College – Page 452 – St. Joseph Post Archive

14 Wildcats named All-Big 12; Lockett, Finney earn individual honors

Posted on December 10, 2014December 10, 2014

Led by Special Teams Player of the Year Tyler Lockett and Offensive Lineman of the Year B.J. Finney, Kansas State had 14 players named to the All-Big 12 teams as the conference office announced the coaches’ selections on Wednesday.

Lockett – a first-team member as both a wide receiver and kick returner – and Finney are the second and third players in school history to earn four-straight all-conference designations following Ty Zimmerman from 2010 to 2013. They are joined on the first team by fullback Glenn Gronkowski, defensive end Ryan Mueller and defensive back Randall Evans.

Second-team selections include quarterback Jake Waters, wide receiver Curry Sexton, offensive lineman Cody Whitehair, linebacker Jonathan Truman and defensive backs Dante Barnett and Danzel McDaniel.

Kansas State’s honorable mention selections are defensive lineman Travis Britz, place kicker Matthew McCrane and offensive lineman Boston Stiverson. Additionally, Lockett earned votes for Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, Mueller was an honorable mention Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year and linebacker Elijah Lee earned votes for Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year. Four-time Big 12 Coach of the Year Bill Snyder also earned votes for the 2014 honor.

The 14 players named to the All-Big 12 teams are tied for the third most in school history. The duo of Lockett and Sexton are the second set of receivers in school history to be named to the first or second teams as Quincy Morgan (first team) and Aaron Lockett (second team) were both honored in 1999.

Lockett is the sixth player in Big 12 history to repeat as the conference’s player of the year on either offense, defense or special teams and the second in league history to earn two special teams accolades (Quinn Sharp, Oklahoma State, 2011 and 2012). He led the Big 12 with 170.6 all-purpose yards per game – nearly 20 yards per game more than the player in second place – and also paced the conference by averaging 112.6 receiving yards per game. He held a 19.0 punt-return average (361 total yards), which included a 58-yard touchdown against UTEP and a 43-yard score at West Virginia. The Big 12’s leader in career kickoff-return average at 29.1 yards, Lockett also returned 15 kickoffs for 318 yards during his senior campaign.

A product of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Lockett, a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award, hauled in 93 receptions for 1,351 yards during the regular season to rank second in school history in both categories. The school’s career leader in catches, yards and touchdowns, Lockett ranks fourth nationally in receiving yards and ninth in receptions heading into the bowl season.

Finney, a finalist for the Rimington Trophy, has started all 51 games in his Wildcat career, including the last 50 at center. He is the first offensive lineman in school history and fifth player overall to be voted a team captain three times, while he is one of four linemen nationally with 51 consecutive starts. Finney shared Offensive Lineman of the Year honors with Baylor’s Spencer Drango.

One of the top blocking fullbacks in the league, Gronkowski has played in all 12 games with three starts and has been a receiving threat out of the backfield yet again. The sophomore, who was an honorable mention selection last season, has caught four passes for 92 yards – an average of 23 yards per catch – which included a 62-yard touchdown at then-No. 11 Oklahoma.

Mueller earned his second-straight First Team All-Big 12 designation, the first Wildcat defensive lineman to accomplish the feat since Ian Campbell in 2007 and 2008. The Leawood, Kansas, product came away with 33 tackles in 2014, including 9.5 for loss and 5.5 sacks. He pushed his career sack total to 19.5, which ranks seventh in school history.

Evans, a native of Miami, Florida, picked up All-Big 12 honors for the first time in his career. The senior ranks third on the team with 61 tackles, while he has paced the squad with four interceptions and nine pass breakups. A former walk-on, Evans is tied for third in the league in interceptions as all four came in conference play, including a current streak of three-straight games with a pick.

The second-year starter at quarterback, Waters has had a banner year by throwing for 3,163 yards and 20 touchdowns on 231-of-349 passing while adding 471 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. He leads the Big 12 in passing efficiency among quarterbacks with at least 100 attempts with a 157.6 mark, while he is fourth in overall total offense (302.8 yds/gm) and second in conference-only total offense (320.0 yds/gm).

Waters, a product of Council Bluffs, Iowa, broke the school’s single-season record for offensive yards (3,303), while he ranks second in completions and yards, and tied for fourth in touchdowns.

