Dave Riggert – Page 839 – St. Joseph Post Archive

KU’s Sims named Big 12 Co-Offensive Player of the Week

Posted on November 18, 2013

Kansas halfback James Sims received some much deserved recognition following his stellar play in Kansas’ win over West Virginia Saturday. Sims, who had a career-day running the ball, was named Offensive Player of the Week in the Big 12 by Athlon Sports, and he was named Co-Offensive Player of the Week by the Big 12 Conference.

Sims, a native of Irving, Texas, put on a dominant performance for the Jayhawks in their win over West Virginia. He set a new career-best rushing mark with 211 yards against the Mountaineers. Sims became the first Jayhawk to rush for 200 or more yards in a game since Tony Pierson did so against Texas Tech in 2012, and logged the most rushing yards by a Kansas player since Reggie Duncan ran for 227 yards against Texas Tech during the 2001 season. Sims’ 211 yards was the 15th-best rushing effort in Kansas history and the second most by a Big 12 player in 2013.

Amongst his 211 rushing yards, Sims ran for the longest rush of the season by Jayhawk twice in the second quarter. His first was a 62-yard run and the second was a 68-yard sprint for a touchdown. Sim’s 68-yard rush was the longest of his career, surpassing his previous career long of 64 yards against Texas in 2012.

The senior captain rushed for three touchdowns in guiding the Jayhawks to their first Big 12 win in more than three seasons. The last time a Jayhawk ran in three touchdowns in a single game was Sims in 2010 against Colorado, KU’s last conference victory prior to Saturday’s win over West Virginia. Sims now has 34 career rushing touchdowns and is seven away from tying the Kansas all-time record of 41 rushing touchdowns set by June Henley from 1993-96.

Sims is the second Kansas player to be honored by the Big 12 Conference in its weekly awards as punter Trevor Pardula was honored as Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week on Sept. 23. He is the first Jayhawk to pick up the conference’s offensive honor since Todd Reesing was tabbed for the weekly award on Dec. 1, 2008.

Additionally, Sims was tabbed an honorable mention running back of the week by the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA). The CFPA are based on objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams.

Sims and his KU teammates will return to action on Saturday, Nov. 23 when the Jayhawks travel to Iowa State for a 7 p.m., game at Jack Trice Stadium. The game will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 1.

— KU Sports Information —

Northwest’s Gnader, Mathiesen earn weekly MIAA football honors

Posted on November 18, 2013November 18, 2013

Junior D.J. Gnader and freshman Simon Mathiesen each earned MIAA Athlete of the Week honors, the conference office announced on Monday. Gnader was named the Defensive Athlete of the Week while Mathiesen garnered Special Teams Athlete of the Week honors.

Gnader, a native of Council Bluffs, Iowa, had a game high 12 tackles in Northwest’s 51-21 victory over Missouri Western. In the win, Gnader also recorded a sack, a pass breakup and recovered a fumble as Northwest held the Griffons to just 115 rushing yards and 293 total yards. Gander becomes the third Northwest player to earn defensive honors. Defensive end Matt Longacre has earned the award twice and cornerback Brandon Dixon earned honors in the opening week of the season.

Mathiesen, who was making just his second start as the Bearcats’ place kicker, hit three field goals and was a perfect 6-for-6 on extra points on Saturday. Mathiesen, a native of Vedbaek, Denmark, hit field goals from 36, 40 and 32yards, respectively and is the first Bearcat to earn special teams honors this season. He is also the first player to come from Denmark in Bearcat program history.

The Bearcats won the outright MIAA title, going 11-0, earning the top seed in the Super Region Three rankings and will have a bye for the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs. Northwest will host the winner of the No. 4 ranked Minnesota Duluth and No. 5 ranked Emporia State game on Saturday, Nov. 30 at Bearcat Stadium at noon.

— Northwest Sports Information —

Northwest Missouri State earns No. 1 seed in NCAA Super Region Three

Posted on November 17, 2013November 17, 2013

The Northwest Missouri State football team was selected as the top seed in the NCAA Division II’s Super Region three on Sunday. Northwest has earned a first round bye and will host a second round game on Saturday, Nov. 30, at Bearcat Stadium at noon.

