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Author: Dave Riggert

Northwest women rally from 21-point deficit to defeat Rogers State

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Northwest Missouri State’s women’s basketball team pulled out a dogfight win to take home their fifth victory of the season against NAIA No. 8 Rogers State University, 71-68 on Saturday.

The Hillcats’ home-court advantage seemed to overwhelm Northwest in the first half as Rogers State shot 73 percent from the field, jumping out to a 21 point advantage with just under 6 minutes remaining in the first and took a 45-33 lead into the break.

The Bearcats worked defensively, forcing 20 Hillcat turnovers and took advantage of second-chance opportunities to close the gap in the second half, eventually pulling off the come from behind win.

Heading into the second half trailing by twelve, Northwest chipped away at the Hillcats’ shooting 43-percent from the field and outscoring Rogers State 38-23 in the final 20 minutes.

Meridee Scott led four Bearcats in double figures with 17 points and Annie Mathews collected seven rebounds.  Ashleigh Nelson continued her hot shooting, going 4 of 6 from the three point line, while Monique Stevens had a solid outing with 13 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists.

Northwest returns to action on Dec. 5 to open MIAA conference play against Lindenwood at 5:30 p.m. in Bearcat Arena.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Benedictine women roll past Evangel Saturday

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The Benedictine (Kan.) College women’s basketball team earned its ninth straight win on Saturday afternoon with a 64-52 win over Evangel University inside the Ralph Nolan Gymnasium.

Benedictine scored 23 points off 11 Evangel turnovers en route to its second straight Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) win.

Raven forward Erin Murphy scored a game high 24 points in the win going 9 for 9 from the charity stripe.

Evangel was led by the 19-point effort of forwrard Sierra McSpadden.

Benedictine improves to 11-1 overall and 2-0 in the HAAC while Evangel falls to 2-5 overall and 1-1 in the HAAC.

— BC Sports Information —

Western’s Hill named one of three finalists for Harlon Hill Award

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Missouri Western senior running back Michael Hill has been named one of three finalist for the 2012 Harlon Hill Award as the NCAA Division II College Football Player of the Year. The winner will be announced on Dec. 14 at the Division II Football Hall of Fame Banquet prior to the NCAA Division II Championship game the following day.

Hill has started all 13 games for the Griffons rushing for over 100 yards in 12 of the 13 games which includes rushing for over 150 yards eight time and 200 twice this season. He was the MIAA Offensive Player of the Year and First Team All-MIAA as well as Daktronics Super Region 3 Offensive Player of the Year and First Team Daktronics Super Region 3 running back. He rushed for a career high 259 yards and three  touchdowns in a victory over Washburn earlier this season and has helped the Griffons win six straight games over top-25 opponents which includes four in the  top 10. He helped the Griffons open up the season 6-0 for the first time ever under Head Coach Jerry Partridge and the first time since 1981. He helped the  Griffons win four road games against teams that were ranked in the top-25 which included against #7 Pittsburg STate (63-14), #15 Emporia State (57-28), #4 NW Missouri State (21-20) and #6 Henderson State (45-21). The Griffons have won nine or more games in a season for the seventh time in 10 years. Hill rushed for a career long 92 yard touchdown against William Jewell College and has had a rush of over 20 yards or more in 11 of the Griffons 13 gamess. Against ESU he had  183 yards in the first half and has rushed for over 180 yards six times and and has had over 200 all-purpose yards five times. He has helped lead the Griffons  to a school-record 12 wins picking up their first playoff win in school history in a 57-55 win over Minnesota-Duluth in Spratt Stadium on Nov. 17. Hill has rushed for a school record 2,118 yards this season and is only the 7th player in MIAA History to go over 2,000 yards in a season.

For his career, Hill has played in 49 games with 29 starts at running back for the Griffons and holds career records for rushing yards (4,919), all-purpose yards (5,783), most carries (913), most rushing touchdowns (35) and most 100-yard rushing games (20). He holds the Griffons single season record for most points scored (114), most touchdowns scored (19), tied for the most rushing attempts (296), most yards gained rushing (2,118), highest average per carry (7.2), highest rushing average per game (162.3), most 100-yard rushing games (12) and most all-purpose yards (2,320). He is close to breaking the career mark for most points in a career (278 – he has 264) and career touchdowns scored (46 – he has 44). He is close to breaking the single season mark for rushing touchdowns in a season (17 – he has 16). Currently Hill is 6th all-time in career rushing in the MIAA (4,919) and 6th in MIAA single season rushing with (2,118).

