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Author: Dave Riggert

Kansas State falls at home to No. 18 Mississippi State 31-10

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MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — There was so much attention being paid to Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald’s return to the field Saturday that nobody paid much to running back Kylin Hill.

Certainly not the Kansas State defense. Not even himself, really.

After Hill ran for 211 yards and accounted for three scores, and after the No. 18 Bulldogs’ swarming defense shut down the Wildcats in a 31-10 rout, the sophomore running back acknowledged he wasn’t even sure how many yards he’d piled up during the game.

“I honestly don’t know,” Hill insisted. “Having Fitz back there helped because they were already watching him, so that opened up holes for me. He’s a great overall player — NFL-caliber.”

Yes, the senior quarterback had his share of highlights, too. He threw for 154 yards and two touchdowns, ran for another 159 yards , and paced an offense that piled up 538 yards total in giving the Bulldogs (2-0) their first Power Five road win since beating Baylor in September 1995.

Not bad considering it was also Fitzgerald’s first game since last November. He missed their bowl game after a serious foot injury against Ole Miss, and then was suspended for last week’s season opener.

“It’s always good to go out there and finally get to reap the rewards of all the hard work that you’ve put in with your teammates,” he said. “It was amazing to get out there.”

Pretty amazing watching his running back work, too.

“He works his butt off every day,” Fitzgerald said. “You knew he was going to have a big day. I never once thought he was going to get tackled behind the line of scrimmage, I think it happened once?”

Hill and Fitzgerald helped the Bulldogs to a 17-3 lead over the Wildcats (1-1), despite a sloppy, penalty-filled first half. But it was a 95-yard march in the third quarter that put the game away, when Hill ripped off a 52-yard run and Fitzgerald capped it with a touchdown toss.

Meanwhile, the Wildcats’ two-quarterback system of Skylar Thompson and Alex Delton struggled to get going. Thompson was 7 of 17 for 86 yards and a touchdown while running for 34 yards, and Delton was 2 of 4 for 14 yards with an interception that led to the Bulldogs’ TD late in the first half.

“Just disappointing,” Delton said. “We’re not where we should be when you look at our talent. We’ve scored what, two touchdowns in two games? That’s pitiful.”

The bright spot for Kansas State was bruising running back Alex Barnes, who finished with 75 yards rushing. But even he was held in check by a Mississippi State defense, led by tackle Jeffrey Simmons and end Montez Sweat, that had 17 tackles for loss in its opener.

In truth, they had their way with the Wildcats’ veteran offensive line, which coughed up four sacks and managed only 213 yards total offense. Kansas State’s only touchdown came in the third quarter, when Fitzgerald threw an interception that set up a short field.

“I wouldn’t take anything away from Mississippi State,” Wildcats coach Bill Snyder said, “but as I’ve said so many times it’s not about who you line up against. It’s about us. We just haven’t played as well as we’re capable of playing.”

THE TAKEWAY

Mississippi State: Fitzgerald and Hill made life miserable for the Wildcats’ with the read-option, essentially beating Kansas State at its own game. Fitzgerald was just 11 of 27 passing, though, which could be a byproduct of his rust. “He was a little amped up,” Mississippi State coach Joe Moorhead said. “He made some good throws. He did some great things by improvisation.”

Kansas State: Despite returning all five starters on the offensive line, Kansas State struggled up front against the Bulldogs. Thompson and Delton were under constant duress, and Barnes often had to avoid first contact in the backfield. It made for a stagnant offense all afternoon.

TOSSED FOR TARGETING

Bulldogs safety Johnathan Abram was ejected after getting called for targeting early in the fourth quarter. Abram launched himself into a helmet-to-helmet blow on kick returner Duke Shelley.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

The Bulldogs haven’t done anything to hurt their poll positioning, acing their biggest test until they face Florida on Sept. 29. They have Louisiana and a trip to Kentucky the next two weeks.

UP NEXT

Mississippi State: Louisiana heads to Starkville to face the Bulldogs next Saturday night.

Kansas State: Texas-San Antonio visits Manhattan for the Wildcats’ final nonconference game.

— Associated Press —

Nebraska loses Frost’s debut against Colorado 33-28

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LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Steven Montez couldn’t bear to watch.

