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747.9 live casino Travis Hunter and Ashton Jeanty give this year's Heisman Trophy ceremony a different vibeBowman Gray Stadium's 76th season comes to a close While the preparations are continuing for NASCAR’s exhibition race in February at Bowman Gray Stadium, there will also be season No. 77 for the weekly racing series starting in April. It’s the longest running weekly series in NASCAR history. The 2025 season will begin on April 19 with a 200-lap Modified race and a 40-lap Sportsman race to highlight opening night. Fans celebrate Burt Myers win in the first 25-lap Modified Series race at Bowman Gray Stadium on Saturday, August 17, 2024. The 18-week season, with the traditional Fourth of July weekend off, will end on Aug. 23, 2025. Austin Shuford, the general manager for the series at Bowman Gray Stadium, said prices will remain the same for this season with free parking and $12 entry for adults. “We're excited to release the 2025 Bowman Gray Stadium weekly schedule,” Shuford said, “and looking forward to all of the great racing action heading our way next year." People are also reading... Among a few of the highlights with the schedule includes the Crash Fest on May 17 featuring a skid race, a chain race and a demolition derby. There’s also a $2 College Night on June 21 where college students get in with a valid student ID. Also, on July 19 there will be the popular Night of Destruction featuring the Monster Truck car crushing, and a demolition derby after the four weekly series races are completed. On Aug. 16, it will be Ladies Night for $2 admission. PHOTOS: Bowman Gray season finale Zack Ore (left) is congratulated by fellow Sportsman Series driver Tommy Neal after winning the series championship on Saturday at Bowman Gray Stadium. Zack Ore (left) is congratulated by fellow Sportsman Series driver T. Dawson after winning the series championship on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at Bowman Gray Stadium. Zack Ore (55) leads Chase Robertson in to turns one and two during the 40-lap Sportsman Series race on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at Bowman Gray Stadium. Ore edged out Robertson, the defending series champion for the 2024 championship. Zack Ore gets a kiss from his wife, Joy after winning the Sportsman Series championship on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at Bowman Gray Stadium. Burt Myers celebrates his 11th Bowman Gray Modified Series championship on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at Bowman Gray Stadium. Burt Myers celebrates his 11th Bowman Gray Modified Series championship on Saturday at Bowman Gray Stadium. Burt Myers races down the back stretch on the way to his 11th Bowman Gray Modified Series championship on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at Bowman Gray Stadium. Christian Joyce hugs his son, Layne, 10, after climbing atop the hood of his Street Stock Series car to celebrate his series championship on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at Bowman Gray Stadium. Christian Joyce does doughnuts in the infield to celebrate his Street Stock series championship on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at Bowman Gray Stadium. Christian Joyce spins his tires against the guardrail to celebrate his Street Stock series championship on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at Bowman Gray Stadium. A.J. Sanders races in to turn three on his way to his third straight Stadium Stock series championship on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at Bowman Gray Stadium. Burt Myers celebrates his 11th Bowman Gray Modified Series championship with his family and team on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at Bowman Gray Stadium. (Walt Unks/Winston-Salem Journal) A.J. Sanders celebrates his third straight Stadium Stock series championship with his family, team and fans on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at Bowman Gray Stadium. A.J. Sanders and his wife, Amanda, celebrate his third straight Stadium Stock series championship on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at Bowman Gray Stadium. Billy Andrews kicks and beats on Grayson Keaton's car during an altercation in the infield after the Stadium Stock Series race Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at Bowman Gray Stadium. Police and track crew have to separate Billy Andrews (left) and Connor Keaton during an altercation in the infield after the Stadium Stock Series race Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, at