Hill has helped the Griffons break the school record for highest average per rush in a game averaging 9.7 against William Jewell which broke the old mark of 7.8…has helped the Griffons average 278.4 yards per game which would be a team record…the old record is 269.5 which was set in 1989…has helped the Griffon offense set records for Most Points Scored (572), Highest Scoring Average (44.0), Most Touchdown Scored (77), Most First Downs (305), Most Yards Gained (6,177), Most Yards Total Offense Per Game (475.2), Most Yards Gained Rushing (3,911), Most Rushing Yards Net (3,619), Most Rushing Yards Gained Per Game (278.4), Highest Rushing Average Per Carry (6.3) and Highest Completion Percentage in a Season (66-percent)….the Griffons have won nine or more games in seven of the last 10 seasons…the 12 victories is a single season record…helped the Griffons to three NCAA Division II Playoff Appearances and a Mineral Water Bowl appearance.

Hill is the first Griffon to be in the top-3 for the Harlon Hill. In 1995 John Fisher (RB) was in the top 8 and finished 7th in the voting. Tarren Adams (WR) and Drew Newhart (QB) were candidates in 1992 and 2009 respectively.

The Griffons will play in the Super Region 3 Final on Saturday, December 1 in Mankato, Minn. against the Minnestoa State-Mankato Mavericks. Game time is set for 12:00 pm.

Release from the Harlon Hill Committee

HILL, QUITEH AND ZULLI INVITED TO 2012 HARLON HILL BANQUET
AS TOP THREE FINISHERS

FLORENCE, Ala. —  The voting has concluded for the NCAA Division II College Football Player of the Year Award, and while the results of that voting won’t be announced until December 14, three players have received invitations to attend the 27th Annual Harlon Hill Trophy Presentation Banquet for the naming of the top player in Division II.

Senior running back Michael Hill of Missouri Western State University, junior running back Franklyn Quiteh of Bloomsburg University (Pa.) and junior quarterback Zach Zulli of Shippensburg University (Pa.) have emerged as the top three vote-getters from a field of eight finalists in voting by the sports information directors at the 169 schools that compete in Division II football.

The Hill Trophy is sponsored by the City of Florence, Ala.,  Florence-Lauderdale Tourism, Opti-Net, the Marriott Shoals Hotel and Spa  and Herff Jones.

Candidates for the 2012 Hill Trophy were nominated by the sports information directors at their respective schools and those nominations were then reviewed by the Hill Regional Advisory Committees, which trimmed the list of candidates.

National voting concluded on  November 29  and  the  top three finishers are invited to the Shoals for the presentation banquet. The winner of the 2012 award, which is presented by the National Harlon Hill Award Committee, will be announced at the Harlon Hill Trophy and  Division II Football Hall of Fame  Banquet on Friday, December 14 in Florence, prior to the NCAA Division II Football Championship Game on Dec. 15. The banquet will include the induction of two of the division’s all-time greats into the Division II Football Hall of Fame as former Kutztown University linebacker John Mobley and former Fort Valley State University (Ga.) defensive back Tyrone Poole comprise the Hall’s Class of 2012. Tickets are $50 each or $400 for a table of eight and can be purchased by calling Judy Keenum at the Shoals Chamber of Commerce at (256) 764-4661.

Hill, from St. Joseph, Mo., is the 2012 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Offensive Player of the Year after helping lead Missouri Western to a 12-1 record, an MIAA championship and into the quarterfinal of the Division II playoffs where the Griffons face Minnesota State-Mankato Saturday. Hill has carried the ball 282 times this season for 2,065 yards and 16 touchdowns. He averages 7.32 yards per carry and 176.75 yards per game. He currently ranks second in Division II in rushing, fifth in all-purpose yards (188.92) and 15th in scoring (9.50). He rushed for at least 116 yards in all 12 games that he played in this season

Quiteh, from Tobyhanna, Pa., leads Division II in rushing this season with an average of 176.8 yards per game. He has carried the ball 287 times for 2,121 yards and 24 touchdowns and has averaged 7.4 yards per carry. He rushed for more than 100 yards in every game in 2012 and has a current streak of 17 straight games with 100 yards or more. He rushed for more than 200 yards four times this season and his career numbers stand at 5,328 yards rushing with 58 touchdowns. A first-team All-PSAC selection for the third straight year, Quiteh helped lead Bloomsburg to a 10-2 record this fall and into the NCAA Division II playoffs.

