Pumphrey impresses even as decoy

SAN DIEGO >> Heisman Trophy candidate Donnel Pumphrey netted “only” 112 rushing yards and did not score a touchdown in San Diego State’s 55-0 rout of Hawaii at Qualcomm Stadium on Saturday.

But when he wasn’t using his quickness, balance and power to move the ball downfield on 21 carries, Pumphrey served as a diversion to open up things for teammates. On two plays where the ball was faked to Pumphrey in one direction, the Aztecs scored touchdowns by getting the ball to a player on the other side of the field.

“Just the threat of him is dangerous,” Hawaii defensive line coach Legi Suiaunoa said.

It was Pumphrey’s eighth 100-yard rushing game in a row and 30th of his career. He is fifth on the NCAA FBS all-time rushing list with 5,853 yards, and his 1,581 yards for the season lead the nation for the current season.

“Pumphrey is as good as advertised and so is that whole team,” UH coach Nick Rolovich said.

Rashaad Penny rushed for 108 yards, including a 73-yard touchdown.

UH safety Trayvon Henderson credited Pumphrey as a “good back,” but added that if the Rainbow Warriors play the way they’re supposed to no one should be able to run against them.

“I’m not going to take anything away from him,” said Henderson, who was in on eight tackles, including three for loss. “But if the D-line, linebackers and safeties all do our job there’s nowhere to run.”

Blanked

The Rainbow Warriors were shut out for the first time since they lost by the same score last year at Boise State. That 55-0 loss was the second shutout in a row and third in four games for UH.

UH could have tried a 27-yard field goal with 33 seconds left Saturday, but went for it on fourth-and-5 at the SDSU 10. Dru Brown was sacked for a 10-yard loss and the Aztecs took over and ran out the clock.

Flag football

Hawaii was penalized eight times for 69 yards compared to three flags for 20 yards for San Diego State.

Holding calls on UH’s first two kickoff returns had it starting those possessions at its own 12- and 10-yard lines. And it got worse.

“We can’t go out there and make every penalty there is in the rule book,” Rolovich said.

Faulk returns home

A familiar Hawaii nemesis, NFL Hall of Famer and Aztecs great Marshall Faulk, served as Honor Warrior for SDSU’s homecoming game.

The 1992 Heisman runner-up was San Diego State’s all-time rushing leader with 4,589 yards before Pumphrey passed his career mark this season.

Faulk rushed for 212, 300 and 175 yards in his three games against UH, with 13 touchdowns.