Sports – Page 397 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Chiefs trade RB Knile Davis to Packers for draft pick

Posted on October 18, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs have traded backup running back Knile Davis to the Green Bay Packers, who desperately need to add depth to their injury-riddled backfield.

The Packers gave up a conditional draft pick Tuesday for Davis, who has already started practicing with his new team.

The Packers needed help at running back with Eddie Lacy nursing a bothersome ankle and James Starks undergoing knee surgery. Lacy was their only active running back against Dallas on Sunday, when he rushed for 65 yards on 17 carries in a 30-16 loss.

Starks will be out a couple of weeks. Lacy was being held out of practice Wednesday because the ankle was “very sore,” coach Mike McCarthy said.

That means the Packers will have to get Davis up to speed on the playbook quickly if he’s going to be ready when the Chicago Bears visit Lambeau Field on Thursday night.

“It’s obviously a big challenge when you’re on a short week, but he’s definitely a talented young player,” McCarthy said. “So just looking forward to getting him into the mix and get going.”

Top cornerback Sam Shields, who has been out since the season opener with a concussion, was placed on injured reserve to make room for Davis on the active roster.

The Packers have been struggling in the passing game, and the injuries to Lacy and Starks have added to their issues on offense. McCarty got a look at Davis in Green Bay’s last preseason game, when he ran for 58 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries in the Chiefs’ 17-7 win on Sept. 1.

Davis had been passed over by Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West on the Chiefs’ depth chart, and the return of Jamaal Charles from his knee injury made him expendable.

“I feel like I’m off the reins,” Davis said after practice Tuesday. “I’m just excited to be a part of Green Bay and do I can here. Hopefully my role is bigger.”

The Kansas City Star first reported the trade.

Davis, the former Arkansas standout, was the Chiefs’ third-round pick in 2013. He was expected to team with Charles in a power-and-lightning backfield. But issues with fumbles that plagued him in college continued in the NFL, and he gradually lost playing time to other running backs.

His best season was 2014, when he ran for 463 yards and six touchdowns. But he’s only carried 29 times for 70 yards and a touchdown the past two seasons combined.

Davis was a longshot to make the Kansas City roster out of training camp, but his special teams ability may have made the difference. He’s averaged 27.2 yards on kickoff returns during his four-year career, and returned three kicks for touchdowns.

The fact that the Chiefs and Packers were trade partners is hardly surprising. Chiefs general manager John Dorsey played for the Packers in the 1980s, spent most of his career in their front office and rose to director of football operations before joining the Chiefs prior to the 2013 season.

Davis was the third player he drafted in Kansas City.

CHIEFS MOVES

The Davis deal was the start of a slew of roster moves on Tuesday for Kansas City. The Chiefs signed free agent defensive lineman Kendall Reyes, who was Washington for two games this season. He previously played four years in San Diego.

Kansas City added cornerback Terrance Mitchell, defensive lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches and linebacker Ramik Wilson from its practice squad.

Defensive end Allen Bailey and linebacker Justin March-Lillard were placed on injured reserve. Defensive lineman Nick Williams was waived.

— Associated Press —

Jayhawks’ Graham named to Jerry West Award watch list

Posted on October 18, 2016October 18, 2016

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Kansas junior Devonte’s Graham has been named one of 20 candidates for the 2017 Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced Tuesday.

Named after Hall of Famer and 1959 NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player Jerry West, the annual honor in its third year recognizes the top shooting guards in Division I men’s college basketball. A national committee comprised of top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 20 candidates.

Graham is one of three returning starters for Kansas, joining backcourt teammate Frank Mason III and senior forward Landen Lucas. On Monday, Oct., 17, Mason was named one of 20 for the 2017 Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year watch list, also by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

From Raleigh, North Carolina, Graham was a 2016 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selection and joined Mason on the five-person the Big 12 All-Defensive Team. Graham averaged 11.3 points per game and was the team leader in steals with 1.4 per contest. His points ranked 19th in the conference and his steal average was 10th. Additionally, Graham was sixth in the league in assist-to-turnover ratio at 2.2 and third in 3-point field goal percentage at 44.1 percent.

