Although Travis Hunter claimed this year’s Heisman Trophy, the results were closer than expected.
In the narrowest margin of victory in voting since 2009, Boise State running back and Lone Star High School graduate Ashton Jeanty was the runner-up by a first-place vote total of 552-309. If we take a closer look at the numbers, the results get even closer. A first-place vote earns a player three points, a second-place is two, and a third-place is one. In total, Hunter collected 2,231 total points and Jeanty had 2,017 points. In comparison, in 2009, Alabama running back Mark Ingram (1,304 points) barely defeated Stanford running back Toby Gerhart (1,276 points).
So, was the Frisco product robbed?
Public opinion is leaning in the running back’s favor, crediting Hunter’s popularity and media bias as giving him the advantage.
Jeanty ranked first in numerous categories, while Hunter ranked at the top in only snaps.
In total, Jeanty rushed for 2,497 yards for 29 touchdowns, as well as 20 receptions for 116 yards and a score. Overall, Jeanty had more rushing yards than 115 of 134 FBS teams’ total. He also had 837 more rushing yards than the No. 2 rush in the nation.
Critics point to Boise State competing in the Mount West Conference, which isn’t one of the Power 4 schools, discrediting Jeanty’s historic rushing totals.
Yet, this still doesn’t take into account that the Mustangs claimed a first round bye in the CFP playoffs, an accomplishment they never would have achieved without Jeanty’s high rushing output. Neither does it review Jeanty’s performance against #1 Oregon, where he had 192 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
Jeanty expressed his own disappointment after Hunter’s name was read.
“I really felt like I should’ve walked away with the award, but kudos to Travis for winning,” he told reporters on Saturday after the ceremony. “But yeah, it’s simple as that. Work harder, go harder.”
Regardless, in the end, Hunter had a remarkable season at both wide receiver and cornerback, becoming the first two-way player to receive the Heisman Trophy since Charles Woodson did it back in 1997. He had four games where he recorded a receiving touchdown and an interception.
Jeanty will have his chance at a revenge tour, when Boise State takes on the winner of SMU-Penn State, for a chance at the CFP National Championship. He only needs 132 yards to break legendary Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record of 2,628 set at Oklahoma State in 1988.
