BATON ROUGE — LSU running back LaBrandon Toefield has been named the Southeastern Conference’s Offensive Player of the Week, the league office announced on Monday.
Toefield, a sophomore from Independence, La., rushed for 173 yards and three touchdowns, including a 62-yard TD run on the fourth play from scrimmage, in leading LSU to a 41-38 win over 24th-ranked Arkansas last Friday in Tiger Stadium. The 173 yards were the most ever for Toefield in an SEC contest and they came on a career-best 30 carries. Toefield also caught one pass for 22 yards against the Razorbacks.
Toefield’s three rushing touchdowns pushed his season total to 18, breaking the school record of 17 set by Charles Alexander in 1977. Toefield’s total of 18 ranks second in SEC history and is just one shy of tying the league record of 19 held by Shaun Alexander of Alabama (1999) and Garrison Hearst of Georgia (1992).
Toefield also ran his season scoring total to 108 points, an LSU record. Toefield broke the previous LSU mark of 104 set by Alexander in 1977.
For the year, Toefield has rushed for 854 yards on 194 carries. The 854 yards ranks second in the SEC. He’s also caught 12 passes for 143 yards.
The honor is the second for Toefield in his career as last year he won the award after rushing for 119 yards and two scores in the Tigers’ win over Mississippi State.
Toefield’s player of the week award marks the third time this year in which a Tiger has been recognized as the league’s player of the week. Josh Reed won the award for his play against Alabama and Trev Faulk was recognized for his performance against Mississippi State.
Korey Banks of Mississippi State was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week after recording a pair of interceptions and two tackles in the Bulldogs’ 36-28 win over Ole Miss on Thanksgiving night.