At the start of the season when the Aztecs played New Hampshire, Donnel Pumphrey entered at #74 on the all time NCAA rushing list. During the game, Christian Chapman unloaded an air assault against the FCS opponents, passing for 283 yards, mainly to Mikah Holder who was performing as WR. Pumphrey grabbed just 98 rushing yards. The performance was still good enough to move him ten places, and among others he passed two-sport superstar Bo Jackson, and concluded the game as the #64 all time rusher.
The following week, San Diego State played what was perhaps its most critical game against Sonny Dykes'sCalifornia Golden Bears.