USD Opens Season With Azusa on Tap

Last year, it was Menlo College. This year, it’s Azusa Pacific.

For the second year in a row, the University of San Diego is opening its football season against the team it played in the last game the previous season.

The game tonight (7:30) against Azusa is at USD. And for the second year in a row, the Toreros will be looking for a payback.

Azusa defeated USD, 14-13, in last year’s final game by running out the final three minutes after USD had failed to convert fourth and two from the Cougars’ 29.

USD finished 5-4. Azusa capped a 7-1 season after going 2-8 the previous year.

With seven returning starters, USD will be looking for improvement from an offense that was sluggish throughout ’88. Fullback Todd Jackson (611 yards, 4.3 yards per carry) led the team in rushing for the second year in a row.

An aggressive defense has been USD’s trademark, but the Toreros lost several key players from last year.

Equally divided on both sides of the ball, 16 starters return for Azusa, whose only loss was to Humboldt State, 13-12. The Cougars allowed just 61 rushing yards per game (fifth best in the NAIA) and had 35 sacks.

USD has not defeated Azusa on the field since 1981; the Cougars forfeited the 1986 game.