Bowman Gray Stadium. Police and a track crew member restrain a man who joined in an altercation between drivers Billy Andrews (left) and brothers Grayson and Connor Keaton in the infield after the Stadium Stock Series race Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at Bowman Gray Stadium. Track crew foreman Jimmy Brown and police confront a man who joined in an altercation between drivers Billy Andrews and brothers Grayson and Connor Keaton in the infield after the Stadium Stock Series race Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at Bowman Gray Stadium. Billy Andrews tries to reach in to Grayson Keaton's car during an altercation in the infield after the Stadium Stock Series race Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at Bowman Gray Stadium. Wes Glascoe (21) spins out at the start/finish line in front of Andy Southern during the Street Stock race on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at Bowman Gray Stadium. Bryan Sykes Jr. takes the checkered flag, winning the 20-lap Street Stock race on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at Bowman Gray Stadium. Connor Branch (7) takes the checkered flag for the win in the Sportsman Series race on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at Bowman Gray Stadium. Austin Cates leaves the track with a blown engine during the Stadium Stock race on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at Bowman Gray Stadium. NASCAR officials Richard Miller and Angie Conner tally the order of cars for each lap during the 150-lap Modified Series race on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at Bowman Gray Stadium. A stack of painted tires, barrels and guardrails protect drivers in turn three and the entrance to pit road on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at Bowman Gray Stadium. Rebecca Jones and her daughter, Clara, 4, cheer on Zack Ore during the Sportsman Series championship on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at Bowman Gray Stadium. Tommy Neal (21) races Dylan Ward into turn two during the Sportsman Series race on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at Bowman Gray Stadium. Guardrails protect drivers in turn three and the entrance to pit road on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at Bowman Gray Stadium. Zack Ore spins his tires against the front stretch guardrail after winning the Sportsman Series championship on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at Bowman Gray Stadium. Brothers Burt Myers (1) and Jason Myers (4) ran first and second the entire race for the 150-lap Modified Series race on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at Bowman Gray Stadium. Burt Myers (1) celebrates his win in the 150-lap Modified Series race and his series championship on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at Bowman Gray Stadium. Brothers Burt Myers (foreground) and Jason Myers ran first and second the entire race for the 150-lap Modified Series race on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at Bowman Gray Stadium. Burt Myers (seen directly below the 11), his family, crew and fans celebrate his 11th Modified Series championship on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at Bowman Gray Stadium. NASCAR official Tim Bowman tracks the drivers' laps during the 150-lap Modified Series race on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at Bowman Gray Stadium. Chris Allison (7) and Tyler McDonald race in to turn three during the 15-lap Stadium Stock race on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at Bowman Gray Stadium. Chase Robertson (31) and Zack Ore (55) get the green flag on a restart in the 40-lap Sportsman Series race on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at Bowman Gray Stadium. Ore beat Robertson, the 2023 series champion, for the 2024 championship. Billy Andrews (18) and Connor Keaton (5) mix it up in the infield after the 15-lap Stadium Stock race on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at Bowman Gray Stadium. jdell@wsjournal.com 336-727-4081 @johndellWSJ April 19: 200-lap Modified race; 40-lap Sportsman race. April 26: Twin 25-lap Modified races; Chain Race. May 3: 100-lap Modified race. May 10: Twin 25-lap Modified races; 50-lap Street Stock May 17: Crash Fest: Skid Race, Chain Race and Demolition Derby May 24: 100-lap Sportsman race; Twin 25-Lap Modified races double-point awards in all divisions. May 31: 100-lap Modified race. June 7: Twin 25-lap Modified races; 50-lap Stadium Stock; Chain Race. June 14: Twin 50-lap