The 2017 FCS Playoffs are here and we've got game-by-game wrap ups. San Diego and Northern Arizona hit the gridiron Saturday in the first round of the FCS Playoffs for the right to take on 2-seed North Dakota State in the next round.
[divider]COMPARE: Any Two FCS Players | Any Two FCS Teams[divider]
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San Diego 41Northern Arizona 10 |
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Next up: San Diego (10-2) at North Dakota State (10-1) |
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THE STANDOUTS
Anthony Lawrence, QB, San Diego: 16 of 28 for 228 yards, 3 TDs, no INTs
Justin Priest, WR, San Diego: 5 catches, 93 yards, 1 TD
Emilio Martinez, RB, San Diego: 20 carries, 117 yards, 1 TD
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THE TURNING POINT
San Diego jumped out early 10-0 thanks to a highlight-reel touchdown grab from Justin Priest, but the true turning point came in the third quarter, when after San Diego punted to open the half, David Tolbert picked off a Case Cookus pass and San Diego turned it into three points. The Toreros hung on to their first half momentum and then built on it.
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THE SKINNY
For the second straight season, David took down Goliath in the FCS Playoffs. San Diego, a non-scholarship school from the Pioneer League, won its second FCS Playoff game in school history a year after upsetting Cal Poly in the FCS Playoffs a season ago.
A 10-0 first quarter lead blossomed into a 24-10 halftime advantage thanks to strong play from QB Anthony Lawrence, RBs Emilio Martinez and Joseph Binda, Jr., and wide receiver Justin Priest, as well as a stingy defensive effort.
USD added another 10 points in the third quarter and then cruised in the fourth to win 41-10 in upset fashion.
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PREVIEW OF NEXT WEEK
For the second straight season, San Diego's reward for winning its opening round game is the Bison of North Dakota State. Last year NDSU won 45-7.
