Who from Boise State football must raise his game up next to Ashton Jeanty in the Fiesta Bowl?
The Broncos stand as the only non-power conference representative chasing the national title. The running back Jeanty himself gets another chance to run roughshod on another defense. Only this time, its Big 10 representative, Penn State, is standing in the way in Glendale, Arizona.
Jeanty has proven time and time again that he’s hard to contain. His uncanny combination of strength, power, tenacity, and breakaway speed has turned BSU into a national title contender. The 2024 Heisman finalist once again plays a vital role in Boise State’s victory chances. Jeanty is already predicted to deliver one more 100-yard game, among other projections, ahead of the bowl matchup.
Except he’s not the proverbial X-factor at State Farm Stadium. That title belongs to one of the other most important pieces to the Broncos’ offense.
Matt Lauter, not Ashton Jeanty, is Boise State’s X factor
The tight end Matt Lauter rises as the top x-factor for the Mountain West Conference champions.
Lauter isn’t the tone setter on offense Jeanty is. But he plays a vital role in keeping the Broncos’ season alive.
The 6-foot-3, 240-pound TE finished second on the team with 43 receptions and 523 yards. But he led every receiver with six touchdowns.
The San Diego native is reliably effective when called upon. He delivered three games of catching between five to seven receptions. Lauter now gets his first crack at facing a Big 10 opponent, this time on the Fiesta Bowl stage. He spoke highly of the upcoming defense he’ll face, per Michael Bolger of the Penn State Daily Collegian on Thursday, Dec. 26.
“They hustle to the ball, and they’re relentless on defense. They got good edge guys and good linebackers, so they’re pretty physical up front,” Lauter said.
Yet, he’s confident in Boise State’s chances heading into the prestigious bowl game, per Joe Smeltzer of Nittany Sports Now.
“They have a really good squad, but we do, too,” Lauter said.
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