A native of Abilene, Kansas, Sexton has 69 catches for 955 yards and five touchdowns this season after entering his senior campaign with three-year career totals of 50 receptions, 564 yards and one score. He ranks fourth in the Big 12 in receptions and seventh in yards, while he has teamed with Lockett for the most combined yards by two receivers in a single season in K-State history (2,306). With 45 yards in K-State’s bowl game, Sexton can record the ninth 1,000-yard season in school history and combine with Lockett to mark the first time two Wildcat receivers have eclipsed the 1,000-yard barrier in the same season.

Barnett ranks second on the team with 73 tackles, including four for loss, and three interceptions to go along with eight breakups. Four of his breakups came against Texas en route to Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors. Barnett’s defensive backfield mate, McDaniel, has 55 tackles, including five for loss, one sack and three passes defended. His lone interception of the year came at Oklahoma when he jumped a route and returned it five yards for a touchdown.

Whitehair, a native of Abilene, Kansas, earned second-team honors for the second year in a row, while Britz is also a two-time honorable mention selection. McCrane, who is 16-of-17 on field goals and broke the K-State freshman record for points with 86, is a first-time honoree along with Stiverson.

No. 11 Kansas State faces 14th-ranked UCLA in the 2015 Valero Alamo Bowl on Friday, January 2, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The game, which kicks off at 5:45 p.m., will be televised nationally by ESPN.

Coaches’ All-Big 12 Awards/Teams

Special Teams Player of the Year: Tyler Lockett

Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year: B.J. Finney

First Team All-Big 12: Glenn Gronkowski (FB), Tyler Lockett (WR and KR/PR), B.J. Finney (OL), Ryan Mueller (DL), Randall Evans (DB).

Second Team All-Big 12: Jake Waters (QB), Curry Sexton (WR), Cody Whitehair (OL), Jonathan Truman (LB), Dante Barnett (DB), Danzel McDaniel (DB).

Honorable Mention All-Big 12: Travis Britz (DL), Elijah Lee (Defensive Freshman of the Year), Tyler Lockett (Offensive Player of the Year), Matthew McCrane (PK), Ryan Mueller (Defensive Lineman of the Year), Bill Snyder (Coach of the Year), Boston Stiverson (OL).

— KSU Sports Information —

Six Kansas football players earn All-Big 12 honors

Posted on December 10, 2014December 10, 2014

A trio of Kansas football seniors picked up first-team honors as the 2014 All-Big 12 football awards were announced by the conference office Wednesday. Linebacker Ben Heeney, punter Trevor Pardula and cornerback JaCorey Shepherd led the way as first-team honorees as a total of six Jayhawks were recognized by the Big 12. The selections were made by the league’s 10 head coaches, who are not permitted to vote for their own players.

KU’s trio of All-Big 12 First Team honorees mark the first time a Jayhawk has earned the distinction from the league office since wide receiver Dezmon Briscoe was recognized in 2009. The three players being tabbed for the first team are the most for Kansas since four Jayhawks were lauded by the conference coaches in 2007.

Senior tight end Jimmay Mundine was tabbed for the second team, while senior BUCK Michael Reynolds and senior safety Cassius Sendish each earned honorable mention nods. Additionally, Heeney and Pardula were honorable mention honorees as Defensive Player of the Year and Special Teams Player of the Year, respectively.

Heeney, who had taken home second team All-Big 12 honors in each of the previous two seasons, finished the 2014 campaign with 127 total tackles, just one shy of the Big 12 lead. He led the NCAA and Big 12 in solo stops, with 7.3 per outing. Heeney recorded the 2014 Big 12 single-game high of 21 stops in KU’s game at Texas Tech, including 17 solo tackles. His 17 solo hits marked the second-most in a game in conference history.

A Hutchinson, Kansas native, Heeney completed his final season in the Crimson and Blue with seven double-digit tackling performances to go along with 12.0 tackles-for-loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception, four quarterback hurries, one pass breakup, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

Pardula, who was an honorable mention honoree as both a punter and Special Teams Player of the Year in 2013, led the Big 12 in punting this season, averaging 44.3 yards per kick. He recorded 29 punts of 50 yards or longer on the year, including a game at Duke where he booted the ball 70 yards or more twice. A native of San Jose, California, Pardula dropped 24 punts inside the opponents’ 20-yard and finished the year with 83 punts, which ranks second-most in Kansas single-season history.

