USD Blanks La Verne to Win Third in a Row

Dave Bergmann, the University of San Diego’s Junior All-American candidate, accounted for two field goals and an extra point to help the Toreros defeat La Verne, 13-0, Saturday at Arnett Field.

Bergmann’s 47-yard third-quarter kick with 3:46 to go was one yard longer than his previous career best in 1989, when he was 14 of 18 and the No. 1 kicker in Division III. With 11:48 to go in the second quarter, Bergmann kicked a 25-yard field goal that gave USD a 3-0 lead. He also missed a 22-yard attempt in the first half.

It was the Toreros’ first shutout of the season and marked the third time this year USD’s defense has held opponents scoreless in the second half.

“The defense played great again, and La Verne’s defense was tough, too,” USD Coach Brian Fogarty said. “I was a little disappointed we didn’t score more points, but we moved the ball well.”

USD’s lone touchdown came on a 17-yard pass from Brendan Murphy to Mike Hintze four plays after a Murphy’s sneak on fourth and inches kept the drive alive.

La Verne (0-2) scored with two minutes remaining, when Brian Neufeld hit wide receiver Rod Zerbal for a 46-yard touchdown, but it was nullified by a holding penalty. On the next play, Neufeld hit Zerbal again, this time on a 42-yard pass play to the 14. La Verne had a first and goal on the two, but, with time running out, fullback Chris Nance was stopped by inside linebacker Lenny Territo.

Sporrer had a career-high 119 yards on 23 carries. Hintze caught three passes for 42 yards and one touchdown, and Murphy was 9 of 17 for 129 yards and one touchdown.