Can Ashton Jeanty break Barry Sanders' rushing record? Exploring Boise State RB's chances

Eight games into the 2024 college football season, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty is in the middle of a potentially historic campaign. The junior standout with 20 touchdowns on 190 carries has nothing short of being phenomenal this season.

The Broncos (10-1, 7-0 Mountain West Conference) are having a successful season and Jeanty has set sights on breaking Barry Sanders’s NCAA single-season rushing record of 2,628 yards that was set in 1988.

For Jeanty to surpass this mark, the Jacksonville-born RB will need strong performances as the season winds down.

Can Jeanty break the historic Barry Sanders record?

Barry Sanders’s 1988 season at Oklahoma State remains among the greatest individual performances in college football history. Sanders ran for 2,628 yards and 37 touchdowns in 11 regular-season games. Including the 62-14 Holiday Bowl victory over Wyoming in 1988, Sanders’s total climbed to 2,850 rushing yards and 42 touchdowns.

Jeanty’s current total of 2,062 rushing yards already places him among the most prolific rushers in a single season. He is also chasing Sanders’s touchdown record of 37, needing just one more big game to surpass it.

Unlike Sanders, who played only 11 regular-season games, Ashton Jeanty has the advantage of additional opportunities. With Boise State likely to play in the Mountain West Championship Game and possibly a bowl game, Jeanty could play up to 17 games this season. This gives him a realistic shot at Barry Sanders’s record, provided he maintains his pace and consistency.

Boise State Football 2024 Season Overview

The Boise State Broncos are leading at the top of the Mountain West standings with an impressive 10-1 record, thanks to some high-powered performances. Quarterback Maddux Madsen has been efficient, throwing 2,361 yards and 19 touchdowns while completing 62.8 percent of his passes. Wide receiver Cameron Camper has been a critical target, leading the team with 738 receiving yards.

Ashton Jeanty has rushed for an incredible 2,062 yards, averaging 6.4 yards per carry, and scored 38 touchdowns. Boise State’s ground game has been significantly strong, as they have averaged 252 rushing yards per game.

On defense, Ty Benefield has been a standout player. The 6-foot-2 safety leads the team with 63 tackles and has also recorded two interceptions this season. The Broncos defense has consistently delivered. With an average of 41.2 points scored per game, they are strong contenders to win the Mountain West Championship and could even make a push for the College Football Playoff.