Football Makes Annual Trip to Open Season at San Diego

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – In what will be the seventh straight meeting for the two teams since 2011, the Western New Mexico University football team travels back to Southern California to face Division I (FCS) the University of San Diego Saturday afternoon slated for a 2 p.m. kickoff Pacific Time.

This marks the fourth time in the last five years that the two teams have opened the season with each other. Although the Toreros are 6-0 in the series, several games have come down to the wire. In 2014, the Mustangs were on the move late, down six, but weren't able to find the end zone in falling just short 23-17. It was a three-point separation in 2013 with USD holding on for the 38-35 victory. In 2012, the start of three straight close games in the series began with the Toreros holding off another late Mustang charge to take the 34-27 win. USD has held the upper hand over the last two meetings winning 45-21 in 2015 and 27-0 last year.

USD held a 403 to 217 advantage in total yards in 2016, with the Mustangs throwing for 142 yards. Seniors Javia Hall (Dallas, TX/Skyline) and Matt Hommel (Suffolk, VA/Kings Fork) were both battling for the starting quarterback spot at the start of last year, with Hall completing 8-16 for 59 yards, while Hommel went 8-20 for 83 yards. Sophomore DeAndre Williams (Tucson, AZ/Tucson Magnet) didn't play in last year's meeting before he became the main back later in the season. Job McGinty (Gardena, CA/Junipero Serra) led the team with 33 yards, while senior returner Tracy McNair (San Diego, CA/Morse) tallied 23 yards. Top wide receiver Xavier Ayers (Albuquerque, NM/Albuquerque) won't be back after graduating in 2016, so the Mustangs will look to other options through the air. Senior Evan Beebe (Chula Vista, CA/Mater Dei Catholic) caught two passes for 21 yards against the Toreros, while McNair added two for 19 yards. Henry Norman (Fontana, CA/Henry J. Kaiser) led the team with two receptions for 40 yards.

Steven Stewart (Fremont, CA/Irvington) led the team in tackles with nine stops, but also graduated in 2016. A trio of seniors were right behind Stewart with Leo Marin (Carlsbad, CA/Carlsbad) and Dominic Barry (Moreno Valley, CA/Vista Del Lago) with six tackles, while Aaron Leauma (San Marcos, CA/Mission Hills) added five. Marin also added a forced fumble.

Hall is back to lead the offense after WNMU went 3-8 a year ago and 3-6 in their first year in the Lone Star Conference. He completed 245-425 for 2,939 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also rushed for 113 yards and two scores. Williams led the backfield rushing for 623 yards and six scores on 132 carries. He will be joined in the backfield by senior Justin Harris (Temecula, CA/Chaparral). Beebe and senior D'Angelo Bowie (Virginia Beach, VA/Landstown) are back to lead the receiving corps as Bowie caught five for 42 yards and Beebe added two for 21 yards. Senior Hakiteli Tuivai (Ontario, CA/Colony) and sophomore Chris-Jordon Ulufale (Honolulu, HI/Kamehameha) are back along the offensive line, while returners senior Richard Pozuelos (Colton, CA/Rialto) and sophomore Tytus Timoteo (Honolulu, HI/St. Louis School) are set to start this season, with newcomer junior Kolton Gatson (Fairfield, TX/Fairfield) set to start at left tackle. Freshman Julian Botello (Glendale, AZ/Deer Valley) will start the season out as the main place kicker as he will replace Tyler Vargas (Ramona, CA/Ramona).

The defense returns several key players with Barry the tackle leader with 103, along with 7.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, four passes defended, five quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles. Senior safety Ian Davis (Grass Valley, CA/Nevada Union) led the team in interceptions with four, while adding 60 tackles and three fumbles recovered. Marin added 55 tackles and Leauma with 49. Sophomore James Lee (Bayard, NM/Cobre) is back along the defensive line after collecting 38 tackles and junior safety AJ Smith (San Diego, CA/Point Loma) posted 35 tackles and an interception. Junior defensive end Connor Mowat (Lahaina, HI/Lahainaluna) battled injury a year ago, but still played in seven games and had 30 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

USD went 10-2 last year and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Playoffs where they faced one of the top teams in the Division I (FCS) ranks of North Dakota State and were defeated 45-7.

Quarterback Anthony Lawrence is back after he threw for 2,998 yards and 25 touchdowns to just eight interceptions. Ross Dwelley was his main target at tight end snagging 70 passes for 843 yards and 10 scores. Justin Priest is the next top receiver back catching 30 passes for 361 yards and four touchdowns. The top returning running back is Jordan Charles who went for 117 yards on 30 carries and a touchdown. Colton Giorgi led the team in tackles with 69 and is back for another season. He also added a sack, interception and seven passes defended. Jon Peterson was a monster along the defensive line and returns after coming away with 23 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks.

Live video and stats will be available for the game with the live video link found here and the live stats link found here.

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Players Mentioned

#2 Xavier Ayers: WR; 5' 11"; Senior

#85 Henry Norman: TE/DE; 6' 3"; Sophomore

#11 Steven Stewart: LB; 6' 0"; Senior

#39 Tyler Vargas: K/P; 5' 10"; Redshirt Freshman

#22 Job McGinty: RB; 5' 6"; Freshman

#9 Dominic Barry: LB; 6' 0"; Redshirt Senior

#8 Evan Beebe: WR; 6' 2"; Redshirt Junior

#1 D'Angelo Bowie: WR; 5' 11"; Redshirt Senior

#23 Ian Davis: S; 6' 3"; Senior

#25 Justin Harris: RB; 5' 10"; Redshirt Junior

Players Mentioned

#2 Xavier Ayers
: 5' 11"; Senior
: WR

#85 Henry Norman
: 6' 3"; Sophomore
: TE/DE

#11 Steven Stewart
: 6' 0"; Senior
: LB

#39 Tyler Vargas
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Freshman
: K/P

#22 Job McGinty
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: RB

#9 Dominic Barry
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Senior
: LB

#8 Evan Beebe
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Junior
: WR

#1 D'Angelo Bowie
: 5' 11"; Redshirt Senior
: WR

#23 Ian Davis
: 6' 3"; Senior
: S

#25 Justin Harris
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Junior
: RB