USD Gets a Bright Idea, Runs Past Redlands, 21-3

Last week, University of San Diego quarterback Pat Dixon threw a school-record 57 passes in a loss at La Verne.

Then again, last week the lights didn’t go out.

Saturday night, midway through the first quarter in Torero Stadium, the lights did go out. And when they came back on, 16 minutes later, a new-style USD offense appeared to come back with them.

Controlling the ball by running rather that relying on the arm of Dixon, USD defeated Redlands, 21-3, in front of 3,350 fans. USD is 2-1. Redlands fell to 0-3.

Dixon threw only seven passes in the first half but USD still led, 14-3. The Toreros, who hadn’t scored a touchdown rushing in their first two games, scored twice with the run in the first half.

After the lights came back on, USD took possession and drove 43 yards in 10 plays to its first score. Running back Matt Scholl, who had gained only 17 yards in his first two games, gained that many on the drive, finally scoring on a dive play from one yard out.

USD kept its ground attack going in the second quarter, driving 62 yards in 9 plays for a 14-3 lead 10 minutes before halftime.

Redlands, meanwhile, was unable to get any offense going after starting quarterback Jamie Garton was injured and lost for the game early in the second quarter.

Garton’s replacement, junior transfer Chris Hagle, had thrown only three passes all season, two of which were intercepted.

His first pass Saturday was also picked off--one of two in the game by Tony Knight--and Hagle completed 4 of 22 passes on the night and had 4 interceptions.

USD finally shunned its running attack early in the third quarter--long enough for Dixon to throw a 43-yard scoring pass to wide receiver Jeff Mansukhani.

Mansukhani, who has caught 18 passes already this season, outran Redlands’ Ricky Perez to haul in Dixon’s pass in the right corner of the end zone. Mansukhani, a junior, has now scored four touchdowns.