Rashaad Penny runs Aztecs into Top 25

Sep 22, 2017 - 4:56 PM SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- San Diego State running back Rashaad Penny racked up 32 carries in a 20-17 victory over Stanford last Saturday, marking a personal high -- not just in college, but high school, as well.

Add the five pass receptions Penny made and it is small wonder college football's leader in all-purpose yardage through three games said he needed some additional time in the ice tub.

"I honestly feel like I didn't do too much," Penny said of his Week 3 performance. "This was more of a team thing, offensively. We played a great game."

That performance included 175 rushing yards and 31 receiving yards.

He'll look for more Saturday as the 22nd-ranked Aztecs (3-0) open Mountain West Conference play at Air Force.

The workload has indeed picked up for Penny early in the 2017 season, as he has taken over for NCAA career rushing leader Donnel Pumphrey. As a secondary option last season, Penny eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing and scored 11 touchdowns, while also handling kickoff return duties.

Now the Aztecs feature back, Penny leads the nation in rushing yards at 588, has increased his already lofty yards-per-carry average from 7.49 to 8.28, and continues to return kickoffs. His effort against Stanford sealed his place atop the Football Bowl Subdivision as its leading rusher, and earned him Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week honors.

"I feel like if we can move the ball like that against Stanford, and break through, we can move the ball against anybody, and that's the confidence we have to start having as a team," Penny said.

Commensurate with his individual success, Penny is at the forefront of an impressive stretch for San Diego State. The win over Stanford marked the Aztecs' second in as many weeks over Pac-12 Conference competition, with SDSU fresh off a 30-20 victory at Arizona State.

Penny rushed for 203 yards against the Sun Devils, scoring touchdowns of 95 yards via the run; 33 yards on a reception; and 99 yards on a kickoff return.

The Power Five wins elevated San Diego State into the AP Poll for the first time in 2017, and second time in as many regular seasons.

San Diego State coach Rocky Long said the ranking is nice recognition but ultimately meaningless unless it comes at the end of the season. A Mountain West championship, Long said, is the primary focus. San Diego State has won two consecutive titles.

San Diego State last played Air Force in the 2015 MWC Championship Game, a game in which Penny made a profound but wholly unexpected contribution.

His 28-yard touchdown run broke a 17-17 fourth-quarter stalemate, and San Diego State held on to win 27-24.

"I wasn't supposed to be in the game," Penny said. "They called the wrong personnel."

Even when he isn't meant to be on the field, Penny still delivers.