Ashton Jeanty found himself halted by Penn State’s formidable defense on the first play of the Fiesta Bowl quarterfinal, foreshadowing a challenging night for Boise State.
Jeanty, the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy, faced a tough matchup against Penn State, rushing for a season-low of 104 yards on 30 carries. The sixth-seeded Penn State team achieved a decisive victory over third-seeded Boise State, winning 31-14 in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. Boise State struggled from the outset, quickly falling behind 14-0, which hampered their ability to establish a strong running game.
Boise State’s head coach, Spencer Danielson, emphasized Jeanty’s exceptional talent, labeling him the best player in the country. However, he acknowledged the difficulty of overcoming an early deficit, which affected their strategy. Jeanty completed the season just shy of breaking the Football Bowl Subdivision rushing record, finishing with 2,601 yards. This was just 27 yards short of Barry Sanders’ record set in 1988 with Oklahoma State.
Penn State’s head coach, James Franklin, commended his team’s defensive efforts, stating that their motivation to stop Jeanty was considerable. The team’s defense effectively contained Jeanty, with the defensive line disrupting plays consistently. Despite some execution errors, Franklin praised their overall performance.
During the game, Jeanty demonstrated moments of brilliance, particularly with a 26-yard gain in the fourth quarter. However, Boise State’s inability to maintain a consistent running attack forced them to rely more on passing. Quarterback Maddux Madsen threw for 304 yards and a touchdown but also had three interceptions, compounding Boise State’s struggles. Jeanty himself lost a fumble early in the game, which was a rare misstep for the season.
Reflecting on the game, Jeanty acknowledged their shortcomings, particularly in ball security. Despite the disappointing conclusion, Jeanty’s performance throughout the season was outstanding, consistently surpassing 100 yards in each game and exceeding 200 yards in six of them. His leadership contributed significantly to Boise State’s successful campaign, culminating in 12 wins and another Mountain West title.
Even though Boise State’s playoff run ended sooner than hoped, Ashton Jeanty’s remarkable season remains a noteworthy highlight. His accomplishments this year set a high bar for college running backs, establishing a legacy of excellence for his team.
Source: Local10