Zulli, from Schwenksville, Pa., is the 2012 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference East Division Offensive Player of the Year and led Shippensburg to an 11-2 record and to the second round of the NCAA playoffs. He set NCAA Division II record for points responsible for in a season (336) and touchdowns responsible for in a season (56). He also tied a Division II record with 54 touchdown passes. He threw for 4,747 yards and 54 touchdowns while completing 62.8 percent of his passes and throwing just 10 interceptions in 544 pass attempts this season. He leads Division II in points responsible for with 344 or 26.46 points per game. He ranks fourth in Division II in passing yards per game (365.15), third in total offense (382.38), fifth in pass efficiency (165.25) and ninth in completions per game (26.31)

Other finalists for the 2012 award were senior wide receiver Chris Bowden of Wingate University (N.C.), senior quarterback Taylor Housewright  of Ashland University (Ohio), sophomore quarterback Kevin Rodgers of Henderson State University (Ark.),  junior quarterback Dustin Vaughan of West Texas A&M University. and senior tailback Derrick Washington of Tuskegee University (Ala.).

* * *

The initial Harlon Hill Trophy was won by North Dakota State quarterback Jeff Bentrim in 1986, followed  by  Texas A&M-Kingsville runningback Johnny Bailey – in 1987, 1988 and 1989.

Another North Dakota State quarterback, Chris Simdorn, claimed the 1990 award, followed by Pittsburg State receiver Ronnie West in 1991, Pittsburg State running back Ronald Moore in 1992, New Haven running back Roger  Graham in 1993 and Valdosta State University quarterback Chris Hatcher in 1994. North Alabama linebacker Ronald McKinnon became the first defensive player to win the award when he claimed the Hill Trophy in 1995.

Truman State University running back Jarrett Anderson won the 1996 award and Bloomsburg University running back Irvin Sigler claimed the Hill Trophy in 1997 award. Running back Brian Shay of Emporia State won in 1998, followed by Northern Colorado quarterback Corte McGuffey in 1999 and Valdosta State quarterback Dusty Bonner in 2000 and 2001, and Grand Valley State quarterback Curt Anes in 2002.  The 2003 trophy was awarded to North Alabama quarterback Will Hall, and Chad Friehauf of the Colorado School of Mines won the 2004 award. East Stroudsburg’s Jimmy Terwilliger claimed the 2005 Hill Trophy as a junior and Chadron State running back Danny Woodhead won the 2006 and 2007 Hill Trophies to become just the third two-time winner. Running back Bernard Scott of Abilene Christian won the 2008 Hill Trophy, followed by running back Joique Bell of Wayne State (Mich.) in 2009, Central Missouri quarterback Eric Czerniewski in 2010 and Mars Hill running back Jonas Randolph in 2011.

2012 Harlon Hill Trophy Top Three

(alphabetical order)
Pos. Ht Wt Cl School Hometown
Michael Hill RB 5-11 205 SR Missouri Western State St. Joseph, Mo.
Franklyn Quiteh RB 5-10 203 JR Bloomsburg Tobyhanna, Pa.
Zach Zulli QB 6-2 188 JR Shippensburg Schwenksville, Pa.

Other 2012 Harlon Hill Trophy Finalists
Pos. Ht Wt Cl School Hometown
Chris Bowden WR 6-3 215 SR Wingate Forsyth, Ga.
Taylor Housewright QB 6-2 215 SR Ashland Ashland, Ohio
Kevin Rodgers QB 6-3 215 SO Henderson State Rockwall, Texas
Dustin Vaughan QB 6-5 220 JR West Texas A&M Corpus Christi, Texas
Derrick Washington TB 6-0 215 SR Tuskegee Raymore, Mo.

* Final rankings for all finalists will not be released until the Harlon Hill Trophy Banquet on Dec. 14, 2012.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri’s Richardson to forego senior year to enter NFL Draft

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University of Missouri junior defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson has decided to forego his final year of collegiate eligibility, and will make himself available for the 2013 NFL Draft, to be held April 25-27.

