In what many are calling the biggest game ever played on the Blue Turf, the Boise State Broncos romped on the UNLV Rebels to win the Mountain West championship. Ashton Jeanty, Heisman hopeful and offensive MVP, cemented his status as a Boise State (and MW conference) legend with 209 yards, including a 75-yard house call. That was his 5th rushing touchdown of 70 yards or more this year, tying LaDainian Tomlinson’s record. He also moved into fourth most yards in a season all-time, passing Marcus Allen.
The final score was 21-7, but until the fourth quarter, the Broncos were dominating the game. Their strategy seemed to change in the fourth quarter to simply prevent the big plays and force UNLV to burn the clock. While looking at the stat sheet shows that it allowed UNLV to finally move the ball, the final score shows otherwise.
If you think Travis Hunter should win the Heisman over Ashton Jeanty, you don’t know ball…
— Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) December 7, 2024
Boise State Broncos Play Their Best Game
This could have been the Broncos’ best game all season. The whole team showed up to play. The pass game and defensive backfield have been liabilities at time this season but you’d never know it by watching last night’s game. Ty Benefield, A’Marion McCoy, and Jeremiah Earby all had incredibly impressive games. Earby had the highest PFF defensive grade in the game with 7 targets, 1 catch allowed, an interception, and a PBU that should have been a 2nd interception.
In the passing game, the Broncos did enough to keep the pressure off Jeanty and the Rebels on their toes. Caples diving catch in the endzone was a thing of beauty, with the ball being thrown where the receiver draped all over Caples couldn’t get it.
Broncos Fans Go Wild
Fans of the Boise State Broncos refused to leave the field, even after tearing down the goalposts. Although, some fans took the goalposts to the nearby Boise river. Half the goalpost was thrown into the river from a bridge while the other half was carried into the water despite the outside temperature being below freezing.
Take me to The River!!! pic.twitter.com/KF6pCmWIbe
— 𝐌𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 (@MikeFPrater) December 7, 2024
We did it Joe. pic.twitter.com/3jWmhQY8Q3
— Gabe Iguodala🔸(CFB Analyst) (@GabrielIguodala) December 7, 2024
IN THE RIVER pic.twitter.com/wVzJ7qnx92
— #10 Barstool Broncos (@BarstoolBoise) December 7, 2024
Incredible photo of the goalpost heading into the Boise River.
Photo creds to Adam Straubinger, who sent us the picture. pic.twitter.com/Q7PmhYICOK
— Shaun Goodwin (@ShaunBroncoBeat) December 7, 2024
Fans, Coaches, and Analysts Are High on Ashton Jeanty and the Broncos
The world of X is ablaze with fervor for the Broncos and Ashton Jeanty’s Heisman campaign. Coaches, fans, and even former Heisman winners are expecting the star RB to win. Mark Ingram and Matt Leinart were on-scene and now count themselves among the growing list of former stars campaigning for Jeanty. Also on the list is Barry Sanders, LeVeon Bell, and RGIII. Here are just some of the many reactions to the game last night:
I don’t have the words tonight, Bronco Nation…what a night! 4 years ago, said “year 3 would be epic”. Took an extra year 😈 Belief is a powerful thing! So grateful & proud to be a Bronco…thank you for believing! Love this @BroncoSportsFB TEAM & you 🙏🏼 Enjoy this! #BleedBlue
— Jeramiah Dickey (@JeramiahDickey) December 7, 2024
The sign of a GENERATIONAL TALENT is when you “Bottle him up” and “Have a great plan”…BUT this is his HALFTIME stat-line: pic.twitter.com/xAN80sAEI6
— Mike Sanford (@Coach_Sanford2) December 7, 2024
All against the number 8 rush defense in the country, in a championship game, in 29 degree weather. If he doesn’t win the Heisman, college football is a sham! pic.twitter.com/BLHAGGfH5u
— Elliot Hoyte (@elliothoyte) December 7, 2024
BACK2BACK #HEI2MAN @GabrielIguodala pic.twitter.com/Yhl5MCqsjl
— Colt Fulton (@coltfulton_) December 7, 2024
Greatest sporting event I've ever been a part of. Thanks Bronco Nation, was worth every second of the 30 hour commute #BleedBlue pic.twitter.com/MI2wHiIKPZ
— tommy 🧲 (@tommyropesss) December 7, 2024
FOX announcer Brock Huard articulated it perfectly on the broadcast tonight:
“If only coaches voted, Ashton Jeanty would win the Heisman. I fully believe that. They know. Travis Hunter is the most spectacular and most dynamic player, but the BEST player, who has elevated his… pic.twitter.com/SdDzI7NacN
— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) December 7, 2024
What’s Next?
The Boise State Broncos earned themselves a first round bye in the College Football Playoffs. They will likely face the winner of whoever wins the matchup between Arizona State and (depending on the Big Ten championship) Penn State. The fans at the conference championship game were a big part of the win against UNLV, creating an impressive amount of noise. The Broncos won’t have home-field advantage in their next matchup, but their fans travel well and there is something special about this team. They just might pull off another win. As for Ashton Jeanty, he gets to play at least one more game as a Boise State Bronco, but he’s played his last game on the Blue Turf.
Also read: College Football: Is The Heisman Just A Popularity Contest?
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