Northwest (11-0) was the outright MIAA champion, securing the 25th title inprogram history. Minnesota State Mankato (11-0) was seeded second. Henderson State (11-0) (Ark.) earned the third seed and will host the sixth seed, St.Cloud State (10-1) (Minn.) in first round action on Nov. 23. Fourth seeded Minnesota Duluth (10-1) will host fifth seeded Emporia State (9-1). Northwest will play the winner of Minnesota Duluth and Emporia State.

Current Northwest football season ticket holders can secure playoff ticketsstarting today at 6 p.m. online. Fans will have until Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. to secure their seats. General ticket sales will begin on Thursday at 8 a.m. both online and at the Student Services desk. Ticket prices are $10 for youth, ages three through high school. Adult tickets are $15. Standing room only tickets for all ages three and above are $10.

Student tickets will be available Monday, Nov. 18, at 8 a.m. and can only be purchased at the Student Services desk for $5 each. The first 300 students to show their valid Northwest ID at the Student Services desk will receive one (1) complimentary ticket.

— Northwest Sports Information —

Ravens qualify for NAIA Football Championship Series; hosts Tabor this Saturday

Posted on November 17, 2013November 17, 2013

For the second time in the last three seasons, the Benedictine College football program has qualified for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Football Championship Series.

Benedictine, who finished the regular season at 10-1 and as co-champions of the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) finished at No. 8 in the final NAIA regular season NAIA Top 25 Coaches’ Poll on Sunday and learned Sunday afternoon they will host No. 11 Tabor College in the NAIA FCS Opening Round on Nov. 23.

“We’re very pleased to have accomplished all of our goals so far this season,” said Raven head coach Larry Wilcox. “We’re really proud of our players for what they have done this season. To go from being selected as the fifth team in our conference in the preseason to finish as co-champs and ranked in the Top 10 are certainly great goals to have achieved.

“To host a home playoff game for our campus and for our family here at Benedictine College is a great thing.”

Tabor finished the regular season at 9-2 and finished second in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) behind NAIA FCS first-time qualifier Sterling (Kan.) College.

Benedictine and Tabor have face each other four times, but not since wrapping up a four-game series in 1977. The Ravens lead the series 4-0, which includes a pair of 56-0 wins over the Bluejays to conclude the series in 1976 and 1977.

“Tabor is a school that has made dramatic changes to their athletic department and specifically their football program since the last time we played each other,” Wilcox said. “They have a great coach in Mike Gardner. He has been able to bring credibility and great success to Tabor.

“They have a great running attack, a very aggressive defense and put a lot of emphasis on special teams.”

Benedictine will host the game at 1 p.m. Saturday on O’Malley Field at Larry Wilcox Stadium. More information on ticket sales will be released on Monday at www.ravenathletics.com with information regarding advanced ticket sales starting on Tuesday afternoon.

The appearance in the NAIA FCS marks the 12th time in the modern era of Benedictine football, which started with the return of football to campus in 1973, in which the Ravens have qualified for the postseason. The host bid marks the first time since the 2001 season that the Ravens will open the FCS on campus.

In 2011, the Ravens qualified for the NAIA FCS and traveled to Kentucky to take on Georgetown (Ky.) College. Georgetown beat Benedictine, 21-7.

— BC Sports Information —

Chiefs suffer first loss as they fall at Denver, 27-17

Posted on November 17, 2013

DENVER (AP) — Peyton Manning walked away a winner in the biggest game of the year so far and, as a bonus, the Broncos might not even have to send his uniform off to the cleaners.

Manning threw for 323 yards and a touchdown Sunday night and was barely touched by Kansas City’s sack-happy defense in Denver’s 27-17 victory over the NFL’s last undefeated team.

It means the ’72 Dolphins can rest easy for another year. And it puts Denver and the Chiefs in a tie atop the AFC West at 9-1, with a rematch set in two weeks.

Manning has another big game before that – at New England in yet another showdown against Tom Brady. If the Broncos’ offensive line does anywhere near as good a job in that one as it did against the Chiefs, the quarterback’s ailing ankles – mummified with athletic tape for this critical game – should be feeling much better.

”The protection was outstanding, we ran the ball consistently, tried to keep them off-balance,” Manning said. ”We wanted a mix of running and passing game and I’m really proud of those guys up front.”

