Jeanty's Challenge: Eclipse Barry Sanders' Epic Records

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For well over a quarter of a century, collegiate rushing records established by Hall of Famer Barry Sanders have stood. In 1988, on his way to winning the Heisman Trophy, Sanders rushed for 2,628 yards and 37 touchdowns. No. 13 Boise State's (8-1, 5-0 Mountain West Conference) Ashton Jeanty is now on the precipice of breaking one or both of Sanders' remarkable records.

Along with No. 9 Miami's (9-1, 5-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) Cam Ward, No. 1 Oregon's (10-0, 7-0 Big Ten Conference) Dillon Gabriel and No. 17 Colorado's (7-2, 5-1 Big 12 Conference) Travis Hunter, Jeanty is one of the four favorites to win the Heisman. Breaking either or both of Sanders' remarkable records would bolster Jeanty's case for taking home the most prestigious award in college football.

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Barry Sanders' Greatness

One of the greatest, if not the greatest, running backs of all time, Sanders won the Heisman in 1988 in a record-setting season with the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Selected No. 3 overall in the 1989 NFL Draft, Sanders had a 10-year NFL career in which he was an All-Pro in all 10 seasons. He rushed for over 1,000 yards every year and surpassed the 2,000-yard milestone in 1997. With 15,269 career rushing yards, he is the NFL's fourth-leading all-time rusher, behind only Emmitt Smith, Walter Payton and Frank Gore.

No wonder statues have been erected in honor of the living legend.

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During his 1988 campaign with Oklahoma State, Sanders broke the NCAA single-season rushing yardage record previously held by fellow Hall of Famer and Heisman winner Marcus Allen. Ever since, the record has stood the test of time, unsurpassed by current and future Hall of Famers such as Derrick Henry and LaDainian Tomlinson. Additionally, with 37 rushing TDs, Sanders shattered the previous record of 29 set by Nebraska's Mike Rozier in his Heisman-winning season of 1983.

Jeanty Flirting With Immortality

In his quest to join collegiate football royalty, Jeanty has rushed for 1,734 yards and 23 TDs in Boise State's first nine regular-season games. Averaging 7.7 yards per carry and 2.56 rushing TDs per game, he has a realistic possibility of breaking at least one of Sanders' records.

The Broncos have three more regular season games on their schedule, and as one of only two undefeated teams in the MWC, they will likely play in the conference championship game. Furthermore, they are the betting favorite among Group of 5 teams to make the College Football Playoff. Hence, Jeanty will have ample opportunities to break the longstanding Sanders rushing records.

Boise State's three remaining regular-season opponents—San José State, Oregon State and Wyoming—have poor defenses this year, ranked 90, 97 and 115, respectively, out of the 134 FBS teams. Jeanty, who has already rushed for over 200 yards in four games this season, has a realistic probability of replicating that feat in all three of these regular-season matchups. If he did so, then he would be right on the cusp of eclipsing Sanders' single-season rushing yardage record.

Similarly, in five of the Broncos' games this season, Jeanty has rushed for 3 or more TDs. If he is able to match or surpass that accomplishment in his team's remaining regular season games, then he will be on the verge of breaking Sanders' single-season rushing TD record.

Jeanty's quest to catch Sanders' records promises to deliver drama in the waning days of the 2024 college football season.