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Author: Dave Riggert

Four Chiefs selected to 2017 Pro Bowl

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riggertChiefsKANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Football League announced on Tuesday that four members of the Kansas City Chiefs have been selected to participate in the 2017 NFL Pro Bowl. The below players have earned a spot on the AFC’s Pro Bowl roster:

Eric Berry (Safety) – 5th Nomination

Travis Kelce (Tight End) – 2nd Nomination

Marcus Peters (Cornerback) – 2nd Nomination

Tyreek Hill (Returner) – 1st Nomination

The 2017 Pro Bowl will be played on Sunday, Jan. 29 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, and televised live on ESPN. This year’s game will feature a return to the traditional AFC vs. NFC game format following three years using a revised, “unconferenced” format. The NFL is the only sports league that combines voting by fans, coaches and players to determine its all-star teams.

Berry (6-0, 212) has started all 14 games for the Chiefs this season, recording 73 tackles (58 solo), including two tackles for loss. He has three interceptions, two returned for touchdowns, eight passes defensed and one forced fumble. In Week 13 against Atlanta, Berry scored two points for the Chiefs on an intercepted two-point attempt by the Falcons. He’s played in 84 games with the Chiefs (82 starts) in seven NFL seasons, tallying 457 tackles (366 solo), 28 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. He has 13 career interceptions, five touchdown returns, 54 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

This marks Berry’s fifth Pro Bowl selection in seven years after being recognized with the honor following the 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2015 seasons – earning the honor every year that he didn’t finish the season on either injured reserve or the non-football illness list. The Fairburn, Georgia, native originally joined the Chiefs as Kansas City’s first pick (fifth overall) in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Kelce (6-5, 260) has started at tight end in all 14 games this season, tallying 73 catches for 957 yards (13.1 avg.) with three touchdowns. In Weeks 11-14, Kelce recorded four consecutive 100+ yard receiving days, including a career-high 140 yards against Atlanta in Week 13. His career numbers include 212 receptions for 2,694 yards (12.7 avg.) with 13 touchdowns. Kelce has recorded a catch in 46 consecutive games, tying for the fifth-best streak in franchise history.

This marks Kelce’s second consecutive selection into the NFL’s all-star game. A native of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, Kelce was selected by Kansas City in the third round (63rd overall) in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Peters (6-0, 197) has started 13 games for the Chiefs in 2016, recording 41 tackles (32 solo), five interceptions, 17 passes defensed, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries. His five interceptions currently rank second in the NFL. He has played in 29 career games (29 starts) with the club in two NFL seasons, tallying 101 tackles (85 solo), 13 interceptions, two returned for touchdowns, 43 passes defensed, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.

The Oakland, California, native, played collegiately at Washington. He originally entered the NFL as a first-round draft pick (18th overall) of the Chiefs in the 2015 NFL Draft. This is Peters’ second-straight Pro Bowl invitation after being invited after his rookie season in 2015. Peters was the first rookie to earn Pro Bowl honors since safety Eric Berry did so following the 2010 season.

Hill (5-10, 185) has played in all 14 games (one start) this season, recording 34 punt returns for an NFL-high 476 yards (14.0 avg.) with one touchdown. He has 13 kickoff returns for 367 yards (28.2 avg.) with one touchdown. Offensively, Hill has added 56 catches for 547 yards (9.8 avg.) with six touchdowns and 15 rushes for 157 yards (10.5 avg.) and two touchdowns. He is the second Chiefs rookie in the last two years to qualify for the NFL’s all-star game (Peters in 2015). Hill won AFC Offensive Player of the Week after his Week 12 performance at Denver and AFC Special Teams Player of the Week following his effort in Week 14 against Oakland.

The Pearson, Georgia, native, played collegiately at West Alabama. He originally entered the NFL as a fifth-round draft pick (165th overall) in the 2016 NFL Draft.

— Chiefs Press Release —

MWSU’s Anderson, Caldwell earn more All-Region honors

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riggertMissouriWesternST. JOSEPH – Two members of the 2016 Missouri Western football team have received more postseason honors.

Offensive lineman Travis Anderson and running back Josh Caldwell were named second team Don Hansen All-Super Region Three. It was the second all-region selection for both Griffons, who were also named second team D2CCA All-Region.

