College – Page 459 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Waters throws for 400 yards as No. 12 Kansas State tops West Virginia

Posted on November 20, 2014November 20, 2014

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — Jake Waters threw for a career-high 400 yards and a touchdown, Tyler Lockett returned a punt for a score and No. 12 Kansas State held on to beat sloppy West Virginia 26-20 on Thursday night.

Kansas State (8-2, 6-1 Big 12) rebounded from a blowout loss at TCU to move into a first-place tie with the idle Horned Frogs with two weeks left in the regular season. Baylor can make it a three-way tie Saturday when it hosts Oklahoma State.

Waters was 22-of-34 passing. Lockett caught 10 passes for 196 yards, and Matthew McCrane kicked four field goals.

The Mountaineers (6-5, 4-4) have lost three straight after winning four in a row. West Virginia committed four turnovers, with two of them occurring inside the Kansas State 30, and Josh Lambert missed a 40-yard field goal try.

West Virginia’s Skyler Howard threw two touchdown passes after Clint Trickett left with what coach Dana Holgorsen said was a concussion. Trickett didn’t return after throwing his second interception in the third quarter. Trickett has now gone 10 consecutive quarters without a TD pass.

Lockett returned a punt 43 yards just before halftime to put the Wildcats ahead 17-3. West Virginia punter Nick O’Toole was supposed to kick the ball to the right, but Lockett fielded the ball on the other side of the field and scored untouched.

Lockett had fumbled away a kickoff earlier in the game.

Howard rallied the Mountaineers on his first series, running 16 yards to set up his 7-yard TD toss to Kevin White that trimmed the Wildcats’ lead to 23-10 midway through the third quarter.

Howard engineered a 17-play drive on the next series, but West Virginia turned it over on downs at the Kansas State 26.

After McCrane missed a 22-yard field goal, Howard hit Mario Alford with a short pass, and he went 53 yards untouched to make it 23-17 with 7:23 left in the fourth quarter.

But Michael Molinari’s ensuing kickoff went out of bounds. Waters hit Lockett across the middle for 28 yards to the West Virginia 25 and McCrane’s fourth field goal made it a two-possession game.

Lambert made a 25-yard field goal with 53 seconds left. West Virginia then tried an onside kick that Kansas State’s Glenn Gronkowski recovered.

Waters was Kansas State’s only hope on offense. The Wildcats ran 29 times for 1 yard. Kansas State used a big pass play to set up its first two scores.

Kody Cook’s 32-yard grab on Kansas State’s first drive set up Waters’ 7-yard scoring toss to DeMarcus Robinson, and tight end Zach Trujillo’s 49-yard catch led to a 36-yard field goal early in the second quarter. It was Trujillo’s longest reception of the season.

Before Lambert’s miss, White appeared to score on a 22-yard reception that deflected off two other players, but the play was ruled an incompletion because the ball touched the ground as Kansas State’s Dante Barnett tried to come up with it.

The Wildcats also came up empty after Randall Evans’ interception when West Virginia’s Kyle Rose blocked McCrary’s 34-yard field goal try as the first half expired.

— Associated Press —

Western volleyball signs three to 2015-2016 recruiting class

Posted on November 20, 2014November 20, 2014

Missouri Western volleyball Coach Marian Carbin has announced the signing of three student athletes for the 2015-2016 school year.

Shellby Taylor led Blue Valley West High School in Stillwell, Kansas, in kills, hitting percentage and kills per set, hitting .475 as a senior. She is a two-year starter and was named honorable mention Eastern Kansas League in 2014. She has also been a part of two national qualifying teams.

“Shellby is a very gifted athlete. She is capable of playing multiple positions at the collegiate level, but we will look for her to play as an outside hitter,” Carbin said. “In addition to being an excellent blocker, Shellby will add height to our roster at the outside hitter position. In recruiting Shellby we love the attitude that she will bring to our team. She is a great teammate and a great competitor.”

The daughter of Joe and Melissa Taylor intends to major in nursing at MWSU. Taylor chose MWSU because she felt a personal connection with the staff and team members.

Audrey Keim played volleyball at Millard South in Omaha, Nebraska. The daughter of John and Faith Keim, she is undecided on a major at Missouri Western. Keim was an Academic All-State selection and a member of the National Honor Society and Leo Club. She says she chose MWSU because the team members are very inviting and says she loves the campus.