Colorado’s quarterback had just connected with Laviska Shenault Jr. for the go-ahead touchdown, and now Nebraska backup Andrew Bunch had the Cornhuskers at the CU 20 in the final minute.

“I knew if the crowd went crazy, they probably scored,” Montez said. “I knew our defense was going to do it right. They were going to play good regardless. But I didn’t want to watch that last play.”

Montez might have been the only person in Memorial Stadium who missed seeing Bunch’s last pass sail over JD Spielman in the back corner of the end zone, allowing the Buffaloes to win 33-28 on Saturday and spoil Scott Frost’s debut as the Huskers’ coach.

There was no lack of drama in the teams’ first meeting since 2010, the last season in the Big 12 for both. Though they went their separate ways after some 60 years as conference mates — the Huskers to the Big Ten and the Buffs to the Pac-12 — this game had the look and feel of some of the classics from yesteryear.

“For three quarters I was having about as much fun as I ever had in my life, doing it back home,” said Frost, who returned to his home state to take over the program he quarterbacked to a share of the 1997 national title. “We’ve got to learn lessons to be able to win games like that. When you’re trying to become a good team, you don’t find ways to lose games, especially close ones. You find ways to win them.”

Nebraska (0-1) lost fumbles on its first two possessions and spotted the Buffs a 14-0 lead. Adrian Martinez, the first Nebraska true freshman to start an opener at quarterback, scored the second of his two touchdowns to put the Huskers up 21-14 late in the first half. His 57-yard pass to Spielman made it 28-20 in the third.

CU (2-0) wrested momentum at that point. Montez’s 8-yard pass to Jay MacIntyre made it a one-point game, and the Buffs missed two chances to take the lead when James Stefanou was wide right and left with two field-goal tries. But Nebraska couldn’t put the Buffs away, failing to convert a fourth-and-1 and Martinez throwing an interception before Montez got his last chance.

“After (Stefanou) missed the second one,” coach Mike MacIntyre said, “our defensive guys were in the huddle saying, `We’re going to stop them.’ The offensive guys were saying, `We’re going to get the ball and go down and score.’ I didn’t have to say a word.”

Colorado (2-0) got the ball for the last time with 2:23 left after Martinez went out of the game because of an injury.

Montez moved the Buffaloes from their 23 to the Nebraska 41 before Ben Stille sacked him to set up a third-and-19 that became third and 24 after a false start. Montez overthrew Jay MacIntyre over the middle, but safety Antonio Reed was called for a personal foul for hitting the defenseless receiver.

“I got drilled,” Jay MacIntyre said. “I kind of made eye contact before he hit me. We got a 15-yarder, so I’m glad he hit me.”

Given new life, Montez hit Shenault along the right sideline for 40 yards and the go-ahead score with 1:06 to play.

The Huskers (0-1) were playing their opener a week late. Last week’s game against Akron was cancelled right after the opening kickoff because of inclement weather.

“I will never make an excuse, but having a game last week certainly probably would have helped the way we came out and played,” Frost said. “It is what it is. Those are the cards dealt to us.”

Montez was 33 of 50 for 351 yards and three touchdowns, with Shenault catching 10 balls for 177 yards.

“Beating Nebraska is great, but it doesn’t taste nearly as good as a Pac-12 championship,” Montez said.

THE TAKEAWAY

Colorado: Montez continues to stamp himself as one of the premier quarterbacks in the Pac-12, making play after play on a day when the running game couldn’t gain traction.

Nebraska: Martinez had a splendid debut before getting hurt, and the defense looks much better than the unit that ranked among the worst in the nation last year. The Huskers had seven sacks after having only 14 last season.

QUOTE TO NOTE

“I got to live two dreams as the head coach of Colorado today. I got to beat Nebraska, which hasn’t been done by Colorado in a long time. And I got to watch my son play, and he made some plays. To get to see him play and do what he did today, that was the dad’s special time.” — Mike MacIntyre on coaching the Buffs to their first win over Nebraska since 2007 and son Jay’s eight catches, including two for TDs.

RARITY FOR THE RUN

Nebraska rushed for 329 yards, its most since going for 458 against Illinois in 2014. Martinez had 117 yards and Greg Bell added 104. Nebraska is now 50-1 at home and 75-3 overall when having two rushers go for 100 yards in the same game.

UP NEXT

Colorado plays at home against FCS opponent New Hampshire.

