Redlands Deals USD Its First Loss of Season

SAN DIEGO —  Facing a team much like its own, the University of San Diego took a beating much like it normally administers.

Redlands, which gained 451 yards and held USD on a number of key plays, defeated the Toreros, 28-14, Saturday night in front of 4,000 at USD’s Torero Stadium.

It was USD’s first loss of the season after outscoring opponents 64-19 in its first three games. It was also the Toreros’ first loss at home since November 1988, snapping a seven-game streak.

Redlands improved to 4-0, having outscored its opponents, 122-46.

Redlands runs the same offense as USD--the Delaware wing-T--and employs a similar attacking-style defense. Through their first three games, both teams’ statistics were remarkably similar. USD was averaging 349.3 yards per game to Redlands’ 344. The Toreros had given up only 201.3 yards per game, Redlands 234.

Saturday night, however, Redlands seemed to have the better game plan, and certainly they executed better.

Bulldog fullback Curt Landreth gained 163 yards in 23 carries, tailback Shaun Trejo added 120 in 12 carries and quarterback Brian Harmon threw for 133 yards completing 10 of 13 passes. Landreth had two fourth-quarter touchdown runs, Trejo and Harmon one each in the first half.

USD, which had three different rushers gain 100 yards in its first three games, was led by John Eck with only 30.

“They were definitely the better team tonight,” USD Coach Brian Fogarty said.

USD quarterback Brendan Murphy, who had only 30 yards in the first half, finished with 202 yards, completing 16 of 21. Much of that yardage came in the fourth quarter as Murphy tried to rally the Toreros, after falling behind 28-7.

Murphy hit Zac Fielder with a 13-yard scoring pass to make it 28-14 with 5:52 left.

USD recovered the ensuing onside kick, and eventually drove to Redlands’ eight-yard line, but USD fumbled away the ball. Redlands ran out the clock after that.

The first 18 minutes of the game belonged to Redlands, as the Bulldogs opened up a 14-0 lead.

In its first possession, Redlands powered 85 yards in eight plays with Shaun Trejo scoring on a 13-yard run around right end. In its third possession, the Bulldogs went 72 yards in 13 plays with quarterback Brian Harmon scoring on a two-yard scramble.

In those first 18 minutes, Redlands had the ball for nearly 14 minutes and gained 187 yards in 28 plays. USD had eight yards in six plays.

USD’s fortunes turned for the better in its first possession of the second quarter. Sweeping right, Eck scored from seven yards out to cap a 14-play, 62-yard drive that took 6:40.

The key gain in the drive was another seven-yard sweep from Eck on fourth and six from the 27-yard line. The key play came six plays earlier on fourth and one. USD had chosen to punt, but Redlands was called for holding, giving USD a first down at Redlands’ 42.