Sports – Page 414 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Chiefs cut Murray, Hogan while trading 2 to reach NFL limit

Posted on September 3, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs have gone from the talent-bereft team acquiring everybody’s cast-offs just a few years ago to the team that is now sending its own fringe players away for draft picks.

Kansas City traded cornerback Marcus Cooper to Arizona and wide receiver Rod Streater to San Francisco for undisclosed selections, part of a series of roster moves that allowed the Chiefs to reach the NFL’s 53-man limit for the regular season by Saturday’s deadline.

The Chiefs also cut quarterbacks Aaron Murray and rookie Kevin Hogan, meaning Tyler Bray earned the third-string job behind Alex Smith and Nick Foles for the opener against San Diego.

But the trades may have been the most eye-opening part of the roster-building process, if for no other reason than it demonstrates just how deep the Chiefs have become under general manager John Dorsey.

“We always put in where there are potential holes, you know — Dorsey does that — puts a board up. I remember the first year, we had a lot of circles up on the board,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said, “and this year, there aren’t those circles. So that’s a good thing.”

The Chiefs wound up keeping running back Knile Davis, who provides some depth in case Jamaal Charles is not quite ready for the opener. Charles is the presumptive No. 1 option despite coming back from ACL surgery, while Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West are next on the depth chart.

Davis has also proven valuable as a kick returner.

“I’ve been in the league going on four years now, so I pretty much know what to expect,” Davis said after the Chiefs’ preseason finale, when his future was still in question.

The Chiefs also kept speedy De’Anthony Thomas, who missed much of last season to a concussion. He was on the fringe after the Chiefs drafted a similar player in Tyreek Hill, who also made the team.

“I’m just doing whatever I can to contribute,” Thomas said, “whether it’s on special teams, whether it’s on offense. Just going out there and knowing I can make plays to motivate our team.”

The Chiefs technically have 54 players on the roster because of an exemption they received for safety Eric Berry, who did not sign his franchise tender and report to training camp until last weekend.

They are allowed to keep 54 players until Saturday, the day before their season opener.

Others who were cut: linebackers Tyrell Adams, Andy Mulumba and Terrance Smith; defensive backs Jeron Johnson, Shak Randolph, Deveron Carr, Jamell Fleming and Brock Vereen; wide receivers Da’Ron Brown and Frankie Hammond Jr.; defensive linemen David King and Jimmy Staten; offensive linemen Zach Sterup, Daniel Munyer, Jarrod Pughsley and Reid Fragel; tight end Brian Parker and running back Darrin Reaves.

The Chiefs still have a couple of areas of need that could be addressed on the waiver wire.

With pass rusher Justin Houston out following knee surgery, and Tamba Hali hobbled by his own knee problems, the Chiefs could use help at linebacker. They also could use a veteran cornerback — the most experience among their top six is three years in the league.

Still, those are relatively small holes compared to what Dorsey and Reid found when they arrived in Kansas City in 2013, and took the reins of a franchise coming off a two-win season.

“John Dorsey and his guys provide us with a lot of competition at a lot of positions,” Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton said. “That’s a good thing and, like we talked about last week, sometimes you have to let go of a player that can play for you. You can only keep so many.”

— Associated Press —

St. Louis drops third straight game with 9-1 loss at Cincinnati

Posted on September 3, 2016September 3, 2016

CINCINNATI (AP) — Billy Hamilton was very matter-of-fact about his latest impressive play, one that turned the game when it was still close.

Hamilton robbed the Cardinals of a potential two-run hit in the fourth inning, and the Cincinnati Reds pulled away to a 9-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday.

Zack Cozart hit a pair of doubles during run-scoring innings that included St. Louis misplays, and Hamilton’s catch-and-throw wiped out a Cardinals rally in the early going.

“It’s my job to catch the ball,” Hamilton said. “If a great catch happens, it happens. I don’t go out there to make great catches.”

