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Tigers defeat Omaha for third consecutive win

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riggertMissouriCOLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri’s tallest player is 6-foot-10 senior Ryan Rosburg. With an average height of 6-4, some would call the Tigers’ roster undersized. Yet, for the third consecutive game, Missouri out rebounded (37-34) and outscored an opponent in the paint (32-20).

That’s how the Tigers beat Omaha, 85-78 Wednesday night.

Kevin Puryear scored 18 points and hauled in eight rebounds as Missouri held off the Mavericks to improve to 5-3.

At 14.1 points per game, Puryear, a freshman, is The Tigers’ leading scorer. He was particularly efficient Wednesday night, shooting 5 for 8 from the field and 7 for 8 from the free-throw line in 25 minutes.

Puryear, who scored 13 of his points in the second half, was more deliberate after halftime.

“I was definitely more aggressive at that point in the game,” Puryear said. “I felt like I needed to do something, whether it was score or rebound the ball. Just help contribute to the win and put them away.”

Terrence Phillips caught the hot hand early, making his first three 3-point attempts for a total of nine first-half points. Phillips finished with 14 points before fouling out with 2:36 to play.

The Tigers led 37-30 at halftime after shooting 50 percent from the field, while holding the Mavericks to 33.3 percent shooting.

Despite its sharp shooting, Missouri struggled to hold onto the ball in the first half, committing 13 turnovers, it’s most in a half all season. Omaha took advantage of the sloppy ball handling, scoring 13 points off turnovers in the half.

“We talked about not turning it over,” Missouri coach Kim Anderson said. “That’s definitely something we’ve got to get better at. Some of the turnovers were careless; some of them were just trying to do too much, so we basically just talked about all of that.”

The second half told a different story, as the Tigers committed only five turnovers, which the Mavericks turned into five points. Meanwhile, Omaha committed 10 second-half turnovers, which led to 16 Missouri points.

Omaha coach Darren Hansen said the teams’ road trip may have affected its energy level. The Mavericks won a fast-paced game, 100-97 Sunday at Montana State.

“I don’t think we played smart all the time,” he said. “Missouri had something to do with that. I don’t think our starters had as much pop in their legs. I don’t think we played well all the time tonight. I think our trip had something to do with that.”

Jake White led Omaha with 18 points, including 14 in the second half. White grabbed a team-best 10 rebounds for his second double-double in the last three games.

Devin Patterson added 17 points to go with seven assists and Tra-Deon Hollins had 13 points, including nine in the second half. Omaha’s leading scorer and rebounder, Tre’Shawn Thurman, was held in check most of the night, finishing with nine points on 2 of 7 shooting. Thurman drew a technical foul with 5:30 left by reacting to a charging call and fouled out of the game.

Missouri forward Jakeenan Gant scored 11 points and grabbed five rebounds and K.J. Walton added 10 points on a perfect 3 for 3 from the field.

TIP-INS

Missouri: The Tigers held five of their first seven opponents to less than 40 percent shooting … Gant blocked a shot in six of the Tigers’ first seven games and leads the team with seven … This was only the second meeting between the schools. Missouri won the first meeting 105-83 on Nov. 29, 1983 in Columbia.

Omaha: Hollins entered the game leading the nation in steals with 34, an average of 4.3 per game …The Mavericks entered the game ranked eighth nationally in steals with 81 over the course of eight games … Omaha leads the Summit League in eight statistical categories including points per game (88.5) and rebounds per game (41.4).

UP NEXT

Missouri visits No. 13 Arizona Sunday.

Omaha visits Grand Canyon Sunday.

— Associated Press —

Woods’ career night leads Bearcats to road win at Missouri Southern

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Northwest2013riggertBy David Boyce, Northwest Athletics

JOPLIN, Mo. – Junior Anthony Woods and sophomore Justin Pitts put on such a spectacular display of weaving inside to the basket that Northwest Missouri State’s 89-77 victory over Missouri Southern could have been titled, “Art of the Drive.”

