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Author: Dave Riggert

KU’s Dedric Lawson named to preseason AP All-America team

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LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas redshirt junior Dedric Lawson has been named to the Associated Press (AP) 2018-19 preseason All-America team, as voted on by a 65-member national media panel, the AP announced Tuesday.

Joining Lawson on the AP preseason All-America team are: Carsen Edwards (Purdue), Luke Maye (North Carolina), R.J. Barrett (Duke), Ethan Happ (Wisconsin) and Caleb Martin (Nevada). There were also 15 other student-athletes who received votes.

Named Preseason Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and Preseason All-Big 12 First Team earlier this month, Lawson sat out last season after transferring from Memphis. The Memphis, Tennessee, forward averaged 19.2 points and 9.9 rebounds, amassing 19 double-doubles his sophomore year for the Tigers in 2016-17, earning All-American Athletic Conference First Team honors. As a freshman, Lawson averaged 15.8 points and 9.3 rebounds with 17 double-doubles for Memphis.

Ranked No. 1 in the AP preseason poll released Oct. 22, Kansas will open exhibition play when it hosts Emporia State on Thursday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m., in Allen Fieldhouse.

— KU Athletics —

Kansas No. 1 in preseason AP men’s basketball poll

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LAWRENCE, Kan. – For the third time in poll history Kansas men’s basketball enters the season No. 1 by Associated Press (AP), as the AP released its poll Monday. Kansas received 37 of a possible 65 first-place votes from the AP panel. Kentucky is ranked second and had 19 first-place votes, while Gonzaga, Duke and Virginia round out the top five of the AP preseason poll.

All three times KU has been No. 1 in the preseason have been in the Bill Self era. The Jayhawks were tops entering the 2004-05 season and also in 2009-10. Additionally, Kansas has been ranked in each of the last 180 AP polls dating back to Feb. 3, 2009, which is the longest active streak in NCAA Division I.

“Obviously, we lost a lot off last year’s team with Devonte’ (Graham), Svi (Mykhailiuk) and Malik (Newman), so I’m a little surprised that the writers put us there this preseason,” Kansas head coach Bill Self said. “It’s definitely a spot we welcome and certainly know the goal is to be playing to that ranking by when it counts the most. With young players, we know it’s going to take some time before we are anywhere close to where we are going to be, but I do like this team and I do think we have a chance to be very good.”

The AP ranking marks the sixth-consecutive year the Jayhawks have been preseason ranked fifth or higher and the fourth straight at No. 4 or higher. KU was No. 4 in last season’s AP preseason poll, No. 3 in 2016-17, No. 4 in 2015-16 and No. 5 in 2014-15 and 2013-14. It is also the ninth time in the last 10 seasons that the Jayhawks have entered the season No. 7 or higher by the AP.

Under 16th-year and Hall of Fame head coach Bill Self, this is the 13th time that Kansas enters the season ranked seventh or higher in the Associated Press preseason poll and historically, the No. 1 ranking marks the 21st time since the 1992-93 season that Kansas will enter the season seventh or higher.

Last season, KU entered the year No. 4 nationally in the Associated Press poll and ended at No. 4. The AP’s final poll is released prior to the NCAA Tournament. The Jayhawks have been ranked No. 8 or higher in each of the last 49 AP polls over the past three seasons.

Kansas will potentially play 10 regular-season games against teams ranked in the AP preseason poll, including four in the top 10: No. 2 Kentucky, No. 6 Tennessee (potential NIT), No. 9 Villanova, No. 10 Michigan State, No. 12 Kansas State (twice), No. 13 West Virginia (twice) and No. 20 TCU (twice).

Kansas opens exhibition play when it hosts Emporia State, Thursday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. (Central) in Allen Fieldhouse. The game can be seen on the Jayhawk Television Network and ESPN+.

2018-19 Associated Press Preseason Poll (Oct. 22, 2018)
Rank. School (first place votes) – points
1. KANSAS (37) – 1581
2. Kentucky (19) – 1529
3. Gonzaga (1) – 1461
4. Duke (4) – 1452
5. Virginia (2) – 1286
6. Tennessee (1) – 1,268
7. Nevada – 1,230
8. North Carolina – 1,221
9. Villanova (1) – 1,085
10. Michigan State – 1,024
11. Auburn – 974
12. Kansas State – 922
13. West Virginia – 678
14. Oregon – 638
15. Virginia Tech – 630
16. Syracuse – 620
17. Florida State – 530
18. Mississippi State – 451
19. Michigan – 437
20. TCU – 311
21. UCLA – 297
22. Clemson – 268
23. LSU – 187
24. Purdue – 170
25. Washington – 165

Others receiving votes: Loyola (Chi) 162, Marquette 124, Indiana 98, Florida 71, Nebraska 35, Maryland 28, Wisconsin 24, Notre Dame 22, Cincinnati 21, Alabama 15, UCF 15, Buffalo 14, Arizona 14, Louisville 11, Miami 10, San Diego State 9, USC 6, Butler 6, Texas Tech 6, Texas 5, Arizona State 3, St. John’s 3, Providence 2, Xavier 2, Missouri 1, NC State 1, Marshall 1, Davidson 1

— KU Athletics —

Mizzou WR Jalen Knox earns weekly SEC honor

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COLUMBIA, Mo. – For the second time this season, Mizzou WR Jalen Knox (Mansfield, Texas) has been named the SEC Freshman of the Week, following another great performance in Mizzou’s 65-33 Homecoming win over Memphis. Knox caught five passes for 104 yards and a touchdown, a 44-yard strike that gave Mizzou total control of the game.

After claiming SEC Freshman of the Week honors following a breakout performance at Purdue earlier this season, Knox has now earned the distinction twice this season. The last Tiger to earn multiple SEC Freshman of the Week honors was QB Maty Mauk in 2013.

Knox’s TD came on a 44-yarder in the second quarter that extended Mizzou’s lead from 27-17 to 34-17, and gave the Tigers some breathing room after Memphis had minutes earlier closed to 21-17. The game marked his second 100-yard receiving game of the season, adding to his 110-yard, one-touchdown game earlier in the year at Purdue.

Knox is second in the SEC, and fifth nationally among all freshmen with 384 receiving yards through games of Oct. 20. He has 20 receptions in all for 384 yards and three scores. Knox is performing at a high level with added pressure on him, as he has been forced into the number-one receiver role, due to injuries to senior starters Emanuel Hall and Nate Brown, which have kept them out for the past three games.

— Mizzou Athletics —

Nebraska’s Martinez named Big Ten Freshman of the Week

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Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez was honored Monday as co-Big Ten Freshman of the Week. Martinez shined in Nebraska’s 53-28 victory over Minnesota, leading a Nebraska offense that put together its highest point total ever in a Big Ten Conference game. Martinez shared the honor with Purdue freshman receiver Rondale Moore.

Martinez completed 25-of-29 passes for 276 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing for another 125 yards and a touchdown. Martinez’s 401 yards of total offense marked his third 400-yard total offense effort in the past four weeks and he has already tied the Nebraska career record for 400-yard games.

In the passing game, Martinez’s 25-of-29 effort against the Gophers set a Nebraska record for best completion percentage in a game with a minimum of 20 attempts. The previous record was held by Dave Humm and stood for 44 years. The 86.2 percent completion percentage was also the best in the country this season for any quarterback with more than 25 pass attempts.

Martinez’s effort paced Nebraska to 659 yards of total offense, the Huskers’ most since the 2014 season opener against Florida Atlantic. It was Nebraska’s highest total offense output in a Big Ten Conference game and its most in any conference game since 2007 against Kansas State.

In addition to his Big Ten honor, Martinez was also honored by the College Football Performance Awards as the CFPA Co-National Performer of the Week.

— NU Athletics —

Missouri loses Johntay Porter to season-ending knee injury

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COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri star Jontay Porter tore ligaments in his knee during a closed scrimmage with Southern Illinois on Sunday and will miss the upcoming season.

The school said the sophomore forward tore his ACL and MCL but declined further comment.

The 6-foot-11 Porter averaged 9.9 points and 6.8 rebounds as a freshman last season, helping the Tigers reach the NCAA Tournament. His brother, Michael Porter Jr., was supposed to star on that team but played in just three games before back surgery sidelined him the rest of the season.

Porter Jr. was chosen in the first round of the NBA draft.

Johntay also considered the draft before deciding to return to Missouri in an attempt to boost his draft stock. Now, Porter may have to return for yet another season.

— Associated Press —

Missouri Western soccer gets shutout by No. 10 Central Oklahoma

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ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western Soccer (11-5, 6-3 MIAA) fell to No. 10 Central Oklahoma (16-0, 9-0 MIAA) 4-0 Sunday afternoon at Spratt Stadium. The loss gives the Griffons the 1-1 split over the weekend with their win on Friday.

NOTABLES

  • The Griffons were able to hold Central Oklahoma scoreless before the 30th minute for just the third time in the Bronchos’ season.
  • Katie Killion scored the Bronchos’ first goal on a header in the 30th minute.
  • Killion scored again in the second half for her 22nd goal of the season.
  • Central Oklahoma scored two more goals to win by a score of 4-0 and stay undefeated.
  • Sunday’s loss snaps a four-game winning streak for Missouri Western.
  • Missouri Western remains just one conference point behind Central Missouri in the MIAA standings. The Griffons will matchup with the Jennies in the final game of the regular season on October 28.

STATS AND LEADERS

  • Claire Meyers and Cassidy Menke each led the team with three shots.
  • Four Griffons each had one shot on goal.
  • Anna Mayer had seven saves and faced a season-high 25 shots.
  • The Griffons finished with 11 shots.

UP NEXT

  • Missouri Western will play its final two weekend games next week.
  • The Griffons will host Northwest Missouri on Senior Night and SJYSA Club Night on Friday, October 26.
  • The Bearcats fell to 2-13 (1-7 MIAA) after their loss to Northeastern State on Sunday.
  • Missouri Western won 4-0 in the first matchup on September 16.

— MWSU Athletics —

Northwest soccer falls at home to Northeastern State

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The Northeastern State Riverhawks defeated the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats 2-1 on senior day at Bearcat Pitch Sunday.

The Riverhawks got on the board first with a goal by Mariah Nicolet off an assist by Valeriia Pankratova in the 25th minute. The Bearcats tied it up in the 38th minute on an unassisted goal by Tanith Beal. The go-ahead goal was scored by Valeriia Pankratova in the 60th minute.

The Bearcats next game is at Missouri Western on Friday Oct. 26 at 6 p.m.

— Northwest Athletics —

Griffons use big fourth quarter to rally past Emporia State 42-28

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EMPORIA, Kan. – The Missouri Western football team (5-3) scored 22 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to come from behind and win 42-28 at Emporia State (4-4), Saturday afternoon. The team’s first second half comeback win of the season gave Missouri Western its fifth win of the season, exceeding the win totals from the previous two seasons.

Down 28-20 entering the fourth quarter, the comeback started quick. James Bailey Jr. rushed in for his third touchdown of the game on the third play of the final quarter. Dom Marino hit Donnell Hawkins to complete a two-point conversion and tie the game at 28. It was all Griffons from there as the defense shut out an Emporia State offense that had scored 21-straight points to take the 28-20 lead. Bailey Jr. added his fourth rushing touchdown of the game with 3:48 left that gave back the lead to MWSU. Hawkins iced it with a four-yard touchdown run with 1:56 remaining.

NOTABLES

  • It was the Griffons’ first come-from-behind win since Sept. 23 of last season (41-37 vs Central Oklahoma)
  • The win snapped a streak of five-straight losses to Emporia State
  • Missouri Western had led in the fourth quarter in three of those previous five losses to ESU
  • MWSU has now outscored opponents 97-20 in the fourth quarter this season
  • The Griffons moved into a three-way tie for third place in the MIAA with Central Oklahoma and Pittsburg State
  • For a fifth-straight game, Missouri Western rushed from more than 250 yards, going for 260 and five rushing TDs on the Hornets
  • MWSU out-gained the potent Emporia State offense, 416-395

LEADERS

  • Dom Marino completed 64 percent of his passes to 10 different receivers for 156 yards. He didn’t throw a touchdown, but also didn’t throw an interception and was not sacked
  • James Bailey Jr. had four rushing touchdowns and 81 rushing yards, averaging 5.8 yards per carry
  • Shamar Griffth rushed 17 times for 71 yards
  • Donnell Hawkins averaged 9.6 yards on seven carries for 67 yards
  • Kobe Cummings led the team once again with 10 total tackles
  • Jabbar Miles had nine total tackles
  • Vayante Copeland assisted on two sacks
  • Markel Fluker had a solo sack
  • James Huskey and Marcus Brown each had a half sack

UP NEXT

  • The Rogers Pharmacy Hall of Fame Game Oct. 27 against Pittsburg State (5-3) at 1 p.m.
  • Pittsburg State snapped a two-game skid with a 48-28 win over Central Missouri, Saturday

— MWSU Athletics —

No. 11 Bearcats roll at Lindenwood 38-17

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ST. CHARLES, Missouri – The Northwest Missouri State University football team extended its win streak to four in a row with a 38-17 triumph over the Lindenwood Lions on Saturday at Hunter Stadium.

