NEW ORLEANS - The Fort Hays State women's cross country team is ranked 25th in the latest USTFCCCA NCAA Division II National Coaches' Poll, released Wednesday by the coaches organization. The Tigers moved down two spots after finishing sixth at the Central Region Championships last weekend in Joplin, Mo.

Fort Hays State is the top-ranked team that did not earn a bid to the 2024 NCAA Division II Championships. The Tigers won three races during the regular season and did not finish behind a Division II school until the postseason when they suffered just seven head-to-head losses.

The Tigers earned 45 points in the voting process, 10 behind 24th-ranked Colorado Mesa. Adams State received all eight possible first-place votes and will enter the NCAA DII Championships as the favorite next Saturday (Nov. 23) in Sacramento, Calif.

While the Tigers were not chosen to compete as a team, Fort Hays State will still have representation at the national meet with junior&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-cross-country/roster/emily-diercks/8438">Emily Diercks</a>&nbsp;chosen to run as an individual thanks to her seventh-place finish at the regional championship.2024 was the first season the FHSU women's program was ranked in the national polls more than once during the regular season. The Tigers had been ranked prior to the national championships just once during the team's NCAA DII era (since 1991).&nbsp;&nbsp;

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 </figure>FHSU AthleticsNEW ORLEANS - The Fort Hays State women's cross country team is ranked 25th in the latest USTFCCCA NCAA Division II National Coaches' Poll, released Wednesday by the coaches organization. The Tigers moved down two spots after finishing sixth at the Central Region Championships last weekend in Joplin, Mo.Fort Hays State is the top-ranked team that did not earn a bid to the 2024 NCAA Division II Championships. The Tigers won three races during the regular season and did not finish behind a Division II school until the postseason when they suffered just seven head-to-head losses.The Tigers earned 45 points in the voting process, 10 behind 24th-ranked Colorado Mesa. Adams State received all eight possible first-place votes and will enter the NCAA DII Championships as the favorite next Saturday (Nov. 23) in Sacramento, Calif.While the Tigers were not chosen to compete as a team, Fort Hays State will still have representation at the national meet with junior&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-cross-country/roster/emily-diercks/8438">Emily Diercks</a>&nbsp;chosen to run as an individual thanks to her seventh-place finish at the regional championship.2024 was the first season the FHSU women's program was ranked in the national polls more than once during the regular season. The Tigers had been ranked prior to the national championships just once during the team's NCAA DII era (since 1991).&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏃‍♀️ FHSU women 25th in latest cross county poll

INDIANAPOLIS – Fort Hays State was ranked No. 11 in the final edition of the NCAA Super Region 3 rankings, released on November 13, 2024. Ten teams from the Super Region will be selected to the NCAA Tournament, which begins next week following conference tournaments throughout the country this week.

Four of the ten teams selected to the Super Region 3 field of the NCAA Tournament will be automatic selections, which includes conference tournament champions from the GAC, GLVC, GMAC, and GLIAC conferences. Fort Hays State is the No. 3 seed in the GAC Tournament this week, which will be held Thursday and Saturday (Nov. 14 and 16) in Bethany, Oklahoma hosted by No. 1 seed Southern Nazarene.

According to the Super Region 3 PDF found at the bottom of the region rankings on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/soccer-men/d2/regional-rankings">NCAA.com</a>, Fort Hays State has the 10th-best performance indicator and 11th-best RPI in Super Region 3. FHSU has the second-best in-region record (11-2-2) with an .800 win percentage and the third-best win-loss percentage against NCAA Division II competition in the region (11-3-3) at .735.

The Tigers will be attempting to knock off Rogers State in the GAC Tournament Semifinals, which currently holds the No. 10 ranking in the Super Region. The only categories Rogers State holds an edge over FHSU on the Super Region formula PDF is strength of schedule (.537 compared to .476) and RPI (10th&nbsp;compared to 11th), otherwise FHSU holds the advantage in three categories for in-region win-loss record, win-loss record in NCAA Division II matches, and performance indicator. The win percentage against teams with above .500 records is dead even between FHSU and RSU. The Hillcats are 1-0-1 against the Tigers this year, so FHSU is looking to level the results between the teams for the year. The semifinal match could be a big key for FHSU elevating in the super region rankings even more after ranking No. 12 last week, but still must go into the conference tournament with the mindset of winning the tournament title and taking the automatic qualifier. Otherwise, it is left in the hands of the NCAA Tournament committee.

Though Saginaw Valley State still leads the Super Region rankings, No. 2 ranked McKendree owns the top RPI and performance indicator in the region. McKendree has not lost a match this season, currently at 12-0-6 overall.

The NCAA Tournament selection show for NCAA Division II Men's Soccer is set for Monday, November 18 at 6:30 p.m. A total of 40 schools are selected to the national tournament (10 from each of four Super Regions).&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
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 </figure>FHSU AthleticsINDIANAPOLIS – Fort Hays State was ranked No. 11 in the final edition of the NCAA Super Region 3 rankings, released on November 13, 2024. Ten teams from the Super Region will be selected to the NCAA Tournament, which begins next week following conference tournaments throughout the country this week.Four of the ten teams selected to the Super Region 3 field of the NCAA Tournament will be automatic selections, which includes conference tournament champions from the GAC, GLVC, GMAC, and GLIAC conferences. Fort Hays State is the No. 3 seed in the GAC Tournament this week, which will be held Thursday and Saturday (Nov. 14 and 16) in Bethany, Oklahoma hosted by No. 1 seed Southern Nazarene.According to the Super Region 3 PDF found at the bottom of the region rankings on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/soccer-men/d2/regional-rankings">NCAA.com</a>, Fort Hays State has the 10th-best performance indicator and 11th-best RPI in Super Region 3. FHSU has the second-best in-region record (11-2-2) with an .800 win percentage and the third-best win-loss percentage against NCAA Division II competition in the region (11-3-3) at .735.The Tigers will be attempting to knock off Rogers State in the GAC Tournament Semifinals, which currently holds the No. 10 ranking in the Super Region. The only categories Rogers State holds an edge over FHSU on the Super Region formula PDF is strength of schedule (.537 compared to .476) and RPI (10th&nbsp;compared to 11th), otherwise FHSU holds the advantage in three categories for in-region win-loss record, win-loss record in NCAA Division II matches, and performance indicator. The win percentage against teams with above .500 records is dead even between FHSU and RSU. The Hillcats are 1-0-1 against the Tigers this year, so FHSU is looking to level the results between the teams for the year. The semifinal match could be a big key for FHSU elevating in the super region rankings even more after ranking No. 12 last week, but still must go into the conference tournament with the mindset of winning the tournament title and taking the automatic qualifier. Otherwise, it is left in the hands of the NCAA Tournament committee.Though Saginaw Valley State still leads the Super Region rankings, No. 2 ranked McKendree owns the top RPI and performance indicator in the region. McKendree has not lost a match this season, currently at 12-0-6 overall.The NCAA Tournament selection show for NCAA Division II Men's Soccer is set for Monday, November 18 at 6:30 p.m. A total of 40 schools are selected to the national tournament (10 from each of four Super Regions).&nbsp;&nbsp;

⚽ FHSU men 11th in final NCAA Super Region Rankings

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22DAVE%20SKRETTA%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest"></a>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs got three of their key players back from injuries Wednesday when wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster joined running back Isiah Pacheco and defensive end Charles Omenihu on the practice squad ahead of this weekend's trip to Buffalo.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid said there's a chance Smith-Schuster would play in the pivotal matchup between the unbeaten Chiefs and the Bills. He's been out since Week 7, when he hurt his hamstring in the opening minutes of a win over San Francisco.

“We'll see as he goes through practice,” Reid said. “If it's up to him, he's back.”

Smith-Schuster's injury, coupled with earlier injuries to wide receivers Marquise Brown and Rashee Rice, were big reasons why the Chiefs traded a draft pick to Tennessee to land DeAndre Hopkins. And while they share similar skill sets, Smith-Schuster and Hopkins also have some different abilities, and there is a chance they could see the field at the same time Sunday.

As for Pacheco and Omenihu, Reid called it “unlikely” that they would play in their first game after rejoining practice.