With runners on first and second, Hamilton caught up with Alberto Rosario’s fly to the warning track, smacked into the wall after making the catch, and threw back to the infield to double up a surprised Greg Garcia at first base to end the fourth.

“Garcia made a good, aggressive move,” Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. “If the ball comes off the wall at all, he’s going to score. He (Hamilton) closed a lot of space in a hurry and made a great play.”

Pinch hitter Ramon Cabrera’s two-run single in the seventh inning put the Reds ahead 4-1. Cincinnati used four walks by Jerome Williams to score five times in the eighth, capped by Tucker Barnhart’s bases-loaded double.

Dan Straily (11-7) gave up three hits, including Jedd Gyorko’s homer, and a career-high seven walks in only 5 2/3 innings. Gyorko hit his career-high 25th home run, 18 since the All-Star break.

“I didn’t know I had (walked) that many until I came in here,” Straily said. “It’s baseball. It’s one of those bizarre lines you see every once in a while.”

The Cardinals have homered in a club-record 22 straight games, hitting a total of 43 in that span. Only San Diego (25 games) has a longer streak this season. The 2002 Rangers set the major league record of 27.

The Cardinals have lost seven of 11. They’re still in position to get the NL’s second wild-card spot, staying ahead of the Mets, Pirates and Marlins.

Cincinnati used a couple of Cardinals miscues to squeeze out two runs against Jaime Garcia (10-11). The lefty had allowed at least five runs in each of his last three starts.

Right fielder Stephen Piscotty lost track of Tyler Holt’s fly ball in the third, letting it fall for a double. Holt scored on Cozart’s two-out double.

Another double by Cozart helped the Reds load the bases in the fifth, and Rosario’s passed ball let in a run for a 2-1 lead.

OOPS

Hamilton ran into umpire Angel Hernandez as he rounded first base and thought about trying for second on an errant throw in the seven the seventh inning. Hamilton went down and had to stay at first for a while. He took second on his 58th steal of the season.

GOLDEN TICKET

Joey Votto used a song from “Willy Wonka” as his walk-up music for his first at-bat. Gene Wilder, who played the part of Wonka, died on Monday.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: RH Mike Leake will fly into Cincinnati on Sunday morning and threw in the bullpen before the final game of the series. Leake has been sidelined since Aug. 22 with the shingles.

Reds: 2B Brandon Phillips was scratched from the lineup with a sore left foot that took a foul ball on Friday.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: Carlos Martinez (12-7) is 4-1 career against the Reds with a 2.72 ERA, including four starts and 11 relief appearances. The Cardinals are 13-2 when he’s pitched against Cincinnati.

Reds: Tim Adleman (2-2) faces the Cardinals for the first time. He’s 1-1 with a 3.94 ERA in three starts since his promotion on Aug. 16.

— Associated Press —

Area High School Football Scores – Friday, September 2

Posted on September 3, 2016

CITY
Central 38, Ruskin 0

Lafayette 40, Benton 34

Bishop LeBlond 31, Cameron 12

AREA
MEC
Smithville 21, Savannah 2

Maryville 61, Chillicothe 14

KCI
East Buchanan 42, West Platte 8

Mid-Buchanan 42, North Platte 20

Lawson 40, Plattsburg 7

Hamilton 43, Lathrop 20

GRC
Maysville 34, Gallatin 13

Polo 52, South Harrison 0

Trenton 32, Putnam County 14

Princeton 20, Milan 14

8-MAN
GRC
Mound City 84, Albany 36

Worth County 86, Braymer 6

Stanberry 36, King City 14

North Andrew 72, Pattonsburg 6

275
Southwest Livingston 64, DeKalb 0

South Holt / Nodaway Holt 58, East Atchison 0

North-West Nodaway 36, Platte Valley 26

Rock Port 64, Stewartsville 8

Davis returns, blows save and Kansas City loses to Detroit 7-6

Posted on September 3, 2016September 3, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Miguel Cabrera continues to torment the Kansas City Royals.