Nebraska hosts Troy, which visits Lincoln for the fifth time in 18 years.

— Associated Press —

Kansas routs Central Michigan, snaps 46-game road skid

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MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (AP) — Freshman Pooka Williams rushed for 125 yards and two touchdowns as Kansas snapped the second-longest road losing streak in college football history at 46 games, winning 31-7 at Central Michigan on Saturday.

Central Michigan quarterback Tony Poljan was intercepted four times by Kansas (1-1), which won on the road for the first time since Sept. 12, 2009. The Kansas streak was only topped by Idaho State, which lost 48 straight through 2014.

“For our program, for our fans, for our stakeholders, that was really important,” Kansas coach David Beaty said. “Our fans deserve it, and they deserve better.”

Williams was held out of the opener last week for the Jayhawks, a 26-23 overtime loss to Football Championship Subdivision Nicholls. Beaty declined to say why and said he found out late Friday night that Williams would be available on Saturday.

Central Michigan had one first down in the first half, compiling 60 yards on 20 snaps. The Chippewas (0-2) did not cross midfield until there was 7:54 remaining in the third quarter and turned the ball over six times.

“I felt like we left a lot out on the field,” Central Michigan coach John Bonamego said. “I still maintain that all of the mistakes we are making right now self-inflicted and if we can continue to improve and correct these mistakes that we will be a very good football team.”

Kansas quarterback Peyton Bender was 17-of-26 passing for 130 yards, connecting with wide receiver Kerr Johnson Jr. for a 31-yard touchdown to open the scoring.

After two Williams scores, Central Michigan cut the lead to 21-7 on a 31-yard reception by Jamil Sabbagh from Poljan in the third quarter.

But on the first play of the fourth quarter, Shakial Taylor of Kansas went up for an interception and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown and a 28-7 lead.

“We’re looking forward to starting a new beginning and starting a little win streak here,” Beaty said. “We think we’ve got a pretty good football team if we continue working and continue limiting the mistakes that we make.”

THE TAKEAWAY

Kansas: With the historic losing streak behind the Jayhawks in their best chance to snap it this season, Beaty’s team can go one week without its coach on the hot seat. Athletic director Jeff Long released a statement after last week’s loss to Nicholls, saying the evaluation of the program was “ongoing.”

Central Michigan: The Chippewas are 0-2 against Power 5 basketball powerhouse schools after losing 35-20 last week at Kentucky. At least the offense moved the chains a few times late for Central Michigan, which was scoreless in the second half last week and in the first half on Saturday.

UP NEXT

Kansas: Hosts Rutgers on Sept. 15 looking for Beaty’s second Power 5 win in his fourth season with the Jayhawks.

Central Michigan: Plays at Northern Illinois on Sept. 15 in the Mid-American Conference opener.

— Associated Press —

Area High School Football Scores – Friday, September 7

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CITY
Park Hill South 18 (1-2, 1-0 Suburban Red)
@ Central 0 (0-3, 0-2 Suburban Red)

Savannah 83 (1-2, 1-0 MEC)
@ Bishop LeBlond 14 (0-3, 0-1 MEC)

Benton (0-2, 0-0 MEC) SATURDAY 6 PM
@ Lafayette (2-0, 0-0 MEC)

St. Joseph Christian (0-2, 0-2 GRC) OPEN WEEK

AREA
MEC
Chillicothe 0 (0-3, 0-1 MEC)
@ Maryville 47 (2-1, 1-0 MEC)

St. Piux X 28 (2-1, 1-0 MEC)
@ Cameron 14 (2-1, 0-1 MEC)

KCI
Hamilton 22 (2-1, 0-1 KCI)
@ East Buchanan (3-0, 1-0 KCI)

Mid-Buchanan 7 (2-1, 0-1 KCI)
@ Lathrop 48 (3-0, 1-0 KCI)

North Platte 28 (1-2, 1-0 KCI)
@ Plattsburg 6 (1-2, 0-1 KCI)

Lawson 43 (3-0, 1-0 KCI)
@ West Platte 21 (1-2, 0-1 KCI)

GRC
South Harrison 12 (2-1, 1-0 GRC)
@ Putnam County 0 (1-2, 0-1 GRC)

Milan 41 (3-0, 1-0 GRC)
@ Maysville 14 (0-3, 0-1 GRC)

