SAN DIEGO – Anthony Lawrence became San Diego's all-time leader in career passing yards as he led the Toreros to a dominating, 59-35, victory against Jacksonville on Saturday afternoon at Torero Stadium.
A 16-yard completion to
Michael Bandy with 10:37 to play in the third quarter gave Lawrence 11,106 career passing yards, moving him past Mason Mills' (2010-13) previous mark of 11,104.
Lawrence is the second USD quarterback to break the 11,000-yard career passing mark in program history.
The victory extended the Toreros (6-2, 5-0 PFL) PFL winning streak to 26 games and their home winning streak to 20 games. Both streaks are the longest in the nation among FCS teams.
Lawrence finished the day 22-of-28 for 284 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions to lead USD to a season-high 59 points. He spread the wealth to his receivers with
Michael Bandy,
Christian Brooks,
Emilio Martinez and
Michael Armstead logging a touchdown reception apiece.
Bandy entered Saturday's game leading the nation in receiving yards and led the Toreros with six receptions for 113 yards – eclipsing the 100-yard mark for the sixth time in eight games this season. Bandy surpassed the 1,000-yard receiving mark and has 1,033 yards on the season.
Emilio Martinez also posted a huge day, rushing 12 times for 88 yards and three touchdowns. He also made four catches for 50 yards and a touchdown.
Armstead provided the special teams highlight of the day, returning the opening kickoff of the second half 100 yards for a touchdown. The touchdown-return outdid a 67-yard kickoff return he produced at the end of the second quarter. Armstead led the Toreros with 217 all-purpose yards on the day.
USD got off to a slower start than it has in recent weeks against the Dolphins (1-5, 0-4 PFL). Martinez scored on the Toreros opening drive with a 17-yard run but that was all USD would manage in the opening quarter. Jacksonville's Calvin Turner Jr. rushed for a 31-yard touchdown to level the score at, 7-7, with 6:22 to play in the first.
USD found its rhythm and began to take control of the game in the second quarter. Back-to-back touchdown passes from Lawrence to Bandy and Armstead from 27 yards and 16 yards, respectively, gave the Toreros a 21-7 lead.
Jacksonville responded with a rushing touchdown by Garnett Nicolas with 57 seconds remaining in the half to cut its deficit to, 21-14.
However, Armstead returned the ensuing kickoff 67 yards to set up a 4-yard rushing touchdown by Martinez just before the half ended to put the Toreros back up by a pair of touchdowns, 28-14.
The second half picked up where the first left off with Armstead returning the opening kickoff 100 yards to extend USD's lead, 35-14.
The Dolphins scored the final touchdown of the third quarter to cut USD's lead to, 45-28.
USD sealed the game with a dominant fourth quarter.
A field goal by
Aedan Johnson, a 42-yard rushing touchdown by Martinez and a 9-yard touchdown reception by Martinez secured the 59-35 decision.
The Toreros will play two of their final three regular season games on the road, beginning next Saturday at 11 a.m. PT at Drake.