Graham was the Most Outstanding Player of the 2016 Big 12 Championship where he averaged 17.3 points and 6.3 assists in leading Kansas to the title. He was also a member of the NCAA Tournament All-South Region Team as KU advanced to the Elite Eight.

By mid-February, the watch list of 20 players for the 2017 Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award will be narrowed to 10. In March, five finalists will be presented to Mr. West and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee. The winner of the 2017 Jerry West Award will be presented at the ESPN College Basketball Awards Show in Los Angeles on Friday, April 7, 2017.

— KU Athletics —

Benton, Bishop LeBlond win district volleyball openers, while Central & Christian fall in first round matches

Posted on October 17, 2016October 18, 2016

High School district volleyball tournament began around the state on Monday and four city teams began their postseasons.

At the Class 5 District 16 tournament at Park Hill South High School, Central had its season come to an end as they were swept by Park Hill 25-23, 25-15. The Indians finish with a record of 11-15-2.

Benton kept its season alive with a three-set victory over Maryville in the first round of the Class 3 District 16 tournament at Cameron. The Cardinals lost the first set 25-19 before rallying to the win the next two, 25-20 and 25-19. Benton will play Chillicothe in the semifinals Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. That match will be followed by Lafayette against Savannah. The Irish received a bye in the first round, while Savannah knocked off Cameron 2-0.

Bishop LeBlond advanced to the Class 2 Distrcit 16 tournament semifinals with a 25-12, 25-16 victory over North Platte. The Eagles play the host team Lawson in the semifinals at 6:15 Tuesday, while Mid-Buchanan and East Buchanan meet in the other semifinal at 5:00 p.m.

And at the Class 1 District 15 tournament at Rock Port, St. Joseph Christian’s season ended with a 25-14, 25-9 loss to Tarkio. The Lions finish just 2-20.

Final regular season Missouri Media High School Football rankings released

Posted on October 17, 2016October 17, 2016

Missouri Media football rankings

Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a 14-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. First-place votes in parenthesis. Panel is made up of Dion Clisso, PrepsKC; Sam McDowell, The Kansas City Star; Chris Geinosky, The Liberty Tribune; Dave Kvidahl, STLHighschoolsports.com; Jim Powers, High School Sports Caravan; Larry Thornton, KSDK radio; Cameron Teague-Robinson, The Columbia Tribune; Tom Rackers, Jefferson City News-Tribune; Mike Scott, Ozone Sports; Rance Burger, The Springfield News-Leader; Cody Thorn, The St. Joseph News-Press; J.B. Connoley, KRES radio; Chris Pobst, Sikeston Standard-Democrat; Matt King, The Daily Journal.

First-place votes in parenthesis.

CLASS 6
Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW
1. CBC (14), 8-1, 140, 1
2. Kirkwood, 7-1, 119, 3
3. Blue Springs 7-2, 105, 2
4. Hazelwood Central, 9-0, 101, 4
5. Rockhurst, 6-2, 82, 6
6. Lee’s Summit West, 7-2, 61, 10
7. Springfield Kickapoo, 8-1, 52, 7
8. Lee’s Summit, 7-2, 42, 5
9. Eureka, 8-1, 41, 9
T10. Jefferson City, 5-4, 12, 8
T10. Park Hill, 6-3, 12, NR

Also receiving votes: Raymore-Peculiar (5-4), 2 Ritenour (7-2), 1

CLASS 5
Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW
1. Chaminade (10), 7-1, 136, 1
2. Battle (4), 9-0, 127, 2
3. Glendale, 9-0, 111, 3
4. Fort Zumwalt North, 8-1, 100, 4
5. Park Hill South, 8-1, 83, 5
6. Staley, 7-2, 68, 6
7. William Chrisman, 8-1, 57, 7
8. Carthage, 8-1, 45, 8
9. Ozark, 7-2, 14, NR
10. Jackson, 7-2, 10, 9

