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It took Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty just 11 games to surpass 2,000 rushing yards this season.
Jeanty continued improving his case for the 2024 Heisman Trophy by opening the scoring for Boise State on Saturday night with a 61-yard touchdown against Wyoming.
The score marked Jeanty’s 27th rushing touchdown of the season. Later in the game he became the first running back since 2019 to eclipse 2,000 rushing yards in a single campaign.
John Mallory @Ballgame_KTIK
Ashton Jeanty is now a member of the 2K Club. Becomes the first #BoiseState player to rush for 2,000 yards in a season and 28th player historically. #Heisman
Shaun Goodwin @ShaunBroncoBeat
Per Boise State: Ashton Jeanty is the first FBS player with 125+ rushing yards in each of the first 11 games since Iowa State’s Troy Davis in 1996. pic.twitter.com/tWZXSTz6B7
Jeanty’s availability was in question when he visited the medical tent and missed two drives following a tackle in the third quarter.
CBS Sports College Football 🏈 @CBSSportsCFB
Ashton Jeanty appears to be in some pain as he heads to the sidelines pic.twitter.com/KhxfmmAinx
The Broncos struggled to drive down the field with Jeanty watching from the sideline.
Jeanty then returned for the second-to-last Broncos drive of the game and immediately transformed the look of the Boise State offense.
He made four carries for a total of 53 yards to help the Broncos drive within range of a Jambres Dubar touchdown.
Jeanty finished the outing with 20 carries for 169 yards and a touchdown.
He had entered the contest already leading the FBS with 256 carries for 1,893 yards and 26 touchdowns through the first 10 games of the season.
Chris Vannini @ChrisVannini
For your Heisman consideration, Ashton Jeanty is really banged up and averaging 10 yards per carry. pic.twitter.com/1WZ78Q0N71
Sid Leblanc @CallMeSID66
Ashton Jeanty is having an insane season and he’s probably going to lead Boise State to its first playoff appearance. He not only did it in the Mountain West, but had arguably his best game on road against the current #1 team in county. Jeanty should 100% be the Heisman #HEI2MAN
WestTexasMarine @WestTexasMarine
Without Ashton Jeanty, Boise State is not in the position they are in. That is the reason he is the true #HEI2MAN
Jeanty is competing with Travis Hunter, who has established himself as a two-way star this season at Colorado, to become the first position player to win the Heisman since 2020.
Through 11 games with Colorado, Hunter has made 74 catches for 911 yards and nine touchdowns at receiver. On the other side of the ball he has recorded 23 total tackles, eight passes defensed and three interceptions as cornerback.
Jeanty’s performance in the Boise State win re-ignited the debate as to whether he or Hunter could be named the best player in college football at the end of the season.
Jeanty’s availability will be key to the Broncos’ Mountain West championship and College Football Playoff hopes as the team gears up to end the season next Friday with a home game against Oregon State. Thanks in large part to Jeanty’s efforts on Saturday night, Boise State will remain on track for a potential first-round bye in the CFP.
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