{"id":460355,"date":"2026-09-11T08:56:13","date_gmt":"2026-09-11T08:56:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/460355\/"},"modified":"2026-09-11T08:56:13","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T08:56:13","slug":"san-diego-visits-no-24-idaho-state-in-pocatello","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/460355\/","title":{"rendered":"San Diego Visits No. 24 Idaho State in Pocatello"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\n GAME NOTES AT NO. 24 IDAHO STATE (PDF)<\/a>
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San Diego (0-1, 0-0 PFL)\u00a0\u00a0 at\u00a0\u00a0 No. 24 Idaho State (2-0, 0-0 Big Sky)\u00a0\u00a0 * ranking according to the Stats Perform FCS Top 25
\nSaturday, Sept. 12, 2026\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 3 p.m. PT\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 ICCU Dome\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Pocatello, Idaho
\nWatch: ESPN+ (Scott Gross)\u00a0\u00a0 |\u00a0\u00a0 Listen: USDToreros.com (Jack Cronin)\u00a0\u00a0|\u00a0\u00a0 Social: @USDFootball<\/p>\n

LAST TIME OUT: NO. 6 UC DAVIS 49, SAN DIEGO 17
\n \n<\/p>\n


\n\tSan Diego led 7-0 after one quarter of its Sept. 5 opener at Torero Stadium before No. 6 UC Davis scored 28 second-quarter points on its way to a 49-17 win.
\n\tThe Toreros held the ball for 11:21 of the first quarter and outgained the Aggies 101-36. Omar Mbakwe’s<\/a> 2-yard run capped an 11-play, 68-yard drive that took 6:23.
\n\tRuben Lopez’s<\/a> end-zone interception stopped a UC Davis drive at the San Diego 16, and Khalil Cueva<\/a> recovered a muffed kickoff at the UC Davis 8 to open the second half.
\n\tDom Nankil<\/a> hit Cole Monach<\/a> for a 22-yard touchdown to cap a five-play, 75-yard drive in the third quarter, and Emiliano Salazar<\/a> added a 34-yard field goal in the fourth.
\n\tNankil threw for 177 yards, Monach caught six passes for 72, Adam Criter<\/a> ran for a team-high 54 and Tim Hays<\/a> led the defense with six tackles in his Torero debut.
\n\tBoth teams ran 67 plays and San Diego won time of possession, 30:08 to 29:47, but UC Davis turned four Torero giveaways into 14 points. <\/p>\n

ALL-TIME SERIES VS. IDAHO STATE<\/p>\n


\n\tSan Diego is 1-0 all-time against Idaho State. Saturday is the second meeting between the programs and the first in Pocatello.
\n\tThe only previous game came 68 years ago, when USD \u2014 then known as the Pioneers \u2014 shut out Idaho State College 24-0 at San Diego’s Balboa Stadium on Nov. 22, 1958.
\n\tBy the Idaho State Journal’s account of that game, the fog was so thick that fans could barely see the field.
\n\tElijah Taylor<\/a> scored his first career rushing touchdown at Idaho State in 2022 with Northern Arizona, and Boise’s Luke Legarreta<\/a> is the only Idaho native on the roster. <\/p>\n

THREE-GAME ROAD SWING<\/p>\n


\n\tSaturday starts a run of three straight road games \u2014 at Idaho State, at Cal Poly on Sept. 19 and at St. Thomas on Sept. 26 to open PFL play \u2014 before San Diego returns to Torero Stadium on Oct. 3 against Davidson. The Toreros went 4-2 away from home in 2025.
\n\tIdaho State is San Diego’s second straight ranked opponent. The Bengals rose from unranked to 24th in this week’s Stats Perform poll after a 29-17 win at FBS Utah State. <\/p>\n

PICKED FIRST IN THE PIONEER FOOTBALL LEAGUE<\/p>\n


\n\tSan Diego was picked to win the PFL for a second straight year, edging three-time defending champion Drake 90-88 in the preseason coaches poll, with St. Thomas third at 87.
\n\tThe Toreros placed a league-best nine players on the Preseason All-PFL Team, filling 10 of the 31 spots, with Emiliano Salazar<\/a> the only player selected at two positions. <\/p>\n

2025 IN REVIEW<\/p>\n


\n\tSan Diego went 8-4 overall and 6-2 in the PFL, finishing second in the league for a second straight season.
\n\tThe Toreros closed on a four-game winning streak, outscoring Dayton, Valparaiso, Butler and Stetson by a combined 145-55.
\n\tThe fourth quarter belonged to San Diego. The Toreros scored 137 of their 341 points in the final period \u2014 more than they managed in the first and third quarters combined (98) \u2014 and outscored opponents 137-72 after three.
\n\tSan Diego turned takeaways into points better than anyone it played, scoring 64 points off turnovers against seven the other way, and finished plus-12 in turnover margin with 18 takeaways to six giveaways. <\/p>\n

