The high temperatures at Torero Stadium did not stop the University of San Diego from earning its first Pioneer Football League victory, registering a 63-14 win over Davidson on Saturday at Torero Stadium.
With kickoff temperature at 101 degrees, the hottest since at least 2018, San Diego (2-3, 1-1 PFL) put up the most points since scoring 69 at Presbyterian during the Fall 2021 season.
“The offense has been clicking and continues to get better, and we’re continuing to find more ways to get more guys with football,” USD coach Brandon Moore said. “Seeing our secondary recover after getting beaten up for a couple weeks was awesome.”
“In San Diego, you can’t really prepare for the heat. It’s foreign to us at (it) being this hot out here, but we were aware of it all week. Players hydrated.”
Right from the start, San Diego’s defense felt right at home after three consecutive road contests, totaling five turnovers, including four in the first half over the Wildcats (2-4, 0-2 PFL).
Ruben Lopez and Ezekiel Swyne picked off Davidson quarterback Casey Bullock on the first two drives. Swayne recovered a fumble, and CJ Castille picked off Bullock on the first play of the second quarter.
“It felt really good just being able to, like, let the defense click and go into place,” said Castille, who added a 42-yard pick-six in the fourth quarter for his second interception.
Lopez intercepted a pass in the first quarter, giving him 13 for his career. Only two players in USD history have more.
As the defense got its stops, the offense logged touchdowns on four of its first five drives. Running back Adam Criter ran in scores from 13 and 25 yards out on consecutive possessions.
The other three touchdowns during the first two quarters came through the air as Mater Dei Catholic High School alum Dom Nankil completed 24 of 33 passes for 326 yards.
Nankil found Cole Monach for three of his four touchdown passes. Monach, who recorded seven receptions for 120 yards, logged his second touchdown on a 22-yard pass over the middle that capped off a six-play, 66-yard drive that gave USD a 35-7 lead at halftime.
“It’s what Dom and I expect,” Monach said of his quarterback-wide receiver relationship. “It’s what (offensive coordinator) Nick Folton expects. It’s how we should operate.”
Elijah Taylor caught eight passes for 114 yards.
“I love ET,” Monach said of his fellow receiver. “He helps a lot, stretching the field and does his job when we need him to do his job.”
Next Saturday, USD heads back on the road to face Butler. Kickoff is scheduled for 10 a.m. PDT.