Pumphrey, Penny run roughshod over Spartans

Combine for five TDs, 240 yards on ground as Aztecs roll to victory

SAN DIEGO — San Jose State entered Friday night’s game at San Diego State knowing they had to contain Aztec running back Donnel Pumphrey to even have a chance of pulling off an upset.

And sure enough, a defense that performed well in last week’s win over Nevada focused on the nation’s leading rusher. The problem was that San Jose State struggled in pass coverage early on, allowed Pumphrey to rush for 135 yards and two scores and couldn’t generate much offense against the defending conference champions.

The result: a 42-3 loss and a 2-6 record (1-3 in Mountain West play) for Coach Ron Caragher’s Spartans.

The Spartans forced a punt on San Diego State’s first possession but cracked on the second. Aztec quarterback Christian Chapman capped a 10-play, 70-yard drive by hitting tight end David Wells for a 4-yard touchdown pass late in the first quarter.

Wells, who entered the game with eight receptions, caught five in the first quarter alone as Spartan linebackers were repeatedly caught off guard by play-action fakes and misdirection.

San Diego State went ahead 14-0 when Pumphrey’s backup, Raashad Penny (105 yards and three touchdowns on 9 carries) scored on a 3-yard run early in the second quarter.

That play was set up when Chapman found Penny wide open on a wheel route out of the backfield. He beat safety Trevon Bierria and caught Chapman’s well-placed pass for a 35-yard gain. Bierria’s night got worse on the next possession.

Chapman threw a deep pass up the seam to Pumphrey. Bierra sprinted over to break it up but was flagged for targeting. Bierria was ruled to have dipped his helmet into Pumphrey’s shoulder/head area and was ejected.

On the next play, Pumphrey ran left, picked up some nice blocks and outraced cornerback Jermaine Kelly for a 27-yard touchdown, the 57th of his career, making it 21-0 San Diego State.

That score tied Pumphrey with Aztec great Marshall Faulk for the most in school history. His 23yard scamper for a score in the third quarter moved him past Faulk and essentially ended any comeback hopes for the Spartans.

San Jose State quarterback Kenny Potter completed 13 of 29 passes for 104 yards, was sacked three times and absorbed several crushing hits before giving way to freshman backup Josh Love in the fourth quarter.

The Spartans host UNLV next Saturday night.