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

Category: Sports

Kansas State’s rally falls short against UCLA in Alamo Bowl

Posted on

riggertKStateSAN ANTONIO (AP) — Even with a 31-6 halftime lead, UCLA coach Jim Mora knew the Bruins had a lot of work to do to finish off Kansas State in the Alamo Bowl.

“We’re playing the 11th-ranked team in the country, and it’s not going to be easy,” Mora said. “You know they’re going to fight back. If they don’t fight back, they don’t deserve to be No. 11.”

The No. 14 Bruins held on, beating the Wildcats 40-35 on Friday night.

Kansas State coach Bill Snyder bristled at the thought that TV broadcasters might say the same thing about his Wildcats that they did about Florida State in the Rose Bowl.

“We had a TV announcer indicate in another ballgame that a football team had quit, and that’s the last thing in the world anybody wants to hear on national TV, I assure you,” Snyder said. “I reminded our youngsters of it, that we weren’t about to let somebody say that about us. And they didn’t.”

Kansas State (9-4) scored 22 of the first 25 points in the second half, cutting it to 34-28 on quarterback Jake Waters’ 1-yard run with 4:54 left.

Paul Perkins countered for UCLA (10-3) with a 67-yard run with 2:20 to go.

“That hole was huge. Anybody could have run through it,” said Perkins, who ran for 194 yards on 20 carries. “And on the kick, I just wanted to secure the ball and get us out of here with the win.”

The Wildcats weren’t finished.

Waters threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Lockett with 1:21 left, but Perkins recovered the onside kick for UCLA and the Bruins ran out the clock.

“Our players didn’t give in,” Snyder said. “Fought back. It wasn’t enough.”

It’s been a week of big comebacks at bowl games. Michigan State trailed Baylor by 20 in the fourth quarter at the Cotton Bowl and won 42-41. Earlier Friday, Houston scored 29 points in the fourth quarter to beat Pittsburgh 35-34 in the Armed Forces Bowl.

Waters was 31 of 48 for 338 yards, but was sacked seven times — twice by Butkus Award winner Eric Kendricks — and threw two interceptions and lost a fumble.

Lockett had 13 catches for 164 yards for Kansas State.

Hundley ran for 96 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries and passed for 136 yards. Mora has said Hundley is forgoing his senior season to enter the NFL draft.

UCLA raced to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter, with Hundley scoring on runs of 10 and 28 yards. The Bruins outgained Kansas State 218-4 and had a 9-1 edge in first downs in the quarter.

In the second quarter, Perkins had a 32-yard touchdown run and Hundley threw a 7-yard scoring pass to Devin Lucien. The Bruins sacked Waters five times in the half.

“By my count we left 28 points on the field in the first half,” Snyder said. “That’s our fault.”

— Associated Press —

Chiefs’ Houston named to AP NFL All-Pro team

Posted on

riggertChiefsKansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston was named to the Associated Press NFL All-Pro team Friday.

Houston led the NFL with 22 sacks, finishing just a half-sack off the NFL record of 22.5 set by Michael Strahan of the New York Giants.

Houston was selected by 47 of the 50 voters. He was the leading vote-getter at outside linebacker and only one player at any position, New England tight end Rob Gronkowski, was a unanimous selection.

Oregon vs Ohio State in national championship

Posted on

Screen Shot 2014-12-07 at 11.39.07 AMRALPH D. RUSSO, AP College Football Writer

The Rose Bowl is coming to Texas for the first College Football Playoff championship.

Pac-12 champion Oregon and Big Ten champion Ohio State will meet in Arlington, Texas, at the home of the Cowboys on Jan. 12 to decide the national title in the first year of the new postseason system.

The Ducks (13-1) and Buckeyes (13-1) last played in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, in 2010. Ohio State won that game 26-17. Much more will be at stake this time around.

Fourth-seeded Ohio State upset Alabama 42-35 at the Sugar Bowl on Thursday night.

Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota and Oregon blasted Florida State 59-20 at the Rose Bowl.