PLAYERS TO WATCH
\n#9\u00a0 Dom Nankil<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 QB\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Senior\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 6-0\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 175\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Chula Vista, Calif.\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Mater Dei Catholic HS
\n2026<\/p>\n


\n\tCompleted 16 of 31 passes for 177 yards and a touchdown in the opener against No. 6 UC Davis, spreading his completions among six receivers.
\n\tWent 6-for-7 in the first quarter, converting a third-and-4 to Christopher Hall<\/a> on the first touchdown drive, and hit Cole Monach<\/a> for a 22-yard score in the third quarter. <\/p>\n

2025<\/p>\n


\n\tStarted all 12 games and ranked fourth in the PFL in completions (157), attempts (246), passing yards (1,945) and touchdown passes (13), and third in passing efficiency (145.2).
\n\tCompleted 63.8% of his throws and was intercepted three times \u2014 tied for the fewest in the league and tied for the eighth-fewest in a single season in program history (minimum 100 attempts).
\n\tThrew 147 passes before his first interception of the season, which did not come until Oct. 25 at Davidson.
\n\tSeason-high 288 passing yards in the 40-28 win at Davidson; completed 81% (13-of-16) at Princeton on Sept. 20.
\n\tRan for both of his rushing touchdowns against Southern Utah on Sept. 6.
\n\tHis 2,058 yards of total offense led the team by more than 1,100. <\/p>\n

Career<\/p>\n


\n\tA Jerry Rice Award finalist as a freshman in 2023, finishing 15th in the voting after throwing for 1,158 yards and five touchdowns in eight games.
\n\tEntered 2026 ninth in program history with 452 career pass attempts and has 483 after the opener. <\/p>\n

#4\u00a0 Adam Criter<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 RB\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Graduate\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 6-3\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 205\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Downers Grove, Ill.\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 St. Francis HS
\n2026<\/p>\n


\n\tLed San Diego in carries (14) and rushing yards (55) against No. 6 UC Davis, opening the first-quarter touchdown drive with a 31-yard run. Added a 6-yard catch. <\/p>\n

2025<\/p>\n


\n\tAll-PFL First Team. Led the league in rushing attempts (180) and rushing touchdowns (12) and finished second in rushing yards (921) in his first season at the position after moving over from wide receiver.
\n\tPFL Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 21 and an Opta Stats Perform FCS National Player of the Week honorable mention the following day.
\n\tFour 100-yard rushing games, topped by 120 yards and a touchdown in the 30-27 win over St. Thomas on Sept. 27.
\n\tCareer-best 35 touches at Princeton on Sept. 20 \u2014 25 carries for 105 yards and three fourth-quarter touchdowns, plus 10 catches for 68 yards in a 42-35 comeback.
\n\tAdded 23 receptions for 136 yards and led the team in all-purpose yards (1,129, 94.1 per game).
\n\tHis 79-yard run against Cal Poly on Aug. 30 was the longest by a Torero in 2025. <\/p>\n

Career<\/p>\n


\n\tPreseason All-PFL First Team in 2026. <\/p>\n

#17\u00a0 Cole Monach<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 WR\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Graduate\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 6-1\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 185\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 San Juan Capistrano, Calif.\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 San Juan Hills HS
\n2026<\/p>\n


\n\tDrew a team-high 13 targets against No. 6 UC Davis and caught six for a team-best 72 yards, including a 22-yard touchdown from Dom Nankil<\/a> in the third quarter.
\n\tAlso the holder on Emiliano Salazar’s<\/a> placekicks. <\/p>\n

2025<\/p>\n


\n\tAll-PFL Second Team. Led USD in receptions (55), receiving yards (822) and receiving yards per game (68.5), and tied for the team lead with six touchdown catches.
\n\tRanked among the PFL’s top 10 in seven receiving categories, including fourth in yards and third in yards per game.
\n\tHis 14.9 yards per catch led every Torero with at least 19 receptions.
\n\tFour 100-yard games, headlined by 119 yards on four catches against Butler on Senior Day, Nov. 15.
\n\tScored in five straight games from Sept. 27 to Nov. 1 and caught at least three passes in eight of his final nine.
\n\tHis 73-yard catch against Drake on Oct. 11 was San Diego’s longest reception of the season. <\/p>\n

Career<\/p>\n


\n\tPreseason All-PFL Second Team in 2026.
\n\tHas 95 career receptions for 1,329 yards and 10 touchdowns across four seasons, including 29 catches for 362 yards and three scores in 2024. <\/p>\n

#41\u00a0 Emiliano Salazar<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 K\/P\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Junior\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 6-1\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 170\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Orange, Calif.\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Villa Park HS
\n2026<\/p>\n


\n\tMade a 34-yard field goal and both extra points against No. 6 UC Davis.
\n\tAveraged 38.4 yards on seven punts, putting four inside the 20 and sending three 50 yards or longer, with a long of 54. <\/p>\n

