UMD Athletics

A two-time All-American in both 2001 and 2002, Lawton was also a 2002 Daktronics NCAA II All-Midwest Region First Team and 2001 Daktronics NCAA II All-Midwest Region Second Team selection. Three-times an All-NSIC selection (2002, 2001, 2000) – only the second UMD offensive lineman ever to earn the honor three times, Lawton left UMD with multiple career records, including consecutive games played (46) and consecutive starts (46). Lawton Helped lead the Bulldogs to a 2002 NCAA Tournament DII First Round game and completed the 2002 season with an 11-1 overall record and captured the NSIC championship --- its first since 1996 -- with a perfect 9-0 mark. The offensive guard also helped UMD shatter team single-season marks for points and total offense in 2002 and anchored an interior line which helped UMD finish the regular season owning the third highest scoring offense in NCAA II football. Lawton, a 2002 co-captain, averaged 11 knockdowns per game during the 2002 season and did not allow a quarterback sack for three consecutive years (2000, 2001, 2002).