For the Record, Cal Lutheran Loses 18-Point Lead, Game

Records? Who needs records?

After Cal Lutheran tailback Terrence Thomas gained 224 yardsto set a school record, he said: “I didn’t even know anything about it.”

His concern, however, was the Kingsmen’s 29-24 loss to the University of San Diego in a nonconference game Saturday night at San Diego.

San Diego kicker Matt Young made a 27-yard field goal with 3 minutes 59 seconds left to play to give the Toreros the deciding score.

The field goal capped a 12-play, 5-minute, 59-second drive that started just after Cal Lutheran had tied the game, 24-24.

San Diego (2-2) sealed the victory when Cal Lutheran quarterback Ryan Huisenga was called for intentional grounding in the end zone with five seconds left.

The Kingsmen (1-1) had a chance to come back in the previous series, but that drive stalled at the San Diego 48, when defensive lineman Thomas Rodriguez batted down a Huisenga fourth-and-three pass.

Thomas eclipsed the school record of 183 yards in game, set by Dave Nankivell in 1974 and equaled by Cassidy O’Sullivan in 1992.

Thomas finished the first half with 134 yards, most of which came on two long touchdown runs. He broke a 44-yard scoring run to give Cal Lutheran a 7-0 lead with 4 minutes 3 seconds to play in the first half.

On his next carry, just after San Diego had fumbled at Cal Lutheran’s 38, Thomas broke down the right sideline for a 62-yard scoring run.

He added a one-yard scoring run with 2:30 to go in the half, giving Cal Lutheran what appeared to be a commanding 21-3 lead. But it wasn’t enough.

A poor pass defense has contributed to blown leads in the last two games for Cal Lutheran.

After Cal Lutheran took a 21-3 lead in the second quarter, San Diego quarterback Vince Moiso completed 13 of his next 16 passes for 157 yards, engineering touchdown drives on three consecutive possessions to give the Toreros a 24-21 lead with 4:47 left in the third quarter.

“We had guys double covered and they still caught balls,” Cal Lutheran Coach Joe Harper said. “We’ve got some work to do.”

The Kingsmen came back with a 27-yard field goal by Dan Leffler, tying the game, 24-24, with 9:58 remaining.