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In what may have been the final week in which both Ashton Jeanty and Travis Hunter play on the same day this season, the two Heisman frontrunners made a strong statement to win the award.
Jeanty ran for 226 yards and a touchdown on 37 carries in Boise State’s 34-18 win over Oregon State. Hunter racked up 10 catches for 116 yards and three touchdowns on offense, while adding one pass breakup and an interception in Colorado’s 52-0 drubbing of Oklahoma State.
The Broncos running back passed the 200-yard mark in a game for the fifth time this season. His season total is up to 2,288 rushing yards and 29 total touchdowns. He is now fifth all-time for most rushing yards in a single season in FBS history, just 340 yards behind Barry Sanders’ record total of 2,628 yards.
Hunter moved into a tie for first in FBS in receiving touchdowns (14), second in FBS in receptions (92) and fourth in receiving yards (1,152). Oh, and his four interceptions are tied for 12th among all FBS defensive players.
If the Heisman race was close coming into the day, it’s still going to be razor thin with the two superstars putting strong exclamation points on their historic regular seasons.
Fans and analysts are still sharply divided on whether Jeanty or Hunter should be rewarded with the Heisman after Friday’s results, though there are some who acknowledge either one would be a deserving winner.
The_Dorito_Bandit@a_redding7
Weird way to spell Ashton Jeanty. <a href=”https://t.co/YEEJLi2fLu”>https://t.co/YEEJLi2fLu</a>
ucey@starboyyburner
Still Jeanty <a href=”https://t.co/dNbSqfYoza”>https://t.co/dNbSqfYoza</a>
Gunslinger@ArkGunslinger98
Jeanty <br>312 carries<br>2288 Rushing Yards (5th all time in a season)<br>7.33 YPC<br>28 R TDS (tied 6th all time in a season) <br>18 Rec<br>102 Receiving Yards<br>1 TD
RJ Young@RJ_Young
1. Travis Hunter has four games with a TD catch AND INT.<br><br>2. He is the first player ever with 1,000 receiving yards, 10 or more TDs and multiple INTs.<br><br>3. This is the Heisman Trophy winner. <a href=”https://t.co/cZ3qDWldxn”>pic.twitter.com/cZ3qDWldxn</a>
The Anonymous Nobody@el_budget
There is not a better player in the country than Travis Hunter. This kid is an all timer. What are we doing here? Give him all the awards
Shaq Dej@shaqdej
travis hunter is a top 5 player on both sides of the ball. any other year the heisman goes to jeanty but you just can’t write off hunter’s year
ed@inthefastlaneed
If Travis Hunter isn’t the Heisman, idk what your eyes have been deceiving you on. Man sealed it for sure today if you ever doubted 🤷🏾♂️
Carter Donnick@CDonnick1
I think both players are deserving of the Heisman and anyone who thinks it “isn’t close” in either direction are wrong.<br><br>Yes it’s unfortunate they are up against each other in the same year, but it’s a great look for CFB for a non-QB to get it so we should celebrate whoever wins. <a href=”https://t.co/URVObmc5FJ”>pic.twitter.com/URVObmc5FJ</a>
Paddy Anne (Interim Pres Colin Simmons Fan Club)@prcleary
I wouldn’t have any negative emotions if either Travis Hunter or Ashton Jeanty win the Heisman. Both are outstanding players.
Jeanty might end up having the advantage over Hunter by virtue of getting to play in a conference championship game. Boise State has already secured a spot in the Mountain West Conference Championship Game.
If UNLV beats Nevada on Saturday, the Rebels will play the Broncos. If UNLV loses and Colorado State beats Utah State, the Rams will take on the Broncos.
Either way, Jeanty is guaranteed at least one more game before the Heisman votes are due.
Colorado has multiple long-shot paths to the Big 12 title game, but the simplest one is having at least two of Arizona State, BYU and Iowa State lose on Saturday.
If Jeanty is able to play an island game on Dec. 6 and has a huge performance that helps Boise State secure a spot in the College Football Playoff, it could push him over the top in the Heisman race.
No matter what ends up happening, it’s safe to assume this could be one of the closest Heisman votes in history. The closest vote was in 2009 when Mark Ingram beat Toby Gerhart by 28 points.
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