Dave Riggert – Page 847 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Missouri’s Brit, Mauk earn weekly honors from the SEC

Posted on November 4, 2013November 4, 2013

Mizzou Football senior offensive lineman Justin Britt (Lebanon, Mo.) and redshirt freshman Maty Mauk (Kenton, Ohio) have been named the Southeastern Conference’s Offensive Line Player of the Week and Freshman Player of the Week, respectively, the league office announced on Monday.

Britt put together another all-star performance, as he helped pave and protect the way for a 502-yard night of total offense for Mizzou in its 31-3 win against Tennessee last Saturday. For the evening, Mizzou rushed for 339 yards against the Volunteers, marking its biggest rushing total in a conference game since 2003, when the Tigers ran for 376 yards in a 45-7 win over Iowa State on Nov. 29, 2003.

Britt’s award-worthy level of play has been a key reason why the Tigers are one of the best turn-around stories of the 2013 season. Mizzou’s offense ranks in the Top 30 nationally in most major categories, a few of which include: first downs gained (10th), fewest turnovers lost (12th), scoring offense (13th), total offense (15th), rushing offense (16th), third down conversions (27th) and passing efficiency (28th).

Mauk continued to play at a high level in relief of injured senior co-captain QB James Franklin (Corinth, Texas), as he accounted for 277 yards of total offense in the victory over Tennessee. He became the first Mizzou quarterback since 2011 (Franklin vs. North Carolina) to throw and rush for 100 yards in a game. Mauk ended the night with 163 yards passing and three touchdowns throws against zero interceptions. He ran for a career-high 114 yards on 13 carries (an 8.8 avg. per attempt).

The weekly award for Mauk is the second time this season he has earned Freshman Player of the Week from the conference office.

The two recognitions mark the eighth and ninth weekly SEC honors earned by Tigers this season, resetting Mizzou’s best for conference honors in a season. Head coach Gary Pinkel’s 2007 squad brought home a total of eight individual honors.

No. 9 Mizzou (8-1, 4-1) hits the road for a matchup with conference foe Kentucky on Saturday, Nov. 9, with kickoff set for 11 a.m. CT on ESPNU.

— MU Sports Information —

Kansas City extends qualifying offer to Santana, reinstates Paulino

Posted on November 4, 2013November 4, 2013

The Kansas City Royals announced Monday that the club has extended a one-year Qualifying Offer to right-handed pitcher Ervin Santana for the 2014 season.

Santana has until November 11 at 4 p.m. CT to accept or decline the offer. A declined Qualifying Offer would mean the Royals would receive an additional selection at the end of the first round of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft should Santana sign with another Major League team.

The Royals also announced today that right-handed pitcher Felipe Paulino has been reinstated from the 60-day disabled list. Paulino made seven rehab starts between Northwest Arkansas (AA) and Omaha (AAA) in 2013, recovering from Tommy John surgery on July 3, 2012.

— Royals Media Relations —

Kansas State’s Mueller named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week

Posted on November 4, 2013November 4, 2013

Kansas State defensive end Ryan Mueller was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week following a stellar outing in last week’s 41-7 win over Iowa State, the league office announced today.

The honor for Mueller was the first of his career, while it marked the Wildcats’ Big 12-leading 21st weekly conference accolade since 2011.

A former walk-on, Mueller led a K-State defense that came within an eyelash of the school’s first shutout in a Big 12 game in 10 seasons. The Leawood, Kan., product finished the afternoon with seven tackles, including two tackles for loss and one sack, from his defensive end position to take over the Big 12 lead in quarterback sacks. He now has at least a half TFL in all eight games and one or more sacks in six games, including the last four contests.

In the game, K-State held Iowa State to just 249 total yards and a Cyclone score following a turnover and a short field with 3:24 left prevented the shutout.

K-State (4-4, 2-3) hits the road this weekend for a Big 12 matchup with No. 23 Texas Tech (7-2, 4-2). Kickoff is slated for 11 a.m. with the game being televised by ABC.

— KSU Sports Information —

Chiefs use two defensive TDs to beat Buffalo and stay unbeaten

Posted on November 3, 2013

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Chiefs cornerback Sean Smith was exhausted after he returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown.

