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LOGAN — The rains came in bunches during the Utah State-San Diego State football game on Friday night at Maverik Stadium. However, it didn't stop the Aztecs from running the football on their way to a dominating win over the Aggies. Here are a few instant observations.
Donnel Pumphrey for Heisman
The senior running back who was picked as the preseason Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year didn't disappoint. He ran for 223 yards on 32 carries and is now fifth on the FBS all-time rushing list. Give props to his offensive line which opened up huge holes all night and Pumphrey took advantage of them. It was the sixth 200-yard game of his career, which is one behind San Diego State legend Marshall Faulk.
About the only thing Pumphrey didn't do right on the night was find the end zone. However, on the first play of the fourth quarter, SDSU head coach Rocky Long called for Pumphrey to throw a halfback pass. Unfortunately for Pumphrey, the pass was a little long and sailed over the head of receiver Curtis Anderson III.
Pumphrey tacked onto his FBS-leading rushing total as he is now over the 1,600-yard mark on the season. He shifty movements and ability to fend off tacklers make him a Heisman candidate.
Aggies need to keep the momentum
It was the ideal start against the defending Mountain West Conference champions. The USU defense got a nice stop on the Aztecs first drive. Then quarterback Kent Myers led the Aggie offense on a seven-play, 70-yard drive that ended with Myers scampering into the end zone from 10 yards out and a 7-0 lead.
However, it all came tumbling down 44 seconds later when Juwan Washington scored from 39 yards out to tie the ballgame. From there, it was all Aztecs. They would score 33 more unanswered points and at one point scored on five out of six drives.
It is something the Aggies have struggled with at times this season. They get a big play here or there but penalties, lack of execution and conservative play calling end the momentum . If they are to win three of their next four games to get bowl eligible for the sixth straight year, they have to hold onto that momentum when they have it.
Keep the ball in Myers' hands
When Kent Myers runs the ball, good things happen. He scored his team-leading fourth touchdown of the season on the first Aggie drive of the game. He led the Aggies in rushing yards, although it was only with 26. He has the ability to hit the deep ball when given time. Watching Myers play, he is very capable of making play after play.
Problem is that he doesn't have the ball in his hands enough. USU runs a read option but its more of an automatic give without the option for Myers to keep. Against San Diego State, there were times when a lane around the edge was wide open had Myers been able to keep the ball. However, he handed it off and it normally went for no gain or a loss.
Myers is an exciting player and it is true that the team shouldn't revolve around one player. In the case of the Aggies, for the final four games, it should because Myers is the guy that can help USU become bowl eligible.
Kyle McDonald is sports fan who loves the Chicago Cubs and the Utah Valley University Wolverines. He is a communication major at UVU and will graduate in the spring of 2017. Follow him on Twitter at @kylesportsbias