Pacheco fractured his fibula in Week 2 against Cincinnati and required surgery. The initial timeline called for him to return in six to eight weeks, and that puts Pacheco right on schedule. But the Chiefs also are not desperate for him to return to the backfield with Kareem Hunt playing so well since he was signed essentially off the couch when Pacheco went down.

Hunt has touched the ball at least 21 times each of the past five games. And despite having no real offseason or training camp, he has run for 449 yards and five scores and caught 14 passes for 116 yards in his first six games.

The Chiefs hope that adding Pacheco to the backfield in the coming weeks will lighten Hunt's load, though, and perhaps keep both running backs in better shape for the stretch run. In fact, it could look a lot like the one-two punch of Hunt and Nick Chubb that the Browns have had for most of the past five years.

“I'm happy for him, and I know he's excited to get back out there. I think it's going to be a heck of a backfield,” Hunt said. “I think it could be very similar (to Cleveland). I'm excited. I'm used to working with other great backs and stuff like that.”

Omenihu had been on the physically unable to perform list ever since the defensive end tore his ACL in the Chiefs' AFC title game win in Baltimore. The Chiefs have been biding their time until he could return by leaning heavily on George Karlaftis, Mike Danna and Felix Anudike-Uzomah, then added Josh Uche to the pass rush group in a trade with New England.

Omenihu was a force in 11 games for Kansas City last season, piling up seven sacks and forcing a pair of fumbles.

"All these players are different in regards to how they come back from injury,” Chiefs manager Brett Veach told a small group of reporters Wednesday. “They all heal differently. And the exact nature and the rehab and the body and all that — I mean, they’re just so different. Some of these kids, they hit the ground running. Some of these guys, it takes a few games. Some of these guys it takes a few months. Some of these guys, it takes a whole year. There’s a big unknown there.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731584161829.jpeg" alt="FILE - Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (10) runs the ball past San Francisco 49ers defensive back Deommodore Lenoir (2) in NFL Super Bowl 58 football game, Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Doug Benc,File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE - Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (10) runs the ball past San Francisco 49ers defensive back Deommodore Lenoir (2) in NFL Super Bowl 58 football game, Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Doug Benc,File)</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22DAVE%20SKRETTA%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest"></a>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs got three of their key players back from injuries Wednesday when wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster joined running back Isiah Pacheco and defensive end Charles Omenihu on the practice squad ahead of this weekend's trip to Buffalo.Chiefs coach Andy Reid said there's a chance Smith-Schuster would play in the pivotal matchup between the unbeaten Chiefs and the Bills. He's been out since Week 7, when he hurt his hamstring in the opening minutes of a win over San Francisco.“We'll see as he goes through practice,” Reid said. “If it's up to him, he's back.”Smith-Schuster's injury, coupled with earlier injuries to wide receivers Marquise Brown and Rashee Rice, were big reasons why the Chiefs traded a draft pick to Tennessee to land DeAndre Hopkins. And while they share similar skill sets, Smith-Schuster and Hopkins also have some different abilities, and there is a chance they could see the field at the same time Sunday.As for Pacheco and Omenihu, Reid called it “unlikely” that they would play in their first game after rejoining practice.Pacheco fractured his fibula in Week 2 against Cincinnati and required surgery. The initial timeline called for him to return in six to eight weeks, and that puts Pacheco right on schedule. But the Chiefs also are not desperate for him to return to the backfield with Kareem Hunt playing so well since he was signed essentially off the couch when Pacheco went down.Hunt has touched the ball at least 21 times each of the past five games. And despite having no real offseason or training camp, he has run for 449 yards and five scores and caught 14 passes for 116 yards in his first six games.The Chiefs hope that adding Pacheco to the backfield in the coming weeks will lighten Hunt's load, though, and perhaps keep both running backs in better shape for the stretch run. In fact, it could look a lot like the one-two punch of Hunt and Nick Chubb that the Browns have had for most of the past five years.“I'm happy for him, and I know he's excited to get back out there. I think it's going to be a heck of a backfield,” Hunt said. “I think it could be very similar (to Cleveland). I'm excited. I'm used to working with other great backs and stuff like that.”Omenihu had been on the physically unable to perform list ever since the defensive end tore his ACL in the Chiefs' AFC title game win in Baltimore. The Chiefs have been biding their time until he could return by leaning heavily on George Karlaftis, Mike Danna and Felix Anudike-Uzomah, then added Josh Uche to the pass rush group in a trade with New England.Omenihu was a force in 11 games for Kansas City last season, piling up seven sacks and forcing a pair of fumbles."All these players are different in regards to how they come back from injury,” Chiefs manager Brett Veach told a small group of reporters Wednesday. “They all heal differently. And the exact nature and the rehab and the body and all that — I mean, they’re just so different. Some of these kids, they hit the ground running. Some of these guys, it takes a few games. Some of these guys it takes a few months. Some of these guys, it takes a whole year. There’s a big unknown there.”

🏈 Chiefs get Smith-Schuster, Pacheco and Omenihu back on practice field following injuries

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. - Fort Hays State had eight players named to the All-GAC/MIAA Men's Soccer Team for the 2024 season. The Tigers had three first-team selections, two second-team selections, and three honorable mention picks, as voted on by coaches of the seven conference programs. The Tigers also had 11 individuals received GAC All-Academic honors.

Earning first-team honors were midfielder&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/a51fffaf-e4ec-4502-9836-64b22583f021?elinkdata=241610">Tadhg Walsh</a>, forward&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/8a936b38-2391-412b-9b2f-a42ba506b105?elinkdata=241610">Elias Ovelar Semeniuk</a>, and defender&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/097cc559-80ff-4017-bb5b-f6fe58529f9b?elinkdata=241610">Marcos German</a>. Second-team selections went to midfielder&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/4028a07e-e108-4fb4-bc33-1d71e908216b?elinkdata=241610">Bryce Dickerson</a>&nbsp;and defender&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/b37830eb-2661-47c4-9aa5-c167aba212f4?elinkdata=241610">Jeremiah Johnson</a>. Honorable mention selections were forward&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/be429b83-f1bd-46b1-9414-bb28e3406a06?elinkdata=241610">Bastian Carlman</a>, forward&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/8ee0fcf5-c26f-41aa-9ca2-10939c3f5da6?elinkdata=241610">Felix Tellez Ramirez</a>, and defender&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/90545386-fbb0-4355-aab9-66465cb7fdef?elinkdata=241610">Jackson Elgas</a>.

Walsh is now a three-time all-conference selection in his third year with the Tigers. He is a repeat selection on the first team this season after receiving the same honor in 2023 and was an honorable mention pick as a freshman back in 2022. Walsh finished the regular season tied for the national lead in assists with 14. The 14 assists is currently tied for the single-season record at FHSU, matching the amount produced by Derick Gonzalez in 2017. Walsh started the year recording assists in five-straight matches, recording half of his total in the month of September. He has scored a goal and added at least one assist in all four matches he scored in this season. Walsh has 36 career points (8 goals, 20 assists) and leads FHSU with 22 this season (4 goals, 14 assists), already doubling his point total of 11 from the 2023 season.Ovelar 

Semeniuk is now a two-time all-conference selection. He moved up to the first team this year after a second-team selection last year. He enters postseason play tied for the team lead in goals with eight, while adding three assists. His 19 points ranks second for the Tigers. He had one hat trick for goals in a home contest against Ouachita Baptist earlier this season and leads the GAC in game-winning goals this season with three. He ranks third in the GAC in goals, fifth in points, and eighth in shots. He has 35 total points in his career, now with 15 goals and five assists over two seasons.

German is now a four-time all-conference selection overall in his collegiate career after being a three-time first-team selection at Central Methodist University in the Heart of America Conference at the NAIA level. He was also a three-time All-America selection at CMU. Though his primary role on the team has been defender, German has been utilized in both the midfield and in attacking situations for the Tigers this season. He has 16 points for the season with four goals and eight assists. He ranks third in the GAC for assists and second for the Tigers behind Walsh's national-leading number. He ranks seventh in the GAC in points. Now in his fifth year of collegiate soccer, German has an impressive 102 career points with 27 goals and 48 assists. He produced 23 goals and 40 assists over his four years at CMU.

