SDSU Football: Rashaad Penny is out of this world good

SDSU football thrust themselves onto the national scene by upsetting Stanford, but Rashaad Penny is going to keep the Aztecs relevant.

San Diego State does not have the cache of Boise State, their Mountain West Conference counterparts. The Broncos have already dropped two games this season, clearing the way for the Aztecs to seize control of the conference and the race for a New Year’s Six Bowl. However, the Aztecs don’t have a name that’s recognized by fans around the nation. Well, they didn’t.

As the season continues to progress the various watch lists will be trimmed. Quaterfinalists will be named, then semifinalists. When those semifinalists are culled to the final few, San Diego State running back Rashaad Penny will remain.

That’s because Rashaad Penny is not content to be “just another running back”. Penny took over the lead back duties for the Aztecs just one year after senior tail back Donnel Pumphrey rushed for 2,133 yards. Surpassing that monumental mark would be a tall task, but Penny is doing all he can to take over Pumphrey’s workhorse role.

Against Air Force on Saturday, Penny produced his lowest yardage total of the season to date. On 20 carries Penny only managed 128 yards and three touchdowns. He had more carries than Aztec quarterback Christian Chapman had pass attempts. This game was a struggle of two physical, run heavy teams and Penny won.

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Now Pumphrey reached the Heisman periphery late in the year as other candidates struggled down the stretch. Even if SDSU did go undefeated the chances of Penny earning an invitation to New York City are slim. However, going undefeated, courtesy of the legs of your stud running back will turn some heads. The Aztecs disposed of Air Force 28-24. For now it’s one win at a time.