College – Page 381 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Kansas stays winless with 27-14 loss at Rutgers

Posted on September 26, 2015September 26, 2015

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — After seeing six players kicked off the team, having their coach and top receiver suspended and their defensive captain lost for the season with an injury, Rutgers actually can head into its bye week with a smile.

Chris Laviano threw two touchdowns and Josh Hicks ran for 113 yards and two more scores as embattled Rutgers snapped a two-game losing streak and defeated Kansas 27-14 Saturday, handing the Jayhawks their 34nd straight loss away from Lawrence.

It was the first win for the Scarlet Knights (2-2) since Flood was suspended for three games on Sept. 16 for contacting a faculty member about a player’s grade. Running backs coach Norries Wilson has run the team the last two games.

“It was a must win because I didn’t want to go into a bye week with a three-game losing streak and everybody hanging their head,” Wilson said. “We wanted to win a football game and make us feel good going into a bye week and know what we could go out and beat a quality opponent and get ourselves ready for the next one.”

The Scarlet Knights really needed this one after a last-minute loss to Washington State and a poor performance against Penn State days after Flood was suspended.

“We want to win all our games but we really needed this to have momentum heading into the bye week,” said Laviano, whose touchdowns covered 14 yards to Carlton Agudosi and 7 to Matt Flanagan. He finished 18 of 25 for 201 yards and two interceptions.

The Scarlet Knights have a brutal October in the Big Ten Conference with No. 2 Michigan State, No. 1 Ohio State and No. 22 Wisconsin on tap plus currently undefeated Indiana.

“We always talk about the season as the first four and then eight straight,” Flanagan said. “Ending these four games with a win is really big with the next opponent being Michigan State. ”

Hicks scored on runs of 1 and 4 yards. Robert Martin had 17 carries for 102 yards as the Scarlet Knights ran for a season-high 312 yards.

“The run game was definitely clicking today,” Martin said. “We had a good week of practice and it just escalated onto the field.”

Ke’aun Kinner scored on runs of 2 and 1 yard for Kansas (0-3), which is still looking to give new coach David Beaty his first win.

The Jayhawks were limited to 64 yards rushing on 29 attempts, a 2.2 yard average.

Rutgers, which had six players kicked off the team since August because of arrests and had star receiver Leonte Carroo suspended indefinitely for an altercation outside the stadium after a loss to Washington State, used a ball-control offense on drives of 91, 75 and 84 yards in opening a 27-7 lead early in the second half.

The Jayhawks hurt themselves with 15-yard penalties on each of the drives, including a horse-collar tackle by Ben Goodman on a third down play that kept one of them alive.

“Eliminate big plays,” Kansas linebacker Marcquis Roberts said of the mistakes. “We did pretty good for the most part. For the second half we did really good. We held them to seven points, but we have to eliminate big plays. The less big plays we have the better off we are”

Laviano capped the longest drive with the pass to Agudosi, who has moved into the starting lineup since Carroo was suspended. The pass to Flanagan capped a 31-yard drive set up when linebacker Kaiwan Lewis intercepted a pass by Deondre Ford. A botched extra point left the score at 13-0.

Ford, who got the start because Montell Cozart had flu-like symptoms before the game, sprained a thumb on the next series and did not return. Cozart came on and finished the game.

Hicks had a 31-yard run to set up his 1-yard tally with 2:31 left in the half. He added his 4-yard score on the opening series of the third quarter.

Kinner got Kansas within 13 points late in the third quarter after a fumble by Hicks. Cozart drove the Jayhawks of the Big 12 Conference to the Rutgers 20 midway through the fourth quarter but his fourth-down pass under pressure fell short.

Scarlet Knights defensive tackle Darius Hamilton announced before the game that he would not play again this season because of a lower body injury.

— Associated Press —

Nebraska hangs on to defeat Southern Miss

Posted on September 26, 2015September 26, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska has lost one game on a Hail Mary and another in overtime after it made a huge comeback. Now here was Southern Mississippi moving down the field in the last minute with a chance to tie after Nebraska had blown most of a 22-point lead in the fourth quarter.

