The University of San Diego allowed the first 52 points in its debut in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoffs Saturday, losing to Montana, 52-14, in Missoula, Montana.
The Toreros (9-3) were 23 1/2-point underdogs, according to the gambling website sportsbet.com. They were outgained 442 yards to 158 and trailed in first downs, 26-8.
Playing in snowy weather with the temperature 34 degrees at kickoff, USD trailed 14-0 at the end of the first quarter, 38-0 at halftime and 45-0 after three quarters.
Freshman wide receiver Justin Priest scored both Torero touchdowns, catching a 27-yard pass from running back Dallas Kessman with six minutes, five seconds to play and an 11-yard pass from backup quarterback Trey Wheeler with 2:48 left.
USD starting quarterback Keith Williams completed six of 18 passes for 34 yards. Wheeler was four-for-four for 41 yards.
Jordan Johnson completed 13 of 20 passes for 153 yards and three touchdowns for Montana (9-4). His backup, Shay Smithwick-Hann completed three of four passes for 39 yards and two touchdowns.
Jordan Canada ran for 105 yards and one touchdown on 17 carries for the Grizzlies.
Montana also got a 60-yard punt return for a touchdown by John Nguyen and a 41-yard field goal by Daniel Sullivan, both in the second quarter.
The Toreros qualified for the playoffs by winning the championship of the Pioneer Football League.
This was the second year in which the league’s champion received an automatic bid to the playoffs in the level that used to be known as Division I- AA.
USD contended for the title in 2013, but voluntarily withdrew from consideration after violations of financial aid rules were revealed. Butler, last year’s PFL champion, fell to Tennessee State 31-0.
Ironically, the Toreros won the league championship this season when Jacksonville University, which defeated USD, 35-18, on Sept. 13, self-reported its own violations, rendering the Dolphins ineligible for championship consideration.
PFL schools do not offer scholarships while the other FCS playoff teams do.
Montana has reached the FCS playoffs a record 23 times, winning the championship in 1995 and 2001. The Toreros’ last NCAA postseason appearance came in 1973, when they lost to eventual champion Wittenberg, 21-14, in the small college division.
The Grizzlies will face Eastern Washington, seeded fourth in the 24-team tournament, in a second-round game next Saturday at Cheney, Washington.
— City News Service
