We have a brand new updated website! Click here to check it out!

Category: Sports

Northwest volleyball upsets No. 9 Washburn in three sets

Posted on

TOPEKA, Kansas – The Northwest Missouri State University volleyball team took care of previously undefeated No. 9 Washburn, 3-0. The Bearcats won by set scores of 25-20, 25-23, 25-20.

Northwest knocked off its second ranked foe of the season in the three-game sweep of Washburn in front of 1,185 fans in Lee Arena. Earlier this season, the Bearcats knocked off No. 9-ranked Central Missouri on Sept. 15 in Bearcat Arena.

The Bearcats moved to 17-5 overall and 9-3 in MIAA play, while Washburn dropped to 22-1 overall and 10-1 in league play.

The victory also snapped a string of 18 straight losses in Topeka for the Bearcats against the Ichabods. Prior to tonight’s win, Northwest’s last win against Washburn in Topeka came on Oct. 6, 1999. It’s the first time in the series that Northwest has won a 3-0 match at Washburn.

Sophomore Hallie Sidney secured a double-double with 18 digs and 13 kills (.237). Senior Maddy Bruder tallied her fifth straight double-double with 15 digs and 15 kills (.267). Sophomore Maddy Ahrens also procured a double-double with 38 assists and 13 digs.

Northwest will remain on the road next weekend with a trio of MIAA matches beginning Tuesday at Missouri Western (7 p.m.). Northwest will also travel to Lindenwood (Fri., 6 p.m.) and at Central Missouri (Sat., 3 p.m.).

— Northwest Athletics —

Barnes runs for 4 TDs as K-State routs Oklahoma State 31-12

Posted on

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Kansas State broke huddle against Oklahoma State at one point Saturday with three running backs joining quarterback Skyler Thompson in the backfield, the quartet making a unique diamond-like formation that coach Bill Snyder said has been part of the playbook for 30 years.

True or not, the claim was fitting given the Wildcats’ entire game plan looked about that old.

Almost entirely abandoning the passing game, Kansas State bludgeoned the Cowboys with an old-school, ground-based attack. Alex Barnes rumbled for 181 yards and four touchdowns, the Wildcats piled up 291 yards rushing and they dominated the time of possession in a 31-12 rout.

“Our running game, we’ve addressed this week-in and week-out, it’s gotten better, gotten better, gotten better,” Snyder said. “Alex got a lot of yards but you get a lot of yards because someone up front is knocking someone else back. It’s a team-oriented deal.”

Thompson only had 130 yards passing, enough to keep the Cowboys honest, but added 80 yards to the rushing total in helping the Wildcats (3-4, 1/3 Big 12) end a three-game skid.

They’ve now beaten the Cowboys (4-3, 1-3) in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2002.

“We have to look and see what we’re doing, where we are at and what we can do to correct it,” Cowboys coach Mike Gundy said. “We are trying to do what we can as soon as possible to fix the problems.”

Oklahoma State led 6-3 at halftime before the Wildcats got their ground game going. They leaned heavily on Barnes, who ran for a career-best 250 yards last week against Baylor, and that allowed them to chew up the clock while keeping the Cowboys’ offense off the field.

Kansas State took the lead when Barnes capped a nine-play drive with a touchdown midway through the third quarter. He added his second scoring run a few minutes later, then answered a TD run by the Cowboys’ Taylor Cornelius with his third touchdown dart with 9:41 remaining in the game.

Cornelius finished 17 of 35 for 184 yards and two interceptions, while Cowboys running back Justice Hill spent most of afternoon bottled up. He carried 11 times for just 41 yards.

“We were tired of losing,” Kansas State linebacker Justin Hughes said, “so we came out with the mentality that we weren’t going to lose. Once we stopped Hill and made them throw we had them.”

The first half resembled an old-school, Big Ten-style slugfest — hardly the pass-happy Big 12.

The Wildcats dared the Cowboys to beat them through the air, and Cornelius had 45 of his 97 yards passing in the first half on the only completion that made them pay. But despite that long play getting the Cowboys in scoring position, Kansas State’s defense managed to hold for a field goal.

