North Dakota State’s opponent for the second round of the FCS playoffs has been determined. The University of San Diego Toreros defeated favored Cal Poly by a score of 35-21 to advance to the second round. USD’s trip to Fargo will mark the first time the two sides have met. The matchup will juxtapose two teams with very different playoff experience.
The Toreros are making their second appearance in the FCS playoffs since joining the subdivision in 1993. In their previous appearance in 2014, they were trounced by Big Sky juggernaut Montana, 52-14. The Bison are searching for their sixth straight title.
San Diego has fielded a football team since 1956, and played for two decades in Division III. Since moving up from Division III, USD has been a charter member of the Pioneer Football Conference. They have enjoyed great success, having won at least a share of the conference title eight times, including five times in the last six years.
This season, the Toreros are led offensively by senior transfer from Cal, running back Jonah Hodges. Hodges, from Santa Cruz, California, leads USD with 1,361 rushing yards this campaign, averaging 6.3 yards per carry and 123.7 yards per game. He has accounted for 20 touchdowns this year, and added 450 receiving yards. Quarterback Anthony Lawrence boasts a 68.4 completion percentage and has thrown for 24 touchdowns this season. The duo carried the Torero offense against Cal Poly, as they combined to score all five touchdowns. Hodges rushed for 171 yards, and Lawrence threw for 296; the two accounted for all but six of USD’s yards on offense.
The Bison will have to contend with San Diego’s nationally ranked defense. The Toreros lead the nation in total defense and pounded their conference opponents this year. As a team, USD ranks sixth in the nation in rushing defense as well, allowing 88.8 yards per game on the ground. San Diego will rely on Jonathan Petersen to disrupt NDSU’s balanced offense. Petersen has recorded 11.5 sacks this season, and his ability to cause problems at the point of attack will be critical for USD. If Petersen can do so against the Bison’s stout offensive line, it will aid the rest of the ballhawks in the Toreros’ defense. USD has recorded 17 turnovers this season. Cornerbacks Devyn Bryant and Jamal Agnew both have two interceptions. Linebacker Alec Moreno and defensive tackle Spencer Hammitt both have two fumble recoveries.
The success the Toreros enjoyed against Cal Poly will not be as easy to come by against the Bison. Their spread offense, while successful in the PFL, will face its toughest challenge in NDSU’s indomitable defense. The Bison have conceded just 105.2 yards per game on the ground while playing in the far superior Missouri Valley Football Conference, proving Hodges will face tough sledding this upcoming Saturday. If the Bison can knock him off his game, handling the rest of the Toreros’ offense will be simple. As the Torero’s win over Cal Poly displayed, their offense is one-dimensional.
San Diego possesses weapons along the outside, but NDSU is familiar with strong passing attacks. The Bison have already squared off against Eastern Washington and South Dakota State this season. The Eagles and Jacks are two teams with highflying passing attacks. Once again, NDSU’s strength of schedule will prove to be advantageous. Lawrence will likely not be able to shred the Bison’s pass defense. The Code Green Crew has allowed opposing passers to find the end zone on only fourteen occasions this season. USD will also face a twelfth defender on Saturday, as the FargoDome’s rambunctious crowd will crack 100 decibels with ease. Playing in the MVFC, the Bison’s class advantage should be obvious against their weaker conference opponent.
With NDSU’s experience against tougher opponents, playoff pedigree and dome-field advantage, it will require a David-esque performance from USD to unseat the FCS Goliaths.