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Ashton Jeanty closes gap on Travis Hunter

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2 weeks ago

December 9, 2024

Ashton Jeanty closes gap on Travis Hunter

Ashton Jeanty wanted a giant efficiency within the Mountain West Soccer Championship to remain inside attain of Heisman Trophy frontrunner Travis Hunter, and the Boise State junior tailback was as much as the problem.

In a nationally televised recreation on Fox, Jeanty ran for 209 yards and a landing on 32 carries Friday evening as No. 10 Boise State (12-1) wrapped up a School Soccer Playoff bid with a 21-7 victory over No. 20 UNLV (10-3) at Albertsons Stadium.

Late within the recreation, Fox shade commentator Brock Huard mentioned if coaches awarded the Heisman Trophy, Jeanty could be the clear favourite.

“If solely coaches voted, Ashton Jeanty would win the Heisman,” Huard mentioned. “I actually absolutely imagine that, as a result of they know. Travis Hunter is essentially the most spectacular, essentially the most dynamic participant. However one of the best participant who’s elevated his group to a championship in a playoff and a bye is (Jeanty).”

Sadly for Jeanty, coaches don’t vote for the Heisman; media members do. And the media appears to choose Hunter.

Within the newest Heisman odds replace from FanDuel, Hunter stays the favourite at -2500 whereas Jeanty is +1000. Jeanty’s odds dropped all the way in which to +400 after he ripped off a 75-yard second-quarter landing that put Boise State up 21-0, however the Broncos didn’t do a lot offensively after the break.

Jeanty is as much as 344 carries for two,497 yards and 29 touchdowns this season, main the nation in all three classes. He ranks fourth on the FBS all-time single-season speeding checklist, trailing solely Oklahoma State’s Barry Sanders (2,628 yards, 1988 season), Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon (2,587, 2014) and UCF’s Kevin Smith (2,567, 2007).

Jeanty will want speeding 132 yards within the School Soccer Playoff to interrupt Sanders’ document. The Broncos are anticipated to obtain a first-round bye as one of many 4 highest-rated convention champions.

Hunter made a powerful closing assertion final week by catching 10 passes for 116 yards and three touchdowns whereas selecting off a cross on protection in a victory over Oklahoma State. No. 23 Colorado (9-3) didn’t qualify for the Huge 12 Championship and won’t be within the CFP.

Earlier within the week, Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson took a small dig at Hunter and the Buffaloes.

“Ashton Jeanty is one of the best soccer participant within the nation,” Danielson mentioned. “And for me, should you’re the most effective gamers within the nation, you play in a championship recreation.”

Hunter has 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns — a brand new Colorado single-season college document — with 4 interceptions on protection.

The 2024 Heisman Trophy finalists will probably be introduced Monday.