Ashton Jeanty Nears Barry Sanders’s Single-Season Rushing Record, But Comparisons Come With Caveats

As the college football season enters its final stages, Ashton Jeanty is making headlines for his impressive rushing performance, which has brought him within striking distance of Barry Sanders‘s legendary single-season rushing record. Sanders, a Hall of Fame running back, set the record in 1988 with 2,628 yards rushing in just 11 games while playing for Oklahoma State.

After his recent performance against Oregon State, Jeanty now has 2,288 yards rushing, with at least two more games left to play. This puts him 340 yards shy of tying Sanders’s record. However, there are significant caveats to consider when making this comparison. Sanders achieved his record in a shorter season and against a more competitive schedule, whereas Jeanty has played in 12 games so far and faces different statistical conditions.

Another important point is that postseason games did not count towards official statistics until the late 1990s. If Barry Sanders’s Holiday Bowl performance were included, he would have added 222 yards and five touchdowns to his total, further emphasizing the difference in their contexts.

Despite these differences, Jeanty’s performance is still highly commendable. He has averaged fewer than 200 yards per game, compared to Sanders’s average of 238 yards per game. The debate among fans and analysts continues, with some arguing that while Jeanty is an excellent running back, his achievements do not directly compare to those of Barry Sanders in his era.

The discussion also touches on the broader context of competition and the evolution of college football. While Jeanty has faced some top-tier defenses, including Oregon, which is top 10 nationally in total defense, the overall landscape of college football has changed significantly since Sanders’s time.