Donnel Pumphrey! Now 8th on all-time NCAA rushing list

Marshall Faulk, the early 1990s show-stopping running back from The Ninth Ward of New Orleans, set countless SDSU offensive records, and earned the prestige of being the best football player to wear an Aztec uniform. He moved on to have a stellar pro career in the NFL; won a superbowl ring, and is a Pro Football Hall-of-Famer.

Twenty-two years later, Donnel Pumphrey is smashing Faulk’s records one by one. Next up on the Faulk list of records: Pumphrey is a touchdown shy of Marshall's SDSU TD record (62) and rushing TD’s (57).

It remains to be seen just how far Donnel will go; but wouldn’t it be great if Faulk’s records were broken by the all-time NCAA rushing leader who just happened to be a fellow Aztec? That would be a major, major point of pride.

Last Friday night, Pumphrey, now the all-time Mountain West rushing leader, rushed for another 220 yards and two touchdowns, in the 17-3 win over Fresno State.

With his third 200-yard game of the season, Pumphrey now has 1,111 yards in six games to raise his career total to 5,383. During the game he passed LaDanian Tomlinson, Herschel Walker and Archie Griffin to move into 8th on the all time NCAA list.

His five 200-yard games now ties the Mountain West Conference career record.

It’s now time to consider that that Donnel Pumphrey is tracking to surpass Ron Dayne’s all-time NCAA rushing record. If necessary, please re-read that last sentence.

Here is where Donnel Pumphrey currently stands, and where the very few who still remain in front of him stand on the all-time NCAA rushing list:

1

Ron Dayne

Wisconsin (1996–1999)

6,397

2

Ricky Williams

Texas (1995–1998)

6,279

3

Tony Dorsett

Pittsburgh (1973–1976)

6,082

4

DeAngelo Williams

Memphis (2002–2005)

6,026

5

Charles White

USC (1976–1979)

5,598

6

Travis Prentice

Miami (OH) (1996–1999)

5,596

7

Cedric Benson

Texas (2001–2004)

5,540

8

Donnel Pumphrey

San Diego State (2013–2016)

5,383

It’s time for the NCAA to pay closer attention to Pumphrey, who has received modest national attention at best so far this season.

It’s fair to say that if Donnel Pumphrey surpassed the great Ron Dayne, he would be THE logical choice to win the Heisman Trophy this year.

Do not miss the opportunity to witness history as Donnel continues to challenge the best running backs ever, and stay tuned for more weekly updates tracking Donnel Pumphrey’s continued progress.