Giving up big plays prevented the University of San Diego football team from pulling off a stunning upset Saturday. After leading 10th-ranked North Dakota by 11 points in the first half, USD was dominated in the third quarter as the Fighting Hawks came back to defeat the Toreros 41-24 at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, N.D.
North Dakota (3-1) scored 24 points in the third quarter to turn a 14-10 deficit into a 34-17 advantage. USD fell to 2-1.
North Dakota’s third-quarter TDs included a 69-yard pass, a 41-yard pass and a 1-yard run set up by a 38-yard pass. In the first half, the Fighting Hawks scored on a 70-yard run.
North Dakota completed just five passes but the completions covered 159 yards.
“A bunch of explosives, especially in that second half, that’s what got us,” USD head coach Brandon Moore told the Union-Tribune by phone.
USD’s Grant Sergent was intercepted on the game’s first drive, which North Dakota converted into a field goal. The Toreros scored touchdowns on their next two possessions to take a 14-3 lead. Sergent connected with Cole Monach for a 14-yard score, then teamed with Ja’seem Reed for a 28-yard TD.
Reed finished with 11 catches for 103 yards and the TD.
“He had a stellar day,” Moore said of Reed. “I don’t think their secondary could handle him.”
USD cut the deficit to 34-24 with 11:39 to play. North Dakota responded with a 16-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that consumed 9 minutes, 47 seconds.
USD intercepted two passes, giving the Toreros nine turnovers in three games. But the defense was gouged for 426 yards. USD came into the game giving up 334 yards. Malachi Cooper had two sacks and six tackles for the Toreros.
The Toreros were also done in by penalties: 12 for 112 yards, including being offsides twice on kickoffs. The Toreros will play at Drake next week.
“I’m proud of our players. I think they did an amazing job,” said Moore. “They fought hard. Now we’re off to the next one.”
Implying he thinks his team could win the Pioneer Football League and advance to the playoffs, Moore said, “I think we’re going to see teams like this at the end of the season.”
Originally Published: September 21, 2024 at 3:52 p.m.
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Publish date : 2024-09-21 11:57:00
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