The University of San Diego will play at Cal Poly in a first-round game of the NCAA Division I Football Championship, the NCAA announced Sunday.
The Toreros (9-1) were guaranteed a berth in the 24-team field Nov. 12 when they assured themselves of the Pioneer Football League championship with a 42-7 victory over Stetson.
USD completed league play undefeated when it defeated Campbell, 57-21, Saturday.
“Getting into the playoffs is what you work for every year,” said Toreros coach Dale Lindsey, whose team has reached the playoffs twice in the past three seasons. “Our coaches and our players have done a fantastic job of preparing themselves and really going after each game. You couldn’t ask for anything more.”
The Toreros lost to the Mustangs, 38-16, on Sept. 10 for their only regular-season loss.
“Cal Poly is one tough opponent with a unique offense that will be hard to get ready for,” Lindsey said, referring to it run-oriented triple-option offense. “It has been in the past. We don’t choose how we get the draw so we are going to go up there and do the best that we can do.”
The game will begin at 4 p.m. and be streamed by ESPN3
The winner of the USD-Mustangs game will face top-seeded North Dakota State (10-1) in a second-round game Dec. 3. Each of the top eight seeds received first-round byes.
— City News Service