What Is 2013 San Diego Toreros football team

Overview

The 2013 San Diego Toreros football team represented the University of San Diego in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Competing in the Pioneer Football League (PFL), the team was led by head coach Ron Caragher, who completed his final season with USD before accepting a position at San Jose State.

Despite a winning overall record, the Toreros narrowly missed qualifying for the FCS playoffs. Their performance reflected steady competitiveness within the PFL, though they fell short of securing the conference’s automatic bid.

• Record: The team finished the season with a 7–4 overall record and a 5–3 mark in PFL play, placing them in the middle of the conference standings.
• Head Coach:Ron Caragher served as head coach for his fifth and final season; he compiled a 38–17 record at USD before departing for San Jose State in December 2013.
• Home Stadium: All home games were played at Torero Stadium, a 6,000-seat facility located on the University of San Diego campus in San Diego, California.
• Offensive Standout: Quarterback Trevor Kirschner started most games and threw for 1,854 yards and 14 touchdowns with only 6 interceptions.
• Defensive Leader: Linebacker Casey Schmidling led the team with 97 total tackles, including 47 solo stops and 5.5 tackles for loss.

Season Performance Breakdown

The 2013 campaign featured a mix of strong offensive performances and defensive resilience, though consistency in conference matchups proved challenging. The team opened the season with a win but faced setbacks in key PFL games that ultimately cost them a playoff berth.

• Early Momentum: The Toreros began the season 3–1, including a notable 35–34 victory over UC Davis, an FCS opponent outside their conference.
• Conference Play: In PFL action, they split their first four games and finished 5–3, tied for third place with Drake and St. Thomas.
• Key Loss: A 31–28 defeat to Dayton on November 9 proved pivotal; Dayton went on to win the PFL and earn the league’s playoff bid.
• Rushing Attack: Running back Colin Lockett rushed for 632 yards and 5 touchdowns, adding 401 receiving yards, showcasing dual-threat value.
• Special Teams: Kicker Christian Yanes made 8 of 12 field goals, with a long of 47 yards, contributing crucial points in close games.
• Injuries: The team battled injuries at key positions, particularly along the offensive line, which disrupted rhythm during mid-season contests.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2013 Toreros compared to other top PFL teams that season:

The table highlights that while San Diego matched Drake and St. Thomas in conference wins, Dayton’s perfect league record secured them the playoff spot. The Toreros’ 7–4 overall record was respectable, but their two PFL losses came against playoff-caliber teams, underscoring missed opportunities.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season marked a transitional year for the program, both in terms of coaching and team development. It served as a benchmark for future rebuilding efforts under new leadership.

• Coaching Change: Ron Caragher’s departure to San Jose State created a leadership vacuum, eventually filled by head coach Dale Lindsey.
• Player Development: Several underclassmen gained experience, laying the foundation for improved performance in 2014 and beyond.
• Recruiting Impact: Competitive seasons like 2013 helped maintain USD’s reputation for strong academic-athletic balance in FCS football.
• Conference Stability: The PFL remained competitive, with no dominant team outside of Dayton, suggesting parity across the league.
• Facility Use: Continued use of Torero Stadium provided a consistent home-field advantage and fan experience.
• Historical Context: The 2013 season was part of a five-year stretch where USD posted winning records four times, showing program consistency.

Though not a championship year, the 2013 season demonstrated resilience and development, setting the stage for future growth in the Toreros’ football program.