When BSU was at number 12 in the Mountain West Conference (MW) they had one last deciding game against Wyoming which BSU won 17-13. This pushed them into the Mountain West Championship game against either University of North Las Vegas (UNLV), who stood at the number 24 seed, or Colorado State.
According to broncosports.com, “Boise State sealed the right to host this year’s title game when Colorado State lost 28-22 at Fresno State on Saturday.”
On Dec. 6, 2024, Boise State University (BSU) won the Old Trapper Mountain West Championship against UNLV. They played a tireless game, pulling through to the finish and winning 21-7. This season was full of hard work and dedication from not only the BSU football team but also their fans. They boasted a record-breaking attendance at a Mountain West Championship game with 36,663 people there to watch and cheer on their favorite team according to broncosports.com.
For the first time in history, the Mountain West Championship was won twice consecutively by BSU. This was an astonishing win and was driven by the impenetrable defensive line and the tough offense.
During the Mountain West Championship game, number 2 and college junior Ashton Jeanty, who is currently BSU’s star running back, rushed 209 yards in total and made a 75-yard touchdown rush in the second quarter.
According to broncosports.com, “Jeanty broke the 44-year record for most career rushing yards in Boise State history as he passed Cedric Miller (1977-80) with 4,475 yards. He picked up 209 rushing yards this game, bringing his career total to 4,665.” Not only did he break this record, he has also risen up to second place for career rushing touchdowns with 50. Now being tied with Brock Forsey, from 1999 to 2002, and Jay Ajayi from 2012 to 2014.
Throughout the season, Jeanty was considered for the Heisman Trophy due to his rushing yards of 2,497 which only needed 132 yards to break Berry Sander’s single season rushing record of 2,628. While in New York, he was with three other Heisman finalists: Dillion Gabriel of Oregon, Travis Hunter of Colorado and Cam Ward of Miami.
According to foxnews.com, “‘Reading the little Heisman pamphlet, they said they encouraged us to wear our gear,’ he said Friday with a laugh. ‘But regardless, I was going to wear it anyway, because I wouldn’t be here without Boise State, and I just want to represent my school. I feel like that’s important.”’ In the end, Jeanty lost and was runner up to Colorado’s cornerback and wide receiver Travis Hunter.
By the end of the Mountain West Championship game, Jeanty was named the offensive MVP, while number 3 college senior Seyi Oladipo won MVP for the defensive line.
According to broncosports.com, “Seyi Oladipo recorded 10 tackles in the win, including 2 TFLs, one sack. The senior added a forced fumble in the first quarter.” With how well the team played and fought for their win, they have now won 12 consecutive games on their home turf: Albertsons Stadium. Along with this, for the first time since 2012, BSU has a winning streak of 12-2 overall, 7-0 in the MW and 7-0 on their home turf.
There were many notable players during the game that truly pulled the team to victory. Each player stood out and the BSU Broncos could not have won without each one of them.
According to broncosports.com, “Maddux Madsen finished 18-of-27 for 158 passing yards and one touchdown… Ty Benefield and Rodney Robinson each notched eight tackles in the win…Matt Lauter hauled in five passes for 62 yards.”
After the game, hundreds of people jumped from the stands to congratulate the team and cheer on BSU on the blue field. During this, students took down the north end goal post and walked it to the Boise River where they tossed it off Friendship Bridge.
Soon after it was declared, now number 3 seed, BSU was set to play number 6 seed, Penn State, on Dec. 31, 2024, at the Fiesta Bowl. Though they did not win and lost 31-14, they played tirelessly, truly putting in the hard work.
As their season winds down, Jeanty has just declared his intent to enter the 2025 NFL draft.
“The opportunity to play in the NFL is a dream of mine, and I’m proud to represent Boise State and all of those who have helped me along the way at the next level,’ Jeanty wrote in a social media post,” he stated on foxnews.com
Overall BSU had a historic season and fans all over the world are excited to see what is to come next season from people’s favorite Bronco’s.
