If the questionable play calling, flimsy defense, or mixed bag of mental errors didn't do in Azusa Pacific – Sebastian Trujillo's arm and John Matthews' hands certainly did.
USD's junior college transfer quarterback – starting his second game with the Toreros – continued an air assault that started last week with four touchdowns in a win over Marist.
Last night at Torero Stadium, Trujillo was just as potent, tossing four more touchdowns – three to wide receiver Matthews – in a 38-10 win over the Cougars. The victory stretched USD's home winning streak to a nation-best 26 games.
Trujillo's continued maturation in USD's West Coast offense is exactly what coach Ron Caragher was hoping to see.
“He made smart decisions – the biggest thing is he took advantage of what they were giving us,” Caragher said. “He did a good job finding his playmakers, throwing it up and letting a guy like Johnny Matthews make a big play. There is room to grow, but I think that will come. I'm very encouraged where he's at.”
Trujillo found Matthews 10 times for 231 yards – 4 yards and one reception shy of the USD single-game records.
In USD's opening drive, Trujillo completed his first four passes, all to Matthews, who has quickly become his favorite target.
“Things tonight were on,” said Trujillo, who finished 20-of-35 for 364 yards. “That's what they gave us and we tried to take advantage of that. John was wide open all night. We'll take it. I put all my trust in him.”
It looked like USD would have to settle for a field-goal attempt on its first drive, but an APU penalty gave USD a free 5 yards and a first down. Three plays later, Trujillo cashed in on the mistake with an 8-yard touchdown pass to tight end Mitch Ryan, capping a 16-play, 90-yard march.
Trujillo went on to find Matthews eight times for 136 yards and two scores in the first half.
“It was just one of those nights,” said Matthews, who added a 52-yard touchdown in the second half. “We have guys who are capable of having those nights. Tonight was just my night. Next time it could be someone else's.”
While USD's offense rolled, Azusa's stumbled. Coach Victor Santa Cruz's decision not to punt on fourth-and-1 from his own 40 backfired. Two plays after an incomplete pass turned the ball over to USD, Trujillo connected with Matthew's, who split the safeties for a 33-yard touchdown, stretching USD's lead to 24-7 at the half.
With All-American running back J.T. Rogan out for the year with a knee injury, the passing game has taken center stage. That's not necessarily a good thing, according to Caragher, whose team totaled just 95 yards on the ground.
“We'll break it down,” he said. “I want to say a couple of times we were a shoelace away from breaking it. We want to be a physical football team. But on the flip side, they were putting eight in the box. If they do that, we're going to throw it.”
While the offense glided, the defense turned in a steady, stingy performance, limiting the Cougars to 274 yards of total offense and only 95 on the ground.
“We want to be known as a defensive team,” said safety Derek Pilkington, who had one of two USD interceptions. “We worked really hard all week and felt like this would be a good game for us.”
Kevin Gemmell: (619) 718-5304; kevin.gemmell@uniontrib.com
