Saturday, November 29, 2014
by San Diego Atheltic Media Relations

MISSOULA, Mont. - San Diego made its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division I playoffs and despite falling to the Grizz by the score of 52-14, can look back on a successful season that saw them finish 9-3 overall, win the Pioneer Football League Championship, and become the first Torero program to advance to the NCAA Division I Playoffs. The game started under blue skies was and breezy-cold conditions, and finished with the entire second half being played in snowy conditions.

It was all Montana through the first three periods and early in the fourth period as they dominated in taking a 52-0 lead. Like they did all season, the Toreros kept battling to the end and were able to get in the endzone twice in the final six minutes of play. Freshman wide receiver Justin Priest hauled in both touchdown receptions for the Toreros. With 6:05 to go in the game he caught a 27-yard pass from running back Dallas Kessman. With 2:48 to go backup quarterback Trey Wheeler connected with him from 11 yards out.

For the game Montana totaled 442 yards of offense (250 rush, 192 pass) while the Grizz defense held the Toreros to just 158 yards of offense (56 rush, 102 pass). Kessman led the Torero ground attack with 30 yards on 10 carries. A quartet of Toreros each hauled in 2 receptions with Priest leading the way with two scores that totaled 38 yards. Mason Burnett (2- 21 yards), Ross Dwelley (2- 12 yards) and Brandon White (2- 9 yards) followed.

The Torero defense was kept busy most of the day and received solid performances from a lot of players. Leading the way was Matt Miller (13 stops), Una Hamala (13 tackles), Nic Henson (11 tackles), Toney Sawyer (10 tackles) and Troy McClelland (9 stops). Punter Ryan Belden also had a nice day in tough conditions averaging 39.2 yards on nine punts with a long of 51.

Montana was paced by RB Jordan Canada (105 yards, 1 TD), QB Jordan Johnson (13-20 for 153 yards, 3 TDs) and WR Jamaal Jones (6-for-93, 2 TDs). Montana will play at Eastern Washington next Saturday in second round action.