Northwest moved to 7-1 overall, while Lindenwood dropped to 3-5 overall.

Parker Sampson put the Bearcats on the board first with a 37-yard field goal with 10:10 left in the opening quarter.

Josh Caldwell added his 29th career rushing touchdown on an 8-yard run when he carried both a handful of Lions defenders into the end zone with 3:17 left in the first quarter.

Lindenwood trimmed the Northwest lead to 10-7 on a 27-yard run by Nash Sutherlin. Sutherlin took a pitch from Lions quarterback Cody Brister and made it to the end zone along the left sideline. Sutherlin’s score came with 7:08 left in the second quarter.

Northwest’s Shawn Bane Jr. returned the ensuing kickoff 53 yards to set the Bearcats up with a short field. Isaiah Strayhorn cashed in on the field position advantage with a 1-yard score on a 4th-and-goal with 2:32 left in the half.

Bearcat defender Jackson Barnes intercepted a tipped pass at the Lindenwood 17-yard line to give Northwest another short field when Braden Wright scored on a 3-yard rushing score. Wright’s score gave Northwest a 24-7 lead at the half.

The Bearcats took the opening kickoff of the second half and marched 56 yards in six plays for their fourth rushing touchdown of the game. Strayhorn scored his second rushing score from the one-yard line to give Northwest a 31-7 lead with 12:56 left in the third quarter.

Lindenwood cut into the Northwest advantage on a 26-yard field goal by kicker Barrett Foley. Foley’s three-pointer with 7:54 left in the third quarter made it 31-10 in favor of the Bearcats.

The Lions took advantage of a Northwest miscue when Wright threw only his third interception of the season. Lindenwood found the end zone on a 26-yard toss from Brister to Paul Silvio. Silvio’s score came with 5:38 left in the third quarter and cut Northwest’s lead to 31-17.

Northwest’s LaTroy Harper popped a 55-yard kick return that set up the Bearcats with a drive starting at Lindenwood’s 16-yard line. The Bearcats cashed in with another red zone score when Wright connected with Marqus Andrews on a 1-yard touchdown pass with 2:57 left in the third quarter. The passing score gave Northwest a 38-17 lead.

Northwest will be on the road again next week at Northeastern State. The Bearcats and Riverhawks will square off in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, on Saturday at 2 p.m.

NOTES: Northwest out-gained Lindenwood, 390-290 … Isaiah Strayhorn rushed for a game-high 64 yards and two touchdowns … Shawn Bane Jr. latched onto five passes for 77 yards … Wright passed for 148 yards and a score, while he rushed for 33 yards and a touchdown … Raymond Thomas carried it six times for 55 yards (9.2 yards/carry) … LaTroy Harper returned two kicks for 72 yards … Jack Richards totaled a game-high 13 tackles … Northwest tallied 12 tackles-for-loss and five quarterback sacks … Wright has scored eight rushing touchdowns this season to rank No. 2 in the nation among freshmen … Northwest was a perfect 4-for-4 in red zone opportunities in the first half.

— Northwest Athletics —

Missouri Western volleyball gets swept at Lindenwood

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ST. CHARLES, Mo. – Griffon Volleyball (12-15, 4-10) fell in three sets at Lindenwood (13-11, 5-9) Saturday evening.

NOTABLES

  • The loss was the fifth-straight overall and sixth-straight road loss for the Griffons
  • Lindenwood broke an eighth place tie – the final qualifying spot for the MIAA Championships – with the Griffons putting Missouri Western alone in ninth with two weeks remaining in the regular season
  • Down 22-14 in the second set, MWSU went on a 7-0 run to nearly tie the set, but Lindenwood would take a 2-0 lead with a 25-22 final
  • For the sixth-straight match and the 11th time in the last 12, Stephanie Doak had double-digit kills, finishing the night with 12
  • Lindenwood had 22 more kills than the Griffons in the match (52-30)

LEADERS

  • Doak again led the Griffons with 12 kills and a .423 hitting percentage
  • Ali Tauchen finished with three blocks and eight kills
  • Lauren Murphy had a team-high 25 assists
  • Audrey Keim led the team with 10 digs

UP NEXT

  • The final two regular season home matches and Pink Week in the MWSU Fieldhouse
  • The Griffons host Southwest Baptist, Oct. 26, and Missouri Southern for Senior Night on Oct. 27

— MWSU Athletics —

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