“Audrey has great volleyball instincts and a high court IQ, which we know will serve her well in transitioning from being an outside hitter in high school to being a libero/defensive specialist at the collegiate level,” Carbin said. “She has great passing ability in serve receive, and we think she will adapt well to the style of defense that we run. ”

Rachel Friedrichs was a four-year letter winner in volleyball at Andale High School in Andale, Kansas. She was named to the All-State Tournament team and first team All-League. The 6-2 Friedrichs has also lettered twice in basketball at Andale.

“Rachel will be a great addition to our middle blocker position,” Carbin said. “She is tall and has a long reach, and she also has good footwork all of which contribute to her strong blocking abilities. Rachel is also a multi-sport high school athlete, which speaks to her athleticism and desire to compete at everything she does.”

Friedrichs is the daughter of Robin and Paula Friedrichs and plans on majoring in Biology at MWSU. She said the biology department and coaching staff were big factors in her decision to choose Missouri Western.

The three will join a squad coming off its best season in more than 15 years. The Griffons won more MIAA matches (16) than any team in school history and won more overall (22) than any team since 1998. Six Griffons were named All-MIAA, including three first team selections. Seniors Erica Rottinghaus and Sarah Faubel were also named fist team CoSIDA Academic All-District.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri’s Murphy named a Hornung Award finalist

Posted on November 20, 2014November 20, 2014

University of Missouri senior TB/KR/PR Marcus Murphy (DeSoto, Texas) has been named one of five finalists for the fifth annual Paul Hornung Award, presented by Texas Roadhouse, as announced today by the Louisville Sports Commission. The award is given annually to the most versatile player in major college football, as chosen by a 16-member selection committee.

Murphy has shown that he’s one of the most dynamic scoring threats in all of college football, as he’s the only player in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) to score a touchdown this season in the four all-purpose categories. He’s got two kickoff return scores, one punt return score and one score each rushing and receiving. Murphy is one of only four FBS players to have a score this season via kickoff and punt return.

The NCAA’s active career leader in all-purpose yardage (4,577 entering Saturday’s game at Tennessee), Murphy holds Mizzou career records for most combined kick return touchdowns, kickoff return touchdowns, punt return touchdowns and punt return yardage. He is averaging 13.0 yards per punt return in 2014 (ranking him 11th in the NCAA currently), 32.9 yards per kickoff return (which would rank him 3rd nationally, but he doesn’t have quite enough attempts to qualify for the standings), while he’s got 607 yards rushing and 143 yards receiving.

The senior has already earned his undergraduate degree from MU’s Parks, Recreation and Tourism program.

The Hornung Award winner will be announced in December, with the recipient being honored on January 27, 2015 at the annual Paul Hornung award banquet in downtown Louisville. Created in 2010, the Hornung Award is designed to honor the most versatile player in college football, while preserving the legacy of one of Kentucky’s best-known and accomplished athletes in Paul Hornung – the 1956 Heisman Trophy winner and later NFL MVP for the Green Bay Packers.

The 16-member selection committee will vote for the winner, but fans also will comprise the 17th vote in a fan vote which opened today by visiting www.paulhornungaward.com.

— MU Sports Information —

Nine Griffon soccer players named to MIAA Academic Honor Roll

Posted on November 20, 2014November 20, 2014

Nine members of the 2014 Missouri Western soccer team have been named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll with two receiving the MIAA Scholar Athlete Award.

To achieve honor roll status, a student-athlete must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 and have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms. The MIAA Scholar Athlete Award is given to those who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.50, have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms, and, if competing in a championship sport of the MIAA, earn All-MIAA honors.

Newcomers and MIAA Academic Excellence Awards will be given out following the end of the 2014-15 school year.

MIAA Scholar Athlete Award
Sydney Andrews, Jr., Health & Exercise Science
Tara Russell, Sr., Finance

MIAA Academic Honor Roll Recipients
Sydney Andrews, Jr., Health & Exercise Science
Bailey Dervin, So., Nursing
Taylor Gant, So., Biology-Health Science
Katie Kempf, Jr., Health & Exercise Science
Sarah Lyle, So., Biology-Health Science
A.J. Powers, Sr., Biology-Health Science
K.C. Ramsell, Sr., Nursing
Tara Russell, Sr., Finance
Teddi Serna, Sr., Management

— MWSU Sports Information —

Husker RB Abdullah named a finalist for two national awards

Posted on November 20, 2014November 20, 2014

Nebraska senior I-back Ameer Abdullah was named a finalist for two national awards on Thursday morning. The record-setting running back was named as one of five finalists for the Paul Hornung Award and is one of four finalists for the Pop Warner College Football Award.