The two guards unleashed a layup clinic Wednesday evening at Leggett & Platt Athletic Center that was mesmerizing at times and always effective.

The Bearcats also tossed in a few timely three-pointers and relentless defense to win their third straight conference road game to improve to 5-2 overall and 3-0 in the MIAA.

Next up for the Bearcats is their first home conference game of the season at 3:30 p.m. Sunday against Pittsburg State.

“It really gives us a lot of confidence going into Sunday’s game against Pitt State,” Woods said. “It is a good rivalry game and everybody is excited.”

Northwest started the second half with a seven-point lead and quickly increased it to 43-31 on a basket by senior Conner Crooker followed by a three-pointer by Crooker.

The Lions closed to 43-36 and that was when Woods drove to the basket for a layup. He did it repeatedly throughout the second half, scoring 21 of his career-high 25 points in the final 20 minutes.

“A lot of times they were switching and putting a big on me and he was pretty slow and I was going around him,” Woods said. “A lot of times when Justin came off the ball screen, I was wide open because they were watching the ball so much.”

Pitts did a lot of his damage in the first half with drives to the basket. Pitts added a few more layups in the second half.

An example of just how well Northwest was operating as a team occurred midway through the second half. Long-rang bomber Zach Schneider launched his first shot of the game with about 10 minutes left. Northwest was leading 64-57 at the time. His three-pointer made it 67-57.

Schneider’s three shot attempts in the game showed that the Bearcats were willing to take what Southern was giving them. The Lions took away the outside shot so Northwest simply drove the ball inside.

“It gives us a lot of confidence driving now,” Pitts said. “We have a lot of shooters on the team and they (opponents) are going to be hugging more and we will do what we did tonight, drive and kick out and have Woods score 25.”

Whenever Southern made a small run, the Bearcats always had an offensive answer. Northwest spread the scoring around. Pitts finished with 19, Crooker added 18 and junior D’Vante Mosby scored 12.

“Everybody is sharing pretty well,” Woods said. “I think it will help out in the future. If we keep winning, everybody’s confidence stays up. I think it helps out a lot.”

Northwest hit over 50 percent of its shots in the first half and that allowed the Bearcats to take a 38-31 lead into halftime.

“It is pretty big for us,” Pitts said about starting strong. “It all starts in practice when coach Mac (Ben McCollum) says we have to come right out of the gate. We can’t have a slow first half, be down by 16 and try to come back.”

The lead changed six times in the first 10 minutes. The Bearcats went ahead for good in the first half at 13-12 on a basket by Pitts. It sparked a quick 6-0 run that put Northwest in front 17-12.

By late in the first half, the Bearcats’ lead grew to 38-28. A three-pointer by Taevaunn Prince at the buzzer helped the Lions close to seven.

Since this is the Christmas season, it is only fitting that Southern was led by Charlie Brown. Brown started the game with a three-pointer and finished with 10 points in the first half.

Pitts, though, matched Brown with 10 points. Pitts also pulled down four rebounds and had two assists in the opening period.

— Northwest Athletics —

Greene returns to help No. 2 Kansas to 92-59 rout of Holy Cross

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riggertKULAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — While the rest of his teammates were enjoying a holiday trip to Hawaii, and winning a title at the Maui Invitational, Brannen Greene was shooting baskets in an empty gym in Kansas.

Talk about a punishment.

Suspended for conduct detrimental to the team, the smooth-shooting forward was reinstated by Jayhawks coach Bill Self in time for Wednesday night’s game against Holy Cross. He responded by hitting three 3-pointers and scoring 14 points in a 92-59 rout of the Crusaders.

“Definitely felt good to get back on the court,” said Greene, who has declined to discuss what led to the suspension. “Me and coach, we had a sit-down, we talked. I dealt with my punishment. Looked at it as a positive and tried to get back on the court.”

Self had told Greene the previous day that he would suit up.

“Let me make this real clear, we don’t need to get on the same page. He needs to get on our page,” Self said. “And we had several, or a few, good talks initially, really good talks. His attitude has been really good and I think he wants to be part of what we’re doing here.”

