After his first season as the University of San Diego’s head football coach was marred by a hazing scandal, Brandon Moore said he was treating 2024 like a do-over.
“This year,” he said, “is like a restart.”
Year 2 of the Moore Era kicked off Saturday evening with pizzazz and promise. On Ole’ Weekend when all freshmen and transfers are welcomed to campus, non-scholarship USD sold out Toreros Stadium and pulled off a stunning upset, knocking off Cal Poly, a full-scholarship FCS program, 27-21.
“This means everything,” said cornerback Matt Ballantine, who returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown and deflected another pass that was turned for a TD.
“We worked so hard in the offseason, in (summer) camp. And Coach Moore has done a wonderful job keeping us on the right track.”
The win was USD’s third against scholarship programs since 2016. The Toreros’ first win against a scholarship program came that year, when USD beat Cal Poly 35-21 in the FCS playoffs.
The defense’s fingerprints were all over the upset. The Toreros not only returned two interceptions for scores, but a third pick set up USD’s other touchdown.
Trey Ortega returned a tipped pass 40 yards for an interception to give USD a 10-0 lead with 3:14 to play in the first quarter.
Regarding the ball hanging in the air before he caught it, Ortega said, “It was like a movie. It was moving in slow motion. At that point, I saw the end zone and got excited.”
With the Toreros down 14-10 in the third quarter, cornerback Eric Haney slid to the ground to pick off a pass. The Toreros promptly covered 56 yards in three plays, Logan Gingg scoring from 1 yard, giving USD a 17-14 lead.
Three plays into the fourth quarter, Ballantine intercepted a pass in front of the USD bench and returning it 40 yards for a touchdown and a 24-14 lead.
About beating an FCS program with a full allotment of 65 scholarships, Ortega said: “That’s all the motivation we need. We play with that chip on our shoulders. We take it to every single practice and every single game we play.”
Cal Poly made USD sweat it a bit, closing the score to 27-21 on a touchdown with 1:05 to play. It appeared the Mustangs recovered the ensuing onside kick, but a Cal Poly player touched the ball when he was out of bounds, giving USD the ball and securing the upset.
USD was the much more physical team, rushing for 184 yards on 44 carries. USC transfer Matt Colombo and Isaiah Smith combined to rush for 169 yards on 30 carries. The Mustangs’ running stats: 18 carries for eight yards.
USD quarterback Grant Sergent completed 15 of 24 passes for 153 yards.
USD hosts Division II Central Washington at 1 p.m. next Saturday.
Originally Published: