What is the NCAA rushing record? Can Ashton Jeanty break Barry Sanders' mark vs Penn State?

Ashton Jeanty came up just short in his quest to become the first Heisman Trophy-winning running back since 2015.

However, Jeanty enters No. 3 Boise State's College Football Playoff matchup vs. No. 6 Penn State with a chance at making history. The Broncos (12-1) take on the Nittany Lions (11-2) at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday in the Fiesta Bowl from State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, with a chance to advance to the semifinals.

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While a team accomplishment is on Jeanty's mind, he also has a chance to break former Oklahoma State great running back Barry Sanders' single-season rushing record set in 1988. Jeanty enters the game fourth all-time in rushing yards in a season and is within reach of the record.

Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter beat out Jeanty for the Heisman Trophy on Dec. 14, denying Jeanty a chance to become the first Heisman-winning running back since Alabama's Derrick Henry won the honor in 2015. Hunter edged out Jeanty for the trophy by 214 points in the closest vote since 2009, when Alabama's Mark Ingram beat Stanford's Toby Gerhart by 28 points.

Here's what you need to know about the NCAA rushing record and a look at Jeanty's stats:

NCAA football single-season rushing leaders all-time

Jeanty enters the CFP quarterfinal matchup needing 132 rushing yards to pass Sanders' single-season rushing record of 2,268 set during the 1988 season. Jeanty will pass Kevin Smith for third (2,567) with 70 yards and Melvin Gordon (2,587) for second with 90 more yards.

Jeanty has 13 100-yard rushing games, 10 games of over 150 rushing yards and six over 200 yards this season. So breaking the record is well reason, even against one of the staunchest defenses he'll face this year.

Here's a look at the top 10 single-season rushing yards in NCAA history:

Bowl stats were not included in NCAA record keeping before 2002.

1. Barry Sanders, Oklahoma State: 2,628 yards (1988)

2. Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin: 2,587 yards (2004)

3. Kevin Smith, UCF: 2,567 yards (2007)

4. Ashton Jeanty, Boise State: 2,497 yards (2024)

5. Marcus Allen, USC: 2,342 yards (1981)

6. Rashad Penny, San Diego State: 2,248 (2017)

7. Derrick Henry, Alabama: 2,219 yards (2015)

8. Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin: 2,194 yards (2018)

9. Troy Davis, Iowa State: 2,185 yards (1996)

10. Andre Williams, Boston College: 2,177 yards (2013)

Ashton Jeanty stats

Here's a look at Jeanty's career stats with Boise State:

• 2022: 156 carries for 821 yards and seven rushing touchdowns; 14 receptions for 155 receiving yards

• 2023: 220 carries for 1,347 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns; 43 receptions for 569 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns

• 2024: 344 rushes for 2,497 yards, 29 touchdowns; 20 receptions for 116 yards and one touchdown

• Career: 720 rushes for 4,665 yards, 50 touchdowns; 77 receptions for 840 yards and six touchdowns

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Can Ashton Jeanty break Barry Sanders' record vs Penn State?