K-State’s Tyler Lockett scores a touchdown against UTEP at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kansas on September 27, 2014. (Scott D. Weaver/K-State Athletics)
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State senior wide receiver Tyler Lockett was honored for his efforts in the return game last week against UTEP as he was named the Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week, the conference office announced Monday.
Lockett’s designation was the third for the Wildcats this season and the second in as many weeks as Jake Waters earned the offensive honor following the Iowa State game (Sept. 8) and Dakorey Johnson was the defensive player of the week after the Auburn game (Sept. 22).
The honor was the sixth of Lockett’s career and the Wildcats’ Big 12-leading 27th weekly conference honor since the beginning of 2011.
A Tulsa, Oklahoma, native, Lockett collected 143 punt-return yards, including a 58-yard touchdown, and 256 all-purpose yards to lead K-State to a 58-28 win over the Miners. The 143 punt-return yards were the second-most in school history and 29 yards short of tying the school record of 172. His touchdown was the Wildcats’ nation-leading 92nd non-offensive score since 1999 and his first career punt-return touchdown.
Lockett, who also tallied 84 receiving yards on four catches against UTEP, now has five special teams touchdowns in his career as he has return four kickoffs for scores.
No. 22 Kansas State hosts its first Big 12 contest of the season as the Wildcats welcome Texas Tech to Bill Snyder Family Stadium this Saturday. The game, which is sold out, serves as Fort Riley Day and kicks off at 6 p.m., on ESPNU.
CHICAGO (AP) — Moments after Detroit secured the AL Central title, Kansas City manager Ned Yost started pulling some of his regulars from the lineup.
It was finally time to start preparing for the playoffs.
Kansas City’s chance for a division crown was erased by Detroit’s victory on Sunday, and the Royals went on to a 6-4 comeback win over Chicago in the final game for retiring White Sox captain Paul Konerko.
Coming into the final day of the regular season, Kansas City was hoping for a one-game playoff on Monday in Detroit for the division crown. But the Tigers clinched with a 3-0 victory over the Twins, sending the Royals to the wild-card game on Tuesday night against Oakland in their first postseason appearance since winning Game 7 of the 1985 World Series.
“There’s been teams that have won the World Series from the wild-card game, and they know that,” Yost said. “So they’re excited to start the process.
“When a lot of teams are going home, the elite few get to stay back and play in this tournament, and for the first time in a long time, we’ve earned the right to play in it.”
Kansas City (89-73) will send James Shields to the mound against Oakland left-hander Jon Lester when it hosts the first game of the 2014 playoffs. The Royals went 5-2 against the Athletics this year, but both of their losses came against Lester.
“I’m glad we can kind of put the regular season behind us, start this new journey right now,” first baseman Eric Hosmer said. “It’s going to be a fun experience.”
Konerko started at first base and played five innings on the final day of his 18-year big league career. The slugger, who paid tribute to his wife and three children by writing their names in the infield dirt behind the bag, went 0 for 3 with two strikeouts.
Konerko went out to first before Kansas City batted in the sixth inning, and then was replaced by Andy Wilkins. Konerko waved his hat toward the visiting dugout, where the Royals were standing and applauding along the top step, and then waved to the standing crowd of 32,266, once again hearing chants of “Paulie! Paulie!”
The 38-year-old disappeared into the dugout for a brief moment and then popped back out for a curtain call. He waved to the crowd again and acknowledged the sustained cheers with a bow before retreating back into the dugout, where he received more hugs and congratulations from his teammates.
“This whole thing blew me away,” said Konerko, who also was honored by the White Sox before Saturday night’s game. “I know I’ve been here a while and I knew there’d be something at the end that would be commemorating me being here for a while. But this whole thing, the fans and all that last night, I never thought that I was one of those guys that gets that.”
Konerko also lingered on the field after the loss to exchange high-fives with the fans along the railing of his longtime home. A six-time All-Star, Konerko finishes with a .279 average, 439 homers and 1,412 RBIs.
