Torero Athletics: USD Football Draws Cal Poly in Playoff Opener

For the second time in three years, the University of San Diego football team has earned a championship season extension — a playoff spot.

On Sunday morning, less than 24 hours after capping an undefeated Pioneer Football League run with a 57-21 road win Nov. 19 against Campbell, the Toreros (9-1 overall, 8-0 PFL) learned they'll face a familiar foe in an NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) first-round game.

Cal Poly, which handed USD its only loss this season back in September, hosts Toreros at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26 at Alex G. Spanos Stadium in San Luis Obispo. Cal Poly, a member of the Big Sky Conference, went 5-3 in conference and is 7-4 overall.

The playoff game announcement was delivered shortly after 8 a.m. Sunday as administrators, coaches and players gathered in the Jenny Craig Pavilion's Warren Hospitality Suite to see the 24-team playoff bracket unveiled on ESPNU. The Cal Poly-USD matchup was the first one announced after naming the top eight seeds, each of whom receive a first-round bye. The USD-Cal Poly winner will meet the nation's top seed, North Dakota State, on Dec. 3.

The Toreros, though, are solely focused on Cal Poly. USD is winless in five all-time meetings. The host Mustangs trailed 13-10 before outscoring USD 28-3, including 21 second-half points, to pull away for a 38-16 victory on Sept. 10. Cal Poly and USD have previously met in 1959, 2012, 2013, and 2014.

The rematch announcement, along with knowing the history of this match-up didn't elicit too much in the way of celebratory cheers on Sunday. Players, many of whom have faced Cal Poly three and four times now, reacted in a more businesslike manner, especially when Coach Dale Lindsay's briefly addressed the team.

"You know who we're playing. We've got a score to settle. That's all that needs to be said. Everybody understands what we're doing?" To which players, in unison, responded, "Yes, sir."

Jonah Hodges, USD senior running back, admitted he was "a little shocked" to draw Cal Poly a second time this year, but as a team captain alongside senior receiver Brian Riley and senior defensive back Devyn Bryant, winning the PFL title to clinch the league's automatic playoff berth provides an opportunity to build upon no matter the opposition.

"I'm excited to play and it's against someone we've played lots of times, so we know our opponent and we just need to have a great week of preparation," said Hodges, who has rushed for 1,190 yards (6.5 yards-per-run average) and 15 touchdowns in 2016. "Our goal was to make the playoffs two years ago and we accomplished that. But our goal this year is to win a playoff game."

Offensively, the Toreros have several weapons in which to make Hodges' goal come true. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Anthony Lawrence has completed 197 of 286 passes for 2,515 yards and 22 touchdowns. Hodges, who had 93 yards on 12 carries against the Mustangs in September, and sophomore Jemeke Anderson (434 yards, 3.9 average, 5 TDs) lead the rushing attack. Lawrence's top targets include Pete Dwelley (59 receptions, 722 yards, 9 TDs), Riley (46 for 858, 6) and Hodges (39 for 413, 2).

"No matter who you are playing in the playoffs, you have to ramp it up a notch, mentally and physically, because it's a one-shot deal; you come to play or you go home," said Lindsay, who said one key to success would be stopping the Mustangs in the second half, which has been a constant issue in close games.

Limiting Cal Poly's triple option, run-heavy offense, will likely best determine USD's chances for success. Cal Poly had 354 yards rushing and 130 passing in the September game.

"It's not so much physical as much as it is mentally preparing for Cal Poly, especially on defense," Lindsay said.

Bryant, who returned an interception for a touchdown against Campbell on Saturday, said familiarity with Cal Poly's potent offense requires great attention to detail for USD's defensive front and for the secondary to be in place when a pass is called.

"It's no secret, we've played Cal Poly my freshman year, sophomore year and now as a senior," he said. "We know the game plan; their offense is designed to trick you, to get you to make mistakes on your own. Having played them so many times, we just have to know that this is what you do and this is where you need to be."

Volleyball wants to finish WCC play strong

The 11th-ranked Toreros are closing out West Coast Conference play the only way a top volleyball team should — winning matches convincingly. USD (24-4 overall, 15-2 WCC) swept road matches against Santa Clara on Nov. 17 and San Francisco on Nov. 19. Both times, Lisa Kramer led the way with 14 kills against Santa Clara and 13 against San Francisco.

The Toreros close WCC regular-season play at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Pepperdine. The Toreros topped the Waves in four sets on Oct. 22.

USD is tied with BYU atop the WCC standings. Both have two WCC losses, which includes a head-to-head split of their two meetings. BYU (26-3) finishes with an 8 p.m. match at Loyola Marymount on Tuesday. If both USD and BYU win, they'll be co-champions and both likely will host a four-team regional the first weekend of December. The NCAA Tournament selections are announced Nov. 27.

Basketball "Family" Time

Thanksgiving is a time to be with family, so it seems appropriate that USD’s men and women’s basketball teams are spending quite a bit of time together right now.

On Sunday afternoon, the men's team earned its first win of the season, 81-72, over Nicholls State in the Jenny Craig Pavilion. Olin Carter III led USD with 21 points and was one of five players to score in double figures. It was the first of three home games on USD's schedule this week. The Toreros (1-3) host Bethune Cookman at 7 p.m. on Tuesday and then New Mexico State at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26. The four-game homestand concludes Nov. 30 when USD hosts USC at 7 p.m.

The women's team produced a 91-53 triumph over San Diego State on Nov. 17 with Maya Hood's 19 points leading the way, but the Toreros suffered their first loss, 54-51, at Northern Colorado on Nov. 20. The Toreros (3-1) return to action at 5 p.m. Friday against UC Santa Barbara in the JCP. 

For all USD Athletics news, scores and information, visit the website and follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

— Ryan T. Blystone

USD Football video courtesy of USD Athletics