”I was definitely happy I made it,” Smith said. ”I wanted to celebrate, but I was too tired.”

That’s fine, because the Chiefs are suddenly breathing easier after their defense kept Kansas City’s perfect start intact.

Smith’s interception and linebacker Tamba Hali’s 11-yard fumble return for a touchdown aided the Chiefs in overcoming a pedestrian offense and their own leaky defense in securing a 23-13 win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

Kansas City (9-0) remained the NFL’s only undefeated team and matched the best start in franchise history set in 2003. The Chiefs now enter their bye week before a key AFC West showdown against the Denver Broncos (7-1) on Nov. 17.

If the only thing perfect about the Chiefs is their record so far, coach Andy Reid refuses to make any apologies.

”We’re not going to make excuses for it,” said Reid, who in his first year has the Chiefs continuing their worst-to-first run after a 2-14 finish last season. ”We’re pretty happy that we got the touchdowns. We’ll take them any way we can get them.”

The Chiefs’ defense led the way, outscoring the Alex Smith-led offense, which was limited to three field goals. And the defense had to compensate for its own problems in having difficulty containing a Buffalo offense headed by Jeff Tuel, an undrafted rookie making his first career start.

Despite allowing a season-worst 470 yards of offense and 25 first downs, the Chiefs were opportunistic in holding their ninth consecutive opponent to 17 points or less to match an NFL record set by the 1977 Atlanta Falcons.

Smith’s interception turned the momentum, tying the score at 10 after Tuel had marched the Bills 79 yards on the opening drive of the third quarter.

Hali then put the Chiefs ahead for good by scooping up T.J. Graham’s fumble – forced by cornerback Marcus Cooper – and running it in to put Kansas City ahead 20-13 with 12:47 left.

”We don’t really care what people think,” Hali said of the Chiefs’ victories lacking style points. ”Sometimes the stats don’t really tell you the outcome.”

Tell that to the Bills (3-6), who were left stunned and frustrated in attempting to figure out how they let this one slip away.

”Horrible,” offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett said. ”It was shocking even to our guys. We did everything we wanted. We just couldn’t finish it.”

The difference was turnovers, as the Chiefs turned Buffalo’s three giveaways – two interceptions thrown by Tuel and Graham’s fumble – into 17 points.

The loss marred what began as a solid outing by Tuel, who became the third quarterback to start for Buffalo this season. He played in place of interim starter Thad Lewis, who was sidelined by bruised ribs, and with rookie starter EJ Manuel missing his fourth game with a sprained right knee.

Tuel’s 139 yards passing in the first half were the most by a Bills quarterback in the first two quarters this season. And Tuel was in a position to improve his numbers after marching Buffalo to the Kansas City 1 on the opening drive of the second half before his day went awry.

Facing third-and-goal, Tuel took a shotgun snap, and looked immediately to his right, where Graham was running a slant pattern. Tuel, however, failed to account for Smith, who easily picked off the pass at the goal line and then took off up the left sideline.

”It’s very frustrating,” Tuel said. ”That’s 100 percent my fault.”

Tuel finished 18 of 39 for 229 yards passing, and a 59-yard touchdown to Marquise Goodwin.

For Kansas City, Smith completed 19 of 29 passes for just 124 yards. Running back Jamaal Charles was held under 100 yards from scrimmage for the first time this season.

Kansas City also snapped a six-game losing streak at Orchard Park that included two playoff losses, winning there for the first time since Sept. 28, 1986.

— Associated Press —

Bearcat men cruise to exhibition win over Graceland

Posted on November 3, 2013November 3, 2013

Senior Dillon Starzl and sophomore Conner Crooker led the Northwest Missouri State men’s basketball team to a 95-57 victory over Graceland in an exhibition game on Sunday at Bearcat Arena.

Starzl had a game-high 21 points to start out his fourth season for the Bearcats, only four points behind his career high of 25 points. Crooker started and had 18points. He scored a career high of 24 points last season against Northeastern State.

Grant Cozad tacked on twelve points for the Bearcats. DeShaun Cooper, who sat outwith a medial redshirt last season, returned Sunday and added seven points for Northwest.

