Torero seniors look to finish careers on a winning note

San Diego Toreros (8-2, 6-1 PFL) vs. Butler Bulldogs (6-4, 4-3 PFL)

Torero Stadium at Walter J. Zable Field (San Diego, CA)

Saturday, November 21st, 2015 @ 1:00 p.m. PST

A potential share of the Pioneer Football League title won't be the only thing at stake for the University of San Diego Toreros this Saturday.

Fourteen Toreros will play the final game of their collegiate careers, and the last thing third-year head coach Dale Lindsey wants is for them to go out with a loss.

“It puts a really bad taste in your mouth,” Lindsey said while recalling the painful memory of losing his final college game as a player. “It has stuck with me for 52 years, and I don't want these kids to have that [feeling].”

One of those 14 seniors is left tackle Pono Keni, who's been a key contributor to the Toreros' offensive line since his freshman season.

“They threw him in there and all he's done is excel and play fantastic,” praised Lindsey. “I think he exemplifies a USD man, he does things the right way.”

During Keni's four-year stint with the Toreros, the team has yet to drop a PFL contest at Torero Stadium, and are hoping to extend that streak to 23 games.

“We better win on Saturday,” Keni cautioned. “I'm not willing to lose.”

Fresh off a 20-13 victory over Drake, Butler comes to town looking to end their 2015 campaign on a three-game winning streak.

USD owns a 15-5 lead in the all-time series that dates back to 1993, and have won the last three contests.

Despite the result of this game, the Toreros won't be making a second straight appearance in the FCS Playoffs. Unless something very catastrophic is announced within the next few days, Dayton will run away with the PFL's automatic bid.

The undefeated Flyers (10-0, 7-0 PFL) earned a share of their league-high 12th crown last week after a hard fought victory over Marist, and will have sole possession of the title if they get past Drake on Saturday. They edged the Toreros 13-12 back on Oct. 10th, therefore would own the tie breaker advantage if both teams finished league play 7-1.

Impact Toreros

QB Anthony Lawrence

- Leads PFL in Passing Efficiency (151.5)

RB Jereke Armstrong

- Tied for PFL lead in Total Touchdowns (11)

CB Jamal Agnew

- Owns USD record for career Pass Break Ups (45)

DL Jonathan Petersen

- Leads PFL in Sacks (8.0) & TFLs (15.0)

Impact Bulldogs

QB Matt Shiltz
- Tied for PFL lead in Total Touchdowns (11)

DL Josh Willis
- Tied for 2nd among PFL in Sacks (7.0)

DB Isaak Newhouse
Tied for 2nd among PFL in Interceptions (6)