Modified races. June 21: $2 College Night 100-lap Modified race. June 28: 100-lap Sportsman race; Twin 25-lap Modified races; Skid Race. July 12: 100-lap Modified race; double-point awards in all divisions. July 19: Night of Destruction; Monster Truck car-crushing; Demolition Derby. July 26: 100-lap Sportsman race; Twin 25-lap Modified Races; Chain Race. August 2: 100-lap Modified race. August 9: Twin 50-lap Modified races. August 16: $2 Ladies Night Twin 25-lap Modified races; Skid Race. August 23: 150-lap Modified race; 40-lap Sportsman race; double-point awards in all divisions. August 30: Available as rain date. Schedule notes: All events are on Saturday nights and include races for all stadium divisions.... Unless otherwise indicated, programs include two 25-lap Modified races; two 20-lap Sportsman races; 20-lap Street Stock race; and, depending on number of entries, one or two 15-lap Stadium Stock races.... $2 College Night, all active North Carolina college students are admitted for $2 with student ID. $2 Ladies’ Night event, female fans are admitted for $2 (no escort required). Get local news delivered to your inbox! {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.Trump calls for end to 'spring forward, fall back' clock changes

( MENAFN - Gulf Times) Russian energy giant gazprom said on Saturday it would suspend gas exports to Moldova from 0500 GMT on January 1 due to unpaid debt by Moldova, which is bracing for severe power cuts. It said the company reserved the right to take any action, including terminating the supply contract with Moldova. Russia supplies Moldova with about 2bn cubic metres of gas per year, which is piped via Ukraine to the breakaway region of Transdniestria where it is used to generate cheap power that is sold to government-controlled parts of Moldova. Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean condemned the Russian decision, which is a precursor to a total shutdown of Russian gas exports via Ukraine and to Europe, where it flows further to Slovakia, Austria, Hungary and Italy, once a current transit deal with Ukraine expires on December 31. Moldova will be hit the hardest by the shutdown. “This decision confirms once again the intention of the Kremlin to leave the inhabitants of the Transdniestrian region without light and heat in the middle of the winter,” Recean wrote on Facebook, accusing Russia of using energy as a political weapon. Moscow has repeatedly dismissed those allegations. Russia, which is critical of Moldova's West-leaning central government, has said Moldova should pay a debt on past supplies. According to Russian calculations, the debt stands at $709mn. Moldova has put the debt at $8.6mn. Gazprom has said previously it wants Moldova to pay the debt before it starts to pump gas to the country via alternative routes. Transdniestria and the government in Chisinau agreed in 2022 that all Russian gas received by Moldova would flow to the breakaway region, which traditionally does not pay for fuel. Without gas supplies, the power-generating plant could stop working and Moldova and Transdniestria would face hours-long blackouts similar to those experienced by Ukraine due to Russia's attacks on its energy infrastructure in their war. The government of Transdniestria told businesses that from on Saturday, gas supplies would start to be switched off to commercial entities that were not considered critical. But it said supplies of gas, heating and hot water to households would continue as usual until January 1. Recean said Moldova had diversified sources of gas supply“in order to reduce dependence on a single supplier”. “Our country is prepared to handle any situation that arises following the Kremlin's decision,” he added. Moldova's population of 2.5mn has been preparing for long power cuts since Ukraine's government said it will not extend its transit contract with Gazprom. Moldova and Transdniestria have both declared states of emergency over the threat of disrupted gas supplies, and Moldova said on Friday it will curb power exports and introduce measures to reduce consumption by at least a third from January 1. Moldovan President Maia Sandu has accused Gazprom of provoking an energy crisis, saying it was refusing to supply gas through an alternative route. MENAFN28122024000067011011ID1109038236 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Record Number Of Migrants Lost At Sea Bound For Spain In 2024 - NGO