Dickerson picked up the first all-conference selection of his career after playing at Maryville University for two years and Florida Memorial University for one year. He is a second-team selection in the midfield this year with three goals and five assists (11 points). Dickerson has started all 17 matches for the Tigers this season, playing 1,278 minutes. Dickerson now has 19 points in his collegiate career with a total of six goals and seven assists.

Johnson received the second all-conference selection of his collegiate career with a second-team selection at defender this season. He was an All-Heart of America Conference second-team selection as well in 2022 at Central Methodist University, one of his previous two stops before coming to FHSU this season. Johnson has two goals and two assists this season (six points). One of his goals was a game winner. He has started 16 of 17 matches this season and played 1,284 minutes. Johnson has 31 points in his collegiate career with nine goals and 13 assists over four years.

Carlman is an honorable mention selection in his first year of collegiate soccer. He posted an impressive eight goals in just 11 regular season matches, dealing with injuries throughout the season. He is tied for the team lead in goals and has 18 points this season (8 goals, 2 assists) to rank third on the team. He has two-game winning goals this year and had a hat trick in a 5-0 win over Maryville University in September.

Tellez Ramirez is now a three-time all-conference selection in the GAC/MIAA after earning the distinction twice at Newman University. The graduate transfer has one goal and one assist for the Tigers this year in 10 matches, also battling injury issues throughout the season. He was a two-time second-team selection at Newman in 2022 and 2023. He has 38 points in his collegiate career with 12 goals and 14 assists over five years.

Elgas is now a two-time all-conference honorable mention performer at defender. He received the same distinction back in his freshman season of 2022. Starting all 16 matches he has played in this season, he has played 1,166 minutes helping solidify the Tiger back line. Though he has no points this season, he has 10 in his three-year career at FHSU with two goals and six assists.

Five of the eight all-conference selections (Walsh, Ovelar Semeniuk, Dickerson, Tellez Ramirez, and Elgas) were also part of the 11 individuals named to the GAC/MIAA Academic Honor Roll. All athletes with at least a 3.5 GPA and a minimum of one-year, full-time college residency were eligible for this honor. Joining the five previously mentioned were&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/f545179d-ed43-4bed-be2f-5efd2f86a42b?elinkdata=241610">Harrison Bensouda</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/a9819888-3e0a-4126-828b-844d34ec72d2?elinkdata=241610">Collin Hershberger</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/c75f56d8-980c-4e46-a945-95671aadebfd?elinkdata=241610">Ian Inigo</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/a3ddcea4-3647-47e9-b890-e5bf10306d46?elinkdata=241610">Mathis Lefevre</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/0cd6ef97-a6a0-45e9-be3f-4f56d24cbd62?elinkdata=241610">Anders Sandsto</a>, and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/b83aac41-d3ed-42e6-adc1-ea93a059ec27?elinkdata=241610">Dimitry Tchantcheu</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731529466920.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsRUSSELLVILLE, Ark. - Fort Hays State had eight players named to the All-GAC/MIAA Men's Soccer Team for the 2024 season. The Tigers had three first-team selections, two second-team selections, and three honorable mention picks, as voted on by coaches of the seven conference programs. The Tigers also had 11 individuals received GAC All-Academic honors.Earning first-team honors were midfielder&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/a51fffaf-e4ec-4502-9836-64b22583f021?elinkdata=241610">Tadhg Walsh</a>, forward&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/8a936b38-2391-412b-9b2f-a42ba506b105?elinkdata=241610">Elias Ovelar Semeniuk</a>, and defender&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/097cc559-80ff-4017-bb5b-f6fe58529f9b?elinkdata=241610">Marcos German</a>. Second-team selections went to midfielder&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/4028a07e-e108-4fb4-bc33-1d71e908216b?elinkdata=241610">Bryce Dickerson</a>&nbsp;and defender&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/b37830eb-2661-47c4-9aa5-c167aba212f4?elinkdata=241610">Jeremiah Johnson</a>. Honorable mention selections were forward&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/be429b83-f1bd-46b1-9414-bb28e3406a06?elinkdata=241610">Bastian Carlman</a>, forward&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/8ee0fcf5-c26f-41aa-9ca2-10939c3f5da6?elinkdata=241610">Felix Tellez Ramirez</a>, and defender&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/90545386-fbb0-4355-aab9-66465cb7fdef?elinkdata=241610">Jackson Elgas</a>.Walsh is now a three-time all-conference selection in his third year with the Tigers. He is a repeat selection on the first team this season after receiving the same honor in 2023 and was an honorable mention pick as a freshman back in 2022. Walsh finished the regular season tied for the national lead in assists with 14. The 14 assists is currently tied for the single-season record at FHSU, matching the amount produced by Derick Gonzalez in 2017. Walsh started the year recording assists in five-straight matches, recording half of his total in the month of September. He has scored a goal and added at least one assist in all four matches he scored in this season. Walsh has 36 career points (8 goals, 20 assists) and leads FHSU with 22 this season (4 goals, 14 assists), already doubling his point total of 11 from the 2023 season.Ovelar Semeniuk is now a two-time all-conference selection. He moved up to the first team this year after a second-team selection last year. He enters postseason play tied for the team lead in goals with eight, while adding three assists. His 19 points ranks second for the Tigers. He had one hat trick for goals in a home contest against Ouachita Baptist earlier this season and leads the GAC in game-winning goals this season with three. He ranks third in the GAC in goals, fifth in points, and eighth in shots. He has 35 total points in his career, now with 15 goals and five assists over two seasons.German is now a four-time all-conference selection overall in his collegiate career after being a three-time first-team selection at Central Methodist University in the Heart of America Conference at the NAIA level. He was also a three-time All-America selection at CMU. Though his primary role on the team has been defender, German has been utilized in both the midfield and in attacking situations for the Tigers this season. He has 16 points for the season with four goals and eight assists. He ranks third in the GAC for assists and second for the Tigers behind Walsh's national-leading number. He ranks seventh in the GAC in points. Now in his fifth year of collegiate soccer, German has an impressive 102 career points with 27 goals and 48 assists. He produced 23 goals and 40 assists over his four years at CMU.Dickerson picked up the first all-conference selection of his career after playing at Maryville University for two years and Florida Memorial University for one year. He is a second-team selection in the midfield this year with three goals and five assists (11 points). Dickerson has started all 17 matches for the Tigers this season, playing 1,278 minutes. Dickerson now has 19 points in his collegiate career with a total of six goals and seven assists.Johnson received the second all-conference selection of his collegiate career with a second-team selection at defender this season. He was an All-Heart of America Conference second-team selection as well in 2022 at Central Methodist University, one of his previous two stops before coming to FHSU this season. Johnson has two goals and two assists this season (six points). One of his goals was a game winner. He has started 16 of 17 matches this season and played 1,284 minutes. Johnson has 31 points in his collegiate career with nine goals and 13 assists over four years.Carlman is an honorable mention selection in his first year of collegiate soccer. He posted an impressive eight goals in just 11 regular season matches, dealing with injuries throughout the season. He is tied for the team lead in goals and has 18 points this season (8 goals, 2 assists) to rank third on the team. He has two-game winning goals this year and had a hat trick in a 5-0 win over Maryville University in September.Tellez Ramirez is now a three-time all-conference selection in the GAC/MIAA after earning the distinction twice at Newman University. The graduate transfer has one goal and one assist for the Tigers this year in 10 matches, also battling injury issues throughout the season. He was a two-time second-team selection at Newman in 2022 and 2023. He has 38 points in his collegiate career with 12 goals and 14 assists over five years.Elgas is now a two-time all-conference honorable mention performer at defender. He received the same distinction back in his freshman season of 2022. Starting all 16 matches he has played in this season, he has played 1,166 minutes helping solidify the Tiger back line. Though he has no points this season, he has 10 in his three-year career at FHSU with two goals and six assists.Five of the eight all-conference selections (Walsh, Ovelar Semeniuk, Dickerson, Tellez Ramirez, and Elgas) were also part of the 11 individuals named to the GAC/MIAA Academic Honor Roll. All athletes with at least a 3.5 GPA and a minimum of one-year, full-time college residency were eligible for this honor. Joining the five previously mentioned were&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/f545179d-ed43-4bed-be2f-5efd2f86a42b?elinkdata=241610">Harrison Bensouda</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/a9819888-3e0a-4126-828b-844d34ec72d2?elinkdata=241610">Collin Hershberger</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/c75f56d8-980c-4e46-a945-95671aadebfd?elinkdata=241610">Ian Inigo</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/a3ddcea4-3647-47e9-b890-e5bf10306d46?elinkdata=241610">Mathis Lefevre</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/0cd6ef97-a6a0-45e9-be3f-4f56d24cbd62?elinkdata=241610">Anders Sandsto</a>, and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/b83aac41-d3ed-42e6-adc1-ea93a059ec27?elinkdata=241610">Dimitry Tchantcheu</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

⚽ Eight FHSU men named All-GAC/MIAA team

Hays High has changed their college athletic signing ceremonies. They now hold one signing day per month. The first of this new format was Wednesday in Gym A.