Four new faces, Justin Pitts, Zach Schneider, Brett Dougherty and Jordan Ashton hit the hardwood to add a cumulative 23 points, Schneider with nine of them.

The men’s basketball team opens the 2013-14 regular season against Upper Iowa on Saturday, Nov. 9, in Marshall, Minn. Northwest will play host Southwest Minnesota State on Sunday, Nov. 10.

— Northwest Sports Information —

Northwest women fall short in exhibition at Illinois State

Posted on November 3, 2013November 3, 2013

The Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball team dropped an exhibition game against division I opponent Illinois State Sunday 55-50.

With four lead changes in the first half, the Bearcats showed up ready to play for their final tune up before the regular season begins Nov. 9.

Meridee Scott led Northwest in scoring for the first half with seven points while Ariel Easton pulled down five rebounds and added four points of her own.

The Bearcats held a slim 9-8 lead in the middle of the first half before the Redbird’s went on a 9-0 run to pull ahead. ISU led at the half 30-23.

The second half was a hard fought battle that came down to the final few minutes of the contest.

Shelby Mustain had a huge block on defense which turned into a layup by Ashleigh Nelson to tie the game at 46-46 with 4:29 left to play in regulation.

The Redbird’s outscored the Bearcats in the final three minutes of the game 10-4 as Northwest fell 55-50.

Nelson led all players in scoring with 17 points as she added two assists and four rebounds to her totals.

Mustain made her presence felt on the boards as she grabbed eight rebounds while blocking two shots in the paint.

Northwest tips off the regular season Nov. 9 as they take on Quincy University in Quincy, Ill with the game to set to start at 6 p.m.

— Northwest Sports Information —

No. 12 Griffons can’t overcome six turnovers in loss to No. 14 Emporia

Posted on November 2, 2013November 2, 2013

Missouri Western’s sixth turnover of the game ended any comeback opportunities as the Griffons fall for the first time against #14 Emporia State since 2004 by a score of 35-30. Missouri Western out gained the Hornets 525 to 351 falling to 7-2 overall and 6-2 in MIAA play. The back-to-back home loses is the first time since 2008 that MWSU has lost consecutive home games.

Missouri Western got into Emporia State territory three different times in the first quarter but could not get any points as one drive ended on an interception by Travis Partridge.

In the second quarter the Hornets opened up a 21-0 lead when Dozie Iwuagwa rushed in from six yards out with 7:44 to play. The Hornets opened up the scoring with 13:18 in the quarter when Brent Wilson connected with Ervin Kavaski from 13 yards out. Iwuagwu followed that up with a 22 yard touchdown giving ESU the 14-0 lead with 8:31 to play in the quarter.

The Griffons hung in there closing the half with 10 straight points. Partrdige connected with Alek Ferbet from eight yards out with 3:33 to play and John Schmiemeier connected on a 47 yard field goal as time expired making it 21-10 ESU at the half.

The Griffons had 215 yards with 125 coming through the air. Stephon Weaver caughte six passes for 75 yards in the half while John Oglesby led the defense with nine tackles.

Emporia State had 188 yards with 97 coming on the ground. Antonio Brown had seven carries for 46 yards while Julian Dozier, Deshawn Dinwiddie and Tariq Allen had seven tackles.

The Griffons opened up the third quarter going 89 yards on nine plays with Dalton Krysa blasting in from two yards out cutting the ESU lead to 21-17 with 10:41 to play in the quarter.

In the fourth the Griffons took their first lead of the game on a third and 27 when Partridge connected with Weaver for a 30 yard touchdown giving MWSU the 24-21 lead with 11:01 to play. Weaver finished with a career high 10 catches for 163 yards.

The Hornets finally got something going in the final quarter scoring on one yard touchdown passes to Kavaski and Ray Ray Davis giving the Hornets the 35-24 lead with 4:20 to play.

The Griffons continued to play hard going on a seven play 62 yard drive capped by a Partridge two yard run cutting the ESU lead to 35-30 with 2:46 to play. On the Hornet next possession Mike Jordan picked off Wilson setting the Griffons up inside the Hornet 25 yard line after a personal foul penalty. On a third down and four from the Hornet six yard line Partride threw his career high fourth interceptions giving the Hornets the victory.

