San Diego State’s Lucky Sutton, Gabe Plascencia semifinalists for national awards

by Kirk Kenney

San Diego State running back Lucky Sutton and kicker Gabe Plascencia were both named Tuesday as semifinalists for national awards at their respective positions.

Sutton, a junior from Cathedral Catholic High School, is among 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award, which goes to the nation’s top running back. Plascencia, a senior from Oakland, is one of 20 semifinalists for the Lou Groza Award that is given to the top kicker in the country.

Sutton is SDSU’s first semifinalist for the Doak Walker since 2017, when Rashaad Penny rushed for a school-record 2,248 yards. The Aztecs have had three finalists for the award — DJ Pumphrey (2016), George Jones (1995) and Marshall Faulk (1992).

“That’s definitely a blessing,” Sutton said after Tuesday morning’s practice. “I’ve been thinking about that forever. I’ve had it as a goal to be the best running back in the nation. To be included with all those great, great running backs is a great feeling.

“But also I’m just thankful for this team. Without the team, I couldn’t have done this. Without the O-line, I couldn’t have done this. I give all the praise to my team, the coaches and everybody who have helped me get to this point.”

Sutton rushed for 150 yards in last week’s win over Boise State, giving him 1,048 yards for the season. The rushing total ranks first in the Mountain West and sixth in the nation, behind Missouri’s Ahmad Hardy (1,346), Jacksonville State’s Cam Cook (1,313), Ole Miss’ Kewan Lacey (1,136), Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love (1,135) and Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson (1,131).

Sutton became the 20th different running back in SDSU history with a 1,000-yard season. The milestone has been reached 28 times overall by Aztecs ball carriers.

San Diego State kicker Gabe Plascencia kicks a field goal for an extra point in the second quarter against Colorado State at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego on Friday, Oct. 03, 2025. (Hayne Palmour IV / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Plascencia is SDSU’s first Lou Groza semifinalist since John Baron II in 2018. Other Aztecs kickers so honored were J.C. Mejia (2003) and Peter Holt (1996), who was a finalist for the award.

Plascencia is 17-for-19 on field goals this season, including a Mountain West-long 53-yarder against Colorado State. He had a school- and Mountain-West record streak of 26 straight field goals over the past two seasons before a miss against Wyoming.

Three finalists for both the Doak Walker and Lou Groza awards will be announced Tuesday, with the winners revealed Dec. 12 during The Home Depot College Football Awards show on ESPN.