Kaelin Maier knew how to hit hard. She came up playing volleyball and softball. Her freshman year though she transitioned to tennis. Coach Kayla Brown noticed that Maier won most of her points by hitting the ball so hard the opponent couldn't return the ball. Brown also knew that wouldn't work as well against better competition in the future.

Maier spent the rest of the high school career becoming a more complete tennis player. Something that caught the eye of Tabor College out of Hillsboro, KS.&nbsp;

Maier made her decision official on Wednesday signing to play for the Bluejays. Coach Brown believes Maier is the first Hays High female tennis player to sign at the collegiate level.

Maier was mostly a doubles player for the Indians. She teamed up with classmate Alyse Zimmerman to form the #1 doubles team at Hays High. The two tied for first at the Western Athletic Conference meet this past fall season.&nbsp;

Maier was 45-22 over a two year varsity career.

Molly Martin has played at the varsity level in basketball from the moment she hit the floor at Hays High School as a freshman. The now senior has one season left but is already one of the most decorated players in program history.

Wednesday Martin signed to play basketball for the Ottawa Braves. The coaching staff contacted her in the fall of 2023. A visit to campus and the program sealed the deal for the Indians all-time leading three point shot maker at 105.

Martin's career high of 25 points scored in a game last season was the 5th highest single game total.&nbsp;She sits in the top ten in career points at 763. She tied a school record with seven assists in a single game and is fifth all-time in the assist category at 126.

Last season she collected 74 steals which was third most in a single season and needs to add one steal to her career total of 164 to tie the school record.

Martin has played in 65 games, starting 63 of those.

The Indians won their first WAC title since 2012 and had their first 15 game winning season over that same time frame. The Indians went 16-6 last year and 8-0 in conference play.

Hays High hasn't had a player from the girls' basketball team to sign at the college level since Paige Lunsford in 2012.

Martin is a three-time conference honoree. She was named to the second team as a freshman and sophomore and first team following her junior campaign.

Jaycee Oakley decided to focus solely on golf during her junior year. She spent the next year-plus improving her game to a level that has landed her the chance to stay in Hays and play at Fort Hays State University.&nbsp;

Oakley just finished a senior campaign that saw her place at the 5A State tournament for a third consecutive year. As a sophomore she finished 18th and was named to the Kansas Golf Coaches Association 5A Honorable Mention team.

A 13th place finish was at the end of her junior year. That year she was KGCA Second Team. That year the Indians finished second as a team at the two-day state tournament. This fall Oakley placed 9th at State and again made the KGCA Second Team.

Oakley has been on varsity her entire high school career. She averaged a score of 97.3 her first year. That score improved to 80.4 her senior season, fifth best for any season in program history. Oakley is a four time Western Athletic Conference honoree and Player of the Year as a senior. She was second team as a freshmen and first team the next three years.

Hays High has changed their college athletic signing ceremonies. They now hold one signing day per month. The first of this new format was Wednesday in Gym A.Kaelin Maier - Tabor TennisKaelin Maier knew how to hit hard. She came up playing volleyball and softball. Her freshman year though she transitioned to tennis. Coach Kayla Brown noticed that Maier won most of her points by hitting the ball so hard the opponent couldn't return the ball. Brown also knew that wouldn't work as well against better competition in the future.Kaelin Maier<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1957369563&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/kaelin-maier" title="Kaelin Maier" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Kaelin Maier</a></div></div>Maier spent the rest of the high school career becoming a more complete tennis player. Something that caught the eye of Tabor College out of Hillsboro, KS.&nbsp;Maier made her decision official on Wednesday signing to play for the Bluejays. Coach Brown believes Maier is the first Hays High female tennis player to sign at the collegiate level.Coach Kayla Brown<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1957369631&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/coach-kayla-brown-kaelin-maier-signing" title="Coach Kayla Brown Kaelin Maier Signing" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Coach Kayla Brown Kaelin Maier Signing</a></div></div>Maier was mostly a doubles player for the Indians. She teamed up with classmate Alyse Zimmerman to form the #1 doubles team at Hays High. The two tied for first at the Western Athletic Conference meet this past fall season.&nbsp;Maier was 45-22 over a two year varsity career.Molly Martin - Ottawa BasketballMolly Martin has played at the varsity level in basketball from the moment she hit the floor at Hays High School as a freshman. The now senior has one season left but is already one of the most decorated players in program history.Wednesday Martin signed to play basketball for the Ottawa Braves. The coaching staff contacted her in the fall of 2023. A visit to campus and the program sealed the deal for the Indians all-time leading three point shot maker at 105.Molly Martin<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1957369415&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/molly-martin-signing" title="Molly Martin Signing" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Molly Martin Signing</a></div></div>Martin's career high of 25 points scored in a game last season was the 5th highest single game total.&nbsp;She sits in the top ten in career points at 763. She tied a school record with seven assists in a single game and is fifth all-time in the assist category at 126.Last season she collected 74 steals which was third most in a single season and needs to add one steal to her career total of 164 to tie the school record.Martin has played in 65 games, starting 63 of those.Coach Len Melvin<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1957369511&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/coach-len-melvin-molly-martin-signing" title="Coach Len Melvin Molly Martin Signing" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Coach Len Melvin Molly Martin Signing</a></div></div>The Indians won their first WAC title since 2012 and had their first 15 game winning season over that same time frame. The Indians went 16-6 last year and 8-0 in conference play.Hays High hasn't had a player from the girls' basketball team to sign at the college level since Paige Lunsford in 2012.Martin is a three-time conference honoree. She was named to the second team as a freshman and sophomore and first team following her junior campaign.Jaycee OakleyJaycee Oakley decided to focus solely on golf during her junior year. She spent the next year-plus improving her game to a level that has landed her the chance to stay in Hays and play at Fort Hays State University.&nbsp;Jaycee Oakley<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1957369599&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/jaycee-oakley" title="Jaycee Oakley" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Jaycee Oakley</a></div></div>Oakley just finished a senior campaign that saw her place at the 5A State tournament for a third consecutive year. As a sophomore she finished 18th and was named to the Kansas Golf Coaches Association 5A Honorable Mention team.A 13th place finish was at the end of her junior year. That year she was KGCA Second Team. That year the Indians finished second as a team at the two-day state tournament. This fall Oakley placed 9th at State and again made the KGCA Second Team.Coach Mark Watts<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1957369471&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/coach-mark-watts-jaycee-oakley-signing" title="Coach Mark Watts Jaycee Oakley Signing" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Coach Mark Watts Jaycee Oakley Signing</a></div></div>Oakley has been on varsity her entire high school career. She averaged a score of 97.3 her first year. That score improved to 80.4 her senior season, fifth best for any season in program history. Oakley is a four time Western Athletic Conference honoree and Player of the Year as a senior. She was second team as a freshmen and first team the next three years.

📝 Trio of Hays High athletes sign

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Emily Hutchings&nbsp;of Fort Hays State University has been named the Mammoth "A Game" Scholar-Athlete of the 2024 MIAA Women's Soccer Championship Tournament.

The top eight teams in the MIAA advanced to the conference's 2024 postseason soccer tournament. Hutchings was selected among all of the women's soccer student-athletes competing in the tournament. Established by the MIAA in 2022, the Mammoth "A Game" Scholar-Athlete Award acknowledges the overall excellence of a student-athlete by recognizing one individual who has contributed to their team's success, while also achieving the highest academic standard among peers. The student-athlete honored with the "A Game" Scholar-Athlete Award must be a member of a qualifying team and have a minimum of two terms completed at the institution.

