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Author: Dave Riggert

Griffons’ Miles, Dandridge earn weekly MIAA football honors

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The MIAA announced Monday afternoon that Missouri Western’s Jabbar Miles and Brandin Dandridge were named MIAA Players of the Week following the Griffons win over No. 5-ranked Fort Hays. Miles earned Defensive Player of the Week while Dandridge was named Special Teams Player of the Week as a returner.

Miles finished Saturday’s game with two of the Griffons’ three interceptions. Miles halted the Tigers’ 64 yard drive with 3:08 left in the first quarter, picking off Fort Hays quarterback Jacob Mezera after his pass bounced off the hands of his intended receiver. Miles then broke the Tigers’ hearts again in the third quarter. The Tigers were putting together another promising drive before Miles intercepted Mezera’s pass for the end-zone, catching the pass at Missouri Western’s own one yard line before returning it out to the 16. Miles was also the second-leading tackler for the Griffons and added one pass breakup.

Dandridge helped the Griffons in their control of field position throughout the game. He finished the game with three punt returns for 86 total yards, averaging over 28 yards per return. His longest return of the night came early in the first quarter, as he raced down the Griffon sideline for 58 yards to the Fort Hays 19-yard line. His return set up the Griffon offense for its first score of the game. Dandrigde also played a key role for the Griffon defense. With six seconds remaining in the first half and the Griffons backed up to their own five-yard line, Dandridge intercepted another Fort Hays pass attempt for the end-zone.

— MWSU Athletics —

Northwest’s Wright named MIAA offensive player of the week

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Northwest Missouri State redshirt freshman quarterback Braden Wright (Elkhorn, Neb.) has been named the MIAA offensive player of the week after leading the Bearcats to a 38-17 victory at Washburn.

Wright rushed for 118 yards and two touchdowns, while passing for 233 yards and another score against the Ichabods at Yager Stadium.

Wright scored on a 27-yard run with 7:11 left in the second quarter to knot the game at 14-14. Wright then put Northwest ahead for good in the third quarter when he scored again on the ground from 17 yards out. Wright was 23-of-35 passing, including a 14-yard scoring strike to Chase White in the fourth quarter.

Wright and the No. 4-ranked Bearcats (2-0 overall) will play host to Missouri Southern (0-2 overall) on Family Day Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Bearcat Stadium.

— Northwest Athletics —

KU’s Joe Dineen Jr., Pooka Williams Jr. earn Big 12 weekly honors

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IRVING, Texas – Kansas senior linebacker Joe Dineen Jr. was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week, while freshman running back Pooka Williams Jr. earned conference Newcomer of the Week honors, announced by the league offices on Tuesday.

Dineen Jr. earned the Defensive Player of the Week nod after leading the Kansas defense in a 31-7 road win over Central Michigan on Saturday. Totaling 14 tackles (8 solo), .5 tackles-for-loss and one quarterback hurry, Dineen Jr. also recorded his first-career interception in the third quarter of the game. His 14 stops marked the 17th time in his career the Lawrence, Kansas native notched double-digit tackles and was the second this season after posting 16 total takedowns in the season opener.

Williams Jr. made his Kansas debut against Central Michigan, where he totaled 125 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while adding eight receiving yards on one catch in the game. His 125 rushing yards came on 14 carries, giving him an average of 8.9 yards per rush. The Marrero, Louisiana product broke off a 20-yard run in the third quarter to score his first-career touchdown, then came back on his very next touch with a 41-yard scamper down the sideline for his second score of the game. His rushing efforts made him the first KU freshman to record 100-plus rushing yards in their career debut since James Sims ran for 101 yards against Georgia Tech in 2010.

The awards mark the first conference weekly honors for the Jayhawks this season and are the first since October 30 of last season when Steven Sims Jr. earned Co-Offensive Player of the Week Honors. Dineen Jr. was the last Jayhawk to earn a Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week nod, doing so last season. With Dineen Jr. and Williams Jr. picking up awards this week, it marks the third-straight season multiple Jayhawks have been recognized with weekly conference honors.

