Pumphrey powers San Diego State past San Jose State 30-7

The sack was the first Falo’s career. He completed 14 of 24 passes for 113 yards and threw two interceptions.

The Spartans failed, and failed badly, to stake a claim to the West Division lead in the Mountain West. Their 30-7 home loss Saturday night put the Spartans 11/2 games behind the Aztecs rather than a half-game ahead. Aztec running back Chase Price also had a solid game rushing for 47 yards on 10 carries, and a touchdown.

SDSU is so well-positioned because of three straight dominating defensive performances (28 total points allowed) and the resurgence of tailback D.J. Pumphrey, who has 424 yards rushing in the last three games.

There are five MW games still to be played, and both teams hold their division-title destinies in their hands, though it is the Aztecs who are playing with a more comfortable cushion – not always the best state from which to be relentless. San Jose State Spartans recorded 240.8 passing yards and 207.5 rushing yards while allowed 94.5 passing yards and 236.3 russhing yards with turnover differential of 0.3.

Michael Carrizosa, the national leader in punting average entering the game, shanked his first punt of the night. San Diego State Aztecs rank at 92 for 157.0 road passing yards where as San Jose State Spartans rank at 14 for allowing 109.5 passing yards at home. The Spartans will run a bit, but Ervin won’t get loose on this front seven. That provides hope that the Spartans could still sneak their way back into the race. The touchdown was Potter’s second of the season. Over under has seen the San Diego State Aztecs go a 2-2 so far, while the San Jose State Spartans go 3-1.

San Jose State will look to rebound next week, as they play host to New Mexico. Potter was hit late out of bounds on a third-down scramble to allow the Spartans to convert. The Aztecs collected four penalties for a total of 36 yards on the drive.

Offensively, the clash matches up the San Jose State Spartans No. 61 ranked offense at 32.3 points scored per game against a San Diego State Aztecs defense that ranks No. 80 at 27.3 points allowed per game.

The Aztecs extended their lead to 17-7 when kicker Donny Hageman kicked a 31 yard field goal just before halftime. The passing game isn’t there, and the points aren’t coming, so unless Donnel Pumphrey has a huge day, the Aztecs will have a nightmare of a time generating any consistent offense against the nation’s third-best pass defense.