Trenton 7 (0-3, 0-1 GRC)
@ Gallatin 31 (2-1, 1-0 GRC)

Princeton 20 (2-1, 1-0 GRC)
@ Polo 0 (0-3, 0-1 GRC)

8-MAN
GRC
King City (2-0, 1-0 GRC) SATURDAY 2 PM
@ Stanberry (2-0, 2-0 GRC)

North Andrew (1-1, 1-1 GRC) SATURDAY 6 PM
@ Pattonsburg (2-0, 2-0 GRC)

Braymer 6 (0-3, 0-3 GRC)
@ Worth County 70 (3-0, 1-0 GRC)

Albany 6 (1-2, 0-1 GRC)
@ Mound City 58 (3-0, 2-0 275)

275
East Atchison 62 (2-1, 2-1 275)
@ South Holt / Nodaway Holt 38 (0-3, 0-2 275)

Southwest Livingston 48 (3-0, 3-0 275)
@ DeKalb 40 (1-2, 0-2 275)

Stewartsville 32 (1-2, 1-2 275)
@ Rock Port 54 (3-0, 3-0 275)

Platte Valley 40 (1-2, 1-2 275)
@ North-West Nodaway 30 (0-3, 0-3 275)

MWSU soccer comes up short at Augustana 1-0

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – An Augustana (1-1-1) goal in the 16th minute Friday night was the difference in an otherwise even game as the Missouri Western soccer team (1-2) lost 1-0 to the Vikings.

Julie Plonsky snuck a shot by Anna Mayer with an assist from Peyton Stenzel that gave the home team a 1-0 win over Missouri Western. It was the only of nine Augustana shots on goal to get past the Griffons’ freshman goalkeeper. The Vikings’ nine shots on goal to the Griffons’ three was the biggest discrepancy on the stat sheet. Missouri Western had 10 shots to Augustana’s 14. Eleven of Augie’s shots came after halftime to make the final tally look a little different.

Lillian Davis led Missouri Western with four shots. Mayer ended with a season-high eight saves. It was the first time this season the freshman played all 90 minutes.

The Griffons stay in Sioux Falls for the weekend, playing at the University of Sioux Falls (1-2), Sunday at 1 p.m.

— MWSU Athletics —

Royals drop third straight as they fall at Minnesota 10-6

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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Eddie Rosario homered, Ehire Adrianza had three hits and three RBI and the Minnesota Twins beat the Kansas City Royals 10-6 on Friday night to snap a five-game skid.

Trevor May (4-1), one of six Minnesota relievers, picked up the win with two shutout innings.

Salvador Perez homered and Jorge Bonifacio had three hits for the Royals, who have lost three straight after winning eight of nine.

Minnesota broke a 6-6 tie with a three-run fifth. Max Kepler and Adrianza had RBI singles against Glenn Sparkman (0-3). Rosario tacked on his team-leading 23rd home run leading off the eighth.

The Twins gave starter Stephen Gonsalves an early lead on Adrianza’s two-run single in the second, but the Royals knocked him out with a six-run outburst in the third. Gonsalves, one of Minnesota’s top pitching prospects, got through the first two innings without much trouble, but the second time through the order was a different story.

After No. 9 hitter Cam Gallagher flew out to start the third, the next five batters reached base against Gonsalves. Alex Gordon’s two-run double tied the score at 2-2, and two batters later Bonifacio singled home Gordon to end Gonsalves’ night.

Perez greeted reliever Alan Busenitz with a three-run homer into the bullpens in left-center. His 24th home run of the season gave the Royals a 6-2 lead.

The Twins sent Royals starter Heath Fillmyer to a similar fate in the bottom of the inning, knocking him out as five of the first six batters reached base. Jake Cave hit an RBI double and scored on a wild pitch to tie the game at 6.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: OF Brett Phillips is day-to-day with a shoulder contusion he suffered running into the wall in Cleveland on Tuesday.

Twins: Rosario returned to the lineup after missing six games with sore quadriceps, but 3B Miguel Sano remained sidelined with a lower left leg bruise suffered on Tuesday in Houston.

UP NEXT

Royals: In the second game of the series Saturday evening, RHP Jorge Lopez (1-4, 2.24 ERA) makes his fifth start for the Royals since being acquired from Milwaukee in the Mike Moustakas deal. His last time out he held the Orioles to one run over seven innings while striking out eight in a 9-1 victory.