Dropped out: No. 10 Liberty

Also receiving votes: Belton (6-3), 8; Vianney (4-5), 6; Liberty (6-3), 5

CLASS 4
Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW
1. Kearney (14), 9-1, 140, 2
2. Hannibal, 7-2, 114, 1
3. Carl Junction, 7-2, 108, 4
4. Platte County, 6-3, 102, 3
5. Parkway North, 7-2, 85, 5
6. Ladue, 8-1, 69, 6
7. MICDS, 7-2, 55, 7
8. Webb City, 6-3, 46, 8
9. St. Dominic, 8-1, 35, 9
10. Hillsboro, 7-2, 13, 10

Also receiving votes: Camdenton (6-3), 3

CLASS 3
Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW
1. Maryville (13), 9-0, 139, 1
2. Blair Oaks (1), 9-0, 127, 2
3. Center, 9-0, 107, 3
4. Monett, 8-1, 92, 4
5. McCluer South-Berkley, 8-0, 83, 5
6. Richmond, 9-0, 75, 6
7. Mexico, 7-2, 56, 8
8. Osage, 8-1, 37, 9
9. Chillicothe, 8-1, 20, NR
10. Park Hills Central, 8-1, 19, 7

Dropped out: No. 10 Reeds Spring

Also receiving votes: Owensville (9-0), 12; Reeds Spring (7-2), 2; Southern Boone (7-2), 1

CLASS 2
Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW
1. Lamar (14), 8-0, 140, 1
2. Mtn. View-Liberty, 9-0, 126, 2
3. Trinity, 8-0, 109, 3
4. Mountain Grove, 8-1, 95, 5
5. Malden, 9-0, 82, 6
6. Lutheran North, 7-2, 66, 6
7. Fair Grove, 9-0, 51, 7
8. Macon, 9-0, 48, 8
9. South Callaway, 9-0, 23, NR
10. Lawson, 7-2, 14, NR

Dropped out: No. 9 Centralia, No. 10 Lexington

Also receiving votes: Centralia (6-3), 8; Lexington (8-1), 8

CLASS 1
Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW
1. Valle Catholic (11), 8-1, 136, 1
2. Marceline (3), 9-0, 127, 2
3. Hamilton-Penney, 9-0, 115, 3
4. Lincoln, 9-0, 97, 4
5. Hayti, 8-1, 83, 5
6. Cass-Midway, 8-1, 69, 6
7. Wellington-Napoleon, 8-1, 53, 7
T8. Skyline, 6-3, 36, 8
T8. Maysville, 7-2, 36, 9
10. Monroe City, 6-3, 13, NR

Dropped out: No. 10 Lockwood

Also receiving votes: Scotland County (6-3), 3; Lockwood (7-2), 1; Mark Twain (6-3), 1

MWSU men’s golf in 15th after first round in St. Charles

Posted on October 17, 2016

ST. LOUIS – The Missouri Western men’s golf team shot a 324 in the first round at the Lindenwood Invitational at Missouri Bluffs Golf Course in St. Charles, Missouri.

Patrick McCarthy led the Griffons in the first round with an even par 70. Jacob Majeske and Kevin Kim both shot an 82. Jakob Rudosky scored a 90 for MWSU as Lucas Horseman carded a 94 in the first round.

Western is in 15th place after the first round, while Lindenwood lead the team race after shooting a 287. Central Missouri is in second place and Missouri-St. Louis sits in third.

The second round of play was suspended due to darkness and will resume Tuesday at 8 a.m. followed by the third round.

— MWSU Athletics —

Big 12 presidents decide to pass on expansion

Posted on October 17, 2016October 17, 2016

GRAPEVINE, Texas (AP) — The Big 12 Conference has decided against expansion from its current 10 members.

The announcement came after a six-hour meeting Monday with the conference’s university presidents and Commissioner Bob Bowlsby.

The Big 12 has been analyzing expansion options for the last three months, but it never made a commitment to expand.

Conference officials held interviews in September with Air Force and Colorado State from the Mountain West; Central Florida, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Houston, South Florida, SMU and Tulane from the American Athletic Conference; and BYU, which is a football independent with its other sports in the West Coast Conference.

The Big 12 has been tossing around the idea of expansion for almost two years as it tries to find ways to increase revenue and improve the conference’s chances to make the College Football Playoff. The Big 12 was left out of the first CFP in 2014, but conference champion Oklahoma made the playoff last season.

