Six weeks into the college football season, fast forward The Heisman Trophy has separated itself from the pack and many are counting on the big schools in the Power Four conferences to win the end-of-season hardware.
However, the Mountain West Conference currently has the best players in college football Boise State's Ashton Genty Not only is he a Heisman candidate, but he's also someone who could break Barry Sanders' great NCAA single-season rushing record of 2,628 yards.
Genty electrified college football fans with his ability to make long runs and score touchdowns. Not only did the fans notice, but Heisman Trophy-winning running back Mark Ingram II was impressed with his performance.
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Boise State Broncos linebacker Ash Genty, No. 2, strikes the Heisman pose during the second half of the game against the Washington State Cougars at Albertson Stadium. Boise State defeated Washington State 45-24. (Photos by Brian Lawsness-Imagon)
“The dude is a really good player,” Ingram told Fox News Digital, discussing his time working with Tide for the NFL's #TideTackles campaign, which sent him and other NFL greats to various tailgates across the country.
Being outside the Power Four conferences – SEC, ACC, Big Ten and Big XII – there is some skepticism that Genty has 1,031 yards and 16 rushing scores in just five games. Ingram doesn't want to listen.
“Everyone wants to ask, 'Who is he playing with?' I think he threw for 200 (yards) and four TDs against Oregon, which is currently ranked in the top four,” Ingram said. “And it's not like it runs through big holes. Before last week's game, he had 588 yards after contact and 44 forced fumbles. So the guy does a lot on his own, he has speed, strength, he dials in pass protection, so he's a complete defender in my opinion.
Heisman Watch 2024: Ashton Genty and Cam Ward top the leaderboard
“We have some great running backs in college football right now, but you can't talk about RB and college football without mentioning Ashton Genty. Right now, he's making a strong case for RB1 and the Heisman Trophy. Dude Special and Boise State couldn't be where they are without him.
Anthony “Spice” Adams also commented on Genta, explaining how he reminds him of a certain Hall of Fame teammate from his days. In the NFL league.
“In 2000, we played Miami (Hurricanes) and everyone was in Miami then,” Adams began, referring to his time playing at Penn State. “…sitting behind the runner were Clinton Portis, Willis McGahee, and then Frank Gore. This kid is basically a healthy Frank Gore. This is what Frank Gore would look like if he hadn't torn his anterior cruciate ligament. That's what it reminds me of. – Straight back guy. He doesn't keep his hands on his hips when standing.
Boise State running back Ashton Genty (No. 2) runs away from Utah State safety Malik McConnico (No. 21) during a 75-yard dash during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Genty's unconventional pre-snap position is the least viral thing he's done this season, as Ingram attributed all of the deflections and yards gained to his ability to tackle through contact, especially when it was time to get to the end zone.
While Ginty leads the nation in rushing and touchdowns, Ingram believes Boise State as a team needs to accomplish some feat to ultimately become a true Heisman contender.
“If he wants to win, he's going to have to keep this pace,” Ingram said. “Also, Boise State has to deliver as a team – they have to make a Group of Five bid in the College Football Playoffs. If he continues at this pace, he will challenge Barry Sanders' single… the season record, but also Boise State's. As a team that does well and receives this offer, I think they will have a real chance to win.
To put it in perspective, Genty said that during Ingram's Heisman season at Alabama in 2009, he rushed for 487 yards and six scores on 83 carries in the first five games. Even Derrick Henry, another Crimson Tide great who won it in 2015, and USCGenty's Reggie Bush, arguably one of the best college careers of all time, had less production.
He will have stiff competition, led by Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe and Colorado cornerback Travis Hunter. But as Ingram, Adams and the rest of college football fans see, he does things that can't be explained either on the field or in statistics.
He still has plenty of games to add to his impressive resume ahead of the 2024 season.
Mark Ingram II and Anthony “Spice” Adams attend a New Orleans Saints tailgate party. (he speaks)
Tailgate stain removal with tides
Both Ingram and Adams, now retired, can tailgate every weekend before big games, and that's exactly what they do for the Tide, interacting with fans in Kansas City, Buffalo and New Orleans during the NFL season. To see how much they can mix up local food and rituals.
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“I think it's wrong for the Tide to work with me and players like Mark Ingram. We know there will be seats at the tailgate, so it makes sense that Tide would be there to handle it,” Adams said.
Ingram added: “Both of us, obviously playing all these years, there's really no chance to go back to New Orleans and cover those spots with the Tide. I had my son Spice with me. He had the whole band with us. “The boys ate, we had food and great Tide energy.”
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