Friday, October 11, 2013

4th quarter rally help Aztecs defeat Air Force 27-20


AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (10/10/2013) Freshman running back Donnel Pumphrey exploded for a 10-yard touchdown run with 1:39 remaining in the game to help the San Diego State Aztecs (3-3, 2-0 Mountain West) pull off a 27-20 come-from-behind victory over the Air Force Falcons (1-6, 0-5 MW) on Thursday night.

Down 20-6 in the fourth quarter, the Aztecs put up 21 unanswered points to escape with the win despite being plagued with special teams woes (2 unsuccessful PATs, 1 missed FG) and inconsistent play throughout the game.

San Diego State is now 2-151-1 in team history when trailing by 14 or more points in the fourth quarter.

Pumphrey added another monster performance to his short but stellar resume with 117 yards rushing and two crucial second half touchdowns. The Las Vegas native became the first San Diego State freshman to rush for over 100 yards in three straight games since hall of famer Marshall Faulk did it in 1991.

Quarterback Quinn Kaehler finished the game completing 15 of 26 of his passes for 249 yards and three touchdowns. He kicked off the comeback by finding Pumphrey for a 20-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter. On the next drive, Kaehler connected with senior receiver Ezell Ruffin who slipped a tackle and broke loose for a 62-yard touchdown reception, his first of the season.

Freshman receiver and San Diego High alum Eric Judge picked up where he left off last week against Nevada after a 44-yard touchdown catch that put the Aztecs up 6-0 in the first quarter.

After playing three games in 13 days, the Aztecs get a much needed bye next week before returning home on Oct. 26 to host the rival Fresno State Bulldogs in the annual "Battle for the Old Oil Can".

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