Hillman sets rushing record as San Diego State tops Navy in Poinsetta Bowl
San Diego, California, United States (AHN Sports) – Navy quarterback Ricky Dobbs entered the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsetta Bowl as the most heralded player in the game, but Ronnie Hillman stole his spotlight.
Hillman rushed for three touchdowns, caught a scoring pass and set a new bowl rushing mark with 228 yards on 28 carries to lead the Aztecs to a 35-14 victory Thursday at Qualcomm Stadium.
“The O-line did a great job blocking all night,” Hillman said. “We just worked hard, and you know, our work paid off. The seniors did a great job blocking all year. I’m just doing my job, just running.”
Dobbs completed 8-of-15 passes for 147 yards with a touchdown and interception and ran 24 times for 107 yards and a score.
A 22-yard run by Hillman and a 53-yard pass from Ryan Lindley to Vincent Brown provided San Diego State an early 14-0 lead in a dominant first quarter. The Aztecs held a 14-0 edge in first downs and a 201-71 edge in yards.
That’s when Dobbs decided to go to work, firing a 30-yard touchdown pass to Greg Jones to cut the deficit in half early in the second quarter. Hillman countered Navy’s touchdown with his second score on the night, rumbling 37 yards into the end zone.
Dobbs then scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to make it 21-14 at the half. It was the 49th rushing touchdown of Dobbs’ storied career with Navy.
Navy missed a golden opportunity early in the third when Dobb’s fourth down play-action pass from the Aztecs’ 3-yard line was dropped.
Hillman then sealed the game for San Diego State with a 15-yard scoring toss from Lindley early in the fourth quarter.
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