Richardson had a breakout season for the Tigers in 2012, as he led all Southeastern Conference defensive tackles, and ranked second on the MU team overall, with 75 tackles.  The St. Louis, Mo. native played in 11 games (starting all 11), and added 10.5 tackles for loss and 4.0 quarterback sacks this season, while also forcing three fumbles, recovering two, breaking up three passes, and blocking one kick.

For his Tiger career, Richardson saw action in 24 games (making 13 starts total), and made 112 tackles in all.

“This has been my dream ever since I was a little kid,” said Richardson.  “It’s still not easy leaving Mizzou like this, but I know I’m ready.  I really appreciate all of the support I got here at Mizzou, and I know that they will help me and my family with this next step.  I’ll always be a Tiger,” he said.

“I’ve always said that when guys have opportunities like these, if they’re ready to go, then they should go,” said MU Head Coach Gary Pinkel.  “I have no doubt that Sheldon is ready to play in the NFL, and while we’d love to have him for another year, the important thing is that this is the right decision.  It will be fun watching him play on Sundays,” Pinkel said.

— MU Sports Information —

Royals agree to terms on one-year contract with Chris Getz

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The Kansas City Royals announced Friday that the club has agreed to terms on a one-year Major League contract with second baseman Chris Getz for the 2013 season, avoiding arbitration.  Consistent with club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.  The signing of Getz leaves right-handed pitcher Luke Hochevar as the club’s only unsigned arbitration-eligible player.

Getz, 29, batted .275 with 17 RBI and nine stolen bases in 64 games for Kansas City in 2012.  He spent three stints on the disabled list due to various injuries, including a left thumb fracture which ended his season on August 17.  The Royals were 30-25 in his 55 starts.  Getz was acquired in a trade with the Chicago White Sox on November 5, 2009.

— Royals Media Relations —

Suspended guard Michael Dixon to transfer from Mizzou

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Suspended Missouri guard Michael Dixon left the team Thursday after two sexual assault claims became public this week.

Dixon, who was not charged in either case, has been benched all season for No. 13 Missouri (5-1). The senior averaged 13.5 points as Missouri’s sixth man last season and was a projected starter.

Neither Dixon nor the university addressed the allegations in the university’s two-sentence announcement of his departure.

“It’s been a challenging few months and while I appreciate the support of many in the Mizzou community, including my coaches and teammates, it’s in the best interest of me, my family and the University of Missouri for me to finish my career elsewhere,” Dixon said.

The one-time prep star from suburban Kansas City was briefly suspended for violating unspecified team rules in December 2010 by former Missouri coach Mike Anderson, who is now at Arkansas.

That suspension came after allegations against Dixon by a woman who told The Associated Press on Thursday that she declined to press charges in part to avoid embarrassing her family.

The woman, who is now 25 and a university employee, asked that her name not be used because of safety concerns.

The AP also does not generally identify alleged sexual assault victims.

At the time of Dixon’s alleged assault, she was a recent graduate who worked for the school’s athletics department. She said she reported her concerns to campus police, who encouraged her to file charges, and complained to school officials, including Anderson.

One of Dixon’s teammates then warned the woman “to keep her mouth shut,” she said.

“At the time, I did what was right for me by not pressing charges,” she said. “It was a very personal decision.”

Over the weekend, a female student accused Dixon of sexual assault, disclosing the allegation publicly in a Twitter exchange with former Missouri guard Kim English, now a Detroit Pistons reserve. The woman also filed a police report in August, copies of which were publicly released this week, but Boone County prosecutors decided on Nov. 16 to not file charges.

The absence of criminal charges in both cases prompted a groundswell of support for Dixon’s reinstatement among Missouri fans, with some Twitter posts calling for the school to “Free Mike Dixon.”

English was among the most vocal supporters, defending his former teammate’s “poise, class and professionalism” while also praising Missouri coach Frank Haith and chancellor Brady Deaton. But he called a university disciplinary board apparently investigating Dixon “a joke” and said his alma mater “should be ashamed!” Those criticisms were later deleted — as was the 19-year-old sophomore’s online accusation that prompted English’s comments.

Dixon posted his own defense that “I’ve done nothing wrong!” on Twitter after a loss to No. 2 Louisville a week ago at a tournament in the Bahamas — a tournament he traveled to with the team — but later had it removed.

