By Jenna Principe, USD junior, Marketing major & Communication Studies minor

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - With PFL championship implications on the line, the Toreros held a comfortable 14-0 lead in the second quarter of the season finale against Butler University. USD quarterback Anthony Lawrence took the snap and looked for running back Jereke Armstrong to execute a deep pass play. As he cocked back to throw, Lawrence was taken to the ground with a blow to his leg.

The injury resulted in a devastating end to the season for Lawrence, who later found out he had broken his leg from the tackle.

"A defensive lineman dove at my leg and my cleat got stuck in the grass," Lawrence recalled. "I typically hold on to the ball longer than most, but for this particular play, I just held it too long. I was crushed when the team doctor had told me I couldn't go back in the game."

Despite an unfortunate end of the season for Lawrence, the quarterback carried the Toreros through an impressive 9-2 season and the team ultimately clinched a PFL co-championship after his devastating departure from the game.

"I thought the injury would be a lot more upsetting that it actually was," expressed Lawrence. "My family and friends made the recovery a lot easier for me and the whole experience taught me to never take a game for granted. It made me want to work a lot harder to be the best I can be."

The optimistic student-athlete reminisced on the high points of the season rather than dwelling on the injury, which he says is "about 95 percent healed." Among his fondest memories, the quarterback recalled his very first collegiate game in which the Toreros took on SDSU at Qualcomm stadium in front of nearly 50,000 people.

"After redshirting my freshman year, becoming a starter was definitely my proudest moment," he shared. "Being voted team MVP was also a great honor because it just reinforced the fact that the hard work I have put in throughout my life really does pay off."

Lawrence referred back to his early years of playing ball in the cul-de-sac with his dad and neighborhood friends, where he picked up athletics in a rather innate fashion. Sports became a lifestyle for this San Diego native, who naturally progressed into a three-sport Varsity letterman at Grossmont High School.

Among his many athletic accomplishments at Grossmont High School, Lawrence was a two-time All-State, All-CIF and All-League performer, as well as a two-time league MVP. Lawrence continued his diligent journey towards a collegiate football career and ultimately accepted an offer by USD, where he has continued to add to his repertoire of accomplishments including being named the Pioneer Football League Offensive Freshman of the year, earning All-PFL Honorable Mention, and being voted team MVP.

In addition to his athletic accomplishments, the incoming junior is majoring in Accounting, as he hopes to pursue public accounting upon graduation. He has also made PFL Honor Roll for both the 2014 and 2015 seasons.

The 2016 season looks promising for Lawrence both on and off the field, as his injury is becoming more of a distant past. The athlete is currently gearing up for the upcoming season, ready to attack any obstacles that come his way.

"My goal for the season is to go undefeated and make a good run in the FCS playoffs," Lawrence expressed. "We missed the playoffs by one point and that was tough. So this year I want to leave no doubt that we are the best team in the PFL."