USD Hopes to Keep Whittier in Control

SAN DIEGO —  Being a conservative, ball-control coach, the University of San Diego’s Brian Fogarty chose to discuss time of possession as the key statistic from USD’s unlikely 24-6 romp over Azusa Pacific last week.

He would like to do more of the same tonight when USD (1-0) plays Whittier College (0-0) at 7:30 at USD’s Torero Stadium.

Time of possession probably was the most impressive statistic against Azusa--USD had the ball for 41 minutes 38 seconds of the 60-minute game--but others were equally so.

USD had 382 yards of offense (190 rushing, 192 passing) to the Cougars’ 133. The Toreros had 24 first downs to Azusa’s six. Running back Todd Jackson had 117 yards on 21 carries. Quarterback Brendan Murphy completed 14 of 21 passes for 192 yards.

And most of that production came in the first half, when USD built a 17-0 lead. In the second, Fogarty admitted to becoming too conservative.

Before Saturday, Azusa, an NAIA Division II school, had defeated USD eight consecutive times dating back to 1981.

“We had the ball for 41 1/2 minutes, which was amazing,” Fogarty said. “I don’t know if we’ve had the ball for 41 1/2 minutes in the past five games combined (against Azusa).”

He added, “Our offensive line played better than they have since I’ve been at USD (six years). Defensively, we played as well as we always do.

“I was asked if we were 18 points better than Azusa, and we’re probably not. But we were Saturday night, and that’s what counts.”

Last year in a 21-6 victory over Whittier, USD had some impressive defensive statistics. The Toreros set a single-game school record for fewest rushing yards allowed (minus 18 on 42 carries) by recording 12 sacks for minus-91 yards.

But Whittier figures to be better than last season (3-6). Former Hoover High running back Gaylan Sweet and quarterback Mike Haney are the top returners on offense. Sweet led the Poets in rushing (131 carries, 618 yards) and receiving (31 catches, 276 yards). Haney threw for 1,343 yards, completing 113 of 215 attempts.

Starting linebackers Kurt Jafay (neck) and Dan Chandler (shoulder) are listed as doubtful.