A Mesquite, Texas native, Shepherd led the Big 12 Conference and ranked third nationally with 19 passes defended on the year. Among his 19 passes defended, were 16 pass breakups and he recorded a team-leading three interceptions. Shepherd’s six passes defended in KU’s win over Iowa State marked a season-high in the NCAA in 2014. Shepherd, a former wide receiver-turned cornerback, only allowed two passing touchdowns all season.

Shepherd, who earned honorable mention honors in 2013 as both a kick returner and a defensive back, is also a finalist for both the Senior CLASS Award and the Lee Roy Selmon Community Spirit Award for his work in the community in addition to his standout play.

Mundine, who hails from Denison, Texas, was the Kansas leader in both receptions with 45 and receiving yards with 584 on the year. An All-Big 12 Honorable Mention recipient in 2012 and 2013, Mundine averaged 13.0 yards per catch and scored three touchdowns in his final year as a Jayhawk. A John Mackey Award semifinalist, Mundine set the KU single-game record for receiving yards by a tight end with his 137-yard performance in the Jayhawks’ win over Iowa State. Of his 45 receptions on the season, 33 resulted in first downs for the Kansas offense.

Reynolds was honored by the conference for the first time in his career following a standout senior season that saw him lead the Big 12 in forced fumbles with five. Additionally, the Wichita, Kansas native was fourth in tackles-for-loss with 14.5 and fifth in sacks with 7.0 on the year. Reynolds’ 14.5 TFLs rank 12th in KU single-season history.

Sendish, who calls Waldorf, Maryland home, ranked third on the KU defense and among the top 30 tacklers in the Big 12 with 69 total stops in 2014. A first-time all-conference honoree, Sendish picked up a fumble and returned it 63 yards for a touchdown at Oklahoma. He also had an interception, two pass breakups, 2.0 TFLs and 1.5 sacks during his final season as a Jayhawk.

— KU Sports Information —

Missouri Western’s Jordan named AFCA All-American

Posted on December 9, 2014December 9, 2014

Missouri Western cornerback Michael Jordan has been named to the American Football Coaches Association All-America team.

The junior from St. Louis is the first Griffon to make the team since Michael Hill in 2012. Jordan was also a first-team All-MIAA selection for the second straight year and was named to the DAKTRONICS All-Super Region 3 second team.

Jordan’s 16 passes defended were tops in the MIAA. He also tied for the MIAA lead with four interceptions this season. He took one of those interceptions back 39 yards for a touchdown at Washburn. He was the MIAA Freshman of the year and an honorable mention pick in 2012.

Jordan is one of three MIAA players on the team, joining Nebraska-Kearney offensive lineman Cole Manhart and Northwest Missouri State defensive lineman Matt Longacre as AFCA All-Americans.

— MWSU Sports Information —

MU’s Ray, Murphy earn 1st-Team All-SEC honors from coaches

Posted on December 9, 2014December 9, 2014

The Southeastern Conference released its coaches’ 2014 All-Southeastern Conference football team today, and six different Tigers in all received mention, including two who landed on the first team, with four on the second team.

Leading the way was Shane Ray, who was named 1st-Team All-SEC, matching the same honors he won yesterday from the Associated Press. Ray emerged from the shadow of 2013 standouts Michael Sam and Kony Ealy, who were both first-team All-SEC picks a year ago, and forged his own path, breaking records along the way. The first-year starter set a school record with 14.0 quarterback sacks, and he also totaled 21.0 tackles for loss, while ranking fifth on the team with his 61 tackles on the year. Ray leads the SEC and ranks 3rd nationally in sacks, while he ranks 2nd in the league, and 6th nationally in tackles for loss.

Joining Ray on the coaches’ first team is senior all-purpose man Marcus Murphy (DeSoto, Texas), who was honored twice as a first-teamer – on offense as an all-purpose back, and on special teams as a return specialist. Murphy emerged as one of the nation’s most versatile players and dangerous return men, as he ranks second in the SEC in all-purpose average (131.9 yds.). He is the only player in the nation to score TDs in 2014 via all four all-purpose categories: Rushing (4), Kickoff Returns (2), Punt Returns (1) and Receiving (1), and improved from 2nd-Team All-SEC acclaim in 2013.