Now it’s Buckeyes-Ducks. Ohio State is looking for its first title since 2002. Oregon is seeking its first — period.

Mizzou runs past Gophers to win Citrus Bowl

Posted on

riggertMizzouORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — When Missouri played its best this season, the Tigers stopped the run or ran well themselves. Minnesota found out what happens when the Tigers are successful at both.

Marcus Murphy ran for 159 yards, Russell Hansbrough added 114 yards and a touchdown and No. 16 Missouri beat Minnesota (No. 25 CFP) 33-17 on Thursday in the Citrus Bowl.

“We took advantage of some critical turnovers. It’s 23 (wins) — the best back-to-back seasons in Missouri history,” Tigers coach Gary Pinkel said. “You’re always judged when you have the most adversity and how you respond. And we did.”

More from ESPN.com

No. 16 Missouri evened the playing field in a best-of-three showdown between the SEC and the Big Ten on New Year’s Day. Story

Missouri (11-3) also got a big day out of its defense, which held one of the nation’s top rushing offenses to 106 yards on its way to winning its third straight bowl game and reaching 11 victories for the fourth time in school history. Minnesota entered the game averaging nearly 225 yards on the ground.

The Tigers forced three turnovers, led by game MVP Markus Golden, who finished with 10 tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery. It helped Missouri’s offense settle in after from some early miscues.

“It’s a blessing to be a part of this team. Just to be out here playing,” Golden said. “One of the best days of my life.”

Minnesota (8-5) trailed 19-17 entering the fourth quarter, but Missouri pulled away on Hansbrough’s 78-yard touchdown run and Maty Mauk’s 7-yard scoring pass to Bud Sasser.

Mauk settled down to throw two TD passes after interceptions on the Tigers’ first two possessions.

Minnesota quarterback Mitch Leidner was 21 of 31 for 258 yards and a touchdown, but was under constant pressure in the second half.

The Tigers used an onside kick to open the third quarter to stretch out their halftime lead to 13-7.

The Golden Gophers responded on the ensuing series with a 54-yard touchdown pass from Leidner to tight end Maxx Williams. Williams leaped over cornerback Aarion Penton and stepped over another defender before diving into the end zone.

But Missouri quickly answered, needing just three plays after a muffed Minnesota punt for Mauk to give the Tigers a 19-14 lead on an 18-yard touchdown run.

It tightened to 19-17 by the start of in the fourth quarter before Hansbrough got free and rumbled for his score that put the Tigers’ up by nine with 9:28 to play.

Minnesota coach Jerry Kill said he thought his defense got a little tired down the stretch because of extra possessions given to the Tigers’ offense.

“The bottom line is you can’t turn over the ball and win the turnover. I say that all the time,” Kill said. The game flipped because of a couple of turnovers.”

Missouri survived a disastrous offensive start to lead 10-7 at halftime in a game that started with the teams combining for three turnovers in the first 4 minutes.

Missouri’s Mauk opened the game by being picked off by Derrick Wells on the Tigers’ third play from scrimmage. Minnesota would give it right back, though, when Leidner fumbled after being sandwiched in the backfield by defensive ends Markus Golden and Shane Ray.

The Tigers then went just four more plays before Mauk’s second interception, this time in the end zone by Briean Boddy-Calhoun.

The Gophers finally ended the drought on the ensuing series, capping an 11-play, 80-yard drive with a 20-yard touchdown run by Rodrick Williams.

It was part of a bruising first quarter that saw Minnesota gain 76 yards on the ground.

That was flipped in the second quarter, as the Tigers used its own rushing attack to set up the passing game.

First, following a punt, they used their best starting field position of the half to get on the board with Andrew Baggett’s 21-yard field goal.

Mauk then made the best of Missouri’s final possession of the half, finding Bud Sasser for a 25-yard touchdown strike.

In all, the Tigers outgained the Gophers 156-41 in the second quarter.

Pinkel said this win can go a long way for his team.

“We talk about (how) you have to have perseverance and competitive drive. Sounds easy, it’s not,” he said. “Bottom line is you’ve got to make plays. You got to make blocks. We did.”