The Hornung Award is presented to the most versatile player in college football. Abdullah is joined on the list of finalists by TCU running back/returner B.J. Catalon, Missouri running back/returner Marcus Murphy, Stanford wide receiver/returner Ty Montgomery and Washington linebacker/running back Shaq Thompson.

Abduallah ranks third in the nation in all-purpose yards per game, and is the only player in the FBS ranks to produce two games with more than 300 all-purpose yards in 2014. Abdullah is Nebraska’s all-time leader in all-purpose yardage and ranks second in Big Ten history in that category. Abdullah has also had four 200-yard rushing games this season.

The winner of the Hornung Award will be announced on Friday, Dec. 12, and the winner will be honored at a banquet in Louisville on Jan. 27, 2015.

The Pop Warner College Football Award honors a player who has contributed at a high level on the field, in the classroom and in his community, emulating the ideals of the Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc., the nation’s oldest youth football organization.

In addition to Abdullah, other finalists include Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, Stanford safety Jordan Richards and Florida center Max Garcia. The inaugural award was presented in 2010 to Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara. The Pop Warner College Football Award will be presented on Dec. 10 at Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports during the Pop Warner Super Bowl.

— NU Sports Information —

Missouri uses big second half to defeat Oral Roberts 78-64

Posted on November 19, 2014

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Montaque Gill-Caesar scored 19 points and Wes Clark added 14 points and nine assists to lead Missouri past Oral Roberts 78-64 on Wednesday night.

Despite trailing for most of the first 27 minutes, the Tigers (2-1) scored six consecutive points to take a 58-52 advantage with 10:51 remaining. Missouri then used an 8-0 run capped by a 3-pointer by Deuce Bello with 3 minutes left for a 73-62 lead.

Oral Roberts (1-1) would get no closer than 10 the rest of the way.

The Golden Eagles’ Obi Emegano scored a career-high 30 points while Korey Billbury added eight points and 10 rebounds.

Gill-Caesar now leads Missouri with 16.3 points per game as one of four freshmen to play for first-year coach Kim Anderson. The 6-foot-6, 215-pound guard from Vaughan, Ontario, attended high school at Huntington Prep in West Virginia for new Missouri assistant Rob Fulford.

He finished with 5-of-11 shooting from the field, including 4 of 7 from 3-point range.

The teams combined for 49 fouls and 64 free throws, but despite the game’s slow pace, both schools shot over 40 percent for the game. Oral Roberts converted 13 of its 20 shots from the field in the first half, including its first eight attempts, but made only 5 of 24 in the closing 20 minutes.

Foul trouble sidelined Emegano’s torrid start as he scored 18 points in the opening 7 minutes before collecting two fouls in the following 30 seconds. He sat out the remainder of the half and scored 12 after the break, but never could match his early pace.

Emegano led the team with 26 points in its season opener and averaged 19 points in four games last season before tearing his right anterior cruciate ligament.

Missouri shot 25 of 49 from the field, including 12 of 21 from behind the arc. Despite being the larger team, though, the Tigers only outrebounded Oral Roberts 32-31 and converted eight fewer free throws.

TIP-INS

Oral Roberts: Under 16th-year coach Scott Sutton, the Golden Eagles were picked to finish third in the Summit League preseason poll by coaches, staff and media. The team returned to the conference after playing its last two seasons in the Southland Conference.

Missouri: Freshman Jakeenan Gant missed his third consecutive game while the school reviews his eligibility.

UP NEXT

Oral Roberts plays at Oregon State on Friday.

Missouri plays Arizona on Monday in the EA Sports Maui Invitational in Hawaii.

— Associated Press —

Three Western volleyball players named to All-MIAA First team

Posted on November 19, 2014November 19, 2014

After winning more MIAA games than any team in school history and winning the most overall matches since 1998, the Missouri Western volleyball team has landed six student-athletes on the All-MIAA team.

Outside hitters Erica Rottinghaus and Jessie Thorup join setter Jordan Chohon as first team selections. It’s the second straight year, Rottinghaus has been named first team. It was the first ever selection for Thorup and Chohon.