2025<\/p>\n


\n\tPFL Special Teams Player of the Year. All-PFL First Team as a punter and honorable mention as a placekicker.
\n\tLed the league with 85 points and 40 extra points and tied for the league lead with 15 field goals in 18 attempts (83.3%).
\n\tPerfect on extra points \u2014 40-for-40.
\n\tMade a season-long 47-yarder twice, against Drake on Oct. 11 and Dayton on Nov. 1, and hit three field goals in a game on three occasions.
\n\tAveraged 44.8 yards on 37 punts, a single-season program record (minimum 15 punts), with a league-high 16 downed inside the 20 and 13 traveling 50 yards or more.
\n\tFCS National Special Teams Player of the Week on Sept. 29; PFL Special Teams Player of the Week on Sept. 28 and Oct. 26.
\n\tHandled kickoffs as well, averaging 61.9 yards on 65 attempts with 27 touchbacks. <\/p>\n

Career<\/p>\n


\n\tPreseason All-PFL selection at both placekicker and punter in 2026, the only player in the league chosen twice. <\/p>\n

\u00a0
\n#6\u00a0 Ruben Lopez<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 FS\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Graduate\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 6-0\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 180\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Mission Viejo, Calif.\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Mission Viejo HS
\n2026<\/p>\n


\n\tIntercepted a pass in the end zone against No. 6 UC Davis to end an Aggies drive at the San Diego 16. Also made two tackles and returned two kickoffs for 33 yards. <\/p>\n

2025<\/p>\n


\n\tAll-PFL Second Team and All-PFL Academic Second Team. A captain who played all 12 games in the heart of the defense.
\n\tRecorded 53 tackles (37 solo), three tackles for loss and a sack.
\n\tTied for second in the PFL with five interceptions, returning them 50 yards, and added four pass breakups and a forced fumble.
\n\tIntercepted a pass in three consecutive games from Oct. 25 to Nov. 8 and in four of his final five.
\n\tSeason-high seven tackles twice \u2014 at Montana State on Sept. 13 and at Stetson on Nov. 22. <\/p>\n

Career<\/p>\n


\n\tEntered 2026 tied for fourth in program history with 11 career interceptions; the pick against UC Davis was his 12th.
\n\tAll-PFL Second Team in 2024 and PFL Co-Defensive Player of the Week that Oct. 6, after an 87-yard walk-off fumble return for a touchdown in overtime against Presbyterian.
\n\tPreseason All-PFL Second Team in 2026. <\/p>\n

#49\u00a0 Cayden Gibson<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 OLB\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Junior\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 6-2\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 220\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Chandler, Ariz.\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Arizona College Prep
\n2025<\/p>\n


\n\tPlayed all 12 games and tied for seventh on the team with 41 tackles (24 solo), including 3.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks.
\n\tSeason-high eight tackles in the 29-7 win over Butler on Nov. 15.
\n\tForced a fumble and recorded an interception at Marist on Oct. 4, then forced another the following week against Drake.
\n\tAll 2.5 of his sacks came in a three-game stretch between Sept. 27 and Oct. 11. <\/p>\n

Before San Diego<\/p>\n


\n\tPiled up 285 tackles, 61 tackles for loss and 50 sacks at Arizona College Prep, with three blocked punts as a senior.
\n\tA two-time all-region defensive player of the year and four-time Arizona all-state honoree who also wrestled, placing second in the state as a senior. <\/p>\n

#96\u00a0 River Abenroth<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 DT\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Junior\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 6-2\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 270\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 San Diego, Calif.\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Point Loma HS
\n2025<\/p>\n


\n\tAll-PFL Honorable Mention. Appeared in all 12 games with 32 tackles (14 solo), five tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
\n\tSeason-high six tackles against Butler on Nov. 15.
\n\tRecorded at least half a tackle for loss in four consecutive games from Sept. 27 to Oct. 25. <\/p>\n

Career<\/p>\n


\n\tA 2026 Preseason All-PFL selection, one of two Toreros among the league’s five preseason defensive linemen.
\n\tA San Diego native who played at Point Loma High, roughly 10 minutes from campus. <\/p>\n

#76\u00a0 Sean Scheck<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 DT\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Senior\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 6-3\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 260\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Batavia, Ill.\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Marmion Academy
\n2025<\/p>\n


\n\tAll-PFL Honorable Mention. Recorded 20 tackles in 10 games with six tackles for loss and five sacks, second on the team in both.
\n\tSeason-high 2.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss in the 31-13 win over Dayton on Nov. 1 \u2014 the best single-game sack total by a Torero in 2025.
\n\tGot to the quarterback in back-to-back games at Princeton (Sept. 20) and against St. Thomas (Sept. 27). <\/p>\n

Career<\/p>\n


\n\tA 2026 Preseason All-PFL selection.
\n\tEarned four all-conference honors at Marmion Academy, two in football and two in wrestling, and was an all-state wrestler. <\/p>\n

