USD Hopes to Add to Whittier’s Woes Tonight

SAN DIEGO —  Having played four tough football games in a row, the University of San Diego welcomes the sight of Whittier College, even if it means traveling to Whittier.

The Poets (0-5) have had their problems, and USD (4-2) hopes to add to them at 7:30 tonight.

“The biggest challenge is going to be with our offense,” USD Coach Brian Fogarty said. “We have been sputtering a little bit and we have to get it together this week if we’re going to be 5-2.

“We have a real tough schedule ahead of us, too, so if we’re going to have the season we expected, we’re going to have to start playing better on offense.”

USD, 7-2 last year, needs victories over Whittier, Menlo College (5-1) and Azusa Pacific (4-1)--all on the road--to match that mark. Making the NCAA Division III playoffs could be difficult because it is tough to do with one loss, and almost out of question with two.

USD, coming off a 24-3 loss to UC Santa Barbara, is averaging 312 yards and 17 points a game, and it has already fumbled more times this season (14) than in 1989 (13).

But there have been some bright spots. Senior quarterback Brendan Murphy has completed 57% of his 88 passes for 721 yards and has not thrown an interception. Tight end Mike Hintze has 12 receptions for 182 yards, giving him the same number of catches as the Toreros’ leading receiver last year, running back Todd Jackson.

Whittier has had similar offensive woes. It is averaging only 14.8 points per game. Robert Lopez leads the rushing attack with 259 yards. Sean Brady, starting at quarterback for the first time in last week’s 28-14 loss to La Verne, completed only five of 18 for 44 yards.

“They have a few skilled guys who can score at any time from anywhere on the field, and that’s our main concern,” Fogarty said. “We feel if we can keep them from getting the big plays we should be in good shape.”

Oddly, Whittier is allowing an average of 34.4 points per game, but leading the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in total defense, yielding 263 yards per game.

“Their defense is one that has given everybody fits,” Fogarty said.