The Boise State Broncos unloaded 62 points in a win over the Utah State Aggies on Saturday, moving to 4-1 on the year and increasing their chances of playing in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff.
Running back Ashton Jeanty was once again the catalyst for the Broncos, carrying the ball 13 times for 186 yards and three touchdowns.
When Jeanty stayed at Boise State this offseason, rather than hitting the transfer portal – where he instantly would have become the top offensive player available – it was clear he was in line for a monster season. But to say his performance this year has turned heads would be an understatement, as the dynamic back is a legitimate candidate to win the Heisman Trophy award – which would be unprecedented in the history of college football.
Historically, the Heisman Trophy has been dominated by quarterbacks from power conference schools, making Jeanty’s candidacy as a running back from a Mountain West program all the more remarkable.
In an era where pass-happy offenses tend to garner the most attention, Jeanty carved out a place in the national spotlight with his dynamic playmaking ability, carrying the Broncos on his back and forcing his way into the conversation typically reserved for quarterbacks in one of the power conferences.
In fact, no non-quarterback from a non-Power Five school has ever won the prestigious award. Players like Ty Detmer (BYU) and Lamar Jackson (Louisville) were able to do it from outside the Power Five, but they were quarterbacks in high-flying offenses.
For Jeanty to be in the discussion – and considered the favorite by some – shows how much of an impact he’s had this season. He’s not only defying expectations for players from non-power conferences, but also elevating Boise State into the national conversation once again, showcasing that Heisman-caliber talent can come from any program if the performance is undeniable.