Ashton Jeanty and the Boise State Broncos suffered defeat in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals to Penn State, 31-14. This loss ends Jeanty and the Broncos’ season, while the Nittany Lions advance to the semifinals to face the winner of Georgia vs Notre Dame. Jeanty put together one of the greatest seasons from a running back in NCAA history, but Penn State was prepared to contain him. He had 30 total carries for 104 yards and no touchdowns. It was his lowest number of yards and yards per carry this season. Still, despite the box score, Ashton Jeanty showed his worth to those who were watching.
Penn State’s Gameplan
Penn State’s game plan to stop Ashton Jeanty was simple but effective. The Nittany Lions loaded up the line of scrimmage, stacking the box with defenders. On nearly every play, the defense lined up with four or five pass rushers and linebackers behind them. Every time Jeanty got the ball, the defensive front swarmed into the backfield, blocking every hole and rushing lane. The Penn State defense was selling out to stop the run on nearly every snap, forcing Boise State to throw the ball. Ashton Jeanty had to fight for every inch of yardage.
When Boise State was forced into throwing situations, they were better than the final score indicated. Quarterback Maddux Madsen did throw three interceptions, but he also threw for 304 yards and a touchdown. While the 31-14 finish makes the game look like another blowout, Boise State was competitive for most of the game. A 58-yard touchdown run from Nicholas Singleton extended Penn State’s lead with under five minutes remaining. This touchdown run essentially iced the game, but the Broncos were not beaten like other teams in this season’s College Football Playoff.
But, because Penn State was stacking the box with defenders to stop Ashton Jeanty, they left some areas in pass coverage exposed. Madsen and the Broncos found these openings to create a few big plays throughout the game. On Madsen’s sole touchdown pass to Matt Lauter, the Nittany Lions bit on a play-action fake, leaving Lauter wide open on a wheel route. Lauter made the catch with no one near him and ran in for a 53-yard touchdown. This was the biggest play of the night for the Broncos, but they did not score again. The offense still moved the ball, but interceptions and missed field goals cost them valuable points.
Ashton Jeanty’s Historic Season
Credit: AP Photo/Steve Conner
Ashton Jeanty ran for 104 yards in what is likely his final collegiate game, averaging 3.5 yards per carry. He ran for a historic 2,601 yards this season with 29 touchdowns. It is one of the greatest seasons from a running back in NCAA history. Jeanty finished second in Heisman voting and fell just short of Barry Sanders’ rushing record. Many believed that he should have won the Heisman trophy, considering how far he brought this Boise State team. The Broncos went 12-2, winning the Mountain West Conference and earning a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff. Even if it ended on a loss, the season is still one to remember.
Ashton Jeanty’s performance against Penn State may not pop in the box score, but it showed his gravity as a player. Penn State’s entire defensive gameplan was based on containing Jeanty and he still rushed for over 100 yards. He ran through tacklers and defenders on multiple runs, putting forth miraculous effort just for a three or four-yard gain. While the yardage may turn people off, it was not due to a lack of effort from Jeanty. Now, Ashton Jeanty will likely enter the NFL Draft and start running on Sundays.
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