Haith had declined to discuss the reasons for Dixon’s suspension, which he said did not involve NCAA matters or legal issues — a characterization subject to interpretation given that the case remained under review by local prosecutors until two weeks ago. Most recently, Haith said he would not talk about the “rumors and allegations” involving Dixon.

The woman who first accused Dixon two years ago said she struggled with the mostly unwavering support he received during his most recent suspension.

“It’s really difficult for me to see someone praised by such a large group of people when I know how he hurt me,” she said.

The woman also said that Dixon laughingly threatened to “kick her in the stomach and push her down the stairs” if she became pregnant. She had told him earlier that she was not using birth control.

Dixon, who won the Show-Me Basketball award in 2009 as the state’s top high school player, did not respond to several messages left on his cell the past several days seeking comment. The Columbia Missourian reported Thursday that Dixon sent a friend a series of text messages confirming his departure, alluding to the earlier assault complaint and insisting that “I have never harmed anyone.”

— Associated Press —

Six Griffons earn All-Region honors; Hill named Offensive Player of the Year

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The Missouri Western football team placed six players on the Daktronics Super Region Four teams which was released Wednesday morning by the Collegiate Sports Information Directors of America. Senior running back Michael Hill was a First Team selection as well as the Offensive Player of the Year while senior offensive lineman Macon Allan and Colt Schulte were also first team selections. On the defensive side of the ball David Bass was a first team selection for the second time in his career. Junior quarterback Travis Partridge and senior defensive end Ben Pister were second team selections.

Hill has started all 13 games for the Griffons rushing for over 100 yards in 12 of the 13 games which includes rushing for over 150 yards eight time and 200 twice this season. He was the MIAA Offensive Player of the Year and First Team All-MIAA. He was an Daktronics All-Region second team selection in 2011. He rushed for a career high 259 yards and three  touchdowns in a victory over Washburn earlier this season and has helped the Griffons win six straight games over top-25 opponents which includes four in the  top 10. He helped the Griffons open up the season 6-0 for the first time ever under Head Coach Jerry Partridge and the first time since 1981. He helped the  Griffons win four road games against teams that were ranked in the top-25 which included against #7 Pittsburg STate (63-14), #15 Emporia State (57-28), #4 NW Missouri State (21-20) and #6 Henderson State (45-21). The Griffons have won nine or more games in a season for the seventh time in 10 years. Hill rushed for a career long 92 yard touchdown against William Jewell College and has had a rush of over 20 yards or more in 11 of the Griffons 13 gamess. Against ESU he had  183 yards in the first half and has rushed for over 180 yards six times and and has had over 200 all-purpose yards five times. He has helped lead the Griffons  to a school-record 12 wins picking up their first playoff win in school history in a 57-55 win over Minnesota-Duluth in Spratt Stadium on Nov. 17. Hill has rushed for a school record 2,118 yards this season and is only the 7th player in MIAA History to go over 2,000 yardsin a season.

For his career, Hill has played in 49 games with 29 starts at running back for the Griffons and holds career records for rushing yards (4,919), all-purpose yards (5,783), most carries (913), most rushing touchdowns (35) and most 100-yard rushing games (20). He holds the Griffons single season record for most points scored (114), most touchdowns scored (19), tied for the most rushing attempts (296), most yards gained rushing (2,118), highest average per carry (7.2), highest rushing average per game (162.3), most 100-yard rushing games (12) and most all-purpose yards (2,320). He is close to breaking the career mark for most points in a career (278 – he has 264) and career touchdowns scored (46 – he has 44). He is close to breaking the single season mark for rushing touchdowns in a season (17 – he has 16). Currently Hill is 6th all-time in career rushing in the MIAA (4,919) and 6th in MIAA single season rushing with (2,118).

For the first time in his career senior offensive lineman Macon Allan has been named to the first team. Allan was an  All-MIAA First Team selection for the second time in his career this season. He continues to be arguably being one of the best offensive linemen to wear a Griffon uniform. The senior has started every game this year, adding to his streak of 49 consecutive starts for Missouri Western, Allan solidified the right tackle position for both Hill and Partridge to become the best rushing attack in the MIAA, securing 3,619 yards and 43 TDs. Allan has helped the Griffons rush for an average of 278.4 yards per game and 6.3 yards per carry which are both team records in a season.