The Wildcats squandered a chance to score just before halftime, when Thompson was sacked on third down in the closing seconds. Without a time out, the clock expired without a field-goal attempt, and Snyder stalked his team all the way into the locker room.

Kansas State’s offensive line atoned for that mistake in the second half.

Asserting its will at the line of scrimmage, the group pried open holes for Barnes and backup Dalvin Warmack, who patiently danced into the Cowboys’ secondary. They kept riding that success late into the fourth quarter, when Barnes scored his final touchdown with a couple minutes to go.

“That’s what we’ve been expecting all season,” Wildcats offensive lineman Dalton Risner said. “I feel like we’ve been bringing it all season but we’ve turned it up the last few weeks.”

THE TAKEAWAY

Oklahoma State: An offense that averaged 523.3 yards per game coming into the day was rendered ineffective in the second half. Hill’s streak of 12 consecutive games with a touchdown rushing came to an end, as did the Cowboys’ impressive streak of 19 straight wins when leading at halftime.

Kansas State: The season-long search for an identity may have uncovered a smash-mouth approach that can produce results. The Wildcats were held to six points a few weeks ago at West Virginia, and two TDs in a loss to Texas. But their run-based attack has been on-point against Baylor and Oklahoma State.

STATS AND STREAKS

Oklahoma States’ streak of forcing a turnover in 33 straight games was snapped. … Barnes moved into the top 10 in Kansas State history with 2,049 yards rushing. He’s the first player with back-to-back games of at least 175 yards rushing since Darren Sproles in 2003. … Wildcats cornerback Duke Shelley had both of the interceptions. He has at least one in all three games he’s played against Oklahoma State.

UP NEXT

Oklahoma State is off before hosting ninth-ranked Texas.

Kansas State is off before visiting No. 11 Oklahoma.

— Associated Press —

Nebraska sees 10-point lead slip away in OT loss to Northwestern

Posted on

EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) — Rolling along with a 10-point lead, Nebraska had its first victory under coach Scott Frost and the end of the longest losing streak in its proud history in sight.

Northwestern yanked it all away. Now the Cornhuskers are off to their worst start ever.

Clayton Thorson threw for a career-high 455 yards and three touchdowns, and Drew Luckenbaugh kicked a 37-yard field goal in overtime to give Northwestern a 34-31 victory over the winless Cornhuskers on Saturday afternoon.

Nebraska (0-6, 0-4 Big Ten) blew a 10-point lead in the final 5:41 in regulation and fell to 0-6 for the first time. The Cornhuskers extended the longest losing streak in their storied history to 10 games. This isn’t the start Frost envisioned when he decided to take over at his alma mater after orchestrating a drastic turnaround in two seasons coaching Central Florida.

“This is wearing on me, but mostly I just feel bad for them, especially the seniors,” he said.

When asked, Frost said he agreed with the notion that a young team such as this needs to learn how to win.

“Lombardi said it: Winning is a habit, and unfortunately, so is losing,” Frost said. “We challenged the guys before the game: Find a way to make one more play to put us over the top. … We had some guys step up and make some plays today. Coulda, woulda, shoulda ended the game for us.”

Flynn Nagel set career highs with 220 yards receiving and two touchdowns.

Luckenbaugh made the first two field goals of his career in the fourth quarter and overtime after missing a 42-yarder in the third. The Wildcats (3-3, 3-1) won at home for the first time after an 0-3 start at Ryan Field.

“That’s the most fun football game I’ve ever been a part of,” Nagel said.

Things weren’t looking good for them trailing 31-21 with 5:41 left in the fourth quarter. But Luckenbaugh kicked a field goal, and Northwestern drove 99 yards after getting pinned at the 1 with 2:02 left.

The Wildcats were aided by a roughing-the-passer penalty against Carlos Davis that moved the ball from the 1 to the 16, and Thorson finished the drive with a 5-yard TD to JJ Jefferson with 12 seconds left in regulation.