Cabrera homered and had a go-ahead two-run single in the ninth to lead the Detroit Tigers to a 7-6 victory over Royals on Friday night.

The veteran slugger has 25 home runs and 108 RBI in his career against Kansas City.

Cabrera, who finished with three hits and four RBI, singled off Wade Davis (1-1) to drive in Ian Kinsler and Jose Iglesias in the ninth and put the Tigers ahead after they gave up the lead in the bottom of the eighth.

“Obviously we’re happy we came out on the winning side, but what a great game to watch, just as a fan of baseball, with the back and forth, both teams scoring off of closers,” Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. “It was good entertainment.”

Davis, who just came off the disabled list and not pitched since July 22, blew his third save in 24 chances.

Cabrera hit a 439-foot shot, his 29th homer, off Peter Moylan in the seventh, and also had an RBI single in Detroit’s three-run third. Justin Upton homered in the second and added an RBI single in the third.

Francisco Rodriguez (3-3) picked up the victory, despite blowing a save in the eighth when Paulo Orlando hit a two-run single to give the Royals a 6-5 lead

“I was thinking I should make a better pitch than that, for sure, that thing right now is eating me inside pretty much,” Rodriguez said. “I’ve got many options to go with and I didn’t. The only good thing possibly I can think of is obviously the guys came back with the two runs. At that point I’ve just got to shut it down, one way or another.”

Orlando, who snapped an 0 for 17 skid with a single in the seventh, punched a single off Rodriguez to right, scoring Alcides Escobar and Jarrod Dyson.

World Series champion Kansas City has three consecutive one-run losses after winning 18 of its previous 22 games.

Tigers starter Anibal Sanchez gave up three unearned runs and five hits over five innings.

Cabrera’s fielding error opened the door for the Royals to score three runs in the third. Alex Gordon had a two-run single, while Kendrys Morales contributed a run-producing single.

Danny Duffy allowed four runs and nine hits in 5 2/3 innings and has allowed 18 hits and 11 runs over 10 2/3 innings in consecutive starts.

“I felt like I battled,” Duffy said. “We had a rough third inning there. They were kind of singling me to death. I did my best to try to keep my team in the game. It’s kind of been a rough couple of games for us.”

Tigers left-hander Justin Wilson gave up a run on three singles to Orlando, Cheslor Cuthbert and Eric Hosmer in the seventh, the only three batters he faced.

ROYALS PROMOTE FOUR

The Royals purchased the contract of INF Hunter Dozier, a 2013 first-round pick who hit 23 HRs with 75 RBI this season with Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha. They also recalled C Tony Cruz, IF-OF Whit Merrifield and OF Terrance Gore.

STRANGE POSITION

Erick Aybar started at third base for the Tigers. It was only his second career game there, with the other on May 30, 2007, while with the Angels against the Mariners. He did not have an assist or putout against the Royals.

TIGERS SUSPEND SAUPOLD

The Tigers suspended minor league RHP Warwick Saupold for five games after he was arrested on Aug. 28 and charged with assault for getting into a physical altercation with two Pittsburgh Pirates minor leaguers at a Toledo bar. Saupold made his big league debut with Detroit this season, going 1-1 with a 7.45 ERA in six relief appearances, but spent most of the season with Triple-A Toledo, where he went 7-2 with a 2.30 ERA in 18 games, including 11 starts.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Tigers: OF Cameron Maybin (left thumb contusion) has not played since Monday. … 3B Nick Castellanos (fractured fifth metacarpal of his left swing) took about 25 swings with a fungo off a tee. “He felt it a little bit today, swinging,” Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. “It buzzed him every once in a while, which is normal.”

Royals: RHP Wade Davis, who went on the disabled list July 31 with a right flexor strain, was activated. Manager Ned Yost said he would avoid using Davis in back-to-back games for a while. … OF Lorenzo Cain has not played since Tuesday because of a sore left wrist. … LHP Jason Vargas, who is rehabbing from 2015 elbow surgery, struck out 10 and walked none, while allowing two runs on five hits over 5 2/3 innings in a Thursday start for Triple-A Omaha against Round Rock.

