SAN DIEGO – Anthony Lawrence was named the Pioneer Football League Offensive Player of the Year, as announced Monday by the conference.
Joining Lawrence with PFL honors is
Michael Armstead who earned PFL Special Team Player of the Year honors.
Lawrence is the third player in PFL history to earn the honor twice and the first since Dayton's Steve Valentino won in 2009 and 2010. Lawrence is the second Torero to accomplish the feat with Josh Johnson earning recognition in 2005 and 2006.
Lawrence became the eighth USD player to earn offensive player of the year honors last season and Toreros players have combined to claim 10 awards all-time.
Armstead became the first USD player to win PFL Special Teams Player of the Year honors since the award began in 2015.
Lawrence became the USD and PFL's all-time leading passer and completed his career with 12,628 passing yards. He produced a career year during his senior season, registering career highs in completions (282), yards (4,107), touchdowns (39), average yards per pass (9.5), average yards per game (342.2) and efficiency rating (171.7).
Lawrence's 39 touchdown passes is tied for 15th most in FCS history in a single season and his 4,107 yards ranks 25th all-time.
Lawrence also climbed the charts in multiple FCS all-time career records, including touchdown passes (5th, 120), passing efficiency (6th, 161.8), passing yards (10th, 12,681) and total offense (14th, 12,681).
Armstead made an immediate impact during his first season with the Toreros after playing his first two seasons at Monterey Peninsula College. He racked up 840 yards on 26 kickoff returns. Armstead averaged 32.3 return yards per kickoff and brought two back for touchdowns – one for 100 yards and another for 96 yards.
Along with his prolific kickoff returns, Armstead established himself as one of the Toreros go-to receivers. He led USD with an average of 23.0 yards per catch, pulling in 24 receptions for 553 yards and three touchdowns.
The complete All-PFL teams will be announced Tuesday.
