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College Football Bowls 2016: 10 potential breakout players

By Connor Muldowney

Oct 22, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Derrius Guice (5) runs as Mississippi Rebels defensive back Myles Hartsfield (15) pursues during the first quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Derrius Guice (5) runs as Mississippi Rebels defensive back Myles Hartsfield (15) pursues during the first quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 12, 2016; Reno, NV, USA; San Diego State running back Donnel Pumphrey (19) stiff arms Nevada Wolf Pack corner back Elijah Mitchell (28) as he runs for a first down in the first quarter of their NCAA football game at MacKay Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Reno, NV, USA; San Diego State running back Donnel Pumphrey (19) stiff arms Nevada Wolf Pack corner back Elijah Mitchell (28) as he runs for a first down in the first quarter of their NCAA football game at MacKay Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports /

Haven’t heard of Donnel Pumphrey? That could very well change after his San Diego State Aztecs take on Houston in the Las Vegas Bowl. This might be the most underrated matchup of the entire bowl season with a Houston team that has been in and out of the rankings all year and a 10-win, talented San Diego State squad.

The Aztecs have the nation’s second-leading rusher and he needs just 11 yards to overtake D’Onta Foreman of Texas for the No. 1 spot in the rushing rankings this season. It’s fitting that he does it in his final season with San Diego State after posting at least 1,600 yards as a sophomore and junior.

Pumphrey has 10 games with at least 100 yards this season and four games with at least 200 yards. He was the main reason why the Aztecs won the Mountain West as he carries the offense — literally.

The senior running back finished the regular season and the conference title game with 2,018 yards and 16 touchdown. He also had 26 catches for 205 yards, showing he can be a threat in the passing game as well. He’s not the biggest guy on the field, but he packs a punch that’s tough for defenses to stop.

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