USD Football 1986

THE 1986 OUTLOOK

The 1986 Toreros are looking to improve on the 5-5 record posted by last year's team. USD returns 42 lettermen and 13 starters. Only 8 of the returning players are seniors which will again make the Toreros a very young team. However, the ex- perience gained by the young players last year combined with another excellent group of recruits could be the formula for a very good year. Another plus has been the new weight facility opened last September. The players have made some outstand- ing gains during the past year. The Toreros will be bigger and stronger than 1985. The Torero defense returns eight players who have been starters and several others who have been top backups. Leading the way should be the secondary. Junior John Gutsmiedl (5'11", 185) already a two year starter, led the team with 5 interceptions and was second in tackles with 81. He should start at corner or strong safety. Senior Ben Stoebner (5" 11"185) is a three year starter at corner and led the team in picks in 1984. Sophomore Brian Day (5'11", 185) started the last six games in '85 and was fifth in tackles for the season. Senior Tim White (5'10", 195) has started both strong and free safety the past two years and will bring outstanding leadership to the 1986 secondary. There are three defensive backs coming off injuries that kept them out in 1985. They are fifth year senior Tony Knight (6'0", 185) and sophomores John Gomez (6'0", 205) and Dan Nakahara (5'10", 185). Senior Jeff Neuber(5'11", 178) will also be pushing to play in the secondary. The linebacking corp returns two sophomores at inside linebacker with plenty of playing time, Shawn Rezaian (5'11", 205) and Chuck Royer (6'0", 200). These two and several newcomers will be battling for the two starting spots. Outside backer returns an experienced sophomore in Jeff Merlino (6'2", 190). Jeff did an outstanding job as a top backup in '85. Jeff will be competing with several returning lettermen for the top spots as well as some quality newcomers. The lone returning starter on the defensive line is senior Joe Muklevicz (5'11", 240) at nose guard. Senior James DeLaFuente (6'2", 221) and junior Erik Peterson (5'11", 240) also saw plenty of action and should again this year. With these fine returners and many more, USO should field a very solid defense. On offense the Toreros return nine players who have started at six of the offensive positions. The greatest amount of ex- perience is in the receiving corp. This group is lead by junior tight end Lionel DeMorst (6'2", 218) who led the team with 33 catches in '85. He is joined by senior Scott Reilly (6'1", 180) and junior Jeff Mansukhani (5'100, 175) with 16 and 15 catches each. Senior Ed McCoy (5'11", 195) and sophomore Ken Zampese (5'7", 165) also should see plenty of time in 1986. Throwing to this fine group of receivers will be returning starter Pat Dixon (6'2", 190) who threw for 7 touchdowns and 1,150 yards in his first year as a starter. His backup competition should come from senior Pat McNamara and a fine group of freshmen recruits. The offensive line returns several players who saw a lot of ac- tion last year. Leading the group will be junior Eric Nasland (6'1", 245) who had an outstanding season last year at tackle. Junior Pete Browne (6'1", 225) started several games at the other tackle before suffering some injury problems. Four fine sophomores from last year will be pushing their way into a starting role soon. They are Mike Cassady (6'0", 210) and David Gilmore (6'3", 210) who both started at times in '86, along with Pat DeBlase (6'1 ", 210) and John Cowles (6'0", 215), who also saw time as freshmen. The running back spots will be up for grabs in '86. Two pro- mising sophomores are the top candidates. They are tailback Virgil Enriquez (5'10", 175) and fullback Anthony Crivello (6'0", 220). They will be pushed by senior Matt Riley (6'0", 195) who is coming off a broken ankle. Although very young, the 1986 of- fense could be very explosive. Punter Pat McNamara (5'11", 170) will return for his third year as the USD punter. Pat had an average of 39 yards per punt last year. Senior David Nichols has the inside track on the kicking chores. Nichols played on the USD Soccer team the last three years. The 1986 Toreros have plenty of youth with a great amount of desire. All are confident of an outstanding season.

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