San Diego State running back Donnel Pumphrey is starting to get some national attention for his assault on the NCAA all-time rushing record, and rightfully so.
The man should get an invitation to the Heisman Trophy ceremony in New York next month. But the Aztecs also have one of the best defenses in the nation, and have built a stable of running backs behind their senior record setter.
All that talent was on display in a blowout 55-0 win over Hawaii at Qualcomm Stadium on Saturday night. Pumphrey did not have the kind of video game stat sheet he has had lately. He carried 21 times for 112 yards and no touchdowns but keep in mind he had 85 yards in the first quarter and was on the sidelines for most of the 2nd half.
The Aztecs built such a huge lead they didn't need him to work his usual magic. SDSU’s defense picked off Hawaii quarterbacks four times. Ron Smith and Damontae Kazee both returned one for a touchdown, meaning the Aztecs defense outscored Hawaii 14-0.
And those “other” running backs had pretty good nights, too. Rashaad Penny carried eight times for 108 yards, including a 73-yard touchdown scamper. Juwan Washington had 48 yards on five carries and caught a 24-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Christian Chapman.
In a fun little bit of symmetry, San Diego State scored 14 points in the 1st quarter … 13 points in the 2nd … 14 points in the 3rd … and 14 points in the 4th. The Aztecs improve to 8-1 overall and 5-0 in the Mountain West Conference.
