Boise State’s standout running back, Ashton Jeanty, played a pivotal role in securing the Broncos’ place in the College Football Playoff with an outstanding performance on Friday night. Jeanty racked up 209 rushing yards on 32 carries and scored a touchdown in the team’s 21-7 victory over UNLV during the Mountain West championship game.
This remarkable game caps off what can be seen as a Heisman Trophy-worthy season for Jeanty. Before the upcoming playoff games, his impressive statistics include 344 carries, 2,497 rushing yards, an impressive average of 7.3 yards per carry, and a total of 29 touchdowns.
The race for the prestigious Heisman Trophy now appears to be closely contested between Jeanty and Travis Hunter, a talented wide receiver and cornerback from Colorado. Support for Jeanty is growing on social media, with fans drawing comparisons between his season and some of the greatest performances in running back history.
In a historical context, many fans recall Melvin Gordon’s remarkable 2014 season at Wisconsin, which many believe deserved the Heisman but ultimately went to Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota. The sentiments shared by former player Montee Ball reflect a common view: the legitimacy of the award was called into question after Gordon’s narrow defeat, a situation that could resonate similarly with Jeanty given his stellar performance.
The parallels between Jeanty’s current season and Gordon’s in 2014 are striking, setting the stage for a compelling narrative as voters consider the Heisman Trophy nominees.
This situation inspires hope for the future of college football awards, as outstanding performances like Jeanty’s could lead to conversations about recognizing excellence more equitably among players in various positions. Fans and analysts alike will be eagerly watching how the Heisman race unfolds in the coming weeks.