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Category: Sports

James Franklin named Missouri’s starting quarterback

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James FranklinUniversity of Missouri Head Football Coach Gary Pinkel announced Thursday that senior James Franklin has been named the starting quarterback for the 2013 season.  The Corinth, Texas, native has been atop the depth chart all fall, but was locked in a competitive battle with redshirt freshman Maty Mauk (from Kenton, Ohio).

Pinkel said that both quarterbacks have been impressive, but settling on Franklin was the right call for the team.

“James has shown that he’s very capable of leading this team at a high level, and we fully expect him to do that,” said Pinkel.  “He’s really developed as a leader of this offense, and of this team, and we feel he’s ready to be the difference maker he was before all of the health challenges he dealt with last season,” said Pinkel.

Pinkel said that Mauk continued his positive strides, and that the staff is considering giving him some planned series per game to give him experience.

“We have a history with that, and it’s something that has worked very well for us,” said Pinkel.  “When Brad Smith was a senior, we had Chase Daniel as a freshman show that he earned a series or two per game, and that was tremendous for his growth.  When Blaine Gabbert was in his last year here, James Franklin was a freshman, and we got him some work on a fairly regular basis, and we feel that was instrumental in what he was able to do the next year as a starter,” he said.

Pinkel said that making this type of announcement isn’t typical of how he issues this news, but he said the circumstances called for the adjustment.

“Obviously, quarterback draws the most attention from media and fans, so we just felt like it made sense to end the speculation since we knew the course we’re taking,” he said.

Mizzou has completed 14 practices in its 2013 fall camp as it continues to prepare for its season opener against Murray State, set for Saturday, August 31st at 6 p.m. (central time) at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium.

— MU Sports Information —

Cardinals win another extra-inning game against Pittsburgh

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CardsJust a few days ago, the St. Louis Cardinals had no wins when trailing after eight innings and just one extra-inning victory.

They certainly showed the Pittsburgh Pirates they can go the extra mile.

”We did a good job of bouncing back,” said Matt Holliday, who hit a game-ending RBI single in the 12th inning of St. Louis’ 6-5 victory over Pittsburgh on Thursday. ”Winning this game could be very important for us.”

Matt Carpenter had four hits and scored the winning run in the Cardinals’ second extra-inning triumph over the NL Central leaders in three days.

”Anytime having a walk-off win, it’s a big deal,” manager Mike Matheny said. ”Jumping on it again it today is just the resiliency of this club.

”You could sense it on the bench. The guys weren’t going to give in, weren’t going to stop pushing.”

The Cardinals took two of three in the series to pull within two games of the sagging Pirates, who have dropped five of six. St. Louis won 4-3 in 14 innings in the opener on Tuesday night.

”We had a number of guys that had opportunities,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. ”The great thing about what we’re going through is the challenge and opportunities we’re all getting.

”It’s playoff atmosphere baseball.”

The Cardinals lost the division lead when they dropped four of five in Pittsburgh from July 29-Aug. 1.

Rookie Kevin Siegrist (1-1), St. Louis’ seventh pitcher, struck out two in a perfect 12th against the heart of the order.

Russell Martin and Clint Barmes homered for Pittsburgh, which blew a 4-0 lead in one inning. Jose Tabata had three straight hits after entering as a pinch hitter.

Carpenter sparked the winning rally with a one-out walk. He went to third on Jon Jay’s single before Holliday grounded a single up the middle off Bryan Morris (5-6).

Carpenter, the Cardinals’ leadoff man, leads the National League with 48 multihit games and 40 doubles. He entered with league-leading averages of .366 at home and .367 in day games.

Holliday also had an RBI double and is batting .452 during a 12-game hitting streak.

Martin hit a tying leadoff drive off Trevor Rosenthal in the eighth, handing the setup man his second blown save of St. Louis’ 4-6 homestand.

The Pirates hit for the cycle against Lance Lynn in a four-run fifth that featured rookie Andrew Lambo’s first hit and RBI on a double and Barmes’ two-run homer. The Cardinals responded by knocking out A.J. Burnett with five runs in the bottom half on a two-run single by Daniel Descalso and RBIs in consecutive at-bats from Carpenter, Jon Jay and Holliday.

