The San Diego Toreros football team is the college football program that represents the University of San Diego (USD). The Toreros compete in NCAA Division I (FCS) as a member of the Pioneer Football League (PFL). The team plays its home games at Torero Stadium.

San Diego's first football team was fielded in 1956. The Toreros have won the PFL championship 12 times.

History Classifications 1973–1992: NCAA Division III 1993–present: NCAA Division I-AA/FCS

Conference memberships 1956–1972: Independent 1973–1992: NCAA Division III independent 1993–present: Pioneer Football League In the early 1990s, the NCAA passed new legislation which required athletic departments to now play all of their respective sports at the same divisional level. Briefly discussed as a potential answer to the legislation, the concept of Division I-AAA was considered in response, including USD as one of only six schools eligible for the classification along the West Coast (along with Santa Clara, CSUN, Sacramento State, Saint Mary's and UCSB).

However, in January 1992, the proposal to create a football-playing Division I-AAA was twice voted down at an NCAA convention; then in February 1992, Toreros athletic director Tom Iannacone announced USD football would elevate to I-AA status beginning in the fall of 1993, by way of joining the PFL.

Rivalries

Cal Poly

San Diego Toreros and Cal Poly have a regional rivalry, both schools are in-state FCS opponents but not in the same conferences.

Notable former players Notable alumni include: Jamal Agnew Eric Bakhtiari Ross Dwelley Michael Gasperson Evan Hlavacek Josh Johnson Matt Maslowski John Matthews Jordan Paopao Vern Valdez Ken Zampese Dave Dunn Michael Bandy

Year-by-year results

+ Year Wins Loss Ties Win % CoachConference 1956 2 3 0 .400 Gil KuhnIndependent 1957 6 3 0 .667 Bob McCutcheon 1958 8 2 0 .800 1959 1 5 0 .167 Paul Platz 1960 4 5 1 .450 Mike Pecarovich 1961 2 8 0 .200 1969 5 2 0 .714 Jim Gray 1970 2 6 0 .250 1971 3 5 0 .375 1972 6 3 1 .650 Andy Vinci 1973 9 2 1 .792 Independent (NCAA Division III) 1974 3 8 0 .273 Dick Logan 1975 2 7 0 .222 1976 1 7 1 .167 Bill Williams 1977 3 7 0 .300 1978 7 3 0 .700 1979 5 6 0 .455 1980 6 5 0 .545 1981 9 1 0 .900 1982 4 6 0 .400 1983 5 5 0 .500 Brian Fogarty 1984 1 8 1 .150 1985 5 5 0 .500 1986 4 6 0 .400 1987 6 3 1 .650 1988 5 4 0 .556 1989 7 2 0 .778 1990 7 2 0 .778 1991 7 3 0 .700 1992 7 2 1 .750 1993 6 4 0 .600 Pioneer Football League (NCAA Division I FCS) 1994 6 4 0 .600 1995 5 5 0 .500 1996 4 6 0 .400 Kevin McGarry 1997 8 3 0 .727 1998 2 8 0 .200 1999 5 5 0 .500 2000 4 6 0 .400 2001 6 3 0 .667 2002 5 5 0 .500 2003 8 2 0 .800 2004 7 4 0 .636 Jim Harbaugh 2005 11 1 0 .917 2006 11 1 0 .917 2007 9 2 0 .818 Ron Caragher 2008 9 2 0 .818 2009470.3642010560.4552011920.8182012830.7272013830.727Dale Lindsey2014930.7502015920.81820161020.83320171030.7692018930.7502019930.7502020420.6672021740.6362022550.5002023470.333Brandon Moore2024830.7272025840.667Totals3542426.593

Championships

Conference championships

2005 Pioneer Football League Jim Harbaugh 11–1 4–0 2006 11–1 7–0 2007† Ron Caragher 9–2 6–1 2011† 9–2 7–1 2012† 8–3 7–1 2014† Dale Lindsey 9–3 7–1 2015† 9–2 7–1 2016 10–2 8–0 2017 10–3 8–0 2018 9–3 8–0 2019 9–3 8–0 † Co-champions

Divisional championships From 2001–2005, the Pioneer Football League was divided into North and South Divisions. As winners of the Pioneer Football League's North Division, San Diego has made one appearance in the Pioneer Football League Championship Game, in 2005. The Toreros also shared the Division title with Valparaiso in 2003, but the tie-breaker allowed the Crusaders to represent the division in the championship game.

2003† PFL North N/A lost tiebreaker to Valparaiso 2005 Morehead State W 47–40

Playoff appearances NCAA Division I FCS The Toreros have made five appearances in the FCS playoffs. Their overall record is 2–5.

2014 First Round Montana L, 14–52 2016 First RoundSecond Round Cal PolyNorth Dakota State W, 35–21 L, 7–45 2017 First RoundSecond Round Northern ArizonaNorth Dakota State W, 41–10L, 3–38 2018 First Round Nicholls L, 30–49 2019 First Round Northern Iowa L, 3–17 Playoff record 2–5

NCAA Division III The Toreros made one appearances in the NCAA Division III football playoffs, with a combined record of 0–1.

1973 Semifinals Wittenberg L, 14–21

Future non-conference opponents Announced schedules as of August 27, 2026.

UC Davis at UC Davis at Cal Poly at Idaho State at Idaho State Cal Poly Idaho State Cal Poly at Cal Poly at Southern Utah at UC Davis  

References

External links