#95\u00a0 Jae’Von Reels<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 NT\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Senior\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 6-1\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 280\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 San Jose, Calif.\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Bellarmine College Prep
\n2025<\/p>\n


\n\tPlayed nine games with 10 tackles and a tackle for loss.
\n\tRecorded half a tackle for loss against St. Thomas on Sept. 27 and again at Davidson on Oct. 25. <\/p>\n

2024<\/p>\n


\n\tAll-PFL Honorable Mention. Put up 19 tackles (10 solo) in nine games with three tackles for loss, half a sack, an interception and a pass breakup. <\/p>\n

Career<\/p>\n


\n\tW-Cal Defensive Lineman of the Year at Bellarmine College Prep in 2023. <\/p>\n

\u00a0
\nNEW FACES<\/p>\n


\n\tSan Diego brought in 10 transfers for 2026: Doug Williams<\/a> (Stetson\/Glendale CC), Elijah Taylor<\/a> (Northern Arizona), Nolan Story<\/a> (Moorpark College), Alex Whitman<\/a> (Notre Dame), Robert Tucker III<\/a> (Cornell), Michael Roni<\/a> (San Diego State), Tim Hays<\/a> (Boston College), Jake Arellano<\/a> (Bentley), Mansfield Owsley<\/a> (Georgetown) and Jack Hinchey<\/a> (Modesto JC).
\n\tFour are on the two-deep \u2014 Taylor and Hays as starters, Story and Williams on the second unit \u2014 and all four played in the opener, along with Robert Tucker III<\/a>. <\/p>\n

#3\u00a0 Elijah Taylor<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 WR\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Graduate\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 6-0\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 190\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Phoenix, Ariz.\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Higley HS\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Northern Arizona
\n\u00a0
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\n\tStarted at wide receiver in his Torero debut against No. 6 UC Davis and caught two passes for 13 yards, including an 8-yarder that set up San Diego’s first touchdown.
\n\tSpent five seasons at Northern Arizona, playing 11 games in 2025 largely on special teams with three special teams tackles and two catches for 28 yards.
\n\tHis most productive year came in 2022: 20 receptions for 198 yards in 10 games, including a season-high six catches for 57 yards against Montana State and his first career rushing touchdown at Idaho State.
\n\tMade seven starts in 2023 and averaged 21.8 yards on four catches, among them a 60-yard reception against Sacramento State.
\n\tRecovered a blocked punt for a touchdown against Lincoln in 2024.
\n\tTwo of his longest catches in 2022, 22 yards apiece, came at UC Davis and Idaho State \u2014 San Diego’s first two opponents this season.
\n\tBig Sky All-Academic in 2025. Pursuing a graduate degree in educational leadership. <\/p>\n

#5\u00a0 Nolan Story<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 OLB\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Sophomore\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 6-0\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 210\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Thousand Oaks, Calif.\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Newbury Park HS\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Moorpark College
\n\u00a0
\n
\n\tMade two tackles in his Torero debut against No. 6 UC Davis as the second-team STAR.
\n\tPut up 199 tackles in 19 games across two seasons at Moorpark College \u2014 10.5 per game \u2014 with 17.5 tackles for loss, six forced fumbles, six interceptions and two sacks.
\n\tJunior College Gridiron All-American First Team and National Northern All-Conference First Team in both 2024 and 2025.
\n\tMoorpark’s defensive MVP in 2024, then team captain and team MVP in 2025.
\n\tUnanimous Southern California Football Association Defensive Utility Player of the Year and an All-California Community College First Team Defense pick in 2025. Named MVP of the 2025 Patriotic Bowl.
\n\tA First Team All-Canyon League linebacker and First Team All-Ventura County running back as a senior at Newbury Park. <\/p>\n

#42\u00a0 Tim Hays<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 OLB\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Graduate\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 6-1\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 227\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Concord, Mass.\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Carlisle HS\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Boston College
\n\u00a0
\n
\n\tStarted at WILL in his Torero debut and led San Diego with six tackles, all solo, against No. 6 UC Davis.
\n\tPlayed 12 games at Boston College over three seasons, at linebacker and on special teams, recording tackles against Notre Dame and Georgia Tech.
\n\tACC All-Academic Team in 2025. Graduated magna cum laude with a degree in finance and computer science.
\n\tMajoring in applied artificial intelligence at USD.
\n\tHis cousin, Garrett Reilly, punted at Boston College in 2018. <\/p>\n