Wayne Selden Jr. had 15 points to lead all scorers. Frank Mason III added 13, Perry Ellis and Cheick Diallo scored 12 apiece, and Devonte Graham finished with 10 for the Jayhawks (7-1), who blew most of a 20-point lead before building an even bigger margin in the second half.

“I told them, `Don’t go near an offensive rebound. A shot goes up, just get back,” Crusaders coach Bill Carmody said, “and they still beat us back in transition.”

Karl Charles led Holy Cross (3-6) with 12 points. Malachi Alexander had 11.

Kansas played without forwards Landen Lucas, out with a toe injury, and Jamari Traylor, who has been dealing with a sore ankle. Both suited up and participated in warmups, but Self decided to start Hunter Mickelson and give his two big men the night off.

“They got the shaft tonight in some respects because they could have played, but I didn’t see any reason to do it,” Self said. “It wasn’t anything negative that they’ve done.”

Besides, it wasn’t like the Jayhawks needed either of them.

The reigning Big 12 champs resembled the high school team from “Pleasantville” in the first half, making nearly every shot that went up. They were 8 of 10 from beyond the arc, connected on 70 percent of their field goals and even managed to make all four of their foul shots.

The lead reached 20 at one point late in the half, and Mason converted a 3-point play on a drive to the basket to give Kansas a 50-33 advantage at the break.

The Crusaders stubbornly stuck with their 2/3 zone in the second half, though, and for a while it allowed them to climb back into the game. Kansas missed four of its first five shots, and Holy Cross ripped off a 13-2 run to get within 52-46 with less than 16 minutes left in the game.

But like they have in 97 of their previous 101 non-conference home games under Self, the Jayhawks proved to be too much. Ellis answered the run with a bucket in the paint, Graham took his own steal in for a dunk, and Mason’s 3-pointer from the corner restored order.

Kansas pushed the lead back to 20 on Selden’s two free throws, and right past the mark when Diallo followed up Selden’s miss with a dunk to help put the game away.

“The pressure got to us, forced some turnovers and we sort of lost control of things,” Carmody said. “It’s a very good team, and it’s a good passing team — there didn’t seem to be any greedy guys out there.”

HOT SHOOTING

The Jayhawks weren’t the only ones who couldn’t miss. Holy Cross shot 55 percent from the field in the second half, and they were 19 of 23 from the foul line for the game.

TIP-INS

Holy Cross: Anthony Thompson had four points on 1-for-9 shooting. He had 23 points against Albany in his last game. … The Crusaders beat Kansas in December 1949 with Bob Cousy on the roster.

Kansas: Graham also had five assists before leaving with what appeared to be a minor injury in the second half. … Kansas wound up 12 of 20 from 3-point range and shot 63 percent from the field.

UP NEXT

Holy Cross travels to Hartford on Saturday night.

Kansas plays Oregon State on Saturday night in Kansas City, Mo.

— Associated Press —

K-State rolls to easy win against Coppin State

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riggertKansasStateMANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Sandwiched between two road games against Power Five teams, Kansas State players recognized there was potential for a letdown against Coppin State.

The Wildcats ran away with the game in convincing fashion, as they continue to make a statement early in the 2015-16 season.

Justin Edwards and Wesley Iwundu scored 14 points each, and Kansas State cruised past Coppin State 83-58 on Wednesday night.

“You have to be mature and prepare for it the same as you do any other game,” Iwundu said. “We did a good job of that today. We got off to a great start, but we slowed down. But you just have to be consistent with it.”

Dean Wade and Stephen Hurt scored 12 points apiece and Austin Budke added 11 to round out a balanced effort for the Wildcats (7-1), who are off to their best start since the 2012-13 season.

“Our older guys have been very, very consistent,” Kansas State coach Bruce Weber said. “The young guys have kind of tagged along with them and done their thing.”

Kansas State never trailed, building a 13-point halftime lead that grew to 66-44 on an emphatic, one-handed dunk by Iwundu in transition with 8:01 left in the game.

