Boise State star running back and Heisman Trophy candidate Ashton Jeanty is in the midst of one of the best seasons ever by a collegiate running back. And if things go according to plan for Jeanty’s Broncos, he could have as many as four more games to keep climbing up the NCAA’s single-season leaderboards in multiple categories.

The rushing record was set more than a decade before Jeanty was born, and he’s bearing down on a feat that predates the entire FBS era of Boise State football. Here’s how Jeanty can make college football history over the next few weeks and a deep dive on the records he’s up against.

Ashton Jeanty Rushing Record: Who Holds the Current Single-Season Rushing Record?

Oklahoma State legend Barry Sanders. He ran for 2,628 yards in 11 games with the Cowboys in 1988, an all-time season that earned him Heisman Trophy and All-America honors. Because the NCAA didn’t count postseason (bowl games) statistics at the time, Sanders’ 222 yards 29 carries against Wyoming in the 1988 Holiday Bowl do not officially count toward his season or career totals to this day. That game would have put Sanders at 2,850 rushing yards for the season.

The closest any player has come to Sanders’ high-water mark was Melvin Gordon, who racked up 2,587 yards in 14 games for Wisconsin in 2014. The Big Ten Championship Game and Outback Bowl counted toward that total.

Ashton Jeanty Rushing Record: Who Holds the Single-Season Rushing Touchdown Record?

Also Sanders. He ran for a whopping 37 touchdowns in 11 games in 1988 – not counting five in the 1988 Holiday Bowl, which would have brought his total to 42. Another Wisconsin running back, Montee Ball, came the closest to catching Sanders in that department. Ball ran for 33 scores in 14 games in 2011. Only five players have ever recorded 30-plus rushing touchdowns in a single season.

Ashton Jeanty Rushing Record: Do Postseason Bowl Stats Count Toward NCAA Records?

Yes, but they haven’t always.

“The NCAA statistics staff makes policies and rules on statistical matters, with input from the membership schools and conferences mainly through the sports information department community,” NCAA Associate Director of Communications Greg Johnson told Athlon Sports via email. “Whereas statistics from bowl games didn’t count towards season or career totals prior to 2002, the NCAA staff made a policy change after considerable discussion with the membership. Currently, this is not up for reconsideration.”

Sanders’ 222 yards and five touchdowns in the 1988 Holiday Bowl don’t count toward his record. With his bowl stats included, Sanders would have a whopping 2,850 rushing yards and 42 rushing touchdowns over 12 games.

Jeanty already has played 12 regular-season games plus the conference championship and any further stats he accrues will count toward his pursuit of Sanders’ official records of 2,628 yards and 37 touchdowns.

Ashton Jeanty Rushing Record: How Many Rushing Yards and TDs for Ashton Jeanty?

Entering Friday’s Mountain West title game against UNLV, Jeanty leads the FBS with 2,288 rushing yards and 28 rushing touchdowns. He ran for 209 yards and a touchdown on 32 carries to bring his season totals to 2,497 yards and 29 touchdowns. He leads the nation in rushing yards by over 800, but Army quarterback Bryson Daily is tied with Jeanty for the lead in touchdowns.

How Can Jeanty Surpass Sanders?

Jeanty needs 131 more yards to surpass Sanders for the official NCAA FBS single-season record. He will have at least one more game to do so, but Boise State potentially could play as many as three more games. The Broncos win Friday night over UNLV earned them a spot in in the College Football Playoff, likely as a top-four seed, which would earn them a first-round bye.

Jeanty’s average of 192 yards per game indicates there’s a good chance he could break Sanders’ record in the CFP quarterfinal. But if Boise State keeps on winning, Jeanty could have two additional games to make history.

As for the touchdown chase, Jeanty isn’t in striking distance of Sanders just yet. Jeanty likely would need three more games to have a shot at tying the record of 37, though Jeanty does have six games this season with three-plus touchdowns.

Sanders’ unofficial records from 1988 put him 353 yards and 13 touchdowns ahead of Jeanty’s 2024 stats.

How Do the Rushing Leaders Change with Playoff Bowl Stats?

Sanders would still be the all-time leader with his Holiday Bowl stats included. Here’s how the top 10 single-season rushing leaderboard would look if bowl stats counted toward official NCAA records before 2002.

 

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