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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Aztecs win Pointsettia Bowl

San Diego State defeats Navy

San Diego State's Ronnie Hillman (13) breaks through the Navy defense on his way to a 37-yard touchdown as his quarterback Ryan Lindley, background left, begins to celebrate in the second quarter of the Poinsettia Bowl. (Denis Poroy / Fr59680 Ap)
Associated Press
SAN DIEGO — Freshman Ronnie Hillman scored four touchdowns and tied his career best with 228 yards rushing on 28 carries to lead San Diego State to its first bowl victory since 1969, 35-14 over Navy in the Poinsettia Bowl on Thursday night. The game was played on a slick field after 1.5 million gallons of rainwater were pumped out of Qualcomm Stadium overnight. Players went slipping and sliding all night, but organizers met their promise of kicking off on time after several days of torrential rain flooded the field and a portion of the parking lot. Hillman, the Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year, scored on runs of 22, 37 and 2 yards, and pulled in a 15-yard scoring pass from Ryan Lindley after a beautifully executed fake.