USD Faces Improved Pomona

The University of San Diego has never lost in football to Pomona Pitzer--its opponent at 1:30 p.m. today in Pomona--but two factors warrant concern for the Toreros.

USD is banged up physically and mentally after suffering its first loss of the season, 28-14, to Redlands last week, much-improved Pomona Pitzer is 3-0.

Redlands beat--and beat up--USD at its own game, power rushing and defense. The Bulldogs controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides and made play-calling a misery for USD coaches.

Redlands had 451 yards of offense, 318 on the ground. That came off a Torero defense that entered yielding an average of just 201 per game. On offense, USD was averaging 245 rushing but managed just 91 against Redlands.

“That’s the first time we’ve been under 100 yards (rushing) since I can remember,” USD Coach Brian Fogarty said.

As a consequence, USD’s injury list is a concern for the first time this season. Left guard George Chumo, who had knee surgery this week, is out indefinitely. Defensive linemen Rick Salazar (knee) and Tim Tomlinson (ankle) are doubtful. And running backs Ty Barksdale (ankle) and Charlie Taumoepeau (thigh) are probable.

“Pomona is not the type of team that is going to line up and physically try to manhandle us,” Fogarty said.

At least, it hasn’t in the past. Since 1957, USD is 16-0-1 against Pomona Pitzer. (They split two games when USD competed as a club team in 1971 and ’72.) The tie (22-22) came in 1984.

“They have traditionally been, not a real good football team,” Fogarty said. “They’ve always been able to move the ball, and this year is no exception. They have beaten some decent football teams because they’ve scored a lot of points.”

Pomona Pitzer is averaging 34.3 points per game but allowing 25. Quarterback Scott Hamburg has thrown for 745 yards (46 of 89) and seven touchdowns. While USD’s leading receiver--Mike Hintze--has nine catches for 118 yards in four games, the Sagehens have three receivers with 10 or more in three games--Mike Dodd (18 for 236 yards), Todd Tuney (11 for 214) and Pat Hee (10 for 137).

“They have a good quarterback and several good receivers,” Fogarty said. “Our secondary, which is the strength of our defense, is going to have to play well. They’ll be challenged.

“If we can control the football--and I think we can do that--we can keep their offense off the field.”