What Is 2012 San Diego Toreros football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2012 San Diego Toreros football team represented the University of San Diego in the NCAA Division I FCS football season. They finished with a 7–4 overall record under head coach Ron Caragher and competed in the Pioneer Football League (PFL). The team played home games at Torero Stadium in San Diego, California.

Key Facts

The 2012 San Diego Toreros went 7–4 overall and 5–2 in Pioneer Football League play
Head coach Ron Caragher led the team in his fifth and final season before moving to San Jose State
The team played home games at 6,000-seat Torero Stadium on campus
Quarterback Mason Mills started most games, throwing for 1,854 yards and 15 touchdowns
San Diego finished tied for second in the PFL standings, one win behind champion Drake

Overview

The 2012 San Diego Toreros football team represented the University of San Diego in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) as a member of the Pioneer Football League. Competing in their 14th season under the PFL banner, the Toreros aimed for a strong conference finish to bolster postseason consideration.

Under head coach Ron Caragher, the team displayed a balanced offense and improved defense compared to previous seasons. Though they missed the FCS playoffs, the 2012 campaign marked a transitional year as Caragher departed for San Jose State after the season.

Overall record: The Toreros finished the season with a 7–4 win-loss record, their best since 2009, showing marked improvement in competitiveness.
Conference performance: They went 5–2 in Pioneer Football League games, finishing tied for second place with Davidson, just behind undefeated Drake (6–1).
Home field: All home games were played at Torero Stadium, a 6,000-seat on-campus venue known for its intimate atmosphere and strong fan support.
Head coach: Ron Caragher completed his fifth season at USD, compiling a 38–22 record before accepting the head coaching job at San Jose State University.
Key quarterback: Mason Mills started 10 games, passing for 1,854 yards, 15 touchdowns, and only 6 interceptions, leading the PFL in touchdown passes.

Season Performance & Key Players

The 2012 campaign featured a mix of offensive highlights and defensive resilience, with standout performances from several underclassmen who would shape future teams. The offense leaned on the passing game, while the defense improved in conference play.

Passing leader: Mason Mills threw for 1,854 yards and led the PFL with 15 touchdown passes, showcasing accuracy and decision-making under pressure.
Receiving standout: Wide receiver Mike Hensch caught 45 passes for 559 yards and 5 touchdowns, emerging as the team’s top offensive weapon.
Defensive leader: Linebacker A.J. Johnson recorded 98 total tackles, the highest on the team, and added 5.5 tackles for loss and one interception.
Running game: The team averaged 128.7 rushing yards per game, led by running back Brandon Tims with 437 yards and 4 touchdowns on 105 carries.
Special teams: Kicker Jon Lewis made 7 of 11 field goals, with a long of 46 yards, and contributed 38 touchbacks on kickoffs.
Notable win: A 31–27 road victory over Dayton on October 20 highlighted the team’s ability to win tight conference matchups in challenging environments.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2012 San Diego Toreros against key PFL competitors in overall and conference records, offensive output, and defensive performance.

Team	Overall Record	PFL Record	Points For	Points Against
Drake	8–4	6–1	278	196
San Diego	7–4	5–2	263	227
Davidson	7–4	5–2	224	201
Dayton	6–5	4–3	277	256
Morehead State	4–7	3–4	218	288

The table illustrates that San Diego ranked among the top PFL teams in both scoring and defense. Their 263 points placed them third in the league, while their 227 points allowed were the second-fewest, behind only Drake. This balance reflected disciplined coaching and strong mid-season form, though inconsistency in non-conference games limited their overall standing.

Why It Matters

The 2012 season was significant as a bridge between eras for the Toreros program. While not a championship year, it demonstrated competitive growth and helped develop talent for future success.

Coaching transition: Ron Caragher’s departure marked the end of a stable era, with assistant coaches stepping in before the hiring of a new leader in 2013.
Player development: Several underclassmen gained starting experience, including future All-PFL performers who contributed in subsequent seasons.
Recruiting momentum: A winning record helped maintain recruiting interest, especially from California-based prospects seeking FCS opportunities.
League competitiveness: The close race in the PFL highlighted the league’s growing parity, with multiple teams capable of claiming the automatic bid.
Facility utilization: Strong home attendance at Torero Stadium reinforced the value of on-campus stadiums in FCS football.
Program identity: The 2012 season reinforced USD’s identity as a disciplined, academically focused program with consistent on-field competitiveness.

Though the Toreros did not qualify for the FCS playoffs, the 2012 season laid groundwork for future success and reflected the program’s commitment to balanced, competitive football within the Pioneer Football League.