USD Football 2006

TOREROS LOOK TO CONTINUE WINNING WAYS Third year head coach Jim Harbaugh and

yards/2 TDs), and sophomore wide receiver John Matthews (14 catches for 400 yards & 6 TDs). The offensive line, anchored around Paopao, will be strong with players like Clayton Austin (6-1 , 270, Sr.), Matt Vuoso (6-4, 265, Sr.), Jason McFarland (6-4, 255, So.), Gabe DeAnda (6-0, 275, Jr.; moves over from defense), Spencer Hollison (6-6,300, Sr. ; transfer from Washington State), Kaea Simeona (6-1 , 285, Sr.), Travis Scudday (6-2, 250, So.) and Andrew Kaestle (6-4, 260, Fr.). Players competing for playing time at tight end include Chris Ramsey (6-3, 244, Jr.), Mitch Ryan (6-4, 226, So.) and Zach May (6-4, 235, So.). Also looking to make their mark and be ready to contribute with the offensive unit include the fol-

Junior Hutch Parker, a 2005 PFL honorable mention pick, returns as the team's kicker to lead the special teams unit. Last season he converted 9-of-15 field goals and a school-record 62-of-66 PAT kicks. Freshman John Mcsorley (Granger, Ind.} will compete for playing time at punter, and also has experience at place kicker. Newcomers Matthew Leigh (Kansas City, MO) and Andrew Aldrian (Corona, CA) are also competing at the punter position, while freshman Ryan Jackson (West Hills, CA) was a proven kicker in high school before sitting out his senior year with injury. Possible return specialists could include John Matthews,Mark Cianciulli, Ben Hannula, Ryan Echers, Josh Denton and David Allen.

his outstanding staff will look to continue their winning ways in 2006 with a squad that features four PreseasonAII-Americans, 14 returning start– ers, 48 returning lettermen, and an outstanding recruiting class that features improved size, strength, speed and athleticism. Last season the Toreros turned in the program's best year ever as they went 11-1 overall, won the PFL North Division title outright with a 4-0 record , defeated Morehead State in the PFLChampionship game, and finished as the No. 1 ranked I-AA Mid-Major program in the nation. Although the team lost some key contributors from 2005's successful run - Philip Breisch,Adam Hannula, Nick Garton,

Matt Koller, David Greer ( injury) to name a few - the Toreros head into the 2006 campaign as the No. 1 ranked I-AA Mid-Major team (The Sports Network Poll}. Those winning ways also include an 8-game winning streak, 16 wins in their last 17 games, and a 13-game home field winning streak in games played at Torero Stadium. Experience and team leadership will start with, but not be limited to, the team's four Pre– season All-Americans - senior linebacker Kyson Hawkins (64 tackles in 9games),juniordefensive end Eric Bakhtiari (62 tackles, 15for loss),junior center Jordan Paopao, and record-setting junior quarterback Josh Johnson (260-for-371 for3,256 yards and 36 touchdowns). Johnson set numer– ous new single game and season records,but the one statistic that jumps off the page at you is his 70.1 completion percentage. He heads into the 2006 campaign as the I-AA active career leader in completion percentage (69.21) and passing efficiency (167.34 rating) . The offensive unit will also be bolstered by the return of some solid 2005 contributors - senior running back Jon Polk (8 TDs, 231 yards rush– ing), junior running back JT Rogan (944 yards, 7 TDs; 36 receptions for 320 yards and 3 TDs), junior receiver Wes Doyle (35 receptions for 427

lowing players - WR Ben Hannula (6-2, 205, So.), who moves over from the defensive secondary; RB Mark Cianciulli (5-9, 185, Jr.), WR Eric Gregg (6-1 , 195, Sr.), RB David Allen (5-10, 195, RS-Fr.), quarterback Andrew Rolin (6-3, 210, RS-Fr.), RB Josh Denton (5-6, 160, So.),WR Taber LeMarr (6- 2, 210, Jr.; transfer from Wyoming), and WR Dorian Keller (5-11 , 175, Jr.; transfer from Santa Rosa JC). An outstanding freshmen group of receivers is led by Justin Fontenberry (5-9, 186, San Lorenzo HS) and Godfrey Smith (6-0, 170, Oakland Tech}. The defense, centered around All-America candidates Bakhtiari and Hawkins, will be solid once again with the return of CB Josh Brisco (6-2, 200, Sr.; 36 stops, 4 interceptions), strong safety Chase McBride (6-2, 210, Sr. ; 37 tackles with 7 pass break-ups), linebacker Ronnie Pentz (6-3, 225, Jr.; 40 stops), linebacker Tyler Evans (6-3, 225, Jr. ; 57 tackles), linebacker Jared Forrester (6-1 , 230, So.; 33 stops), lineman Ryan Morgan (6-1 , 240, Sr.), lineman Eric Stern (6-3,258,Jr. ; 11 tackles for loss), junior DB Michael Crawford (6-0, 191 , Jr.), lineman Chris Gianelli (6-1 , 280, So.), defensive back Ryan Echer (5-10, 188, So.), and linebacker Hanner Hart (6-2, 220, Jr.). Look for Patrick O'Neill (5-11 , 200, So.) and freshman Gabriel Derricks (6-1 , 173, Fr.) to push for starting roles with the secondary.

Once again USD's schedule will be a tough task each week. The Toreros open with a two– game homestand beginning with Azusa Pacific on September 1st, followed by Dixie State Col– lege (Sept. 9th}. USD's first road trip will be to the east coast to take on Ivy League opponent Yale on Sept. 16th. USD's 7-game PFL slate begins at Davidson on Sept. 30th, and ends at home against the always tough Dayton Flyers on Nov. 11th. The 2006 PFL Champion will face the champion from the Northeast Conference on Nov. 18th in the Gridiron Classic. San Diego closes out its 2006 regular-season slate with a road contest at I-AA power UC Davis on Nov. 25th.

2006 The Sports Network I-AA Mid-Major Preseason Poll 1. SAN DIEGO (12); 186 points 2. Dayton (5); 169 points 3. Duquesne (2); 140 points

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4. Albany; 95 points 5. Drake; 93 points 6. Central Conn. St.; 89 points 7. Monmouth; 87 points 8. Morehead St.; 80 points 9. Maris!; 48 points 10. Stony Brook; 46 points (first place votes)

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