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San Diego State Football: No Donnel Pumphrey, no problem for Aztecs

By Collin Wieder

Oct 21, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego State Aztecs running back Rashaad Penny (20) runs for a 73 yard touchdown as San Jose State Spartans safety Jeremy Kelly (1) gives chase during the third quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego State Aztecs running back Rashaad Penny (20) runs for a 73 yard touchdown as San Jose State Spartans safety Jeremy Kelly (1) gives chase during the third quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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San Diego State football’s recent dominance in the Mountain West was built upon a powerful running game. Rashaad Penny will be the leader in 2017.

Losing an NCAA all-time leader in any category usually leaves a void on most teams. However, San Diego State and head coach Rocky Long will be just fine. The Aztecs became the first team in NCAA history to record a 2,000-yard rusher and 1,000-yard rusher. However, Donnel Pumphrey’s quest for greatness overshadowed his running mate, Rashaad Penny.

Penny quietly rushed for 1,018 yards and 11 touchdowns on a ridiculous 7.5 yards per carry. He was the thunder to Pumphrey’s little lightning. However, no one will sleep on his game-breaking speed. In his first three seasons, he started as the team’s kick returner. Penny compiled 1,928 returns yards and five touchdowns on 30.1 yards per return. His speed makes him a big-play running back.

Nevertheless, his stout frame of 5-foot-11, 220 pounds makes him the perfect bellcow for the 2017 season. If there’s any constant during the Rocky Long tenure, it’s power football. Since Long’s arrival, the leading rusher for the Aztecs averages 1,678 yards per season. Furthermore, the team rushes the ball 42.4 times per game, so the he’ll certainly be a dominant back in this system.

Chapman carries passing game

Penny isn’t the only reason for optimism in the face of Pumphrey’s departure. Quarterback Christian Chapman returns for his second season under center. Chapman shouldn’t be confused with a top-tier passer, but he’s a respectable game manager.

Chapman showed a mistake-free game throwing for 1,994 yards, 20 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He threw just 251 passes during the season averaging out to 17.9 per game. Although he didn’t get a ton of reps, the junior signal caller is a proven winner. He’s 13-3 in his 16 starts, protects the football and is an adequate athlete.

His continuity with Penny can’t be overstated. The two have played in the offense for multiple years. They’ll be key players in the upcoming season but can they keep the Mountain West Title streak alive?

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The answer to that question depends heavily on the duo’s progression this offseason. It also depends on if Boise State can return to form after a couple of failed conference title runs.

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