GLENDALE, Ariz. — In the opening moments of the game, Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty received a handoff and barely moved before being met by a formidable line of dark blue jerseys from Penn State. The powerful defensive play represented a challenging night ahead for the star running back, as his dreams of a successful season were dashed.
Jeanty, who was a runner-up for the prestigious Heisman Trophy, finished the game with just 104 rushing yards over 30 carries, marking the lowest performance of the season. Penn State, the No. 6 seed, secured a decisive 31-14 victory over No. 3 seed Boise State in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, with the Broncos unable to take the lead at any point in the game after quickly falling behind 14-0 in the first quarter.
Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson praised Jeanty’s talent despite the loss, stating, “Ashton Jeanty’s the best football player in the country, period. Point blank… But it’s hard when you’re digging yourself out of a two-score (hole).” Throughout the season, Jeanty achieved an impressive 2,601 rushing yards but fell just short of breaking the Football Bowl Subdivision record, which is held by Barry Sanders, who rushed for 2,628 yards in 1988 during a mere 11-game season compared to Jeanty’s 14 games.
Penn State’s coach, James Franklin, noted that his team was highly motivated to prevent Jeanty from setting a new record. “He’s an impressive guy, but we’re pretty good on defense,” Franklin remarked. He commended his defensive line for being disruptive and praised the team’s collective tackling efforts throughout the match.
In the Fiesta Bowl, Jeanty’s performance propelled him to second place on the single-season rushing list, surpassing previous record holders Kevin Smith from UCF and Melvin Gordon from Wisconsin. However, the night was tough for Jeanty, as he managed only 39 yards in the first half, contributing to a 17-7 deficit. The Broncos found it difficult to gain momentum against a robust Penn State defense that consistently thwarted their running game.
Reflecting on the challenge, Jeanty noted, “It wasn’t really that they did anything extraordinary. They executed and tackled.” Jeanty did manage to find some daylight with a 26-yard run in the fourth quarter while trailing 24-14, but a missed field goal attempt shortly after prevented Boise State from narrowing the gap.
Running behind all evening, Boise State was forced to rely on the passing game directed by quarterback Maddux Madsen, who ultimately threw for 304 yards and a touchdown but also suffered three interceptions. Jeanty’s performance was further impacted by a fumble early in the game, which marked only his third of the season. After the game, Jeanty took responsibility, stating, “We didn’t play our best. I didn’t take care of the ball. That’s why we weren’t able to get the job done.”
Despite the disappointing conclusion, Jeanty’s season remains notable among college running backs. He surpassed 100 rushing yards in all 14 games and tallied over 200 yards in six outings, steering the team toward a successful 12-win season and their second consecutive Mountain West title.
Danielson expressed pride in his team’s accomplishments, asserting that they have reinstated Boise State’s legacy as a symbol of excellence in college football. “I’m so proud of them for doing that,” he said. “That’s a legacy that can never be taken from them.”