Missouri Western’s all-time digs leader, Sarah Faubel was named second team. The senior libero was an honorable mention pick a season ago.

Outside hitter Kelsey Olion and middle blocker Amanda Boender were both named honorable mention All-MIAA. Both were named honorable mention in 2013 as well.

Erica Rottinghaus: It’s the second postseason award for the senior after also being named CoSIDA Academic All-District. Rottinghaus led the Griffons with 396 kills for a 3.6 average per set and ranked fifth in the MIAA in kills per set average. The Seneca, Kansas native was second on the team with 438.5 points and third with 59 total blocks. She was also second on the team with 279 digs.

Jessie Thorup: The junior finished just behind Rottinghaus with 394 kills for a 3.58 per set average which ranked her sixth in the MIAA. Her 443.5 points were most on the team and her .286 hitting percentage ranked second. The Olathe, Kansas native also helped the team on serves, finishing second on the squad with 26 service aces.

Jordan Chohon: The junior setter’s 1,296 assists and 11.78 assist per set average were tops in the MIAA. The Columbus, Nebraska native ranked second on the team with 26 service aces and led the squad with a .968 serve percentage. Chohon played in all 110 sets for the team and finished fourth with 235 digs.

Sarah Faubel: The senior finished her career as the Griffons all-time digs leader, finishing with 427 this season and 1,799 for her career. The Lincoln, Nebraska native averaged nearly four digs per set and committed just 24 reception errors for an average of .22 per set. Faubel joined Rottinghaus on the CoSIDA Academic All-District first team.

Kelsey Olion: The junior’s 258 kills were third most on the team. She led the Griffons with 27 service aces and was third on the squad with 314 points on the season. Olion was also third on the team with 248 digs for a 2.36 per set average.

Amanda Boender: In her final season with the Griffons, Boender led the team with a .292 hitting percentage and ranked seventh in the conference in that statistic. Her 230 kills were fourth most on the team. Boender committed just 65 attack errors in 566 total attacks. She also led the team with 112 total blocks, averaging just over one per set, which ranked her sixth in the MIAA.

The six selections for volleyball make it 26 total between Griffon Football, Soccer and Volleyball on All-MIAA teams. The three teams combined to go 38-21 overall, all finishing with winning records for the first time in program history.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Northwest women sign four to 2015-2016 recruiting class

Posted on November 19, 2014November 19, 2014

Northwest Missouri State University women’s basketball head coach Michael Smith has announced four additions to the Bearcats’ 2015-16 roster. Macy Williams (Tabor, Iowa), Maria Dentlinger (Arcadia, Iowa), Ashley Nelson (LaVista, Neb.) and Elexis Martinez (Omaha, Neb.) have all committed to playing for the Bearcats.

“All four of these young ladies are exceptional people and are a great fit for Northwest both academically and athletically,” said Smith. “Coach (Buck) Scheel did a great job heading up our recruiting and evaluating of these student athletes and I can’t wait for them to arrive on campus next fall.”

Williams was a second team all-state performer for Fremont-Mills High School. She was a first team all-conference, all-district and all-regional performer while earning first team honors from the Omaha World Herald. Williams is averaging 19 points, 7.0 assists and is shooting 39 percent from beyond the arc. To date, she has scored over 1,200 points in her prep career.

“Macy brings all the tangibles to our program, her work ethic is second to none,” Smith said. “She will be able to play the 1 or 2 position for us with her ability to shoot the ball so well.”

Dentlinger was an all-conference and all-district forward for Kuemper Catholic High School. She was named a second-team performer by the Omaha World Herald. She has averaged 14 points, 6.0 rebounds and shot 37 percent from three point range in her career.

“Maria is our ideal stretch 4 position and a nightmare matchup for most coaches,” said Smith. “Her versatility will be big bonus for our system as she has the ability to post you up or knock down the three from the perimeter.”

Nelson earned all-state honorable mention accolades at Papillion LaVista High School. She has averaged 6.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.0 steals during her high school career. She will play her senior season at Fremont High School.

“The first thing that attracted me to Ashley was her toughness on the floor,” Smith commented. “As a coach you always look for that player that will do the little things and that is Ashley. She can play numerous positions on the floor and has a great basketball IQ.”