Partridge threw for 298 yards connecting on 22-of-40. Raphael Spencer finished with 80 yard rushing and 55 yards receiving while Partridge finished with a career high 130 yards on a career high 25. Oglesby finished with 11 tackles.

Brent Wilson had 159 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Davis had nine catches for 79 yards and one touchdown. Antonio Brown had 109 yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns while Josh Monteagudo and Allen had 12 tackles apiece.

The Griffons return to action next week on the road when they take on the 8th ranked Washburn Ichabods at 1:00 pm in Topeka, Kan.

— MWSU Sports Information —

No. 2 Bearcats routs No. 8 Washburn to remain unbeaten

Posted on November 2, 2013November 2, 2013

Northwest Missouri State senior quarterback Trevor Adams put up superstar numbers Saturday in the Bearcats’ 52-21 victory over previously unbeaten Washburn.

Adams completed 23 of 27 passes for 306 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.

His performance was one reason why No. 2 Northwest improved to 9-0 overall and 8-0 in the MIAA.

But the main reason why the Bearcats are having a special season is because they are a collective unit pulling in the same direction, striving for the same goals.

The performance Saturday afternoon at Bearcat Stadium was a fitting way for the entire team to celebrate the seniors on their day.

“It was pretty special because all week we just been preparing for a tough game,” said senior wide receiver Clint Utter, who caught four passes for 55 yards and a touchdown. “They are always a tough team for us.

“I feel like everybody was really psyched and ready to come out and play. It really showed because we got ahead early. The defense played great. The offense kept moving. We are right where we need to be right now.”

Playing your last regular season home game is emotional for seniors. They can’t help but reflect on all the moments that led them to this day.

It started well for Northwest. Back-up sophomore Brady Bolles put the Bearcats on the scoreboard first with a 3-yard run with 5 minutes, 14 seconds left in the first quarter.

Northwest solidified its lead with 24 seconds remaining in the first quarter when Adams tossed a 35-yard touchdown pass to junior Bryce Young.

As well as the offense was playing, the defense was just as good in the first half. The Bearcats picked off three passes in the first two quarters.

Those turnovers helped Northwest build a 28-0 lead before Washburn found any kind of offensive rhythm.

Northwest went into halftime with a comfortable 35-14 lead.

In the second half, the Bearcats kept forcing turnovers. Sophomore nose guard Brandon Yost recovered a fumble, recorded a pair of sacks and had an interception on a tipped ball at the line of scrimmage.

“Honestly, we played as hard as we did all season,” said Yost, who talked about his teammates instead of first mentioning his interception. “This game is just like any other game. We are going to give it our best. Halfway through the second quarter we let up and we can’t do that.”

Yost echoed the words of the seniors, which shows their leadership has rubbed off on the underclassmen.

Still, Yost’s interception was memorable. It is not often a nose guard gets an interception. Yost came up with a great line for his pick.

“The coaches always make fun of me. They think I see a hamburger coming towards me.”

The only touchdown Northwest surrendered in the second half was a 98-yard kickoff return by Jaime Myers early in the fourth quarter.

That was the only true miscue for the Bearcats in a game that had a Hollywood ending about 10 minutes after the clock struck 0:00.

Senior running back Billy Creason, who rushed for 77 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries, got down on his knees and purposed to his girlfriend, Sydney Borowski. Creason planned it out.

“DJ Gnader came out and said he had a special announcement and he pulled her up and then I popped in behind her. DJ said, ‘I think he has a question for you.’

“Oh man, yes I was nervous. I almost couldn’t get the words out of my mouth. I got all choked up.”

Undoubtedly, Creason will hear a joke or two from his teammates.

“I saw it,” Utter said. “It was awesome. Congratulations to him. I didn’t know he had a girlfriend.”

Creason was probably more nervous in that moment than at any time during the game. Borowski said yes, making it an afternoon that Creason will always remember.

Actually, it was a day that all the seniors will recall fondly. They once again played as a team and came away with an impressive victory.

“They are great role models,” Yost said. “They set the tone at practice. I wouldn’t want any other group of guys out there leading us.”