”As good as it looked early, it’s never easy against this group,” Burnett said. ”They figured me out early.”

Both managers put a heavy stamp on the game. Hurdle hit for two regulars in the sixth and emptied his bench, and Matheny used three relievers in the sixth and seventh.

St. Louis activated All-Star catcher Yadier Molina from the 15-day disabled list, and he announced his presence almost immediately. He threw out Starling Marte trying to steal third to end the first.

— Associated Press —

Royals lose series finale against Miami Wednesday

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RoyalsJustin Ruggiano picked the scuffed-up ball off the carpet, smiled a toothy smile and proudly held it up for everyone to see in the visiting clubhouse at Kauffman Stadium.

A souvenir from his first career hit? Nope.

Just his first hit in a while.

Ruggiano snapped a franchise-worst 0-for-42 slump by hitting that ball for a single in the first inning Wednesday, and then added two more hits and drove in a run as the Miami Marlins beat the Kansas City Royals 5-2 to wrap up a winning three-game series.

”It became a mental issue. I wouldn’t wish that on anybody in the world,” said Ruggiano, whose last hit came on July 12. ”I’m just glad it’s over with. Now I can get back to doing what I do.”

Ruggiano drove in the Marlins’ first run, but they still trailed 2-1 when Koyie Hill doubled off reliever Tim Collins (2-6) to start the seventh. Christian Yelich then hit a grounder toward third that utility man Elliot Johnson let through his legs to put runners on second and third.

Donovan Solano and Logan Morrison followed with RBI groundouts to give the Marlins the lead.

That was enough for the Marlins bullpen. Dan Jennings (2-3) got through the sixth, A.J. Ramos worked the seventh and eighth, and Steve Cishek handled the ninth for his 26th save.

Cishek struck out Alex Gordon with runners on first and second to end the game.

”This is a resilient group of guys,” Marlins manager Mike Redmond said. ”They keep coming back and battling, and I think you saw some big hits by guys out there.”

Solano and Morrison each finished with a pair of RBIs for Miami.

”It’s always good to go out there and play well against teams that are making a push for a playoff spot,” Redmond said. ”That’s a good feeling heading home.”

Indeed, the Royals were rolling when the series began. They’d won 17 of 20 after taking the opener to climb into playoff contention, but now limp off to play five games in four days against AL Central-leading Detroit with their first defeat in eight series.

Now, the Marlins have won two straight to finish off a long road trip.

The Royals, blanked 1-0 in 10 innings Tuesday night, got off to a good start when Eric Hosmer doubled in the first inning and eventually scored on a single by Salvador Perez.

The Royals failed to take advantage of the erratic Jacob Turner, though. The Marlins starter walked six without a strikeout in five-plus innings, but Kansas City could only squeeze out one more run against him on a groundout by David Lough in the fourth.

The Marlins got their first run when Ruggiano drove in Adeiney Hechavarria in the top half of the fourth. They were otherwise hamstrung by Royals starter Ervin Santana, who dodged eight hits and two walks over six innings to hand his bullpen the lead.

The Royals’ relievers – with little help from their defense – failed to hold on. Johnson’s error turned the game, Royals manager Ned Yost said, and eventually led to the go-ahead runs.

”In Elliot’s defense, it was cue-ball shot with a lot of English. It had a lot of spin on it, it hit and then boom, it stayed down,” Yost said. ”It changed the whole complexion of the inning.”

For his part, Johnson refused to make any excuses.

”We’re in the middle of the hunt and they’re not going to tolerate that sort of stuff. It seems like an easy play,” Johnson said. ”It wasn’t as easy as it seems, (but) still I should have made it. I’m playing in the big leagues and you’ve got to make those kinds of plays.”

Solano and Morrison tacked on run-scoring singles off Luke Hochevar in the ninth, and Cishek finished up for his 21st straight save, the third-best streak in the majors.

— Associated Press —

St. Louis gets shut down by Liriano, Pirates

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CardsFrancisco Liriano was dominant coming off the worst outing of his career and the Pittsburgh Pirates got home runs from Pedro Alvarez and Garrett Jones in a 5-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night.

The win snapped a season-worst four-game losing streak and gave Pittsburgh a three-game lead in the NL Central.