Four Tiger standouts – representing all four team captains in 2014 – were named second-team All-SEC by league coaches, including senior DE Markus Golden (St. Louis, Mo.), senior OL Mitch Morse (Austin, Texas), senior WR Bud Sasser (Denton, Texas) and senior SS Braylon Webb (Gilmer, Texas).

Golden overcame a hamstring injury which limited his production during the middle portion of the year, to close strong with 8.5 sacks, 16.0 tackles for loss and 68 total tackles (fourth on the team), while adding a team-high nine pass break ups.

Morse was a steady and productive presence on a young offensive line, manning the critical position of left tackle. Morse started all 13 games guarding the blind side for Tiger signal callers, as the offense’s improvement over the last half of the year was a key to MU’s Eastern Division championship run.

Sasser developed into Mizzou’s top receiving threat a year after Mizzou lost 78% of its receiving production from 2013. He established career bests in every category, catching 70 passes for 935 yards and 10 touchdowns, ranking second, fourth and third, respectively, in the SEC in those categories.

Webb was recognized for his steady play that saw him grab four interceptions, break up three passes and recover a fumble, while ranking third on the team with 69 total tackles. With 42 career starts for Mizzou, Webb has the most starts of any safety in the SEC.

Mizzou is off from practice until this Saturday, when they begin on-field preparations for the 2015 Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl against Minnesota, set for Jan. 1st in Orlando, Fla.

— MU Sports Information —

Former Kansas football captain Arnold Snell passes away

Posted on December 9, 2014December 9, 2014

Former Kansas football standout Arnold Snell passed away Saturday, Dec. 6, after a long battle with cancer. He was 49.

From the gridiron to his position of Deacon at Greater Pentecostal Temple in Kansas City, Snell exhibited qualities of a natural-born leader.

The 49-year old spent his days impacting the lives of those surrounding him, evident by his motivation to push his teammates to new heights as a captain of the Kansas football team under first-year head coach Glen Mason in 1988.

Snell played the game to win and encouraged those around him to do the same. That drive and determination led him to a successful career in a Jayhawk uniform where he was a three-time letterwinner (1986-88). The fullback rushed for 1,762 yards on 431 carries for eight touchdowns to rank him 15th all-time on the program’s career rushing list, while making him one of 17 players to rush over 1,600 yards from scrimmage over the course of a KU career.

After his time at Kansas, Snell served as a Deacon at Greater Pentecostal Temple in Kansas City, until complications from cancer affected his ability to serve. During that time, Snell also worked as a successful sales representative in the career field of document management, breaking sales records and winning multiple awards.

A native of Mount Vernon, New York, Snell attended Mount Vernon High School where he started his athletics career as an all-around athlete. Snell excelled in football, baseball and basketball earning him a place in the Mount Vernon High School Hall of Fame and a scholarship at the University of Kansas.

Born Oct. 16, 1965, Snell is survived by his wife, Audria Snell; two sons, Brandon and Damiere; daughter, Arnice Snell Cox and granddaughter, Aydah Cox.

A visitation for Snell is scheduled from 9-11 a.m., on Saturday, Dec. 13 at Greater Pentecostal Temple in Kansas City, Kansas. The funeral service will follow the visitation at 11 a.m.

— KU Sports Information —

Mizzou’s Ray named AP’s SEC defensive Player of the Year

Posted on December 8, 2014December 9, 2014

Another year of Mizzou Football, another defensive player of the year honor for a Tiger. For the second-straight year, Mizzou features the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year, as MU’s junior DE Shane Ray was named the league’s top defender by the Associated Press. He followed former All-American DE Michael Sam, who won the same award in 2013 for his breakout season.

The AP today released its 2014 All-Southeastern Conference football team, and seven different Tigers in all received mention, including three who landed on the first team, with two on the second team and two honorable-mention selections.

Leading the way was Shane Ray, who was named 1st-Team All-SEC in addition to his player of the year honor. Ray emerged from the shadow of 2013 standouts Michael Sam and Kony Ealy, who were both first-team All-SEC picks a year ago, and forged his own path, breaking records along the way. The first-year starter set a school record with 14.0 quarterback sacks, and he also totaled 21.0 tackles for loss, while ranking fifth on the team with his 61 tackles on the year. Ray leads the SEC and ranks 3rd nationally in sacks, while he ranks 2nd in the league, and 6th nationally in tackles for loss.