— Associated Press —

Head Coaches in the Alamo Bowl Asked About Their Coaching Futures

Posted on

SAN ANTONIO -The two head coaches for the football teams in Friday night’s Alamo Bowl Bill Snyder and Jim Mora were asked about their coaching futures during a press conference Thursday in San Antonio.

Bill Snyder and Jim Mora
Bill Snyder and Jim Mora-courtesy photo

Snyder was asked how many more years he plans on being the head coach at Kansas State? The coach responded by saying he had no idea.

Mora was asked if he had been contacted by the San Francisco 49ers about their head coaching opening, and if so would it be of interest to him to listen to them about what they might offer.  “I prefer to concentrate on this game tomorrow night at 5:50 against Kansas State University. I think that you do everyone a disservice that’s put so much into this season and gotten to this point if you think about anything other than the task at hand. And the task at hand  is kicking off and playing well against a great Kansas State team tomorrow.”

K-State and UCLA play in the Valero Alamo Bowl Friday night.

The KSU pep rally at the Alamo Bowl was held Thursday at Freeman Coliseum. Some of those in attendance include former Wildcat quarterback Michael Bishop, Retired Air Force General Richard B. Meyers, KSU Athletics Director John Currie, Head Coach Bill Snyder, and of course the Wildcat football team.
The KSU pep rally at the Alamo Bowl was held Thursday at Freeman Coliseum.
Some of those in attendance include former Wildcat quarterback Michael Bishop, Retired Air Force General Richard B. Meyers, KSU Athletics Director John Currie, Head Coach Bill Snyder, and of course the Wildcat football team.

Screen Shot 2015-01-02 at 6.42.55 AM

Bearcats close non-conference schedule with big win over Avila

Posted on

NWMSUMARYVILLE, Mo. – A year ago, Northwest Missouri State men’s basketball team went into the Christmas break with a victory. When it returned to action 14 days later, the Bearcats lost at home to Central Oklahoma.

Perhaps, a tune-up after Christmas break before heading into the meat of conference schedule would have helped Northwest last season.

Time will tell if a different approach worked.

The Bearcats had their tune-up in the final few hours of 2014 when they took on Avila early Wednesday evening at Bearcat Arena.

Northwest showed rust on offense in the opening minutes, but found its rhythm midway through the first half, building a 14-point lead.

Despite a spirited effort from Avila, the Bearcats easily won 85-67. It was the perfect vehicle to carry Northwest, 9-2 overall and 2-1 in the MIAA, into the new year and a two-game Oklahoma road trip that begins Saturday at Central Oklahoma.

“I think this game will help us,” said junior Conner Cooker, who finished with a game-high 21 points. “They are good, tough team. They press the whole game. They are relentless. This was a good game for us.”

Northwest opened with a three-pointer from Zach Pitts. Sophomore Anthony Woods followed with a drive into the paint for a bucket for a 5-0 lead.

The Bearcats, though, started missing a few open three-pointers even though their lead slowly grew to 11-2.

A couple minutes later, Northwest found its stroke. On three straight offensive possessions, teammates found Crooker in the corner and he drilled three straight three-pointers, pushing Northwest’s lead to 20-7.

“They help me a lot,” Crooker said of his teammates. “They draw the double. I’m sitting there. They know where to find me. Matt Wallace is especially good at it. I think he got me the assist on all of them.”

Once Crooker gained Avila’s respect for his outside jumper, he decided to drive inside the arc. He made a couple of one-handed shots, driving to the basket.

It took sophomore Zach Schneider about 15 minutes to find the range, but when he did, it was impressive. He nailed a three-pointer and was fouled on the shot. He made the free throw. His four-point play gave Northwest a 35-21 lead.

Avila did not wilt, which was good for the Bearcats. The Eagles fought back and closed to 38-30.

Avila’s mini run forced Northwest to make a play before the halftime buzzer sounded. The Bearcats worked the ball around. Senior Matt Wallace received the ball at the top of the key with 2 seconds left and hit a three-pointer, sending Northwest into halftime with a 41-30 lead.