Erin Levi Tracing a medieval trade route through the Swiss Alps and valleys, the GoldenPass Express isn’t just one of the world’s most scenic train rides; it’s an engineering marvel. As I sink into the plush, cream-coloured leather recliner, a glass of Champagne in hand and hiking boots raised, I’m ready for a three-hour spectacle where nature takes centre stage. But the stage isn’t just in front of me – it’s all around. I’m not in a theatre; I’m in Switzerland aboard the GoldenPass Express: a state-of-the-art panoramic train where floor-to-ceiling windows reveal stunning views of the Swiss countryside – from turquoise lakes that mirror towering mountain peaks to rolling meadows dotted with storybook chalets – that rival the grandest cinematic experiences. Sitting in the nine-seat Prestige Class carriage in a specially designed heated, swivelling chair feels both private and personal – as if I’ve got the snowcapped Alps, wildflower-laced pastures and bell-adorned cows to myself. Opened in December 2022 and fully relaunched in June 2023 after addressing problems with track wear, The GoldenPass Express (GPX) is one of Europe’s newest (and most luxurious) high-tech trains. Its 115km journey follows a medieval trade route connecting Interlaken’s glaciers to Montreux’s terraced vineyards, and thanks to a technological innovation, the GPX allows travellers to take one of the world’s most scenic train routes without transferring, as passengers did previously. The GPX is one of five premium panoramic trains within the Swiss Travel System. Individual tickets range from 56-145 Swiss francs (roughly £50-130). It’s also included in the Swiss Travel Pass (starting from 244 Swiss francs – roughly £219 – and children under 16 ride free of charge) which offers unlimited access to all public transportation (trains, trams, buses and passenger ferries), 50% off mountain railways and gondolas, and free admission to more than 500 museums. The train’s midnight-blue exterior and classic design evoke the bygone era of the original Orient Express that still connects Paris to Istanbul. Inside, the interior is crisp and cutting-edge, the Prestige Class specially designed chairs are by Ferrari-designer firm Pininfarina and are the only such rail seats in Europe. Need lower back support? There’s a button for that. Tired feet? Elevate your legs. Feeling chilly? Just press the seat warmer. Want a different view? Simply pivot your seat to face the direction of your choice. Just don’t fall asleep! But what truly sets the GPX apart from other luxury trains is something you can’t see: it can seamlessly jump between tracks of different gauges and voltages. Built by Montreux-Oberland-Bernois Railway (MOB) in collaboration with BLS AG (BLS) in Bern, the train winds its way down from the heights of the Bernese Alps, passing the luxurious town of Gstaad, beloved by A-listers for its exclusivity and isolation, and Château d’Oex, famous for its hot air balloon festival (25 January-2 February 2025), before snaking through vineyards as it makes its dramatic descent towards the Vaudois Riviera. Finally, it reaches sun-soaked Montreux, where palms sway on the glistening shores of Lake Geneva. In 1905, when MOB set out to build the GoldenPass line, the aim was to connect Francophone Montreux to German-speaking Interlaken – two big touristic and economic hubs – with a single trainline. But somewhere along the way, MOB noticed the rail wasn’t the same width; the gauges varied. It took 120 years to find a system bridging the gap. The world’s railroads use a patchwork of varying gauges – mainly broad, standard and narrow. Railway development lacked industry standards in the 19th Century, leading to varied gauges to suit terrain, transport purpose and political influences. This is one of the main reasons why we often need to change trains when we’re travelling. As Trains magazine senior editor David Lassen tells the BBC, “countries slow to settle on a single gauge paid the price with operating challenges”. Case in point: Switzerland. The idea of directly connecting Lake Geneva to Lakes Thun and Brienz in Interlaken dates to the late 1800s. Since 1916, the Lucerne-Interlaken-Zweisimmen-Montreux route, known as the GoldenPass line, allowed travel between these destinations, but required two train changes because of the tracks’ differing gauges. In 1928, the concept of adding a third rail was discussed. “That would have required building tunnels,” said MOB product manager Fanny Moix. She explained that this was “technically impossible” because of a combination of bureaucracy and the complexity of building dual-gauge tracks through a busy, complicated junction. Still, as Interlaken Tourism markets manager Celina Finger maintains: “Changing trains is a huge hassle for tourists.” It’s also a reason why the GoldenPass line hasn’t been as popular as its panoramic counterparts, like the Glacier Express. Now, instead of requiring travellers to change trains in the middle of the journey, the GPX can make the three-hour-15-minute journey directly, thanks to the revolutionary “variable gauge bogie”. The technology, developed in 2022 after 15 years of research and costing 89m Swiss francs (£80m), was publicly funded by the cantons of Vaud, Bern, Freiburg and the Swiss Confederation. This innovation facilitates seamless transitions between narrow and standard gauges and voltage changes within seconds, effectively enabling a train to jump tracks while moving. It’s a groundbreaking new standard in rail travel – not just in Switzerland, but globally. “[The GPX] is a link to our past and our future,” said Frédéric Delachaux, MOB marketing director, explaining that it realises the centuries-old dream of linking Switzerland to Europe by rail via the Alps. As I made the historic journey for the first time, approaching Zweisimmen station, I hesitated to leave the comforts of my warm seat where I was nibbling on local cheeses (there is no full-service dining on board but there are local snack options). I stretched my legs and peered out the window as we briefly paused for the locomotive change, which allows the train to adapt to the electrical voltage change. A few minutes later, we were travelling towards Schönried, a ski resort town neighbouring Gstaad, and as the train carried on, I barely felt a thing. Meanwhile, as the train’s elevation shifted ever so slightly (rising about 200 mm) to accommodate the gauge attrition and platform height, an engineering marvel was happening right below my feet – even if only a discerning train aficionado would notice it. “It’s a big frustration for us in marketing because you don’t feel anything!” lamented Delachaux. Perhaps the engineers did too good a job. Because of this, the gauge change is displayed on a screen to passengers as it’s happening. While there are other trains in France and Japan that can move a few centimetres, “this is the only train in the world that moves 43cm”, said Delachaux. It’s perhaps no surprise that the Swiss were able to pull off this engineering feat. Living in a landlocked nation that’s 70% mountainous and filled with some 1,500 lakes, people here have long had to negotiate the obstacles posed by their challenging terrain – and along the way, exemplified a certain determination and ingenuity that is decidedly Swiss. As Clarence Rook wrote in his 1907 book Switzerland and Its People: “There are bigger mountains in the world than may be found in Switzerland. But you will nowhere find in so small a space so many triumphs of engineering. The Swiss roads and railways stand as a monument to the victory of human skill over physical obstacles.” Courtesy: BBC

December 30 - Trae Young collected 34 points and 10 assists and the visiting Atlanta Hawks never trailed en route to a 136-107 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday night. Reserve De'Andre Hunter added 22 points for the Hawks, who have won four games in a row. Jalen Johnson chipped in 15 points, six steals and one block. Onyeka Okongwu returned after missing five games due to a knee injury and scored 15 points off the bench, Zaccharie Risacher contributed 14 points and Clint Capela had 11 points and 13 rebounds. Scottie Barnes had 19 points, eight rebounds and three steals for the Raptors, who have lost 10 straight games. RJ Barrett added 17 points, and Jakob Poeltl (groin injury) was back in the lineup after missing four games and had 13 points. Bruce Brown made his season debut and scored 12 points off the bench for Toronto, which committed 31 turnovers. Atlanta led 35-25 after one quarter, taking advantage of 10 Toronto giveaways. Toronto started the second quarter with a 6-2 run, but Young's 3-pointer bumped Atlanta's lead to 14 points, 47-33, with 8:36 to play in the frame. The Raptors then used an 11-2 surge to cut the margin to five with five minutes remaining. However, the Hawks stayed in control before settling for a 64-58 lead at the break after the Raptors' Chris Boucher canned a 31-foot 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer. Atlanta shot 43.8 percent from the field in the first half and had nine turnovers. Meanwhile, Toronto shot 57.9 percent overall during the first two quarters while committing 17 turnovers. Atlanta was up 76-64 with 9:21 left in the third quarter after Risacher's dunk following Young's steal. A 7-0 rally extended Atlanta's lead to 17 with 5:41 remaining in the frame, and Hunter's 3-pointer stretched the gap to 21 points, 99-78, with 2:53 to go. Atlanta had a 104-82 cushion after three quarters and saw its advantage reach as many as 31 in the fourth. --Field Level Media Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab

