The Broncos and Nittany Lions quarterfinal matchup will feature three first-team All-Americans — tied for the most in a quarterfinal game.
With multiple big names taking the field, here’s a rundown of players who will control their respective teams’ fate with their performances.
Boise State
Offense: Running back Ashton Jeanty
Whenever a player is mentioned in the same conversation as an NFL Hall of Fame running back, there’s nothing else that needs to be said.
The Heisman finalist was nearly unstoppable during the regular season, finishing with 2,613 all-purpose yards and 30 total touchdowns. Even more impressive, Jeanty’s 2,497 rushing yards is the fourth-most in FBS single-season history.
He needs 132 rush yards to break Barry Sanders’ all-time record (2,628) set in 1988. There’s no question that the Broncos offense runs through the Doak Walker and Maxwell awards winner.
Ashton Jeanty was 131 rushing yards away from the ALL TIME FBS rushing record set by Barry Sanders.
Reminder that Ashton Jeanty was benched 8 full quarters because Boise State was dominating their opponents.
Y’all better believe he would’ve shattered that record man.. pic.twitter.com/gYL2bEkSg7
— Austin Abbott (@AustinAbbottFF) December 9, 2024
Defense: Edge Jayden Virgin-Morgan
The Broncos have four players with five or more sacks this season, and the ring leader is Virgin-Morgan at 10 with 15.5 tackles for loss — team-high as well.
Even though the offense gets most of the spotlight, the defense ranks second in the country with 51 sacks. The unit came up huge against UNLV, forcing two turnovers on downs in the second — one in the red zone and another at Boise State’s 21-yard line. The defense Virgin-Morgan had a sack in the conference championship win.
The Nittany Lions flex a top-20 rushing attack in the country and can do a lot of damage through the air, making Boise State’s defensive line play even more important.
Penn State
Offense:…
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