— Northwest Sports Information —

Missouri bounces back and blows out Tennessee, 31-3

Posted on November 2, 2013November 2, 2013

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Maty Mauk threw three touchdown passes and ran for another, leading No. 10 Missouri’s dominant and resilient effort in a 31-3 victory over Tennessee Saturday night.

The Tigers (8-1, 4-1 SEC) responded smartly a week after squandering a 17-point cushion in the fourth quarter of a double-overtime loss to South Carolina. Andrew Baggett banged another chip-shot field goal attempt off the left goalpost, eerily similar to his game-ending misfire a week earlier, but instead of heartbreak they still took a 24-3 cushion into halftime.

Missouri forced three turnovers and committed none in Mauk’s best game in three starts in place of injured James Franklin. Mauk had 114 yards on 13 carries, and threw touchdown passes to Dorial Green-Beckham, L’Damian Washington and Marcus Lucas in the first half. Franklin (shoulder sprain) warmed up before the game.

Tennessee (4-5, 1-4) is 0-4 on the road, all but one of them blowouts.

— Associated Press —

K-State dominates Iowa State in 41-7 win

Posted on November 2, 2013

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — John Hubert ran for 105 yards and two touchdowns, and Kansas State nearly pitched its first Big 12 shutout in a decade in a 41-7 rout of Iowa State on Saturday.

The quarterback combo of Jake Waters and Daniel Sams combined to throw for 221 yards and run for 89 yards as the Wildcats (4-4, 2-3) beat the Cyclones for the sixth straight time.

Iowa State (1-7, 0-5) didn’t score until the Wildcats’ Robert Rose coughed up the ball at his own 10-yard line in the closing minutes, and DeVondrick Nealy took a toss-sweep for a touchdown.

That was the only time the Cyclones ran a play in the Wildcats’ red zone.

Grant Rohach threw for 88 yards for the Cyclones in place of Sam Richardson, who left midway through the second quarter. Richardson had been dealing with a lingering ankle injury.

Nealy’s TD run prevented the Wildcats from finishing off their first shutout since September 2011, and their first of a Big 12 foe since a 45-0 win over the Cyclones on Nov. 3, 2003.

Still, Cyclones coach Paul Rhoads remained winless against Kansas State. Iowa State hasn’t beaten its fellow land-grant university in Manhattan since Nov. 20, 2004.

It didn’t help the Cyclones’ chances that they were missing several key players due to injuries. Top running back Aaron Wimberly, who has an ailing hamstring, did not play.

After holding the Cyclones on fourth down to start the game, Waters led the Wildcats on a 79-yard march. He hit Tyler Lockett for a pair of completions, ran 23 yards for a first down and then handed off to Hubert, whose 10-yard touchdown run gave Kansas State a 7-0 lead.

Jack Cantele kicked a 44-yard field goal a few minutes later to extend the lead to 10-0.

Meanwhile, the Cyclones couldn’t get anything going on offense. They punted on three straight possessions, and then Richardson tossed an interception on the next series.

Rohach took over for Richardson at quarterback in the second quarter and fared a bit better, driving the Cyclones to the Kansas State 29. But forced to settle for a field goal, Cole Netten yanked his kick wide left to keep the score 10-0.

That’s when Kansas State also went to the quarterback bullpen.

Sams came into the game and ran 34 yards on six carries, while also completing 2 of 3 passes for 22 yards – one of them a wobbler intended for Lockett that Tramaine Thompson actually caught.

Sams finished the drive with a 1-yard run for a 17-0 lead just before halftime.

Cantele added another field goal early in the second half, and Hubert finished off an 83-yard drive with a 3-yard run early in the fourth quarter to extend the lead to 27-0.

The two biggest highlights of the game came when it had already been decided.

After the Cyclones were again held on fourth down, Sams threw a 28-yard rainbow that Thompson hauled in over a defender – despite pass interference – while landing on his back in the end zone.

Rohach was picked off by the Wildcats’ Dorrian Roberts on the ensuing possession, and Rose scampered nine yards into the end zone for a touchdown and a 41-0 lead.

The only drama left was whether the Wildcats would finish off the shutout. Rose’s fumble and Nealy’s touchdown run finally gave the Cyclones something to feel good about.

— Associated Press —