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LOS ANGELES — For 20 glorious minutes on Saturday evening, the San Diego Toreros had the college football world's attention.
Playing in front of 77,000 hostile fans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Coach Earl's 1-5 underdogs didn't just show up against the 14th-ranked USC Trojans.
They punched them in the mouth.
"That's who we are," Coach Earl said afterward, his voice hoarse but proud. "That's who we're building to become. We didn't flinch."
The game could not have begun more perfectly for the Toreros.
After forcing an early USC punt, Tyler Olsen orchestrated a methodical drive that culminated in a stunning sight: the senior quarterback breaking free for a 47-yard touchdown run, sprinting past bewildered Trojan defenders to stake USD to a 7-0 lead.
The Coliseum fell silent.
USC responded with a 56-yard strike from Jayden Maiava to Ja'Kobi Lane to tie the game, but the Toreros refused to fade. The defense forced a fumble, and Joshua Townsend alertly scooped up the loose ball and rumbled 5 yards into the end zone.
Touchdown, USD.
When Keyonte Tyson punched in a 6-yard run just before the end of the first quarter, the unthinkable was becoming reality: USD 14, USC 10.
"I looked at the scoreboard and just smiled," Tyson admitted. "We believed."
The second quarter brought even more magic.
Olsen, operating with poise that belied the moment, capped another drive with a 4-yard touchdown run early in the quarter. The Toreros lead had swelled to 21-10.
An 11-point lead over a top-15 team. On the road. With a 57 overall roster.
"We had them," Freeman said quietly. "We really had them."
But talent has a way of reasserting itself.
USC flipped a switch, and the game flipped with it. Over the final 11 minutes of the first half, the Trojans' high-powered Air Raid offense detonated:
Maiava to Lane for a 56-yard touchdown
Waymond Jordan bursting through the line for a 23-yard scoring run
Maiava finding Lake McRee from 19 yards out
Maiava connecting with Xavier Jordan from 3 yards as time expired
Four touchdowns. Twenty-eight points. The 21-10 lead had become a 38-21 deficit in what felt like the blink of an eye.
"Once they got rolling, it was hard to stop," defensive lineman Koby Garland said. "We knew coming in they were explosive. When they got hot, they got real hot."
The second half offered no reprieve. USC tacked on 27 more points while the USD offense, now playing from far behind, couldn't keep pace. The final score read 65-21, but those numbers don't capture the fight the Toreros showed when the game was still in question.
In a game filled with USC superstars and future NFL draft picks, the best player on the field wore a Toreros uniform.
Senior linebacker Chase Freeman delivered arguably the greatest individual defensive performance in USD's brief FBS history:
Freeman was everywhere. Shedding blocks, chasing down ball carriers from behind, diagnosing plays before they developed. He played like a man possessed.
"That's my guy," Garland said of Freeman. "He's been the heart of this defense all year. Tonight, the whole country saw what we see every day."
Freeman, typically stoic, allowed himself a small moment of reflection.
"Nineteen tackles," he said with a slight shake of his head. "I'd trade every single one for a win. But I hope people saw that we're not quitting. We're never quitting."
BY THE NUMBERS
INDIVIDUAL STANDOUTS
Tyler Olsen (QB): 24-39, 213 yards, 0 TD, 2 INT; 16 carries, -30 yards, 1 TD (stats skewed by sacks)
Keyonte Tyson (RB): 11 carries, 61 yards, 1 TD; 5.5 yards per carry
Joshua Townsend (LB): Fumble recovery for a touchdown
Koby Garland (REDG): 7 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks
Neiko Solomon (LB): 15 tackles, 1 tackle for loss
Terrell Pace (DB): 14 tackles, 2 tackles for loss
USC'S EXPLOSIVE ATTACK
Jayden Maiava (QB): 29-35, 381 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT; 212.0 QB rating; 1 rushing TD
Ja'Kobi Lane (WR): 6 catches, 119 yards, 1 TD (56-yard)
Jay Fair (WR): 5 catches, 109 yards, 1 TD (62-yard)
Lake McRee (TE): 6 catches, 72 yards, 1 TD
Eli Sanders (RB): 19 carries, 106 yards
WHAT IT MEANS
The Toreros fall to 1-6 overall and 0-2 in PAC-12 play. The losing streak now stands at six games.
But if you're looking for moral victories — and in Year 1 of an FCS-to-FBS rebuild, that's often all you have — this game provided one.
For 20 minutes, USD went toe-to-toe with one of the most talented teams in America and led by double digits.
"That's not a moral victory," Coach Earl said firmly. "That's proof of concept. We have the heart. We have the fight. We have the coaching. We just need more talent, more depth, more time.
"Next week against Stanford, we have a chance to show what we've learned. That's what matters now."
SCORING SUMMARY
QUARTER-BY-QUARTER
LOOKING AHEAD: STANFORD
The Toreros return home to Torero Stadium for a golden opportunity. The Stanford Cardinal (0-7, 0-3 PAC-12) come to San Diego searching for their first win of the season.
