Donnel Pumphrey carried San Diego State to a Las Vegas Bowl and his way into the record books over the Houston Cougars on Saturday.
Donnel Pumphrey can now take his place among the elite in college football. On Saturday, Pumphrey certified himself as a legend in the game of football and helped carry his team to a huge win over the Houston Cougars in the Las Vegas Bowl.
Needing 108 yards on the day, Pumphrey would have to save his best for one of the best rush defenses in the nation. Early on, it looked there was going to be no records broken in Sam Boyd Stadium.
The Cougars held Pumphrey to negative yards in the first quarter and he struggled to get anything going. So did the rest of the Aztecs, as the Cougars built up a 10-0 lead. The Aztecs didn’t quit and had two field goals before the end of the half to make it 10-6. Pumphrey worked his way to 58 at the half.
In the second half, the star running back lifted his team. He broke off a 32-yard run to give his team the lead and they never looked back. Ron Smith would then intercept Greg Ward Jr. and would return it 54 yards for a touchdown. Ward Jr. melted down in the second half and finished with with four interceptions on the day.
The next time the Aztecs got the ball, Pumphrey broke a run outside and got the yards he needed to become the FBS career rushing yards leader. The Aztecs would score a couple of more touchdowns and the Cougars couldn’t move the ball, as Ward Jr. kept getting sacked and couldn’t stop throwing interceptions.
The Aztecs won the Las Vegas Bowl and Pumphrey got to put his stamp on his legacy. He wasn’t the biggest or the fastest, but his heart carried him to the record and his team followed suit all the way to the win.
Three Stars
Christian Chapman – San Diego State
The San Diego State quarterback had a quiet but efficient day passing the football. He threw for a touchdown to seal the win late.
Ron Smith – San Diego State
Smith broke the game open in the second half by picking off Ward Jr. and returning the football 54 yards for a touchdown.
Donnel Pumphrey – San Diego State
What more is there to say about Pumphrey on a day like this? He set the FBS career rushing record and lifted the performance of his teammates with his inspiring effort.
Full Highlights
"I cannot tell you how well this coaching staff has performed for San Diego State." #AztecFB is now up, 27-10, with 8:58 to go in the game. pic.twitter.com/a3eXPXZS22
— San Diego State Aztecs (@GoAztecs) December 17, 2016
"A historic moment in college football history." We couldn't be more proud of one of our own, Donnel Pumphrey. #AztecFB pic.twitter.com/n0SCcKjcl9
— San Diego State Aztecs (@GoAztecs) December 17, 2016
"Right now, putting on a clinic!" Ron Smith gets the pick-6 and #AztecFB now leads, 20-10, with :56 left in the third quarter! pic.twitter.com/jFSf2Qwwjs
— San Diego State Aztecs (@GoAztecs) December 17, 2016
"The underdog bites back!" Donnel Pumphrey's rushing touchdown puts SDSU up with 3:14 to go in the third. pic.twitter.com/yY5LUqfDvO
— San Diego State Aztecs (@GoAztecs) December 17, 2016
topsportsplays: What a catch!!! #Bawden #Bobble #LasVegasBowl #CollegeFo… ABC Las Vegas Bow… https://t.co/q85hW3QyLl pic.twitter.com/DugOguCYVI
— FanSportsClips (@FanSportsClips) December 17, 2016
topsportsplays: Houston TD 10-0 #LasVegasBowl #CollegeFootball ABC Las Vegas Bowl: Houston… https://t.co/JVxJ5eTiKu pic.twitter.com/rpcxlSRtvi
— FanSportsClips (@FanSportsClips) December 17, 2016
What’s Next?
The Cougars will now continue life without Tom Herman in recruiting. They will try to keep the abundance of good recruits they’re trying to bring in and continue to build on their success over recent years. The Aztecs will keep building toward a Mountain West dynasty.