USD Football 1994

Page 3 The upcoming 1994 campaign will mark the second season for USD at the NCAA Division I-AA level. The Toreros completed their inaugural season with an overall mark of 6-4, including a 1-4 record in the Pioneer Football League. Despite just one victory in the PFL, a 28-27 decision over second place Butler, the Toreros found out that they were not out of their league by any means as they were in every ball game (three of the four losses were by ten points or less). Looking ahead to this season, head coach Brian Fogarty (60-44- 3, 12th year) returns forty-two lettermen and nine starters from last year's squad. This year's team will have to fill some big shoes as the Toreros lost fifteen seniors from the '93 squad-- included in that group were seven offensive starters and six defensive starters. Offensively, the team's strength will come from the leadership of four returning starters -- senior QB Vince Moiso ( 130-for-255, 1,784 yards, 10 int. and 16 TDs), senior TE Scott Steingrebe (team high 32 receptions for 434 yards and 4 TDs), senior OT Matt Taylor (6-2, 275 lbs., 2nd Team All-PFL) and sophmore RB Jermaine Rucker (476 yards and 2 TDs on 71 carries, 6.7 yards per carry). Other players expected to play key roles include sophomore RB Evan Hlavacek ( 140 yards on 26 carries) and wideouts Harold Green (6-0 Soph.) and Bill Zelko (6-0 Junior). USD's question area going into the season is the offensive line where they graduated four starters. Two transfers that should solidify the line are juniors Eric O'Connor (6-2, 275 lbs., Fullerton JC) and Richard Papapietro (6-1, 260 lbs., DeAnza JC). On the defensive side of the ball, under the direction ofdefensive

[ 1994 USD Football Profile

coordinator Kevin McGarry, the Toreros should be solid again as they return the majority of their line and secondary. Key linemen back include senior Adam Smith (6-4, 230 lbs., 37 tackles, 4 QB sacks) and junior Eddie Messina (5- 11, 200 lbs., 30 tackles, 4 QB sacks). Sophomores Aaron Blumenkranz (6-3, 220 lbs.) and Ryan Marcos (6-0, 235 lbs.), along with a host of newcomers, should add depth to the line. The defensive secondary should be the team' s strength with the return of senior Jesse Hall (6-1 , 192 lbs., 78 tackles and 3 int.), juniors Billy Kobayashi (5-9, 170 lbs., 34 tackles, 9 pass deflections) and Shaun Grove (5-10, 180 lbs., 47 tackles, 2 int.), and sophomore DougPopovich (6-1, 185 lbs., 43 tackles). Kujanga Jackson (5-11, I80 lbs.), who missed his freshman year after breaking his arm

in camp, should add both speed and depth to the secondary. Both starting inside linebackers are gone (Marcus Carter & Neal Weitman), but the Toreros should fare well with seniors Tim Lynch (6-2, 215 lbs. ,27 tackles) and Mike Greiner (5-9, 205 lbs.), and junior Curtis DeMers (6-2, 230 lbs, 20 tackles, 2 QB sacks, 2 QB hurries). The punting game will be in good hands as senior Robert Ray returns after being named to the PFL First Team in 1993 with his 37.9 yards per punt average. In 1992, he was selected First Team Kodak All-America for College Division II (by the American Football Coaches Association), as well as being named First Team All- America, by Champions, U.S.A., as voted on by the NCAA Division III Sports Information Directors. Junior Matt Young returns as the team's place kicker (23-for-25) but will be pushed by sophomore Travis Paulsen (Lakewood, CO). Key return specialists include sophomores Jeb Dougherty (26.1 yards per kickoff return) and Evan Hlavacek (20.6 yds per kickoff return). The Toreros home schedule includes tilts with St. Mary's College (Sept. I0, 7:00 p.m.), California Lutheran University (Sept. 24, 7:00 p.m.), Valparaiso University (Oct. I, 7:00 p.m.), University of Evansville (Oct. 15, Homecoming, 1:00 p.m.) and University of Dayton (Nov. 12, 7:00 p.m.). Road contests include games at Menlo College (Sept. 3, I:30 p.m.), Drake University (Sept. 17, I:30 p.m.), Wagner College (Oct. 8 at Staten Island, N. Y., I:30 p.m.), Butler University (Oct. 22, l :30 p.m.) and Azusa Pacific University (Nov. 5, 7:00 p.m.).