Dineen Jr.’s Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honor marks the 17th for the Kansas football program, while Williams Jr.’s Newcomer of the Week is the first for KU since the award’s inception in 2016.

The Jayhawks return to David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on September 15 to host Big Ten foe Rutgers. The game is slated for an 11 a.m. kickoff.

— KU Athletics —

Griffon soccer bounces back to defeat Sioux Falls 2-1

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – For the second-straight week, the Missouri Western women’s soccer team (2-2) rebounded from a Friday loss with a Sunday win. This week it was a 2-1 victory at Sioux Falls (1-3).

Newcomer Lillian Davis scored her first goal as a Griffon just 38 seconds into Sunday’s game to give Missouri Western a 1-0 lead. Davis’ first career goal came from an assist by Megan Maenner. Madison Utley gave MWSU a 2-0 lead in the 57th minute with an unassisted goal. Less than two minutes later Sioux Falls’ McKayla Philippi snuck a header past Anna Meyer off a corner kick that pulled the Cougars within one. Fifteen second half shots by Missouri Western limited Sioux Falls to just five opportunities and helped the Griffons escape with the win. With Davis and Utley scoring, Sunday, four different Griffons have provided the team’s four goals this season.

UP NEXT
Missouri Western gets a first look at some conference opponents next week in non-conference games. The Griffons travel to Lindenwood (2-1-1) on Sept. 14 for a non-conference tilt.

— MWSU Athletics —

Hill, Mahomes lead Chiefs to 38-28 victory over Chargers

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CARSON, Calif. (AP) — Tyreek Hill helped get the Patrick Mahomes era off to a blazing start for Kansas City.

The speedy receiver scored three touchdowns, including two in the first quarter, as the Chiefs opened the season with a 38-28 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

“You know, he’s a different animal. That’s the cheetah,” Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt said. “The guy can take off at any time of the game, at any point in the game, and it’s good like that to have a guy with speed like that on your team.”

On a day when the Chargers’ biggest concerns were Mahomes and Hunt, it was Hill’s big plays that set the tone. Hill had a 91-yard punt return for a score and a 58-yard TD reception during the first quarter to give Kansas City a 14-3 lead. He then added a 1-yard reception on a shovel pass for a score in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.

Hill also had 169 yards on seven receptions, which is the second-most yards by a Chiefs receiver in an opener, according to Pro Football Reference. Carlos Carson had 173 yards receiving against New Orleans in 1985.

Mahomes, who moved into the starting spot after Alex Smith was traded to Washington in the offseason, was 15 of 27 for 256 yards as the Chiefs extended their winning streak over the Chargers to nine.

“Tyreek really got us going with the punt return and Patrick did a nice job of running the offense,” Kansas City coach Andy Reid said. “There were a lot of great individual efforts on a hot day where we had to endure the elements.”

After the Chargers got the opening kickoff but went three-and-out, Hill took Drew Kaser’s punt 91 yards for a touchdown just 1 minute, 57 seconds into the game. The third-year receiver fielded the punt near the right hash mark, but quickly found an opening up the left sideline.

It was Hill’s fourth punt return for a touchdown in 32 games and the Chiefs’ league-leading seventh since 2013.

“Once I caught it, I was like this is wide open,” Hill said. “The punt return really got me hyped and got the rest of the offense rolling.”

Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said they punted it to the far side to make it hard on Hill, but that he ended up making a good play any way.

“If he was going to come back across the field, surely someone could get there and make a play,” Lynn said, “but we didn’t get it done.”

After Caleb Sturgis’ 45-yard field goal got the Chargers on the board, Mahomes threw his first touchdown pass in the NFL, connecting with Hill for 58 yards . Hill caught the pass at the Chargers 47 and eluded a diving tackle by Jahleel Addae as he found a seam up the left sideline.

Mahomes said it was originally supposed to be a run play with a pass option, but one of the linebackers bit on a run fake.

“It helped that I hit it fast and Tyreek was able to miss the tackler,” Mahomes said. “Tyreek’s really worked on his route running and everything in order to make himself into one of the best receivers in the league. I think today has showed that he has improved and has the speed to bring it any time.”

Hill’s third touchdown came with 9:42 remaining on a 1-yard shovel pass from Mahomes, who became the third quarterback in Chiefs’ history to throw four touchdowns in an opener.

“I don’t want to make any too crazy statements, but he’s one of the most dynamic guys,” Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers said of Hill. “I don’t know if I’ve seen anybody better in the things that he can do speed-wise in all my time playing.”

RIVERS’ 424 YARDS NOT ENOUGH

Rivers’ 424 yards are the most by a Chargers’ quarterback in an opener, but two turnovers led Chiefs’ touchdowns.

Los Angeles was within two points at halftime (14-12), but saw Kansas City score two touchdowns in the third quarter. The second one, which gave the Chiefs a 31-12 lead with 48 seconds remaining in the third, came after Rivers was picked off by Ron Parker at the Chiefs 14.

A 20-yard TD reception by Keenan Allen and 2-point conversion catch by Antonio Gates brought the Chargers within 11, but JJ Jones’ fumble of a punt at the Chargers 2 and subsequent Hill touchdown made the deficit too much to overcome.

“It’s one of those games that you’re sick that you let it get away, because you didn’t make all the plays that you really dream about making. … It does nothing but make me be excited,” said Rivers, who was 34 of 51 with three touchdowns and an interception.

INJURIES

Chiefs: LB Ben Niemann suffered a hamstring injury. Coach Andy Reid said he did not know the severity of the injury and said it was likely going to be week-to-week. S Eric Berry made the trip, but was inactive due to a heel injury.

Chargers: RT Joe Barksdale was carted off after injuring his right knee during the first quarter and did not return. Lynn said he did not know the severity of the injury. Sam Tevi took Barksdale’s place on the offensive line. Lynn also said DT Joey Bosa, who was inactive for the game, remains week-to-week with a foot injury.

UP NEXT

Chiefs: Continue their road trip next Sunday at Pittsburgh. Kansas City has dropped three of its last four to the Steelers in the regular season.

Chargers: Travel to Buffalo next Sunday in the first of two straight road games. The Chargers have won three straight and five of the last six against Buffalo.

— Associated Press —

Royals lose at Minnesota on Astudillo’s walk-off HR

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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — He might look more like a fullback than a baseball player. His resume might read more “suspect” than “prospect.” But Willians Astudillo has become something of a folk hero in Minnesota, and on Sunday he rewarded Twins fans for their support.

Astudillo hit a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning that gave Minnesota a 3-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals.

Max Kepler doubled off Jason Hammel (2-13) with two outs in the Twins ninth. Astudillo then hit a drive deep to left field for his third home run of the season, touching off a raucous celebration at home plate.

The 5-foot-9 Astudillo is conservatively listed at 225 pounds, but he’s a better athlete than his frame might suggest. In two stints with the Twins this year, the 26-year-old rookie has started games at catcher, second base and third base. He played left field and center field in his major league debut at Wrigley Field. And he’s even pitched an inning.

But he’s most known for his aggressive, contact-heavy approach at the plate. In 38 plate appearances with the Twins he’s yet to draw a walk, and he’s only struck out twice. It’s a pattern that he’s followed throughout his minor league career, which has already spanned four franchises.

“I just go out there with a plan to make good contact, a good pitch, specifically a good pitch,” said Astudillo, who took a pitch in the dirt before jumping on a hanging slider from Hammel.

Twins manager Paul Molitor admitted he considered using catcher Mitch Garver to pinch-hit for Astudillo.

“I’m glad I paused,” Molitor said, “because it worked out pretty good.”

“He’s probably going to put it in play, and you hope he finds a hole. And as it turns out he hits it over the fence, so that was a bonus,” he said.

Trevor Hildenberger (4-3) got two outs to pick up the win.

