Boise State Broncos College Football Pregame Quote, 12/29/2024

Q. This has been a crazy five months in Boise, Idaho, man. Becoming famous, obviously, but you’re still Ashton Jeanty, going over 200 yards. How do you still keep that focus?

ASHTON JEANTY: Really for me, it doesn’t really change anything. More people know my name, but I still have to do the same things every day. Just being more of who I am, being the person that everybody knows and sees. Obviously, the work that I put in and got me here.

I wouldn’t have all the spotlight on me if I didn’t put the work in each and every single day, so just staying focused on what we need to do.

Q. What’s it been like being in the spotlight? The journey here, what’s it been like for you?

ASHTON JEANTY: It’s been pretty cool. Honestly, playing Texas high school football, I had a spotlight on me. They’re obviously not as big, but then transitioning here, kind of the same thing. Playing as a freshman; and then obviously playing on a good team that had a chance to do a lot of good things.

Honestly, the spotlight has always been on me, but it’s just gotten bigger and bigger each year.

Q. You were asked about Abdul Carter on Penn State. Is there anyone else on the Penn State defense that jumps out to you, whether he’s underrated?

ASHTON JEANTY: I wouldn’t say he’s underrated. I know the interior guy s kind of get overlooked. But to me, Zane Durant, 28, he’s baller. Me and Coach [James] Montgomery, we’ve been talking about him since we’ve been game-planning. He’s a great player. He’s going to give us a run for our money.

Q. What about [Zane] Durant makes him such a great player?

ASHTON JEANTY: He’s explosive, man. Getting off blocks. Not too many D-linemen have shifts to make the mid guys miss and being forced in the run game and getting to the quarterback.

Then you see his effort. He’s chasing down on the backside of plays, making plays for his team. So, he’s just a great all-around player.

Q. Are you old enough to have any recollection of the Oklahoma game and the crazy comeback?

ASHTON JEANTY: Obviously hearing about it. But I’m not going to lie, I had no idea about that. Growing up, I was more into basketball, so I got more into football as I got older. But I didn’t really know much about it until getting to college and actually coming to Boise State and hearing all the history about it.

Q. What was it about a kid from Texas choosing Boise State, how did you think that could get you to where you wanted to go?

ASHTON JEANTY: To me, the culture. You take a look at the history of Boise State. Not too many teams are able to sustain winning, but Boise State has been sustaining a winning season since before I was born. You look at that, you look at how many players have come through here and have had exceptional careers at the collegiate level and the NFL level.

They’re developing guys all around at different positions. And I can see myself being one of the great players coming through.

Q. What does this mean for the Mountain West conference as a whole?

ASHTON JEANTY: It’s big time. Obviously, Boise State’s first appearance, I’m not sure if there’s been another Group of Five school or Mountain West school?

It’s big for the conference. We’re representing the whole Mountain West being in the playoffs. We want to continue to make a run and represent this conference in a great way.

Q. Hour do your coaches bring out the best in you?

ASHTON JEANTY: They push us to reach excellence each and every single day. Obviously, we’re human; we can’t be perfect, so we want to reach the highest attainable game possible, and that’s what they push us to do each and every single day.

Whether it’s in film, whether it’s in school, whether it’s being a man in life and handling your business off the field. They push us in each and every single way.

Q. Penn State has two running backs that share the load. What’s the advantage to being the guy to get so many carries? What is that like for you?

ASHTON JEANTY: I’ve been on both sides, splitting carries, and obviously this year getting the full load. I think the biggest thing for me is it just helps you get into a rhythm quicker. Obviously, if you have another guy behind you, you’re getting pulled out, switching drives, and you might not get your rhythm as well or a feel for the game.

I feel the best thing is it just gives you a rhythm. For me, I get better; I get stronger as the game goes on.

Q. Do you start to notice specific things about tacklers or players as you get to carry 20, 25, that type of thing?

ASHTON JEANTY: 100%. After the first probably five to 10 carries, you notice how the defense is playing. You notice who wants to tackle, who doesn’t want to tackle. Throughout the game, you understand how the defense is attacking you ‚Äì seven-man box, eight-man box, nine-man box, cover 1, cover 2. How they want to attack on the offense.

Q. What about Maddux Madsen and the rest of the offense that people should know about?

ASHTON JEANTY: He’s a leader. He’s the captain. He’s the one who runs this thing. Obviously, we run the ball a lot, but you can’t win games without a good quarterback. We can’t get that twisted. So, whenever we need a big play or whenever we need Mad Dog [Maddux Madsen] to show up, he’s showing up for every single game this year.

He’s a tremendous player. He’s locked in. He helps run this at a high level. We couldn t do what we do without Mad Dog.