USD opened their 2025 league campaign at home with a convincing win over the visiting Fresno State Bulldogs. In a match that featured double-digit tries scored and even a few Torero hat tricks, the shutout of a very good FSU side impressed fans and Head Coach Charlie Purdon alike.

In what would be a sign of things to come, USD Flanker Cade Caufield collected the opening kickoff, evaded a would-be tackler and hustled 30 meters down the left sideline before a Bulldog was able to drag him down. Caufield, however, was supported by Center Daniel Suhr, who ran an excellent support line, allowing Caufield to offload in contact, which freed Suhr for an uncontested try under the posts. Lucas Troughear added the chip-shot conversion and the Toreros found themselves up 7-0 with less than a minute gone in the contest.

The Toreros were equally efficient on defense, pinning the Bulldogs deep in their own half for much of the match, forcing Fresno State to play under the shadow of their own goalposts where any mistake or turnover could be punished. By leveraging their defensive integrity, USD was able to remain patient and forced several turnovers within the Bulldog 22, leading to flashy backline plays and punishing carries for the Torero forwards.

Halftime saw USD up 66-0, at which point Purdon began emptying the bench and subbed on all eight USD reserves. The newcomers were more than equal to the task, however, as they continued to frustrate the Bulldog attacks while adding a handful of tries of their own. Gavin Saville stood out in the backline as he recorded a second half hat trick but it was Michael Lewis that was crowned Man Of The Match for his 80-minute shift at fullback, stopping FSU from getting on the board numerous times.

The Toreros will continue their league play against a fierce Claremont McKenna side on February 8th at home on Manchester Field. Be sure to catch all of the action on TVX, USD Rugby’s exclusive streaming partner.

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USD Opens League Play With Statement Victory