San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec

San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec




San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec

Penny, Kelly among Aztecs honored by Mountain West

Rashaad+Penny+is+all+smiles+during+the+Aztecs+42-23+victory+over+Nevada+on+Nov.+18+at+SDCCU+Stadium.+
Photo by Kelly Smiley
Rashaad Penny is all smiles during the Aztecs 42-23 victory over Nevada on Nov. 18 at SDCCU Stadium.

San Diego State football senior running back Rashaad Penny was named the Mountain West Offensive and Special Teams Player of the Year by the conference on Wednesday.

He is the first player in conference history to win two player of the year awards in the same season, and the first special teams player to earn the player of the year honor in three consecutive seasons.

Penny rushed for 2,027 yards and 17 touchdowns in the regular season, adding three return touchdowns. His 2,027 rushing yards and 2,698 all-purpose yards both lead the FBS.

For his career, Penny has seven kick return touchdowns, tied for the NCAA record.

Penny was also named one of the five finalists for the Walter Camp Player of the Year award.

He was one of nine Aztecs named to an All-MW team. Penny and senior cornerback Kameron Kelly each earned first-team honors, while redshirt freshmen offensive linemen Tyler Roemer and Keith Ismael, senior tight end David Wells, junior linebacker Ronley Lakalaka and freshman safety Tariq Thompson were named to the second team.

Thompson was the first freshman to earn conference player of the week honors after his two-interception performance in the season finale win over New Mexico.

Boise State redshirt junior linebacker Leighton Vander Esch was named the MW Defensive Player of the Year, breaking a streak of two consecutive seasons in which SDSU swept the conference awards.

Donnel Pumphrey and Damontae Kazee took home offensive and defensive player of the year awards in 2015 and 2016.

Senior wide receiver Mikah Holder – who led SDSU with 43 catches and 602 receiving yards – and junior safety Parker Baldwin round out the group as all-conference honorable mentions.

About the Contributor
Zach Engberg, Sports Editor
Zach is a senior at San Diego State University majoring in journalism. Zach was the Sports Editor at The Daily Aztec, where he has been working since 2015. Zach has covered the SDSU football, baseball and women's lacrosse team, while reporting other breaking news stories. Born in San Francisco, Calif., Zach is an avid fan of the SF 49ers, Oakland Athletics and Golden State Warriors, and is still mourning the 2016 Finals loss and Super Bowl XLVII. Zach will someday work as a television sports commentator, joining the likes of Joe Buck, Mike Tirico and Marv Albert.
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San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913
Penny, Kelly among Aztecs honored by Mountain West