Adalberto Mondesi homered for the Royals, who were held to three hits on the day. The closest they came to a rally was in the third inning, when an error and two walks filled the bases. But Hunter Dozier grounded out to end the threat.

“We had the bases loaded looking for a clutch hit, and we couldn’t get it,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “Just not a lot going on offensively for us out there.”

Royals starter Ian Kennedy made his first appearance after missing two months with a strained oblique. He ended up throwing 93 pitches over six innings, allowing one run on four hits with three walks and six strikeouts.

Minnesota starter Chase De Jong made his Twins debut with four scoreless innings, walking four and striking out five. He arrived from Seattle in a trade for reliever Zach Duke on July 30.

Zack Littell followed De Jong for the Twins and gave up Mondesi’s tying home run in the sixth but was otherwise sharp, allowing just two runners in 3 1/3 innings.

FORTNITE PARTY

An estimated 300 fans arrived more than three hours before the first pitch to watch Twins reliever Trevor May show off his skills against some elite competition. But May wasn’t on the mound. He was playing the video game Fortnite, with the action being streamed on the Target Field video board.

May, an avid video game player who is a brand ambassador for a professional e-sports organization, squared off against three pro gamers in a Fortnite streaming party. Garver served as the emcee, interviewing the players and answering fans’ questions during the one-hour event.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Twins: 3B Miguel Sano missed his fourth straight game with a lower left leg contusion.

UP NEXT

Royals: RHP Jakob Junis (8-12, 4.32 ERA) takes the mound on Monday night as the Royals open a three-game series at home against the White Sox. Lucas Giolito (10-10, 5.85) will start for Chicago.

Twins: RHP Kyle Gibson (7-12, 3.74) will start for the Twins as they host the Yankees for the opener of a three-game series on Monday. New York will counter with LHP J.A. Happ (14-6, 3.90).

— Associated Press —

St. Louis uses five-run seventh to take down Detroit

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DETROIT (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals needed something to get them going on Sunday against the Detroit Tigers.

Out of nowhere — again — a squirrel appeared.

In an episode sure to revive St. Louis fans’ memories of the 2011 Rally Squirrel, this game at Comerica Park was scoreless going into the seventh inning. That’s when a squirrel took up residence between second and third base.

There was a delay and, with some prompting from the Tigers infield, the critter moved into foul territory and eventually made its escape in right field.

The Cardinals wound up scoring five times in the inning and avoided a series sweep with a 5-2 victory.

“I don’t think you can discount that factor,” manager Mike Shildt said. “The squirrel shows up and we score five runs. We only had six in the whole series before that.”

During the 2011 NL Division Series, a squirrel cut across the diamond at Busch Stadium, running right past home plate during a game against Philadelphia. The Cards went on to win the playoff series and later the championship — their World Series rings even depicted a squirrel.

“I don’t necessarily believe in superstitions like that,” said Cardinals shortstop Paul DeJong, who had a hit in the seventh. But he added: “Maybe you could call it the Rally Squirrel.”

The Cardinals lost the first two games of the series in walk-off fashion and didn’t have a baserunner until the sixth against Michael Fulmer.

St. Louis, which has a one-game lead for the second NL wild card spot, won for the third time in eight games.

“You never want to get swept by anybody,” said Kolten Wong, who drove in the Cardinals’ first run. “We knew they could be dangerous, because they have nothing to lose, and they gave us a battle. Luckily, we were able to get one.”

Detroit’s four-game winning streak was snapped.

John Gant (7-5) allowed two runs on five hits and a walk in 6 2/3 innings. He struck out six.

“I knew I really needed to bear down, because we needed this game,” Gant said. “I had to go out there and give my best effort.”

Carlos Martinez pitched the ninth for his second save. After the game, Shildt said Martinez will replace Bud Norris as the team’s closer.

Fulmer (3-11) was perfect through five innings but only got four more outs. He allowed five runs on five hits and three walks in 6 1/3 innings, striking out five.