The Pirates had a five-run cushion after four innings against rookie Shelby Miller, who didn’t miss a turn five days after getting drilled on the elbow and lasting just two pitches against the Dodgers. They’re 8-4 against the Cardinals heading into the series finale matching A.J. Burnett and Lance Lynn.

Pittsburgh totaled just 10 runs during the losing streak and won in 2 hours, 30 minutes one night after losing 4-3 in 14 innings in a game that lasted 4:55.

Liriano (13-5) allowed four hits with six strikeouts and needed just 94 pitches to beat the Cardinals for the second time this year. He is 3-0 in his career against St. Louis. His last time out, the lefty was punished for 10 runs in 2 1-3 innings at Colorado.

Matt Carpenter doubled and eventually scored on a groundout by Carlos Beltran in the ninth to snap Liriano’s shutout bid. He settled for his second complete game of the year.

Alvarez hit his 29th homer an estimated 440 feet to straightaway center leading off the second against Miller (11-8), and with one out Jones lined his 11th over the right field wall estimated at 392 feet. Starling Marte’s two-run double capped a three-run fourth, with two of the runs unearned due to fielding error by third baseman David Freese.

Miller gave up two homers for the fourth time and has lost all of those starts, twice against Pittsburgh. In six innings, he gave up five runs, three earned, on eight hits.

Liriano retired the side in order six times, twice with the help of double plays. A third double play helped him escape without damage in the second when the Cardinals got two of their hits.

In the three starts prior to his clunker at Colorado, Liriano allowed one earned run over 21 2-3 innings in winning three straight starts.

The Cardinals are 3-6 with one game to go on a 10-game homestand that began with series losses to the Cubs and Dodgers.

— Associated Press —

Chiefs release former Bearcat Kilgore, sign CB Kennard Cox

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ChiefsThe Kansas City Chiefs announced on Wednesday that the club has signed cornerback Kennard Cox. Additionally, the team has waived linebacker Chad Kilgore.

Cox (6-0, 191) has seen action in 29 games in four NFL seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2008-09) and Seattle Seahawks (2010-11). He owns 10 tackles (five solo), 0.5 sacks, two passes defensed and one fumble recovery. Cox originally entered the NFL as a seventh-round draft selection (251st overall) of the Buffalo Bills in 2008, but was released before the season and added to the Green Bay Packers practice squad roster on Oct. 27, 2008. He was claimed off the Packers practice squad by the Jaguars in December of 2008 where he spent two seasons on and off the club’s active roster. In April of 2010, Cox joined the Seattle Seahawks where he primarily served on the club’s practice squad until March 13, 2012. The Miami, Fla., native played collegiately at Pittsburgh where he appeared in 47 games, totaling 98 tackles and two interceptions. He prepped at Miami Killian High School where he played wide receiver and quarterback.

Kilgore (6-1, 230) originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Oakland Raiders in 2012. He spent the 2012 training camp with the Raiders before being released prior to the regular season. The Orrick, Mo., native played in 57 games at Northwest Missouri State, recording 392 tackles (165 solo), 7.0 sacks (-36.0 yards), five interceptions, 12 passes defensed and three forced fumbles. He prepped at Excelsior Springs High School in Excelsior Springs, Mo.

— Chiefs Media Relations —

MWSU men’s basketball ranks in the top 25 for 2012-2013 attendance

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riggertMissouriWesternThe Missouri Western men’s basketball team ranked in the top 25 in attendance among the nearly 300 NCAA Division II basketball playing schools. The Griffons drew an average of 1,655 fans to their 13 home games in the MWSU Fieldhouse during the 2012-13 season to rank 21st nationally.

This is the second straight year that the Griffons were in the top-25 as in 2011-12 the Griffons averaged 1,760 during their 14 home games.

The Griffons were among six MIAA teams in the top 30 nationally. As a conference the MIAA drew 254,543 fans to the 186 gams to lead all Division II conference in average attendance at 1,369 fans per game. The MIAA’s total attendance was better than 10 NCAA Division I conferences.