“I guess it’s really true. It’s never easy,” coach Mike Riley said after his Cornhuskers held on for a 36-28 victory Saturday.

During an afternoon when the Huskers and Golden Eagles combined for almost 1,100 yards of offense, it was defensive end Freedom Akinmoladun who secured victory for Nebraska, sacking Nick Mullens near midfield to end the game.

Tommy Armstrong passed for 368 yards and two touchdowns in his duel with Mullens, who threw for a career-high 447 yards.

“I’m happy we got a win, but I’m not satisfied at all,” Armstrong said. “We could have put up a lot more points on the board. We’re probably 30-45 seconds from going into overtime, and then who knows what?”

Nebraska’s Drew Brown tied an NCAA record with five field goals in the first half and Jordan Westerkamp had a career day with 11 catches for 118 yards. The Huskers (2-2) also got an unexpected lift from fullback Andy Janovich, who ran for 68 yards on his first five carries since 2012 and had a 53-yard catch-and-run.

Southern Miss (2-2) stayed within striking distance after entering the fourth quarter down 22 points. Mullens and Casey Martin teamed up for two touchdowns, and Jalen Richard’s 1-yard run pulled the Eagles to 36-28 with 6:55 left.

“I thought we gave it all we got,” Mullens said. “Everything we had, we left it out on the field. It was a resilient group of men trying to make plays and win the game, probably one of the funnest games I’ve ever played.”

Brown could have put the game out of reach with a sixth field goal with 29 seconds left, but his 24-yard try was tipped, giving Southern Miss a final opportunity to tie. Two Mullens-to-Martin passes got the Eagles to the Nebraska 40, but Akinmoladun crashed through to sack Mullens, and the Eagles couldn’t stop the clock.

“We needed a play,” Akinmoladun said. “I didn’t know at the time what it was going to be, but someone needed to step up. I was given the opportunity to step up.”

Nebraska missed opportunities to put away the Golden Eagles early, settling for field goals after failing to convert third downs on four straight trips inside the 20.

“We did a nice job of holding them out of the end zone and making them kick field goals,” Southern Miss coach Todd Monken said. “They gave us a chance, but in the end we gave up too many explosive plays. We’ll regroup, look at it and get better. They’re a good offensive team. They’re going to score points.”

Armstrong passed 10 yards to Taariq Allen for a touchdown to put the Huskers up 29-7 late in the third quarter. Then it was game on.

Mullens and Martin connected for a 21-yard touchdown, Xavier Thigpen recovered the onside kick and Martin turned a short pass into a 19-yard TD on fourth-and-4 to make it 29-21.

The Eagles failed to convert on a fake punt from their 39 on their next possession, and Armstrong ran in from 16 yards untouched four plays later.

Southern Miss kept coming, driving to the Nebraska 14. Joshua Kalu intercepted Mullens in the end zone on a fourth-and-13, but he was flagged for interference and unsportsmanlike conduct after spiking the ball. That set up the Eagles at the 1, and Richard scored on the next play.

The last of Brown’s five first-half field goals was a career-long 50-yarder as time ran out to give the Huskers a 22-0 lead.

The Huskers, who lost their opener against BYU on a Hail Mary and lost in overtime last week at Miami, avoided their first 1/3 start since 1957.

“We have to be pleased with winning the game,” Riley said. “We’ve won a couple games and we’ve lost a couple real close games. Now we’re entering the conference, and we’ve been through a lot of situations. Stack your experiences up and hope you get better.”

— Associated Press —

Western volleyball open MIAA play with sweep of Missouri Southern

Posted on September 26, 2015September 26, 2015

ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western volleyball team won its ninth consecutive match Friday night, sweeping Missouri Southern in three sets. It’s the program’s longest win streak since winning 12 in a row in 1995.