Chicago had a 4-2 lead when Konerko departed, but Kansas City responded with three runs in the sixth. Christian Colon, who was activated from the disabled list before the game, hit a tying two-run double off Daniel Webb (6-5) and Carlos Peguero added a tiebreaking RBI single.
Casey Coleman (1-0) pitched a scoreless inning for his first win since Sept. 9, 2011, for the Chicago Cubs against Milwaukee. Louis Coleman got three outs for his first save.
The White Sox (73-89) dropped five of their final six games. Adam Eaton went 3 for 3 before he was replaced in the field before the fifth inning, leaving him with a .300 batting average.
READY TO GO
Kansas City rookie Yordano Ventura allowed four runs and eight hits in four innings. He was lifted after 73 pitches and said he would be available for the game against the A’s.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Royals: Colon had been sidelined by a broken middle finger on his right hand.
White Sox: SS Alexei Ramirez (sore hamstring) and 1B Jose Abreu (sprained thumb) did not play.
MR. 162
Royals SS Alcides Escobar started every game this season. His previous career high was 158 games, set in 2011 and matched last year.
“It’s hard for most people, but it’s not hard for him,” Yost said. “He just has that body type that allows him to go out and play at a high level every single day.”
The Missouri Western women’s soccer team returned to Spratt Stadium on Sunday afternoon but failed to claim victory against Northeastern State as they lost 1-0.
The Griffons had multiple close opportunities in the first half. Early on Katie Kempf had a shot in the box but couldn’t capitalize with a save by the RiverHawks goalkeeper Jordan Woodruff. Also, Tara Russell had one bang off the post but couldn’t find the back of the net in the 17th minute. Missouri Western’s defense held strong by not allowing a shot on goal.
Northeastern scored the first and only goal of the game on a free kick by Chelsea Martin in the 74th minute. MWSU’s offense was held in check during the second half creating limited chances on goal.
Missouri Western will return to action this Thursday when they travel to Joplin to play Missouri Southern at 6:00 pm.
PHOENIX (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals never made it easy on themselves, laboring through injuries and inconsistency, unable to get into the NL Central race until around the All-Star break.
Even after they surged into the lead, the Cardinals had a hard time finishing it off, limping to the finish while allowing Pittsburgh to hang around for a chance at the division title.
It all came down to game No. 162 and it ended up being the easiest win of the season — even if they didn’t need it.
The Cardinals clinched their second straight NL Central title before the first pitch Sunday and finished off the regular season with a get-to-the-celebration 1-0 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Next up: The Dodgers in the NL division series Friday in Los Angeles.
“Fortunately, we weathered the storm and the guys just put their nose down,” Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. “I’m real proud of the guys.”
The Cardinals were assured of a playoff spot entering the day. What that spot would be depended on whether they could beat the Diamondbacks or Cincinnati knocked off Pittsburgh.
The Reds took care of business for the Cardinals by beating the Pirates 4-1, a victory that was announced about 10 minutes before St. Louis’ game against Arizona.
The Cardinals celebrated in the dugout, then it did it again after the final out against the Diamondbacks, wildly spraying each other with champagne and beer after an oh-so-sweet finish to their second straight 90-win season.
“We know Pittsburgh had a good run, but we had a better one,” Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina said.
Once Sunday’s game started, both teams seemed to go through the motions, the only run coming on Kolten Wong’s groundout in the sixth inning off Josh Collmenter (11-9).
The Cardinals scratched scheduled starter Adam Wainwright just before the start, using five relievers instead. Justin Masterson (3-3) pitched two scoreless innings and Carlos Martinez got the final two outs for his first save.
Arizona went down meekly, managing two hits to finish 64-98, worst in the majors and second-worst record in team history.
“We had higher expectations coming out of the spring,” Arizona reliever Brad Ziegler said. “Whether you look at the injuries or the pure lack of execution on the field, this is not how we wanted to finish. We definitely don’t feel like we are the worse team in baseball, even though the record says we were this year.”
The Cardinals went to the World Series last season, yet have seemed to make it hard on themselves this season, taking the NL Central race down to the final game after limping to the finish.
