Three Players Reverse Roles, Anchor USD’s Stingy Defense

Stamford Catholic High in Connecticut, Dave Dunn was an all-state tight end.

David Gilmore grew up in Riverside and played offensive tackle for Norte Vista High.

After graduating from El Cajon Valley, John Gomez played defensive back at Grossmont College.

But for the University of San Diego, Dunn has not caught a pass, Gilmore does not block and Gomez never covers a receiver. Instead, they form what Coach Brian Fogarty calls the strength of the team--the defensive line.

A tight end, an offensive tackle and a safety? Seems as if there might be some big holes for opposing backs to run through.

Hardly.

Last year, the three formed the front of a defense that set a school record for fewest rushing yards allowed (800 for the season) and was ranked 10th in Division III in points allowed (10 per game). It held Pomona-Pitzer to 1 yard rushing for another school record.

After three games in 1988, the USD defense is surrendering just 68 rushing yards per game, a pace that would lower the 1987 season record by almost 100 yards. And three weeks ago, the Toreros held Claremont-Mudd runners to -1 yard.

This afternoon, USD (1-2) visits Pomona-Pitzer (1-2). USD has a 15-1-1 record against the Sagehens, including last year’s 42-6 victory.

Coming off a disappointing, 17-10 loss to the University of Redlands, the defensive line is looking for a big game against Pomona and its wishbone.

“You’re going to see a pent-up rage released,” Gomez said.

Added Dunn: “We feel like we haven’t played up to our full potential. That may sound greedy, but that’s what you have to be on defense.”

How quickly they learn. When Dunn came to San Diego, “Nobody wanted to play nose guard, so it was basically my position by default. Nobody still wants to play there.”

Said Fogarty, “(Dunn is) the most natural defensive lineman of the three. He goes hard on every play and has good speed.”

From the middle of the line, Dunn has recorded 16 tackles and leads the team with four sacks. In the classroom, he has a 2.74 grade-point average and will graduate in May with a degree in business administration.

While he is a senior scholastically, he is a junior in football and has one year of eligibility remaining should he choose to play while in graduate school.

Gilmore also is a senior who will graduate in May with a degree in accounting. He has a 2.75 GPA and hopes to catch on with a top accounting firm.

He came to USD as a 190-pound offensive tackle. After putting on some weight, he was switched to the defensive line, but there was still a problem.

Gilmore has asthma, and because of the smog in Riverside, he would go home every summer and lose 20-30 pounds. This summer, he decided to stay in San Diego.

“It has been a problem in that it was difficult for him to keep his size,” Fogarty said. “But this summer instead of losing 20 pounds, he was able to gain an extra 10 (to 240).”

Gilmore says the asthma does not bother him while he’s playing and that it has forced him to condition that much more. Fogarty said quickness and strength are his best attributes. “Now with his size, he’s able to get to a gap and physically beat people,” Fogarty said.

He leads the defensive line with 18 tackles and forced fumble.

As for Gomez, Fogarty said, “John’s an exceptionally hard worker. He plays harder than anyone on the field.”

Hard work in the classroom has put him on the dean’s list with a 3.6 GPA in business administration. After graduating in December, Gomez plans to play professional football in Europe before returning to law school next fall.

Gomez played linebacker for a year at USD, then switched to the line. He has 15 tackles and an interception this season. He reasons that the position changes--safety to linebacker to line--have followed his weight, from 185 as a senior in high school to 237 now.

In 1986, the USD defense allowed a school-record-high 1,910 yards rushing. In 1987, Fogarty and defensive coordinator Kevin McGarry changed the philosophy from “bend but don’t break” to an aggressive attacking style.

“The two guys we moved specifically for that defense were David Gilmore and John Gomez,” Fogarty said. “Dave Dunn probably could have played in the old style.”

Speaking like a future accountant, Gilmore said, “Our main asset is quickness, and that aggressive style emphasizes our quickness.”

Adds Gomez, “It’s a motley crew. We came from three completely different backgrounds. Yet here we are.”