Nebraska got the first shot in overtime after Northwestern deferred. Frost decided to go for it on fourth-and-1 at the 16, rather than kick a field goal in part because Barret Pickering missed one earlier in the game. A low snap out of the shotgun on what quarterback Adrian Martinez said was a running play did in the Cornhuskers. He scooped up the loose ball around the 30, heaved it to the end zone from the 37 and was intercepted by JR Pace.

Northwestern moved 6 yards before Luckenbaugh nailed a 37-yarder on fourth down to give the Wildcats their second straight victory and set off a wild celebration.

“Great character, absolutely terrific character,” coach Pat Fitzgerald said. “That’s who they are. That’s who we recruit. I thought the talk on the boundary the whole game was excellent. But after we got the field goal to cut it to a one-score game, the guys [said], ‘We’re winning this football game. We’re winning the game.’ … To get it done in overtime, I just think shows character.”

Nebraska’s Devine Ozigbo ran for 159 yards and two touchdowns. Martinez threw for 251 yards and a TD.

JD Spielman caught eight passes for 76 yards and a touchdown. But Nebraska remained winless since a victory at Purdue last Oct. 28.

“It’s frustrating,” linebacker Luke Gifford said. “That’s for sure. At this point, the rah, rah stuff — that’s got to go. I think we have passed that point.”

THE TAKEAWAY

Nebraska: This one has to sting for the Cornhuskers, who thought they were on the verge of breaking through prior to this game. They were in control, only to let the lead slip away down the stretch.

“I always watch the ESPN deal when I’m not coaching a game and watch the percent chance of winning,” Frost said. “Makes me sick sometimes when I watch teams that are 98 percent chance of winning. I thought that would be us, but it’s hard to tell where ours was in this game. That’s just heartbreaking for those guys.”

According to ESPN’s Win Probability Model, Nebraska’s probability to win peaked at 98.7 percent in the fourth quarter.

Northwestern: The Wildcats showed resolve by rallying late. But they continue to struggle in the run game since leading rusher Jeremy Larkin was forced to stop playing because of a spinal issue. They finished with 32 yards rushing — compared to 231 for Nebraska — after being held to a combined 36 the previous two games.

QUOTABLE

“I was just thinking about this. We’ve been progressing so much over the weeks. We’re just missing that one thing. We’ve marked off every box. We just haven’t got a win, and it’s the craziest thing.” — Ozigbo on Nebraska’s streak

“Everything felt pretty calm. I was with my holder and my snapper. … They’re talking to me because they’d been in this before.” — Luckenbaugh on getting ready to kick the winner.

UP NEXT

Nebraska: Hosts Minnesota on Oct. 20

Northwestern: Visits Rutgers on Oct. 20

— Associated Press —

Area High School Football Scores – Friday, October 12

Posted on

CITY
Central 7 (1-7, 1-5 Suburban Red)
@ Liberty 43 (5-3, 3-2 Suburban Red)

Lafayette 28 (7-1, 5-1 MEC)
@ St. Pius X 0 (5-3, 4-2 MEC)

Cameron 7 (2-6, 0-6 MEC)
@ Benton 28 (2-6, 2-4 MEC)

Bishop LeBlond 33 (0-8, 0-6 MEC)
@ Chillicothe 40 (2-6, 2-4 MEC)

Braymer 8 (0-8, 0-6 GRC)
@ St. Joseph Christian 30 (2-5, 1-5 GRC)

AREA
MEC
Maryville 41 (7-1, 6-0 MEC)
@ Savannah 7 (5-3, 5-1 MEC)

KCI
North Platte 8 (2-6, 2-4 KCI)
@ East Buchanan 32 (7-1, 5-1 KCI)

West Platte 8 (1-7, 0-6 KCI)
@ Mid-Buchanan 46 (5-3, 3-3 KCI)

Lathrop 39 (8-0, 6-0 KCI)
@ Plattsburg 0 (1-7, 0-6 KCI)

Lawson 20 (7-1, 5-1 KCI)
@ Hamilton 0 (5-3, 3-3 KCI)

GRC
Putnam County 6 (2-6, 1-5 GRC)
@ Maysville 44 (2-6, 2-4 GRC)

