Aug. 6, 2009
TOREROS REPORT TO CAMP AUGUST 11TH: The USD Torero football team, under the direction of third- year head coach Ron Caragher, will report to camp on Tuesday, August 11th. Coach Caragher and his staff are expecting approximately 110 student-athletes to report with the first practice slated for Wednesday, August 12th, at 4:00 p.m. at the Manchester Field. USD's first week of practices, August 12th through August 16th, will all be from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 pm. Media can contact the USD media relations office for additional information on the complete camp schedule.
CARAGHER TO SPEAK AT SPORTS AT LUNCH: Coach Ron Caragher will be joined by his mentor, retired UCLA coach Terry Donahue, when they speak at Sports at Lunch Monday, Aug. 10th at the San Diego Hall of Champions in Balboa Park. Tickets are $25 per person ($30 at the door). Check-in begins at 11:15 a.m. You can purchase tickets by calling the Events Department at 619-699-2313.
TORERO OUTLOOK: Third-year head coach Ron Caragher and his staff will look to continue their winning ways on the heels of back-to-back 9-2 campaigns. The Toreros return 14 starters with senior quarterback Sebastian Trujillo, a 2009 Walter Payton Award Watch candidate, back to lead the attack. Despite the loss of All-America receiver John Matthews (signed free agent contract with Indianapolis Colts), Trujillo will have solid targets in Godfrey Smith and John McGough, TE Patrick Doyle, and Phil Morelli out of the backfield. Morelli and sophomore sidekick Matt Jelmini return at running back, along with the great news that JT Rogan was granted an additional year by the NCAA after suffering a season-ending injury in the 2008 opener. If healthy, Rogan will provide important depth and leadership at both running back and with the return game. The offensive line unit will be anchored by seniors Conrad Smith, Patrick Calahan and Nick Kostielney. Defensively the Toreros will be paced by First Team All-PFL returners Gabriel Derricks, a senior cornerback, and senior linebacker Derek Marten. Sophomore Al-Rilwan Adeyemi, the PFL Freshman Defensive Player of the Year, is also back at cornerback. The defense will be bolstered by the return of linemen Kevin Dunn, Julian Strickland and Paul Tremblay; linebacker Loka Kanongataa and safety Derek Pilkington.
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A LOOK AT THE SCHEDULE: The Toreros have a five-game home schedule with four of the contests being afternoon games. USD's road opener against Azusa Pacific on September 5th has been moved next door to Citrus College and was moved back a half hour to a 6:30 p.m. start. The move will help with Azusa's large homecoming crowd that is expected for their home opener. USD's second game has them heading to Greely, Colorado to take on Northern Colorado on Sept. 12th. USD's home opener will be against Marist College on Sept. 19th - Marist is in its first season as a member of the Pioneer Football League. Following a bye (Sept. 26th) the Toreros will play back-to-back road games at Butler (Oct. 3) and Valparaiso (Oct. 10). San Diego return Oct. 17th to take on Drake it USD's annual homecoming game and will kickoff a string of four home games in a span of six contests. Addtional home dates include Jacksonville (Oct. 24), Davidson (Nov. 7) and Southern Utah (Nov. 21). PFL road contests at Dayton (Oct. 31) and Morehead State (Nov. 14) round out the schedule. The 2009 PFL champion will host the NEC champion on Dec. 5th in the annual Gridiron Classic.
COACHING STAFF UPDATE: Third-year head coach Ron Caragher returns five assistants and has five new members onboard for the 2009 campaign. Returners include Todd Washington, Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line (3rd year); George Darlington, Defensive Coordinator, (2nd year); Tanner Engstrand, Quarterbacks (5th year); Jon Sumrall, Defensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator (3rd year); and Mike Rish, Senior Offensive Assistant. Washington will be in his first year as offensive coordinator, as will Engstrand with quarterbacks. New staff members include Sam Anno, Linebackers & Special Teams Coordinator; Keith Carter, Tight Ends; Jerome Pathon, Wide Receivers; Ken Stills, Defensive Backs; and Joe Staab, Defensive Assistant. Former players Andrew Rolin (Undergraduate Assistant) and Dorian Keller (Administrative Assistant) will also help out with the football department.
ALL GAMES ON SAN DIEGO 1700 AM: All Torero football games will be broadcast live on San Diego 1700 AM with Jack Cronin providing the play-by-play. John Kentera (color analyst) will be back for USD's five home contests. Torero games can also be heard via the internet at www.usdtoreros.com.
