Ashton Jeanty rushes for 205 yards, 2 touchdowns, Boise State edges San Diego State 34-31
Boise State wide receiver Eric McAlister (80) and quarterback Taylen Green (10) celebrate a touchdown against San Diego State during an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in San Diego. Credit: AP/Meg McLaughlin
SAN DIEGO — Ashton Jeanty rushed for a career-high 205 yards and two touchdowns and Boise State defeated San Diego State 34-31 on Friday night in a Mountain West Conference opening game.
Jeanty also recovered the onside kick after San Diego State scored in the final minute.
Taylen Green threw for a touchdown and ran for another as the Broncos (2-2) won its 24th-straight conference opener, 13 in the MWC.
Jalen Mayden threw for 241 yards and a touchdown and ran for 85 yards and a score for the Aztecs (2-3), who have lost three-straight, the previous two against now-ranked Pac-12 teams.
Jeanty's second touchdown came with two minutes left but the Aztecs responded quickly with Mayden scoring on a 10-yard run with 42 seconds to go. That's when Jeanty got his final touch on the kickoff.
Jeanty finished his freshman year with a 178-yard game against North Texas in last season's Frisco Bowl.
San Diego State opened the game with Christon Kenan's 71-yard kickoff return but four snaps later Mayden was stopped at the one and fumbled into the end zone with Andrew Simpson recovering for Boise State.
San Diego State running back Kenan Christon (23) carreis the ball against Boise State safety Zion Washington (31) during an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in San Diego. Credit: AP/Meg McLaughlin
The Aztecs defense held and got a 36-yard punt return by Dez Malone to set up Mayden's 34-yard touchdown pass to rookie Baylin Brooks.
The teams alternated scores with Boise State kicking a field goal in the closing seconds to tie the game at 17.
Another field goal and Green's 10-yard run had Boise State on top 27-17 after three quarters.
