Box Score SAN DIEGO – The Central Washington University Football Team (0-1) fell in their season opener at NCAA Division I FCS member, the University of San Diego (2-0) by a 26-7 score Saturday afternoon. 
 
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"I'm very proud of how hard our guys played today from start to finish," CWU Head Football Coach Chris Fisk said. "I felt like our offense could've played with more intention throughout the game, but our defense played really well all game long which I'm very happy of. There were a few missed opportunities on special teams, but as a whole our team played hard today and I'm thankful for that. Now we'll just put our noses down and get to work on Monday for another challenge in Colorado Mesa."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 

• The Wildcats opened up the game driving down the field, with Kennedy McGill rushing for 49 yards on the first play of the game, but ultimately a 40-yard field goal attempt by Quinton Pacheco was wide left keeping the game scoreless. 
• The Toreros countered maneuvering down the field to score first on a 28-yard pass from Grant Sergent to Kenyon Sims to make it 6-0 with the point after touchdown going wide left. 
• Tyler Flanagan rushed 31 yards and caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from McGill on the next drive and capped it off with a one-yard touchdown rush to give the 'Cats their first score of the 2024 season. A Pacheco PAT gave CWU the lead at 7-6 with 3:24 left in the first quarter. 
• The 'Cats forced the Toreros into a three and out giving the ball back to CWU at their own 32-yard line. A 15-yard rush by McGill put CWU at the USD 42-yard line and ended the first quarter with CWU leading 7-6. 
• The 'Cats couldn't go anywhere and saw Dan Stewart produce his first punt of the season, pinning USD at their own nine-yard line. 
• The teams exchanged punts but USD struck again with 8:40 left in the second quarter when Sergent completed a 39-yard pass to Cole Monach to make it 12-7. The Toreros went for two, but Sergent was sacked by Daniel Matagi. 
• Both teams exchanged punts again to end the first half with USD leading 12-7. 
• The crimson and black defense opened the third quarter forcing the Toreros into a three and out. A pick six by Jae'Von Reels made it 18-7 USD and the successful PAT made it 19-7 Toreros with 10:56 left in the third quarter. 
• Both teams exchanged punts to give the ball back to CWU. 17-yard receptions to Darrien Gaines and Logan Brady and an 11-yard reception from Darius Morrison set the 'Cats at the USD 26 to end the third quarter with a fourth and one situation. 
• McGill rushed the ball but the Torero defense stopped him from gaining any yards giving the ball back to USD. 
• The Toreros responded back with a 24-yard touchdown reception to Ja'seem Reed from Sergent to make it 26-7 after the successful PAT. 
• Both teams exchanged punts through the end of the game. 

 
STATS FROM THE GAME  
 

• McGill finished the game completing 13 of his 27 passes for 92 yards and one interception. He led the 'Cats with 122 rushing yards. 
• Flanagan added 27 yards and the sole Wildcat touchdown as well as 10 receiving yards. 
• Justice Taylor and Cam Daniels added 15 and 11 rushing yards, respectively. 
• Darius Morrison and Logan Brady surpassed 30 receiving yards with 35 and 31, respectively. 
• Tanner Volk led the defense with eight tackles and one tackle for loss. 
• Daniel Mendoza added seven tackles while Daniel Matagi had six tackles including the sole CWU sack. 
• Brett McCalla and Chase Loidhamer added five tackles while Jeremy Banks, Jaylen Clay, and Isaac Clark added three tackles. 
• Dan Stewart had seven punts for 281 yards with one going for 55 yards. 
• Pacheco went 0/1 on field goal attempts but had two kickoffs for 125 yards. 
• Gaines had three kick returns for 81 yards and two punt returns for -3 yards while Marcus Cook had three punt returns for 14 yards. 

 
UP NEXT
 
The 'Cats will be back in action next Saturday when they take on the Colorado Mesa Mavericks (1-0) at noon from Stocker Stadium in Grand Junction, Colo.