Dan Lanning calls Ashton Jeanty 'the best running back I've seen since I've been here'

Oregon got off to a rocky start to the college football season last weekend, defeating FCS Idaho in a 24-14 win that was little too close for comfort in the eyes of the Ducks. And while they do face a Group of Five opponent in Week 2, it’s one of the last ones any Power Four team would want to face, hosting a Boise State team led by star running back Ashton Jeanty.

Jeanty entered the college football season regarded by many as one of the best running backs in college football and the best player at the Group of Five level, a case he made even stronger following his breakout performance in Week 1 against Georgia Southern. Receiving high praise from Oregon head coach Dan Lanning ahead of Saturday’s game in Eugene.

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“I think this is the best running back I’ve seen since I’ve been here,” Lanning said on Tuesday during his press conference. “He’s certainly an NFL guy, he doesn’t go down on the first contact ever. He’s one of the best stiff arm guys that we’ve gone against, he runs really, really physical.”

Jeanty flashed his versatility in a breakout season last year, rushing for 1,347 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns while also being the Broncos second-leading wide receiver with 43 receptions for 569 yards and five scores through the air. Putting a stamp on the 2024 season with a record breaking performance in Week 1 after rushing for 267 yards and a whopping six touchdowns last Saturday.

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“And then the next guy they brought in ran for 100 yards too,” Lanning added. “This is a really powerful rushing attack, their offense does a lot of good things to scheme up and they have compliments off of each play.”

Sire Gaines rushed for 110 yards and a touchdown versus Georgia Southern as well, contributing to Boise State’s impressive 371-yard day on the ground to start of the season. A crucial piece in their potent offensive attack that scored 56 points in Week 1 to start off the season.

While Idaho did take things down to the wire versus Oregon, the Vandals only rushed for 49 yards against the Ducks’ defense. A unit that will definitely be faced with a greater challenge this week with Boise State’s offense.

“A great stretch play is going to have a great boot play action off of it as well. So they hold you accountable, they make you tackle, they’re going to make you know DBs tackle,” Lanning explained. “They do a really good job of that and the backs, certainly, is a big piece of their success.”

The Broncos did also give up 461 yards of total offense 45 points in Week 1 versus Georgia Southern, setting the table for what could be an interesting matchup this Saturday when they visit Autzen Stadium for a 10 p.m. ET kickoff versus the Ducks.