Terry Harris Jr. scored nine of his 14 points in the first half to lead Coppin State (2-7). James Sylvester added 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds, and Christian Kessee had 11 points.

Coppin State was 8 of 34 from the field in the second half and shot 29 percent overall, including 2 of 21 from 3-point range.

“For us to go into a ballgame and shoot less than 30 percent and less than 10 percent from 3, we are not going to win a lot of ballgames that way,” Eagles coach Michael Grant said.

Kansas State rattled off eight straight points to take a 29-17 lead early in the game. Edwards nailed back-to-back 3-pointers during the run and later assisted on an alley-oop to Iwundu.

The Eagles kept it close and pulled within single digits twice in the first half but hit just one field goal in the final 3:37. Kansas State went on a 9-2 run during that span to take a 42-29 lead into the locker room.

Coppin State started the second half by making just four of its first 23 shots as Kansas State broke it open. Kansas State went to its bench to finish off the final five minutes of the game, closing the game with 22 assists on 28-made field goals.

“We’ve been a team,” Weber said. “We had five guys in double figures. That’s been our strength, and if we’re going to continue to make progress that’s got to continue to be the thing that carries us.”

—

AMONG THE BEST

Edwards is one of only nine players nationally to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists, steals and minutes played this season. Through eight games, Edwards is averaging 14.8 points, 6.1 rebounds in 31.1 minutes per game.

TIP-INS

Kansas State: The Wildcats have won their last seven meetings against Coppin State by an average of 20 points. . Wade was named Big 12 Newcomer of the Week on Monday after scoring 17 points, including the game-winning jumper, in a road win against Georgia.

Coppin State: The Eagles feature nine newcomers after finishing 8-23 last season. . Including Wednesday, the Eagles will play six of their next seven games on the road.

UP NEXT

Kansas State travels to Texas A&M on Saturday.

Coppin State faces Fordham on Sunday.

— Associated Press —

Northwest women rally but come up short at Southern

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Northwest2013riggertBy David Boyce, Northwest Athletics

JOPLIN, Mo. – Sometimes a team needs a moral victory to build its morale. Northwest Missouri State women’s team got exactly that Wednesday evening against Missouri Southern at Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.

With 30 seconds left, the Bearcats had the ball trailing by three. A turnover 16 seconds later prevented Northwest from getting off a potential, game-tying three-pointer.

Despite the 48-43 loss, Northwest showed significant improvement from its performance Saturday at Central Missouri. The Bearcats lost to a team that improved to 8-1 overall and that one loss was by two points in overtime.

“We had to do some self-reflecting after Saturday’s game,” said junior guard Jasmin Howe. “We had this potential the entire time. We finally put it together. We just have to keep taking steps forward. That was a great game for us, a great first step for us.”

The Bearcats faced a breaking point early in the third quarter. They quickly fell behind 31-21. Because of gritty defense and determination, Northwest refused to give in. Two free throws by junior Shelby Mustain got the Bearcats on track.

Howe took over the rest of the third quarter, scoring 11 of her game-high 16 points in the period as Northwest closed to 36-33 entering the final frame.

“Defense for us is something we have to start relying on,” Howe said. “We played great today and we can do that. We have to bring that every single game.”

Northwest assistant coach Buck Scheel was proud of how hard the team played defense.

“That was the one thing that was going to keep them in the game,” Scheel said. “We talked about effort before the game. When you give effort, when you give 100 percent, the game pays you back. Our effort throughout the entire game was what helped us.”

Southern once again started hot at the beginning of the fourth quarter and built a 42-33 lead. The Bearcats once again fought back. A three-pointer by freshman guard Macy Williams helped Northwest close to 44-40 with 1 minute, 35 seconds left.

With a minute to go, Williams drilled another three-pointer, making it 46-43. Northwest used defense to get the ball back with 30 seconds to play, but its 23rd turnover of the game prevented the Bearcats from getting closer.

On the positive side, Northwest played a great second half. The Bearcats shot 56 percent from the field in the second half and held Southern to 24 percent.

