Cal Lutheran Plays Giveaway in 44-19 Defeat

SAN DIEGO —  Hoping to turn over a new leaf, the Cal Lutheran football team instead turned over the ball.

The University of San Diego scored 17 points as a direct result of Cal Lutheran turnovers and the Kingsmen lost their season opener, 44-19, Saturday night at Torero Stadium.

The Kingsmen, in their first game under Coach Scott Squires, committed five turnovers. Two led to San Diego touchdowns, another to a field goal.

Cal Lutheran gave up 30 points in the second half, after trailing just 14-6 at halftime.

The Kingsmen also were tormented all night by Evan Hlavacek.

The Toreros’ senior tied a school record by scoring four touchdowns, three rushing and one receiving. Hlavacek finished with 160 yards rushing on 20 carries. He also returned three punts for 52 yards.

Cal Lutheran running back Fredrik Nanhed, on the other hand, sat out most of the game after injuring a hamstring in the first quarter. He left with eight yards on five carries.

Cal Lutheran fumbled three times and quarterbacks Ryan Huisenga (17 of 21 passing for 120 yards) and Zack Hernandez (six of 10 for 51 yards) each threw one interception.

The Toreros (1-1) opened the scoring with a three-play drive started after San Diego’s Jeb Dougherty blocked Jeff Shea’s punt attempt and recovered the ball at the Cal Lutheran 26-yard line. Hlavacek had runs of six and 19 yards, then scored from one yard to give San Diego a 7-0 lead with 4:41 left in the first quarter.

Hlavacek put San Diego up, 14-0, with a three-yard scoring run that capped a six-play, 42-yard drive with 7:42 remaining in the half.