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The early morning sun filtered its way into USD stadi
um. The pounding cleats converged on the field. For
the first time in seven autumns football returned to
USD.
Coach Jim Gray and his staff, working without pay,
had tackled the job of molding forty men, many with
football experience and others with none,into the USD
Toreros. It was a challenge from its inception. Yet the
Toreros were to overcome financial difficulties, abbre
viated practices, a rash of injuries, and a tough first-
year schedule to bring pride and spirit to the campus
and a deep inner satisfaction for themselves.
The Toreros, competing in the student sponsered
Club Football Program, were to distinguish themselves
on the gridiron with a 5-2 record an a No. 12 national
ranking among the fifty Club Football teams in the
country.
As an unknown and untested team the Toreros faced
the No. 2 and No. 4 Club Football teams in their first
two outings. Despite losing to Loyola and St. Mary's,
the losses were invaluable in that the Toreros demon
strated that what they lacked in size and experience
they could make up for with hustle and guts.
Except for a shakey opening quarter against Loyola
the scrappy Toreros outplayed and outhit the larger
Lions the entire game. A first half lead against St.
Mary's showed that the Toreros were amazingly strong
for a first year team. From this point on Coach Gray's
charges put it together with a well-oiled offensive
attack and a hard-nosed, never-say-die defense to
power out five straight victories.
RED LIGHT—Nick Johns and Mike Eyer team up to stop Engineer quar
terback. This play was typical of the Toreros' gang tackling defense.
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AIR POWER—The Torero passing attack clicks as Fran Upczak works for a Gary Beagin pass and a 15 yard gain.