Travis Hunter is a throwback-type player — an elite receiver one moment, a lockdown cornerback the next — who rarely leaves the field and has a knack for making big plays all over it.

The Colorado Buffaloes’ two-way standout even celebrates at an elite level, unveiling imaginative dance moves following touchdowns and interceptions, some of which include the Heisman Trophy pose. It’s one of the many awards he’s in line to win.

Hunter is the The Associated Press college football player of the year, receiving 26 of 43 votes Thursday from a panel of AP Top 25 voters. Boise State tailback Ashton Jeanty finished second with 16 votes and Arizona State running back Cameron Skattebo received one vote.

“Couldn’t do what I do without my team,” Hunter said in an email on a trip to Las Vegas for an awards ceremony. “So I view being up for these awards as team awards.”

Hunter finished the regular season with 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns as a receiver. On defense, he had four interceptions, broke up 11 passes and forced one crucial fumble, which secured an OT win over Baylor.

Mullen to become UNLV’s next football coach >> Former Florida and Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen has agreed to lead UNLV’s 24th-ranked football program, two people with knowledge of the hire said.

The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no announcement has been made.

The 52-year-old Mullen replaces Barry Odom, who left for Purdue on Sunday after going 19-8 and helping the Rebels receive back-to-back bowl invitations for the first time in program history. UNLV will play Cal in the LA Bowl on Wednesday.

Mullen, most recently an ESPN college football analyst, went 103-61 at Florida and Mississippi State.

Rodriguez is returning to West Virginia for a second stint >> Rich Rodriguez is returning to West Virginia for a second stint as head coach at his alma mater.

Athletic director Wren Baker announced the hiring on Thursday, 17 years after Rodriguez made a hasty exit for what became a disastrous three-year experiment at Michigan.

Rodriguez, who is the current coach at Jacksonville State, an architect of the spread offense and a polarizing figure in his home state, replaces Neal Brown, who was fired on Dec. 1 after going 37-35 in six seasons, including 6-6 this year.

Arizona’s McMillan declares for NFL draft >> Arizona star receiver Tetairoa McMillan has declared for the NFL draft following three stellar seasons.

McMillan announced his decisionon Instagram.

McMillan had another strong season in 2023 and was named an Associated Press preseason All-American this year. He continued to produce even as the Wildcats struggled, finishing top five nationally with 84 catches and 1,319 yards receiving to earn first-team AP all-Big 12 honors.

NFL

Snow go for Bills >> The Buffalo Bills canceled practice Thursday amid more than 2 feet of snow and opted to handle team meetings virtually.

The Bills (10-3) posted pictures on X of their home stadium buried in snow, with its blue seats barely visible in most places. Buffalo plays at Detroit (12-1) on Sunday afternoon, one of two games involving division-leading teams. Pittsburgh (10-3) also plays at Philadelphia (11-2).

Buffalo beat San Francisco in heavy snow earlier this month.

Golf

Sullivan shoots 64 and leads by 1 at Dunhill Championship >> Andy Sullivan shot 8-under 64 to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Alfred Dunhill Championship.

The No. 205-ranked Englishman made eight birdies in a bogey-free round at Leopard Creek Country Club.

England’s Alex Fitzpatrick, the younger brother of 2022 U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick, was in a share of second place with Marcus Kinhult of Sweden and Casey Jarvis of South Africa.

MLB

Franco’s sex abuse trial has been postponed >> The trial against Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who has been charged with sexually abusing a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking, was postponed and scheduled to resume June 2, 2025.

Dominican judge Yacaira Veras postponed the hearing at the request of prosecutors because of the absence of several key witnesses in the case. Only three out of 31 witnesses arrived to the hearing.

Franco’s lawyers asked the court to reconsider the postponement, arguing Franco must report to spring training in mid-February.

Rangers, Eovaldi finalize $75M, 3-year contract >> Nathan Eovaldi and the Texas Rangers finalized a $75 million, three-year contract that keeps him in their starting rotation.

The right-hander was the winning pitcher for Texas in its 2023 World Series clincher, and the Rangers said one of their primary goals this offseason was to re-sign Eovaldi. The sides agreed to financial terms Tuesday, pending a successful physical.

Motor sports

Team claims NASCAR rescinded approval to buy new charter >> Front Row Motorsports, one of two teams suing NASCAR in federal court, accused the stock car series of rejecting the planned purchase of a valuable charter unless the lawsuit was dropped.

Front Row made the claim in a court filing and said it involved its proposed purchase of the charter from Stewart-Haas Racing. Front Row said the series would only approve it if Front Row and 23XI Racing dropped their court case.