Both Griffons were also named first team All-MIAA following the season. It was the third Don Hansen All-Region for Anderson and the first for Caldwell.

Anderson became a three-time first team All-MIAA offensive lineman, starting all but one game over the past three seasons and blocking for a 1,000-yard rusher each of those seasons (Raphael Spencer-2014 & 15, Caldwell-16).

Caldwell led the MIAA with 1,453 rushing yards in his first season as the Griffons’ feature back. The sophomore was also named first team CoSIDA Academic All-District and second team CoSIDA Academic All-America.

— MWSU Athletics —

Northwest’s Welty named MIAA Player of the Week

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Northwest2013riggertKANSAS CITY, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State University freshman Ryan Welty has been named the MIAA men’s basketball Athlete of the Week. Welty tied a Northwest single-game record by going 9-for-9 from three point territory in a 96-63 win at Northeastern State. He finished with a career-high 29 points.

In addition to his single-game mark, Welty set an MIAA record for most consecutive three-pointers made. He has now connected on his last 14 three-point attempts, spanning three games. The previous mark was 11 set back in 2004 by Thomas Vincent of Emporia State.

Northwest will return to action on Saturday, Dec. 31, at 2 p.m. against Simpson College at Bearcat Arena.

— Northwest Athletics —

Kansas’ Beaty promotes Garrett Riley to quarterbacks coach

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riggertKULAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas football head coach David Beaty Tuesday announced the promotion of Garrett Riley to an on-field assistant coaching position, where he will mentor the KU quarterbacks. Riley, who joined the KU staff in the spring of 2016, spent the past season as an offensive analyst for the Jayhawks. Riley replaces Rob Likens as one of KU’s nine full-time assistant coaches; Likens has departed Kansas for a position at Arizona State.

“Garrett has been a tremendous asset to our program since the day he set foot on campus,” said Beaty, who is entering his third year at the helm of the Jayhawk program. “Having played under Mike Leach at Texas Tech and worked closely with his brother, Lincoln Riley, during his time at East Carolina, Garrett has had his hand in some high-powered offenses. His extensive knowledge of the Air Raid offense has been invaluable as we implemented it to our team, and I am looking forward to him having an even greater impact in his new role.”

Riley joined the Kansas staff after spending the 2015 season as the outside receivers coach at East Carolina. During his time coaching the ECU outside receivers, Riley mentored Zay Jones, one of the most decorated receivers in NCAA history. Jones recently became the all-time NCAA FBS career receptions leader with 399 catches.

Riley was on the staff at ECU for three seasons, his first two as an offensive assistant working alongside Lincoln Riley, who is wrapping up his second season as the offensive coordinator at Oklahoma. As an offensive assistant, he worked primarily with the quarterback position, while coordinating the defensive scout team and conducting video analysis. During his time working with the ECU quarterbacks, Riley assisted Shane Carden, who became the school’s all-time leader in passing yards (11,991) and passing touchdowns (86). Carden was named the 2014 American Athletic Conference’s Offensive Player of the Year.

Riley earned his first collegiate position in 2012 as running backs coach at Augustana (Ill.) College, helping rebuild a Vikings program that was 2-8 a year earlier into a 5-5 squad that improved its rushing total by 500 yards. Prior to his year at Augustana, he spent the 2011 season as a quarterbacks and passing game assistant, where he helped Lubbock’s (Texas) Roosevelt High School set four school quarterback and five receiving records in 2011.

Riley earned a bachelor’s degree in general business from Texas Tech in 2012 and was a quarterback on the Red Raiders’ roster during the 2008 and 2009 seasons. As a quarterback at Texas Tech, Riley was directly mentored by Leach, who was not only the head coach, but also Riley’s position coach. During his time at TTU, the Red Raiders registered 20 wins and pair of bowl appearances. He transferred to Stephen F. Austin in 2010 and helped the Lumberjacks to a Southland Conference title and a No. 1 FCS rank in both passing and total offense.

Likens joined the Kansas program in January 2015 as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach as Beaty was formulating his initial KU coaching staff.

“We appreciate Rob’s many contributions as part of the Jayhawk family,” said Beaty. “We wish him every success as he moves forward to this new chapter of his career.”

— KU Athletics —

Emmanuel’s career-high leads Griffons past Haskell for third straight win

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mwsuST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western men’s basketball team won its third consecutive game Monday night, beating Haskell Indian Nations 88-69. The Griffons shot a season best 55.2 percent from the field and had five players scoring in double figures for the first time this season.