With Lindsey Vonn and boyfriend Tiger Woods on the sideline to watch the NFL’s must-see game of the year, the Denver offensive line, featuring tackles Chris Clark and Orlando Franklin, shut out Kansas City’s sack duo of Justin Houston and Tamba Hali along with the rest of the KC defense, which came in with a league-leading 36 sacks.

It was even better than that, though. Manning was barely touched all night. In fact, his most notable contact came in the first quarter when he and Montee Ball flubbed a handoff that Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson scooped up.

Johnson was barreling toward the end zone and what could’ve been a 7-3 lead. Manning lowered his shoulder and tripped him up. The Chiefs’ offense came out and fullback Anthony Sherman promptly fumbled the ball back to the Broncos.

Three plays later, Manning made the game’s biggest play, spotting receiver Demaryius Thomas in single coverage on the sideline for a 70-yard gain that set up the quarterback’s lone touchdown pass – a 9-yard strike to Julius Thomas for a 10-0 lead.

The Chiefs’ defense, which came into the game also leading the league in points allowed (12.8), remained stout throughout against the league’s highest-scoring offense (41.2). But eventually, Manning and Co., overwhelmed them, going 79, 65 and 62 yards for their last three scores and a 27-10 lead.

Ball capped two of the drives, once from 1 yard and another time from 8, to atone for the fumble, which was actually charged to Manning.

”We knew that once we got down to the red zone, getting touchdowns was critical,” Manning said. ”They make teams settle for field goals down there.”

The Chiefs, who hadn’t lost since a 38-3 setback in Denver last December to close out a 2-14 season, hadn’t allowed more than 17 points all year – a simple and effective explanation for one of the biggest turnarounds in NFL history.

But the offense, led by Alex Smith, simply isn’t built to win a high-scoring showdown.

Smith finished with 230 yards and two touchdowns. He completed four passes for 57 yards to Dwayne Bowe, who started, as promised, while his legal case for marijuana possession plays out. Jamaal Charles, who came in leading the AFC in rushing with 725 yards, added 78 to that.

But there was no big-play ability and the cool weather – game-time temperature 43 degrees – that brought Manning’s blue-and-gray glove out for the first time this season didn’t slow the quarterback or his offense at all.

Knowshon Moreno ran for 79 yards and kept the chains moving for Denver, while Wes Welker took his turn as Manning’s favorite target, catching eight passes for 72 yards before leaving to be evaluated for a possible concussion.

Though one touchdown pass marked a season low for Manning, it gave him 71 in his year-plus with the Broncos, already tying him for third in franchise history with Jake Plummer and Brian Griese. His 34 on the season are still on pace to break the record of the man he’ll face next week – Brady – in yet another big game for the Broncos, this time at New England.

While the Chiefs got shut out on the sack end – didn’t even record a hit on Manning – Shaun Phillips had a monster game for the Broncos: 10 tackles, two quarterback hits, two pass deflections and 1.5 sacks to more than make up for an off night from Von Miller, who only had one tackle.

— Associated Press —

Northwest women fall to 0-3 with loss to William Jewell

Posted on November 17, 2013November 17, 2013

The Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball team led William Jewell late in the second half Sunday at the Winstead-Reeves Classic, but fell 84-82.

Ariel Easton put on a shooting display in the first half for Northwest going 9 for 14 from the floor and 3 for 4 from the free throw line for 25 points.

It was a back and forth battle in the first half as the lead changed hands 15 times with Northwest going into the half up by one, 41-40.

The Bearcats pulled away from the Cardinals with 7:19 to play as they held a 10 point lead.

William Jewell was able to battle back and tie the game up 82-82 with :34 left on the clock. Jewell grabbed the lead with a layup with under 10 seconds to play and the Bearcats could not answer back as they fell 84-82.

Easton finished the game with 29 points and was named to the Winstead-Reeves Classic All-Tournament team. Ashleigh Nelson also finished in double digits in points with 16 while adding four rebounds and three assists.

Shelby Mustain made her presence felt as she posted a double-double off the bench for the Bearcats, scoring 14 points and pulling down 11 rebounds.

Northwest moves to 0-3 on the season and will host Kansas Wesleyan Friday in Bearcat Arena for their next contest. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

— Northwest Sports Information —

Benedictine men’s soccer earns second straight NAIA Tournament berth

Posted on November 17, 2013

After moving to No. 16 in the final NAIA Top 25 Coaches’ Poll early in the day Sunday, the Raven men’s soccer team learned of their postseason fate Sunday night as they earned their second straight berth in the NAIA National Championship Tournament.