Griffon senior offensive tackle Colt Schulte has started all 13 games this year for the Griffons. The left tackle covered Partridge throughout the season, and secured the left side. He has played in 47 games in his career for the Griffons. Schulte helped the Griffons give up just 21 sacks on the season and helped the Griffon offense break numerous records. He was an Second Team All-MIAA selection this season and Honorable Mention All-MIAA selection in 2011.

The Griffon offense set records for Most Points Scored (572), Highest Scoring Average (44.0), Most Touchdown Scored (77), Most First Downs (305), Most Yards Gained (6,177), Most Yards Total Offense Per Game (475.2), Most Yards Gained Rushing (3,911), Most Rushing Yards Net (3,619), Most Rushing Yards Gained Per Game (278.4), Highest Average Rushing Yards Per Carry in a Game (9.7 vs. William Jewell), Highest Rushing Average Per Carry (6.3) and Highest Completion Percentage in a Season (66-percent).

For the second time in his career senior defensive end David Bass has been named to the Daktronics All-Region First Team. He was also selected to the All-MIAA First Team for the second time in his career. Bass set the record for career sacks at Missouri Western, and has since added onto it, recording 10.5 sacks this year. He has 39.5 sacks in his career. Bass set the record for most tackles for a loss in a career. He has 12.5 on the season and 52.5 in his career. The senior has recorded 53 tackles, and has two interceptions – one for a touchdown – and a forced fumble as well as a fumble recovery. Bass had a solid day against Pittsburg State down in the Jungle on Oct. 20, 2012, as he recorded five tackles, 2 ½ sacks and scored a touchdown that helped set the tone in the Griffons dominating performance to end the regular season. In the Griffons opening round playoff victory over Minnesota-Duluth Bass tied his career high with 11 tackles. He also had a sack and a quarterback hurry.

Senior defensive end Ben Pister earned Daktronics Super Region 3 Second Team for the first time in his career. He was selected to the First Team All-MIAA for the first time in his career. He was a Second Team All-MIAA selection a season ago. Pister has had his best season as a Griffon in 2012 starting all 13 games. Pister has 56 tackles on the season which includes a single season record 22.5 tackles for a loss. He broke the record of 20 which was set by his counterpart, Bass a season ago. He has eight sacks and 10 quarterback hurries this year. He was also very crafty on the D-Line when he didn’t go after the quarterback, as he garnered five pass breakups this season.

Junior quarterback Travis Partridge has had his best season as a Griffon. He was named to the All-MIAA First Team for the first time in his career. He was an Honorable Mention selection in 2011. This is his first time earning All-Region honors. Partridge has completed an astonishing 66-percent (205-311) of his passing attempts. He has also helped the Griffons win six straight games against ranked opponents which included four road games. He also guided the Griffons to their first ever outright MIAA Regular season title and to the Griffons first ever playoff victory. During the year, Partridge threw a league-leading 30 touchdowns which is two shy of the MWSU single season record and has rushed for 17 touchdowns which ties the MWSU single season record. He has an outstanding passing efficiency at 160.7.  For his efforts against Northwest Missouri State he was named MIAA Offensive Player of the Week on Monday, November 12.

The Griffons will play in the Super Region 3 Final on Saturday, December 1 in Mankato, Minn. against the Minnesota-State University Mavericks. Game time is set for 12:00 pm.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Kansas City signs Paulino to one-year contract

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The Kansas City Royals today on Thursday that the club has agreed to terms on a one-year Major League contract with right-handed pitcher Felipe Paulino for the 2013 season, avoiding arbitration.  Consistent with club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.  The signing of Paulino leaves right-handed pitcher Luke Hochevar and second baseman Chris Getz as the club’s only unsigned arbitration-eligible players.

Paulino, 29, was 3-1 with a 1.67 ERA in seven starts for the Royals in 2012.  He made his last Major League start on June 6, missing the remainder of the season after undergoing ulnar collateral ligament replacement surgery on his right elbow on July 3.  The native of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic was acquired from Colorado on May 26, 2011.  He has appeared in 93 Major League games (61 starts) with Houston, Colorado and Kansas City.

— Royals Media Relations —

Northwest Missouri State places seven players on All-Region teams

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Three players from the league’s top defense and two offensive players highlight the Daktronics first-team all-region selections in Super Region 3 for the Northwest Missouri State football team.