“He was cruising, and then everything fell apart behind him,” Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said. “We didn’t make a couple plays, we dropped a ball and they found a bunch of holes. I don’t think they hit a ball hard off him.”

Fulmer fell to 0-6 in his last nine starts, with the Tigers losing all nine.

“My job is to help this team win games, and I’m obviously not doing that,” he said. “But I can feel the progress every time. This is the best I’ve felt in two years.”

In the seventh, Marcell Ozuna and DeJong both hit infield singles with one out, and Wong followed with an RBI single to left. Yairo Munoz followed with a flyball down the right-field line that Niko Goodrum dropped, allowing the second run to score.

Greg Garcia was intentionally walked, loading the bases, and Carson Kelly hit the third infield single of the inning to make it 3-0. Victor Alcantara replaced Fulmer and allowed a sacrifice fly to Matt Carpenter before Jose Martinez’s RBI single gave the Cardinals a five-run lead.

“Fulmer was really tough, but we found some little holes,” Kelly said. “You never know when that squirrel will show up, but we needed it there.”

The Tigers got their two runs in the bottom of the seventh, thanks to doubles from Nicholas Castellanos, James McCann and Ronny Rodriguez.

Carpenter and Shildt were both ejected after Carpenter was called out on strikes to end the ninth.

ROSTER MOVES

The Tigers brought up three players from Triple-A Toledo, one day after the Mud Hens were eliminated from the International League playoffs. Prospect Christin Stewart is expected to play regularly in left field, while C Jarrod Saltalamacchia will serve as the third catcher and RHP Zac Reininger will add a bullpen arm. Stewart made his major-league debut, pinch-hitting for Ronny Rodriguez with two out in the ninth. He popped out to third to end the game.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: Return home for a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Adam Wainwright (1-3, 4.00 ERA) starts Monday for the Cardinals against Pittsburgh’s Trevor Williams (12-9, 3.15).

Tigers: Justin Verlander (14-9, 2.73) returns to Comerica Park to face the Tigers on Monday in the first of a three-game series with the Houston Astros. Francisco Liriano (4-9, 4.90) starts for Detroit.

— Associated Press —

No. 25 Missouri Western splits two matches Saturday in Wichita

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WICHITA, Kan. – The 25th ranked Missouri Western volleyball team (7-4) went 1-1 on the final day of the 2018 Jet Classic, hosted by Newman University.

The Griffons made quick work of the host-school before getting into a five-set barn burner with St. Edward’s (8-4).

MATCH 1: #25 MWSU 3, Newman 0 (25-20, 25-11, 25-18)
The Griffons tied a season-high with eight aces and put up eight blocks in a dominant sweep of the host, Newman (1-7). Missouri Western had 60 points in the match to Newman’s 31; 44 kills to Newman’s 26 and the Griffons didn’t allow a single Newman ace in the match. Ali Tauchen had 11 kills on a .563 hitting percentage, five total blocks and two aces. Stephanie Doak had 15 kills to lead the Griffons. Lauren Murphy had 38 assists to go with four total blocks, seven digs and two aces.

MATCH 2: St. Edward’s 3, #25 MWSU 2 (23-25, 28-26, 23-25, 25-18, 27-29)
St. Edward’s prevented the Griffons from coming home with a 4-0 record on the weekend in a wild final match of the day for Missouri Western. The teams traded close sets back and forth before the Griffons used a 13-2 run to end the fourth set, forcing the fifth. Missouri Western jumped ahead early in the fifth and had the game at match point, 14-11 in the fifth. From then on it turned into a back-and-forth set with the Griffons struggling to get ahead before St. Edward’s claimed the set, 29-27 and the match 3-2. Stephanie Doak had a career-high 26 kills in the match and was one of five Griffons with double-digit kills. Lauren Murphy had a double-double with 70 assists and 18 digs. Shellby Taylor had 18 kills. Rachel Losch hit .308 with 10 kills and six total blocks. Ali Tauchen had 16 kills and Sam Duncan had 14.

