Running back Ashton Jeanty finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting after rushing for 2,479 yards, a 7.3 per-carry average and 29 touchdowns.

Barry Sanders set the FBS single-season record in 1988 with 2,628 yards.

Franklin said a case can be made that Jeanty could have won the Heisman, which went to Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter.

“In any other year, the guy wins the Heisman and can make argument he should have won it this year,” he said. “He is hard to tackle. He’s compact, 5-10, has the ability to run away from you, make you miss, involved in the pass game, the run game. And then the QB (Maddux Madsen) is athletic as well.

Franklin called Jeanty “a beast.”

“I saw he had like 1300 yards after contact, which is ridiculous,” Franklin said. “He’s a beast in terms of his production. Also the way he is built and his running style help that as well. This is a very different challenge in that it’s all about stopping the running back and the plays that complement him.”

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

The Lions held a light practice Sunday morning after the 38-10 first-round win over SMU and then dismissed the players. They will reconvene on Christmas for an evening meeting and workout.

“It’s a little bit of time off for everyone,” he said.

They’ll resume game-week preparation by counting “seven days from whenever the game is and try to stick with that routine,” Franklin said.

The team will travel Saturday to Tempe.

BOISE APPRECIATION

Franklin was on the Maryland staff when the Terps played Nevada in the 2008 Humanitarian Bowl held at Boise, which features a blue field, and got an appreciation for the Broncos’ support.

“Loved the city and university, great experience,” Franklin said. “People in coaching profession ask why places are good jobs and why are some bad. Why do some places always struggle. Why do others thrive. There is typically ingredients in universities that have allowed them to be successful. The administration must get it. The town must get it. The university, from the president to the professors, all the way down to the students, they all get it. That’s why places like Boise have thrived. Have a ton of respect for Boise, university, history, traditions. They’ve played in these games before and played well.”

The Mountain West Conference champion, Boise’s only loss came to Oregon (37-34).

AGGRESSIVE MENTALITY

Franklin revisited his decision to go for a fourth-and-1, up 14-0, from the Lions’ own 19 against SMU. They fumbled the snap, and the Mustangs took over but threw an interception.

“We want to be aggressive, don’t want to have any regrets, and playing to win is a mentality everyone has to embrace and be on the same page,” he said. “Defense needs to have the offense’s back. Everyone needs to buy into and embrace that philosophy. No regrets.”

CONGRATS VOLLEYBALL

Franklin started the press conference by “shouting out” to volleyball coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley, whose team won the national championship on Sunday.