SOUTHLAND ROUNDUP : Sporrer Becomes USD’s Top Rusher in Victory

Former El Dorado running back Scott Sporrer became the University of San Diego’s all-time leading rusher Saturday, gaining 143 yards in the Toreros’ 42-35 victory over Azusa Pacific at Azusa.

In four seasons, Sporrer has 2,212 career yards, 36 more than Todd Jackson, also an El Dorado graduate, who set the previous record from 1986-89.

“It feels good. Now people won’t have to ask me every week, ‘Hey, how many more (yards) do you have to go?’ ” Sporrer said.

Since the beginning of the season, when the record appeared within his grasp, Sporrer has downplayed its importance and stressed team results.

“He deserves it; he’s so unselfish,” USD Coach Brian Fogarty said. “He doesn’t think in terms of his numbers. He thinks of winning the ballgame.

Said Sporrer: “It’s nice, but it’s nicer because now we’re (5-1-1). . . . It’s a relief, but I don’t think it has set in yet. It probably won’t until (this) morning when I read about it.”

Jackson, who is a friend of the Sporrer family, won’t have to read about it. He attended the game.

“Todd was here, and my grandma flew out from Colorado,” said Sporrer, flanked by his family. “This is as good as anything.”

USD won by driving 92 yards in 13 plays in the final 6 1/2 minutes, scoring on a five-yard run by quarterback Michael Bennett with 45 seconds to play. Azusa Pacific fell to 1-5.

“We were very confident,” said Bennett, who rushed 18 times for 57 yards. “We know our defense is good, but the way (the offenses) were going back and forth, we knew we had to drive all the way down and score.”