He is now the third Tiger to ever win conference defensive player of the year honors, matching former standouts Jeff Gaylord (A.P. – 1981) and Sam.

A pair of offensive teammates joined Ray on the A.P.’s first team, in senior all-purpose man Marcus Murphy and senior WR Bud Sasser. Murphy emerged as one of the nation’s most versatile players and dangerous return men, as he ranks second in the SEC in all-purpose average (131.9 yds.). He is the only player in the nation to score TDs in 2014 via all four all-purpose categories: Rushing (4), Kickoff Returns (2), Punt Returns (1) and Receiving (1), and improved from 2nd-Team All-SEC acclaim in 2013. Sasser developed into Mizzou’s top receiving threat a year after Mizzou lost 78% of its receiving production from 2013. He established career bests in every category, catching 70 passes for 935 yards and 10 touchdowns, ranking second, fourth and third, respectively, in the SEC in those categories. Sasser is the first Mizzou wide receiver to win 1st-Team all-conference honors since Danario Alexander in 2009.

Earning a spot on the A.P. second team were junior LB Kentrell Brothers and senior SS Braylon Webb. Brothers led Mizzou and ranked fifth in the SEC with a career-high 117 tackles – the most by a Tiger defender since former All-American Sean Weatherspoon tallied 155 stops in 2008. He made a career-best 14 tackles in the SEC Championship Game against Alabama on Saturday. Webb, a co-captain, was recognized for his steady play that saw him grab four interceptions, break up three passes and recover a fumble, while ranking third on the team with 69 total tackles.

Two more standouts on Mizzou’s well-renowned defensive line earned honorable mention status from the Associated Press. Included here were sophomore DT Harold Brantley and senior DE Markus Golden. Brantley made quite an impression as he was constantly disrupting opposing offenses throughout the season. He ended the regular season with 50 tackles (seventh-most on the team), with seven QB pressures, 5.0 sacks, 7.0 tackles for loss, with two blocked kicks and two pass break ups to boot. Golden earned honorable mention acclaim by the A.P. for the second-straight year, after he overcame a hamstring injury which limited his production during the middle portion of the year, to close strong with 8.5 sacks, 16.0 tackles for loss and 68 total tackles (fourth on the team), while adding a team-high nine pass break ups.

Mizzou is off from practice until this Saturday, when they begin on-field preparations for the 2015 Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl against Minnesota, set for Jan. 1st in Orlando, Fla. For more information about the Citrus Bowl, please visit the official site of the Citrus Bowl, at www.buffalowildwingscitrusbowl.com.

— MU Sports Information —

Kansas introduces David Beaty as new football coach

Posted on December 8, 2014

Mrkonic Auditorium at the Anderson Family Football Complex filled up quickly Monday morning as the University of Kansas introduced a new era of football beginning with first-year head coach David Beaty.

“We were searching for someone whose offensive and defensive philosophies fit the Big 12 Conference,” Athletics Director Sheahon Zenger stated in his introduction of the program’s 38th head coach. “Many disciplines in academia today study leadership, and we often hear them refer to specific leaders and having ‘it,’ or the ‘it factor.’ I believe what we found in our next head coach at the University of Kansas is a man who has ‘it’ with a capital I.”

Beaty brings to the table a tireless working mentally that proves native to the blue-collar nature of the state of Kansas. He strives to instill a foundation that rests solely on the principles of hard work and earning every opportunity.

“We’re going to earn the support of our students, our fans, the high school coaches of this great state and the recruits of this great state,” Beaty said. “That’s going to be the message as we get going here and talking about the platform (we are going to use) which is hard work and earning everything we get.”

In Beaty’s eyes, it begins in the weight room and transitions to the field where opportunities are a byproduct of hard work.

“I’ve never believed that you talk your way into an opportunity,” Beaty said. “I think you work your way into it.”

