USD senior starting quarterback Sebastian Trujillo has left the team because he couldn’t afford the cost of attending the school, his stepfather said.

Trujillo, 23, leaves school less than a year after being named the Toreros’ offensive MVP and a first-team all-league performer for 2008.

“Under this economy, there is no way to pay for his schooling,” said Ron Trujillo, Sebastian’s stepfather. “Last year, he got complete financial aid from the school and this year he’s not able to.”

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USD’s tuition per semester is $17,935, not counting fees, housing and other living expenses. The school does not award football scholarships.

Trujillo had started all three games for USD (2-1) this season, completing 32-of-58 passes for 253 yards with three touchdowns and four interceptions.

Trujillo didn’t return a message seeking comment yesterday.

His stepfather said Sebastian Trujillo is figuring out what to do next.

“This was devastating to him,” he said. “He loves USD. He loves the football team. For this to happen was totally out of his control.”

USD head coach Ron Caragher said he was disappointed in losing a captain and team leader.

“You really like to see guys finish what they started,” Caragher said. “It didn’t happen, but the team will move on.”

The stepfather said his departure wasn’t related to being benched at halftime of USD’s last game on Sept. 19, a 17-10 win at home against Marist. USD was trailing at halftime 10-3. Trujillo had completed 6-of-9 passes for 31 yards before Caragher replaced him with redshirt freshman Sam Scudellari, who threw the winning touchdown pass with 41 seconds left.

Asked if Trujillo’s departure had anything to do with his benching, Caragher said, “It’s hard to go into that. I just have to honor what he says for his reasons. I’ll leave it at that.”

Trujillo transferred to USD from Saddleback College and last year replaced USD legend Josh Johnson, now starting with the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Trujillo led USD to a 9-2 record in 2008, ranking first in the Pioneer Football League in passing efficiency and passing yards per game (265.5).

His stepfather said Trujillo’s inability to secure as much financial aid this year might have been because his biological father married in the last year, which could have affected his income and aid qualifications.

USD next plays at Butler (4-0) Saturday.

By Brent Schrotenboer, Union-Tribune
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/sep/30/qb-trujillo-leaves-team-stepfather-cites-school-co/