USD Football 1985

1985 USD TORERO OUTLOOK

Head Coach Brian Fogarty, starting his third year at the helm of the football program, has spent the last two years recruiting student-athletes who fit into the USO program. After experiencing a disappointing season in 1984, the future looks very bright for USO Football. The '85 outlook looks promising as Coach Fogarty has 80 athletes on the roster with 35 returning lettermen and 16 starters back. The roster breakdown includes 15 seniors, 11 juniors, 22 sophomores and 32 freshmen. The Toreros Defense returns eight starters. The major loss will be defensive back Greg Stein. Greg was the defen- sive captain and Co-Defensive Player of the Year in 1984. Heading the list of returning players is Co-Defensive Player of the Year Mike Hamilton (Sr. 6'0" 218). From his inside linebacker position, Mike led the team in total tackles with 113 and was second in interceptions with 5. Mike is joined at linebacker by two year starter and third leading tackler, Pete McMahon (Sr. 6'0" 210). At outside linebacker, USO returns Don Pannier who started last year and top back up Mike Aitken, both seniors. The Defensive Line returns both starting tackles, Brian Laliberte' (Sr. 5'9" 220) and Kevin Rice (Sr. 5'10" 220). The nose guard position is wide open. Top returners working for the starting role are Joe Muklevicz (Jr.) and Erik Peterson (So.). The secondary will also return several key players. Heading the list is Ben Stoebner (Sr. 5'11 185) who led the team in interceptions with 6 from his corner position. At the other corner, Mike Macie (So.) and John Gutsmiedl (So.) split time last year and both will see plenty of time this season. At free safety, Tim White (Jr.) and Tony Knight (Sr. 6'0" 185) split time last season and are expected to fight it out again for a starting role. Strong safety is up for grabs and could be any of the players mentioned above. The offense will also have eight starters back. The key loss will be offensive lineman Steve Connolly who was nam- ed the 1984 Offensive Player of the Year. There are three new quarterback candidates this season and right now JC transfer Pat Dixon (Mesa College) has the inside track on the starting position. Top candidates for the running back positions are Mark Covarrubias (Sr. 5'5" 165) and Tom Woodward (Sr. 5'9" 190). Covarrubias was hampered by in- juries in 1984 and lost his starting role midway through the season. Woodward is back for his third year as the starting fullback and wi ll be pushed by Rick Butler (Sr. 5'11" 215). The receiving core includes a number of players who rotated throughout the 1984 season. At wide receiver Jeff Mansukhani (Jr.), Scott Reilly (Jr.), and Mike Sears (Sr. 6'2" 184) all played equally last season. Ed McCoy (Jr.) will return for his third season as the number one slotback. Mitch Greene (Sr. 6'1" 215) should be the starting tight end for the fourth year in a row. Lionel DeMorst (So.) who rotated last year will see time at both tight end and slot. The offensive line returns three starters. Dante Sorianello (Sr. 6'0" 220) wil l return for his third season as a starting guard. John Savage (Sr. 6'0" 215) also returns at guard along with Dave Smola (Sr. 6'3" 230) at center. Returning at tackle is Sophomore Pete Browne. Grey Mclychok (So.) wi ll be pushing to see some action on the offensive line as wel l. The Toreros also return their kicker, Jack Kratochvil (Sr. 5'11 160) and their punter Pat McNamara (Jr.). Both should be key factors in the season ahead. There is an outstanding group of new players who will be pushing these veterans for playing time at each position.

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