NEW YORK – Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter won the 2024 Heisman Trophy on Saturday, becoming the eighth player in Big 12 history to win the most prestigious award in college football. Hunter, who earned 61% of first-place votes, broke NCAA and Conference records in his junior season for the Buffaloes.

The Suwanee, Georgia native played over 600 snaps on defense and offense this season. Hunter was the Big 12 Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year while earning First Team All-Big 12 honors on offense and defense, becoming the first Big 12 player ever to receive all-conference accolades on both sides of the ball. Earlier this week, he was named the AP’s National Player of the Year, received the Chuck Bednarik Award as the nation’s top defensive player and won the Fred Biletnikoff Award as the top wide receiver in the country.

As a wide receiver, Hunter ranked in the top five nationally in receptions (92), receiving yards (1,152) and receiving touchdowns (14) with his receptions and touchdown catches leading the Big 12 Conference. His 14 receiving touchdowns also set a CU program record. He also eclipsed 100 yards receiving in seven of his 12 games this season, which also set a school record.

The junior tallied four interceptions, which ranked in the top 20 nationally and tied for third in the Big 12. Hunter was also among NCAA leaders in passes defended with 11 pass break-ups to go along with his 32 tackles. With three receiving touchdowns and an interception in the Buffaloes’ regular-season finale versus Oklahoma State, the two-way star became the first player since at least 1996 to achieve that feat.

Hunter helped Colorado to a five-win improvement this season and an appearance in the Valero Alamo Bowl where the Buffs will face a Big 12 opponent in BYU on Saturday, Dec. 28 on ABC at 6:30 p.m. CT.

The Atlantic Trojans boys basketball team completed the sweep of Nodaway Valley Saturday night to earn their first win of the season. The defense was stifling, limiting the Wolverines at every turn.  Offensively, Gavin McLaren had his best game of the season to lead the team, while Reid Woodward and Shelton Mualia also played a big part in the Trojans pull-away 62-31 victory.

The first few minutes of the first quarter were contested as Atlantic struggled to gain separation. After the Trojans scored the first points of the game, Nodaway Valley’s Ty Radin responded with a pair of threes to tie the game at 6-6. However, Shelton Mualia would take over the first quarter for the Trojans, using his size and athleticism to work his way into the paint. Mualia finished the opening frame with 8 points, helping the Trojans build a 17-10 lead.

The second quarter was the slowest for the Trojans as far as offense. However, the defense stepped up for Atlantic. The second was one of just two quarters in the game where the Trojans allowed less than 10 points. In the second quarter, the Atlantic defense allowed just eight points on four field goals. Offensively, Reid Woodward was able to use his size and strength to lead Atlantic in scoring with a pair of field goals. Grant Petty would add a 3-pointer to the tally to help build the lead to 30-18 at the half.

The third quarter was the Wolverines’ best quarter of the game. They were able to put up 12 points as Titus Hamer and Garrett Welsch were two of five Wolverines to knock down a field goal. However, the second half belonged to Gavin McLaren. With the help of some good ball movement and his work inside the paint, McLaren hit five field goals in the third quarter on his way to a 10-point frame.  In addition to Mclaren’s takeoff, Hunter Nelson added a three-pointer while Kinnick Juhl sunk his first field goal of the season to help give the Trojans a 17-point lead heading into the final quarter.

The fourth quarter was a little different. Atlantic would allow just a single point on a Hamer free-throw. McLaren would score seven more points in the fourth, including knocking down his second three of the ball game. Petty, Mualia, and Conner Johnson would all join the party with field goals. Atlantic’s defense was surperb and allowed the trojans to turn defense stops into points as they grabbed their first victory of the season. Head Coach Dalton Franken was not only impressed with the multiple players who played well offensively but also with the way his defense played.

After struggling against Clarinda Gavin McLaren rebounded with his best game of the season and Franken was proud of his effort.

The Trojans are back at home Tuesday when they faceoff against Kuemper Catholic. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 pm.

The Atlantic Trojans girls basketball team kicked off Saturday night’s doubleheader against Nodaway Valley with a convincing win. The Trojans had a balanced scoring attack led by Paytn Hartr that saw three Trojans end the night with over 10 points. The defense also looked strong as they were able to limit prime scoring opportunities and forced several takeaways that resulted in fast break transitions. Atlantic was also able to use their size and rebounding to their advantage and captured their third straight victory by a final of 71-45.

