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Ashton Janty has record-setting performance in Boise State’s dominant win to cement his status as a Heisman contender – CNN

Ashton Janty has record-setting performance in Boise State’s dominant win to cement his status as a Heisman contender – CNN



CNN

Standout running back Ashton Janty turned in another dominant performance in Boise State’s 56-24 victory over San Diego State on Friday night.

Jeanty rushed for 149 yards on 31 carries and scored two touchdowns as he continues to put up numbers in an incredibly productive season so far. He also had two receptions for 31 yards in the lopsided victory.

The 20-year-old broke a program record in the process, becoming the first Broncos player to record 100-plus yards on the ground in eight straight games. It also ties him with Donnell Pumphrey — who accomplished the same feat for San Diego State in 2015 — for the second-longest streak in the Mountain West history.

Jeanty has amassed 1,525 yards on the season and is averaging 8 yards per carry.

San Diego State seemed to base its defensive game plan around stopping Jeanty, loading the box to contain Boise State’s run game. He was initially effective in stopping the star running back as Jeanty got off to a slow start, rushing for just 37 yards on 15 carries.

However, the Aztecs’ insistence on stifling the run left gaps in the passing game that Broncos quarterback Maddux Madsen was only too happy to exploit. He finished with 307 passing yards, four touchdowns and 24 completions, all career highs, for either team.

In the second half, Jeanty went on a rampage, picking up 112 yards on his next 16 carries. His two scores brought him to 20 touchdowns on the season.

Jeanty interferes with Dalesean Staley's pass attempt on the play.

The win moves Boise State to 7-1 overall on the season, 4-0 in the Mountain West. The Broncos’ only loss came against Oregon earlier this year. Meanwhile, San Diego State falls to 3-4 with the loss.

Janti, building defenses on the bright blue turf of Boise State’s Albertsons Stadium, has become a familiar sight this season, making him a strong contender for the Heisman Trophy, awarded to college football’s most outstanding player.

A running back hasn’t won the award since the University of Alabama was great and four-time NFL Pro Bowler Derrick Henry won it in 2015.

Jeanty’s competition includes Colorado’s Travis Hunter, whose ability to play on both sides of the ball as a wide receiver and defensive back has made him one of the most unique players in football.

Quarterbacks Cam Ward and Dylan Gabriel, of Miami and Oregon, respectively, are also in contention. QBs have dominated the award in recent years — eight of the last 10 winners have been signal-callers.

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