Travis Hunter’s Heisman moments assist Colorado down Utah

Within the closing seconds of the primary quarter in Saturday’s sport between Colorado and Utah, Buffaloes two-way star Travis Hunter peeled off his receiver in protection, snared an interception off a deflection, returned it deep into Utah territory, and obtained up and did a Heisman pose in celebration. It was a notable second in a Heisman-worthy season full of them from the Colorado standout.

But it surely was what got here later within the first half that may have cemented his standing as a Heisman Trophy winner.

With Colorado driving simply earlier than halftime, the Buffaloes confronted a 4th-and-8 state of affairs inside Utah territory. Head coach Deion Sanders saved his offense on the sphere, and quarterback Shedeur Sanders seemed in Hunter’s path on a nook route between a pair of Utah defenders.

Roughly 99 instances out of 100, this cross is damaged up.

Hunter, nonetheless, makes the inconceivable … attainable:

The Colorado star hung within the air lengthy sufficient to beat each defenders to the soccer, hanging on via successful that catapulted him greater, earlier than crashing down shoulders-first with the reception.

Imagine it or not, Hunter was not completed with Heisman moments in opposition to Utah.

Late within the sport, with Colorado holding an enormous lead, the offense dialed up a trick play, with Hunter getting the soccer on a reverse. Utah’s protection, nonetheless, was prepared. Hunter was pinned practically 15 yards behind the road of scrimmage, staring catastrophe within the face:

You in all probability know the way this ends.

One way or the other, a way, Hunter slices via the Utah protection, turning near-disaster into one other emphatic assertion in his Heisman marketing campaign:

All advised, Hunter had 5 receptions for 55 yards, a 5-yard dashing landing, and an interception in opposition to the Utes. He did this whereas taking part in a staggering 132 snaps, and based on OptaSTATS, he grew to become the primary participant in both the NFL or the FBS to have 50 receiving yards, a dashing landing, and an interception in the identical sport up to now 24 years. The final participant to perform that feat? Champ Bailey within the NFL, in a sport for Washington in opposition to Arizona on Dec. 24, 2000.

Following the sport, Hunter’s coach made his personal distinctive Heisman pitch:

Greater than the rest, Hunter’s play tells the story.

A narrative full of Heisman-worthy moments.