USD Opens Its Season at Redlands

The University of San Diego opens its 1985 football season against the University of Redlands at 7:30 tonight at Redlands.

This will mark the 11th meeting between the two teams. USD leads the series, 6-4. Two years ago, USD beat the Bulldogs, 14-13. Last season, Redlands defeated the Toreros, 13-9.

“It’s been close in the past, and I expect it to be close again,” said Brian Fogarty, who enters his third year as USD coach. “We have a good chance to win. We have to eliminate the turnovers we had last year. They’re a bit better than they were last year; we’re much better than last year.”

The Toreros, a Division 3 independent, finished 1-8-1 last season.

Redlands, 5-5 overall and 3-4 in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Assn. a year ago, is led on defense by sophomore inside linebacker Miguel Rodriguez. The Bulldogs’ top offensive players are all-SCIAC tackle Neal Pahia, quarterback Jamie Garton and running backs Ed Soto and John German.

“Garton throws the ball well, and their backs are quick,” Fogarty said. “If we can avoid the big play, we can win.”