On Saturday night, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty put on another dazzling performance, solidifying his position as one of the top contenders for the coveted Heisman Trophy. During the game against San Jose State, Jeanty rushed for 159 yards and secured three touchdowns, leading the No. 13 Broncos to a convincing 42-21 victory. More than just another win, this game marked the moment Jeanty shattered the school's single-season rushing record, previously held by Jay Ajayi, who set it at 1,823 yards back in 2014.
Now with an astounding total of 1,893 rushing yards just ten games deep, Jeanty has his eyes on even bigger achievements. "It means a lot," Jeanty said, reflecting on his new record. He emphasized the importance of honoring the legacy of Boise State's great running backs. "All the past running backs are great and amazing, but to keep the legacy going, the tradition of great running backs at Boise State, I think it's a big deal to me." His coach, Spencer Danielson, echoed this sentiment, calling Jeanty "the best football player in the country" and praising his leadership on and off the field.
Jeanty’s accomplishment is especially significant as the Heisman Trophy has predominantly favored quarterbacks and wide receivers over the last decade, with the last running back to claim the award being Derrick Henry of Alabama back in 2015. Jeanty is showing different, averaging impressive stats across the season with 26 rushing touchdowns, which is exceptional for any player, let alone a running back competing during this era. Notably, he set the bar high with consistency, recording over 100 rushing yards for each of the last ten games—a record for the Mountain West Conference.
While he has been sensational this season, Jeanty’s road hasn't been entirely smooth. Against San Jose State, Jeanty faced significant challenges early on, with only 57 rushing yards before halftime and even being tackled for losses on several runs. Yet, his tenacity and resilience shone through. After the Broncos initially fell behind 14-0, Jeanty spearheaded Boise State’s comeback. His 36-yard rushing touchdown not only marked his milestone but also shifted the momentum of the game.
This season's Heisman race is competitive, with Jeanty perched among elite contenders. Oregon's quarterback Dillon Gabriel is one of his main competitors, along with Travis Hunter from Colorado, who has made headlines all season for his two-way play. While Hunter managed to secure touchdowns, his performance against other challenging opponents has yet to match Jeanty’s consistency. Jeanty is fortifying his case week by week, with each game boosting his NFL Draft stock as well.
With Boise State’s victory, they improved their overall record to 9-1 and remain perfect at 6-0 within the Mountain West Conference. Looking forward, Jeanty and the Broncos are set to face Wyoming soon, followed by their last regular-season game against Oregon State. Each game provides Jeanty not just the prospect of bolstering his Heisman aspirations but also potentially breaking Barry Sanders' legendary single-season NCAA rushing record of 2,628 yards set back in 1988.
Cementing his place among Boise State greats like Jeremy McNichols, Doug Martin, and Ian Johnson is no easy task. Jeanty remains focused, embracing the challenges both he and his teammates face on the field. “The challenge every week is wearing the defense down,” Jeanty explained. “We got 8-man boxes, 9-man boxes, so not as many big runs initially, but over the course of the game, if we are able to grind them down, those big runs will come.” And they certainly have, particularly during the second halves of games, when Jeanty has found success and consistently produced major plays.
Against San Jose State, his skills truly shone, particularly with runs of 36 and 11 yards during the decisive moments of the game. Jeanty's impact goes beyond just numbers; he exemplifies the fighting spirit of his team. Reflecting on his approach, he said: “I enjoy it because of the fight we have. We don’t quit. People may think they got us, but you know, it’s never over until the clock hits zero.”
Such determination underlines Jeanty's value not just as a player but as the heart of the Broncos roster. His work ethic appears to enchant not just himself but his teammates as well, building greater camaraderie and resilience within the squad. This season has been special for Jeanty, serving as proof of what dedication can produce on the field.
Overall, Jeanty's specific performance paints him as not just the best player currently, but potentially one of the greatest running backs Boise State has ever seen. With upcoming games poised to test his abilities even more, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how far he can push the boundaries before the season concludes. The quest for the Heisman continues and, for Jeanty, there could be more glittering records on the horizon as he strives to make history one touchdown at a time.