UP NEXT
The Griffons finally get to play in front of a home crowd, unveiling the newly remodeled MWSU Fieldhouse and two banners from the record breaking 2017 season on Sept. 14 against No. 10 Central Missouri (9-2).

— MWSU Athletics —

Mizzou rolls up over 600 yards of offense in win over Wyoming

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COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri quarterback Drew Lock usually dissects defenses with his arm. Wyoming learned the hard way that his legs have a little juice, too. Lock threw four touchdown passes and ran for another TD as the Tigers won 40-13 on Saturday night.

The senior quarterback is known for his gaudy passing numbers, and he added to them against the Cowboys, completing 33 of 45 passes for 398 yards. He added a career-high 51 rushing yards, which was almost half of his total for all of last season.

“I’m glad I could put that on film to show people I am athletic, even though I knew I was athletic the whole time,” Lock said with a laugh.

In the second quarter, Lock showed nifty footwork dodging defenders on a 12-yard touchdown scramble. He bowled over cornerback Antonio Hull to convert a third-and-7 play on the ensuing drive. He finished that possession with a 19-yard touchdown pass to tight end Albert Okwuegbunam that gave the Tigers a 16-0 halftime lead.

Missouri (2-0) scored on its first four possession of the second half to put the game out of reach.

“We got whupped,” Wyoming coach Craig Bohl said.

After a fruitless first half full of misfired pass attempts and stuffed runs, Wyoming (1-2) looked better offensively in the second half. Jevon Bigelow scored on a 7-yard touchdown run, and Cooper Rothe connected on field goals of 51 and 36 yards. Tyler Vander Waal completed 13 of 28 passes for 160 yards.

THE TAKEAWAY

Wyoming: Senior running back Nico Evans, who had rushed for 279 yards in the first two games, didn’t make the trip to Missouri. Without Evans, who injured his ribs in the third quarter of Wyoming’s loss to Washington State on Sept. 1, the Cowboys rushed for 88 yards against the Tigers.

Missouri: Emanuel Hall didn’t even start the first four games of last season, but since then he has established himself as one of the nation’s most productive wide receivers. Hall caught 10 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown against Wyoming, giving him 14 catches for 342 yards in two games. “He’s matured as a competitor,” Missouri coach Barry Odom said. “He’s matured in his ability to prepare the right way during the week. He has grown up. He has the ability at times to take over a game.”

UP NEXT

Wyoming: The Cowboys will host FCS opponent Wofford on Saturday.

Missouri: The Tigers will try to avenge last year’s 35-3 loss to Purdue when they play the Boilermakers in West Lafayette, Ind.

— Associated Press —

Woerth earned 100th career win in Northwest’s victory over Newman

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WICHITA, Kansas – Northwest Missouri State head volleyball coach Amy Woerth earned her 100th career coaching victory Saturday night as the Bearcats topped Newman University in a three-set sweep. Northwest won by set scores of 25-17, 25-21, 25-15.

Woerth becomes the fourth Northwest volleyball coach to reach the 100-win plateau. Sarah Pelster (199 from 1991-2002), Pam Stanek (176 from 1977-1981) and Susie Homan (105 from 1982-1984) were the previous three Bearcat mentors to win at least 100 matches.

Maddy Bruder secured her fifth double-double of the season with 15 kills (.419) and 13 digs.

Sofia Schleppenbach hit .500 with 10 kills and added a team-best five blocks. Bethany Elkins recorded nine kills (.412) and produced four blocks.

Northwest limited Newman to .019 hitting percentage as the Jets had 25 kills against 23 errors.

Northwest will return to the court Friday as the Bearcats embark on MIAA play against Lindenwood. First serve is set for 7 p.m. in Bearcat Arena.

NOTES: Bruder has recorded 47 career double-doubles … the Bearcats won all three matches at the Jet Classic in 3-0 sweeps … Northwest is 8-0 in three-set matches this season.

— Northwest Athletics —

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