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Category: College

Kansas’ Sims on watch list for inaugural Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award

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KUKansas senior halfback James Sims’ was featured on the list of 2013 Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award candidates released by the Tyler, Texas Chamber of Commerce and SPORTyler Wednesday.

Sims, who is the Big 12 Conference’s top returning rusher heading into the 2013 season, is in the field of candidates for the award that recognizes the top offensive player in Division 1 football who also exhibits the enduring characteristics that define Earl Campbell: integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community and tenacity; specifically tenacity to persist and determination to overcome adversity and injury in pursuit of reaching goals. In addition, the nominee must meet one or more of the following criteria: born in Texas and/or graduated from a Texas High School and/or played at a Texas-based junior college or four year college.

A native of Irving, Texas, Sims became just the 11th player in Kansas history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season as he turned in 1,013 yards on the ground and nine touchdowns in 2012 despite missing the first three games of the season. He set a KU record by recording 100 or more yards in six consecutive games.

Sims, who led the Big 12 in rushing and ranked 18th in the NCAA in 2012, recorded a career long rush of 64 yards (vs. Texas), a career-long reception of 51 yards (vs. Oklahoma) and a career-long TD run of 59 yards (vs. Baylor). Additionally, he logged his career-best rushing game with 176 yards vs. Texas. He finished his junior campaign ranked eighth on the Kansas all-time rushing chart with 2,482 yards.

Sims also hauled in 14 receptions for 168 yards and a touchdown in 2012. He concluded his outstanding junior season by finding his name on numerous All-Big 12 teams including picking up first team honors from ESPN.com, Phil Steele Magazine and CBS Sports. He earned second team All-Big 12 honors from the conference office, the Associated Press and the San Antonio Express News.

The Watch List announced today will be narrowed down to 16 semifinalists in November and then trimmed to four finalists in December. The semifinalists and finalists will be selected by broadcasters, commentators, journalists, fans and (in the future) former winners. The finalists will be brought to Tyler for The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Awards Banquet scheduled for January 10, 2014.

Sims and his KU teammates will open the 2013 season on Saturday, Sept. 7, when they plays host to South Dakota at Memorial Stadium at 6 p.m.

— KU Sports Information —

Mizzou announces 2014 football schedule

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riggertMizzouThe University of Missouri football team has its first look at the 2014 schedule, and the Tigers will play seven home games next year, including a visit by Arkansas to Columbia on Saturday of Thanksgiving week.  It will mark the first visit to Columbia by Arkansas since the 1906 season.

The Southeastern Conference released the 2014 league schedules Wednesday and when combined with MU’s four non-conference contests, the Tigers will play home games against South Dakota State (Aug. 30, 2014), Central Florida (Sept. 13) and Indiana (Sept. 20) to begin the home season.  A road date at Toledo on Sept. 6th is the only game away from Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field early on.

Mizzou will then go through the SEC gauntlet in October with a game at South Carolina (Sept. 27), followed with a bye week and then a home game against Georgia (Oct. 11).  After a road game at Florida (Oct. 18), the Tigers return home for consecutive home games against Vanderbilt (Oct. 25) and Kentucky (Nov. 1).  After a second bye week, the Tigers will hit the road on consecutive weeks, playing at Texas A&M for the fourth time in five seasons (Nov. 15) and at Tennessee (Nov. 22), prior to the holiday-weekend game against the Razorbacks.

2014 Missouri Football Schedule

Aug. 30 vs. South Dakota State
Sept. 6 @ Toledo
Sept. 13 vs. Central Florida
Sept. 20 vs. Indiana
Sept. 27 @ South Carolina
Oct. 11 vs. Georgia
Oct. 18 @ Florida
Oct. 25 vs. Vanderbilt
Nov. 1 vs. Kentucky
Nov. 15 @ Texas A&M
Nov. 22 @ Tennessee
Nov. 29 vs. Arkansas

— MU Sports Information —

Northwest baseball signs 23 to 2013-2014 recruiting class

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Northwest2013riggertNorthwest Missouri State University head baseball coach Darin Loe has announced the signing of 21 true freshmen and two transfers for the 2013-14academic year.

“I really like the core of older players that we have returning to our program and did not want to cover them up with transfer players,” explained Loe. “I will look for that group to lead this great group of younger players for this year and years to come.

“This class has quality talent and depth and could be the most talented class we have had here at Northwest.”

Pitchers Alex Cross and Tony Forcelledo both arrive at Northwest after beginning their collegiate careers at North Central CC and Quincy University (Ill.), respectively. Both will be entering their junior seasons.

“We always need depth and experience on the mound and that is what our 2 transfer pitchers will give us,” Loe said. “We are excited to get our guys back on campus and start working in our fall season”

Freshmen signees from Missouri include Joe Adamson (Raytown South HS), Hondo Pearcy (Archbishop O’Hara HS), Matt Ridgway (Mexico HS), Tyler Tripp (Maryville HS), Zane Wilt (Savannah HS) and Jesus Villegas (Fort Osage, HS).  They will join Nebraska natives Chase Nuzum (Omaha North HS), Nate Walter (Omaha Millard North HS), Austin Wulff (OmahaMillard West HS), Brendan Jensen (Omaha North HS), Rex Raetz (Lincoln Pius X HS) and Austin Plath (Omaha Burke HS).

