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SDSU running back Donnel Pumphrey breaks Ron Dayne’s FBS rushing record

By Trevor Jossart

Dec 17, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; San Diego State Aztecs running back Donnel Pumphrey (19) carries the ball on a 15-yard run in the fourth quarter to break the FBS career rushing record during the 25th Las Vegas Bowl against the Houston Cougars at Sam Boyd Stadium. Pumphrey finished with 115 yards, giving him 6,405 for his career. San Diego State defeated Houston 34-10. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; San Diego State Aztecs running back Donnel Pumphrey (19) carries the ball on a 15-yard run in the fourth quarter to break the FBS career rushing record during the 25th Las Vegas Bowl against the Houston Cougars at Sam Boyd Stadium. Pumphrey finished with 115 yards, giving him 6,405 for his career. San Diego State defeated Houston 34-10. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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San Diego State Aztecs running back Donnel Pumphrey broke former Wisconsin football great Ron Dayne’s rushing record on Saturday.

San Diego State running back Donnel Pumphrey broke former Wisconsin Badgers running back and Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne’s all-time FBS rushing record on Saturday in the team’s Las Vegas Bowl victory over Houston.

Pumphrey, the senior running back out of Las Vegas, finished his career back in his hometown with a 115-yard performance, pushing his career total to 6,405, beating Dayne’s mark of 6,397 from 1996-99.

While a great accomplishment, the record will come with an asterisk- at least for Badgers fans, as NCAA rules back during Dayne’s era did not count bowl game stats, meaning Dayne’s 728 total yards he racked up in the post season are not included in the record books. Bowl game stats were not included until 2002 and had Dayne’s yards been added, he would still be holder of the record with 7,125.

Always a modest and humble guy, Dayne congratulated Pumphrey on Twitter while reminding the world the true number he accumulated during his time with the Badgers.

“It means the world to me,” Pumphrey said as his father wiped away tears before hugging him.

Despite the grey area when it comes to Pumphrey and Dayne’s numbers, Pumphrey accomplished this in a season where he shared carries and touches with fellow teammate Rashaad Penny. Pumphrey and Penny became the first pair of teammates to ever rush for 2,000 and 1,000 yards in the same season.

With the 115-yard game today, Pumphrey also locked up the NCAA rushing title this season, passing Texas running back D’Onta Foreman, who will not be playing in a bowl game.

In the record books, Pumphrey will hold the number one spot, but Badgers fans will never forget who the true record-holder is and all the success and greatness Dayne brought to the Wisconsin football program.

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