St. Louis had a chance to wrap up the division title Saturday night, but couldn’t put away the Diamondbacks, losing 5-2 after Mark Trumbo hit a pair of homers.
Cincinnati eliminated the drama for St. Louis with a win that sent the Pirates to the wild-card game and St. Louis into the division series. The result was announced at Chase Field about 10 minutes before first pitch and the Cardinals celebrated with a round of high-fives and hugs in the dugout.
“I think I threw a pitch without looking because I was watching the scoreboard,” Wainwright said. “It was a great feeling.”
Matheny said Wainwright would start the season finale regardless of what happened with the Pirates, but he was replaced by Nick Greenwood just before the game.
With nothing to play for on either side, the Cardinals and Diamondbacks breezed through a brisk, free-swinging game that was more like spring training than a season finale.
COLLMENTER’S OUTING
Collmenter was Arizona’s best starter down the stretch of the season and turned in another solid outing the finale, even if he didn’t get much support. The right-hander allowed three hits in eight innings, dropping his ERA to 1.26 over his final seven starts.
“I just wanted to finish the season strong,” Collmenter said.
NUMBERS
The Cardinals notched their 23rd shutout of the season, third-most in team history. The 1968 team had 30 and the 1944 team 26. … Arizona’s Ender Inciarte went 0 for 4 to end a 15-game hitting streak. … Masterson earned his first win as a reliever since July 5, 2009, against Seattle.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Cardinals: LF Matt Holliday was out of the lineup after leaving in the sixth inning Saturday night due to flu-like symptoms.
UP NEXT:
Cardinals: Wainright will start against NL Cy Young Award favorite Clayton Kershaw in the division series opener against the Dodgers.
Lawrence, Kan. – Charlie Weis has been relieved of his duties as Head Football Coach at the University of Kansas, KU Athletics Director Sheahon Zenger announced Sunday. Weis was in the third year of a five-year contract.
Zenger named KU defensive coordinator Clint Bowen interim head coach.
“I normally do not favor changing coaches mid-season,” Zenger said. “But I believe we have talented coaches and players in this program, and I think this decision gives our players the best chance to begin making progress right away.
“I appreciate what Coach Weis did with several facets of our football program,” Zenger continued. “But we have not made the on-the-field progress we believe we should. I believe new leadership gives our coaches and players the best chance to make a fresh start.”
Zenger informed Weis of his decision Sunday morning, and then spoke to the rest of the coaching staff. “I am grateful for the KU fans, alumni and donors who continue to support our coaches and players.”
“As we continue to elevate the national stature of the University of Kansas, our pursuit of excellence extends beyond our research and instructional missions,” said KU Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little. “KU alumni, students, fans and supporters expect that Kansas Football will match the other areas in which we excel as a university. After consulting with Dr. Zenger, I am in agreement that it is time for new leadership of our football program.”
For the second time in a week, the Missouri Western volleyball team handed an MIAA opponent its first loss of the year. This time MWSU took down Central Oklahoma on Saturday night with a 3-1 win in Edmond, 23-25, 25-14, 27-25, 29-27.
Missouri Western clinched the victory with their backs to the wall in set four. The Griffons trailed 24-21 before pulling even with the Bronchos on three straight points that included two Jordan Chohon kills. MWSU was down to its last chance once again at 27-26, but rallied for the last three points of the set to take the match.
After dropping the first set by two points, The Griffons dominated the second set, 25-14. They then pulled off a 27-25 win in set three and won the fourth 29-27 to move to 11-3 overall and 5-1 in the MIAA. Missouri Western is now one of five teams atop the MIAA standings with their 5-1 conference record.
Jessie Thorup had 22 kills and hit .306 on 49 total attacks. Thorup also had six digs and four block assists. Erica Rottinghaus had 14 kills and Amanda Boender had 10. Jordan Chohon led the team once again with 50 assists. Sarah Faubel was one of four Griffons with double-digit digs. Faubel inched closer to that career record with 17 Saturday night. Kelsey Olion had 14 digs, Chohon added 11 and Rottinghaus chipped in with 11.
