San Diego State vs. Northern Arizona University 2014 final score: San Diego State beats NAU 38-7

The San Diego State Aztecs blew out the Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks 38-7 in their 2014 season opener today at Qualcomm Stadium. It was not a secret as to what the Aztecs game plan was in their home opener: run the ball.

Sophomore running back Donnel Pumphrey was the center of the Aztecs offense, rushing for 111 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries. He also had one reception for 31 yards in the first half.

A Doak Walker Award Watch List honoree, Pumphrey got the Aztecs on the board for the first time this season when he scored on a one-yard rush early in the first quarter.

SDSU offensive coordinator Bob Toledo did not forget about his backup running back, junior Chase Price, who did a nice job complementing Pumphrey,with 45 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.

The Aztecs found many ways to score, including a 48-yard field goal from junior placekicker Donny Hageman, a good sign for a team that had many kicking struggles in 2013. However, he missed a 46-yard attempt wide left, missing the net.

Special teams continued their stellar play in the fourth quarter when sophomore wide receiver Lloyd Mills returned a punt 67 yards for a touchdown.

Senior quarterback Quinn Kaehler did not have a great game, but did manage the game well, thanks to his potent running game. Kaehler went 18-29 with 205 yards, and also had a touchdown and an interception.

Kaehler's one touchdown pass was a two-yard dump to junior tight end Robert Craighead late in the first quarter.

Due to the emphasis on the running game, senior Ezell Ruffin did not have a big impact on this game, and only had four receptions for 53 yards, but did have a spectacular one handed grab in the first half, showing off his hand skills.

It's safe to say that NAU junior quarterback Kyren Poe and the Lumberjacks offense did not have the kind of opener that they wanted.

Poe completed only 15 of his 28 passes for 188 yards and one interception. With senior quarterback Chase Cartwright nipping at his heels, Poe needed to show something more.

NAU's only score came thanks to junior running back Casey Jahn, who scored on a one-yard rush in the third quarter. Jahn had 18 carries for 62 yards, as it looks like the Lumberjacks have some work to do replacing one of the school's best running backs Zach Bauman.

Even though they were playing against inferior competition, the Aztecs defense looked pretty good--barring the missed tackles.

Senior linebacker Derek Largent contributed a sack and was in the backfield all game. Sophomore linebacker Calvin Munson may have had the flashiest defensive play of the game when he picked off a Poe pass in the fourth quarter and returned it 69 yards, just a half of a yard short from scoring.

The Aztecs (1-0, 0-0 MWC) will travel to Chapel Hill next week to face the North Carolina Tar Heels, while the Lumberjacks (0-1, 0-0 Big Sky) will play at Abilene Christian in Week Two.