Aug. 25, 2014
SAN DIEGO -
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Position previews: After an explosive debut, it's Pumphrey's turn to carry the load
Returners with starting experience: RB Donnel Pumphrey, sophomore; FB Adam Roberts (starter at TE), senior
Departing starters: RB Adam Muema, FB Chad Young
By Michael Klitzing @mikeklitzing
Overview
This time a year ago, Donnel Pumphrey was a 152-pound freshman who looked out of place surrounded by college football behemoths. Now, he's being counted to claim his place as SDSU's next dynamic featured back.
So is the diminutive speedster up to the task?
"No doubt," said Aztecs running backs coach Jeff Horton. "Even though he's not the biggest guy out there, he plays big - he's not a little darter who slides away from contact. He's a guy in pass protection who's going to hit you right in the mouth. He's going to run hard, and he plays different than his size would indicate."
It certainly helps that Pumphrey has packed on another 20 pounds of muscle to his 5-foot-9 frame since his arrival on Montezuma Mesa. Regardless, the Las Vegas native showed plenty of natural ability and football intelligence last year as the second fiddle to Adam Muema, racking up 986 combined rushing and receiving yards and 10 touchdowns while averaging a stellar six yards per carry.
This season, the plan is for Pumphrey to get twice as many touches while swapping him out for bigger, bruising backs when the situation necessitates.
Recapping 2013
Despite being hobbled by injury at the start of the season, Muema gave SDSU its fourth consecutive season with a running back accumulating at least 1,200 yards and 15 touchdowns. Pumphrey burst on the scene in a Week 4 comeback against New Mexico State, scoring three second-half touchdowns and rushing for 167 yards - his first of three straight 100-yard performances. Senior fullback Chad Young paved the way for both with a relentless physicality that cemented his spot as an all-time SDSU fan favorite.
Change of pace
Since Horton has been at SDSU, the Aztecs' offense has utilized a featured back that gets about 20 carries per game, and a change of pace back who garners 10 or so. Last year, Chase Price was supposed to be the 10-carry guy, but a shoulder injury in Week 3, followed by the emergence of Pumphrey, put those plans on ice. Now, the 5-foot-8, 200-pound Price is in position to reclaim the role.
"Chase is a hard runner and he's a physical guy who is hard to hit because he's so compact," Horton said. "I think he's had an outstanding spring and fall camp, so I'm excited about him."
Redshirt freshman Marcus Stamps is also a candidate to pick up tough yardage between the tackles. The power back has been hobbled by an ankle injury in fall camp, but he should be ready for Saturday's opener. Senior Utah transfer Lucky Radley, a versatile, slashing runner whose attitude and dynamic personality has impressed Horton, could also work himself into the mix.
Replacing a cult hero
Don't be surprised if there is a not-so-small contingent of Aztecs fan who still watch Chad Young's senior season highlight reel with the same frequency that other people watch Internet cat videos. Young's propensity for lowering the boom on defenders earned the former walk-on quite a following, and his departure certainly leaves big shoes to fill.
Young's replacement likely won't knock opponents out of their shoes as often, but he brings other skills to bear. Senior Adam Roberts, who began his Aztec career as a fullback, slides back over from tight end, where he caught 20 passes last season. He adds a new versatility to the position, giving SDSU a skilled pass catcher, whether lined up in the backfield, as an H-back, or at slot receiver.
Of course, when junior Dakota Gordon is in the game, there will be no doubt as to the Aztecs' intentions. The stout walk-on is a former wrestler whose penchant for blocking and hard running is downright, well, Chad Young-like.
"He's kind of a raging bull in practice and, as camp has gone on, you sort of see guys backing away from him a little bit," Horton says. "He packs a punch and he gets after you, but he never says a word.
Projected two-deep
TB-Donnel Pumphrey, Chase Price
FB-Adam Roberts, Dakota Gordon