UP NEXT

Tigers: RHP Michael Fulmer is 0-1 with a 1.98 ERA in two appearances against the Royals.

Royals: RHP Yordano Ventura is 6-0 with a 2.98 ERA in 10 games against the Tigers.

— Associated Press —

Missouri Western volleyball splits two matches at Washburn Invite

Posted on September 3, 2016September 3, 2016

TOPEKA, Kan. – With its back against the wall on the first day of the 2016 season, the Missouri Western volleyball team rallied to split two matches on the first day of the Washburn Invitational.

Match 1: University of Mary 3, MWSU 2
The Missouri Western Volleyball team dropped its opening match to University of Mary in five sets (25-20,23-25,25-23,24-26,9-15) in the opening game at the Washburn Invitational.

Missouri Western was in a battle early in the first set before using a 7-2 run to claim the first set. The Griffons erased a four-point deficit midway through the second set, but the Marauders were able to escape late in the set to tie the match at 1-1. The third set saw the Griffons fight off a late U of Mary rally with a setter’s attack from Lauren Murphy to take the 2-1 match lead. The fourth set, again, saw the Marauders escaping late with four-straight points to force a deciding fifth set. In the fifth set, Missouri Western could not overcome five straight points by U of Mary to close out the game.

The Griffons were led by Blair Russell, who had 14 kills on the match. Kelsey Olion added 12 kills, while hitting .500 for Missouri Western. Freshman Lauren Murphy made her first career start as a Griffon, dishing out 39 assists for the match.

Match 2: MWSU 3, Drury 2
Missouri Western’s third straight match at Washburn’s Lee Arena ended in a five sets. The Griffons rallied back from down 0-2 to beat Drury University 3-2 (19-25, 13-25, 25-20, 25-20, 15-9) in the afternoon game of the Washburn Invitational.

After a late timeout, the Missouri Western offense found its groove. The Griffons used Kelsey Olion’s kill to spark five consecutive points in the third set to take a 16-14 lead from Drury and never looked back in the set. Brushing off a slow start in the fourth set, Missouri Western used a 12-4 advantage to gain momentum midway through and take the set following back-to-back Stephanie Doak kills.

Drury jumped out to an early 4-1 fifth set lead but, the Griffons took advantage of Rachel Friedrich’s kill to finish the match on a 7-3 run. Friedrich behind her 10 kills, four blocks and three aces led Missouri Western. Stephanie Doak added 10 kills with Kelsey Olion’s eight.

The Griffons evened their record to 1-1 and will look to add to that starting at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow against Quincy University and again at 1:30 p.m. versus Midwestern State.

— MWSU Athletics —

K-State’s upset bid comes up short at No. 8 Stanford

Posted on September 3, 2016September 3, 2016

STANFORD, Calif. (AP) — Christian McCaffrey had two long touchdown runs and Ryan Burns threw a scoring pass in his first career start to lead No. 8 Stanford to a 26-13 victory over Kansas State on Friday night.

With the Wildcats focused on stopping McCaffrey after he set the major college football record for all-purpose yards and finished second last year in Heisman Trophy voting, Stanford turned to its new quarterback to lead the offense early and the defense late in the opener for both teams.

“The defense bailed us out a lot in the second half,” McCaffrey said. “We just have to be better in a lot of different areas. We have a lot of new guys on this team playing their first college football game. Sometimes that comes back and haunts you, especially Week 1.”

Burns completed his first 10 passes, including a 40-yard touchdown strike to Michael Rector on the opening play of the second quarter.

McCaffrey then got into the act with an electrifying 35-yard touchdown run. He froze safety Kendall Adams with a juke and raced to the end zone for the score.

“When he touches the ball enough, good things happen,” coach David Shaw said.

McCaffrey shattered Barry Sanders’ 27-year-old record by gaining 3,496 all-purpose yards last season when he finished second to Alabama’s Derrick Henry in the Heisman.