Missouri Western returns home next weekend to host Southwest Baptist on Friday night and Pitt State on Saturday afternoon.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Gary Pinkel was prepping a different sort of postgame talk midway through the fourth quarter.
The Missouri coach had watched his team struggle offensively and fall behind No. 13 South Carolina 20-7 with less than eight minutes left at sold-out Williams-Brice Stadium.
That’s when the Tigers turned things around for a stunning 21-20 victory and a strong start in defense of their Southeastern Conference Eastern Division crown.
A repeat seemed unlikely as the Gamecocks’ defense kept Missouri off kilter for most of the game. Instead, Russell Hansbrough scored two of his three touchdowns in the final seven minutes to complete the comeback.
“These are games,” Pinkel said, “that change a football team.”
They certainly can give a team a strong foothold in the East against the preseason favorite to supplant the Tigers. Missouri (4-1, 1-0) entered off an embarrassing home stumble to Indiana last week and looked lost most of the way against South Carolina (3-2, 2-2).
“When things got tough, we stayed positive. The defense kept us in it but we stayed totally positive with the offense the whole time,” Pinkel said. “I thought (it) was very crucial for us to have the mindset to get back.”
Quarterback Maty Mauk got things flowing Missouri’s way with a pair of big throws — 41 yards to Bud Sasser and 26 yards to Wesley Leftwich — to South Carolina’s 1. Hansbrough followed with a score just 36 seconds after South Carolina’s TD.
Mauk said that perked up Missouri and gave the Tigers confidence. Once the defense got the ball back from South Carolina, Mauk was pointed about completing the comeback.
“We sat down as a group and said we have to finish. That’s what we do around Missouri. Everybody bought in and brought everything they had for that drive,” he said. “The offensive line gave great protection, and when they needed to power through to get Russell in the end zone, they responded.”
When the Tigers reached South Carolina’s 2, Missouri was stopped short its first three tries getting in. Pinkel said the coaches decided to just run right at the Gamecocks, Hansbrough bursting through with 1:36 left.
Andrew Baggett kicked the extra point through as the Tigers went ahead. It was a year ago that Baggett’s kick clanged off the Missouri goalpost in the Gamecocks’ 27-24 double-overtime win.
“I wasn’t thinking anything. I just had to go in there and get it done,” he said.
Along with Hansbrough’s three TDs, Marcus Murphy ran for 98 yards. Mauk completed just 12 of 34 passes for 132 yards but made his biggest throws at the most crucial times.
Russell Hansbrough scored two of his three rushing touchdowns in the final seven minutes to help Mizzou rally from 13 points down.
South Carolina had one last chance. However, Dylan Thompson threw four incomplete passes and Missouri ran out the clock. The Tigers sprinted to their fans in the corner of an emptying Williams-Brice Stadium to celebrate their seventh straight road win — two shy of the school’s best mark.
It looked like the Gamecocks’ defense would win this one, holding Missouri to two first downs in the first 23 minutes of the second half and continually harassing Mauk into poor throws.
South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said he made a mistake not going for a two-point conversion on a score but did not consider it because of how well the Gamecocks’ defense had performed.
“Gosh, we were stopping them so well,” he said.
South Carolina would soon regret that as Mauk led the Tigers back.
Missouri wrenched early control of the division from South Carolina, which was the preseason pick to take the East and had taken down Georgia on this field two weeks earlier.
Missouri has stood strong in the SEC since entering before the 2012 season. The Tigers won the East Division a year ago and came into this one with a six-game winning streak on the road.
Defensive end Shane Ray, the SEC sacks leader coming in, got two more against Thompson as the Gamecocks could not move the ball. They trailed 7-3 until Mike Davis’ 17-yard TD run with 1:36 left in the half. That score was set up by Thompson’s simple screen to Davis, who took off for 24 yards the play earlier.
South Carolina’s defense, one of the best in the league the past three years while led by NFL No. 1 pick Jadeveon Clowney, came in next to last in the SEC with 36 points allowed per game this season.
