Sunday, October 30, 2005

CHAMPIONSHIP STATISTICS

SAN DIEGO, CA - The USD Toreros (11-1) earned their first-ever PFL Championship title with a hard-fought 47-40 victory over visiting Morehead State (8-4) before 2,883 fans at Torero Stadium. The fans got their money's worth with both teams combining for a total of 1,162 yards of offense. USD quarterback Josh Johnson, who earlier in the week was tabbed the PFL North Offensive Player of the Year, tossed 5 first half touchdowns in helping USD take a 34-20 intermission lead. Morehead State, behind the outstanding performance of QB Brian Yost (106 yards rushing and 1 TD; 265 yards passing and 1 TD), rallied in the final two quarters but came up just shy in an outstanding collegiate football game. The win was USD's 8th straight, and the team's 13th straight at Torero Stadium, matching the school record.

"At the beginning of the season I said there was a tremendous story waiting to be written about this 2005 team," said an elated Jim Harbaugh. "This team just got better and better each week, were a tough close-knit team that wouldn't quit, and went out and established numerous new team records, including 11 wins and the program's first PFL title. They have set the bar for all future Torero teams, and every team from here on out will be measured by this 2005 club. I couldn't be happier for these players, this coaching staff, our administration and school, and for all of our USD fans."

Morehead State got on the scoreboard first with Rick Cornelius scoring on a 2-yard run to finish off a 10-play, 62 drive. USD answered right back about 2 minutes later with Josh Johnson connecting with WR John Matthews for a 39-yard TD at the 8:24 mark. Hutch Parker's PAT kick was blocked and the Eagles held a 7-6 early lead. MSU, with an outstanding running attack, took a 14-6 lead at the 3:34 mark when Jabari McGee scored on a 28-yard TD sprint. But like they've done all season, the Toreros answered with Johnson connecting with WR Adam Hannula for a 3-yard score just before the end of the quarter to make it 14-13.

USD took its first lead at the 13:08 mark of the 2nd quarter when Johnson connected with Hannula again for 14 yards and a 20-14 advantage, but MSU put together a 13-play, 70-yard drive with Yost hitting WR Daniel Vagni for a 3-yard score at the 6:53 mark. The Eagles PAT kick was blocked and the game was tied at 20-all. USD receiver John Matthews hauled in his 2nd TD from Johnson, a 30-yarder at the 3:51 mark, and senior WR Nick Garton caught a 13-yarder with 1:43 to go to send the Toreros into the locker room with a 34-20 lead.

In the 2nd half USD extended their lead to 41-20 with a Kevin Herron 6-yard TD run at the 13:49 mark, but Morehead State answered with two scores in the 3rd quarter to close the gap to 41-34. Eli Parkes busted loose for a 49-yard TD at the 11:19 mark, and Yost finished off an 8-play, 82 yard drive with a 3-yard TD run at the 5:15 mark.

Early in the 4th quarter USD finished off a 9-play, 85 yard drive with junior Jon Polk scoring from 3-yards out for a 47-34 advantage with 11:30 left in the game. USD would not score again, and the Eagles would again put together an impressive drive, going 91 yards on 12 plays with Jabari McGee scoring on a 7-yard run to make it 47-40 with just 2:39 to go. MSU recovered the onside kick, but the Torero defense stopped them on downs with 2:04 to go. USD was then forced to punt away and MSU had the ball one more time with 1:25 to go on their own 27-yard line. Yost moved them down the field and got the Eagles to the USD 33-yard line, but his final pass attempt toward Brandon McRae and the endzone went incomplete as time ran out. The USD players then stormed the field for one final celebration, and to claim their first PFL Championship trophy.

It was a total team effort from both teams. For USD, Josh Johnson completed 24-of-37 passes for 375 yards and 5 TDs. His 5th TD pass set a new USD single season mark of 36 passing TDs. Adam Hannula, with 8 catches for 93 yards and 2 TDs, broke his own single season mark of 72 catches and finished with 73. Nick Garton hauled in 6 balls for 113 yards and 1 TD. John Matthews caught 2 balls for 69 yards, both catches going for scores. Kevin Herron rushed for 68 yards and a score. Defensively, linebacker Tyler Evans finished with 14 tackles and 1 forced fumble. Eric Bakhtiari was huge with 11 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 fumble recovery and 2 pass breakups. Philip Bretsch added 9 stops. David Greer came up with a huge interception midway through the 4th quarter and returned it 22 yards.

For the visitors, Brian Yost finished 27-of-44 for 265 yards and 1 TD, and also rushed 14 times for 106 yards and 1 TD. Halfback Jabari McGee rushed 14 times for 99 yards and 2 scores. WR Eli Parkes caught 6 balls for 70 yards. The MSU defense was paced by Kwesi Williams with 12 tackles and 3 pass breakups.