Smart, strong safety Ruben Lopez epitomizes USD’s football focus

During his 10-year run as the University of San Diego’s most successful head football coach, Dale Lindsey developed a term that he said characterized his athletes.

To be called “a USD man” was the highest compliment. Lindsey used the term to describe a player who succeeds academically, plays for the love of the game, is focused on succeeding and carries himself with class.

USD kicks off its 63rd football season at 5 p.m. Saturday against Cal Poly, and senior safety Ruben Lopez is the epitome of Lindsey’s “USD man.”

A double major in finance and business administration, Lopez is on track to graduate in May. He carries a 3.5 GPA. As for love of the game, USD is a non-scholarship program. At a university where annual tuition tops $56,000, Lopez and his peers essentially pay to play.

As for carrying himself in a dignified manner? Lopez and running back Matt Colombo were voted team captains by their teammates.

“He’s a high-demand player,” said head coach Brandon Moore. “He demands a lot from the players around him and commands respect from the room.”

Moore tells his players that even when reporting to meetings on time, “You don’t want to be the last one in the room.” Lopez delivered the message one step further, floating the idea that players show up 10 minutes early.

“I spearheaded the idea,” said Lopez. “I put it in motion.”

Lopez, who grew up in Lake Forest and attended Mission Viejo High School, admits he is serious by nature.

“I don’t like to do things without a purpose,” he said.

His playing path at USD has followed the typical arc. He played predominantly on special teams as a freshman in 2022. He started the final game of the season against Morehead State, logging a career-high nine tackles and intercepting a pass.

Lopez started four games in 2023 before requiring knee surgery that ended his season. He started 10 games last season and filled the stat sheet, intercepting three passes, forcing one fumble (and recovering two fumbles), logging a sack, four tackles for loss and 34 total tackles.

He was selected to the 2024 All-Pioneer Football League second team and this season was selected to the 2025 Preseason All-PFL team.

Moore and associate head coach Isaac Carter, the Toreros’ co-defensive coordinator and defensive backfield coach, say a variety of factors contribute to Lopez’s success.

“His football I.Q. is what sets him apart,” Moore said.

Lopez can recognize different formations and tendencies based on extensive video study. He adjusts on the fly and communicates with his teammates before the snap.

The 6-foot, 180-pound Lopez is strong for his size. He can squat 470 pounds, bench press 285 and power clean 275.

“For us, that’s strong,” said Mark Lamoreaux, USD’s director of athletic performance. “He can play.”

Free safeties are more involved in pass coverage than strong safeties, who play a bigger role in run support. Lopez often lines up to the wide side of the field and must cover lots of space.

Lopez is athletic, as exemplified by his high school background. He played football, basketball and lacrosse and competed in the long jump and triple jump at Mission Viejo. Before high school, he played hockey.

“Hockey strengthened my legs, helped with my agility and change of direction,” he said. “Sliding in basketball opened my hips. Track helped me build speed. All those sports helped me as a football player.”

While he is a senior, Lopez has two years of eligibility remaining and said he plans to use them.

Moore said the defensive backfield, which calls itself “The Tribe,” is a particularly close unit.

“A tribe is even closer than family,” Lopez said. “We’re willing to do anything for each other. We’re willing to lay it down on the field, a senior for a freshman or vice versa.”

USD’s defense didn’t just specialize in forcing takeaways last season. The defenders put points on the board, scoring six times off turnovers, which ranked second in the nation. Lopez made his mark, returning a fumble 87 yards for a touchdown in a walk-off overtime win against Presbyterian.

“We’re not satisfied just getting the ball back,” he said. “We want to take it back to the house.”

Season opener: USD vs. Cal Poly

When: 5 p.m. Saturday

Where: Torero Stadium

Streaming: ESPN+

History: Cal Poly leads the all-time series, 8-2. Sparked by two defensive touchdowns, USD beat the Mustangs 27-21 in last year’s season opener.

Mustangs notes: Cal Poly is coming off a 3-8 season. The Mustangs list 10 athletes who played high school football for San Diego Section teams.

Toreros notes: Former Mater Dei Catholic High School star Dom Nankil won the Toreros’ starting quarterback job during training camp, outlasting San Jose State transfer Tyler Voss. A junior, Nankil threw for 1,158 yards and five touchdowns as a freshman in 2023. He was a backup last season. Nankil’s ability to extend plays was a factor in winning the starting job.

— DON NORCROSS