For USD, it's a chance to secure the program's first-ever PAC-12 victory and snap a six-game losing streak.
"Stanford's struggling," Freeman acknowledged. "So are we. Someone's getting their first conference win Saturday. We're going to make sure it's us."
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT at Torero Stadium.
RECRUITING BRIGHT SPOT
Despite the on-field struggles, the Toreros continue to build for the future on the recruiting trail. With the addition of Charlie Baum (WILL) and Eric Landry (DT), the class now stands at 7 commits, with more potentially on the way.
THE LAST WORD
Chase Freeman sat in the visitor's locker room at the Coliseum, ice packs strapped to both shoulders, a 65-21 loss on the scoreboard, and a look of quiet determination on his face.
"People are going to see that score and think we got blown out," he said. "They didn't watch the game. They didn't see us up 21-10 in this building. They didn't see us fighting until the last whistle."
He stood up, grabbed his bag, and headed for the bus.
"Next week, we get another chance. That's all you can ask for in this game. Another chance."
HEARTBREAK IN THE COLISEUM: TOREROS SCARE #14 USC EARLY BEFORE TROJANS ROLL 65-21
LOS ANGELES — For 20 glorious minutes on Saturday evening, the San Diego Toreros had the college football world's attention.
Playing in front of 77,000 hostile fans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Coach Earl's 1-5 underdogs didn't just show up against the 14th-ranked USC Trojans.
They punched them in the mouth.
"That's who we are," Coach Earl said afterward, his voice hoarse but proud. "That's who we're building to become. We didn't flinch."
The game could not have begun more perfectly for the Toreros.
After forcing an early USC punt, Tyler Olsen orchestrated a methodical drive that culminated in a stunning sight: the senior quarterback breaking free for a 47-yard touchdown run, sprinting past bewildered Trojan defenders to stake USD to a 7-0 lead.
The Coliseum fell silent.
USC responded with a 56-yard strike from Jayden Maiava to Ja'Kobi Lane to tie the game, but the Toreros refused to fade. The defense forced a fumble, and Joshua Townsend alertly scooped up the loose ball and rumbled 5 yards into the end zone.
Touchdown, USD.
When Keyonte Tyson punched in a 6-yard run just before the end of the first quarter, the unthinkable was becoming reality: USD 14, USC 10.
"I looked at the scoreboard and just smiled," Tyson admitted. "We believed."
The second quarter brought even more magic.
Olsen, operating with poise that belied the moment, capped another drive with a 4-yard touchdown run early in the quarter. The Toreros lead had swelled to 21-10.
An 11-point lead over a top-15 team. On the road. With a 57 overall roster.
"We had them," Freeman said quietly. "We really had them."
But talent has a way of reasserting itself.
USC flipped a switch, and the game flipped with it. Over the final 11 minutes of the first half, the Trojans' high-powered Air Raid offense detonated:
Maiava to Lane for a 56-yard touchdown
Waymond Jordan bursting through the line for a 23-yard scoring run
Maiava finding Lake McRee from 19 yards out
Maiava connecting with Xavier Jordan from 3 yards as time expired
Four touchdowns. Twenty-eight points. The 21-10 lead had become a 38-21 deficit in what felt like the blink of an eye.
"Once they got rolling, it was hard to stop," defensive lineman Koby Garland said. "We knew coming in they were explosive. When they got hot, they got real hot."
The second half offered no reprieve. USC tacked on 27 more points while the USD offense, now playing from far behind, couldn't keep pace. The final score read 65-21, but those numbers don't capture the fight the Toreros showed when the game was still in question.
In a game filled with USC superstars and future NFL draft picks, the best player on the field wore a Toreros uniform.
Senior linebacker Chase Freeman delivered arguably the greatest individual defensive performance in USD's brief FBS history:
| Tackles | 19 |
| Solo Tackles | 11 |
| Tackles for Loss | 3 |
| Sacks | 1.0 |
| Quarterback Hurries | Multiple |
Freeman was everywhere. Shedding blocks, chasing down ball carriers from behind, diagnosing plays before they developed. He played like a man possessed.
"That's my guy," Garland said of Freeman. "He's been the heart of this defense all year. Tonight, the whole country saw what we see every day."
Freeman, typically stoic, allowed himself a small moment of reflection.
"Nineteen tackles," he said with a slight shake of his head. "I'd trade every single one for a win. But I hope people saw that we're not quitting. We're never quitting."