— Associated Press —

Missouri accepts invitation to Citrus Bowl against Minnesota

Posted on December 8, 2014

The University of Missouri has accepted an invitation for its football team to play in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl, as announced today. The bowl game, which began in 1947 as the Tangerine Bowl, will pit the 10-3 and 16th-ranked (CFP) Tigers against the 25th-ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers (8-4) in a January 1, 2015 matchup in Orlando, Fla. Kickoff is set for Noon (central time) with the game broadcast on ABC.

Mizzou is fresh off earning its second-straight SEC Eastern Division championship, which marked MU’s fifth divisional title since 2007 (tied for most in the nation during that stretch, along with Alabama and Florida State). This will mark Mizzou’s 10th bowl game appearance under Head Coach Gary Pinkel (112-66 in 14 years at Mizzou, 185-103-1 overall in 24 seasons), including nine in the last 10 years. Mizzou claimed the 2014 Cotton Bowl trophy with a 41-31 win over Oklahoma State to cap a 12-2 season a year ago.

This will be Mizzou’s second appearance in the Citrus Bowl, as the Tigers claimed a 19-17 win on Dec. 19, 1981 over Southern Mississippi, when the bowl was named the Tangerine Bowl. Additionally, Head Coach Gary Pinkel will be making a return trip himself, as he played in the game for Kent State on Dec. 29, 1972, with Tampa taking a 21-18 win.

Football Season ticket holders and Tiger Scholarship Fund donors have an extended priority deadline of tomorrow (Monday) at Noon to place orders for the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl.

Priority requests can be placed through the Mizzou Ticket Office by logging in at www.mutigers.com/myaccount and selecting ‘Buy Packages/Tickets’ on the home screen. Individuals can then choose the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl and select the number of seats they wish to request. Requests will then be allocated by TSF donor level and priority points prior to the general public sale, which will begin Monday afternoon at 1 p.m.

Series Information

1943 – Minnesota 26, Mizzou 13 in Minneapolis
1944 – Minnesota 39, Mizzou 27 in Minneapolis
1945 – Minnesota 34, Mizzou 0 in Minneapolis
1961 – Mizzou 6, Minnesota 0 in Minneapolis
1962 – Tie, 0-0, in Minneapolis
1965 – Mizzou 17, Minnesota 6 in Minneapolis
1966 – Mizzou 24, Minnesota 0 in Columbia
1970 – Mizzou 34, Minnesota 12 in Columbia

— MU Sports Information —

Huskers lose to Creighton for fourth consecutive year

Posted on December 8, 2014December 8, 2014

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — So much for Nebraska ending three years of frustration against in-state rival Creighton.

The Cornhuskers, with almost everybody back from their NCAA tournament team and a rocking full house at Pinnacle Bank Arena, figured this was their time to beat a Creighton team that’s still breaking in four new starters.

Well, there’s always next year.

Austin Chatman scored 16 points, Isiah Zierden hit three big 3-pointers in the second half and Creighton defeated the Huskers 65-55 Sunday night.

The fans wearing red started heading for the exits a minute before the Bluejays (7-2) finished their fourth straight double-digit win over the Huskers (5-2) and became the second team to win on Nebraska’s home court in 21 games.

“We emptied our own gym. That’s the first time that’s happened. That’s a low point for any coach,” third-year Huskers coach Tim Miles said.

Zierden had all 13 of his points in the second half, and Chatman added seven rebounds and six assists.

“It’s always significant when you beat Nebraska because they are our rival,” Creighton coach Greg McDermott said. “I think it is the one game that all fans mark on their calendar. So that makes it fun.

“We hadn’t found a way to get a win against a quality opponent on the road, and we needed to check that off our list. I think there is something in the belief that you can actually do it. And had we lost a close game after how we played defensively, that would have been a tough pill to swallow.”

Terran Petteway had 21 points to lead Nebraska, which shot 37.7 percent.

Creighton, down by 10 points late in the first half, was within 28-27 at half and then hit 3 of 4 3-pointers in the middle of the second half to go ahead.

Zierden’s 3 from in front of his bench broke a 39-39 tie, and the Bluejays were up five when Will Artino, after having a shot blocked by Tarin Smith, got the ball right back and flipped it in with his left hand.

Petteway’s fast-break dunk off Benny Parker’s pass got the Huskers within 51-49, but another Zierden 3 and Artino’s scoop shot gave the Bluejays a seven-point lead with under 3 minutes left.

