With the USD football team we seem to start the same way every week … and I hope that doesn’t change any time soon.
The Toreros won again, running their Pioneer League winning streak to 27 straight games with a 27-10 victory over Drake in Iowa. USD is just two wins away from winning a 5th straight conference championship and another automatic spot in the FCS Playoffs.
Last week head coach Dale Lindsey was not happy with his defense giving up 35 points at home to Jacksonville. His guys responded in a big way, intercepting a pair of passes and sacking Drake quarterback Grant Kraemer six times. They needed to be stout because on a wet field the offense was not its usual high-octane self.
Quarterback Anthony Lawrence was held to 227 yards, a touchdown and an interception but did have two rushing touchdowns, both on 4th and goal from inside the 5-yard line. Both of his rushes came in the 1st quarter to give USD a 13-0 lead.
Cornerback Arrion Archie picked off a pass and then running back Emilio Martinez broke a few tackles on his way to a 62-yard run. He was finally stopped at the 3-yard-line to set up a short Terrence Smith TD run. USD’s final touchdown was something we’ve seen several times before.
In the 3rd quarter Lawrence lofted one to wide receiver Michael Bandy for a 42-yard score. Bandy has 10 touchdown catches in nine games. The only game he did not reach the end zone was still a pretty good one when he caught 12 balls for 202 yards at Harvard.
The Toreros play their final home game of the season next Saturday at 2:00 p.m. against Davidson. After that they head to Poughkeepsie, NY, to face Marist in the regular season finale.