“We have to do a better job of taking care of the ball,” Scheel said. “It was amazing we were in the game with 23 turnovers. I’m just proud of them for coming together and playing together.”

Howe said the Bearcats want to continue to take steps forward and show what they are capable of. Their next opportunity is 1:30 p.m. Sunday at home against Pittsburg State.

Northwest proved there is plenty of season left for it to make plenty of noise in the MIAA.

In the first half, Northwest played tough defense and that kept it somewhat close. The Bearcats trailed 27-18 at halftime.

Northwest started fast, getting a steal by senior Taylor Shull that quickly turned into a three-pointer by Howe for the first points of the game.

A minute later, sophomore Tanya Meyer scored two of her eight first-half points that gave the Bearcats a 5-2 lead.

Southern scored the next 10 points by consistently getting the ball inside. Trailing 12-5, the Bearcats worked to keep from falling behind by double digits. They were down 17-12 starting the second quarter.

Even though Northwest scored only six points in the second quarter, the Bearcats played very aggressive defense to stay within striking distance at halftime.

— Northwest Athletics —

Missouri Western softball signs six for the 2017 season

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riggertMissouriWesternST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western softball head coach Jen Bagley Trotter has announced the signing of six student-athletes for the 2017 season.

Sydni Beck | P | Carl Junction (Mo.) HS
Four-year softball letter winner…batted .397 with a .460 OBP and .692 SLG…carried a 2.89 ERA as a pitcher…four-time first team All-Conference…three-time first team All-District, two-time All-Region.

“Sydni will give the other two freshmen healthy competition with the upside of her abilities. She has long levers and will grow into an outstanding career with her ability to progress,” Trotter said.

Markee Brown | 3b | Southeast Polk (Iowa) HS
Hit .366 with a .445 OBP and had a .918 fielding percentage last summer…second team All-Eastern Division in 2015…lettered four years…All-Academic Award three times.

“Markee is an infielder with a healthy bat, she explodes with positive energy and determination. Being a Griffon is exactly where she wants to be and we couldn’t be happier,” Trotter said.

Taylor Goode | P | Norwalk (Iowa) HS
Has won three letters in softball…first team All-State all three years…three-time All-District and first team All-Conference…went 18-6 with a 1.73 ERA while striking out 166 and walking 24.

“Taylor Goode is standout from Norwalk. She will be in pursuit of a starting position with our young pitching staff. She brings a good combination of power, spin, and competitive drive,” Trotter said.

Kenzie Hilzer | P | Southeast Polk (Iowa) HS
Went 12-11 as a pitcher last year in 142 1/3 innings pitched…struck out 134 batters while walking 54…posted a 2.21 ERA and limited hitters to a .236 average…hit .350 at the plate with a .409 OBP and a .567 SLG…hit six home runs, drove in 27 and had eight doubles.

“Kenzie is one of our three freshmen pitchers looking to keep our ship on course. She has great energy and work ethic. We are excited to see her progression,” Trotter said.

Lauren Houston | IF | Kirksville (Mo.) HS
Batted .432 while slugging .595 and posting a 1.138 OPS last season to go with a .962 fielding percentage…academic All-State three times…All-Conference twice…All-District twice…All Region twice…three-sport athlete that also had four basketball letters and three track letters…twice qualified for state in long jump.

“Lauren Houston will add depth to our middle infield. She has great hands and instincts. Lauren has leadership qualities and understands the elements necessary to be great,” Trotter said.

Danica Meierhenry | Utility | Norris (Neb.) HS
Hit .456 and slugged .556 in senior season…school’s all-time leader in hits and singles…sits No. 2 in school history with 26 doubles and .382 career batting average…All-State in 2015…two-time first team All-Conference…two-time Academic All-Conference…has three basketball letters and four in track…three-time state qualifier in high jump with high-finish of third (two top-5s).

“Danica Meierhenry’s strength is her versatility. She is a balanced athlete that will provide depth to a number of positions on our team. A great talent, she was also the lead of Belle in Beauty and the Beast in her High School Musical! It is impossible not to love this kid,” Trotter said.

