Colorado cornerback and wide receiver Travis Hunter is doing all he can to wrap up the Heisman Trophy.
The frontrunner for college football’s highest individual honor intercepted Oklahoma State freshman quarterback Maealiuaki Smith on the Cowboys’ first offensive possession to set the Buffaloes up in Oklahoma State territory.
Smith threw a questionable ball with three Colorado defenders and two Oklahoma State receivers nearby.
Colorado scored three plays later on a one-yard touchdown run by running back Micah Welch to take a 7-0 lead.
With his Week 14 interception, Hunter has four this season. He leads the Big 12 in receptions (82) and receiving touchdowns (11) while gaining 1,036 yards.
Per ESPN Bet, Hunter (-1400) is the overwhelming favorite to win the Heisman. While his early interception boosts his resume, it also could help keep Colorado in play for a bigger team reward.
College Football Playoff No. 25 Colorado (8-3, 6-2 in Big 12) still has a path to the Big 12 championship game and automatic CFP berth, even in the event of a three-way with No. 16 Arizona State (9-2, 6-2 in Big 12) and No. 18 Iowa State (9-2, 6-2 in Big 12).
Per Fox Sports, if the Buffaloes, Sun Devils and Cyclones win in Week 14, Colorado needs Texas Tech (7-4, 5-3 in Big 12) to beat West Virginia (6-5, 5-3 in Big 12) to clinch a conference title game berth.
It would play Iowa State if Baylor (7-4, 5-3 in Big 12) and Cincinnati (5-6, 3-5 in Big 12) win this weekend and Arizona State if either loses to Kansas (5-6, 4-4 in Big 12) or TCU (7-4, 5-3 in Big 12), respectively.
With 3:47 remaining in the first quarter against Oklahoma State (3-8, 0-8 in Big 12), Colorado leads 14-0.