Hutchings is a senior defender from Olathe, Kan. with an impressive resume on and off the pitch. In the classroom, she owns a perfect 4.0 grade point average as a chemistry major with 120 credits completed. The soon-to-be four-time MIAA Scholar-Athlete and MIAA Academic Excellence award-recipient will graduate this May with her bachelor's degree. She is also a two-time CSC Academic All-District selection.

On the field, Hutchings is a four-time All-MIAA selection (second team midfielder in 2021, third team midfielder in 2022, first team defender in 2023, and honorable mention defender in 2024). The Tiger captain suffered a season-ending injury midway through the 2024 season, but in nine games scored one goal and added two assists. She played in 70 matches in her career, notching 18 points (3 goals, 12 assists) while playing over 6,000 minutes.

Hutchings is the first FHSU soccer player to earn the "A Game" Scholar-Athlete Award and just the second Fort Hays State student-athlete to claim the honor in any sport. For more information about the Mammoth "A Game" Scholar-Athlete Award,&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fthemiaa.com%2fsports%2f2023%2f11%2f28%2fGEN_A-Game-Scholar-Athlete.aspx&amp;c=E,1,Zi092uT7pgK4J2xpytVYO7WFzlTIFCV9BgZwvtElAUsElBJv2ZLOjFiGHJ_IAGvfhwpz9BeTrnE7HftCWtwxo_VbeuoOHesZh6yB8bqXYjsdZYll3l09YOzc&amp;typo=1">click here</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731517488679.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsKANSAS CITY, Mo. - Emily Hutchings&nbsp;of Fort Hays State University has been named the Mammoth "A Game" Scholar-Athlete of the 2024 MIAA Women's Soccer Championship Tournament.The top eight teams in the MIAA advanced to the conference's 2024 postseason soccer tournament. Hutchings was selected among all of the women's soccer student-athletes competing in the tournament. Established by the MIAA in 2022, the Mammoth "A Game" Scholar-Athlete Award acknowledges the overall excellence of a student-athlete by recognizing one individual who has contributed to their team's success, while also achieving the highest academic standard among peers. The student-athlete honored with the "A Game" Scholar-Athlete Award must be a member of a qualifying team and have a minimum of two terms completed at the institution.Hutchings is a senior defender from Olathe, Kan. with an impressive resume on and off the pitch. In the classroom, she owns a perfect 4.0 grade point average as a chemistry major with 120 credits completed. The soon-to-be four-time MIAA Scholar-Athlete and MIAA Academic Excellence award-recipient will graduate this May with her bachelor's degree. She is also a two-time CSC Academic All-District selection.On the field, Hutchings is a four-time All-MIAA selection (second team midfielder in 2021, third team midfielder in 2022, first team defender in 2023, and honorable mention defender in 2024). The Tiger captain suffered a season-ending injury midway through the 2024 season, but in nine games scored one goal and added two assists. She played in 70 matches in her career, notching 18 points (3 goals, 12 assists) while playing over 6,000 minutes.Hutchings is the first FHSU soccer player to earn the "A Game" Scholar-Athlete Award and just the second Fort Hays State student-athlete to claim the honor in any sport. For more information about the Mammoth "A Game" Scholar-Athlete Award,&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fthemiaa.com%2fsports%2f2023%2f11%2f28%2fGEN_A-Game-Scholar-Athlete.aspx&amp;c=E,1,Zi092uT7pgK4J2xpytVYO7WFzlTIFCV9BgZwvtElAUsElBJv2ZLOjFiGHJ_IAGvfhwpz9BeTrnE7HftCWtwxo_VbeuoOHesZh6yB8bqXYjsdZYll3l09YOzc&amp;typo=1">click here</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

⚽ FHSU's Hutchings receives Mammoth “A Game” Scholar-Athlete Award from MIAA

PHILADELPHIA - The Fort Hays State women's basketball team moved to 23rd in the latest D2CSC National Media Poll, released Tuesday. Despite a 2-0 start to the season, the Tigers moved down one spot in the national ranks after also moving down one spot in the Central Region poll.

The Tigers picked up 59 points in the balloting process, nine behind No. 22 Texas Tyler and 13 back of No. 21 Union University.

Wins over two preseason top six teams, including a victory over the defending national champion Minnesota State, allowed Northwest Missouri State to vault from sixth to first in the regional poll and from unranked to eighth in the national poll. Texas Woman's University is the new national No. 1 in the media poll, picking up 11 of 16 first-place votes.

Fort Hays State opened the year with two convincing wins at the 2024 Central Regional Crossover Challenge last weekend in St. Joseph, Mo., beating Augustana and MSU Moorhead by an average of 20 points.

The Tigers were ranked 23rd in the preseason WBCA DII Coaches Poll and will remain there for at least another week, with the first regular season coaches poll scheduled to be released next week.

Fort Hays State will make its home debut this weekend against a pair of former RMAC rivals in Adams State (Friday, 5:30 p.m.) and MSU Denver (Saturday, 5 p.m.)

D2CSC National Media Poll, Tuesday, November 13, 20204 Rank - School &nbsp;- W-L - Pts. - Last 1 - Texas Woman's (11) - 4-0 - 393 - 2 2 - Grand Valley State (3) - 5-0 - 386 - 3 3 - Gannon (2) - 5-0 - 369 - 5 4 - Tampa - 3-1 - 307 - 4 5 - Ashland - 3-1 - 305 - 6 6 - Bentley - 2-0 - 304 - 7 7 - Carson-Newman - 2-0 - 301 - 8 8 - Northwest Missouri State - 3-1 - 270 - NR 9 - Fayetteville State - 2-0 - 256 - 9 10 - Pittsburg State - 3-1 - 242 - 12 11 - Azusa Pacific - 2-0 - 234 - 16 12 - Lubbock Christian - 4-0 - 228 - 17 13 - Assumption - 2-0 - 205 - 14 14 - Minnesota State-Mankato - 1-1 - 187 - 1 15 - Lee - 2-0 - 172 - RV 16 - Ferris State - 3-1 - 171 - 15 17 - Nova Southeastern - 2-0 - 149 - 11 18 - Jefferson - 2-0 - 142 - 18 19 - Montana State Billings - 4-1 - 141 - 20 20 - Georgia Southwestern - 1-0 - 100 - RV 21 - Union - 2-1 - 72 - 13 22 - Texas Tyler - 2-0 - 68 - NR 23 - Fort Hays State - 2-0 - 59 - 22 24 - Cal State-Los Angeles - 2-0 - 39 - RV 25 - California (Pa.) - 2-0 - 36 - NR

Others Receiving Votes:&nbsp;Columbus State (17); Northern Michigan (13); Southern Connecticut St. (8) Fairmont State (6); Indiana (Pa.) (5); Colorado- Colorado Springs (5); Cal-Poly Pomona (4) Southern Nazarene (4); Anderson (1); Edinboro (1)

