USD Seeks Best Start Since 1983

After two victories by a combined score of 43-6, the University of San Diego has the opportunity to begin the season 3-0 for the first time since 1983.

USD plays at Claremont--a school the Toreros have defeated each of the past two years, including 17-8 in 1988--this afternoon at 1:30.

“We’re playing well offensively, defensively and on special teams,” USD Coach Brian Fogarty said. “It’s difficult to pinpoint any one area that has stood out above the rest.”

Fogarty figured that with seven starters returning from last season, the offense would be much improved, and it has been. With a grind-it-out, ball-control scheme, USD is averaging 329 yards per game (201 rushing, 128 passing), including 280 in last week’s 19-0 victory over Whittier.

“Last year, 280 yards, I would have been very happy,” Fogarty said. “But this year I’m a little disappointed. I guess that shows what expectations can do.”

On defense, USD is allowing only 142.5 yards per game, with just 65 of those coming on rushes. Last year, USD set a school record allowing just 73 rushing yards per game and held Claremont to minus one.

“I’m happy the defense has come around the way we thought it would. We knew we had good players. It was just bringing them together in the right positions,” Fogarty said.

Dave Bergmann kicked four field goals (23, 34, 40 and 46 yards) last week and has made five of five on the year. Six in a row would equal the school record set by Robert Lozzi in 1982.

Greg Frinell of Fallbrook High averaged 12 yards on five punt returns and had a 44-yard kickoff return last week.

Claremont is coming off a 10-8 opening loss to Menlo in which the Stags fumbled for the fourth time on the Menlo one-yard line late in the fourth quarter.

USD linebacker Kurt Jafay will miss the remainder of the season with a neck injury. Jafay has a year of eligibility remaining but is scheduled to graduate this spring.