Seniors Nate DeJong and Collin DeBuysere along with junior Brandon Dixon were tabbed first-team defense all-region. On the offensive side of the ball, seniors Todd Adolf and Rod Williams earned first-team all-region accolades.

DeJong, DeBuysere and Dixon combined for 15 interceptions on the year as Northwest led NCAA Division II with 28. DeJong led the team with seven picks while DeBuysere was the second leading tackler with 74 and added a team high nine tackles for a loss. Dixon grabbed five interceptions and finished with 10 passes defended as Northwest held opponents to 13 points per game, the third lowest total in NCAA II.

Williams earned his second all-region honor on the offensive line as Adolf was named first-team kicker. Adolf was outstanding going 13-of-16 on field goal attempts while connecting on a perfect 70-of-70 extra points for the year. Williams helped the Bearcat offense average 41 points per game, eighth best in NCAA II, and average 432 yards of total offense per game.

A pair of Bearcats also earned second-team honors as senior Jordan Simmons was tabbed return specialist on offense and Kyle Goodburn earned defensive honors as second-team punter. Simmons finished his career moving onto the Northwest all-time list for scoring, rushing yards, receiving yards, kickoff returns and punt returns. Goodburn led the MIAA in punt average and was fourth in NCAA Division II averaging 44.2 yards per punt.

Northwest advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs for the ninth straight season, the longest current streak in Division II. The Bearcats finished the season 10-3 falling in the second round of the playoffs to No. 1 seed Minnesota State Mankato.

First team all-region honorees are now eligible for Daktronics, Inc. Division II Football All-American selection. The announcement of those All-American teams is expected on December 11th, preceding the NCAA Division II Football Championship, which takes place Dec. 15 in Florence, Ala.

The team is sponsored by Daktronics, Inc., an acknowledged world leader in scoring, timing and programmable display systems for virtually every sport at every level of competition. The team is voted on by the members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) from Super Region 3, made up of football playing institutions in the Great American Conference (GAC), the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC), the Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) and the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Nebraska to renew rivalry with Oklahoma in 2021-2022

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The Nebraska Athletic Department announced Thursday that it has signed a contract for a home-and-home football series with the University of Oklahoma. The two long-time rivals will renew their historic rivalry with games in 2021 in Norman and 2022 in Lincoln.

The first matchup is scheduled for Sept. 18, 2021, at Oklahoma, and the teams will meet at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln on Sept. 17, 2022.

“Our rivalry with Oklahoma has been one of the great traditional matchups in the history of college football,” Nebraska Athletic Director Tom Osborne said. “The games between the two schools were generally to decide a conference championship, and many times helped determine the national champion. Those matchups were always played with great intensity on the field, but with a great deal of respect from both sides and among the fan bases.

“I know our fans look forward to non-conference games against high-profile opponents like Oklahoma. I’m pleased we were able to finalize this series.”

The long-time Big Six, Big Seven, Big Eight and Big 12 foes have met 86 times on the gridiron, with Oklahoma holding a 45-38-3 advantage in the all-time series. The schools met 71 straight seasons from 1927 to 1998, before the Big 12’s scheduling rotation changed the annual matchup.

The 2021 game in Norman will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1971 “Game of the Century” between the schools. The contest is the most famous in the series and generally regarded as one of the greatest games in college football history. Top-ranked Nebraska edged No. 2 Oklahoma, 35-31, in Norman and went on to capture its second straight national championship.

The Game of the Century started a run of NU-OU games from 1971 to 1988 in which both teams were ranked in the top 11 of the Associated Press Poll in 17 of 19 meetings. Overall, at least one team has been ranked in the top 10 nationally in 48 of the games, with two top 10 teams 18 times. Since the Associated Press Poll began, the “Battle of the Big Reds” has featured at least one ranked team in 60 of 70 games.

Nebraska holds a 9-6 lead in the series since 1991. The last meeting between the two schools occurred in the 2010 Big 12 Championship Game, with Oklahoma posting a 23-20 victory in Arlington, Texas. Nebraska won the most recent regular-season matchup between the schools, posting a 10-3 win in Lincoln in 2009. Nebraska holds a 20-17-2 advantage in Lincoln, while Oklahoma has a 23-16 edge in games played in Norman.

The games with Oklahoma are the first games on Nebraska’s schedule in 2021 and 2022. Nebraska expects to announce other future non-conference games in the coming weeks.

— NU Sports Information —

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