Benedictine, who was listed at No. 6 in the final MRPI rating that was released at the same time as the 2013 tournament qualifiers, earned the No. 4 at-large bid this season.

“We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to play in the NAIA National Tournament,” said head coach Rob Herringer. “This will be our third appearance in five years and, as an alum of the college and soccer program, I couldn’t be more proud of our players for what they have accomplished.”

The Ravens earned a share of the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) this season and finished with an overall record of 11-4-1.

Benedictine’s MRPI was the highest among HAAC members as they finished the regular season at .809222. Missouri Valley College was listed at No. 9, followed by MNU at No. 10 while Baker University, the HAAC Tournament Champion, was the final HAAC team listed in the Top 30 at No. 15.

Baker finished the regular season at No. 3 in the final coaches’ poll, MNU at No. 6, Benedictine at No. 16 and Missouri Valley at No. 20 to give the HAAC four teams ranked in the final regular season poll.

The Men’s Soccer National Championship Opening Round pairings and bracket will be unveiled via a live graphical show on Monday, Nov. 18 at 1 p.m. Monday.

The 32 teams are comprised of 23 automatic qualifiers – which earned berths by winning conference, independent and unaffiliated grouping tournament or regular-season titles – and nine at-large teams selected by the final Modified Ratings Percentage Index (MRPI), announced today.

— BC Sports Information —

Kansas State wins second straight as they cruise past Long Beach State

Posted on November 17, 2013November 17, 2013

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — An upcoming trip to the Puerto Rico Tip Off didn’t look too good to Bruce Weber after his team’s first two games. He wanted to see his team perform from the opening tip and that’s exactly what came to be in its third game of the season.

Marcus Foster had 17 points and Shane Southwell added 14 as Kansas State beat Long Beach State 71-58 on Sunday.

It was the seventh all-time meeting between the programs. Kansas State now holds a 4-2 advantage in the series.

”The effort and emotion was so much better,” Weber said. ”Probably before Oral Roberts, we really pounded them with the Northern Colorado loss. They probably didn’t have quite the legs, but we gave them a day off finally. We had two of our better practices over the last two days with good energy.”

Kansas State used a 17-4 run to open up a 26-9 lead with 6:48 left in the first half.

After the run, Kansas State never saw its lead dip below 13 points.

Dan Jennings had 14 points and 12 rebounds to pace the 49ers. The senior forward has recorded a double-double in each of the 49ers’ first four games.

A basket from Jennings closed the Kansas State margin to 14 points with 2:20 left in the first half. Back-to-back 3-pointers from Foster quickly sent it back to a 20-point margin. The Wildcats went into the break with a 39-22 lead.

”Long Beach is a pretty good team,” Foster said. ”We came out and played hard. We got a lead on them early and we kept the lead. It set the tone for how we want to play in the (Puerto Rico) tournament.”

Foster’s 42 points through Kansas State’s first two games is the most for a freshman in back-to-back games since Michael Beasley in the 2008 NCAA Tournament.

”I think he is obviously a quality player,” Monson said. ”For a freshman, he has great feel and aggressiveness.”

Long Beach State turned it over 10 times in the first half and finished with 20 for the game.

Those offensive miscues led to 19 Kansas State points off of turnovers and 15 in fast break opportunities. The Wildcats 13 steals were the most in nearly three seasons.

”They really dominated us with their defensive pressure early and set a tone,” Monson said. ”We couldn’t get in any offensive rhythm and it started putting so much pressure on our defense and our rebounding to get stops. We weren’t able to do that and they just took control.”

Kansas State limited Long Beach State’s leading scorer Mike Caffey to 9 points. The junior had averaged 18.7 points through the previous three games.

”We picked up our pressure,” Weber said. ”I’ve got to complement Will (Spradling), he did a great job. Caffey’s good and if you let him get going, he’s as good of guard as any we’re going to see.”

The 49ers pounded the paint against the Wildcats in the second half. They shortened the Wildcat lead to 13 with 11:47 left, but baskets from DJ Johnson and Wesley Iwundu quickly slammed the door on Long Beach State.