Boren has said the Big 12 was “psychologically disadvantaged” by being the smallest Power Five league and the only one without a football championship game.

This past offseason, expansion talk got fired up again. The Big 12 announced it was bringing back its football championship game in 2017, no matter what its composition. But with only 10 teams, a title game is not a natural fit.

In June, the conference announced record payouts to members of $30 million each, and expansion talk again seemed to fade.

In July, the presidents were briefed by consultants who explained how the conference could increase its playoff chances by adding schools and increase its revenue. The Big 12’s TV contracts call for ESPN and Fox to increase their payouts to the conference so that any new member would be making what the current members are making, which is about $25 million.

It was after that last board meeting that the Big 12 announced the presidents had given Bowlsby the go-ahead to do a deep-dive on expansion and possible candidates. Boren and Bowlsby said the conference would consider adding two or four new members. Or none.

Two new members would mean an extra $50 million in TV revenue per season for the Big 12 on contracts that runs through 2025. And the current members would share the majority of that money at first. TCU and West Virginia joined the Big 12 in 2012, but they did not receive full revenue shares until this year.

The networks have not been keen on the idea of paying the Big 12 to add schools.

“We don’t think expansion in the Big 12 is a good idea for the conference. We think it will be dilutive to the product in the short term. In the long term, it’s probably harmful to the future of the conference,” Fox Sports President Eric Shanks said earlier this month at Sports Media and Technology conference, according to the Sports Business Journal.

The networks could offer the Big 12 a smaller increase in rights fees and possibly an extension on its TV deal for not expanding.

What the conference presidents will decide to do is impossible to predict. Even the athletic directors in the Big 12 are unsure which way this will go.

— Associated Press —

Missouri State keeps suspension of QB Breck Ruddick in effect for remainder of season

Posted on October 17, 2016October 17, 2016

SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State University head football coach Dave Steckel announced at a news conference late Monday (Oct. 17) that the suspension of quarterback Breck Ruddick will remain in effect for the remainder of the 2016 season.

Steckel suspended Ruddick and removed him from all team activities after allegations of animal cruelty were brought to light on Sept. 23.

Steckel’s announcement Monday came after an independent University investigation into the matter was completed. According to Steckel, he has also imposed the following conditions for Ruddick’s return to the program next year should he choose to remain at Missouri State:

– Pay full restitution to the victim for veterinary charges and damages to her pet

– Apologize to the team and the University for the embarrassment, pain and the distraction the incident has caused

– Fulfill any municipal and/or legal obligations from the citations issued by Greene County Animal Control

– Comply with any disciplinary action taken by the Office of Student Conduct, which is handled separately and privately between the University and student.

The Missouri State Office of Student Conduct is also reviewing the Ruddick case and will determine its disciplinary actions separately.

“The University and I considered the charges to be serious,” Steckel said. “His admitted actions violate the MSU Student-Athlete Code of Conduct and the Missouri State Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities.

“Our players, our coaches and our staff are focused on playing out our season and representing this university in a positive fashion, as we do every time we take the field. Finding resolution in this matter will help that process and provide closure for all parties to move forward.”

Brodie Lambert, who has been the team’s starting quarterback since week three, is expected to remain Missouri State’s starter for the remainder of the season. The Bears (3-3, 1-2 MVFC) have five games remaining on this’s season slate, including Saturday’s 1 p.m. (CT) conference game at Northern Iowa.

— MSU Athletics —

MIAA hands out weekly football honors

Posted on October 17, 2016

Kansas City, Mo. – Pittsburg State’s John Roderique has been named the MIAA Football Offensive Athletes of the Week. Nebraska-Kearney’s Tyke Kozeal has been named the Defensive Athlete of the Week with Washburn’s Bryce Chavis earning Special Teams Athlete of the Week honors.

