Bennett Is Next to Put Twinkle in USD’s No-Stars Offense : College football: He succeeds Murphy at quarterback for Toreros, who are coming off back-to-back 7-2 seasons.

Like its neighbor down the road, the University of San Diego has its own challenge this football season--Fill the Murph’s Shoes.

Former quarterback Brendan Murphy, a four-year starter and the Toreros’ offensive player of the year in 1990, might not have been the purest passer or the flashiest individual around.

But he was consistent, a critical staple in USD’s playbook. Given the controls of a conservative, ball-control offense, Murphy helped his teams to a combined 25-11-1 mark during his career, including back-to-back 7-2 seasons the past two years.

Trying to fill Murphy’s shoes would not be easy. But finding someone to fill the spot behind center was a snap.

Redshirt junior Michael Bennett, Murphy’s backup the past two years, will start at quarterback when the Toreros open the 1991 season Saturday night at home against Menlo College.

The decision was easy, Coach Brian Fogarty said: “Actually, this is the first year since Murph arrived that we haven’t had a little quarterback controversy. It seemed like (Murphy) was battling to be the starter every year that he was here. He just always found a way of getting himself onto the football field as a starter. That’s the way he played, too. He always found a way to get it done.”

Though calling Bennett and Murphy “totally different players,” Fogarty anticipates similar results from Bennett. He knows the system well, and there have been few changes since his arrival.

USD runs a version of the Delaware wing-T, a misdirection-type offense with multiple reads. The quarterback is not intended to be the star--no one is, really. Each player performs a vital function on nearly every play. The quarterback’s job is to not make mistakes.

Bennett is familiar with the role. He was Point Loma High’s starting quarterback when the Pointers went 13-0 and won the San Diego Section 3-A title in 1987.

“I didn’t get a lot of recognition for that, because we didn’t throw very much,” he said. “I didn’t get a lot of recognition around the county, either, but I was the only (undefeated quarterback) in the stadium. That was a great feeling.”

The fact that Bennett (6-feet-1, 191 pounds) has not thrown much during his career--he was one for two for 12 yards last year--does not mean he can’t.

“All he really lacks is game experience,” Fogarty said. “He’s an outstanding athlete with a good arm. I think he’s got a better arm (than Murphy), and he has the ability to be more of a pure quarterback.

“He has to work into his own personality, though, and not try to be like Brendan. And I don’t think he has been. He’s got a lot of confidence in his ability, and I know he expects to do well. That’s a great start right there.”

Fogarty’s biggest concern right now is how to protect Bennett.

At the end of last year, the offensive line figured to be a strength, since four starters returned. Now, there are two, and one is questionable for Saturday’s opener.

Seniors Gene Fontana (Grossmont High) and Neil Greer and juniors Sean Parks and John Resko were starters in 1990. Parks, however, has yet to recover from last fall’s reconstructive knee surgery, and Resko decided not to play this season to concentrate on school. Fontana has been slowed by a hamstring pull and might not be ready by Saturday.

As it is, USD probably will start three sophomores--Kevin Barres (San Dieguito), Victor Cruz and Matt Zeller--along with Greer and junior transfer Eric Brown (Southwestern College).

The rest of the offense appears solid with seniors Brad Leonard (tight end), Dave Bergmann (wide receiver), John Eck (halfback) and Charlie Taumoepeau (fullback) and junior Scott Sporrer (fullback).

Sporrer (568 yards), Eck (381) and Taumoepeau (266) were the top three rushers last year. Eck was second in receiving with 16 catches for 189 yards, and he also completed two of two halfback option passes for 44 yards.

Bergmann is also the kicker and the team’s leading scorer last year, having made 12 of 20 field goals and 17 of 19 extra-point kicks. Fogarty said he doesn’t think the NCAA’s decision to narrow the goal posts will affect Bergmann much.

“If anything, it’s an advantage for us,” he said. “Dave normally puts ‘em right down the middle.”

USD has half its starters returning from a year ago, when it was ranked No. 6 in the final NCAA Division III West Region poll.

Seven of the 11 returnees are on defense, typically the strength of the team. The front seven, Fogarty said, should be particularly strong.

Senior Jim Washam (Valhalla) and junior Rick Salazar, who each missed half of last season, are back on the defensive line along with senior Tim Tomlinson (Southwest), junior Christian Sirek and sophomore Bobby Tubbs (USDHS). Sirek led the lineman last year in tackles (36) and sacks (five).

The linebacking corps has three senior returning starters--Dan Chandler, Ken Robak (Madison) and Paul Sellars. Chandler was third on the team in tackles (67) last year.

Dave Paladino is the lone returnee in the defensive secondary, but he led the Toreros in both tackles (86) and interceptions (three) in 1990. Expected to join Paladino are senior Greg Frinell (Fallbrook), junior Stephen Crandall and sophomore Matt Horeczko.

Fogarty is refraining from saying how much he will use Daniel and Willie Branch, freshmen brothers from Sweetwater High, and Mike Henry, a redshirt freshman from San Dieguito, but they do give the Toreros something they sorely lacked in 1990--speed.

Willie Branch and Henry are running backs, Daniel Branch a cornerback.

“Last year, our fast (running back) went 4.9 (seconds in the 40-yard dash), and the other guy went 5.2,” Fogarty said. “For most football teams, that’s what the lineman run.”

Included on USD’s 10-game schedule this season are road games against Cal Lutheran and Cal Stte Hayward.

USD Schedule

Date Opponent Time Sept. 7 Menlo College 7:30 Sept. 21 at Redlands 7:00 Sept. 28 at Cal Lutheran 1:30 Oct. 5 at Cal State Hayward 1:30 Oct. 12 Whittier 7:30 Oct. 19 at Claremont-Mudd 1:30 Oct. 26 La Verne 7:30 Nov. 2 Pomona-Pitzer 1:30 Nov. 9 Azusa Pacific 7:30 Nov. 16 at Occidental 7:00

Home games at USD’s Torero Stadium