#2\u00a0 Doug Williams<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 CB\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Junior\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 5-9\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 180\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Hollywood Hills, Calif.\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Heritage Christian\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Stetson \/ Glendale CC
\n\u00a0
\n
\n\tSecond-team left cornerback who played in his Torero debut against No. 6 UC Davis.
\n\tArrives by way of Stetson \u2014 the PFL opponent San Diego closes the regular season against on Nov. 21 \u2014 and Glendale Community College.
\n\tNamed Community College Student Athlete of the Year at Glendale, where he carried the highest grade-point average of any athlete on campus.
\n\tRecorded 50 tackles at Heritage Christian with six pass breakups, five tackles for loss, an interception, a forced fumble and a blocked punt, earning First and Second Team All-Conference honors.
\n\tA first-generation college athlete. Both of his parents work in entertainment \u2014 his father as an actor and comedian, his mother as an actress \u2014 and his younger brother, Adan, plays cornerback at Glendale.LAST TIME OUT: NO. 6 UC DAVIS 49, SAN DIEGO 17
\n\tSan Diego led 7-0 after one quarter of its Sept. 5 opener at Torero Stadium before No. 6 UC Davis scored 28 second-quarter points on its way to a 49-17 win.
\n\tThe Toreros held the ball for 11:21 of the first quarter and outgained the Aggies 101-36. Omar Mbakwe’s<\/a> 2-yard run capped an 11-play, 68-yard drive that took 6:23.
\n\tRuben Lopez’s<\/a> end-zone interception stopped a UC Davis drive at the San Diego 16, and Khalil Cueva<\/a> recovered a muffed kickoff at the UC Davis 8 to open the second half.
\n\tDom Nankil<\/a> hit Cole Monach<\/a> for a 22-yard touchdown to cap a five-play, 75-yard drive in the third quarter, and Emiliano Salazar<\/a> added a 34-yard field goal in the fourth.
\n\tNankil threw for 177 yards, Monach caught six passes for 72, Adam Criter<\/a> ran for a team-high 54 and Tim Hays<\/a> led the defense with six tackles in his Torero debut.
\n\tBoth teams ran 67 plays and San Diego won time of possession, 30:08 to 29:47, but UC Davis turned four Torero giveaways into 14 points. <\/p>\n

ALL-TIME SERIES VS. IDAHO STATE<\/p>\n


\n\tSan Diego is 1-0 all-time against Idaho State. Saturday is the second meeting between the programs and the first in Pocatello.
\n\tThe only previous game came 68 years ago, when USD \u2014 then known as the Pioneers \u2014 shut out Idaho State College 24-0 at San Diego’s Balboa Stadium on Nov. 22, 1958.
\n\tBy the Idaho State Journal’s account of that game, the fog was so thick that fans could barely see the field.
\n\tElijah Taylor<\/a> scored his first career rushing touchdown at Idaho State in 2022 with Northern Arizona, and Boise’s Luke Legarreta<\/a> is the only Idaho native on the roster. <\/p>\n

THREE-GAME ROAD SWING<\/p>\n


\n\tSaturday starts a run of three straight road games \u2014 at Idaho State, at Cal Poly on Sept. 19 and at St. Thomas on Sept. 26 to open PFL play \u2014 before San Diego returns to Torero Stadium on Oct. 3 against Davidson. The Toreros went 4-2 away from home in 2025.
\n\tIdaho State is San Diego’s second straight ranked opponent. The Bengals rose from unranked to 24th in this week’s Stats Perform poll after a 29-17 win at FBS Utah State. <\/p>\n

PICKED FIRST IN THE PIONEER FOOTBALL LEAGUE<\/p>\n


\n\tSan Diego was picked to win the PFL for a second straight year, edging three-time defending champion Drake 90-88 in the preseason coaches poll, with St. Thomas third at 87.
\n\tThe Toreros placed a league-best nine players on the Preseason All-PFL Team, filling 10 of the 31 spots, with Emiliano Salazar<\/a> the only player selected at two positions. <\/p>\n

2025 IN REVIEW<\/p>\n


\n\tSan Diego went 8-4 overall and 6-2 in the PFL, finishing second in the league for a second straight season.
\n\tThe Toreros closed on a four-game winning streak, outscoring Dayton, Valparaiso, Butler and Stetson by a combined 145-55.
\n\tThe fourth quarter belonged to San Diego. The Toreros scored 137 of their 341 points in the final period \u2014 more than they managed in the first and third quarters combined (98) \u2014 and outscored opponents 137-72 after three.
\n\tSan Diego turned takeaways into points better than anyone it played, scoring 64 points off turnovers against seven the other way, and finished plus-12 in turnover margin with 18 takeaways to six giveaways. <\/p>\n

PLAYERS TO WATCH
\n#9\u00a0 Dom Nankil<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 QB\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Senior\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 6-0\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 175\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Chula Vista, Calif.\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Mater Dei Catholic HS
\n2026<\/p>\n


\n\tCompleted 16 of 31 passes for 177 yards and a touchdown in the opener against No. 6 UC Davis, spreading his completions among six receivers.
\n\tWent 6-for-7 in the first quarter, converting a third-and-4 to Christopher Hall<\/a> on the first touchdown drive, and hit Cole Monach<\/a> for a 22-yard score in the third quarter. <\/p>\n