There are six California natives joining the Bearcats; Jacob Wagner (John F. Kennedy, HS), Luke Wilkinson (Sonora HS), Jaden Alsop (Ronald E. McNair HS), Nikko Pablo (Ronald E. McNair HS), Johnathon Dennis (La Serra HS) and Zach Ferreira (La Habra HS). Also included in the class are Illinois natives CJ Duffeck (Riverside Brookfield HS) and Thomas Smith (Lockport Township HS). Carter Gladstone (Valley Christian HS) comes to Northwest from Phoenix, Ariz. In all, this year’s class includes residents from five states.

“We really went after the top talented freshman for this year’s recruiting class,” said Loe. “We want this group to be a key part of our success for this year and the foundation of our success in future years.”

— Northwest Media Relations —

Western soccer picked 9th in preseason MIAA coaches poll

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riggertMissouriWesternThe Missouri Western women’s soccer team has been picked to finish 9th in the 2013 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll the league announced Tuesday.

The Griffons, under third-year coach Chad Edwards, finished 10th a season ago in the MIAA. The Griffons return eight starters and 14 letter winners from a season ago.

Last years MIAA champion Central Missouri tops the poll taking 11 of the possible 12 first place votes with 132 points. Central Oklahoma received one first place vote coming in second with 121 points.

Northeastern State came in 3rd in the poll with 104 points while last years MIAA Tournament Champion Fort Hays State came in 4th with 102 points. Northwest Missouri State came in 5th with 85 points just eight points ahead of 6th place Southwest Baptist (77). Missouri Southern and Nebraska-Kearney round out the top eight with 64 and 46 points respectively.

After the Griffons came Washburn in 10th place with 36 points, Lindenwood in 11th place with 32 points and Emporia State in 12th with 22 points.

The Griffons soccer team reported to camp on Saturday, August 17 and held their first two practices on Monday, August 19 in Spratt Stadium. The Griffons will play an Alumni Game on August 24 at 5:00 pm and will open up regular season play on the road in Minnesota.

On Friday, September 6 the Griffons will take on the Bemidji State University Beavers out of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. Game time is set for 5:00 pm in Bemidji, Minn.

2013 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll

1. Central Missouri (11)        132
2. Central Oklahoma (1)      121
3. Northeastern State          104
4. Fort Hays State               102
5. Northwest Missouri          85
6. Southwest Baptist           77
7. Missouri Southern           64
8. Nebraska-Kearney           46
9. Missouri Western            37
10. Washburn                    36
11. Lindenwood                   32
12. Emporia State               22

— MU Sports Information —

Mizzou opens SEC basketball schedule at home vs. Georgia

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riggertMizzouThe Southeastern Conference released its league men’s basketball schedule on Tuesday and Mizzou opens its second season in the SEC by hosting the Georgia Bulldogs at Mizzou Arena on Jan. 8.

The Tigers follow that home-opener with back-to-back road trips to Auburn (Jan. 11) and Vanderbilt (Jan. 16). Mizzou’s trip to Auburn will be the first in series history between the two programs and the Tigers last traveled to Vanderbilt on Dec. 2, 2009, with the Commodores earning an 89-83 non-conference win.

ESPN has network flexibility on four of Mizzou’s games. The game at Vanderbilt (Jan. 16) and home dates vs. Alabama (Jan. 18), Arkansas (Feb. 13) and Tennessee (Feb. 15) will be televised on either ESPN or ESPN2. The network will make that designation as the games approach.

Affiliate information for the SEC Network games will be announced by the league office as the games approach.

Click here to view the entire 2013-2014 Missouri men’s basketball schedule.

— MU Sports Information —

Griffons ranked No. 6 in AFCA preseason Top 25

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riggertMissouriWesternThe Missouri Western football team is ranked sixth in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) preseason Top 25 Poll that was released Monday.

Western, which ranked fifth in the final poll of the 2012 season, garnered 586 votes. The Griffons finished their 2012 season with a 12-2 record and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament.

Northwest Missouri State and Pittsburg State are the only other MIAA squads in the top-25, ranked 4th with 616 points and one first place vote and 21st with 165 points. Central Missouri, Emporia State and Washburn all received votes.

Missouri Western begins its 2013 campaign on the road Sept. 5 as they take on the University of Central Missouri. The opening kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the Griffon Sports Network.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Northwest soccer to host youth clinic August 24

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Northwest2013riggertNorthwest Missouri State head soccer coach Tracy Hoza has announced that the team will be hosting a free youth soccer clinic at Bearcat Pitch on Saturday, Aug. 24.

Registration for the free clinic, which is open to students in grades 1-thru-8, will take place at Bearcat Pitch beginning at 1 p.m. and the clinic will run from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. The Northwest soccer team will be having a scrimmage from noon to 1 p.m. and will be available for autographs and photos following the clinic.