HEADLINES
– Aaron Emmanuel set a career high, scoring 25 points for MWSU.
– The Griffons forced 16 turnovers, the second most of the season.
– 88 points is the most points for Missouri Western since last season’s win over Lindenwood and the second straight game the team has achieved a season-high point total.
– Haskell made just three free throws, finishing with a 33.3 percent from the free-throw line.

TOP PERFORMERS
– Aaron Emmanuel — along with his game high 25 points — grabbed seven rebounds, dished out five assists and went 5-6 at the free-throw line and 10-13 from the field.
– Cole Clearman was a perfect 4-4 at the free-throw line and has made 12 of his last 12 at the charity stripe over the last two games; he was also 3-6 from the three-point arc,  ending with 17 points.
– Joe Hamilton and TJ Evans combined for 24 points, including six three-pointers.

UP NEXT
Missouri Western (4-8, 0-3) returns to MIAA play on the road with a New Year’s Eve trip to Central Oklahoma (7-3, 2-1).

— MWSU Athletics —

Missouri Western women dominate Haskell 99-40

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mwsuST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western women’s basketball team did what they were supposed to Monday night, shooting better than 53 percent from the field and dominating Haskell 99-40 for the team’s 10th win of the season.

HEADLINES
– All 12 Griffons scored in the game
– Missouri Western didn’t allow double-digit points in any of the first three quarters
– The Griffons scored 40 points off 30 Haskell turnovers
– Missouri Western out-rebounded Haskell 40-18

TOP PERFORMERS
– Erin Anderson led the Griffons with 14 points on 5-9 shooting from the field
– Lakota Goe had a team-high and career-high seven rebounds
– Sefulu Faavae had a team-high six assists
– Savannah Lentz and Julia Torres each scored 13; Trudy Peterson had 12 and Dwanisha Tate added 10 points

UP NEXT
Missouri Western (10-2, 2-1) returns to MIAA play on the road with a New Year’s Eve trip to Central Oklahoma (10-0, 3-0).

— MWSU Athletics —

Missouri women hang on to defeat UC Riverside 68-62

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riggertMissouriCOLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Women’s Basketball (10-3) extended its season-high winning streak to four games on Monday, defeating visiting UC-Riverside, 68-62. The Tigers claimed their 10th victory of the year, marking their sixth consecutive season with 10-plus wins in nonconference action.

Sophomore Cierra Porter (Columbia, Mo.) and senior Sierra Michaelis (Mercer, Mo.) paced the Tigers’ offense Monday with respective double-doubles. Porter finished with a career-high 26 points and 12 rebounds and Michaelis posted 10 points and a season-high 11 rebounds. It marked the second time this season that a Tiger duo posted double-doubles in the same game, joining Lindsey Cunningham (Columbia, Mo.) and Porter’s strong performances against SIU-Edwardsville (Dec. 7).

Mizzou was sensational in the opening quarter, shooting 9-of-12 (75-percent) from the field. The Tigers jumped out to a 16-0 lead early. In the quarter, they hit both shots from behind the arc and went 7-of-7 from the charity stripe to key their strong opening 10 minutes of play. Mizzou’s defense also played well in the first quarter, limiting UC-Riverside to 4-of-18 (22-percent) shooting.

Sophomore Sophie Cunningham (Columbia, Mo.) delivered a perfect shooting performance in the first quarter, hitting all three shots from the field and all five attempts from the free throw line. Cunningham’s 12 quick points marked her 10th double-digit scoring outing of the season. She finished with 14 points.

Early in the second quarter, Porter surpassed double-digit points with a contested layup. Porter has tallied 10-plus points in each of Mizzou’s 13 games so far this season. Her consistent dominance in the post allowed Mizzou to take a 41-29 lead into halftime.

The Tigers’ offense struggled to open the second half, allowing the Highlanders to pull within single digits on multiple occasions. Porter continued to pace Mizzou in the third quarter with 10 points in the frame. She had 20 points through 30 minutes of game clock.

Porter continued her standout evening in the fourth quarter, as she clinched her team-leading sixth double-double this season. She notched six of Mizzou’s last 10 points to close the game. UC Riverside managed to cut the deficit to as low as four with less than three minutes remaining, but Porter earned another trip to the free throw line and made both foul shots to push the Tigers back up by six. Mizzou clamped down and got the stops it needed to hold off the Highlanders.