Rank  Division II             G/S    Attendance  Avg.
1.       Northern St.           17      54,383           3,199
2.       Dixie St.                12      34,818           2,902
3.       Midwestern St.       12      31,600           2,633
4.       Central Mo.            13      33,297           2,561
5.       Ky. Wesleyan         18      44,780          2,488
6.       Augustana (SD)      16      39,132          2,446
7.       Washburn              13      31,210          2,401
8.       Grand Canyon        16      38,330          2,396
9.       Elizabeth City St.   14      32,577          2,327
10.      Fort Hays St.         15      34,015         2,268
11.      Drury                     17      32,068        1,886
12.      Benedict                13      23,636        1,818
13.      Bellarmine              15      26,803        1,787
14.      West Ga.               14      24,665        1,762
15.      Mo. Southern St.    13      22,680        1,745
16.      SW Minn. State      12      20,498        1,708
17.      Tarleton St.            17      28,796        1,694
18.      St. Cloud St.          14      23,613        1,687
19.      Emporia St.            13      21,818        1,678
20.      UNC Pembroke       14      23,401        1,672
21.      Mo. Western St.     13      21,520        1,655
22.      S.C. Aiken              17      28,014        1,648
23.      Winston-Salem       13      21,255        1,635
24.      Indiana (PA)            18      28,565        1,587
25.      Tuskegee                 9      14,156        1,573
26.      Minn. St. Mankato   18      27,913        1,551
27.      Southern Ind.           15      22,800        1,520
28.      Fairmont St.            13      19,503        1,500
29.      Virginia Union          12      17,925        1,494
30.      Winona St.              15      22,182        1,479

— MWSU Sports Information —

Kansas City acquires veteran utility player Emilio Bonifacio

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RoyalsThe Kansas City Royals announced Wednesday that they have acquired veteran infielder/outfielder Emilio Bonifacio from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for cash considerations or a Player to be Named.  In a corresponding roster move, the Royals have transferred infielder Miguel Tejada to the 60-day Disabled List.

Bonifacio, 28, was traded to the Blue Jays from the Miami Marlins this offseason.  He’s hitting .218 this year with 16 doubles, 3 homers and 12 stolen bases.   The sixth-year utility man has 122 stolen bases in his career in 156 attempts (78%), including a career-best 40 thefts in 2011.  He set career highs in nearly every offensive category in 2011 with the Marlins, batting .296 with 26 doubles, 7 triples, 5 homers and 78 runs scored.  A switch-hitter, Bonifacio has shown his versatility this season, playing all three outfield positions as well as second base and shortstop.

Emilio’s younger brother, Jorge, is an outfield prospect in the Royals’ organization, currently at Double-A with Northwest Arkansas.

Tejada, 39, was hitting .288 for KC this season with 16 doubles, 3 homers and 26 RBI.

— Royals Media Relations —

Kanza Bowl cancels its 2013 game

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riggertMIAAThe MIAA has been informed that there will be no Kanza Bowl football game in 2013. Since 2009, an MIAA team has played a team from the Lone Star Conference in this Division II post-season game.

“We are disappointed to receive this news,” stated MIAA Commissioner, Dr. Bob Boerigter. “The Kanza Bowl Committee had done a great job of providing an educational, competitive and enjoyable experience for our student-athletes and participating institutions. We are very grateful for the efforts that the Kanza Bowl Committee has put into past events and thank them for helping to create some fine memories for our student-athletes and fans.”

The MIAA remains under contract to provide a team to participate in the historic Mineral Water Bowl where they annually face an opponent from the Northern Sun Conference.  The Mineral Water Bowl game is scheduled for December 8, 2013 in Excelsior Springs, Mo.

— MIAA Media Relations —

Kansas-Oklahoma State game to be Part of ESPN’s College GameDay

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riggertKUThe Kansas men’s basketball team will make its ninth appearance on ESPN’s College GameDay when the Jayhawks travel to Oklahoma State Saturday, March 1, the network announced on Wednesday. The GameDay show will be in Stillwater, Okla., with tip for the KU at OSU contest scheduled for 8 p.m. (CT).

The 2013-14 season is the 10th year for ESPN’s College Gameday. KU has hosted the show an all-time high five times (2005, 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2013) and has been the road team on three occasions (2006, 2010 and 2012).