Northwest wound up shooting 58 percent from the field in the first half and made nearly half its three-pointers, going seven for 15 from behind the arc.

Interestingly, the first basket in the second half was identical to the one that opened the game. Pitts made a three-pointer, starting another nice run for Northwest. The Bearcats lead grew to 61-41 7 minutes into the second half.

“It was good practice for us to work on what we need to work on, breaking the press and being able to handle the pressure,” Crooker said.

The competition gets a lot tougher the rest of the way. The Bearcats will face a Central Oklahoma team Saturday afternoon that is 11-2 overall and 4-0 and in first place in the MIAA. On Monday, Northwest plays at Northeastern Oklahoma, which is struggling a little at 3-8 and 1-3.

“I think we are ready,” Crooker said. “We have a pretty good record so far. We are going to build on that. We are going to fine tune everything and try to get better and execute a little better.”

— David Boyce, Northwest Athletics —

K-State scores 12 first half points, falls at home to Georgia

Posted on

riggertKStateMANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — After watching Kansas State break its arena record for fewest points in a half, Georgia coach Mark Fox felt his team was in for a second-half dogfight.

The Bulldogs surrendered a 15-point lead, but a key 3-pointer from Nemanja Djurisic sparked a game-ending 7-0 run to give them a win in their final road game in non-conference play Wednesday.

Charles Mann had 17 points and Marcus Thornton had 11 points as Georgia knocked off Kansas State 50-46.

“We talked mostly at the half about that,” Bulldogs coach Mark Fox said. “(We said), `Get ready because they’re going to test your manhood. We’re going to have to stand up and answer it.’ Fortunately, the last three minutes we did it.”

Mann led the Bulldogs in scoring for a second consecutive game and fourth time this season.

With the loss, Kansas State has dropped back-to-back non-conference home games for the first time since 1987. Thomas Gipson led Kansas State with 19 points, including a 7-of-10 performance from the free-throw line.

After falling behind by as many as 15 points, Kansas State built a 46-43 lead with 2:50 left.

However, Djurisic’s 3-pointer thwarted its momentum, giving Georgia a 47-46 lead with 1:05 left.

The Bulldogs made three of their four final free throws to clinch the road victory.

Gipson, who was coming off the bench for the first time this season, ignited Kansas State’s late 15-4 scoring run with seven points. The offensive push cut Georgia’s lead to 39-35 with 7:33 left.

Kansas State dug itself out of an offensive hole, overcoming a 21.7 percent shooting performance in the first half.

A turnover-laden first 20 minutes came back to bite the Wildcats, however, as control of the game’s opening half fell in the hands of Mann and company.

A technical on Fox propelled the Bulldogs on a 12-2 scoring run over the final 10 minutes of the first half.

Despite shooting 28.6 percent from the field (6 of 21), Georgia took a 20-12 lead into the locker room. It benefited from 16 Kansas State turnovers in the first half and scored 16 points off of the miscues.

The turnover-heavy game included a stretch of seven Wildcat turnovers in the game’s opening seven minutes. The miscues forced Kansas State coach Bruce Weber to mix and match his lineups.

“You can’t turn it over like that,” Weber said. “You’ve got to play hard and do the things it takes otherwise we’ve got to play other people.”

Kansas State’s 12 first-half points were the second fewest in school history, falling behind an 11-point first half against Oklahoma State on Jan. 6, 1992.

COMING `HOME’

Bramlage Coliseum wasn’t foreign to Fox as he grew up in Garden City, Kansas and spent six seasons courtside in Manhattan from 1994-2000.

“Coach (Jack) Hartman, (Tex) Winter and (Tom) Asbury taught me so much when I was here,” Fox said. “It was very emotional coming back. It was more emotional than any game I’ve coached outside of the game after my dad died last year.”

TYING RECORDS

The combined 96 points tied a Bramlage Coliseum record for the fewest in a game. The previous record was set on Dec. 29, 2012 when Kansas State knocked off UMKC 52-44.