2025<\/p>\n


\n\tStarted all 12 games and ranked fourth in the PFL in completions (157), attempts (246), passing yards (1,945) and touchdown passes (13), and third in passing efficiency (145.2).
\n\tCompleted 63.8% of his throws and was intercepted three times \u2014 tied for the fewest in the league and tied for the eighth-fewest in a single season in program history (minimum 100 attempts).
\n\tThrew 147 passes before his first interception of the season, which did not come until Oct. 25 at Davidson.
\n\tSeason-high 288 passing yards in the 40-28 win at Davidson; completed 81% (13-of-16) at Princeton on Sept. 20.
\n\tRan for both of his rushing touchdowns against Southern Utah on Sept. 6.
\n\tHis 2,058 yards of total offense led the team by more than 1,100. <\/p>\n

Career<\/p>\n


\n\tA Jerry Rice Award finalist as a freshman in 2023, finishing 15th in the voting after throwing for 1,158 yards and five touchdowns in eight games.
\n\tEntered 2026 ninth in program history with 452 career pass attempts and has 483 after the opener. <\/p>\n

#4\u00a0 Adam Criter<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 RB\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Graduate\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 6-3\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 205\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Downers Grove, Ill.\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 St. Francis HS
\n2026<\/p>\n


\n\tLed San Diego in carries (14) and rushing yards (55) against No. 6 UC Davis, opening the first-quarter touchdown drive with a 31-yard run. Added a 6-yard catch. <\/p>\n

2025<\/p>\n


\n\tAll-PFL First Team. Led the league in rushing attempts (180) and rushing touchdowns (12) and finished second in rushing yards (921) in his first season at the position after moving over from wide receiver.
\n\tPFL Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 21 and an Opta Stats Perform FCS National Player of the Week honorable mention the following day.
\n\tFour 100-yard rushing games, topped by 120 yards and a touchdown in the 30-27 win over St. Thomas on Sept. 27.
\n\tCareer-best 35 touches at Princeton on Sept. 20 \u2014 25 carries for 105 yards and three fourth-quarter touchdowns, plus 10 catches for 68 yards in a 42-35 comeback.
\n\tAdded 23 receptions for 136 yards and led the team in all-purpose yards (1,129, 94.1 per game).
\n\tHis 79-yard run against Cal Poly on Aug. 30 was the longest by a Torero in 2025. <\/p>\n

Career<\/p>\n


\n\tPreseason All-PFL First Team in 2026. <\/p>\n

#17\u00a0 Cole Monach<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 WR\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Graduate\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 6-1\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 185\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 San Juan Capistrano, Calif.\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 San Juan Hills HS
\n2026<\/p>\n


\n\tDrew a team-high 13 targets against No. 6 UC Davis and caught six for a team-best 72 yards, including a 22-yard touchdown from Dom Nankil<\/a> in the third quarter.
\n\tAlso the holder on Emiliano Salazar’s<\/a> placekicks. <\/p>\n

2025<\/p>\n


\n\tAll-PFL Second Team. Led USD in receptions (55), receiving yards (822) and receiving yards per game (68.5), and tied for the team lead with six touchdown catches.
\n\tRanked among the PFL’s top 10 in seven receiving categories, including fourth in yards and third in yards per game.
\n\tHis 14.9 yards per catch led every Torero with at least 19 receptions.
\n\tFour 100-yard games, headlined by 119 yards on four catches against Butler on Senior Day, Nov. 15.
\n\tScored in five straight games from Sept. 27 to Nov. 1 and caught at least three passes in eight of his final nine.
\n\tHis 73-yard catch against Drake on Oct. 11 was San Diego’s longest reception of the season. <\/p>\n

Career<\/p>\n


\n\tPreseason All-PFL Second Team in 2026.
\n\tHas 95 career receptions for 1,329 yards and 10 touchdowns across four seasons, including 29 catches for 362 yards and three scores in 2024. <\/p>\n

#41\u00a0 Emiliano Salazar<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 K\/P\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Junior\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 6-1\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 170\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Orange, Calif.\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Villa Park HS
\n2026<\/p>\n


\n\tMade a 34-yard field goal and both extra points against No. 6 UC Davis.
\n\tAveraged 38.4 yards on seven punts, putting four inside the 20 and sending three 50 yards or longer, with a long of 54. <\/p>\n

2025<\/p>\n


\n\tPFL Special Teams Player of the Year. All-PFL First Team as a punter and honorable mention as a placekicker.
\n\tLed the league with 85 points and 40 extra points and tied for the league lead with 15 field goals in 18 attempts (83.3%).
\n\tPerfect on extra points \u2014 40-for-40.
\n\tMade a season-long 47-yarder twice, against Drake on Oct. 11 and Dayton on Nov. 1, and hit three field goals in a game on three occasions.
\n\tAveraged 44.8 yards on 37 punts, a single-season program record (minimum 15 punts), with a league-high 16 downed inside the 20 and 13 traveling 50 yards or more.
\n\tFCS National Special Teams Player of the Week on Sept. 29; PFL Special Teams Player of the Week on Sept. 28 and Oct. 26.
\n\tHandled kickoffs as well, averaging 61.9 yards on 65 attempts with 27 touchbacks. <\/p>\n