South Harrison 0 (5-3, 4-2 GRC)
@ Milan 8 OT (8-0, 6-0 GRC)

Trenton 32 (2-6, 2-4 GRC)
@ Polo 28 (0-8, 0-6 GRC)

Princeton 7 (5-3, 4-2 GRC)
@ Gallatin 17 (6-2, 5-1 GRC)

8-MAN
GRC
Worth County 60 (7-1, 5-1 GRC)
@ North Andrew 14 (4-4, 2-4 GRC)

Albany 6 (3-5, 2-4 GRC)
@ King City 52 (5-3, 3-3 GRC)

Kansas City East Christian 0
@ Pattonsburg 60 (7-1, 5-1 GRC)

East Atchison 20 (5-3, 5-2 275)
@ Stanberry 24 (8-0, 6-0 GRC)

275
Mound City 52 (8-0, 7-0 275)
@ DeKalb 6 (3-5, 2-5 275)

South Holt / Nodaway Holt 12 (3-5, 3-4 275)
@ Rock Port 40 (5-3, 5-2 275)

Southwest Livingston 56 (7-1, 7-1 275)
@ North-West Nodaway 8 (1-7, 0-7 275)

Stewartsville 26 (1-7, 1-6 275)
@ Platte Valley 60 (2-6, 2-5 275)

Missouri Western volleyball falls in four sets at No. 9 Washburn

Posted on

TOPEKA, Kan. – Griffon Volleyball (12-11, 4-6) rebounded from a shaky start to give No. 9 Washburn (22-0, 10-0) a run for its money in a four-set loss to the Ichabods.

NOTABLES

  • After scoring just nine points in the first set, Missouri Western scored 22 in the second, won the third and scored 20 points in the fourth set
  • After leading the third 23-18, Washburn came back and extended the set before three-straight errors gave Missouri Western a 30-28 win in the set
  • The Griffons held one of the MIAA’s top hitting teams under .200 in the second and third sets and out-hit the Ichabods .255 to .194 in the third set
  • Missouri Western out-blocked Washburn 12-9
  • The Griffons matched the Ichabods’ four aces with four of their own

LEADERS

  • Stephanie Doak had 17 kills
  • Rachel Losch led the team with seven total blocks and added nine kills on a .308 hitting percentage
  • Audrey Keim had a team-high 29 digs
  • Lauren Murphy led the team with 42 assists

UP NEXT

  • The Griffons travel to Emporia State (10-13, 4-6), Saturday, for a 7 p.m. match
  • Emporia State fell in three sets to Northwest Missouri Friday night

    — MWSU Athletics —

Northwest Missouri State volleyball sweeps Emporia State

Posted on

EMPORIA, Kansas – The Northwest Missouri State University volleyball team posted a 3-0 win at Emporia State on Friday. The Bearcats won by set scores of 25-17, 25-17, 25-11.

Northwest (16-5 overall, 8-2 MIAA) hit .369 as a team and recorded a sideout percentage of 78 percent in the three-set victory. Emporia State (10-13 overall, 4-6 MIAA) was limited to a .140 hitting percentage.

Bearcat sophomore Hallie Sidney continued her torrid play by posting a match-high 15 kills (.406 hitting percentage). Northwest senior Maddy Bruder registered her fourth straight double-double with 22 digs and 10 kills against the Hornets. Sophomore Maddy Ahrens notched her ninth double-double on the season with 40 assists and 10 digs.

Northwest hit .382 in the opening set and was led by Bruder’s five kills.

Northwest hit .364 in the second set with 15 kills and three errors. Sidney had five kills in the second stanza.

The Bearcats closed it out in the third by earning sideouts in all 12 opportunities. Sidney had six kills and no errors, while Bruder added 11 digs in the final set.

The Bearcats will be in action at 6 p.m Saturday at Washburn (22-0 overall, 10-0 MIAA).

NOTES: Maddy Bruder has a team-best 12 double-doubles this season … Northwest is 15-0 in three-set matches … the Bearcats have won seven of their eight MIAA matches in three sets.

