Dec. 4, 2005

At this afternoon's football awards banquet on the campus of USD, sophomore quarterback Josh Johnson was named the team's Most Valuable Player, as voted on by the players. Johnson directed the Toreros to a school-best 11-1 overall record; the program's first-ever Pioneer Football League Championship; and the program's first-ever No. 1 ranking in The Sports Network I-AA Mid-Major poll. Johnson, tabbed earlier as the PFL North Offensive Player of the Year, completed 260-of-371 passes for 3,256 yards, 36 touchdowns. The completions, yards, touchdowns and his 70.1 completion percentage are all new USD records, along with his 3,635 yards of total offense.

Offensive MVP honors went to senior Adam Hannula who hauled in 73 receptions for 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns. Hannula, who will play in next month's All-American Classic All-Star Game in Las Vegas, leaves USD as its all-time leader in receptions (247), receiving yards (3,256) and touchdown receptions (36). The Defensive MVP award went to sophomore DE Eric Bakhtiari who ranked third on the team in tackles with 62 (30 solo), to go with 15 tackles for loss (-51 yards), 4 quarterback sacks (-30 yards), 1 forced fumble and 2 fumble recoveries. Sophomore Mark Cianciulli was tabbed the Special Team's Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. Like the team MVP award, these three honors were selected by the players.

Additional awards went out to senior Nick Garton (Scholar-Athlete Award), senior Matt Koller (Strength Coaches Award), Josh Denton (Scout Offensive MVP Award), Matt Shearer (Scout Defensive MVP Award), and Philip Bretsch (Dave Adolph "Do You Love Football" Award). Senior awards were also given to Adam Burke, Dustin Owen, Josh Sanders, Matt Koller, Nick Garton, Alex Duk, Adam Ullrich, George Villa, Scott Cooper, David Perez, Adam Hannula and Philip Bretsch.

Following the banquet the Toreros boarded buses and headed to the Chargers-Raiders game at Qualcomm Stadium where they were going to be honored during pre-game festivities.