But the Gamecocks’ pass defense — also next to last in the SEC — limited Mauk to 57 yards the first 30 minutes. Mauk, the SEC leader with 14 touchdown throws, ended the half 6-for-19 and missed on his last eight throws.
In fact, it was Spurrier’s insistence on getting his attack started that led to Missouri’s first TD. The Gamecocks went for a fourth-and-1 on their 42 their first series but came up short. Four plays later, Hansbrough ran for an 18-yard score.
CHICAGO (AP) — A share of the AL Central was up for grabs. The Kansas City Royals couldn’t quite reach it.
The Royals squandered a chance to move into a tie for the division lead, losing to Jose Abreu and the Chicago White Sox, 5-4 on Saturday night.
“We definitely let one get away,” Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer said. “We had a lot of opportunities, guys on base to start innings. But we just didn’t get it done.”
The Detroit Tigers, who lost 12-3 at Minnesota on Saturday, remained one game ahead of the Royals entering the final day of the regular season. Kansas City clinched at least an AL wild card on Friday.
By virtue of a head-to-head tiebreaker with the Oakland Athletics, if the Royals are in the wild card game it will be played in Kansas City.
“We’re going to be excited that we got home field advantage,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “But again, it’s all going to come down to (Sunday). We’ll see what happens. Minnesota is doing a great job playing Detroit.”
Danny Duffy (9-12) lasted only two innings for the Royals. He allowed four runs, five hits and one walk. The White Sox jumped on him, scoring three runs in the first inning. Abreu capped the rally with his 36th home run.
“I didn’t have any command,” Duffy said. “I didn’t have my best stuff is the best way to put it.”
Abreu broke a 31-year-old franchise record for the most homers in a season by a rookie, previously held by Ron Kittle. They are the most by a rookie since St. Louis’ Albert Pujols hit 37 in 2001.
White Sox catcher Josh Phegley homered in the second and seventh innings for his first career multihomer game.
John Danks (11-11) pitched seven solid innings to earn his first home win since June 17. He allowed two runs, five hits and two walks, and struck out three.
“Every time we face him, we really struggle offensively,” Yost said of Danks. “He’s got our number right now, that dirty rat.”
The Royals mounted a rally in the eighth inning against Chicago’s bullpen. After the first two batters reached, Lorenzo Cain singled home Alcides Escobar to cut the deficit to 5-3. But Hosmer hit into a double play, and Billy Butler grounded out to end the threat.
Kansas City threatened again in the ninth. Mike Moustakas singled in Alex Gordon with two outs, but the Royals fell one run short.
Javy Guerra escaped the jam for his first save of the season.
Salvador Perez hit a solo shot in the seventh inning for his 17th homer.
Paul Konerko, who will retire at season’s end, was honored by the White Sox during a pregame ceremony. The White Sox unveiled a statue of Konerko, gave him several gifts, and displayed a series of video tributes from ex-teammates and players around the big leagues, including one from retiring New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter.
“I have to apologize for the game,” Konerko said. “To go out and try to play a game after that … I’m pretty good about distractions, but that day, no way. I was a mess out there.”
Konerko went 0-for-3 and exited in the seventh inning to a standing ovation. He then returned to the field for a curtain call.
TRAINER’S ROOM:
White Sox: RHP Jake Petricka left in the ninth inning due to a stiff lower back. He was attempting to earn his 15th save of the season.
Royals: INF Christian Colon, who is recovering from a broken middle finger on his right hand, hasn’t been activated from the disabled list. He was eligible to return on Sept. 22.
UP NEXT:
Royals RHP Yordano Ventura (14-10, 3.07) will face White Sox RHP Chris Bassitt (1-1, 3.65) on Sunday in the final game of the regular season.
POWER OUTAGE:
Salvador Perez’s home run was the 95th for the Royals this season. They are the only team in the majors under 100.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Ameer Abdullah ran for 208 yards and three touchdowns, Imani Cross added a career-high 109 yards and a TD, and No. 21 Nebraska beat Illinois 45-14 on Saturday night.
The Cornhuskers (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten) are off to their best start since 2010 heading into next week’s game at No. 9 Michigan State.
