Bennett’s TD Passes to Leonard Lead USD

SAN DIEGO — Quarterback Michael Bennett can’t remember the last time he lost a football game as a starter.

He’s only happy it wasn’t Saturday night.

Starting his first game for the University of San Diego after serving as a backup for two seasons and redshirting another, Bennett threw two touchdown passes to lead the Toreros to a 13-3 season-opening victory over Menlo College in front of 3,550 at USD’s Torero Stadium.

“It had to be my sophomore year at Point Loma, but I can’t remember what we did that year,” said Bennett, who has won at least 14 in a row, including 13 during a championship season his senior year in high school.

Bennett wasn’t overwhelming in this one, but he didn’t have to be. He completed only six passes for 81 yards, but he attempted only 10. Two went for scores.

“I don’t care how many times I throw the ball,” he said. “The win is the important thing.”

Said Torero Coach Brian Fogarty: “I thought he played well. We got conservative toward the end, so we didn’t ask him to do much, but he looked fine out there.”

So did the rest of the Toreros for most of the evening, but penalties and errors at inopportune times hurt.

USD could have had a shutout and should have had a blowout.

“We moved the ball like we wanted to,” Bennett said, “we just didn’t get it in the end zone.”

USD’s defense ensured Menlo didn’t either, holding the Oaks to 140 total yards.

John Antongiovanni’s 42-yard field with 6:48 left in the first half barely cleared the uprights and gave Menlo a 3-0 lead. The key to the drive, Menlo’s third, was USD’s generosity.

Menlo began the drive in great position. USD freshman punter Robert Ray had trouble fielding a low snap and then committed a no-no trying to kick the loose ball upfield. After the Toreros were penalized 15 yards and a down, Menlo took over at the USD 40.

Ten plays later, USD committed another costly penalty--offsides on a fourth and six--and Oak quarterback Ryan Ferguson converted on a three-yard keeper around left end. The drive stalled, however, after an Oak penalty, an incompletion and a sack by USD’s Dave Paladino and Jim Washam.

USD wasted little time in its next possession and went up 6-3 with 4:01 left in the half.

Running backs Willie Branch and Scott Sporrer did most of the damage, but senior tight end Brad Leonard got the touchdown on a five-yard lob from Bennett.

Branch started things with a 16-yard kickoff return and a 35-yard scamper along the left sideline on the first play. Sporrer then took over with gains of nine and 21 yards to the Oak five-yard line.

Bennett’s touchdown pass was the first of his three-year career, but he would add to that 4:20 into the second half.

Leonard again was the recipient, scoring on a 24-yard toss.

“It was the same play,” Bennett said. “They were so worried about the sweep, he was wide open both times.”

USD had numerous opportunities to put the Oaks away, but the Toreros missed two field goals and turned the ball over twice. Penalties--USD was flagged 11 times for 105 yards--also hurt.