BY THE NUMBERS
| Score | 21 | 65 |
| First Downs | 14 | 34 |
| Total Offense | 256 | 616 |
| Passing Yards | 213 | 431 |
| Rushing Yards | 43 | 185 |
| Yards Per Play | 3.7 | 6.7 |
| 3rd Down Conversions | 5/17 (29%) | 10/17 (58%) |
| Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
| Time of Possession | 20:24 | 39:36 |
INDIVIDUAL STANDOUTS
Tyler Olsen (QB): 24-39, 213 yards, 0 TD, 2 INT; 16 carries, -30 yards, 1 TD (stats skewed by sacks)
Keyonte Tyson (RB): 11 carries, 61 yards, 1 TD; 5.5 yards per carry
Joshua Townsend (LB): Fumble recovery for a touchdown
Koby Garland (REDG): 7 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks
Neiko Solomon (LB): 15 tackles, 1 tackle for loss
Terrell Pace (DB): 14 tackles, 2 tackles for loss
USC'S EXPLOSIVE ATTACK
Jayden Maiava (QB): 29-35, 381 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT; 212.0 QB rating; 1 rushing TD
Ja'Kobi Lane (WR): 6 catches, 119 yards, 1 TD (56-yard)
Jay Fair (WR): 5 catches, 109 yards, 1 TD (62-yard)
Lake McRee (TE): 6 catches, 72 yards, 1 TD
Eli Sanders (RB): 19 carries, 106 yards
WHAT IT MEANS
The Toreros fall to 1-6 overall and 0-2 in PAC-12 play. The losing streak now stands at six games.
But if you're looking for moral victories — and in Year 1 of an FCS-to-FBS rebuild, that's often all you have — this game provided one.
For 20 minutes, USD went toe-to-toe with one of the most talented teams in America and led by double digits.
"That's not a moral victory," Coach Earl said firmly. "That's proof of concept. We have the heart. We have the fight. We have the coaching. We just need more talent, more depth, more time.
"Next week against Stanford, we have a chance to show what we've learned. That's what matters now."
SCORING SUMMARY
| 1st | 12:00 | Caden Chittenden 35 Yd FG | USC 3-0 |
| 1st | 9:47 | Jay Fair 62 Yd pass from Jayden Maiava (Caden Chittenden kick) | USC 10-0 |
| 1st | 7:42 | Joshua Townsend returned fumble 5 Yds (Ian Wells kick) | USC 10-7 |
| 1st | 0:03 | Keyonte Tyson 6 Yd run (Ian Wells kick) | USD 14-10 |
| 2nd | 13:29 | Tyler Olsen 4 Yd run (Ian Wells kick) | USD 21-10 |
| 2nd | 11:15 | Ja'Kobi Lane 56 Yd pass from Jayden Maiava (Caden Chittenden kick) | USD 21-17 |
| 2nd | 7:50 | Waymond Jordan 23 Yd run (Caden Chittenden kick) | USC 24-21 |
| 2nd | 2:55 | Lake McRee 19 Yd pass from Jayden Maiava (Caden Chittenden kick) | USC 31-21 |
| 2nd | 0:06 | Xavier Jordan 3 Yd pass from Jayden Maiava (Caden Chittenden kick) | USC 38-21 |
| 3rd | 12:53 | Jayden Maiava 1 Yd run (Caden Chittenden kick) | USC 45-21 |
| 3rd | 7:49 | Caden Chittenden 44 Yd FG | USC 48-21 |
| 3rd | 2:16 | Caden Chittenden 38 Yd FG | USC 51-21 |
| 4th | 8:19 | Corey Simms 17 Yd pass from Cade Fox (Caden Chittenden kick) | USC 58-21 |
| 4th | 1:23 | Riley Wormley 1 Yd run (Caden Chittenden kick) | USC 65-21 |
QUARTER-BY-QUARTER
| USD | 14 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
| USC | 10 | 28 | 13 | 14 | 65 |
LOOKING AHEAD: STANFORD
The Toreros return home to Torero Stadium for a golden opportunity. The Stanford Cardinal (0-7, 0-3 PAC-12) come to San Diego searching for their first win of the season.
For USD, it's a chance to secure the program's first-ever PAC-12 victory and snap a six-game losing streak.
"Stanford's struggling," Freeman acknowledged. "So are we. Someone's getting their first conference win Saturday. We're going to make sure it's us."
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT at Torero Stadium.
RECRUITING BRIGHT SPOT
Despite the on-field struggles, the Toreros continue to build for the future on the recruiting trail. With the addition of Charlie Baum (WILL) and Eric Landry (DT), the class now stands at 7 commits, with more potentially on the way.
| Gill Cahill | CB | ⭐⭐⭐ | Chula Vista, CA |
| Dave Silva | QB | ⭐⭐⭐ | Long Beach, CA |
| Dom Vaughn | HB | ⭐⭐⭐ | Danville, CA |
| Charlie Baum | WILL | ⭐⭐⭐ | Goodyear, AZ |
| Eric Landry | DT | ⭐⭐⭐ | Menlo Park, CA |
| Zach Gay | REDG | ⭐⭐ | Lawndale, CA |
| Maurice Chaisson | LG | ⭐⭐ | Harbor City, CA |
THE LAST WORD
Chase Freeman sat in the visitor's locker room at the Coliseum, ice packs strapped to both shoulders, a 65-21 loss on the scoreboard, and a look of quiet determination on his face.
"People are going to see that score and think we got blown out," he said. "They didn't watch the game. They didn't see us up 21-10 in this building. They didn't see us fighting until the last whistle."
He stood up, grabbed his bag, and headed for the bus.
"Next week, we get another chance. That's all you can ask for in this game. Another chance."
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