Dec. 15, 2012

2012AwardWinners

At the end-of-the-season USD Football Awards Banquet held today on the campus of USD, junior quarterback Mason Mills (Coronado, CA) was tabbed the team's Most Valuable Player. For the season Mills completed 252-of-360 passes for 3,106 yards and 20 touchdowns. His 70.0% completion percentage was the top mark among all FCS players this season. He also ranked 5th in passing efficiency (154.26) and 21st in total offense (270.91 yards per game). A two-time PFL player of the week recipient, Mills played a key role in the team finishing out the year with six straight victories and their second straight share of the PFL championship.

Senior defensive tackle Dustin Geyer (Oak Park, CA) was named the team's Defensive MVP while senior center Matt Peleti (Laguna Niguel, CA) received the Offensive MVP award. Geyer anchored the defensive line unit that helped the Toreros rank 15th in the FCS in both scoring defense (19.27 ppg) and rushing defense (120.0 yards per game). Peleti moved to center and anchored the team's offensive line unit where he directed the Torero offense with both run blocking and pass protection packages. The USD offense ranked 21st overall in total offense (433.64 yards per game).

Additional awards were handed out to thirteen other Toreros: senior kicker Ernie Collins (San Ramon, CA) - Kevin Briscoe Special Teams Player of the Year; sophomore safety Troy McClelland (San Diego, CA) - Dr. James B. Orwig Scholar-Athlete of the Year; freshman linebacker Chris Campano (San Diego, CA) - Defensive Scout Player of the Year; freshman wide receiver Tyler Tony (Escondido, CA) - Offensive Scout Player of the Year; freshman offensive lineman Pono Keni (Kailua, HI) - Most Outstanding 1st Year Player; senior linebacker Zach Dunaj (Thousand Oaks, CA) - Strength Coaches Award; sophomore defensive tackle Clint Johnson (Wheatland, CA) - Most Improved Defensive Player; senior tight end Kyle Lokanc (San Diego, CA) - Most Improved Offensive Player; junior defensive end Steve Gargiulo (Palo Alto, CA) - Outstanding Lineman Award for Defense; junior offensive lineman Cody Tescher (Glendora, CA) - Outstanding Lineman Award for Offense; junior fullback Lawrence Larivee (Chino Hills, CA) - Dave Adolph "Do You Love Football" Award for Offense; and senior safety Joey York (Pleasant Hill, CA) - Dave Adolph "Do You Love Football" Award for Defense.

Additionally, sixteen Toreros received their Senior Award, with running back J.P. Bolwahnn (Albuquerque, NM) earning the Torero Senior of the Year honor. In addition, those players that were selected either All-PFL or PFL All-Academic, were recognized for their outstanding achievements. The Toreros, who finished with a 8-3 overall mark and tied for first place in the Pioneer Football League with Butler and Drake at 7-1, will be recognized at Sunday's San Diego Chargers football game.