— MWSU Athletics —

Nebraska’s struggles against Creighton continue with 83-67 loss in Omaha

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riggertNebraskaOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — As the final seconds ticked off another Creighton win over Nebraska 83-67, the sellout crowd of 17,776 at CenturyLink Center began chanting, “C-U, C-U, C-U.”

Geoffrey Groselle’s first thought as the celebration started?

“Pretty excited to leave Creighton with five wins against Nebraska,” the fifth-year senior said. “Pretty happy.”

The Bluejays’ mastery continued Wednesday night in a game that unfolded in a way that’s become quite familiar in this series.

The last time Nebraska visited Omaha, Creighton jumped out to a 38-8 lead. It wasn’t so lopsided this time. The Bluejays were up 21-7 less than eight minutes after tipoff. The Cornhuskers showed some fight, closing within four points, but Creighton won by double digits for the fifth time in a row.

With Groselle working over freshman forward Michael Jacobson in the low post and Isiah Zierden going 5 for 7 mostly from the perimeter, the Bluejays pulled away early in the second half.

The Bluejays (6-3) have won 10 straight home regular-season meetings with the Huskers (6-4), with their only loss to them in Omaha the last 20 years coming in the 2004 NIT.

“We have a great crowd, great venue, and it’s a passionate fan base,” Creighton coach Greg McDermott said. “Because we’ve had the upper hand the last 15 years, the pressure really is on (Nebraska). Obviously it’s a huge game for us, and our guys love it. There’s a different buzz on campus for this game, different than any game all season.”

Zierden scored 17 points and Groselle added 15 for the Bluejays, who were coming off back-to-back losses and avoided their first three-game nonconference losing streak in five years.

“I’m not sure that at any point during my six years, minus the postseason, did we need a win as bad as we needed it today,” McDermott said. “We were a little fragile after what’s happened to us the last couple games. I was pleased we could come out with some energy.”

Nebraska’s Andrew White followed his 30-point game against Abilene Christian on Saturday with 28 against the Bluejays.

But Shavon Shields, who was averaging 15.9 points, was held to a season-low six as Creighton designed its defense to keep him under control.

“We talked to Shavon about that,” Huskers coach Tim Miles said. “Shavon requested, `Just get me the ball and I’ll see what I can do for others.’ They were throwing two or three bodies at him. Andrew was the one guy who got going.”

Shields became more frustrated the more he struggled, barking at Miles when he went to the bench during a first-half timeout. Shields didn’t get a shot off the first 10 minutes, and that was an air ball, and didn’t score until he stole a lazy pass by Ronnie Harrell and drove for a layup.

That came during a 12-4 spurt that cut Creighton’s lead to 36-30 at half. After the Huskers cut it to four early in the second half, they started turning over the ball and missing shots, and the Bluejays made them pay.

“A team like this that has presence in the post and shooters on the outside, that always gives them an opportunity to get on a run real quick,” White said. “A team that’s respectable at all five positions, it’s easy for them to get into a rhythm.”

TIP-INS

Nebraska: Jacobson made his first start. … Tai Webster scored 15 points and White had 10 rebounds. … Huskers lead 25-24 in a series dating to 1922-23.

Creighton: Cole Huff, whose status was in doubt after banging up his shoulder taking a charge against Loyola-Chicago on Saturday, started the game but was limited to less than three minutes in the first half after picking up two quick fouls. He finished with four points. … Bluejays have won 14 of past 17 regular-season games in the series.

MCDERMOTT VS. MILES

Nebraska’s Miles is still looking for his first win against a Greg McDermott-coached team. McDermott is 12-0 in head-to-head matchups. The longtime friends met seven times when McDermott was at Wayne State and Miles was at Southwest Minnesota State, once when McDermott was at Iowa State and Miles was at North Dakota State and four times with their current teams.

Is McDermott in Miles’ head yet?

“On the golf course for sure,” McDermott said. “I’ve had some pretty good luck on the basketball floor. A few bounces have gone our way.”

