Sep 7, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) rushes the ball against the New England Patriots during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images Sep 7, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) rushes the ball against the New England Patriots during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Watch: Ashton Jeanty Scores First Career Touchdown Against Patriots

Originally posted on Raiders Newswire | By Matt Peralta | Last updated Sep 8, 2025 3:13 PM ET

Ashton Jeanty was the most exciting player in college football last season, so the Las Vegas Raiders had high hopes for the star running back after taking him with the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Head coach Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly love to run the football, and Jeanty is projected to handle the bulk of the work out of the backfield during the regular season. Although Jeanty’s preseason left fans wanting more, there was still optimism that he could produce if given more carries and time to learn the offensive system.

The Raiders’ Week 1 went about as well as one could hope as they pulled off a 20-13 victory over the New England Patriots. Geno Smith impressed in his Las Vegas debut, throwing for 362 yards and one touchdown while Jeanty took 19 carries for just 38 yards.

Despite Jeanty not being able to break off any long runs, he did manage to score his first career touchdown against the Patriots via the NFL:

Ashton Jeanty is in for his 1st career TD!

LVvsNE on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/3I1Un9GRb7

— NFL (@NFL) September 7, 2025

On the play, the Raiders were deep into the red zone on first-and-goal, and Jeanty took first contact and continued to churn his legs until he crossed into the end zone. It was a tough run that highlights Jeanty’s strength, balance and sheer will when the football is in his hands.

New England and head coach Mike Vrabel seemed intent on selling out on the run, so Smith was forced to turn to the air to move the chains. Las Vegas having a quarterback that can uplift the offense when the running game isn’t quite going is a massive boon for the team and should give fans more optimism that the roster will be more competitive this year.

It might only be one week, but the Silver and Black faithful needed to see a win early in the regular season after disappointing starts in the past. There’s still a lot of work to be done, but Jeanty and company are on the right track and have momentum heading into Week 2.

Ashton Jeanty admits to being starstruck by some teammates

Ashton Jeanty is a young running back who has had the chance to watch some of the best growing up as a fan. Now that he’s in the NFL, Jeanty gets to play with players he watched, and he admitted he was starstruck by a few of his own teammates.

This article first appeared on Raiders Newswire and was syndicated with permission.

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