San Jose St. plots trap as No. 13 Boise St. sets GPS for playoffs
The nation’s leading rusher, Ashton Jeanty, and the top receiver, Nick Nash, are set to clash in a highly anticipated matchup this Saturday when the No. 13 Boise State Broncos, boasting an impressive 8-1 record, make the trip to face off against San Jose State. This exciting contest promises to showcase elite talent on both sides of the ball.
As Boise State aims for a spot in the coveted 12-team College Football Playoff, their path is fraught with challenges, leaving no room for missteps as they are projected to be the final team selected. Despite sitting atop the Mountain West standings with only one loss—sustained against the formidable No. 1 Oregon Ducks—the Broncos find themselves in a tight battle to secure their position as an automatic qualifier based on the latest rankings released on Tuesday.
While the team in Idaho remains cautious and focused, the potential for celebration looms large if they can secure their playoff berth. The excitement is palpable among fans and players alike, who sense a special opportunity this season.
Ashton Jeanty, the standout running back for Boise, has put himself in the Heisman Trophy conversation, amassing an astounding 1,734 rushing yards and finding the end zone 23 times this season. With three regular-season games remaining, he is just 895 yards shy of matching Barry Sanders’ legendary single-season college record of 2,628 yards, set in 1988.
While the Spartans’ defense is currently ranked 75th in the nation against the run, they have managed to limit opponents to just 3.65 yards per carry—a stark contrast to Jeanty’s remarkable average of 7.7 yards per carry. Last season, Jeanty demonstrated his capability by rushing for 162 yards during Boise State’s 35-27 victory over San Jose State.
In a twist of fate, the spotlight this season has shifted to Nick Nash, the standout senior wide receiver from San Jose State, who leads the nation with 86 receptions, 1,156 receiving yards, and an impressive 13 touchdown catches. His remarkable skills on the field make him a formidable opponent.
“He’s big-time,” remarked Boise State coach Spencer Danielson, acknowledging Nash’s immense talent. “He’s strong. He will go up and make catches. I remember when he was their backup running quarterback. He’s a matchup nightmare for defenses, and I see him as being one of the heartbeats of their team.”
Boise State’s sophomore quarterback, Maddux Madsen, has thrown for 18 touchdowns this season; however, his performance against Nevada raised some concerns as he completed only 9 of 20 passes for 119 yards and recorded an interception. The quality of quarterback play may well be the decisive factor in how far the Broncos advance if they secure a playoff spot.
“There are a lot of fundamentals and reads that he needs to get fixed, and he will,” Danielson commented. “There are a lot of things on film that I am proud of, and there are a lot of things on film that I know he needs to improve on. No one is going to want to do it more than Maddux.”
Meanwhile, the San Jose Spartans have taken a dual-quarterback approach this season with Emmett Brown and Walker Eget under center. Brown has thrown for an impressive 1,621 yards and 16 touchdowns, while Eget follows with 1,312 yards, albeit with six interceptions. This combination has provided the Spartans with a diverse offensive strategy.
“Both of them run the offense very efficiently,” Danielson noted, displaying respect for the effectiveness of the Spartans’ offensive execution. “They are going to run their stuff. They know how to adjust to coverages, so there will always be open receivers. They run their run plays and pass concepts trying to attack the defense.”
On the defensive side of the ball, San Jose State is anchored by linebacker Jordan Pollard, who has made a significant impact this season with 82 tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss, leading the charge for the Spartans’ defense.
Spartans coach Ken Niumatalolo has found himself in hot water after being reprimanded by the conference for comments regarding officiating following his team’s victory over Oregon State. Niumatalolo expressed frustration over some defensive penalties called during a critical late-game drive by the Beavers.
“I’ve been doing this a long time, and that was tough because we felt like we were playing more than 11 people out there,” Niumatalolo lamented after the game. “Some of the calls at the end, I don’t have any words for them.”
–Field Level Media
**Interview with Sports Analyst, Emily Carter, on the Upcoming Boise State vs. San Jose State Matchup**
**Editor**: Good morning, Emily! With the No. 13 Boise State Broncos heading into a crucial game against San Jose State, the stakes couldn’t be higher. What are your thoughts on Boise State’s current situation as they aim for the College Football Playoffs?
**Emily Carter**: Good morning! Boise State is definitely in a tight spot. At 8-1 and sitting atop the Mountain West, the pressure is on them to maintain their performance. Every game counts, especially when projected as the last team to qualify for the playoffs. Their one loss against the dominant Oregon Ducks has heightened the stakes even more for this matchup against San Jose State.
**Editor**: Speaking of high stakes, Ashton Jeanty has been having an outstanding season. What can you tell us about his performance and potential impact on the game?
**Emily Carter**: Ashton Jeanty is phenomenal—his stats are impressive, with 1,734 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns already. His ability to break through defenses is something San Jose State needs to be prepared for. The fact that he’s chasing Barry Sanders’ record adds an extra layer of intrigue. However, I think San Jose State’s defense will focus on limiting his yardage; they’ve been fairly resilient in certain areas, even if they rank lower nationally against the run.
**Editor**: On the flip side, San Jose State’s Nick Nash has been leading the nation in receiving. How do you see him affecting Boise State’s defensive strategy?
**Emily Carter**: Nick Nash is a game-changer for San Jose State. With his 86 receptions and 1,156 receiving yards, he poses a significant threat. Boise State’s defense must pay careful attention to him, as he can dominate any secondary. Coach Danielson’s acknowledgment of Nash’s talent shows that the Broncos are aware of the challenge he presents. It could be a chess match, where how Boise defends Nash could determine the game’s outcome.
**Editor**: Speaking of chess matches, how are you feeling about Boise State’s quarterback, Maddux Madsen? His last performance raised some eyebrows.
**Emily Carter**: Madsen’s inconsistent play is a concern. Completing only 9 of 20 passes against Nevada isn’t ideal, especially in such a crucial stage of the season. For Boise to advance in the playoff picture, he needs to find his rhythm and avoid turning the ball over. If he can harness his potential and make smart decisions under pressure, it could be key to their success against San Jose State.
**Editor**: what’s your prediction for the game?
**Emily Carter**: It’s a tough call, but given Boise State’s overall talent and playoff aspirations, I expect them to come out strong. If Jeanty can find running lanes and Madsen can avoid mistakes, they should squeeze out a win. However, San Jose State won’t make it easy; their offense can strike quickly. It’ll be a thrilling game for sure!
**Editor**: Thanks for your insights, Emily! It sounds like we’re in for an exciting matchup this Saturday.
**Emily Carter**: Absolutely! I can’t wait to see how it unfolds.