UP NEXT

Nebraska hosts Rhode Island on Sunday.

Creighton hosts IUPUI on Saturday.

— Associated Press —

Mizzou’s Brothers named First Team All-SEC; Harris earns Second Team honor

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riggertMissouriCOLUMBIA, Mo. – A pair of standouts from Mizzou Football’s excellent defense have been recognized among the best in the Southeastern Conference today, as senior LB Kentrell Brothers (Guthrie, Okla.) and sophomore DE Charles Harris (Kansas City, Mo.) have been named to the SEC coaches’ all-conference team, as announced today by the league office.

Brothers put together one of the most prolific seasons in MU history in 2015, and was named a first-team All-SEC performer for his efforts.  The tackling machine ended the season with 152 total tackles, which leads the nation (next-most is 140), while his 12.7 tackles per game mark is also tops in the country.  He also leads the nation in 2015 with three blocked kicks on the year.  The 152 tackles ranks as the 4th-most in Mizzou season history, and gave him 358 for his career, which puts him 8th all-time on the MU career chart. He became the first Tiger in the Gary Pinkel era with seven consecutive games of 10+ tackles to close the season. He broke the 15 tackle mark four times in 2015 and added 12.0 tackles for loss, two interceptions and was second in the nation with three blocked kicks.

Brothers becomes the first Mizzou linebacker to win all-SEC acclaim by league coaches since joining the conference in 2012.  He was a second-team All-SEC pick by the Associated Press in 2014 when he led Mizzou with 122 total tackles.  He is the first Tiger linebacker to receive first-team all-conference honors since Andrew Gachkar in 2010 (Associated Press).  The last time a Tiger linebacker was first-team all-conference by league coaches was in 2009 by Sean Weatherspoon.

Harris continued the proud lineage of outstanding play by #DLineZou, as he won second-team All-SEC honors by the coaches for a season that included 18.5 tackles for loss (ranking him 8th nationally and first in the SEC) and 7.0 sacks.  Harris, a first-year starter, led the Tigers with 10 quarterback pressures and two forced fumbles, while finishing with 56 total tackles and a pass breakup.

This marks the 10th- consecutive year that a Mizzou defensive lineman has won either first or second team all-conference acclamation by coaches, dating back to 2006.  That impressive list includes: 2006 – DE Brian Smith (second-team); 2007 – DT Lorenzo Williams (first-team), Stryker Sulak (second-team); 2008 – DT Ziggy Hood (first-team), DE Stryker Sulak (second-team); 2009 – DT Jaron Baston (second-team); 2010 – DE Aldon Smith (first-team), DE Jacquies Smith (second-team); 2011 – DE Jacquies Smith (second-team); 2012 – DT Sheldon Richardson (second-team); 2013 – DE Michael Sam (first-team); 2014 – DE Shane Ray (first-team), DE Markus Golden (first-team).

Mizzou’s defense was among the nation’s best in 2015, as it finished the season ranked in the top-10 in scoring defense (sixth – 16.2 ppg) and ninth in total defense (302.0 ypg).

The SEC will release its individual award winners tomorrow (Dec. 9) and the All-Freshman SEC Team will be announced at 2 p.m. on Thursday (Dec. 10).

— Mizzou Athletics —

Bill Snyder inducted into College Football Hall of Fame

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riggertKansasStateNEW YORK – Bill Snyder, the architect of the “greatest turnaround in the history of college football,” became just the fourth person in the history of college football to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as an active coach as the legendary K-State coach was officially enshrined Tuesday as part of the National Football Foundation’s College Football Hall of Fame Induction Class of 2015.

A five-time national coach of the year honoree and seven-time conference coach of the year recipient, Snyder joins Bobby Bowden (Florida State), Joe Paterno (Penn State) and John Gagliardi (St. John’s) as active coaches to be enshrined.