The girls started the night for the Trojans. Although the Wolverines were seeking their first win, Nodaway had one of the most dominant individual producers in the state. However, it was the Trojans who got off to a great start. Atlantic started the game on an 8-0 run. However, led by Izzy Eisbach, the Wolverines answered with a 6-0 run to make it a two-point game. This would be the closest the game would be as Atlantic responded with an 11-0 run to close out the first quarter. Katrina Williams used her size to lead the scoring in the opening frame with seven points including an and-one.  Schroeder and Hartr both finished the opening frame with 6- points in what was a balanced attack for the Trojans.

The Trojans continued to press the pace in the second quarter. The second quarter was their most prolific scoring period as Atlantic was able to put up 26 points. This was in large part due to their transition game. Numerous times throughout the game Trojan defenders were able to jump passing lanes and force steals to quickly move the ball upcourt for breakaway layups. Lila Wiederstein and Zoey Kirchhoff both chipped in 3-pointers as Atlantic went to the locker room with a 45-20 lead.

Despite the large deficit, Nodaway Valley never quit. The Wolverines hit six 3-pointers in the second half, three of which came from Eisbach. However, the Trojans were more than up to the task, allowing just three other field goals during the second half. Coming into the game, Eisbach was third in the state, averaging 27.2 points per game. Although Eisbach would make her presence felt, Atlantic defended her well enough as she finished with 21 points.  Mylee Comstock also had a solid night for the Wolverines finishing with 12 points.

Although the scoring slowed down slightly for the Trojans in the second half, the offense production throughout the night was more than enough. Hartr led the game in scoring with 22 points while Schroeder finished with 19, knocking down 50% of her field goals. In addition to Williams (who finished with 13) and Wiederstein (who finished with 7) Head Coach Dan Vargason thought Schroeder was a key part of the Trojans balanced attack.

Vargason was also pleased with the aggressiveness of the defense.

The victory marks three in a row for the Trojans, as one of Vargason’s biggest takeaways was his team’s ability to play with consistency.

Atlantic will be back at home on Tuesday when they take on Kuemper Catholic.

Audi Crooks had 30 points and Addy Brown added 20 as the 18th ranked Iowa State women beat Eastern Illinois 87-55.

That’s ISU coach Bill Fennelly. The Cyclones were 11-of-24 from three point range.

Iowa State closed the first half on a 20-2 run and roared away to an 83-51 win over Nebraska-Omaha as the third ranked Cyclones improved to 9-1.

That’s Cyclone coach T.J. Otzelberger who says the Cyclones overcame a sluggish start.

Keshon Gilbert led five Cyclones in double figures with 16 points.

Iowa shot better than 62 percent and made 14 three pointers in a 104-57 win over New Orleans. The Hawkeyes had 28 assists in the game as they bounced back from two straight losses.

That’s Iowa coach Fran McCaffery who was happy with the way his team shared the ball.

Owen Freeman led the Hawkeyes with 22 points. The Hawkeyes are off for final exams until Saturday’s game against Utah in Sioux Falls.

The 21st ranked Iowa Hawkeye women crumbled in the fourth quarter and lost at 17th ranked Michigan State. The Spartans used an 18-2 run to erase a nine point Hawkeye lead in a 68-66 win in the Big Ten opener for both. The Hawkeyes had 23 turnovers but still misfired on two chances to take the lead in the final 10 seconds while trailing by one.

That’s Iowa coach Jan Jensen. The Hawkeyes return to action Friday night by hosting Northern Iowa.

Council Bluffs Classic

Team Scores: 

1. Washburn Girls (501.5)

3. Lewis Central (473 points) — Top 8 Finishers: Sophia Mescher (5th/100), Cierra Elderbaum (6th/105), Avaeh Smith (1st/120), Emerson Gregg (1st/125), Kassidy Fiala (4th/135), Mahri Manz (1st/145), Kalen Jo Westerfield (4th/155), Madison Wright (2nd/190)

5. Logan-Magnolia/Woodbine (315.5 points) — Top 8 Finishers: Kassidy Neligh (8th/120), Gracyn Stone (6th/125), Jordan Buffum (3rd/130), Teagan Carritt (2nd/140), Mary Bowman (5th/190)

16. LeMars (192 points) — Top 8 Finishers: Brooklyn DeRocher (2nd/100), Keira Hessenius (5th/110)

22. Plattsmouth (142 points) — Top 8 Finishers: Jaylee Ingham (3rd/100), Symantha Cherek (8th/115), Olivia Garrean (5th/155)

