Game Preview: USD Toreros at Marist



San Diego Toreros at Marist Red Foxes

 Poughkeepsie, New York (Tenney Stadium)

Saturday, December 1st, 2012

 

Last Meeting: November 12th 2011 - USD 13 Marist 7

The San Diego Toreros (7-3; 6-1 PFL) will play their final game of the season with a share of the Pioneer Football League title on the line. They face off against the Marist Red Foxes (4-6; 3-4 PFL) in a game that was rescheduled from November 3rd to December 1st due to the effects of Hurricane Sandy. Kick off is set for 9:00 a.m. pacific time.

USD holds a 7-0 lead in the series, but Marist has managed to keep the margin of the last three games to no more than seven points. Morning games on the east coast are usually tough on the Toreros so this should be a challenging match up.
 

Head To Head

USD Offense vs. Marist Defense (PFL Rank)

SCORING OFFENSE: San Diego 28.9 PPG (3rd)
SCORING DEFENSE: Marist 17.2 PPG (1st)

RUSHING OFFENSE: San Diego 139.7 YPG (7th)
RUSHING DEFENSE: Marist 128.0 YPG (2nd)

PASS OFFENSE: San Diego 281.8 YPG (4th)
PASS DEFENSE: Marist 225.7 YPG (8th)

1ST DOWN OFFENSE: San Diego 21.7 (6th)
1ST DOWN DEFENSE: Marist 22.1 (5th)

SACKS TAKEN: San Diego 25 (5th)
SACKS GIVEN: Marist 20 (7th)

TURNOVERS LOST: San Diego 19 (T-4th)
TURNOVERS GAINED: Marist 22 (2nd)

Marist Offense vs. USD Defense (PFL Rank)

SCORING OFFENSE: Marist 23.9 PPG (6th)

SCORING DEFENSE: San Diego 20.2 PPG (2nd)

RUSHING OFFENSE: Marist 164.4 YPG (4th)
RUSHING DEFENSE: San Diego 130.9 YPG (4th)

PASS OFFENSE: Marist 236.2 YPG (6th)
PASS DEFENSE: San Diego 213.2 YPG (5th)

1ST DOWN OFFENSE: Marist 19.3 (9th)
1ST DOWN DEFENSE: San Diego 18.8 (1st)

SACKS TAKEN: Marist 30 (7th)
SACKS GIVEN: San Diego 19 (8th)

TURNOVERS LOST: Marist 13 (2nd)
TURNOVERS GAINED: San Diego 15 (T-8th)

Impact Toreros

USD Running Backs

Rushed for a combined 1499 yards & 14 touchdowns

When you have the kind of depth the Toreros have at the running back position, you could probably choose a starter by randomly picking a name out of a hat. If it isn't the speed of junior Kenn James, or the power of freshman Dallas Kessman, it's a combination of both by junior Joe Furguson. Senior J.P. Bolwahnn and Helix High product Darrion Hancock are also productive when they get in on the action.

After rushing for a career high 190 yards in the home finale against Morehead State, Kessman had to sit out the next game at Davidson due to an illness. Furguson took over the starting spot and rushed for 170 yards and two touchdowns. His performance earned him the PFL offensive player of the week award.

Who gets the starting nod this week? We'll mostly likely find out when the offense take their first snap.

Senior kicker Ernie Collins

Made 14 out of 19 field goal attempts (73.7%)

In the last game of his USD career, Collins will have a shot at standing alone as the school record holder for field goals made in a single season. The PFL's leading scorer is currently tied with Dave Bergmann who recorded 14 in 1989.  

Impact Red Foxes

Junior QB Chuckie Looney
17 touchdown passes (Marist record)
Leads the PFL in passing efficiency (159.0)

Senior WR Mike Rios
40 catches for 968 yards & nine touchdowns
Leads the PFL in average receptions (7.4) & receiving yards (96.8)

Senior LB Mike Hagemann
82 tackles (six for losses)

Publisher's Prediction: USD 24, Marist 21
 

Sources

PFL Stat Leaders
Marist Football Site
USD Football Site
Hacksaw talks w/ USD Head Football Coach Ron Carragher