Man, talk about whammy heartbreak. Boise State’s Cinderella story hit the ultimate snag in the Fiesta Bowl. And Ashton Jeanty’s dream season ended just 28 yards short of legendary status. Facing Penn State’s ruthless defense, Jeanty struggled to break through, finishing with 104 yards on 30 carries—way below his usual 192-yard average. The Broncos, under coach Spencer Danielson, couldn’t keep up, falling 31-14 to James Franklin’s squad.

For Jeanty, who had 2,601 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns this season, it wasn’t just about the numbers. “The record’s great, but winning comes first,” he said before the game. Sadly, Boise didn’t get either. Like Future once said, “Issa evil world we live in.”

It’s wild to think how close Jeanty came to rewriting history. Barry Sanders’ 1988 record of 2,628 rushing yards still stands tall—by just 28 yards. The hype was unreal heading into the bowl game, with Jeanty needing 132 yards to etch his name above Sanders in the record books. And it wasn’t like Sanders was sitting on the sidelines, hoping to keep his spot. Nah, Sanders’ ain’t salty old man.

The man was rooting for Jeanty, tweeting, “Got my popcorn ready” before the game. But Penn State’s defense had other plans, swarming Jeanty at every turn and proving why they’re one of the best units in college football.

The Fiesta Bowl was a microcosm of Boise State’s season—flashes of brilliance but ultimately falling short when it mattered most. Jeanty’s Heisman snub to Colorado’s Travis Hunter already stung. And this loss? Salt in the wound. Yet the season itself was nothing short of jaw-dropping.

With a Barry Sanders-esque campaign that saw him bulldoze defenses and rack up ridiculous stats, Jeanty carried Boise to heights nobody thought possible. Cinderella didn’t get her glass slipper this time, but she sure made the gala unforgettable.

For the Broncos, this marks the end of an era and the beginning of big questions. Can they rebuild after losing their star back? And for Jeanty, the NFL seems inevitable now. The man’s proven he’s not just a stat machine—he’s got the grit, the vision, and the drive to shine at the next level.

Barry Sanders’ support and James Franklin’s high praise for war machine Ashton Jeanty

Even in the face of heartbreak, Jeanty earned big-time respect from the game’s elite. Barry Sanders, the record-holder himself, went all-in on supporting Jeanty. Before the game, Sanders posted on X, “That was some year, but let’s root for @AshtonJeanty2 to get it done in his bowl game.” Jeanty, ever humble, responded with a goat emoji, showing where Sanders stands in his and our eyes. “It’s amazing to have a legend like him in my corner,” Jeanty said. “That kind of support? You can’t ask for more.” 

Penn State’s James Franklin wasn’t shy with his praise either, calling Jeanty a “beast.” And he wasn’t wrong. With a diabolical 1,889 of his 2,601 yards coming after contact, Jeanty proved he’s more than just a statpadder. “The most impressive stat is the yards after contact,” Franklin said. “He’s got more of those than most backs have in total. That’s rare.” 

While the Fiesta Bowl didn’t go Boise’s way, Jeanty’s season deserves all the flowers, props, tales, and songs. It’s not every day you see a back come this close to toppling a record that’s stood for 36 years. Jeanty may have missed the crown, but he cemented himself among the all-time greats of CFB running backs.

For Boise State fans, the pain is real, but so is the pride. Jeanty gave them a season to remember, and while the ending wasn’t perfect, it sure was one hell of a ride. As for Jeanty? The NFL awaits. And something tells, he’s just getting started.