MIAA Football Offensive Athlete of the Week
John Roderique, QB, Pittsburg State

Roderique passed for a career high 373 yards and a school record tying five touchdowns to lead Pittsburg State University to a 55-47 road win over Missouri Western State University Saturday (Oct. 15). Roderique completed 22 of 30 passes in the contest, averaging 18.7 yards per completion. He also rushed for 74 yards to compile a career-best 447 yards of total offense. The Gorillas piled up a season-high 659 yards of total offense, nearly doubling the season average allowed by the Griffons defense entering the contest (359.3 ypg). The 6-4 sophomore quarterback is a native of Webb City, Mo. where he competed at Webb City High School prior to redshirting one season at Sam Houston State.

MIAA Football Defensive Athlete of the Week
Tyke Kozeal, LB, Nebraska-Kearney

Kozeal helped end UNK’s 17-game losing streak by making 15 tackles (9 solo), recovering a fumble that led to a field goal and forcing a fumble. He also picked off a pass with 1:44 left and returned it 16 yards for a TD and a final score of 47-32. It marked UNKs six forced turnover of the game. Kozeal now has 541 career tackles, including an NCAA best 111 this year. The 6-0 senior linebacker is a native of Sargent, Neb. where he competed at Sargent High School.

MIAA Football Special Teams Athlete of the Week
Bryce Chavis, RS, Washburn

Returned a Fort Hays State punt 83-yards for a touchdown with 11:41 remaining in the third quarter to put the Ichabod’s up 30-14. He also added four receptions for 101 yards and a 67-yard touchdown catch which put the Ichabod’s up 20-0 with 13:27 to play in the first half. Overall he had 189 all-purpose yards averaging 41.5 yards per punt return on two returns. The 5-9 senior wide receiver and return specialist is a native of Riley, Kan. where he competed at Riley County High School prior to playing at Butler County Community College.

— MIAA Press Release —

Kansas’ Moos named Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week

Posted on October 17, 2016

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas junior punter Cole Moos averaged 50.4 yards per punt in the Jayhawks’ game at Baylor Saturday, Oct. 15, on his way to earning Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week honors, the conference office announced Monday morning.

Moos, a native of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, punted eight times for a total of 403 yards. Four of his punts reached further than 50 yards, including an 82-yarder on his first boot of the day. Moos’ 82-yard punt tied for the fifth-longest in KU history and was the longest punt for a Jayhawk since Curtis Ansel hit an 82-yarder at UNLV on Sept. 7, 2002.

Moos also recorded a 73-yard punt in the third quarter on his way to a 50.4 average on the afternoon, the first 50-plus game average for a KU player since Trevor Pardula averaged 51.8 yards on eight punts at Duke in 2014 (Sept. 4).

Moos is the first Jayhawk to win a conference weekly award since cornerback Dexter McDonald took home the Defensive Player of the Week Award following on Sept. 8, 2014. Pardula was the last KU player to snag a Special Teams Player of the Week Award for KU as he was the winner on Sept. 23, 2013.

Kansas will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 22, when it plays host to Oklahoma State for Homecoming. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m.

— KU Athletics —

Missouri Western soccer upsets No. 21 Northeastern State

Posted on October 16, 2016

ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western women’s soccer team needed a big win, and they got it on Sunday inside Spratt Memorial Stadium. Emily Kemp scored her first goal of the season and it gave the Griffons a 1-0 win over No. 21 Northeastern State.

Kemp’s game winner came in the 69th minute. It was all set up by a corner kick from Maddy Cowell. Layne Shepherd’s header off the corner bounced off the Northeastern State goal keeper and Kemp was there to poke it just across the line.

Missouri Western handed Northeastern State just its second loss of the season, the other coming last week to then No. 2 Central Missouri. It was the Griffons first-ever win over Northeastern State and first win over a ranked team in program history.

The Griffons controlled the action through most of the game, outshooting Northeastern State 13-6 and allowing just three shots on goal. Paige LaBadie saved all three of those shots, including one with just seconds remaining in regulation. LaBadie picked up her fourth win of the season and her third shutout.

The win moves Missouri Western to 9-5 on the season, one win shy of the program record for wins in a season with four games remaining in the regular season. Missouri Western stays in St. Joseph next week as they host Washburn on Friday and Emporia State on Sunday.

— MWSU Athletics —