The Wildcats got to the free throw line and converted on nine of their final 10 attempts. The 71 percent performance was a season best for the defending Big 12 champions.

The game was the debut for Kansas State’s leading returning big man Thomas Gipson. The Wildcats hoped the junior’s season opener would help in improving their rebounding, but the 49ers came away with a 39-29 advantage.

”I was pleased with our rebounding,” Monson said. ”It was one thing we really challenged the guys on and that was a high point for us. It is a little misleading in that we out-rebounded a team, but we missed so many more shots than they did.”

— Associated Press —

Royals sign free agent catcher Francisco Pena to minor league contract

Posted on November 17, 2013November 17, 2013

The Kansas City Royals announced Sunday that the club has signed minor league free agent catcher Francisco Pena and added him to the 40-man roster.

Pena, 24, had spent six years in the New York Mets’ organization, splitting 89 games between Las Vegas (AAA) and Binghamton (AA) in 2013. He hit .257 for the Las Vegas 51s with 15 doubles, nine homers and 39 RBI in 68 games last year. In 57 contests behind the plate, he committed just three errors and threw out 30 percent (15-for-50) of would-be base stealers. He was a member of the World Champion Dominican Republic squad at the 2013 World Baseball Classic, going 1-for-2 with an RBI in two tournament games.

Originally signed as an international free agent by the Mets, Pena is the son of former Royals’ manager Tony Pena, while his older brother, Tony Jr., played in parts of three seasons for Kansas City (2007-09).

— Royals Media Relations —

No. 19 Griffons get blown out by 2nd-ranked Bearcats

Posted on November 16, 2013

Missouri Western wrapped up its regular season against Northwest Missouri State for the second straight season, but couldn’t produce a victory like 2012.

The No. 19 Griffons fell to the No. 2-ranked Bearcats 51-21 Saturday evening at Spratt Stadium. Missouri Western finishes the year 8-3 and 7-3 in the conference. Northwest goes through the conference undefeated for the first time since 2006.

Northwest started the day off with a seven-play, 80-yard drive capped off by quarterback Trevor Adams’ 1-yard scamper. The score marked it 7-0 with 11 minutes, 33 seconds to play.

After Clint Utter score on a 6-yard grab from Adams, the Bearcats went up 14-0 which is where the first quarter ended.

The Griffons responded with a nice 12-play, 85-yard drive that took up over six minutes to start the second quarter after Northwest turned the ball over.
Bearcats back-up quarterback Brady Bolles ran up the middle for 22 yards but sophomore Michael Jordan forced the quarterback to fumble at the end of his run. Safety Marc Harrison immediately recovered it for the turnover.

Raphael Spencer scored on a 1-yard run to cut the Bearcats’ lead in half. The Bearcats went ahead 21-7 after Reuben Thomas’ 25-yard touchdown reception.

Missouri Western had a chance to cut the lead even more late in the opening half, but a blocked field goal gave the Bearcats the ball, and they finished it with another score. Kicker Simon Mathieson made it 24-7 right before half with a 36-yard field goal.

At the half Travis Partridge was 7 of 12 for 60 yards. He also led the team with 55 yards.

In the third quarter, a 3-and-out hurt the Griffons chances of completing the comeback. Northwest made it worse after Adams score from 2-yards out with 9:33 left in the third stanza. Another score added on to the 24-0 run for the Bearcats.

Stephon Weaver ended the run with a 2-yard touchdown pass from Partridge. The score came with 20 seconds to play and marked it 38-14.
Reggie Jordan grabbed what may have been him most impressive grab of his career.

On 4th-and-15, the Griffons showed their competitiveness still left. Partridge avoided two potential sacks and threw the ball up for Jordan, who jumped up and snagged the pass down in the end zone.

The touchdown put the game at 44-21, and after that he Griffons successfully recovered an onside kick. But they couldn’t do anything with the football, thus ending the final regular-season game for Missouri Western.

Spencer finished with 72 yards on 15 carries. Weaver had six catches for 50 yards to lead the team. Partridge finished 14 of 36 for 178 yards. Adams went 14 of 21 for 237 for the Bearcats, who were also led by Robert Burton’s 16 carries for 105 yards. Stephen Juergens added nine tackles for the Griffons.

— MWSU Sports Information —