Dropped Out:&nbsp;Western Washington (10; Fairmont State (19); Anderson (21); Colorado Mesa (23); Southern Nazarene (24); UNC Pembroke (25)&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731514853897.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsPHILADELPHIA - The Fort Hays State women's basketball team moved to 23rd in the latest D2CSC National Media Poll, released Tuesday. Despite a 2-0 start to the season, the Tigers moved down one spot in the national ranks after also moving down one spot in the Central Region poll.The Tigers picked up 59 points in the balloting process, nine behind No. 22 Texas Tyler and 13 back of No. 21 Union University.Wins over two preseason top six teams, including a victory over the defending national champion Minnesota State, allowed Northwest Missouri State to vault from sixth to first in the regional poll and from unranked to eighth in the national poll. Texas Woman's University is the new national No. 1 in the media poll, picking up 11 of 16 first-place votes.Fort Hays State opened the year with two convincing wins at the 2024 Central Regional Crossover Challenge last weekend in St. Joseph, Mo., beating Augustana and MSU Moorhead by an average of 20 points.The Tigers were ranked 23rd in the preseason WBCA DII Coaches Poll and will remain there for at least another week, with the first regular season coaches poll scheduled to be released next week.Fort Hays State will make its home debut this weekend against a pair of former RMAC rivals in Adams State (Friday, 5:30 p.m.) and MSU Denver (Saturday, 5 p.m.)D2CSC National Media Poll, Tuesday, November 13, 20204 Rank - School &nbsp;- W-L - Pts. - Last 1 - Texas Woman's (11) - 4-0 - 393 - 2 2 - Grand Valley State (3) - 5-0 - 386 - 3 3 - Gannon (2) - 5-0 - 369 - 5 4 - Tampa - 3-1 - 307 - 4 5 - Ashland - 3-1 - 305 - 6 6 - Bentley - 2-0 - 304 - 7 7 - Carson-Newman - 2-0 - 301 - 8 8 - Northwest Missouri State - 3-1 - 270 - NR 9 - Fayetteville State - 2-0 - 256 - 9 10 - Pittsburg State - 3-1 - 242 - 12 11 - Azusa Pacific - 2-0 - 234 - 16 12 - Lubbock Christian - 4-0 - 228 - 17 13 - Assumption - 2-0 - 205 - 14 14 - Minnesota State-Mankato - 1-1 - 187 - 1 15 - Lee - 2-0 - 172 - RV 16 - Ferris State - 3-1 - 171 - 15 17 - Nova Southeastern - 2-0 - 149 - 11 18 - Jefferson - 2-0 - 142 - 18 19 - Montana State Billings - 4-1 - 141 - 20 20 - Georgia Southwestern - 1-0 - 100 - RV 21 - Union - 2-1 - 72 - 13 22 - Texas Tyler - 2-0 - 68 - NR 23 - Fort Hays State - 2-0 - 59 - 22 24 - Cal State-Los Angeles - 2-0 - 39 - RV 25 - California (Pa.) - 2-0 - 36 - NROthers Receiving Votes:&nbsp;Columbus State (17); Northern Michigan (13); Southern Connecticut St. (8) Fairmont State (6); Indiana (Pa.) (5); Colorado- Colorado Springs (5); Cal-Poly Pomona (4) Southern Nazarene (4); Anderson (1); Edinboro (1)Dropped Out:&nbsp;Western Washington (10; Fairmont State (19); Anderson (21); Colorado Mesa (23); Southern Nazarene (24); UNC Pembroke (25)&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 FHSU women down one in D2CSC national media poll

Wednesday, November 13
 KAYS: Hawk Talk with Lance Leipold, 6:00pm

Friday, November 15
 KJLS: Fort Hays State
WBKB vs. Adams State, 5:05pm
 KKQY: Hill City vs. South Central, 5:15*
 KAYS: Victoria FB vs. Central Christian, 5:45pm
 KHAZ: Plainville FB at Conway Springs, 5:45pm
 KFIX: Hays High FB at Hutchinson, 6:30pm

Saturday, November 16
 KJLS: Fort Hays State
FB at Nebraska-Kearney, 11:00am
 KAYS: Kansas MBKB vs. Oakland, 3:30pm
 KJLS: Fort Hays State WBKB vs. MSU Denver, 4:35pm
 KAYS: Kansas FB at BYU, 7:30pm

Sunday, November 17
 KFIX: Kansas City
Chiefs at Buffalo Bills, 2:00pm

Wednesday, November 13
 KAYS: Hawk Talk with Lance Leipold, 6:00pmThursday, 11/14 noneFriday, November 15
 KJLS: Fort Hays State
WBKB vs. Adams State, 5:05pm
 KKQY: Hill City vs. South Central, 5:15*
 KAYS: Victoria FB vs. Central Christian, 5:45pm
 KHAZ: Plainville FB at Conway Springs, 5:45pm
 KFIX: Hays High FB at Hutchinson, 6:30pmSaturday, November 16
 KJLS: Fort Hays State
FB at Nebraska-Kearney, 11:00am
 KAYS: Kansas MBKB vs. Oakland, 3:30pm
 KJLS: Fort Hays State WBKB vs. MSU Denver, 4:35pm
 KAYS: Kansas FB at BYU, 7:30pmSunday, November 17
 KFIX: Kansas City
Chiefs at Buffalo Bills, 2:00pm

🎧 Eagle Radio, Hull sports broadcast schedule

ATLANTA (AP) — Hunter Dickinson scored 28 points and Bill Self became the winningest coach in Kansas history as the No. 1 Jayhawks pulled away from Michigan State for a 77-69 victory in the Champions Classic on Tuesday night.

Spartans forward Jaxon Kohler hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at 52 with just under nine minutes remaining. KJ Adams Jr. hit a pair of free throws to put Kansas (3-0) ahead to stay.

Self improved to 591-143 in his 22nd season coaching the Jayhawks, pushing him past Phog Allen's mark of 590-129 in 36 seasons on the Kansas sideline.

Frankie Fidler led Michigan State (2-1) with 15 points.

The Jayhawks posted their second straight win over one of the nation's prominent programs, following up&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-carolina-kansas-tar-heels-jayhawks-score-top-25-9919dca6cfb7cfca72b0d3133ba1026a">a 92-89 win</a>&nbsp;over No. 10 North Carolina.

Kansas: After missing 15 straight shots from the field, Kansas ripped off a 14-2 run that turned an 18-16 deficit into a 30-20 lead.

Michigan State: The Spartans couldn't overcome a tough shooting night, especially from beyond the arc. They made just 3 of 24 from 3-point range.

Dajuan Harris Jr. gave the Jayhawks some breathing room when he laid one in off a fast break, drew a foul and completed the three-point play for a 68-59 lead with 4:25 to go. After tumbling to the court, Harris remained on his back for a few seconds, clapping furiously. He finished with 11 points and six assists.

The 7-foot-2 Dickinson made 13 of 21 shots from the field, including his only 3-point attempt, and grabbed 12 rebounds. He also had three steals and a block at the defensive end.

Kansas returns home Saturday to face Oakland. Michigan State hosts Bowling Green on Saturday.

ATLANTA (AP) — Hunter Dickinson scored 28 points and Bill Self became the winningest coach in Kansas history as the No. 1 Jayhawks pulled away from Michigan State for a 77-69 victory in the Champions Classic on Tuesday night.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">That 591 feeling 🙌 <a href="https://t.co/3iU7RtBZJ8">pic.twitter.com/3iU7RtBZJ8</a>&mdash; Kansas Men’s Basketball (@KUHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/KUHoops/status/1856519667768000823?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Spartans forward Jaxon Kohler hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at 52 with just under nine minutes remaining. KJ Adams Jr. hit a pair of free throws to put Kansas (3-0) ahead to stay.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The most history. The best tradition. The Winningest Coach. <a href="https://t.co/MHLyzgySbU">pic.twitter.com/MHLyzgySbU</a>&mdash; Kansas Men’s Basketball (@KUHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/KUHoops/status/1856512354957013244?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Self improved to 591-143 in his 22nd season coaching the Jayhawks, pushing him past Phog Allen's mark of 590-129 in 36 seasons on the Kansas sideline.Frankie Fidler led Michigan State (2-1) with 15 points.The Jayhawks posted their second straight win over one of the nation's prominent programs, following up&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-carolina-kansas-tar-heels-jayhawks-score-top-25-9919dca6cfb7cfca72b0d3133ba1026a">a 92-89 win</a>&nbsp;over No. 10 North Carolina.<h2>Takeaways</h2>Kansas: After missing 15 straight shots from the field, Kansas ripped off a 14-2 run that turned an 18-16 deficit into a 30-20 lead.Michigan State: The Spartans couldn't overcome a tough shooting night, especially from beyond the arc. They made just 3 of 24 from 3-point range.<h2>Key moment</h2>Dajuan Harris Jr. gave the Jayhawks some breathing room when he laid one in off a fast break, drew a foul and completed the three-point play for a 68-59 lead with 4:25 to go. After tumbling to the court, Harris remained on his back for a few seconds, clapping furiously. He finished with 11 points and six assists.<h2>Key stats</h2>The 7-foot-2 Dickinson made 13 of 21 shots from the field, including his only 3-point attempt, and grabbed 12 rebounds. He also had three steals and a block at the defensive end.<h2>Up next</h2>Kansas returns home Saturday to face Oakland. Michigan State hosts Bowling Green on Saturday.___

🏀 Bill Self becomes winningest coach in KU history in win over Michigan State

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City Royals catcher&nbsp;Salvador Perez&nbsp;and shortstop&nbsp;Bobby Witt Jr.&nbsp;have been named winners of the 2024 Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award, as announced tonight by Louisville Slugger.

