Nov 23, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas running back Devin Neal (4) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the 3rd quarter between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Colorado Buffaloes at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images

Devin Neal Upstages Heisman Trophy Favorite Travis Hunter to Win National Honor

Originally posted on Kansas Jayhawks on SI
By Rich Cirminiello | Last updated Nov 26, 2024 10:03 AM ET

Red-hot Kansas put the Big 12 Conference in the spin cycle with Saturday's 37-21 upset of Colorado.

Nine Big 12 teams are still mathematically alive to reach Arlington. Oddly, the Jayhawks are not one of them, despite three consecutive wins over ranked league opponents.

Neal has been the offensive catalyst as 5-6 Kansas has battled back from a demoralizing 2-6 start to pull within one more win from bowl-eligibility.

The Jayhawks' all-time leading rusher took his game to another level Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium. He ran for a season-high 207 yards and three touchdowns on 37 carries, while also leading the passing game with four receptions for 80 yards and another score.

DEVIN NEAL WENT CRAAAZY VS COLORADO @KU_Football pic.twitter.com/EjHx4XPqbA
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 24, 2024

For accounting for 287 total yards and four touchdowns, while outperforming Colorado's Travis Hunter, the heavy Heisman Trophy favorite, Neal has been honored as the Maxwell Award Player of the Week.

@KU_Football ‘s @Dev_Neal23 is the #MaxwellAward Player of the Week! #MaxwellFootball @CFBDawgs

If you think Devin may win a national award, and you want to see it live, you can purchase your ticket to the Maxwell Awards Gala at the link below!

https://t.co/mJcev0KHmb pic.twitter.com/crKBKbKtRY
— Maxwell Football (@MaxwellFootball) November 26, 2024

The Maxwell Football Club honors college football's top performers throughout the season, culminating in the December announcement of the Maxwell Award for college football's most outstanding player.

Neal and the Jayhawks return to action this week to face surging Baylor in Waco.

If Kansas can snap the Bears' five-game winning streak Saturday, it'll become bowl-eligible, giving Neal one more game to pad his school marks for career touchdowns and yards on the ground.