Hawaii Bowl 2015, San Diego State vs. Cincinnati: Full highlights, final score and more

Donnel Pumphrey and the San Diego State Aztecs ran all over the Cincinnati Bearcats in a Hawaii Bowl blowout.

The San Diego State Aztecs got a relaxing trip to Hawaii Bowl for the postseason, blowing out the Cincinnati Bearcats 42-7 on Christmas Eve at Aloha Stadium.

Both teams were forced to start backup quarterbacks, as Cincinnati’s Gunner Kiel was not with the team due to a personal matter and San Diego State’s Maxwell Smith was sidelined due to a knee problem. The Aztecs instantly took some pressure off of backup Christian Chapman, as Rashaad Penny returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a score.

As usual, San Diego State relied on running the football with outstanding back Donnel Pumphrey behind a strong offensive line and punishing fullback Dakota Gordon. After seven running plays between Pumphrey and Chase Price, Chapman capped off the Aztecs’ first offensive drive with a 14-yard pass to Mikah Holder to give San Diego State a 14-0 lead just over five minutes in.

Cincinnati had no such luck with backup Hayden Moore against a physical San Diego State defense. The powerful Bearcats offense was forced to punt twice in the first quarter, with a Malik Smith interception sandwiched in between to add to the Aztecs FBS-best +19 turnover margin.

That continued well into the second quarter, as San Diego State’s defense won at the line of scrimmage consistently and held Cincinnati to 128 yards in the first half, in addition to an interception from Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year Damontae Kazee.

The normally porous Bearcats run defense held through most of the second quarter, but San Diego State extended the lead to 21 just before half on a 16-yard trick touchdown pass from Pumphrey to Gordon.

Cincinnati had an opportunity to get back in the game with great field position on its second drive of the third. Smith completely blew up a fake field goal attempt following a stalled drive, keeping the Bearcats off the scoreboard and erasing what little momentum they had.

San Diego State then breezed down the field and scored on a 1-yard touchdown run from Gordon to go up 28-0 and put the game seemingly out of reach. The Aztecs added a Pumphrey touchdown and Alex Barrett pick six before a Mike Boone run finally got the Bearcats on the scoreboard, leaving the final score at 42-7.

Moore was unable to solve the experienced San Diego State defense in just his third career start, and Cincinnati’s talented group of wide receivers never got involved. The Aztecs perfectly followed the game plan that made them successful all season long by running the ball 52 times for 207 yards, controlling the time of possession, and winning the turnover battle.

Three Stars

Kyle Kelly, DL, San Diego State. Recorded three sacks to lead a dominating San Diego State performance at the line of scrimmage.

Donnel Pumphrey, RB, San Diego State. Focal point of the efficient San Diego State offense, racking up 134 total yards and two touchdowns.

Dakota Gordon, FB, San Diego State. Two touchdowns will show up in the highlight reel, but also deserves credit for opening holes for Pumphrey and Price all game ling.

Highlights

Odds

San Diego State entered as a 2.5 point favorite and covered easily. Thanks to the Aztecs defense, the two teams fell just short of the short over/under of 56.

Up Next

San Diego State has to be thrilled with an 11-win season and will look to be even better in 2016. Cincinnati will hope for better than a 7-6 mark in year four of the Tommy Tuberville era.