TIP-IN

The game was only the second to take place between the two programs. Kansas State won the only other matchup 82-79 in overtime during the NCAA West Regional First Round on March 12, 1987.

UP NEXT

K-State opens Big 12 play at Oklahoma State on Saturday

Georgia plays Norfolk State on Saturday

— Associated Press —

Nebraska drops Big Ten opener against Indiana

Posted on

NebraskariggertLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — In February, Indiana came into Pinnacle Bank Arena, built a 16-point first-half lead, but lost to Nebraska 60-55. Wednesday, the Hoosiers blew another 16-point first-half lead, but rebuilt the margin to 13 and held off the Cornhuskers 70-65.

“That’s a great sign of maturity for us,” said Indiana coach Tom Crean. “It takes a while for that maturity process to kick, especially when they’re away from your bench, on the other end of the floor. We closed the game well. Obviously, they made a comeback at the end.”

Nick Zeisloft hit a pair of free throws with 33 seconds left and Collin Hartman added one 21 seconds later to stem Nebraska’s comeback and seal the win for Indiana.

The three free throws were the only points scored by Indiana (11-3, 1-0 Big Ten) in the final 4:50 of the run-filled game.

Nebraska (8-5, 0-1) came out of halftime strong, hitting five of its first seven shots, outscoring Indiana 14-2 and taking a 46-42 lead on Walter Pitchford’s shot-clock-beating 27-foot 3-pointer with 15:28 left.

Indiana expected that Nebraska comeback, said Robert Johnson, who led the Hoosiers with 14 points.

“We talked about that, preparing for that run,” he said. “We talked about different things, like momentum swings and things like that. It just all comes back to getting stops. Once they go on the run, you’ve got to keep your composure, get something good offensively and try to string together two or three stops to get back into the game and get the lead back.”

The Hoosiers did more than that, taking a 49-48 lead on James Blackmon Jr.’s free throws with 13:30 left, extending the margin to 56-49 on Troy Williams’ putback with 8:55 left. Hanner Mosquera-Perea’s inside jumper with 4:50 left capped a 25-8 Indiana run, putting the Hoosiers up 67-54.

The Huskers countered with a final 10-0 run, holding Indiana scoreless for more than four minutes and cutting the Hoosier lead to 67-64 on David Rivers’ free throws with 1:05 left.

“I thought our guys were pretty good the second half,” said Nebraska coach Tim Miles. “The first half, I thought they were just too uptight. I felt like we gave them a good run. It’s hard not to think you beat yourself when you miss all those early shots.”

Indiana came into Wednesday averaging 86 points a game and, in the first half, it appeared the Hoosiers would match that mark.

Indiana used a 15-1 run to take a 17-8 lead on Emmitt Holt’s jumper with 12:57 left in the first half. Indiana led by as many as 16 before Nebraska put together a 10-2 run capped by a Terran Petteway 3-pointer with eight seconds left to trail 40-32 at the half.

“In the first half, we tried to play at their pace and that is why they got their lead on us. In the second half, we looked like us, but we have to put together a full game,” Petteway said.

Crean and Miles got into a verbal confrontation at mid-court after a hard foul by Nebraska’s Tai Webster on Mosquera-Perea with 9:43 left in the game. Neither coach would talk about the confrontation in post-game interviews.

TIP-INS

Indiana: The Hoosiers, who were 7 of 24 from 3-point range, had made at least seven 3-pointers in their previous 14 games this season. … Last year, the Hoosiers made seven or more 3-pointers just 8 times in 32 games.

Nebraska: The Huskers played without Leslee Smith and Moses Abraham, their two experienced big men who they hoped would return for Big Ten conference play. … Abraham, who has a broken hand, and Smith, recovering from a torn ACL, are now expected to return in about two weeks.

UP NEXT

Indiana visits Michigan State Monday.

Nebraska visits Iowa Monday.

— Associated Press —

Copyright Eagle Radio | FCC Public Files | EEO Public File