The Kansas at Oklahoma State contest will mark the fifth-straight season the Jayhawks have appeared on ESPN’s Saturday event. KU has won four of its previous five games featured on College GameDay.

ESPN’s College GameDay Covered by State Farm is an eight-week Saturday morning and evening college basketball program originating from the site of ESPN’s Saturday Primetime Presented by DIRECTV telecast. The 2014 schedule begins Saturday, Jan. 18 with a special split-site show. The first hour begins at 9 a.m. CT on ESPNU, continuing at 10 a.m. on ESPN with a one-hour evening edition leading into the Saturday Primetime game-of-the-week on ESPN.

For the 10th year, Rece Davis will serve as host for College GameDay. He will be joined by analysts Jay Bilas, Digger Phelps and Jalen Rose to preview all the day’s action and discuss the biggest storylines in college basketball.

2014 ESPN College GameDay Covered by State Farm & Saturday Primetime Schedule
(Schedule subject to change; all times are Central)
Date – GameDay Site, Show Times*, Game (Time)
Jan. 18 – Philadelphia, Pa., 9 a.m., Temple vs. La Salle (11 a.m.)
Jan. 18 – Storrs, Conn., 7 p.m., Louisville at Connecticut (8 p.m.)
Jan. 25 – East Lansing, Mich., 9 a.m. & 5 p.m., Michigan at Michigan State (6 p.m.)
Feb. 1 – Syracuse, N.Y., 9 a.m. & 5 p.m., Duke at Syracuse (5:30 p.m.)
Feb. 8 – Memphis, Tenn., 9 a.m. & 7 p.m., Gonzaga at Memphis (8 p.m.)
Feb. 15 – Lexington, Ky., 9 a.m. & 7 p.m., Florida at Kentucky (8 p.m.)
Feb. 22 – Boulder, Colo. or Palo Alto, Calif.^, 9 a.m. & 7 p.m., Arizona at Colorado or UCLA at Stanford (8 p.m.)
March 1 – Stillwater, Okla., 9 a.m. & 7 p.m., KANSAS at Oklahoma State (8 p.m.)
March 8 – Durham, N.C., 9 a.m. & 7 p.m., North Carolina at Duke (8 p.m.)

— KU Sports Information —

Doctors confirm Jamaal Charles has only a foot strain

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ChiefsPro Bowl running back Jamaal Charles had his ailing right foot examined by two orthopedic surgeons and they confirmed the Kansas City Chiefs’ diagnosis of a mild strain.

Charles turned his right ankle early in practice on Monday.

“His ankle ligaments were fine,” Chiefs trainer Rick Burkholder said. “He had some pain on the outside bone of his foot. We did an X-ray. That was negative. There’s a tendon that attaches right at that spot and that’s what is sore right now. That’s why we call it a strain.”

Charles walked down the long, grassy hill to the practice fields Tuesday without a boot or a noticeable limp. He spent some time with the training staff off to the side, riding a stationary bike but only using the arm levers, before leaving the field for the rest of practice.

Burkholder said Charles felt some soreness up his leg but that it was expected.

“People are speculating Lisfranc and all that,” Burkholder said of the mid-foot injury that caused problems for former Chiefs running back Larry Johnson. “He doesn’t have any discomfort there. I’ve had him see two orthopedic surgeons and everyone agrees he has a mild foot strain.”

It’s unclear how long Charles will be out of practice, but it appears unlikely that he will play in Friday night’s preseason game against San Francisco at Arrowhead Stadium.

The Chiefs leaned heavily on Charles in their preseason opener last week. He touched the ball on eight of the 14 plays that the No. 1 offense ran on its opening touchdown drive.

“No difference. Next guy has to step up,” Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson said. “They’re getting a lot of reps right now, so we just keep going. Nothing changes.”

Rookie running back Knile Davis took most of the carries with the first-team offense on Tuesday. Shaun Draughn and Cyrus Gray continued their battle for the No. 3 job. Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith said that good teams are able to overcome an injury to one of their most productive players, and that somebody else will have to step up.

“He’s a special player. Kind of stating the obvious,” Smith said. “Jamaal is a special player but we have to find a way. … But no question, he’ll be missed.”

— Associated Press —

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