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Cricket-ECB suspends Bangladesh's Shakib for 'illegal bowling'Commerce Bancshares senior vice president sells $53,364 in stockGeorgia has a chance to post its best start to a season in 94 years ahead of its home meeting with South Carolina State in Athens, Ga., on Sunday. Georgia (11-1) hasn't appeared in the NCAA Tournament in 10 seasons and hasn't won a tournament game since 2002, but the Bulldogs seem primed to make a return. The Bulldogs have won six straight games and a seventh would mark their best start since beginning 13-0 in the 1930-31 campaign. Georgia hasn't played since a Dec. 22 home win over Charleston Southern. Head coach Mike White knows the intensity of the schedule will soon increase as Southeastern Conference play revs up, but that's not to say his team will overlook its next opponent. "We've had a much-needed break, both mentally and physically," White said. "Our guys need to get away from it a little bit, miss it, then come back rejuvenated for one more tune up for the grind of the SEC -- the best league in the country. But we'll be prepared for South Carolina State. They're dangerous, they play really hard, they've been really competitive. They're another good team." Adding to Georgia's success has been the play of De'Shayne Montgomery. After being academically ineligible for the first 10 games of the season, the Mount St. Mary's transfer has averaged 19 points per game in two contests. Asa Newell follows with 15.8 points in 12 games, while fellow Mount St. Mary's transfer Dakota Leffew chips in 12.9. South Carolina State (6-8) will play its fourth road game of a six-game stretch away from home. The other Bulldogs prepare for their final regular season meeting with a power conference team following losses at South Carolina Upstate and Xavier. South Carolina State faces Morgan State on Jan. 4 to start Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play. Led by third-year head coach Erik Martin, the team boasts a rare roster figure in today's college basketball landscape. "We brought back 90 percent of our returnable student athletes this year," Martin said. "I can pretty much guarantee I'm the only person in America that did that." Sophomore Drayton Jones leads the team with 13 points per game, followed by Omar Croskey's 9.4. Georgia is 2-0 all-time against South Carolina State, last earning a 76-60 win in Nov. 2021. --Field Level Media

Michigan tight end Colston Loveland declared for the 2025 NFL draft on Friday. Loveland made the announcement in an Instagram post , via ESPN's Adam Schefter. The 20-year-old spent all three years of his college career with the Wolverines, appearing in 39 total games. He was ranked as the No. 1 tight end and No. 13 overall player in the 2025 draft class on the latest big board from Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department. B/R NFL Scout Dame Parson highlighted Loveland's ability to fit in a wide variety of schemes in his scouting report. "Loveland can operate as a traditional in-line and/or the pass-catching move tight end in both the run and passing games," Parson wrote. "That versatility will help NFL offensive coordinators create a game plan for him within the offense." Loveland still had one more year of eligibility remaining, but he's choosing to make the jump to the professional level after wrapping up consecutive impressive seasons. He initially sat behind Luke Schoonmaker on the depth chart as a true freshman, but he thrived in a starting role once Schoonmaker entered the NFL ahead of the 2023 season. Loveland was a key piece of the Wolverines' passing offense during their undefeated campaign that ended with a national championship. In 15 games during the 2023 season, he racked up 45 receptions for 649 yards and four touchdowns. While Michigan's air attack took a step back in 2024, Loveland remained an important contributor. His 58.2 receiving yards per game represented an increase compared to his average of 43.3 yards each week in the prior season, while his 56 catches and five scores were both the highest marks on the team. After winning two Big Ten championships and a national title at Ann Arbor, Loveland will now be heading to the NFL.