The Griffons handed Missouri Southern its 11th straight loss and took the 10th straight in the series. The Griffons battled errors in the first set to win 25-21; controlled the second, winning 25-15 and used several runs to claim the third 25-21.

Offensive production was spread even with Jessie Thorup’s 12 kills leading the match. Lindsey Partridge added nine kills for the Griffons and Shellby Taylor and Rachel Friedrichs each had eight. MWSU hit .317 as a team with Thorup hitting .357 and Partridge hitting .571 on 14 attacks. Thorup added 10 digs, second behind Kayla Ruff’s 12. Jordan Chohon finished the night with 42 assists.

The Griffons look to extend the win streak when Southwest Baptist visits the fieldhouse Saturday night. SBU was swept Friday night by Northwest Missouri State.

— MWSU Athletics —

Bearcats volleyball defeats Southwest Baptist in three sets

Posted on September 26, 2015September 26, 2015

The Northwest Missouri State University volleyball team swept Southwest Baptist, 3-0, on Friday evening in Bearcat Arena.

The win moved Northwest to 8-3 on the year and 1-0 in the MIAA. SBU drops to 2-9 overall and 0-1 in conference action.

Northwest held SBU to just eight third-set points. It is the second time this year Northwest has held an opponent in single digits. It was last accomplished against Henderson State in St. Joseph on Sept. 19.

Northwest hit .408 as a team and had held SBU to a -.054 attack percentage.

Maddy Bruder had a match-high nine kills, hitting .438 with nine digs, three blocks and three assists. Miranda Foster and Jackie Becker each had six kills. Foster had five digs and two blocks. Becker hit .750 for the match with four blocks.

Sarah Dannettell had 27 assists, five kills, four digs and a block, while Aarika Wittenburg had a match-high 10 digs with an assist.

The Bearcats will host Missouri Southern on Saturday night at 6 p.m. in an MIAA contest. Admission to the match is free, following the Family Day weekend football game at 2:30 p.m.

— Northwest Athletics —

MWSU soccer gets a draw at Central Oklahoma Friday

Posted on September 26, 2015September 26, 2015

EDMOND, Okla. – The Missouri Western women’s soccer team ended in a draw 1-1 against Central Oklahoma on Friday evening. The Griffons are now 4-1-1 on the season. This is the Griffons first time in program history scoring a goal and tying with Central Oklahoma.

Cassidy Chappell scored her second goal of the season in the 10th minute of the game when she scored from the top left side of the box and put it in the right corner. The Bronchos evened the score in the 37th minute when Kaite Killion was assist from Falyn Dodd. Killion scored her third goal of the year on a point-blank shot after Sarah Lyle when for the cross.

The Griffons were held in check offensively, producing only three shots on goal compared to UCO’s nine shots on goal. Chappell had two shots on goal and Sydney Andrews tallied the other shot for the Griffons.

Goalie Sarah Lyle tallied eight saves on the night and now has a record of 4-1-1.

The Griffons will take on Northeastern State on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.

— MWSU Athletics —

Northwest soccer loses conference opener at Northeastern State

Posted on September 26, 2015September 26, 2015

The Northwest Missouri State soccer team fell in Friday’s conference opener on the road at Northeastern State, 4-1.

The Bearcats dropped to 1-3-2 and 0-1 in the conference, while the RiverHawks improved to 6-1 overall and 1-0 in the MIAA.

Elizabeth Finn scored her second goal of the season in the 79th minute.

Ashley Malloy’s 11 saves met her season high (11, Central Missouri, 9/20).

The Bearcats will travel to Edmond, Okla. on Sunday, Sept. 27 for a 1 p.m. first kick against the Central Oklahoma Bronchos.

— Northwest Athletics —

Griffon men’s golf team finishes 11th at NSU Golf Classic

Posted on September 22, 2015

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. – The Missouri Western men’s golf team finished in 11th place at the NSU Golf Classic, compiling a team score of 922 over the three rounds of golf. The Hillcrest Country Club was a par 71 – 6607 total yards.