24. Missouri Valley (129.5 points) — Top 8 Finishers: Ryley Marcum (6th/155)

25. Abraham Lincoln (128 points) — Top 8 Finishers: Ellie Johnson (4th/105)

26. Treynor (127 points) — Top 8 Finishers: Emma Miller (3rd/105), Andyn White (8th 130), Liz Young (8th/145)

29. Glenwood (117.5 points) — Top 8 Finishers: Kasadie Pratt (4th/190)

30. Atlantic (102 points) — Top 8 Finishers: Haley Armstrong (1st/235)

34. Thomas Jefferson (22 points) — Top Finisher: Jackie Garcia (13th/120)

Council Bluffs Classic

1. Lincoln East (418.5)

7. Atlantic (298.5 points) — Top 8 Finishers: Keaton Schroeder (7th/106), Collin Harris (4th/113), Braxton Hass (4th/126), Aiden Smith (2nd/138), Evan Sorensen (1st/285)

8. Lewis Central (294.5 points) — Top 8 Finishers: Zander Manz (2nd/106), Weston Porter (2nd/120), Carter Schorsch (6th/132), Paxton Blanchard (6th/190), Joseph Monge (6th/215)

11. Sergeant Bluff-Luton (276.5 points) — Top 8 Finishers: Josh Gray (8th/106), Ayden McRoberts (5th/150), Bo Koedam (2nd/165), Zayvion Ellington (1st/175)

20. Underwood (199.5 points) — Top 8 Finishers: Lucas Bose (5th/144), Will Buckholdt (8th/157), Grady Joens (7th/215)

24. Glenwood (151 points) — Top 8 Finishers: Mason Koehler (2nd/215), Drake Buthe (3rd/285)

28. Plattsmouth (123 points) — Top 8 Finishers: Wesley Vick (7th/285)

32. Abraham Lincoln (100 points) — Top 8 Finishers: Luis Avalos (7th/132), Kowen Dighton (7th/175)

36. LeMars (69 points) — Top Finisher: Jaxen Hoag (10th/285)

37. Treynor (60.5 points) — Top 8 Finishers: Zack Robbins (5th/175)

38. Missouri Valley (57 points) — Top Finisher: Luke Schroeder (10th/132)

40. St. Albert (19 points) — Top Finisher: Cohen Hamilton (16th/165)

41. Thomas Jefferson (18.5 points) — Top Finisher: Kaeleb Myers (19th/285)

Riverside Invitational 

1. Riverside (208.5),

2. Logan-Magnolia (185),

3. Woodbury Central (169.5),

4. Creston (165),

6. Shenandoah (101.5),

7. Harlan (93),

8. Earlham (85),

10. AHSTW (67),

11. Audubon (39.5),

12. Clarinda (34),

13. Griswold (27),

14. CAM (27),

15. Abraham Lincoln (4)

Individual Winners: 

106: Crosby Yoder, Logan-Magnolia, 113: Ben James, Creston, 120: Max Millage, Earlham, 126: Jesse Jens, Harlan, 132: Lane Travis, Creston, 144: Wyatt Hawkins, Logan-Magnolia, 150: Jaxon Gordon, Riverside, 157: Corbin Reisz, Logan-Magnolia, 165: Jacob McGargill, Shenandoah, 175: Kayden Baxter, AHSTW, 190: Jayden Dickerson, Shenandoah, 215: Carter Wright, Woodbury Central, 285: Henry Lund AHSTW

Lenox Invitational 

1. Nodaway Valley (195.5 points) — Champions: Ty Strode (120), Keyin Steeve (126), Kasen Hansen (144), Eli Harris (150), Ashton Honnold (215), Trenton Warner (285)

2. Lenox (154.5 points) — Champions: Dylan Stein (157), Chase England (165), JJ Martin-England (190)

5. Maryville (118 points) — Champions: Cash Dew (138)

6. East Union (113 points) — Champions: Justice Norman (106), Silas Hayes (132), Terrian Islas (175)

7. Southwest Valley (94 points) — Top Finisher/2nd Place: Gavin Wetzel (157), Ian Forsythe (175)

8. Martensdale-St. Marys (76.5 points) — Champions: Jensen Dyer (113)

9. Bedford (47.5 points) — Top Finisher/2nd Place: Graham Godsey (165)

10. Southwest Iowa (33 points) — Top Finisher/4th Place: Flynt Bell (157)

Boys Basketball

Atlantic 62, Nodaway Valley 31

ADM 71, Winterset 42

Girls Basketball

Atlantic 71, Nodaway Valley 45

ADM 33, Winterset 29