The Toreros have been picked to win the Pioneer Football League for the first time in 6 years
University of San Diego quarterback Dominic Nankil looks for a receiver during a practice last season. Maybe it was because the calendar had not yet flipped to August. Maybe it was the view from the University of San Diego press box, the field below unlined yet plush green.
But on Tuesday, the day his players reported to summer camp ahead of Thursday’s first practice, third-year USD head football coach Brandon Moore was smiling. “I don’t think I’m looking over my shoulder this year to see what’s going to fall from the sky,” he said. Moore’s 2023 first season was marred by a hazing scandal that resulted in two lawsuits. The Toreros finished 8-3 last season, closing with a rush, winning six of their last seven games.USD has been picked by coaches to win the Pioneer Football League championship. It’s the first time since 2019 that the Toreros, once the PFL’s dominant program, have been selected as the league favorite. The team will hold an open-to-the-public preseason scrimmage Aug. 16 at 5 p.m., then kick off the 2025 slate at home against Cal Poly on Aug. 30.1. Who lines up behind center? There are two candidates to start at quarterback, junior Dom Nankil and redshirt junior Tyler Voss. The 6-foot, 175-pound Nankil is a former Mater Dei Catholic High School star who led the Crusaders to two state championships. Voss is from Simi Valley. He’s a transfer from San Jose State, where he never attempted a pass.“They’re ‘Maverick’ and ‘Iceman,’” said Moore. “Maverick is going to get it done and be unorthodox at times. He’s a lot more creative with his feet. Tyler is an operator in the sense that it’s going to look how you drew it up.Nankil is the more experienced of the pair. In that helter-skelter 2023 season, he started as a true freshman, throwing for 1,158 yards and five TDs against four interceptions.USD is noted for producing quarterbacks with gawdy passing stats. But when the Toreros are at their offensive best, that aerial attack is accompanied by a talented running back, If a back emerges this year, he’ll come virtually out of nowhere. The leading candidate is graduate student Matt Colombo, a former USC back who gained 152 yards last season for the Toreros.Here’s how uncertain USD’s running back status is. Senior Adam Criter has been switched from wide receiver, likely carrying the ball some in space. He has one career catch for 11 yards.If your passing game and running attack are in question, it helps to have a talented offensive line. And that’s the strength of USD’s offense. Four starters return: center Maicah Talavou, left tackle Evans Bowling and guards Jack D’Ambra and Nick Streumpf. Talavou and Bowling were named to the All-PFL preseason team. Moore feels that the 6-2, 290-pound Talavou, a junior, is a potential All-American. “We’re riding the offensive line,” said Moore. “We like them to be gritty and play between the whistle at 1,000 miles per hour.”USD lost a gifted wide receiver in Ja’seem Reed, the PFL’s lone 1,000-yard receiver last season. But whoever wins the starting quarterback job won’t be lacking in athletes who can catch the football. Moore expects Josh Heverly to have a breakout season. Cole Monach is more than reliable. And there’s tight end talent in Peyton Smith and Bradley Schlom , who played in five games at UCLA.USD coach Brandon Moore speaks to the team at the end of the practice last year. USD’s top five tacklers exhausted their eligibility. But one of the best defenders, defensive end Malachi Cooper, is back. Cooper topped all defensive linemen last season in tackles and tackles-for-loss and tied for the position lead in sacks . The 6-4, 260-pound Serra High School product was named to the All-PFL preseason team. Cooper, a fifth-year senior, wears jersey No. 0. “Malachi has a unique game,” said Moore. “He’s both physical and athletic. He looks the best, physically, since we’ve been at USD. It’s going to be interesting to see what kind of year he has and how offenses try to block him.”6 — USD has been picked to finish first in the Pioneer Football League for the first time in six years. 5 — Five USD players have been named to the Preseason All-Pioneer Football League Team: OL Evans Bowling, OL Maicah Talavou, DL Malachi Cooper, DB Ruben Lopez and punter Aydan Corrales.Tsunami advisory for San Diego and Orange counties lifted by Pacific Tsunami Warning CenterBig changes could soon come to southwestern Mission Bay Park, if the city gets its wayA fought-over ADU is officially done. Two neighbors’ war over it may not be.Padres rally in ninth inning to beat Mets, pick up Dylan Cease What should it cost to park in Balboa Park? San Diego City Council members haggle over plan’s details
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