Dec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Sire Gaines (26) against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images No. 25 Boise State is out to show there’s plenty of life in the program after Ashton Jeanty.
Moving on from the Heisman Trophy runner-up who recorded one of the top running back seasons in college football history is no easy task, but the Broncos start the process Thursday night when they play South Florida at Raymond James Stadium at Tampa, Fla.
Jeanty’s spectacular 2,601-yard rushing season helped the Broncos (12-2 in 2024) reach the College Football Playoff where they lost 31-14 to Penn State in the quarterfinals.
Jeanty’s signature long runs and leaps over defenders can now be found on NFL television outlets, while Malik Sherrod and Sire Gaines try to lessen the impact of his loss.
Sherrod transferred from Fresno State and is in his sixth season of college football. He had a stellar 2023 season with 966 rushing yards and six scores before being limited to four games last season due to injury.
Now he’ll be part of the one-two punch with Gaines, a redshirt freshman who had 156 yards in three games last season before sustaining a season-ending injury.
Broncos coach Spencer Danielson insists his team will still run the football.
“Just because Ashton isn’t here, that does not change,” Danielson told reporters. “We will run the football here, we will establish a run game on offense and first and foremost on defense, stop the run. That’s championship football.”
Quarterback Maddux Madsen is back after passing for 3,018 yards, 23 touchdowns and six interceptions in 2024.
The Broncos are also preparing for the humidity on the West Coast of Florida.
“We don’t control the environment and how many tickets get sold,” Danielson said. “Like how many fans are there? Is there going to be lighting, rain, hot, humid? We prepare for all things.
“As a coach, I’ve got to make sure our players are ready for the battle that is waiting for them. We don’t control the environment, but we do control how prepared we are.”
USF (7-6 in 2024) has won consecutive bowl games in coach Alex Golesh’s first two seasons.
But the Bulls are opening this campaign with a very arduous trio of games — the Boise State game is followed by road games at No. 15 Florida and No. 10 Miami.
Yes, Golesh actively sought the tough gauntlet.
“People were like, ‘What are you guys thinking?'” Golesh told reporters. “And I told them, ‘Those guys have to play South Florida.’ And I’ll tell you the same thing now. Boise State has to come to Tampa and play South Florida at Ray-Jay on a Thursday night on national TV in the heat.
“For who we are, for us to take the next step, we’ve got to go win a marquee game. That happens to be the first one. It’s right there for us.”
Bulls star quarterback Byrum Brown is healthy after being lost to a lower-leg injury in late September last season. He missed the rest of the regular season but did get in for two snaps during a five-overtime 41-39 victory over San Jose State in the Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Eve.
In 2023, Brown had a top-notch season. He passed for 3,292 yards and 26 touchdowns against 11 interceptions and also rushed for 809 yards and 11 scores. He’s eager to regain his star status.
“I’m ready. I’m more than ready,” Brown told reporters. “I can’t wait to get out there and go. I feel with the talent we have on this team, we have great things ahead.”
–Field Level Media
