Feb. 9, 2014

2013FBAwards

(San Diego, Calif.) - At the end-of-the-season USD Football Awards Banquet held today on the campus of USD, senior quarterback Mason Mills (Coronado, CA) was tabbed the team's Most Valuable Player for the second straight year as he directed USD to an overall record of 8-3. Mills, the PFL Offensive Player of the Year and a Walter Payton Award Watch candidate, turned in an outstanding season by ranking among the nation's best with final passing totals of 256-for-388 for 3,463 yards and 35 touchdowns. He leaves USD as the all-time leader in three passing departments - 11,099 yards on 887-of-1,338 passing. The 11,104 passing yards ranks second all-time among PFL passers, while his 95 touchdown passes rank second at USD to Josh Johnson's 113 total (2004-2007).

Senior defensive end Steve Gargiulo (Palo Alto, CA) was named the team's Defensive Most Valuable Player while junior wide receiver Reggie Bell (Manteca, CA) received the Offensive Most Valuable Player award. Gargiulo anchored the defensive line unit that helped the Toreros hold six of their eleven opponents to 14 points or less. He finished the season with 46 tackles (23 solo), 12 tackles for loss (-57 yards), 8.5 quarterback sacks (-48 yards), 5 quarterback hurries and 2 forced fumbles. Bell caught a team-best 65 receptions for 1,050 yards (16.2 average) and 9 touchdowns. The above trio was also selected All-PFL First Team in 2013.

First year head coach Dale Lindsey and his staff handed out eleven other Torero awards:

• Freshman punter Ryan Belden (Diamond Bar, CA) - Kevin Briscoe Special Teams Player of the Year.
• Junior safety Troy McClelland (San Diego, CA) - Dr. James B. Orwig Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
• Senior defensive end Blake Oliaro (Folsom, CA) - Outstanding Lineman Award for Defense.
• Sophomore offensive tackle Pono Keni (Kailua, HI) - Outstanding Lineman Award for Offense.
• Senior linebacker Michael Ruffino (Napa, CA) - Most Improved Defensive Player.
• Redshirt sophomore tackle Luke Meyer (Ventura, CA) - Most Improved Offensive Player.
• Freshman defensive back Jamal Agnew (San Diego, CA) - Most Outstanding 1st Year Player.
• Senior safety Robbie Beathard (San Diego, CA) - Dave Adolph "Do You Love Football" Award - Defense.
• Senior tight end Thomas Cobbs (Irvine, CA) - Dave Adolph "Do You Love Football" Award - Offense.
• Freshman linebacker Luke Taffuri (Scottsdale, AZ) - Defensive Scout Player of the Year.
• Freshman wide receiver Troy Reese (Newport Beach, CA) - Offensive Scout Player of the Year.