Wearing all-red alternate uniforms on homecoming, the Huskers rushed for 458 of their 624 total yards.
Illinois (3-2, 0-1) started Reilly O’Toole at quarterback in place of Wes Lunt. O’Toole was 17 for 38 for 261 yards and two touchdowns and was intercepted three times, twice by Daniel Davie.
MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Kansas State forced UTEP into three-and-outs on its first five possessions, leaving Wildcats coach Bill Snyder pleased when the Miners finally picked up a long-awaited first down.
“It gave me something to complain about at halftime,” Snyder said with a wry smile.
There wasn’t much else to complain about.
Charles Jones ran for three touchdowns, Tyler Lockett returned a punt for another score and Snyder’s 25th-ranked Wildcats romped to a 58-28 victory Saturday.
DeMarcus Robinson and Jake Waters also had touchdown runs, and Waters threw for 209 yards and another score as the Wildcats (3-1) finished non-conference play by taking out their frustrations from a close loss to fifth-ranked Auburn on the hapless Miners.
UTEP (2-2) managed one first down and 23 yards of offense in the first half, when Kansas State raced to a 31-0 lead. Running back Aaron Jones, the nation’s second-leading rusher, was held to 47 yards — all but nine of them after halftime.
“Kansas State’s run defense was one of the best defenses I’ve seen in a long time,” UTEP coach Sean Kugler said. “They were very effective at stopping the run.”
Jameil Showers threw four TD passes for the Miners, all with the game well out of reach.
Kansas State blew a chance to beat Auburn nine days ago in part by missing three field goals, but took control early Saturday mainly on the strength of its special teams.
The Wildcats blocked a punt on the game’s first series to set up a field goal, then had another block wiped out by a referee’s inadvertent whistle. Later in the half, Lockett returned a punt 58 yards for a score, and had a 51-yard return set up another TD just before halftime.
“I’m starting to get comfortable back there,” said Lockett, who has returned four kickoffs for touchdowns but hasn’t returned punts nearly as much.
Things were such a nightmare for the UTEP special teams that the only folks in the stadium having a rougher afternoon may have been referee Alan Eck’s officiating crew.
Not only did they blow an erroneous whistle on the blocked punt, they also couldn’t seem to figure out whether to award UTEP a do-over on it. Eck spent more than 10 minutes on the radio with the replay officials trying to get everything sorted out, and then was booed by the 16th straight sellout at Bill Snyder Family Stadium when he allowed UTEP to punt again.
“Apparently there’s a rule that I’m totally unaware of, and trust me, that’s the first thing I’m going to do when I walk out of here, I’m going to find that rule,” Snyder said. “They did the best they could, it just took them an hour-and-a-half to do it.”
It didn’t matter a whole lot in the end.
Lockett torched the Miners for 84 yards receiving, moving past his uncle Aaron Lockett and former Wildcats star Michael Smith for third on the school’s career list. Lockett has 2,469 yards, trailing only Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson and his father, Kevin Lockett.
His ability to stretch the defense loosened things up for the Kansas State rushing attack, which was bottled up by Auburn. Charles Jones had 76 yards before leaving with what appeared to be a minor injury in the third quarter, and Kansas State piled up 188 yards on the ground.
“Great game plan,” Jones said with a smile.
Given how quickly the Wildcats’ offense scored, their defense could barely catch its breath.
That made its performance all the more impressive: UTEP didn’t pick up a first down until there was about 5 minutes left before halftime.
“It’s the best defense I’ve faced since I’ve been in college,” said Aaron Jones, a sophomore.
By the time the third quarter ended and Kansas State led 52-7, Snyder had his starters on the bench, resting up for a return to Big 12 play.
The Wildcats already beat Iowa State on the road earlier in the season. They welcome Texas Tech next week before a potentially pivotal showdown at No. 4 Oklahoma on Oct. 18.
“We did some wonderful things and then we fell apart (when) we had twos go on the field that weren’t ready to play, and consequently some bad things happened,” Snyder said. “I thought we played well when we had to play well in the ballgame.”