Martinez was an honorable mention all-state performer for Central High School. For her prep career, she has averaged 11.0 points and 5.0 rebounds.

“Martinez is a tremendous athlete with a big upside,” Smith said. “Her length will cause perimeter players problems and I can’t wait to get her in our system and watch her game elevate to the next level.”

— NWMSU Sports Information —

K-State’s Snyder named a semifinalist for Maxwell Coach of the Year Award

Posted on November 19, 2014November 19, 2014

Kansas State head football coach Bill Snyder is one of 20 semifinalists for the Maxwell Football Club Collegiate Coach of the Year, Maxwell Football Club President Ron Jaworski announced Wednesday.

It is the second time in the last three years Snyder has been up for the award after being named a finalist in 2012. Snyder is joined on the list by fellow Big 12 coaches Art Briles (Baylor) and Gary Patterson (TCU).

A ballot member for the College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2015, Snyder has guided Kansas State to a 7-2 record, including a 5-1 mark in Big 12 play, in 2014 as the Wildcats checked in at No. 12 in this week’s College Football Playoff Top 25. K-State started Big 12 play 5-0 for the second time in the last three years and the fourth overall under the legendary head coach. He guided the Wildcats to bowl eligibility for the 16th time in 2014 and extended K-State’s bowl streak to five-straight years.

Tied for 33rd all-time among FBS coaches with 185 career victories, Snyder ranks second in the FBS in wins among active coaches at their current schools and fifth in total victories among active head coaches. He has also guided K-State to a 25-8 Big 12 record since 2011, which are the most victories and best winning percentage in the conference during that time.

Finalist voting for of the Maxwell Football Club Collegiate Coach of the Year award will begin on Thursday, Nov. 20, and close on Monday, Dec. 8. The finalist round will include the top three coaches, while voting for the 2014 winner will open Dec. 10, and run until Dec. 21.

No. 12/11 K-State faces a Thursday-night road test at West Virginia at Milan Puskar Stadium. The game, which will be shown to a national audience on FOX Sports 1, will kick off at 6 p.m. (CT).

2014 Maxwell Coach of the Year Semifinalists

Troy Calhoun (Air Force)
Nick Saban (Alabama)
Rich Rodriguez (Arizona)
Todd Graham (Arizona State)
Art Briles (Baylor)
Jim McElwain (Colorado State)
David Cutcliffe (Duke)
Jimbo Fisher (Florida State)
Mark Richt (Georgia)
Paul Johnson (Georgia Tech)
Bill Snyder (Kansas State)
Doc Holliday (Marshall)
Hugh Freeze (Mississippi)
Dan Mullen (Mississippi State)
Urban Meyer (Ohio State)
Mark Helfrich (Oregon)
Gary Patterson (TCU)
Kyle Whittingham (Utah)
P.J. Fleck (Western Michigan)
Gary Andersen (Wisconsin)

— KSU Sports Information —

Nebraska’s Abdullah named Doak Walker Award semifinalist

Posted on November 19, 2014November 19, 2014

Nebraska senior I-back Ameer Abdullah has been named one of 10 semifinalists for the 2014 Doak Walker Award. The award is given annually to the nation’s top running back.

This marks the second straight season Abdullah has been a semifinalist for the award. The 5-9, 200-pound Abdullah has produced a standout senior campaign in 2014. He ranks among the top 10 nationally in all-purpose yards per game (3rd), rushing touchdowns (4th), scoring (7th) and rushing yards per game (9th).

Abdullah has rushed for better than 200 yards four times during the 2014 season, tying a Nebraska school record. He has also produced a pair of games with better than 300 all-purpose yards, making him the only player in the nation with two games of 300-plus all-purpose yards. In the process, Abdullah has set a Nebraska school record for career all-purpose yards (6,700), while ranking second in Big Ten history in career all-purpose yardage.

Abdullah has 1,319 rushing yards this season and 4,296 career rushing yards, and remains in pursuit of Mike Rozier’s school record of 4,780 career rushing yards.

Abdullah is one of three Big Ten running backs on the semifinalist list, joining Tevin Coleman of Indiana and Melvin Gordon of Wisconsin. Abdullah is one of two seniors among the 10 semifinalists.

The Doak Walker Award is named after three-time SMU All-America running back and 1948 Heisman Trophy winner Doak Walker.

— Nu Sports Information —