Alcala 1970

The early morning sun filtered its way into USD stadi­ um. The pounding cleats converged on the field. For the first time in seven autumns football returned to USD. Coach Jim Gray and his staff, working without pay, had tackled the job of molding forty men, many with football experience and others with none,into the USD Toreros. It was a challenge from its inception. Yet the Toreros were to overcome financial difficulties, abbre­ viated practices, a rash of injuries, and a tough first- year schedule to bring pride and spirit to the campus and a deep inner satisfaction for themselves. The Toreros, competing in the student sponsered Club Football Program, were to distinguish themselves on the gridiron with a 5-2 record an a No. 12 national ranking among the fifty Club Football teams in the country. As an unknown and untested team the Toreros faced the No. 2 and No. 4 Club Football teams in their first two outings. Despite losing to Loyola and St. Mary's, the losses were invaluable in that the Toreros demon­ strated that what they lacked in size and experience they could make up for with hustle and guts. Except for a shakey opening quarter against Loyola the scrappy Toreros outplayed and outhit the larger Lions the entire game. A first half lead against St. Mary's showed that the Toreros were amazingly strong for a first year team. From this point on Coach Gray's charges put it together with a well-oiled offensive attack and a hard-nosed, never-say-die defense to power out five straight victories.

RED LIGHT—Nick Johns and Mike Eyer team up to stop Engineer quar­ terback. This play was typical of the Toreros' gang tackling defense.

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AIR POWER—The Torero passing attack clicks as Fran Upczak works for a Gary Beagin pass and a 15 yard gain.