Career<\/p>\n


\n\tPreseason All-PFL selection at both placekicker and punter in 2026, the only player in the league chosen twice. <\/p>\n

\u00a0
\n#6\u00a0 Ruben Lopez<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 FS\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Graduate\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 6-0\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 180\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Mission Viejo, Calif.\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Mission Viejo HS
\n2026<\/p>\n


\n\tIntercepted a pass in the end zone against No. 6 UC Davis to end an Aggies drive at the San Diego 16. Also made two tackles and returned two kickoffs for 33 yards. <\/p>\n

2025<\/p>\n


\n\tAll-PFL Second Team and All-PFL Academic Second Team. A captain who played all 12 games in the heart of the defense.
\n\tRecorded 53 tackles (37 solo), three tackles for loss and a sack.
\n\tTied for second in the PFL with five interceptions, returning them 50 yards, and added four pass breakups and a forced fumble.
\n\tIntercepted a pass in three consecutive games from Oct. 25 to Nov. 8 and in four of his final five.
\n\tSeason-high seven tackles twice \u2014 at Montana State on Sept. 13 and at Stetson on Nov. 22. <\/p>\n

Career<\/p>\n


\n\tEntered 2026 tied for fourth in program history with 11 career interceptions; the pick against UC Davis was his 12th.
\n\tAll-PFL Second Team in 2024 and PFL Co-Defensive Player of the Week that Oct. 6, after an 87-yard walk-off fumble return for a touchdown in overtime against Presbyterian.
\n\tPreseason All-PFL Second Team in 2026. <\/p>\n

#49\u00a0 Cayden Gibson<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 OLB\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Junior\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 6-2\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 220\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Chandler, Ariz.\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Arizona College Prep
\n2025<\/p>\n


\n\tPlayed all 12 games and tied for seventh on the team with 41 tackles (24 solo), including 3.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks.
\n\tSeason-high eight tackles in the 29-7 win over Butler on Nov. 15.
\n\tForced a fumble and recorded an interception at Marist on Oct. 4, then forced another the following week against Drake.
\n\tAll 2.5 of his sacks came in a three-game stretch between Sept. 27 and Oct. 11. <\/p>\n

Before San Diego<\/p>\n


\n\tPiled up 285 tackles, 61 tackles for loss and 50 sacks at Arizona College Prep, with three blocked punts as a senior.
\n\tA two-time all-region defensive player of the year and four-time Arizona all-state honoree who also wrestled, placing second in the state as a senior. <\/p>\n

#96\u00a0 River Abenroth<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 DT\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Junior\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 6-2\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 270\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 San Diego, Calif.\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Point Loma HS
\n2025<\/p>\n


\n\tAll-PFL Honorable Mention. Appeared in all 12 games with 32 tackles (14 solo), five tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
\n\tSeason-high six tackles against Butler on Nov. 15.
\n\tRecorded at least half a tackle for loss in four consecutive games from Sept. 27 to Oct. 25. <\/p>\n

Career<\/p>\n


\n\tA 2026 Preseason All-PFL selection, one of two Toreros among the league’s five preseason defensive linemen.
\n\tA San Diego native who played at Point Loma High, roughly 10 minutes from campus. <\/p>\n

#76\u00a0 Sean Scheck<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 DT\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Senior\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 6-3\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 260\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Batavia, Ill.\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Marmion Academy
\n2025<\/p>\n


\n\tAll-PFL Honorable Mention. Recorded 20 tackles in 10 games with six tackles for loss and five sacks, second on the team in both.
\n\tSeason-high 2.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss in the 31-13 win over Dayton on Nov. 1 \u2014 the best single-game sack total by a Torero in 2025.
\n\tGot to the quarterback in back-to-back games at Princeton (Sept. 20) and against St. Thomas (Sept. 27). <\/p>\n

Career<\/p>\n


\n\tA 2026 Preseason All-PFL selection.
\n\tEarned four all-conference honors at Marmion Academy, two in football and two in wrestling, and was an all-state wrestler. <\/p>\n

#95\u00a0 Jae’Von Reels<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 NT\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Senior\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 6-1\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 280\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 San Jose, Calif.\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Bellarmine College Prep
\n2025<\/p>\n


\n\tPlayed nine games with 10 tackles and a tackle for loss.
\n\tRecorded half a tackle for loss against St. Thomas on Sept. 27 and again at Davidson on Oct. 25. <\/p>\n

2024<\/p>\n


\n\tAll-PFL Honorable Mention. Put up 19 tackles (10 solo) in nine games with three tackles for loss, half a sack, an interception and a pass breakup. <\/p>\n

Career<\/p>\n


\n\tW-Cal Defensive Lineman of the Year at Bellarmine College Prep in 2023. <\/p>\n

