Spotlight on Boise State: Proven track record – Saturday’s Blitz

In the dictionary next to the word “winner” is a picture of the Boise State football team. In its short 29-year history in the FBS, the Broncos football program has posted a winning season in 27 of those years. In 363 games played, Boise State has a record of 278-85-0 and 18 ten-win seasons.

Victory in the Valley of the Sun

There is no bigger victory for the Broncos in school history than the 2007 Fiesta Bowl victory over the No. 7 Oklahoma Sooners. Ranked No. 9 at the time, Boise State gave Oklahoma all it could handle and then gave them some more. Oklahoma scored with about a minute and a half left in the game to tie the score at 28-28, then scored again to take a 35-28 lead for the first time in the game.

Then the fun began.

On Boise State’s ensuing possession on fourth down and 18 yards to go, Broncos quarterback Jared Zabranski completed a pass to Draysan James. James then hit Gerard Rabb for a 35-yard touchdown on a beautifully executed pass game of hook and ladder to tied game at 35 and going into overtime.

In overtime, Oklahoma scored first. Score: Oklahoma 42 – Boise State 35.

Boise State, on fourth down and 2 yards from the Oklahoma 6-yard line, punted midfielder pass from Vinny Perretta to Derek Schouman to cut the lead to 42-41.

The Broncos lined up for a 2-point conversion. They wanted to win.

Zabranski took the snap, faked a pass to the right side and tucked the ball behind his back to running back Ian Johnson The Statue of Liberty play as Johnson ran untouched into the endzone for 2 points and a dramatic 43-42 victory.

During the postgame interview amid the thrill of one of the biggest wins in college football history, Johnson proposed to his girlfriend Chrissy. She said yes.

Janty goes after Barry Sanders

This season, Broncos running back Ashton Janty leads the nation in rushing with 1,376 yards and 18 touchdowns in 7 games and is averaging 196 yards per game on the ground. In addition, Jeanty averaged 8.65 yards per carry. He is a legitimate Heisman contender.

Jeanty stayed at Boise State and didn’t pursue ZERO money, instead choosing to pursue something much more meaningful. Jeanty has shown the middle finger to other teams when it comes to NIKOLA money and transfers. He runs with purpose, leaving scorched earth on gridirons up and down the Mountain West Conference (MWC).

The Broncos have five games remaining on the schedule. With a potential appearance in the MWC Championship Game and the College Football Playoffs, Jeanty has seven games remaining in his pursuit of Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record of 2,628, set in 1988.

Jeanty has rushed for over 100 yards in every game this season, including three games of over 200 yards on the ground.

The fantastic 2024 season continued for Boise State on Friday night when they hosted San Diego State. The Aztecs were ranked No. 86 in the FBS in rushing defense, allowing opponents nearly 160 yards on the ground. San Diego State held Jeanty in check in the first half, holding him to just 37 yards on the ground and keeping him out of the end zone.

In the second half, however, Gianti rushed for 112 yards and 2 touchdowns as the Broncos (7-1) beat the Aztecs 56-24. Gianti now has 1,525 yards and 20 touchdowns on the season.