Twins: RHP Jose Berrios (11-10, 3.92), the Twins’ lone 2018 All-Star, will try to turn it around against the Royals. In his last seven starts he’s 1/3 with a 5.67 ERA.

— Associated Press —

Missouri Western volleyball sweeps Arkansas-Fort Smith

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WICHITA, Kan. – The 25th-ranked Missouri Western volleyball team (6-3) began its weekend in Wichita with a 3-0 sweep of Arkansas – Fort Smith (5-4) Friday. It was the first of three matches the Griffons will play at the 2018 Jet Classic hosted by Newman University.

After comfortably winning their first set with a .324 team hitting percentage, the Griffons’ second set was the most competitive. After three straight points by the Lions, Marian Carbin called a timeout with the Griffons down 19-17 in the second set. The two point deficit would end up being the largest deficit of the day for the Griffons, as they went on to score four straight points and secure the 25-23 set win. Missouri Western completed the sweep with a 25-21 win in set three that saw the Griffons limit Arkansas-Fort Smith to a .190 hitting percentage, .161 in the match.

Stephanie Doak continued her impressive early season play, leading the Griffons in kills once again with 13 and added a team-high two blocks. Sam Duncan recorded 10 kills. Lauren Murphy led all players with 36 total assists. Murphy also led all players with three service aces. Audrey Keim led Missouri Western with 15 digs to add her to her 147 total digs on the season.

Missouri Western will play its remaining two matches of the tournament on Saturday. The Griffons next match will be against host Newman, Saturday at noon.

— MWSU Athletics —

St. Louis loses opener at Detroit on Candelario’s walk-off HR

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DETROIT (AP) — Jeimer Candelario left the St. Louis Cardinals with a sinking feeling.

Candelario connected on a 102 mph sinker from Cardinals reliever Jordan Hicks, hitting a two-run homer in the ninth inning Friday night that gave the Detroit Tigers a 5-3 victory.

“There are guys who throw a soft 100 mph fastball — you can see it coming and you can time it,” Tigers catcher James McCann said. “Hicks is throwing a hard 103. It is right on top of you, and it moves. It’s tough to make contact, and he barreled it up.”

Hicks, who was facing his sixth batter, gave Candelario most of the credit.

“I was sharp and I was trying to pound the strike zone,” he said. “He just got good wood on it and the ball left the yard. I can’t mourn a mistake. I just have to get better.”

Candelario’s second career game-ending homer was made more special by the presence of his family.

“This is a blast,” he said in a postgame television interview. “To do this, not just in front of the fans, but in front of my family.”

Marcell Ozuna homered twice for St. Louis, which has lost four of six. The Cardinals hold a slim lead for the second NL wild-card spot.

“I’m trying to be more aggressive,” Ozuna said. “When my shoulder was hurting, I couldn’t stay inside, but now I feel better and I can hit that pitch.”

The Tigers won their third in a row.

“That’s a lot of fun,” manager Ron Gardenhire said. “Those guys are in a pennant race and we’re not, but we stepped up and got a victory. Those are the moments you enjoy.”

Hicks (3-4) retired the first five batters he faced, but rookie Victor Reyes slapped a 102 mph fastball to left with one out in the ninth, and Candelario hit his 18th homer on the next pitch.

“Candy is still learning at this level, but he’s a strong young man,” Gardenhire said. “He has some tough at-bats, but he can also do that.”

Detroit closer Shane Greene (3-6) worked a scoreless ninth.

Tigers starter Daniel Norris allowed three runs on four hits and a walk in five innings. He struck out seven and gave up both of Ozuna’s homers.

“I learned not to throw him a fastball over the plate,” he said.

Norris was making his second start after missing four months with groin surgery and was starting at home for the first time since April 20.

“It was great to be out there in front of our fans, wearing our white jerseys and feeling healthy,” he said. “It’s been a long road back.”

Cardinals starter Austin Gomber gave up three runs on six hits and three walks in six-plus innings, striking out six.

Ozuna led off the second with a home run, much to the delight of the large contingent of Cardinals fans. The Tigers made it 1-all in the bottom of the inning on Dawel Lugo’s RBI groundout.

