USD OVERCOMES ITSELF TO RALLY BY ST. THOMAS

USD overcame two interception returns for touchdowns, two quarterback changes, some sideline bickering and still, somehow, managed to post its first win of the season Saturday, coming from behind to defeat the University of St. Thomas 2724 in a Pioneer League game at Torero Stadium.

In the process, USD avoided what would have been the first 0-5 start in the program’s 66-year history.

“If there’s an ugly win,” said USD head coach Dale Lindsey, “that’s what that was.”

Lindsey benched Mason Randall, who started the first four games, at the start.

“We were 0-4 at that point and Mason hadn’t exactly resembled Bart Starr by any means,” Lindsey said.

By early in the third quarter, Randall was back behind center, replacing Judd Erickson, who served up the two interceptions returned for TDS.

Both Pick Sixes were thrown straight to St. Thomas defenders for easy touchdowns, one covering 10 yards, the other 22.

The second one gave the Tommies a 24-14 lead early in the third quarter.

Lindsey gave Erickson one more chance, but on the next series the graduate transfer from Colorado

State suffered his third interception, this one returned to the USD 5.

Regarding switching to Randall, Lind- sey said, “(Erickson) threw two Pick Sixes.

I told him we should have pulled his (butt) earlier.”

Despite the two Pick Sixes (incredibly, a third Pick Six thrown by Randall was nullified by a roughing the passer penalty), USD rallied to win, thanks to its defense.

After Erickson’s third pick the Tommies (2-2, 1-1 PFL) threatened to go up by 17, but USD stopped St. Thomas on downs.

“That was big,” said Lindsey. “They could have buried us.”

On his first drive, Randall led USD (1-4, 1-1) to a field goal, cutting the deficit to 2417.

On the Tommies’ next series, senior captain and linebacker Kama Kamaka made the play of the game. He stripped the ball from running back Tom Loeffler, picked up the loose ball and sprinted 38 yards to the tying touchdown.

“When I was making the tackle I felt my hand inside and I just ripped,” said Kamaka. “I turned around and the ball was there. There was no way I was just going to jump on it. I had to scoop and score. I put it on myself to score a touchdown.”

Kamaka admitted he was frustrated with the offense and had some words with offensive players and assistant coaches on the sideline.

After the touchdown, Kamaka said he yelled to the offense, “I’m sorry, but I just put you guys on my back.”

With Emilio Martinez out with an injury, Terrence Smith carried the load at running back. Thirteen of his carries gained 26 yards. But late in the fourth quarter he busted into the second level, made a safety miss and took off on a 63-yard run.

It set up Brandon Eickert’s 31-yard field goal with four minutes to play that decided the game.

As for overcoming inept play by the offense and avoiding the first 0-5 start in program history, Kamaka said, “Winning cures everything, man.”