\u00a0
\nNEW FACES<\/p>\n


\n\tSan Diego brought in 10 transfers for 2026: Doug Williams<\/a> (Stetson\/Glendale CC), Elijah Taylor<\/a> (Northern Arizona), Nolan Story<\/a> (Moorpark College), Alex Whitman<\/a> (Notre Dame), Robert Tucker III<\/a> (Cornell), Michael Roni<\/a> (San Diego State), Tim Hays<\/a> (Boston College), Jake Arellano<\/a> (Bentley), Mansfield Owsley<\/a> (Georgetown) and Jack Hinchey<\/a> (Modesto JC).
\n\tFour are on the two-deep \u2014 Taylor and Hays as starters, Story and Williams on the second unit \u2014 and all four played in the opener, along with Robert Tucker III<\/a>. <\/p>\n

#3\u00a0 Elijah Taylor<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 WR\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Graduate\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 6-0\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 190\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Phoenix, Ariz.\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Higley HS\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Northern Arizona
\n\u00a0
\n
\n\tStarted at wide receiver in his Torero debut against No. 6 UC Davis and caught two passes for 13 yards, including an 8-yarder that set up San Diego’s first touchdown.
\n\tSpent five seasons at Northern Arizona, playing 11 games in 2025 largely on special teams with three special teams tackles and two catches for 28 yards.
\n\tHis most productive year came in 2022: 20 receptions for 198 yards in 10 games, including a season-high six catches for 57 yards against Montana State and his first career rushing touchdown at Idaho State.
\n\tMade seven starts in 2023 and averaged 21.8 yards on four catches, among them a 60-yard reception against Sacramento State.
\n\tRecovered a blocked punt for a touchdown against Lincoln in 2024.
\n\tTwo of his longest catches in 2022, 22 yards apiece, came at UC Davis and Idaho State \u2014 San Diego’s first two opponents this season.
\n\tBig Sky All-Academic in 2025. Pursuing a graduate degree in educational leadership. <\/p>\n

#5\u00a0 Nolan Story<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 OLB\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Sophomore\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 6-0\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 210\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Thousand Oaks, Calif.\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Newbury Park HS\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Moorpark College
\n\u00a0
\n
\n\tMade two tackles in his Torero debut against No. 6 UC Davis as the second-team STAR.
\n\tPut up 199 tackles in 19 games across two seasons at Moorpark College \u2014 10.5 per game \u2014 with 17.5 tackles for loss, six forced fumbles, six interceptions and two sacks.
\n\tJunior College Gridiron All-American First Team and National Northern All-Conference First Team in both 2024 and 2025.
\n\tMoorpark’s defensive MVP in 2024, then team captain and team MVP in 2025.
\n\tUnanimous Southern California Football Association Defensive Utility Player of the Year and an All-California Community College First Team Defense pick in 2025. Named MVP of the 2025 Patriotic Bowl.
\n\tA First Team All-Canyon League linebacker and First Team All-Ventura County running back as a senior at Newbury Park. <\/p>\n

#42\u00a0 Tim Hays<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 OLB\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Graduate\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 6-1\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 227\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Concord, Mass.\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Carlisle HS\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Boston College
\n\u00a0
\n
\n\tStarted at WILL in his Torero debut and led San Diego with six tackles, all solo, against No. 6 UC Davis.
\n\tPlayed 12 games at Boston College over three seasons, at linebacker and on special teams, recording tackles against Notre Dame and Georgia Tech.
\n\tACC All-Academic Team in 2025. Graduated magna cum laude with a degree in finance and computer science.
\n\tMajoring in applied artificial intelligence at USD.
\n\tHis cousin, Garrett Reilly, punted at Boston College in 2018. <\/p>\n

#2\u00a0 Doug Williams<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 CB\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Junior\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 5-9\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 180\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Hollywood Hills, Calif.\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Heritage Christian\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Stetson \/ Glendale CC
\n\u00a0
\n
\n\tSecond-team left cornerback who played in his Torero debut against No. 6 UC Davis.
\n\tArrives by way of Stetson \u2014 the PFL opponent San Diego closes the regular season against on Nov. 21 \u2014 and Glendale Community College.
\n\tNamed Community College Student Athlete of the Year at Glendale, where he carried the highest grade-point average of any athlete on campus.
\n\tRecorded 50 tackles at Heritage Christian with six pass breakups, five tackles for loss, an interception, a forced fumble and a blocked punt, earning First and Second Team All-Conference honors.
\n\tA first-generation college athlete. Both of his parents work in entertainment \u2014 his father as an actor and comedian, his mother as an actress \u2014 and his younger brother, Adan, plays cornerback at Glendale. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Story Links GAME NOTES AT NO. 24 IDAHO STATE (PDF) …\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":460356,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[74,76,75],"class_list":["post-460355","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-san-diego","tag-san-diego","tag-san-diego-headlines","tag-san-diego-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/460355","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=460355"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/460355\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/460356"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=460355"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=460355"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=460355"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}