Ozuna connected for his 20th homer to begin the fourth. He also hit two home runs against Washington on Tuesday.

The Cardinals took a 3-1 lead in the fifth when Kolten Wong doubled, took third when Norris balked and scored on Francisco Pena’s sacrifice fly.

Gomber retired the first two batters in the bottom half, but Reyes beat out a bunt single and the Tigers loaded the bases on Candelario’s base hit and Goodrum’s walk. Nicholas Castellanos lined a tying, two-run single.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: C Yadier Molina is expected to miss the three-game series in Detroit with a hamstring injury.

REYES KEEPS IMPROVING

Reyes, a Rule 5 pick who had never played above Double-A ball before this season, was hitting .118 with no walks or extra-base hits after the first 25 games of his career. Since then, playing more regularly, he is batting .261 in 60 games and hit his first career homer last week in New York.

“Once I gave him a chance, he’s worked hard to become a major league player, and we expect him to stay here next year,” Gardenhire said.

THROWBACK WEEKEND

The Tigers are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their 1968 World Series win over the Cardinals during the weekend series. Five players from the 1968 team threw out first pitches on Friday, and a ceremony will be held before Saturday’s game.

UP NEXT

The teams continue the series Saturday night. Matthew Boyd (9-12, 4.24) will start for the Tigers against Jack Flaherty (8-6, 2.83).

— Associated Press —

Northwest volleyball defeats Ouachita Baptist in three sets

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WICHITA, Kansas – The Northwest Missouri State University volleyball team scored a 3-0 sweep over Ouachita Baptist at the Jet Classic. Northwest won by set scores of 25-20, 25-22, 25-22.

Northwest (6-3 overall) got a match-high 13 kills from Maddy Bruder. Maddy Ahrens recorded her third double-double of the season with 29 assists and 13 digs. Olivia Nowakowski posted a team-best 14 digs. Hallie Sidney was credited with four blocks.

The opening set featured 12 ties and five lead changes before Northwest closed it out on a 5-0 run. The run was begun when Nowakowski notched a pair of service aces. Sofia Schleppenbach got a solo block for the clinching point to give the Bearcats a 25-20 victory.

Northwest held an 18-13 lead in the second set before Ouachita Baptist rallied to knot it at 18-18. But Northwest refused to yield and answered with a 4-0 spurt that led to a 25-22 triumph.

The Bearcats trailed 10-7 early in the third set before a 5-0 run gave Northwest its first lead of the final set. The run was keyed by a pair of blocks from Sidney and Elkins. Northwest would go on to take the third set, 25-22.

Northwest will return to the court on Saturday for a pair of matches against St. Edward’s (10 a.m.) and Newman (6 p.m.).

— Northwest Athletics —

Mizzou’s Porter selected to attend NCAA Elite Men’s Basketball Student-Athlete Symposium

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COLUMBIA, MO. – Mizzou sophomore forward Jontay Porter is one of 14 Division I players selected to attend the NCAA Elite Men’s Basketball Student-Athlete Symposium from Sept. 7-9 at the NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis. He’ll be joined by his father, Mizzou assistant coach Michael Porter Sr., at the event.

This is third annual symposium, which is designed for men’s basketball student-athletes who have an interest in continuing their playing careers professionally. Porter is the first Mizzou Basketball representative to attend the symposium since its inception.

“I’m honored­ to be selected to attend the Elite Student-Athlete Symposium and represent Mizzou,” Porter said. “It’s an incredible opportunity to continue preparing for the next level and life after college. I’m excited to grow and bring back what I learn to my teammates.”

An important piece of the NCAA Leadership Development program, the symposium is intended to educate college players on the expectations and responsibilities of being a professional athlete as well as planning post-professional career opportunities. The weekend will include a former student-athlete panel session, agent and players’ union discussions, engagement with professional leagues and a seminar on personal branding.

Porter appeared in all 33 games as a freshman last season for Mizzou and earned a share of the 2017-18 SEC Sixth Man of the Year Award after averaging 9.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Porter ranked sixth in all of the SEC in rebounding while leading the league’s freshmen.

After an impressive rookie campaign, Porter tested his NBA Draft stock earlier this spring before withdrawing his name and returning for his sophomore season at Mizzou. Porter returns as a key piece for a team coming off its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2013.

— Mizzou Athletics —

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