Perez was voted a winner over three other American League finalists at the catcher position: Houston’s&nbsp;Yainer Diaz, Oakland’s&nbsp;Shea Langeliers&nbsp;and Seattle’s&nbsp;Cal Raleigh. This marks Salvy’s fifth career Silver Slugger Award, following 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2021, extending his franchise record, ahead of Hall of Famer&nbsp;George Brett, who won the award three times.

Salvy is the ninth player to win at least five Louisville Silver Slugger Awards as a catcher since the award was established in 1980, joining&nbsp;Mike Piazza&nbsp;(10),&nbsp;Iván Rodríguez&nbsp;(7),&nbsp;Brian McCann&nbsp;(6),&nbsp;Lance Parrish&nbsp;(6),&nbsp;Gary Carter&nbsp;(5),&nbsp;Joe Mauer&nbsp;(5),&nbsp;Jorge Posada&nbsp;(5) and&nbsp;Buster Posey&nbsp;(5).

Perez, who is also a five-time&nbsp;Rawlings&nbsp;Gold Glove Award-winner, is now the second catcher to win five&nbsp;Rawlings&nbsp;Gold Gloves and five Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger awards, joining the Hall of Famer Pudge Rodríguez, who won 13 Gold Gloves and seven Silver Slugger Awards.&nbsp;

Among qualified American League catchers in 2024 (min. 50% games at the position), Perez ranked 1st in RBI (104), on-base percentage (.330), slugging percentage (.456), OPS (.786) and extra-base hits (55), 2nd in batting average (.271) and hits (160) and 3rd in home runs (27).

Salvy’s 104 RBI were the 2nd most ever by a catcher (min. 50% games) in his age-34 season or older, trailing only&nbsp;Carlton Fisk, who had 107 RBI at age 37 in 1985.

Salvy played in 158 games in 2024, the 2nd-highest total of his 13-year career, and made 90 starts behind the plate. His 27 home runs tied for the 2nd-highest total of his career and marked his eighth season with at least 20 HR. Perez ranked 2nd among all Major League players with 29 go-ahead RBI, trailing only&nbsp;Aaron Judge&nbsp;(32).

Witt Jr. is a first-time Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award-winner, after besting two other American League finalists at shortstop: Baltimore’s&nbsp;Gunnar Henderson&nbsp;and Texas’&nbsp;Corey Seager.

Witt Jr. is the first shortstop in Royals history to win a Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award. He led all Major League players in 2024 with a .332 batting average and 211 hits. Among qualified shortstops in the American League, he also ranked 1st in runs (125), RBI (109), on-base percentage (.389), slugging percentage (.588), OPS (.977), extra-base hits (88) and games (161).

Witt Jr. hit 32 home runs (2nd among AL shortstops) and had 30 stolen bases to become the first shortstop in Major League history to record consecutive 30/30 seasons. He also became the second player ever (regardless of position) to lead the Majors in batting average during a 30/30 season, joining&nbsp;Mookie Betts&nbsp;in 2018.

Witt Jr., who also won a&nbsp;Rawlings&nbsp;Gold Glove Award this season for the first time, is now the 13th different shortstop (18th occurrence) to win a&nbsp;Rawlings&nbsp;Gold Glove and a Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award in the same season, and the first since&nbsp;Brandon Crawford&nbsp;in 2015.

This marks the third time in Royals history that they had two Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award winners in the same season, following 1980 (Brett and&nbsp;Willie Wilson) and 1982 (Wilson and&nbsp;Hal McRae). The Royals are one of two American League teams to have multiple winners this season, along with the Yankees.

Including Perez and Witt Jr., the Royals have had 11 players combined for 18 Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Awards.

Kansas City RoyalsKANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City Royals catcher&nbsp;Salvador Perez&nbsp;and shortstop&nbsp;Bobby Witt Jr.&nbsp;have been named winners of the 2024 Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award, as announced tonight by Louisville Slugger.Perez was voted a winner over three other American League finalists at the catcher position: Houston’s&nbsp;Yainer Diaz, Oakland’s&nbsp;Shea Langeliers&nbsp;and Seattle’s&nbsp;Cal Raleigh. This marks Salvy’s fifth career Silver Slugger Award, following 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2021, extending his franchise record, ahead of Hall of Famer&nbsp;George Brett, who won the award three times.Salvy is the ninth player to win at least five Louisville Silver Slugger Awards as a catcher since the award was established in 1980, joining&nbsp;Mike Piazza&nbsp;(10),&nbsp;Iván Rodríguez&nbsp;(7),&nbsp;Brian McCann&nbsp;(6),&nbsp;Lance Parrish&nbsp;(6),&nbsp;Gary Carter&nbsp;(5),&nbsp;Joe Mauer&nbsp;(5),&nbsp;Jorge Posada&nbsp;(5) and&nbsp;Buster Posey&nbsp;(5).Perez, who is also a five-time&nbsp;Rawlings&nbsp;Gold Glove Award-winner, is now the second catcher to win five&nbsp;Rawlings&nbsp;Gold Gloves and five Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger awards, joining the Hall of Famer Pudge Rodríguez, who won 13 Gold Gloves and seven Silver Slugger Awards.&nbsp;Among qualified American League catchers in 2024 (min. 50% games at the position), Perez ranked 1st in RBI (104), on-base percentage (.330), slugging percentage (.456), OPS (.786) and extra-base hits (55), 2nd in batting average (.271) and hits (160) and 3rd in home runs (27).Salvy’s 104 RBI were the 2nd most ever by a catcher (min. 50% games) in his age-34 season or older, trailing only&nbsp;Carlton Fisk, who had 107 RBI at age 37 in 1985.Salvy played in 158 games in 2024, the 2nd-highest total of his 13-year career, and made 90 starts behind the plate. His 27 home runs tied for the 2nd-highest total of his career and marked his eighth season with at least 20 HR. Perez ranked 2nd among all Major League players with 29 go-ahead RBI, trailing only&nbsp;Aaron Judge&nbsp;(32).Witt Jr. is a first-time Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award-winner, after besting two other American League finalists at shortstop: Baltimore’s&nbsp;Gunnar Henderson&nbsp;and Texas’&nbsp;Corey Seager.Witt Jr. is the first shortstop in Royals history to win a Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award. He led all Major League players in 2024 with a .332 batting average and 211 hits. Among qualified shortstops in the American League, he also ranked 1st in runs (125), RBI (109), on-base percentage (.389), slugging percentage (.588), OPS (.977), extra-base hits (88) and games (161).Witt Jr. hit 32 home runs (2nd among AL shortstops) and had 30 stolen bases to become the first shortstop in Major League history to record consecutive 30/30 seasons. He also became the second player ever (regardless of position) to lead the Majors in batting average during a 30/30 season, joining&nbsp;Mookie Betts&nbsp;in 2018.Witt Jr., who also won a&nbsp;Rawlings&nbsp;Gold Glove Award this season for the first time, is now the 13th different shortstop (18th occurrence) to win a&nbsp;Rawlings&nbsp;Gold Glove and a Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award in the same season, and the first since&nbsp;Brandon Crawford&nbsp;in 2015.This marks the third time in Royals history that they had two Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award winners in the same season, following 1980 (Brett and&nbsp;Willie Wilson) and 1982 (Wilson and&nbsp;Hal McRae). The Royals are one of two American League teams to have multiple winners this season, along with the Yankees.Including Perez and Witt Jr., the Royals have had 11 players combined for 18 Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Awards.

⚾ Perez, Witt Jr. named Silver Slugger Award winners

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Fort Hays State's&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/olivia-hollenbeck/8329">Olivia Hollenbeck</a>&nbsp;has been named the first MIAA Women's Basketball Athlete of the Week, presented by Southern Bank, for the 2024-25 season, announced Tuesday by the league office.

Hollenbeck is off to a stellar start to her fifth season in a Tiger uniform, averaging 24.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 2.5 steals per game across a pair of FHSU victories last weekend at the Central Regional Crossover Challenge in St. Joseph, Mo. The graduate student leads the league in both points and shooting percentage (67.7 percent) and is tied for the league lead in blocks while she ranks seventh in steals and 12th in rebounds.

