Own the group chat with The Weekender, highlighting the biggest stories in college sports, standout writing from Eleven Warriors, and a glance at what's next.
Jeanty Narrowly Robbed of Heisman
A generational season from Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty could have won him the Heisman Trophy if he were at a bigger school. He nearly did anyway.
After rushing for 2,497 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2024, the fourth-most and sixth-most in a season in NCAA history, Jeanty lost the Heisman race to Colorado wide receiver and cornerback Travis Hunter. Hunter received 2,231 points in the voting while Jeanty got 2,017, the narrowest margin for a victor since 2009 when Alabama running back Mark Ingram collected 1,304 points to beat out Stanford running back Toby Gerhart (1,276) and Texas quarterback Colt McCoy (1,145).
The difference between Travis Hunter and Ashton Jeanty votes
— ESPN (@espn) December 15, 2024
It's the smallest margin of victory since 2009 pic.twitter.com/diUXw5fGSh
There's no doubt Hunter had a great campaign for the Buffalos, collecting 92 receptions for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns while grabbing four interceptions and 11 pass breakups on defense. But Jeanty, simply put, had one of the best seasons a running back has ever had.
Jeanty led the nation not only in the traditional triple crown of running back stats – yards, yards per carry and touchdowns – he did so in the stats that show the value of a running back beyond the offensive line and offense around him. Jeanty led all of college football in yards after contact and broken tackles.
Stats comparison
— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) December 15, 2024
Ashton Jeanty:
1st in rushing yds
1st in rushing TDs
1st in yds per carry (min. 175 att)
1st in yds after contact
1st in forced missed tackles
Travis Hunter:
6th in receiving yds
5th in receptions
2nd in receiving TDs
17th in INTs pic.twitter.com/gE6P6XaJTW
All that while guiding Boise State to its first College Football Playoff berth, landing the No. 3 seed and a bye to play the winner of sixth-seeded Penn State and 11th-seeded SMU. So close and yet so far for college football's most prestigious award.
"I really felt like I should've walked away with the award, but kudos to Travis for winning," Jeanty told reporters Saturday after Hunter was announced as the winner. "But yeah, it's simple as that. Work harder, go harder."
B1G Moves in the Transfer Portal
While the College Football Playoff is set to begin this week, preparations for the 2025 season are already underway as the first transfer portal window opened on Dec. 9 this week. Big Ten teams have already seen significant movement.
Former star Purdue safety Dillon Thieneman, the top safety in the portal, is the newest member of Oregon's defensive backfield after committing to the Ducks on Friday. Thieneman is coming off back-to-back 100-tackle seasons for the Boilermakers, and he intercepted six passes in 2023.
Nebraska lost the No. 4 player and No. 1 defensive end in the portal, Princewill Umanmielen, though his production over two seasons in Lincoln may not match that ranking with a combined 35 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Also gone is James "Sack Man" Williams, a former walk-on with five sacks this season.
The Huskers answered by adding Willaims Nwaneri out of Missouri, the No. 2 defensive end and No. 13 player in the portal. A freshman, Nwaneri was a five-star prospect and the No. 6 player in the recruiting class of 2023.
BREAKING: Missouri True Freshman Transfer EDGE Williams Nwaneri has Committed to Nebraska, he tells @on3sports
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 12, 2024
The 66 265 EDGE will have all 4 years of eligibility remaining
Was ranked as a Five-Star Plus+ Recruit in 24 (No. 1 EDGE)https://t.co/vZxF8av6oz pic.twitter.com/23vMwHN3fy
One player not on the move is Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola. The five-star freshman and former commit of both Ohio State and Georgia on the recruiting trail was linked to Miami, but posted on his Instagram story that he was "all in" with the Cornhuskers.
USC quarterback Miller Moss transferred to Louisville after being benched nine games into the season in favor of Jayden Maiava. Moss spent all four years of his college career to date with the Trojans, completing 64.4% of his passes for 2,555 yards and 18 touchdowns with nine interceptions during his time starting in 2024.
Navy Knocks Off Army in Army/Navy Game
The annual preamble to college football bowl season was played on Saturday with the Army/Navy game, ironic because No. 22 Army had already played a postseason game before meeting the Midshipmen, winning the AAC Championship over Tulane 35-14.
Things did not go so swimmingly for the Black Knights against their famous aquatic rival. A three-loss Navy squad handed Army just its second defeat of the 2024 season in 31-13 fashion.
Navy quarterback Blake Horvath was the hero of the contest, racking up 204 rushing yards and three total touchdowns while also passing for 107 yards and two touchdowns. His first two scores, a 1-yard run and an 18-yard pass, put the Midshipmen up 14-0 and Army could never equalize.
The victory was the second straight and sixth in the last eight meetings for Navy over Army. Navy now leads the all-time series between the teams 62-55-7.
ICYMI
Luke Montgomery and Josh Padilla Could Shake Up Ohio State's OL
Off two poor performances from its offensive line following a season-ending injury to Josh Simmons, the Buckeyes are evaluating their best lineup for the CFP. Padilla and Montgomery are competing for their shot as second-year interior linemen.
Leaked Presale Code Drives Up Ticket Prices
Tickets for Ohio State's first-round playoff game against Tennessee sold out in minutes on Thursday, leaving fans to scour higher prices on the resale market if they want a seat. Part of the reason for the quick sellout and raised rates is a presale code that was leaked before the tickets went public, one which Volunteer fans jumped on in particular.
24 Names to Know in the Transfer Portal
Looking for a guide to Ohio State's aims and ambitions in the transfer portal? Look no further than this list compiled by Eleven Warriors' own Dan Hope. With all the contributors the Buckeyes are set to lose after this year, adding back through the portal will be pivotal for the 2025 season.
What's Next
- Football: vs. Tennessee, Saturday, 8 p.m. on ABC/ESPN
- Women's basketball: vs. Grand Valley State, Tuesday, noon on B1G+
- Men's basketball: vs. Valparaiso, Tuesday, 8 p.m. on Peacock
- Men's gymnastics: Intrasquad meet, Friday, 4 p.m.
- Wrestling: 2024 Collegiate Duals, Saturday