Chatman said winning in front of a large and noisy crowd made the accomplishment all the better.

“It felt like my freshman year when we played at San Diego State,” he said. “Everybody was jumping around, the floor was shaking a little bit, it was loud. We couldn’t really hear Mac trying to call plays as much. It was a pretty tough environment.”

TIP INS

Creighton: Creighton has played the Huskers every year since 1977, making it by far the Bluejays’ longest-running non-conference series. … The Bluejays, who shot 47.1 percent, came in shooting just 42.3 percent in their previous three games.

Nebraska: Shavon Shields, averaging 20 points a game, was held scoreless until his layups on two straight possessions early in the second half. He finished with seven points.

SENIORS MOMENT

Creighton’s three seniors finished 4-0 against the Huskers. “I am really proud of them given what we lost last year,” McDermott said. “This is their team now, and our preparation this week was really, really good.”

Likewise, the three seniors who have been at Nebraska for their entire careers never beat the team from Omaha.

“It’s bad,” David Rivers said. “We didn’t execute well offensively or defensively. They made all the right plays. It’s unfortunate. We have to learn from this and get better.”

UP NEXT

Creighton hosts South Dakota on Tuesday.

Nebraska hosts Incarnate Word on Wednesday.

— Associated Press —

No. 11 K-State to Face No. 14 UCLA in Valero Alamo Bowl

Posted on December 8, 2014

K-State Nation is heading to San Antonio for the first time in 16 years as Kansas State Athletics Director John Currie announced today that the 11th-ranked Wildcats have accepted an invitation to play No. 14 UCLA in the 2015 Valero Alamo Bowl on January 2.

The game, one of the most widely watched and attended of all bowl games, will be played inside San Antonio’s Alamodome at 5:45 p.m. CT, with a nationwide television audience watching on ESPN. For the first time in Alamo Bowl history, two Top-15 teams will square off against one another.

“Following our 13th nine-win regular season under Coach Snyder, we are excited to showcase our football program, Kansas State University and our national alumni and fan base in the Alamo Bowl, and I am pleased to accept the invitation on behalf of President Kirk Schulz, Coach Snyder and our entire institution,” said Currie. “I know our fans, including our 12,400 Texas-based alumni, are excited to turn San Antonio purple, while a week at the Alamo Bowl will be a first-class experience for our entire football program.”

The Wildcats (9-3) will be playing in their 18th bowl game in school history and 16th under Bill Snyder as the Cats are 7-8 all-time in bowls under the legendary head coach. Following 11 straight bowls from 1993-2003 under Snyder, the Cats have now gone bowling in each of the last five seasons and are coming off a win over Michigan in the 2013 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl. K-State has appeared in the Alamo Bowl one other time in program history (1998).

“The selection to the Valero Alamo Bowl provides a fitting end to a very successful season for our football team,” said Schulz. “We are confident the K-State family will follow tradition and bring the purple to San Antonio. Congratulations to Coach Snyder, his staff and our hard-working student-athletes for this postseason honor.”

The Wildcats’ nine regular season victories in 2014 included home wins over Texas, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech and road wins at No. 11 Oklahoma and West Virginia. K-State also kept the Governor’s Cup trophy in Manhattan for the sixth straight season under Snyder with a 51-13 win over in-state rival Kansas.

In addition to a school-record and Big 12-leading 29 selections to the Academic All-Big 12 team and national academic accolades by Tyler Lockett (NFF National Scholar Athlete) and Curry Sexton (Academic All-American), excitement in Wildcat football was also evidenced by seven sellout crowds at Bill Snyder Family Stadium this season which ran K-State’s consecutive sellout streak to 20 games.

“We are proud of the young men in our program and very pleased to represent the Big 12 Conference in the Valero Alamo Bowl,” said Snyder. “Our team still has a chance to accomplish something special this season and finish the year with 10 victories. The Alamo Bowl is a first-class bowl organization and we appreciate Derrick Fox and the entire bowl staff for their efforts and support of college football.”

The Bruins (9-3) finished the season ranked 14th and with a 6-3 record in conference play.

K-State has faced UCLA two times heading into this bowl matchup. The Wildcats are 1-1 against the Bruins with UCLA winning a 2009 matchup in Pasadena, while K-State answered with a win in Manhattan the following season.

— KSU Sports Information —