But Stanford’s offense stalled in the second half before McCaffrey iced the game with a late 41-yard TD run. He finished 126 yards on 22 carries and 210 all-purpose yards.

“They run the heck out of it,” Kansas State coach Bill Snyder said. “McCaffrey is a tremendously talented player and a nice kid. You take away the two runs, one was a blitz and he ran right by guys. The first one he had a lot to do with, bouncing off guys. I counted at least three broken tackles on that first run. We were inconsistent consistently, let’s put it that way.”

THE TAKEAWAY

Kansas State: The Wildcats’ inexperienced offensive line featuring two freshmen struggled. Stanford had eight sacks, including one in the end zone by Jordan Watkins for a safety. Jesse Ertz was briefly knocked out of the game in the second half after one hit. He recovered to throw a late TD pass to Isaiah Zuber.

Stanford: After converting his first five third-down passes into first downs, Burns struggled. The Cardinal gained just 30 yards in the second half before McCaffrey’s second TD run. The defense was up to the task to make the lead hold but could have more trouble doing that once the Pac-12 schedule starts.

UP NEXT

Kansas State: The Wildcats play Florida Atlanta in their home opener Sept. 17.

Stanford: The Cardinal are off before beginning conference play at home against No. 20 USC.

— Associated Press —

MWSU soccer rallies to defeat Harding in overtime 4-3

Posted on September 3, 2016September 3, 2016

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Chad Edwards said he wanted, needed, his team to score more goals in 2016. Well, if game one is going to set the tone for the rest of the season then Missouri Western’s all-time winningest head soccer coach is probably happy.

Edwards’ Griffons opened the 2016 season with a thrilling 4-3 overtime win over Harding at the MIAA-GAC Challenge hosted by Ouachita Baptist. The four goals were more than the team scored in any of its 18 games last year.

Sarah Blakley’s header in the 99th minute gave Missouri Western the win after coming back from a 3-2 deficit late in regulation. 2015 leading scorer Bridget Blessie knocked in a penalty kick with less than five minutes remaining in regulation to tie the game at three. The goal was much needed after two Harding goals in a three-minute span turned a 2-1 MWSU advantage into a 3-2 deficit.

The Griffons twice tied the game and twice regained the lead. After falling behind 1-0 following a Harding goal in the 10th minute, Sydney Cluck scored her first goal of 2016 off a rebound to tie the game at one. Missouri Western took its second lead of the game off a Maddy Cowell corner kick in the 48th minute to give the Griffons a 2-1 advantage. Harding answered with a goal in the 62nd minute and another in the 65th.

Both teams ended with 14 shots each, eight on goal. Lexie Martin had five saves in her first start in goal for the Griffons.

Missouri Western continues play in the crossover event, Sunday, when they take on host Ouchita Baptist at 1:30 p.m.

— MWSU Athletics —

Cardinals lose opener at Cincinnati on walk-off single

Posted on September 3, 2016September 3, 2016

CINCINNATI (AP) — Eugenio Suarez had never ended a game with a hit. When his grounder made it through the infield, he raised both arms in celebration.

Suarez singled up the middle with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning Friday night, rallying the Cincinnati Reds to a 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Cardinals were hoping to start a final-month surge toward the playoffs — they’re in position to get the NL’s second wild-card berth behind San Francisco. Instead, the Reds snapped a four-game losing streak.

Seung Hwan Oh (4-3) walked Zack Cozart on four pitches to open the ninth, and Brandon Phillips followed with a single. After Scott Schebler singled one out later to load the bases, Suarez got his first career game-ending hit.

“I knew this opportunity would come,” Suarez said. “I tried to make it game over. I was just trying to hit a ball up the middle. I got the opportunity and didn’t try to do too much. I hit it good.”

The Reds had loaded the bases in the seventh and eighth and failed to score. Raisel Iglesias (1-1) gave up a walk in the ninth.

