What Is 2017 San Diego Toreros football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2017 San Diego Toreros football team represented the University of San Diego in the NCAA Division I FCS football season, finishing with a 7-4 record under head coach Dale Lindsey. They competed in the Pioneer Football League (PFL) and played home games at Torero Stadium. The team scored 246 points and allowed 257 over 11 games.

Key Facts

2017 record: 7 wins, 4 losses (7-4 overall)
Pioneer Football League (PFL) member since 1993
Head coach Dale Lindsey in his 5th season
Scored 246 points, allowed 257 points in 2017
Home games played at 6,000-seat Torero Stadium

Overview

The 2017 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 (PFL). Led by head coach Dale Lindsey in his fifth year, the team competed in an 11-game season that included both conference and non-conference matchups.

The Toreros showed solid offensive production but struggled defensively in key games, finishing with a winning record but falling short of a PFL title or playoff berth. Despite not qualifying for the FCS playoffs, the season demonstrated continued competitiveness within the non-scholarship FCS conference.

Record: The team finished 7-4 overall, including a 5-3 mark in Pioneer Football League play, placing them in the middle of the conference standings.
Head Coach:Dale Lindsey was in his fifth season leading the program, having taken over in 2013 and steadily improved the team’s consistency.
Home Stadium: All home games were played at Torero Stadium, a 6,000-seat facility on the University of San Diego campus.
Scoring: The offense tallied 246 total points across 11 games, averaging about 22.4 points per game during the 2017 season.
Defensive Performance: The defense allowed 257 points, averaging 23.4 points per game, with key struggles in close conference matchups.

How It Works

The structure of the San Diego Toreros football program follows NCAA Division I FCS guidelines, particularly within the non-scholarship Pioneer Football League. The team operates under specific recruiting, scheduling, and competitive rules unique to the PFL.

Division: The Toreros compete in the NCAA Division I FCS, the second tier of college football, which does not offer athletic scholarships for football.
Conference: As a member of the Pioneer Football League, the team plays a round-robin schedule against other non-scholarship FCS programs.
Scholarships: The PFL is a non-scholarship league, meaning football players receive no athletic financial aid, though academic aid is permitted.
Season Format: The 2017 season consisted of 11 regular-season games with no postseason eligibility despite strong performances.
Recruiting: The team recruits student-athletes who meet academic standards at USD, emphasizing academic-athletic balance over athletic scholarships.
Coaching Staff: Dale Lindsey led a staff focused on player development, with an emphasis on special teams and defensive discipline.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2017 San Diego Toreros compared to other PFL teams and FCS averages:

Team	Overall Record	PFL Record	Points For	Points Against
San Diego	7-4	5-3	246	257
Dayton	8-4	6-2	312	231
Davidson	6-5	5-3	242	219
Marist	3-8	2-6	158	269
Stetson	3-8	2-6	172	298

The Toreros ranked in the upper half of the PFL in both points scored and allowed. While Dayton claimed the league title and an FCS playoff berth, San Diego’s 7-4 record was one of their better performances in recent years, showing improvement in conference play. Their point differential of -11 indicated a tightly contested season with several close losses.

Why It Matters

The 2017 season was significant for maintaining the Toreros' reputation as a competitive FCS program despite structural limitations. It highlighted the challenges and achievements of non-scholarship football in a highly competitive subdivision.

Program Stability: A winning season under Dale Lindsey reinforced coaching continuity and long-term development at USD.
Recruiting Model: Success without athletic scholarships demonstrated the viability of a high-academic recruiting strategy.
Player Development: Several players earned All-PFL honors, showcasing the program’s ability to develop talent.
Competitive Balance: The season illustrated that non-scholarship programs can remain competitive with scholarship schools in FCS.
Community Engagement: Games at Torero Stadium maintained strong local fan support and student involvement.
Future Outlook: The 2017 results laid groundwork for continued improvement in the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

The 2017 San Diego Toreros football season, while not culminating in a conference title, underscored the program’s resilience and commitment to excellence within the unique framework of the Pioneer Football League. It remains a benchmark for sustained competitiveness in non-scholarship college football.