Dec. 8, 2016
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State seniors Nico Siragusa and Donnel Pumphrey were honored as USA Today All-Americans, with Siragusa picking up a first-team accolade and Pumphrey named to the second team, the publication announced Thursday. Siragusa was one of two players from a Group of Five school to appear on the first team, which included 20 honorees.
This is Siragusa's first All-American award, while Pumphrey, who earlier in the week was named a Sporting News All-American, picked up the fourth All-America accolade of his career (Sports Illustrated, 2014 and 2015). The pair become the second and third Aztecs honored by USA Today after Damontae Kazee captured second-team All-American accolades in 2015.
Siragusa is the first Aztec to earn first-team All-American distinction since Kirk Morrison was a College Football News first-team All-American in 2003 and the first offensive lineman honored since Mike Malano was a Football Writers Association of America first-team All-American in 1999. He is also the first USA Today first-team honoree in program history.
Recently named a Pro Football Focus All-American, Siragusa graded out as the nation's third-best guard this season and third-best run blocker. San Diego State's first offensive lineman to be named a first-team all-Mountain West selection twice after his 2016 honor, Siragusa has not allowed a sack in 846 snaps, according to the ProFootballFocus.com. He has helped SDSU rush for a school-record 3,553 rushing yards and 16 100-yard games by three different backs.
Pumphrey, the first San Diego State player to win two league offensive player-of-the-year awards in program history, has compiled a school-record 2,018 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns on 330 carries (6.1 avg.) this season, while adding a team-high 26 catches for 205 yards (7.9 avg.). One of four players in FBS to lead his team in rushing yards and catches, Pumphrey is ranked second in the country in rushing yards (2,018), rushing yards per game (155.2) and all-purpose yards (2,229), despite not playing in the fourth quarter in four of the past seven games.
A finalist for the Doak Walker Award (top running back), and semifinalist for the Maxwell Award (college player of the year) and Walter Camp Player-of-the-Year award, Pumphrey had a streak of nine games with at least 100 rushing yards earlier this season, the second longest in school history and the longest in MW history. Pumphrey is the first offensive player in MW history with three first-team honors (2014-16) and the third player overall, joining former Aztecs Kirk Morrison (2002-04) and Leon McFadden (2010-12).
Against Wyoming in the MW Championship game on Dec. 3, Pumphrey ran for 110 yards on 25 carries with one touchdown to help SDSU claim its second straight conference title and 21st in program history. With his total, Pumphrey surpassed Ricky Williams for second place on the all-time NCAA FBS rushing list with 6,290 yards.
The Aztecs (10-3) will square off against Houston (9-3) in the Las Vegas Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 12:30 p.m. PT. The game will be played at Sam Boyd Stadium and will be broadcast nationally by ABC.
Tickets for the Las Vegas Bowl are available now online at GoAztecs.com. Aztec fans are encouraged to purchase their Las Vegas Bowl tickets through San Diego State as they will not only be seated in the officially designated team areas, but will also help the athletic department meet ticket obligations and provide the best possible experience for all student-athletes at SDSU. Tickets are also available over the phone at (619) 283-SDSU or in person at the Aztec Athletic Ticket Office (Qualcomm Stadium, Window E).
Additionally, the first 500 student tickets purchased at the Viejas Arena Ticket Office with a valid SDSU ID will cost just $10. Student tickets are only available at the Viejas Arena Ticket Office.