— Northwest Athletics —

Griffon soccer earns 3-1 win at Southwest Baptist

Posted on

BOLIVAR, Mo. – Missouri Western soccer improved to 9-4 (4-2 MIAA) with Friday’s road win over Southwest Baptist (0-11-2, 0-5-1 MIAA). The Griffons won 3-1 to start off their weekend road trip.

NOTABLES

  • Madison Utley scored the first goal of the game in the 28th minute off of a Cassidy Menke assist.
  • Cassidy Menke scored her ninth goal of the season to put the Griffons up 2-0.
  • Lillian Davis scored on a header from a corner kick from Madeline Cowell in the 82nd minute to seal the 3-1 victory for the Griffons.
  • Missouri Western never trailed throughout the entire game. The Griffons jumped out to a two-score lead before allowing the Bearcats’ lone goal of the game.
  • Missouri Western moves up to third in the MIAA with their fourth conference win, and could tie for second with an Emporia State loss.

STATS AND LEADERS

  • Menke has now scored in four of the last five games.
  • Friday’s win was the fourth time this season that three players have scored in the same game for the Griffons.
  • Cowell’s assist on Friday was her first of the season. Cowell had seven assists last season while playing midfielder for the Griffons, but has moved to the defender position this season.
  • Anna Mayer had nine saves in the win, with six of those coming in the second half.
  • Menke’s nine goals and four assists this season gives her 22 total points, which is third in the MIAA.
  • Southwest Baptist had 10 shots on goal compared to eight for Missouri Western.

UP NEXT

  • Missouri Western will travel to Joplin to take on Missouri Southern (6-4-2) on Sunday.
  • The Griffons have not lost to Missouri Southern since 2013.

    — MWSU Athletics —

Bearcat soccer gets beat at Missouri Southern 2-0

Posted on

The Missouri Southern University Lions defeated the Bearcats 2-0 in Joplin, Missouri Friday. The Bearcats were tied at 0 at halftime, before allowing the Lions’ two goals in the second half.

Both goals for the Lions were scored by Bailey Belcher. The first was scored in the 65th minute and was unassisted. The second was scored in the 84th minute and was assisted by Alex McCord and Julia Liberty.

The Lions moved to 8-4-2 on the year and the Bearcats fell to 1-12. The Bearcats play again Sunday against Southwest Baptist at 2 p.m. in Bolivar.

— Northwest Athletics —

MWSU tennis wraps up fall season with sweep of Grand View

Posted on

ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western Tennis wrapped up the 2018 fall season in dominating fashion, sweeping Grand View 9-0 on Friday.

It was a complete team effort for the Griffons, as each individual posted an impressive performance. Mireia Birosta and Ciarra Gilmore started off doubles play with an 8-1 victory. The victory completes the undefeated season for the doubles pair. Joanna Abreu Roman and Karolina Ström won their doubles match 8-2.

The singles matches were highlighted by Federica Salmaso and Erica Dunn. Salmaso set the tone in singles by shutting out her opponent 6-0, 6-0 in the first match.

Following Salmaso was Erica Dunn, who took the 6-1, 6-0 victory to close out her fall season. Her win on Friday gives Dunn her first career collegiate win in singles.

Mireia Birosta and Ciarra Gilmore both won by default in singles.

Again, Friday’s match against Grand View was the final match of the fall season for the Griffons, as their scheduled match against William Jewell on October 19 was cancelled. Missouri Western Tennis will open their spring season at home against Newman University on February 1.

RESULTS

SINGLES
Karolina Ström (MWSU) def. Kristina Khmelevskaid (GV) 6-1, 6-3
Joanna Abreu Roman (MWSU) def. Eisha Nathwani (GV) 6-2, 6-2
Federica Salmaso (MWSU) def. Tina Kajtazovic (GV) 6-0, 6-0
Erica Dunn (MWSU) def. Molly Harvey (GV) 6-1, 6-0

DOUBLES
Abreu Roman/Ström (MWSU) def.Khmelevskaid/Nathwani (GV) 8-2
Birosta/Gilmore (MWSU) def. Kajtazovic/Harvey (GV) 8-1

— MWSU Athletics —

Chiefs sign free agent LB Nate Orchard

Posted on

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Nate Orchard has gone from a highly drafted pick of the Cleveland Browns to a featured star on HBO’s documentary series “Hard Knocks” to the couch as an unemployed linebacker in the NFL.

