Boise State star running back Ashton Jeanty is on pace for a potentially historic year. With the 2024 season winding to a close in the regular season, Jeanty is chasing a title that has become a distinct possibility: Barry Sanders' single-season NCAA rushing record of 2,628 yards, set during his 1988 run to the Heisman Trophy. Jeanty has already eclipsed 2,000 yards on the season, becoming the first FBS player to do so since 2019.
Also in play for Jeanty is Sanders' NCAA single-season rushing touchdown record (37).
Breaking one or both of those records is entirely plausible. Jeanty trails Sanders' 238.9 yards per game set in '88, but the Broncos' unanimous Midseason All-American may have more opportunities. Sanders' rushing record did not include the postseason (11 games), and Boise State will play in at least the Mountain West Championship Game and perhaps the College Football Playoff, potentially giving Jeanty anywhere between 14 and 17 chances in all to surpass Sanders' record.
Still, the challenge is enormous: 1) Defenses have and will continue to game plan to stop Jeanty, and 2) staying healthy over the course of the season will be paramount
The closest any player has come to reaching Sanders' rushing title is former Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon, who hit 2,587 yards in 14 games during the 2014 season.
As Jeanty eyes Sanders' rushing and touchdown records, we will be tracking his progress each week, so be sure to bookmark this page and check back after every game.
Ashton Jeanty's rushing, TD totals for 2024 season
| Opponents | Yards | Season pace | TDs | Season pace |
|---|---|---|---|---|
267 | 10.2% | 6 | 16.2% | |
192 | 17.5% | 3 | 24.3% | |
127 | 22.3% | 0 | 24.3% | |
259 | 32.2% | 4 | 35.1% | |
186 | 38.2% | 3 | 43.2% | |
217 | 47.5% | 1 | 45.9% | |
128 | 52.4% | 1 | 48.6% | |
149 | 58% | 2 | 54% | |
209 | 66% | 3 | 62.2% | |
159 | 72% | 3 | 70% | |
169 | 78.5% | 1 | 73% | |
| Oregon State | 226 | 87% | 1 | 75.7% |
| Total | 2,062 | -- | 28 | -- |