Other members of the 2015 class include Nebraska linebacker Trev Alberts, Oklahoma linebacker Brian Bosworth, Arizona State linebacker Bob Breunig, Millsaps (Miss.) defensive lineman Sean Brewer, Pittsburgh offensive tackle Ruben Brown, Florida split end Wes Chandler, Notre Dame split end Thom Gatewood, Yale running back Dick Jauron, Michigan State halfback Clinton Jones, Washington offensive tackle Lincoln Kennedy, Michigan running back Rob Lytle, Marshall quarterback Michael Payton, Kentucky defensive end Art Still, Texas Tech linebacker Zach Thomas and Texas running back Ricky Williams.

Snyder has compiled an amazing 193-100-1 record in his 24 years as the helm of the Wildcat program. He ranks 29th all-time in victories among FBS coaches and continues to climb the ladder with each win.

“Obviously this is a very humbling honor, and I am certainly grateful to those who nominated me, those who voted for me and for Steve Hatchell and the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame for all they have done for our remarkable game of college football,” said Snyder. “It is, however, not a one-person honor but one for a large collection of wonderful people who have had a major impact on our program and any successes that I may have had. Recognition such as this would not have been possible for me if it wasn’t for my mother’s and grandfather’s guidance as a young boy, nor for my immediate family (wife Sharon, daughters Shannon, Meredith and Whitney and sons Sean and Ross) who have sacrificed so very much over the years.

“The opportunities given to us by our central athletic administration (past and present) have been a significant part of our successes here at Kansas State as has the fan (family) support we have had from our student bodies and the Kansas State people throughout the country. All inclusively they represent the passion, caring and love of the Wildcat Football Family.”

Called the “coach of the century” by hall of fame coach Barry Switzer, Snyder’s accomplishments at K-State are nearly unthinkable considering what he inherited during his first tour of duty beginning in 1989. The Wildcat program was in the midst of an 0-26-1 run when he was hired and had been just one bowl game in its first 93 seasons.

During a the span of 11-straight bowl seasons (1993-2003), Snyder’s Wildcats won nearly 80 percent of their games, chalking up 109 victories – a staggering 10 wins per season – and making K-State the nation’s second winningest program over that period. His first tenure included a Big 12 Championship in 2003 in a 35-7 win over No. 1 Oklahoma, while his 1998 team held a No. 1 ranking in the BCS Standings. Snyder retired from coaching prior to the last game of the 2005 season, and the Wildcats sent him out with a 36-28 come-from-behind home victory over Missouri in the first game of the newly renamed Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

“The entire K-State Nation joins President Schulz and me in congratulating Coach Snyder on being named a NFF College Football Hall of Fame member and being recognized as one of the top coaches in the history of the game,” Athletics Director John Currie said. “The impact he and Sharon and their family have had on Kansas State University and Manhattan since his arrival in 1989 is incalculable, and his leadership and mentoring are truly remarkable and inspirational. Coach Snyder’s legacy of integrity and commitment to excellence transcends not only football but perhaps all of intercollegiate athletics and higher education.”

Following a three-year hiatus, Snyder returned to the sidelines in 2009, and it has been more of the same as his teams have accumulated a 53-30 record through seven seasons and currently rank among the leaders in the Big 12 in conference wins since 2011 with 30.

The Wildcats are in the midst of six-straight bowl seasons, including a pair of 10-win campaigns in 2011 (10-3) and 2012 (11-2). The 2012 Wildcats captured the program’s second Big 12 Championship and held another No. 1 national ranking. After turning 75 years old on Oct. 7, 2014 – which qualified him to be included on this year’s hall of fame ballot – Snyder’s team promptly traveled to No. 11 Oklahoma and pulled out a 31-30 victory, a key component of the Wildcats’ nine-win season in 2014.

“This is such a fitting honor for a tremendous man who has represented Kansas State University, the state of Kansas and all of college athletics with the utmost class and integrity,” said K-State President Kirk Schulz. “Coach Snyder, in so many ways, epitomizes the core values central to our University’s founding and ongoing quest for excellence through a tireless work ethic, an unrelenting commitment to improvement and never giving up. We are so proud of him on behalf of the student-athletes, the entire K-State family and countless others who have benefitted from his positive leadership.”

— KSU Athletics —

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