Now, he’s suiting up for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.

Maybe even the Super Bowl favorites.

Orchard signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on Wednesday to shore up their pass rush besieged by injuries. Justin Houston could miss several weeks after hurting his hamstring in last Sunday’s win over Jacksonville while Dee Ford and Tanoh Kpassagnon have been dealing with nagging injuries.

“It was a nice time to be with my family,” Orchard said while standing in a mostly empty Chiefs locker room Wednesday, “but I’m very fortunate to be here with the record they have.”

The Chiefs (5-0) have become the trendy pick to win the AFC after routing the Jaguars last week, and they can validate those hopes with a win Sunday in New England. But winning on the road against Tom Brady and Co. became a lot tougher after the Chiefs’ defense sustained a surfeit of injuries last week.

Along with their ailing linebackers, the Chiefs had to put right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif on the disabled list with a broken bone in his leg and Armani Watts on the IR with a core muscle injury.

The Chiefs signed Frank Zombo, who had spent the past five seasons with Kansas City, when they made those roster moves on Tuesday. They added Orchard to further bolster their depth.

“Nate had a real good college career. He played for a good friend of mine at Utah,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said of Utes coach Kyle Whittingham. “(Orchard) knows the system, he’s familiar with it, then he’s a good player. A very hard worker. And he’s smart.”

The secondary is in a similar state of shambles.

Strong safety Eric Berry remains sidelined with a heel injury that was supposed to keep him out a short period, but has instead sidelined him since early in camp. Daniel Sorensen remains on IR with his broken leg, though he could return in the next few weeks, and Watts has joined him on the list.

Their backup, Eric Murray, was held out of practice Wednesday with a lower-leg injury.

The Chiefs thought Watts had merely sustained a groin injury against the Jaguars, but trainer Rick Burkholder said an MRI revealed more damage. Watts was headed to Philadelphia for core muscle surgery on Thursday, though he should be ready for the start of practices next season.

The fact that Chiefs general manager Brett Veach chose to add pass rushers in Orchard and Zombo and not an extra safety means they likely believe Berry and Sorensen will be able to help soon.

Jordan Lucas, who arrived in a trade with Miami just before the season, picked off his first career pass after entering the game against Jacksonville. He’s in line to get more snaps alongside Ron Parker, and journeyman safety Josh Shaw could factor into the mix.

“It’s a collective. This defense is no single guy out there being dominant,” Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones said. “It’s a collective whole. Everyone making plays, that’s what we focus on.”

That goes for all levels of the defense, including outside linebacker, where Houston’s injury and the uncertain status of Kpassagnon could mean a crucial opportunity for Breeland Speaks.

The Chiefs’ second-round pick has been active for all five games, but he has mostly been used on special teams and to give the starters a breather. Now, the former Ole Miss star could be counted upon to put some pressure on Brady and cover the Patriots’ pass-catching running backs.

“I look for Breeland to keep progressing all around,” Jones said. “He’s got a veteran in Justin Houston in the room. Dee’s in the room. Those guys he can learn from.”

As battered as the Chiefs defense is right now, he’d better learn in a hurry.

Notes: Burkholder said Duvernay-Tardif’s injury was also more severe than first believed in that the offensive lineman tore ligaments in the ankle along with breaking his fibula. Duvernay-Tardif is scheduled to have surgery Monday in Green Bay, Wisconsin. “We’ll know more after the surgery how much he’ll miss,” Burkholder said. … Reid confirmed that Jordan Devey is likely to start in Duvernay-Tardif’s place. “He has experience,” Reid said. “Everybody is confident in him that he can step up and go.”

— Associated Press —

Copyright Eagle Radio | FCC Public Files | EEO Public File