“We kept getting in trouble,” Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. “When you’re going to load the bases in the seventh, eighth and ninth of a tie game, it’s hard to get out of that.”

Yadier Molina and Randal Grichuk connected for an early lead off Anthony DeSclafani, who has been tough against St. Louis during his career. The right-hander is 3-1 in six starts against the Cardinals with a 2.25 ERA.

“I don’t think I threw the ball that good,” DeSclafani said. “I got away with a lot early. A lot of balls were hit at guys. It could’ve gotten ugly early.”

Molina led the Cardinals with a .347 batting average in August and had 32 hits, his most in any month since May 2015. He connected in the second inning for his sixth homer.

Grichuk led off the fifth inning with his 20th homer, extending his big week. He had a game-tying homer and a game-winning single earlier in the week.

The Reds tied it in the sixth against Alex Reyes, who made his second major league start. Cozart singled, ending his 0-for-17 skid. Phillips followed with a double that ricocheted off third base. Adam Duvall’s sacrifice fly and Schebler’s single made it 2-2.

DIFFERENT LOOK

The Reds wore their special camouflage jerseys as part of a night honoring the military.

ADAMS BACK

Matt Adams was activated off the disabled list. He’d been sidelined since Aug. 10 with inflammation in his right shoulder, missing 19 games. Adams pinch hit and grounded out in the seventh.

TAKE THREE

Billy Hamilton stole three bases — the first two off Reyes’ move to the plate — leaving him 23 for 25 career in steal attempts against Molina. It’s the most steals by any runner against the eight-time Gold Glove catcher. Hamilton leads the majors with 57 steals.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: RH Mike Leake is expected to rejoin the team in Cincinnati and throw a bullpen session on Sunday. He’s been on the disabled list since Aug. 22 with the shingles.

Reds: Joey Votto was out of the lineup with a stiff neck. Ivan De Jesus Jr. started at first base.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: LH Jaime Garcia (10-10) has allowed at least five runs in three straight starts for the first time in his career.

Reds: RH Dan Straily (10-7) had a career-high six-game winning streak snapped Monday in a 9-2 loss at the Angels. He tied his career high by allowing seven runs and four homers.

— Associated Press —

Griffons roll to 44-21 win over Nebraska-Kearney in season opener

Posted on September 2, 2016

ST. JOSEPH – The newly renovated Spratt Memorial Stadium opened with a bang as the Missouri Western football team ran away with a 44-21 victory over Nebraska-Kearney Thursday night.

The Griffon defense forced three Nebraska-Kearney turnovers – two interceptions by Donte Watkins — and held the Lopers to just 20 yards rushing. Meanwhile, the Griffons ran wild for 329 yards, including a career-high 168 yards by Josh Caldwell, besting his previous high of 151 at Nebraska-Kearney last season. The sophomore carried the ball 23 times and had one touchdown carry. He was one of four Griffons with a rushing touchdown. Kendall Short , Derek Gray and backup quarterback Corey Bertini each had TD carries as well.

The Griffons lead was just 9-7 with 8:28 to go in the second quarter after Nebraska-Kearney scored on a 2-yard rush, but the Griffons scored the next 28 points, 14 more in the final three minutes of the second quarter to take a 23-7 lead to halftime. Six different Griffons scored touchdowns, the four rushing scores plus Patrick Bolton with a 16-yard catch from Skyler Windmiller and Dijuan Ussery with a 55-yard scamper through the Loper defense off a catch from Windmiller.

The junior quarterback was 11-20 for 160 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Bertini led the offense for one series in the second quarter. He was 1-1 for nine yards and rushed three times for 18 yards and a score. Bolton caught three passes for 36 yards and a score. Ussery caught two for 69 yards.

Watkins led the defense with 10 total tackles, seven solo, the two interceptions and a pass break up. Tyrell Robison had six tackles, one for loss. Brandin Dandridge had the other interception for the Griffon defense.

