Benjamin Franklin was purported to have once said, “Whatever is begun in anger, ends in shame” but in the case of Boise State’s freshman-phenom running back Ashton Jeanty, I’d offer this small amendment, “whatever Ashton Jeanty begins in anger, ends in shame for the defenders”.

At the midpoint of the Broncos’ 2022 season, Jeanty is second to George Holani in yardage (301 to 549) and touches (58 to 107) while edging the uber-talented junior in yards per carry (5.3 to 5.1) and while Holani has also dished plenty of punishing runs, my unofficial analysis has the youngster ahead in “impolite” runs. Hearkening back to the original Boise State RB fueled by rageohol—Doug Martin—many have already called Jeanty an “angry runner”. I couldn’t agree more.

Don’t get me wrong, Holani will lower the boom on you, but something just seems different about the ferocity of Jeanty runs and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little excited to see #2 trot onto the field to spell #24. Frankly, it’s an embarrassment of riches but I’m not blushing yet. Boise State might have the best 1-2 punch in the Mountain West that we might not have known about had something not clicked in the post-Plough spate of games. And honestly, this newfound ground prowess may have more than a bit to do with who’s currently under center—as good as these dudes are, getting hit in the backfield is never the best way to start a potential first down scamper. I apologize, Ashton Jeanty does NOT “scamper”.

It’s hard to quantify, as in the Broncos last two outings George went OFF, but something about Jeanty’s runs in those two Broncos wins were just pure, rage-filled nostalgia. The kid runs like the defenders stole something from him, and then he steals their dignity. Here’s a great example of a Jeanty run with an inauspicious start. Heck, if you were sitting on the east side, you might even have thought the play was effectively over, but no…Jeanty sees the first down marker and had a few souls to pry loose.

Do not get in his way!

So what’s with the rage?

Part bull?

Jeanty has gone off on several teams with his angry runs..of note, San Diego State, Fresno State, and UNM. All three of those opponents have red in their uniforms. Perhaps Jeanty is angered by the color red like the proverbial bull. Ferdinand he is not.

Against the machine?

If Jeanty IS part bull, he is on parade.

Against the dying of the light?

Jeanty will NOT go gentle into that good night, so this is a real possibility as well.

Doug Martin rays?

Bruce Banner was bombarded with gamma rays and then had a good smash. Jeanty at some point was in proximity to Bronco great Doug Martin and absorbed his angry run style. SMASHton Jeanty?

Whatever the source of Jeanty’s on-field anger, it seems fitting to keep him in that state. Heck, maybe he’s a Bobby Boucher-like visualizer and needs no outside help. At any rate, I’m glad he’s a Bronco and a part of our stable. Oh, and he only had one carry against UTEP—maybe that was Tim Plough’s fireable offense?

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