No. 25 Boise State is out to point out there’s loads of life in this system after Ashton Jeanty.
Shifting on from the Heisman Trophy runner-up who recorded one of many prime operating again seasons in school soccer historical past is not any simple process, however the Broncos begin the method Thursday night time once they play South Florida at Raymond James Stadium at Tampa, Fla.
Jeanty’s spectacular 2,601-yard speeding season helped the Broncos (12-2 in 2024) attain the School Soccer Playoff the place they misplaced 31-14 to Penn State within the quarterfinals.
Jeanty’s signature lengthy runs and leaps over defenders can now be discovered on NFL tv retailers, whereas Malik Sherrod and Sire Gaines attempt to reduce the impression of his loss.
Sherrod transferred from Fresno State and is in his sixth season of school soccer. He had a stellar 2023 season with 966 speeding yards and 6 scores earlier than being restricted to 4 video games final season because of damage.
Now he’ll be a part of the one-two punch with Gaines, a redshirt freshman who had 156 yards in three video games final season earlier than sustaining a season-ending damage.
Broncos coach Spencer Danielson insists his crew will nonetheless run the soccer.
“Simply because Ashton is not right here, that doesn’t change,” Danielson advised reporters. “We are going to run the soccer right here, we’ll set up a run sport on offense and in the beginning on protection, cease the run. That is championship soccer.”
Quarterback Maddux Madsen is again after passing for 3,018 yards, 23 touchdowns and 6 interceptions in 2024.
The Broncos are additionally getting ready for the humidity on the West Coast of Florida.
“We do not management the setting and what number of tickets get offered,” Danielson stated. “Like what number of followers are there? Is there going to be lighting, rain, sizzling, humid? We put together for all issues.
“As a coach, I’ve obtained to verify our gamers are prepared for the battle that’s ready for them. We do not management the setting, however we do management how ready we’re.”
USF (7-6 in 2024) has received consecutive bowl video games in coach Alex Golesh’s first two seasons.
However the Bulls are opening this marketing campaign with a really arduous trio of video games — the Boise State sport is adopted by street video games at No. 15 Florida and No. 10 Miami.
Sure, Golesh actively sought the powerful gauntlet.
“Folks have been like, ‘What are you guys considering?'” Golesh advised reporters. “And I advised them, ‘These guys should play South Florida.’ And I am going to inform you a similar factor now. Boise State has to come back to Tampa and play South Florida at Ray-Jay on a Thursday night time on nationwide TV within the warmth.
“For who we’re, for us to take the following step, we have to go win a marquee sport. That occurs to be the primary one. It is proper there for us.”
Bulls star quarterback Byrum Brown is wholesome after being misplaced to a lower-leg damage in late September final season. He missed the remainder of the common season however did get in for 2 snaps throughout a five-overtime 41-39 victory over San Jose State within the Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Eve.
In 2023, Brown had a top-notch season. He handed for 3,292 yards and 26 touchdowns towards 11 interceptions and in addition rushed for 809 yards and 11 scores. He is wanting to regain his star standing.
“I am prepared. I am greater than prepared,” Brown advised reporters. “I am unable to wait to get on the market and go. I really feel with the expertise we’ve got on this crew, we’ve got nice issues forward.”
–Area Stage Media
