Ashton Jeanty shined with a remarkable performance, rushing for 226 yards and scoring a touchdown, leading No. 11 Boise State to a 34-18 victory over Oregon State in Boise, Idaho. Quarterback Maddux Madsen also contributed significantly, throwing for two touchdowns and adding another with his legs.
Jeanty’s impressive outing places him in fifth on the all-time FBS single-season rushing list, just 54 yards shy of fourth place held by Marcus Allen and 340 yards behind the legendary Barry Sanders, who set the record in 1988 with 2,628 rushing yards. With at least two games remaining, Jeanty still has a chance to close in on that record.
Boise State, now boasting an 11-1 record, is at the forefront among Group of Five teams aiming for an automatic bid in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff. Their only loss of the season was a narrow defeat to top-ranked Oregon.
Head Coach Spencer Danielson expressed pride in the team’s achievements this season but emphasized the need to focus on upcoming challenges, particularly the goal of securing back-to-back Mountain West championships. The Broncos are set to host either Colorado State or UNLV in the championship game next Friday, with potential playoff implications at stake.
Conversely, Oregon State concluded its season with a 5-7 record and missed out on a bowl game after a difficult transition period following the mass exodus from the Pac-12. Despite the challenges, cornerback Skyler Thomas remains optimistic about the future, highlighting the current season as a stepping stone.
Boise State started strong, establishing an early 14-0 lead. Despite a few setbacks, including a fumble by Jeanty that culminated in an 83-yard touchdown run for Oregon State’s Anthony Hankerson, the Broncos maintained their composure. They ended the first half with a touchdown pass from Madsen and ultimately thwarted Oregon State’s attempts to close the gap.
Despite an impressive season, concerns linger for Boise State’s defense, which has shown vulnerability to explosive plays, a factor they will need to address as they face tougher opponents in the future.
With the Mountain West Conference championship game approaching, the Broncos have a clear path ahead, aiming to solidify their position in the playoffs and continue their successful season.
In summary, Boise State’s victory strengthens their playoff hopes, while Jeanty’s pursuit of Sanders’ record adds an exciting narrative as the season progresses. Both teams are looking towards the future, with potential for growth and improvement.