 22, 6 pm).
TORERO OUTLOOK: Although Coach Caragher will be without the services of a handful of graduated seniors that played a key role in the team's success the past four years, the cupboard has not been left empty. Although players like QB Josh Johnson and DE Eric Bakhtiari are not easily replaced, the Toreros will have a solid nucleus of returning players to build around. Senior JT Rogan (Coronado, CA), a First Team FCS All-American last year as a return specialist, enters the 2008 campaign already owning USD's all-time records for touchdowns (46) and rushing yardage (2,967). He is one of fourteen returning starters, including junior DB Gabe Derricks (Oak Park, CA) who joined Rogan on the First Team, and the following players that earned All-PFL Second Team honors - senior WR John Matthews (Littleton, CO; school record 16 TD receptions), senior OT Deene Kabiling (San Diego, CA), senior DB Ben Hannula (Tacoma, WA) and junior punter John McSorley (Granger, IN). Hannula, who has performed on both sides of the ball during his career, saw plenty of action at quarterback during spring ball. Junior QB Andrew Rolin (Rancho Cordova, CA), who led USD past Azusa Pacific in last year's opener with 4 TD passes, sat out spring ball with a back injury. McSorley, the team's starting punter a year ago, is also projected to step in at kicker for graduated senior Hutch Parker.
TORERO SUCCESS THE PAST FIVE YEARS: USD football has accomplished some outstanding highlights the past five years, most notably its 46-10 combined record (.821 winning percentage) and 23-3 PFL record (.885 winning percentage). The past two seasons USD has led all FCS team in scoring, including last year's program-best 44.4 average. All told, USD has had 23 Sports Network Mid-Major All-Americans and 41 First Team All-Pioneer Football League honorees.
ALL TORERO GAMES ON SAN DIEGO 1700 AM: For the third straight season all of USD's football games will air on San Diego 1700 AM. Jack Cronin returns for his second year as the play-by-play announcer.
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