Ashton Jeany needs 131 yards in the Fiesta Bowl to pass Barry Sanders’ single season record, but maybe the real number he’ll be shooting for is 214.
That’s how many points Jeanty finished behind Travis Hunter in the Heisman Trophy voting on Saturday night.
Jeanty came up just short for college football’s ultimate prize, receiving 309 first place votes and 2,017 points – second to Hunter’s 552 first place votes and 2,231 points.
“Obviously it wasn’t the result I was hoping for but I have to take a moment and appreciate the fact that I was even here,” Jeanty said afterwards. “The fact I was even here is going to be so inspiring to so many. It’s very hard to reach this stage and be a finalist from any school, but coming from a Group of 5 school it makes it that much more challenging. So I’m proud of being here today.”
Jeanty made plenty of history despite finishing second. His second-place finish is the highest in history for a Boise State player, surpassing the fourth place finish by Kellen Moore in 2010. He’s also the first Group of 5 player to finish as high as second since San Diego State running back Marshall Fault back in 1992.
The 214-point margin between Hunter and Jeanty was the closest finish since 2009.
Jeanty appeared on more ballots than Hunter and won the popular vote among fans. If only the 900-plus voters had felt the same way.
It was still a weekend to remember for Jeanty, who became the first Boise State player to win both the Doak Walker Award (top running back) and Maxwell Award (most outstanding player) after arriving in New York on Thursday.
“Amazing. A special, special opportunity,” Jeanty said. “It’s been great. I was so glad my family was here to see all of this and Boise State, being able to represent them, it’s special. It’s a rare opportunity. I’m thankful.”
Jeanty was the third of four finalists to be featured during the show. After a video package from host Chris Fowler, Jeanty and his parents Pamela and Harry were interviewed live by Holly Rowe. Boise State coach Spencer Danielson also was interviewed by Marty Smith during the show.
Previous Heisman winners in attendance stood on the stage as Hunter was announced as the winner.
“You watch the ceremony on TV and you dream about being here and then you actually are here,” Jeanty said. “It was crazy being in there and meeting all the legends of the game and actually sitting there to see if your name was going to get called. I’m not going to lie, my heart was beating.”
While thankful for the experience, Jeanty admitted he was disappointed – and motivated – by coming in second.
“I really felt like I should have walked away with the award,” Jeanty said. “But Kudos to Travis for winning.”
Jeanty will return to Boise on Sunday to resume preparations with his teammates for the Dec. 31 Fiesta Bowl. The Broncos will find out this coming Saturday Dec. 21 whether they will play No. 6 seed Penn State or No. 11 seed SMU in Arizona.
And after coming up short in Saturday’s Heisman voting, Jeanty appears to be taking a chip on his shoulder into the Fiesta Bowl.
“Yeah, 100 percent,” Jeanty said. “There’s a lot more to come. This isn’t the end. … I’m extremely excited to get back to Boise and get back to work with my teammates.”
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