Hillman's four TDs help Aztecs ground Midshipmen
<p>San Diego State's Ronnie Hillman breaks through the Navy defense on his way to a 37-yard touchdown run during the second quarter of the Poinsettia Bowl on Thursday at San Diego.</p>
SAN DIEGO (AP) - Freshman Ronnie Hillman scored four touchdowns and tied his career best with 228 yards rushing on 28 carries to lead San Diego State (9-4) to its first bowl victory since 1969, 35-14 over Navy (9-4) 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.