How co-writing a book threatened the Carters’ marriage

NEW YORK (AP) — Same iconic statue, very different race. With two-way star Travis Hunter of Colorado and Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty leading the field, these certainly aren't your typical Heisman Trophy contenders. Sure, veteran quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel from top-ranked Oregon and Cam Ward of No. 15 Miami are finalists for college football's most prestigious award as well, but the 90th annual ceremony coming up Saturday night at Lincoln Center in New York City offers a fresh flavor this year. To start with, none of the four are from the powerhouse Southeastern Conference, which has produced four of the past five Heisman winners — two each from Alabama and LSU. Jeanty, who played his home games for a Group of Five team on that peculiar blue turf in Idaho more than 2,100 miles from Manhattan, is the first running back even invited to the Heisman party since 2017. After leading the country with 2,497 yards rushing and 29 touchdowns, he joined quarterback Kellen Moore (2010) as the only Boise State players to be named a finalist. “The running back position has been overlooked for a while now," said Jeanty, who plans to enter the 2025 NFL draft. "There's been a lot of great running backs before me that should have been here in New York, so to kind of carry on the legacy of the running back position I think is great. ... I feel as if I'm representing the whole position.” With the votes already in, all four finalists spent Friday conducting interviews and sightseeing in the Big Apple. They were given custom, commemorative watches to mark their achievement. “I'm not a watch guy, but I like it,” said Hunter, flashing a smile. The players also took photos beneath the massive billboards in Times Square and later posed with the famous Heisman Trophy, handed out since 1935 to the nation's most outstanding performer. Hunter, the heavy favorite, made sure not to touch it yet. A dominant player on both offense and defense who rarely comes off the field, the wide receiver/cornerback is a throwback to generations gone by and the first full-time, true two-way star in decades. On offense, he had 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns this season to help the 20th-ranked Buffaloes (9-3) earn their first bowl bid in four years. On defense, he made four interceptions, broke up 11 passes and forced a critical fumble that secured an overtime victory against Baylor. Hunter played 688 defensive snaps and 672 more on offense — the only Power Four conference player with 30-plus snaps on both sides of the ball, according to Colorado research. Call him college football’s answer to baseball unicorn Shohei Ohtani. “I think I laid the ground for more people to come in and go two ways,” Hunter said. “It starts with your mindset. If you believe you can do it, then you'll be able to do it. And also, I do a lot of treatment. I keep up with my body. I get a lot of recovery.” Hunter is Colorado's first Heisman finalist in 30 years. The junior from Suwanee, Georgia, followed flashy coach Deion Sanders from Jackson State, an HBCU that plays in the lower level FCS, to the Rocky Mountains and has already racked up a staggering combination of accolades this week, including The Associated Press player of the year. Hunter also won the Walter Camp Award as national player of the year, along with the Chuck Bednarik Award as the top defensive player and the Biletnikoff Award for best wide receiver. “It just goes to show that I did what I had to do,” Hunter said. Next, he'd like to polish off his impressive hardware collection by becoming the second Heisman Trophy recipient in Buffaloes history, after late running back Rashaan Salaam in 1994. “I worked so hard for this moment, so securing the Heisman definitely would set my legacy in college football,” Hunter said. “Being here now is like a dream come true.” Jeanty carried No. 8 Boise State (12-1) to a Mountain West Conference championship that landed the Broncos the third seed in this year's College Football Playoff. They have a first-round bye before facing the SMU-Penn State winner in the Fiesta Bowl quarterfinal on New Year’s Eve. The 5-foot-9, 215-pound junior from Jacksonville, Florida, won the Maxwell Award as college football’s top player and the Doak Walker Award for best running back. Jeanty has five touchdown runs of at least 70 yards and has rushed for the fourth-most yards in a season in FBS history — topping the total of 115 teams this year. He needs 132 yards to break the FBS record set by Heisman Trophy winner Barry Sanders at Oklahoma State in 1988. In a pass-happy era, however, Jeanty is trying to become the first running back to win the Heisman Trophy since Derrick Henry for Alabama nine years ago. In fact, quarterbacks have snagged the prize all but four times this century. Gabriel, an Oklahoma transfer, led Oregon (13-0) to a Big Ten title in its first season in the league and the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. The steady senior from Hawaii passed for 3,558 yards and 28 touchdowns with six interceptions. His 73.2% completion rate ranks second in the nation, and he's attempting to join quarterback Marcus Mariota (2014) as Ducks players to win the Heisman Trophy. “I think all the memories start to roll back in your mind,” Gabriel said. Ward threw for 4,123 yards and led the nation with a school-record 36 touchdown passes for the high-scoring Hurricanes (10-2) after transferring from Washington State. The senior from West Columbia, Texas, won the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback of the Year award and is looking to join QBs Vinny Testaverde (1986) and Gino Torretta (1992) as Miami players to go home with the Heisman. “I just think there's a recklessness that you have to play with at the quarterback position,” Ward said. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get local news delivered to your inbox!