After losses to Cal Poly and UC Davis to start the season, USD Football (1-2) came into Saturday’s matchup with Harvard needing a win before they start league play in two weeks.

After losing to Harvard 36-14 in Massachusetts last season, USD got its revenge with a 31-23 win at Torero Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Toreros got off to a perfect start with a 65 yard touchdown pass from QB Reid Sinnett to WR Michael Bandy to put USD on top 7-0. USD added a FG late in the 1st quarter to take a 10-0 lead.

Sinnett continued his aerial assault vs the Crimson in the 2nd quarter with a 57 yard touchdown pass to TE Dalton Kincaid.

Sinnett threw his 3rd touchdown pass of the game to his 3rd different receiver when he found Alex Spadone to put the Toreros up 24-0 right before halftime.

First half stats for Sinnett: 13-18, 255 yds , 3 TD, 0 INT

Harvard scored on the first play of the second half to cut the lead to 24-7 but USD responded with a 6 play, 68 yard touchdown drive which was capped off with a one yard touchdown run by Emilio Martinez to put the Toreros up 31-7.

The Crimson put up a rally in the 4th quarter cutting the lead to 31-23 with 3:18 to go. After a USD three and out, Harvard took over at their own 44 yard line with a chance to tie the game.

Facing a third and four, the Toreros got pressure on the Harvard QB, forcing him to throw the ball into coverage and the pass was intercepted by Daniel Tolbert, playing in his first game this season to seal the huge victory for the Toreros.

Sinnett finished the game with 22 completions for 384 yards and three touchdowns and his efforts earned him Pioneer League Football Offensive Player of the Week. USD has a bye this coming Saturday before facing Marist on October 5th.