BOISE No. 10 Boise State defeated No. 20 UNLV21-7 on Friday night to win the Mountain West for the second time in a row, and Ashton Jeanty ran for 209 yards and a touchdown to earn a College Football Playoff spot.
If Boise State (12-1) stays ahead of the Big 12 champion and finishes among the top four conference winners, it is virtually guaranteed a first-round playoff bye.
According to Boise State coach Spencer Danielson, they discussed their goals for the season while playing tug-of-war on the field in January without their clothes on. They worked hard to achieve their goals of making it to the collegiate playoffs and winning a conference championship.
Jeanty, who was given the opportunity to make his Heisman case, delivered an incredible 75-yard touchdown run. He tied LaDainian Tomlinson’s FBS season record with his fifth touchdown run of 70 yards or more this season.
In addition, Jeanty moved up to fourth place on the FBS season running tally, surpassing 1981 Heisman winner Marcus Allen of USC. He still needs 132 more to surpass record-holder Barry Sanders of Oklahoma State.
Maddux Madsen ran for another Broncos score after throwing a touchdown ball.
UNLV (10-3) had not been held below 23 points this season and came into the game ranked seventh in the country in scoring offense with an average of 38.7 points.
According to UNLV coach Barry Odom, “I have been in championship games before and come up on the wrong end of them.” However, you keep learning from them, advance your company, and figure out how to return to a game like this and win.
But when it came to Boise State, who gave his squad two of their three losses, Odom wasn’t holding back.
Odom wished everyone who came here believing they would win the game luck. They rank among the top collegiate football teams at the moment, in my opinion. Additionally, I believe they will represent this conference very well. They are designed to run.
Boise State relied extensively on Madsen in the first quarter as a result of UNLV packing the box with eight or nine defenders early in the game. And he delivered, finishing six of his first seven throws, including one that put Latrell Caples ahead 7-0 from 22 yards out.
With 2:40 remaining in the first half, Madsen scrambled for a 14-yard touchdown run, using his legs to put the Broncos ahead 14-0.
Boise State recovered possession of the ball after a fast stop, allowing Jeanty to do his magic. He broke through the defense’s teeth two plays later and ran to the end zone for a 75-yard touchdown run, giving the Broncos a 21-0 lead with 29 seconds remaining in the half.
Ashton Jeanty, a running back for Boise State, (center), safely celebrates while holding up the championship trophy. Following their game versus UNLV in the Mountain West championship football game on Friday, December 6, 2024, in Boise, Seyi Oladipo (left) and Boise State President Marlene Tromp (right) pose. (Photo by Steve Conner/AP)AP
At the Boise State 5, Kylin James sprinted 86 yards before being run down by Seyi Oladipo, giving UNLV a chance to rally late in the third quarter. However, the Rebels failed to score and lost four yards on the following four plays.
Greg Burrell’s 31-yard rush with 9:06 remaining put the Rebels in the end zone for the first time.
Hajj-Malik Williams led UNLV’s offensive effort with 56 running yards and 110 throwing yards.
KEY LESSONS
UNLV: as UNLV had only seven victories in the three seasons prior to Odom’s arrival, the program is on the right track as he led the Rebels to their first 10-win season in 40 years. The Rebels should challenge for the Mountain West championship if he keeps up his strong recruiting and transfers portal development from this season.
Boise State: After going undefeated and defeating Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl in 2006, the program’s fan base has been waiting for this moment, and first-year coach Spencer Danielson has delivered. However, this club now has the opportunity to go one step further and defeat one of the best in the sport during the playoffs.
UPCOMING
To find out who it will face in the College Football Playoffs and when, Boise State will be waiting for the selection show on Sunday.
— Associated Press | Jason Chatraw
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