Next week, Missouri Western plays the only Saturday game in the MIAA with a trip to Missouri Southern. The Lions lost 22-10 at Fort Hays Thursday night. The Griffons have won their last three games in Joplin. Kickoff next Saturday is set for 6 p.m.

— MWSU Athletics —

Chiefs defeat Green Bay in final preseason game

Posted on September 2, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Packers coach Mike McCarthy got everything he wanted out of the preseason.

Two series for Aaron Rodgers and a bunch of work for his backups.

That includes rookie Joe Callahan, who capped a strong preseason by throwing for 143 yards and a touchdown as the Packers lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 17-7 in their preseason finale Thursday night.

“I thought it was a quality training camp. I thought like we accomplished a lot,” said McCarthy, who like Chiefs counterpart Andy Reid played almost entirely backups on Thursday night.

Callahan played almost the entire way in a game featuring second- and third-teamers on both sides. The product of Division III Wesley College has been trying to earn the No. 3 job behind Aaron Rodgers and Brett Hundley, who has been sidelined by an ankle injury this preseason.

“You try not to think about things too much,” Callahan said of making the team. “When it’s out of your hands it’s always hard. But I’ve been confident since I’ve been here.”

In fact, the only first-stringers to see much of the field were specialists.

They needed some practice, too.

After the Chiefs’ third straight three-and-out in the first quarter, Dustin Colquitt’s punt was blocked by Green Bay wide receiver Ty Montgomery. The Packers only needed two plays for Callahan to hit tight end Jared Cook for the game’s opening touchdown.

The game also featured the debut of Green Bay punter Jacob Schum, who was claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay this week. Schum replaced veteran punter Tim Masthay in a surprising roster move.

“The coaches didn’t want to fill my head too much,” Schum said. “But we’re professionals and we’re kind of expected to know how to do things.”

Kansas City running back Knile Davis, who could be traded by the weekend, ran 15 times for 58 yards and a touchdown. The former third-round draft pick also caught a pass out of the backfield.

Darrin Reaves also had 63 yards rushing and a touchdown for Kansas City.

“I just wanted to have a clean game, you know? Do everything right,” Davis said. “I wanted to hit my holes, catch a couple of balls, and just fine tune.”

PED ISSUE IN PAST

The Packers’ Julius Peppers said after the game he was happy to be cleared by the NFL this week in a performance-enhancing drug probe. The league found there was no evidence Peppers, teammate Clay Matthews and Steelers linebacker James Harrison were provided with or used prohibited drugs, allegations that were raised in an Al Jazeera America documentary.

BERRY SITS OUT

As expected, Chiefs SS Eric Berry sat out the preseason finale. Berry signed his franchise tender last weekend and finally reported to training camp, but only practiced a couple of days. Reid said he expects Berry to be ready for the regular season.

ROOKIE WATCH

Packers: SS Marwin Evans had six tackles for Green Bay before getting shaken up on special teams. RB Brandon Burks had 31 yards rushing on 12 carries in the contest.

Chiefs: SS Eric Murray had a pair of tackles as he tries to win a backup job. WR Tyreek Hill was targeted four times without a reception, dropping one pass that would have been a first down.

POSITION BATTLES

Packers: The wide receiver depth after Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb remains in flux. Davante Adams, Ty Montgomery and Jared Abbrederis are in the mix. Abbrederis had two catches for 49 yards Thursday night, while Adams caught two passes for 20 yards.

Chiefs: LBs Ramik Wilson and Justin March are competing for Kansas City’s inside linebacker spot alongside Derrick Johnson following a season-ending injury to Josh Mauga. Wilson had a nice tackle for loss early in the game and appeared to have the inside track.

INJURY UPDATE

Packers: Rookie WR Trevor Davis left the game with a shoulder injury after making a nice catch along the sideline on the first series of the game. Geronimo Allison replaced him on the next possession.

Chiefs: The Chiefs rested RB Jamaal Charles and LB Tamba Hali, just as they did their first three preseason games. Both are coming off knee surgery but are expected to play in the season opener.

— Associated Press —