Mizzou concludes its 2016 non-conference schedule on Wednesday, Dec. 21, with a game at Saint Louis. The Tigers and Billikens are set for a 7 p.m. (CT) tip inside Chaifetz Arena.

— Mizzou Athletics —

Northwest Missouri State introduces Rich Wright as head football coach

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nwmsuMARYVILLE, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State University has named Rich Wright as the 20th head coach of Bearcat football. Wright was officially introduced during a press conference on Monday afternoon at the J.W. Student Union on the Northwest campus. Wright takes over for Adam Dorrel, who was announced Monday morning as the new head coach at Abilene Christian University.

“Number one, Rich Wright is a teacher,” said Director of Athletics Mel Tjeerdsma. “He is always very well organized, he is very passionate, very personable and definitely a motivator. He really has a great football mind more than anything else.”

Wright, a native of Hamilton, N.Y., has been a member of the Bearcat coaching staff since 2004, serving as the program’s defensive coordinator and assistant head coach the past six seasons. Since the 2004 season, Northwest is 163-22 overall and 119-10 in MIAA play. He has helped lead Northwest to eight NCAA title games, capturing four championship trophies.

The Bearcats have led the nation the past three seasons in total defense, allowing just 240.9 yards per game in 2016. Northwest was also the NCAA’s top rushing defense and scoring defense the past two seasons. Wright has twice been named the ProGrass Division II Coordinator of the Year, winning the award following the 2014 and 2015 seasons.

Three former players have been on NFL rosters, Longacre, Dave Tollefson and Steve Williams. Each have spent time with the Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots. Tollefson is a two-time Super Bowl Champion, earning his first ring with the New York Giants in 2007 and again following the 2011 season.

Wright earned his master’s degree from Northwest in 1996 and received his undergraduate degree from Dana College in 1995. After serving two years as a Northwest graduate assistant during the 1995 and 1996 seasons, he coached at Dakota State in 1997 and Central Methodist in 1998. Wright spent the 1999 season at William Penn University before taking a job at St. Ambrose University where he worked for four years from 2000-03. He is married to Sarah Wright, also a Northwest alum, and their two daughters, Grace and Katie.

— Northwest Athletics —

Missouri State rolls past Chicago State 66-46

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riggertMSUSPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — Dequon Miller scored 18 points, including a trio of 3-pointers, to lead Missouri State to a 66-46 win over Chicago State in Monday night’s campus round of the Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic.

Obediah Church added 12 points and Jarrid Rhodes collected 11 rebounds for Missouri State (8-3), which never trailed. Miller hit 6 of 14 from the field and went 3 for 5 from the line.

A 3-pointer from Rhodes just after the break gave Missouri State its largest lead, 44-26.

Chicago State chipped away and cut the deficit to 10 with a 6-0 burst midway through the second half to trail 52-42 with 8:51 left. Anthony Eaves, Trayvon Palmer and Joshua Batson each had buckets in the run but it was as close as the Cougars got.

Palmer finished with 13 points and Montana Byrd had 11 for Chicago State (3-9).

— Associated Press —

Griffons defeat Baker 78-62 for second consecutive win

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mwsuST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western men’s basketball team won back-to-back games for the first time this season Sunday as they were able to defeat Baker inside the MWSU Fieldhouse 78-62.

HEADLINES
– The 78 points scored were the most for the team this season, better than the 73 in a loss at William Jewell
– It was the second straight win for the team which is now 3-8
– Missouri Western closed the game on a 16-2 run, after leading by just two with 4:05 left
– The Griffons shot better than 47 percent from the field and missed just two free throws (20-22)

TOP PERFORMERS
– TJ Evans scored a career-high 25 points on 50% shooting from the field (8-16)
– Cole Clearman was 6-9 from the field and 8-8 from the free throw line, scoring 19 of his 22 points in the second half
– Beau Baker had a team-high six rebounds

UP NEXT
Missouri Western improves to 3-8 this season as they’re back in action Monday.  The women and men play a doubleheader against Haskell Indian Nations beginning at 5:30 p.m. inside the MWSU Fieldhouse.  Both game will air on 680 KFEQ or you can click here to listen.

— MWSU Athletics —

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