Ashton Jeanty, the much-acclaimed Boise State running back, often has his opponents clenching their fists in frustration. With 2,497 rushing yards in total heading into Boise State’s College Football Playoff quarterfinal match against Penn State, he’s a tough contender to beat. In the world of football, Jeanty is a true magician, with 1,889 of his total rushing yards accumulated after contact. Despite claims of his records being against less superior competitors, he won over his doubters over when he excelled against top-ranked Oregon with a massive 192 yards and three-touchdown contribution.
As an accomplished player, Jeanty has been a game changer for Boise State. He’s managed to create a record number of missed tackles through 13 games, roughly equivalent to the combined efforts of Penn State linebackers Kobe King and Abdul Carter. His record-breaking contributions earned him the title of the best back any current Penn State player has seen in their careers, an accolade previously held by Saquon Barkley.
Ahead of the Fiesta Bowl showdown, Jeanty’s competitive streak remained strong despite Penn State’s noted defenses. The Nittany Lions only allowed one 100-yard rusher this season, but Jeanty—with an average rush of 127 yards even on off days—was not to be deterred. However, a sizeable challenge awaited Jeanty as he tried to break the record of the football legend, Barry Sanders.
Ahead of the match against Penn State, Jeanty was chasing several records, including one set by Sanders. With only three yards to reach a 2,500 yards tally in a season, he hoped to become the third player in the sport’s 155-year history to achieve this feat. Chasing Sanders’ single-season record of 2,628 yards, Jeanty remained 131 yards away, but with the likelihood of getting more than 11 rushes, his chances were good.
The NCAA has changed its policies over the years to include statistics from bowl games, a move driven by the growing number of bowls and a desire for consistency. This affected players like Jeanty, whose bowl game statistics could have painted a different picture for his record. These statistics also gained relevance with bowl games becoming crucial to determining the national champion. However, Jeanty’s focus was singular: breaking Sanders’ record and proving himself as the deserving contender for the Heisman Memorial Trophy.
Jeanty narrowly lost the Heisman Trophy, taken home by Colorado’s Travis Hunter in the closest vote in 15 years. Despite the setback, Jeanty didn’t shy away from expressing his dissatisfaction at the outcome and voiced his belief that he deserved the trophy. But, this disappointment only boosted his resolve to outrun his competitors and clinch his glory. Despite his impressive success in the Mountain West, critiques still existed and Jeanty knew he had a lot more to prove.
Looking ahead, Jeanty has to realise the heft of turning into the football giant he aspires to be. Hunting down 132 yards against the Nittany Lions and entering the 2025 NFL Draft as a potential first-round selection isn’t enough. The football coliseum demands more if he aims to go down as an all-time great. The path to eternal adoration in football can only be solidified if he manages to stand in the centre stage on January 20, the day of the national championship, victoriously.