“Finding ways to give back to the community is something our team takes great pride in,” said Hoza. “Our players really enjoy interacting with area youth soccer players. Teaching kids the game that our players love while benefiting the local area really makes this a great event for everyone.”

Participants are encouraged to donate school supplies, such as spiral notebooks, notebook paper, backpacks, glue, washable markers or folders to help benefit the Back to School Supplies Program, sponsored by Community Services, Inc. Cash donations will also be accepted with proceeds going directly to Community Services, Inc., which benefits the local five-county area (Atchison, Gentry, Holt, Nodaway and Worth).

— Northwest Sports Information —

Northwest’s Rosewell named to USTA Heart of America Board of Directors

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NorthwestNorthwest Missouri State University head tennis coach Mark Rosewell has been named to the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Heart of America District Board of Directors. Rosewell will help coordinate efforts to promote the game of tennis to youths in the Midwest region.

“I’m very honored to be named to this board,” said Rosewell. “I’ve been on numerous committees and being a part of anything that helps grow the sport of tennis is something I feel very strongly about.”

Rosewell has amassed 948 career victories in his storied 31-year collegiate coaching career. He has been named MIAA Coach of the Year 23 times and has captured 25 MIAA Titles (12 men, 13 women). Rosewell has also guided his teams to 31 NCAA Tournament appearances, including last year’s round of 16 appearance for the Bearcat men’s team.

Previously, Rosewell had served for three years on the NCAA Division II National Tennis Committee. He was also a six-year member of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Board of Directors and was the national chair of the ITA awards for 10 years.

— Northwest Sports Information —

Western’s Weiberg adds prep guard to 2013-2014 recruiting class

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MWSUMissouri Western men’s basketball coach Brett Weiberg announced the signing of one more student-athlete that will join the program for the 2013-14 season as part of his initial signing class at MWSU. Freshman Connor Soukup of Olathe, Kan. will join Charles Marquardt Ryan Devers, Wesley Mitter, Cortez Colbert and Dareon Jones who signed earlier this year.

Connor Soukup – 6-1-180, Freshman, Guard, Olathe South HS, Olathe, Kan.

Soukup a two year letter winner at Olathe South High School where he earned honorable mention All-Sunflower league honors and was on the Ray-Pec All-Tournament Team.

He was also on the Topeka Invitational All-Academic Team for his work in the classroom. At Olathe South, Soukup averaged 13.6 ppg, 4.6 assists per game, 3.3 rebounds per game and 2.9 steals per game. He is a very good shooter making 56.1-percent of his field goals and 48.9-percent from long range. He also made 78-percent of his free throws. His greatest sports moment was scoring 25 points and being named MVP against their rivals Olathe East. He was also selected to the first team All-Tournament Team at the Ray-Pec Showcase tournament in Dec 2012. He is also a solid student being in the National Honors Society and a member of the honor roll for four years. He plans on majoring in business at MWSU.

“I am very pleased to announce that Connor will be joining the Griffon Basketball family for 2013-14,” commented Head Coach Brett Weiberg. “He is a true combo guard that has the ability to make plays for his teammates but also score the ball himself. He can really shoot the ball from the 3pt line and really from all areas of the floor. More importantly, Connor has a motor and a strong desire to succeed. With our first recruiting class here at Missouri Western we have focused on bringing in good players that will work hard to better. Connor is a competitor, and excellent student and a good person.”

— MWSU Sports Information —

James Franklin named Missouri’s starting quarterback

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James FranklinUniversity of Missouri Head Football Coach Gary Pinkel announced Thursday that senior James Franklin has been named the starting quarterback for the 2013 season.  The Corinth, Texas, native has been atop the depth chart all fall, but was locked in a competitive battle with redshirt freshman Maty Mauk (from Kenton, Ohio).

Pinkel said that both quarterbacks have been impressive, but settling on Franklin was the right call for the team.

“James has shown that he’s very capable of leading this team at a high level, and we fully expect him to do that,” said Pinkel.  “He’s really developed as a leader of this offense, and of this team, and we feel he’s ready to be the difference maker he was before all of the health challenges he dealt with last season,” said Pinkel.

Pinkel said that Mauk continued his positive strides, and that the staff is considering giving him some planned series per game to give him experience.

“We have a history with that, and it’s something that has worked very well for us,” said Pinkel.  “When Brad Smith was a senior, we had Chase Daniel as a freshman show that he earned a series or two per game, and that was tremendous for his growth.  When Blaine Gabbert was in his last year here, James Franklin was a freshman, and we got him some work on a fairly regular basis, and we feel that was instrumental in what he was able to do the next year as a starter,” he said.

Pinkel said that making this type of announcement isn’t typical of how he issues this news, but he said the circumstances called for the adjustment.

“Obviously, quarterback draws the most attention from media and fans, so we just felt like it made sense to end the speculation since we knew the course we’re taking,” he said.

Mizzou has completed 14 practices in its 2013 fall camp as it continues to prepare for its season opener against Murray State, set for Saturday, August 31st at 6 p.m. (central time) at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium.

— MU Sports Information —

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