Jacksonvillie is no match for mighty USD
By: TOM SHANAHAN - Staff Writer | ∞
SAN DIEGO ---- To see something that doesn't go as scripted at a University of San Diego football game, you have to look beyond the playing field.
Midway through the second quarter of the Toreros' 62-23 win Saturday night over Jacksonville University, the USD mascot did a cartwheel that resulted with the head of his costume falling off to the amusement of fans in the east end zone.
Also in the first half, some on-field presentations scheduled for a break in the action had to be pushed back, which left USD assistant marketing director Chris Morales impishly hoping for a timeout to get back on schedule.
"Can't we get some confusion to call for a timeout?" Morales said to no one. "I watch LSU games with (head coach) Les Miles, and they get confused and have to call a timeout."
But not, apparently, at USD games when senior quarterback Josh Johnson is directing the Toreros' West Coast offense.
"It's remarkable," said senior center Jordan Paopao, an El Camino High alumnus. "He's calling plays himself now. He suggest plays to the coaches, and the coaches kind of rely on him. He's always been a physical specimen that can run and throw, but this year he's honed in on his mental skills. He anticipates throws and anticipates blitzes. He's heaven- sent."
The 6-foot-3, 200-pound NFL draft prospect from Oakland Tech sliced and diced another Pioneer Football League opponent before 3,544 fans at Torero Stadium.
Johnson completed 17-of-22 passes for 249 yards and five touchdowns ---- to five different receivers ---- with no interceptions in just two quarters of play. He was pulled after the first half with the Toreros leading 56-14.
USD improved to 7-0 overall and 4-0 in the PFL and Jacksonville dropped to 2-5 and 1-3. The Toreros no doubt maintained their No. 1 national ranking among non-scholarship schools in the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Div. I-AA).
The poll to watch is the one for all FCS schools. The Toreros debuted last week at a tie for No. 25 and hope to move up for a chance at an at-large berth in the FCS 16-team playoff bracket.
Before USD coach Ron Caragher emptied his bench in the second half, junior running back J.T. Rogan finished with 19 carries for 115 yards and two touchdowns.
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