Ashton Jeanty strengthens Heisman case vs. Nevada

Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) runs the ball against Nevada Wolf Pack safety Kitan Crawford (4) during the first quarter at Albertsons Stadium. Brian Losness-Imagn Images

Boise State's Ashton Jeanty strengthens Heisman case with another monster game

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Nov 9, 2024 11:47 PM ET

Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty is the closest thing there is to an unstoppable force in college football. He continued to prove that on Saturday night, while also improving his Heisman Trophy case, with another monster performance in the No. 12 Broncos' 28-21 win over the Nevada Wolfpack.

Jeanty finished the game with 209 yards rushing on 34 carries, including three more touchdowns.

That brings his season totals to 1,734 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns in only nine games.

Saturday was also already his fourth 200-yard game of the season and his fifth game with at least three touchdowns.

It is not just the fact he is a big-play back who is also a durable workhorse. He also punishes defenders and continued to do that on Saturday.

Good luck stopping Ashton Jeanty @BroncoSportsFB extends the lead pic.twitter.com/yGOX7D35x7
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 10, 2024

Also with this.

Ashton Jeanty just out of a leisurely stroll

pic.twitter.com/AI3QKmbsEq
— The Transfer Portal CFB (@TPortalCFB) November 10, 2024

Assuming he maintains this same pace over the Broncos' remaining three regular season games, that would put him on track for over 2,350 yards for the regular season. The NCAA single-season rushing record is 2,628 yards set by Barry Sanders.

Jeanty is not going to reach that number in the regular season — or at least he is not likely to reach it — but with Boise State likely headed toward a conference championship game and a potential spot in the College Football Playoff, he would have a few additional games to make a run at it.

If he pulled it off there would be a desire to put an asterisk next to the record because Sanders set his mark in only 11 games, but it would still be an impressive accomplishment to even come close to the same ballpark.

NFL teams have put a lower priority on running backs in recent years, but every once in a while, somebody enters the league that makes teams want to use a premium draft pick on them. Jeanty is going to be that type of back when he enters the league.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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