EARNIE GRAFTON / Union-Tribune
Eight days from today, the USD offense will require a transplant. Whether it's microsurgery or a simple hack job is up to coach Ron Caragher.
USD (7-2, 5-2) vs. Butler (6-3, 4-2)
When: Today, 6 p.m.
Where: Torero Stadium.
Last year: USD won 56-9.
Series record: USD leads 11-4.
Notable: Butler's pass defense ranks eighth in the nine-team PFL. USD has beaten Butler six straight times.
Radio: 1090-AM and 1700-AM.
Web: www.usdtoreros.com
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Eight days from today, the USD offense will require a transplant. Whether it's microsurgery or a simple hack job is up to coach Ron Caragher.
The day after his Toreros host UC Davis in their season finale, Caragher will likely take a long look at his receiving corps – specifically the “Z” position – the flanker spot occupied so brilliantly by John Matthews, who is in his final year with the football program.
“Do I expect anyone to fill the shoes of John Matthews and do what he's done for us the last couple of years? No,” Caragher said. “But it's like losing Josh Johnson at quarterback. You can't replace him, but we have expectations that other people will step up. That's the fun in coaching. We have all spring and all camp to develop a guy and get him reps with the first team.”
He has two games left with Matthews, who has re-written virtually every USD receiving record and is hoping to play for pay next year.
“I never would have expected to put up these numbers looking back on it,” said Matthews, who has 75 catches and 18 touchdowns, both single-season records. “You don't really realize you are doing it until you look back. It all happened sort of fast.”
Tonight at 6, he will try to pad his stats a little more with the Butler Bulldogs (6-3, 4-2) coming to Torero Stadium for USD's Pioneer Football League finale. Last week the Toreros (7-2, 5-2) rallied from a 21-0 deficit to top Davidson 28-24, snapping a two-game skid.
So far this season, 38 percent of USD's 195 completions have gone to Matthews. But nearly 50 percent (1,130 yards) of their 2,380 passing yards have gone to the fifth-year senior. That's a lot of yardage to replace. Combined with the graduation of Ben Hannula, who starts opposite Matthews and has 42 catches for 426 yards, next year's pass catchers will be considerably green.
By default, redshirt sophomore Godfrey Smith inherits the role of seasoned veteran. Heading into today's game, Smith has 51 career catches for 560 yards and six touchdowns in two seasons. It won't be the first time responsibility has been thrust on Smith's shoulders. During the off-season, he prepared to be a starting receiver, but when Hannula switched from defense to offense, Smith moved back to the No. 3 role.
“Over the summer I got my mind set for playing every down every game,” Smith said. “Then Ben switched and I took a step back. Next year they both will be gone and I'll be the oldest receiver. It's a big step, but I'm really comfortable with our offense and I'm confident I can take that step.”
Smith won't be alone, though. Others who could step in are true freshman Taylor Wright and redshirt freshmen Chad Rusinkovich and John McGough. At 6-3, 210 pounds, McGough is one of the taller receivers on the roster. In limited action this year he has caught eight balls for 112 yards and two touchdowns. He even filled in at tight end after Mitch Ryan was lost for the year with a knee injury.
“Matthews has shown us younger guys what it takes to lead,” McGough said. “You look at the things he's done, it's spectacular. We'll be young, but we're all getting experience now.”
The Toreros, despite the loss of running back J.T. Rogan in the first game of the season, have remained extremely balanced, running the ball 299 times and passing 292 times. But
of USD's 41 offensive touchdowns, 30 have come via pass.
“We have young guys in the program that I'm excited about,” Caragher said. “We just have to get them the reps and hopefully they'll develop.”
Kevin Gemmell: (619) 718-5304; kevin.gemmell@uniontrib.com