Corey Knight finished the tournament with a fourth place finish individual. He tallied a 216 overall score throughout three rounds of golf. Ryan Hand and Drew Lagan recorded a 231 and 236 respectively. The Griffons did have one individual disqualified from the event.

Henderson State won the team title, scoring an 874 during the tournament. Southwestern Oklahoma St. finished second with a score of 879. Missouri Western was three strokes behind Arkansas-Fort Smith for 10th place and 11 strokes behind Missouri Southern for ninth place.

Arkansas Tech’s Bryce Burke won individual award with a score of 210. He recorded rounds of 72, 70, and 68 for the tournament.

The Griffons will return home for their next tournament on October 12th and October 13th for the MWSU/Holiday Inn Express Classic Central Region Invite at the St. Joseph, Country Club.

— MWSU Athletics —

Missouri Western’s Gant named MIAA Defensive Athlete of the Week

Posted on September 22, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Missouri Western’s Taylor Gant has been named the MIAA Women’s Soccer Defensive Athlete of the Week.

On Sunday, Gant gave the Griffons a 1-0 lead on her first career goal. The All-MIAA defender rarely gets a chance to shoot, let alone score, but made the most of her opportunity this weekend. She dribbled past the entire Lindenwood backline, more than half the length of the field to score her goal. From her defensive position, she helped her team hold Lindenwood to one goal on 14 shots. The Lions managed just three shots on goal, one coming on a free-kick.

It’s the second time in her career the Overland Park, Kansas native has received the award. Gant was one of two Griffons scoring their first career goals Saturday. Bailey Dervin’s first ever goal was the game winner and helped the team move to its best-ever start, 4-1.

— MWSU Athletics —

No. 25 Missouri to be without WR Blair against Kentucky

Posted on September 21, 2015

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri will be without wide receiver DeSean Blair this Saturday when it opens Southeastern Conference play at Kentucky.

Blair was one of four Tigers players involved in a car accident last Friday near campus, and is out this week with a concussion.

Defensive end Terry Beckner Jr. had two tackles in No. 25 Missouri’s 9-6 victory against UConn on Saturday. Blair and fellow receiver Keyon Dilosa missed the game, as well as running back Trevon Walters, who is rehabbing a torn anterior cruciate ligament and was already listed as out indefinitely.

Dilosa, who has three catches for 25 yards for the Tigers (3-0) this season is expected to play against Kentucky.

Russell Hansbrough, who sprained his right ankle in the season-opener, is listed as probable. Coach Gary Pinkel said team doctors will evaluate his status this week. Hansbrough was limited to seven carries for 38 yards through the first two games, and sat out against UConn.

— Associated Press —

K-State’s Cantele named Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week

Posted on September 21, 2015

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Following his 4-for-4 effort on field goals in Kansas State’s 39-33 triple-overtime victory over Louisiana Tech on Saturday, senior place kicker Jack Cantele has been named the Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week, the conference office announced on Monday.

The honor is the second in Cantele’s career following the 2013 TCU game, while it was the first honor for the Wildcats this season. Additionally, Cantele’s accolade was the Wildcats’ Big 12-leading 31st weekly conference honor since the beginning of 2011, which includes 16 honors on special teams.

Cantele made his field goals from distances of 33, 38, 20 and 44 yards against the Bulldogs on Saturday. The 44-yarder came in a “must-make” situation to send the game to a third overtime where the Wildcats eventually won. Cantele now has 23 career field goals made to rank 10th in school history as he is 7-of-7 on field goals this season and 23-of-29 in his career.

A product of Wichita, Kansas, Cantele’s four made field goals tied his career-high, originally set on Nov. 16, 2013, vs. TCU, and were the second-most in school history for a game. The 44-yard field goal he made in overtime tied his career long set on Nov. 2, 2013, against Iowa State.

Kansas State is idle this week before traveling to Stillwater, Oklahoma, to take on Oklahoma State on Saturday, September 3, at Boone Pickens Stadium. The game is scheduled for a 3 p.m. kickoff.

— KSU Athletics —