After tying the school record for single-game receiving touchdowns in Week 1, Colorado Buffaloes' two-way sensation Travis Hunter was named the Paul Hornung Award National Player of the Week by the National College Football Awards Association.
The honor comes in light of his aforementioned, record-tying performance, though that would somehow be an understatement for Hunter's play in CU's 31-26 win over the North Dakota State Bison. The junior reeled in seven catches for 132 yards and three touchdowns while playing 129 of the game's 131 snaps. His last touchdown catch, to put the Buffs up 31-20 in a third and goal situation in the fourth quarter, was one of the best of the weekend.
"There ain't no 50-50 ball with Travis," CU head coach Deion Sanders said. "If the ball is up close, it's his ball. He's that kind of athlete."
In 2023, Hunter's sophomore year and first in Boulder, he took home the season's Hornung award, given to the most versatile player. With his presence on both sides of the ball, it would be surprising not to see Hunter repeat in 2024 if he stays healthy.
Still, in competition with Hunter are three running backs named to the award's honor roll this week: Arizona senior Quali Conley, Pittsburgh junior Desmond Reid and Penn State junior Nicholas Singleton. All three also return kicks.
All three ran the ball and returned kicks in their games, Conley and Singleton making at least one catch as well. Conley ran in three touchdowns, Reid returned a punt for six and had a touchdown run and Singleton ran for a touchdown with 113 rushing yards. Like Hunter, their teams won their games thanks to their performances.
Hunter looks to add to his Hornung Award campaign in Colorado's Week 2 rivalry matchup at the Nebraska Cornhuskers' Memorial Stadium. He hopes to add his Heisman campaign as well. The game will kickoff on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. MT on NBC.
Cover photo by Roberto Patrick Gerra/Sko Buffs Sports
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