The Lincoln, Neb. native opened the season with 29 points in 29 minutes in a win over Augustana after knocking down 12-of-17 from the floor. She scored 25 points after halftime and finished the game with three blocks, two steals and seven rebounds. Hollenbeck followed that up with 19 points, six rebounds, three steals and two blocks in less than 22 minutes of action in a victory against MSU Moorhead.

Hollenbeck scored her 1,450th career point on Saturday, moving her past Naomi Bancroft (1,449 points, 2006-10) to climb into ninth on the all-time scoring list at FHSU.

This is the first time the four-time All-MIAA selection has been selected for a conference weekly award. It is the third time FHSU has had the first MIAA Athlete of the Week out of the last four years, with&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/katie-wagner-degarmo/8334">Katie Wagner DeGarmo</a>&nbsp;receiving the honor early in the 2021-22 season and the 2023-24 campaign.

The Tigers will make their home debut this weekend when they take on Adams State on Friday, 5:30 p.m. and MSU Denver on Saturday, 5 p.m..&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731443728899.png" alt="2024-11-12 (2).png" />
 <figcaption>2024-11-12 (2).png</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsKANSAS CITY, Mo. - Fort Hays State's&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/olivia-hollenbeck/8329">Olivia Hollenbeck</a>&nbsp;has been named the first MIAA Women's Basketball Athlete of the Week, presented by Southern Bank, for the 2024-25 season, announced Tuesday by the league office.Hollenbeck is off to a stellar start to her fifth season in a Tiger uniform, averaging 24.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 2.5 steals per game across a pair of FHSU victories last weekend at the Central Regional Crossover Challenge in St. Joseph, Mo. The graduate student leads the league in both points and shooting percentage (67.7 percent) and is tied for the league lead in blocks while she ranks seventh in steals and 12th in rebounds.The Lincoln, Neb. native opened the season with 29 points in 29 minutes in a win over Augustana after knocking down 12-of-17 from the floor. She scored 25 points after halftime and finished the game with three blocks, two steals and seven rebounds. Hollenbeck followed that up with 19 points, six rebounds, three steals and two blocks in less than 22 minutes of action in a victory against MSU Moorhead.Hollenbeck scored her 1,450th career point on Saturday, moving her past Naomi Bancroft (1,449 points, 2006-10) to climb into ninth on the all-time scoring list at FHSU.This is the first time the four-time All-MIAA selection has been selected for a conference weekly award. It is the third time FHSU has had the first MIAA Athlete of the Week out of the last four years, with&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/katie-wagner-degarmo/8334">Katie Wagner DeGarmo</a>&nbsp;receiving the honor early in the 2021-22 season and the 2023-24 campaign.The Tigers will make their home debut this weekend when they take on Adams State on Friday, 5:30 p.m. and MSU Denver on Saturday, 5 p.m..&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 FHSU's Hollenbeck named MIAA Athlete of the Week

AKRON, Ohio (AP) — Gerry Faust, the gravel-voiced Cincinnati high school coach who lived a dream by becoming the coach at Notre Dame, has died. He was 89.

Notre Dame said in an email to The Associated Press on Tuesday that the family confirmed Faust’s death. No details were immediately provided.

Faust guided the Fighting Irish from 1981 through 1985, compiling a record of 30-26-1. He succeeded Dan Devine as coach of Notre Dame and preceded Lou Holtz.

“I have always loved Notre Dame and still do,” he said after he was fired following the 1985 season.

He spent the next nine seasons as the head coach at the University of Akron, bringing the program from Division II to major-college status. His record was 43-53-3 with the Zips.

He remained at Akron after his coaching days, working as a fundraiser and in the development office before retiring in 2001.

It was as a high school coach that Faust first stepped into the spotlight.

After graduating in 1958 from the University of Dayton with a degree in marketing and management, Faust accepted his first coaching position as an assistant at his high school alma mater, Dayton Chaminade. His father, Gerry Sr., had coached at Chaminade for 49 years.

Two seasons later, Faust accepted an offer to build a football program at a new high school, Archbishop Moeller, in suburban Cincinnati.

He spent three years constructing the foundation of what would become a legendary program in high school athletics.

In 1963, Moeller’s first varsity team surprised many with a 9-1 record.

In the next 17 years, Faust’s Moeller teams posted nine undefeated seasons, won 10 city championships, eight regional titles and five big-school state championships.

Four times Faust teams were awarded mythical national championships, each following unbeaten and untied seasons in 1976, ’77, ’79 and ’80.

The 1980 team completed a 13-0 season and capped Faust’s high school coaching record at a remarkable 174-17-2, a success rate of nearly 91%.

There was a public outcry when Faust was selected to take over at Notre Dame in the spring of 1981. The school’s administrators were admonished for elevating a high school coach to the most revered position in college coaching.

Faust’s first team in South Bend went 5-6 and he followed that with marks of 6-4, 7-5, 7-5 and 5-6.

His first Akron team in 1986 went 7-4, but his teams — playing a difficult Division I-AA schedule and, eventually, some of the top teams in I-A — never reached that level again.

AKRON, Ohio (AP) — Gerry Faust, the gravel-voiced Cincinnati high school coach who lived a dream by becoming the coach at Notre Dame, has died. He was 89.Notre Dame said in an email to The Associated Press on Tuesday that the family confirmed Faust’s death. No details were immediately provided.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We are deeply saddened by the loss of Gerry Faust. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Faust family and Gerry’s loved ones. → <a href="https://t.co/4emkI07LeQ">https://t.co/4emkI07LeQ</a> <a href="https://t.co/RoDIt4n1Xo">pic.twitter.com/RoDIt4n1Xo</a>&mdash; The Fighting Irish (@FightingIrish) <a href="https://twitter.com/FightingIrish/status/1856366849522307429?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Faust guided the Fighting Irish from 1981 through 1985, compiling a record of 30-26-1. He succeeded Dan Devine as coach of Notre Dame and preceded Lou Holtz.“I have always loved Notre Dame and still do,” he said after he was fired following the 1985 season.He spent the next nine seasons as the head coach at the University of Akron, bringing the program from Division II to major-college status. His record was 43-53-3 with the Zips.He remained at Akron after his coaching days, working as a fundraiser and in the development office before retiring in 2001.It was as a high school coach that Faust first stepped into the spotlight.After graduating in 1958 from the University of Dayton with a degree in marketing and management, Faust accepted his first coaching position as an assistant at his high school alma mater, Dayton Chaminade. His father, Gerry Sr., had coached at Chaminade for 49 years.Two seasons later, Faust accepted an offer to build a football program at a new high school, Archbishop Moeller, in suburban Cincinnati.He spent three years constructing the foundation of what would become a legendary program in high school athletics.In 1963, Moeller’s first varsity team surprised many with a 9-1 record.In the next 17 years, Faust’s Moeller teams posted nine undefeated seasons, won 10 city championships, eight regional titles and five big-school state championships.Four times Faust teams were awarded mythical national championships, each following unbeaten and untied seasons in 1976, ’77, ’79 and ’80.The 1980 team completed a 13-0 season and capped Faust’s high school coaching record at a remarkable 174-17-2, a success rate of nearly 91%.There was a public outcry when Faust was selected to take over at Notre Dame in the spring of 1981. The school’s administrators were admonished for elevating a high school coach to the most revered position in college coaching.Faust’s first team in South Bend went 5-6 and he followed that with marks of 6-4, 7-5, 7-5 and 5-6.His first Akron team in 1986 went 7-4, but his teams — playing a difficult Division I-AA schedule and, eventually, some of the top teams in I-A — never reached that level again.<h2>___</h2>

Gerry Faust, former head football coach at Notre Dame, has died at 89

Hays Post Fort Hays State Tiger football coach Chris Brown, defensive back Jaxon Kolzow and running back Shane Watts spoke to the media Tuesday before the Tigers travel to Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hays Post Fort Hays State Tiger football coach Chris Brown, defensive back Jaxon Kolzow and running back Shane Watts spoke to the media Tuesday before the Tigers travel to Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday.&nbsp;&nbsp;<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G2PPSEuzKD0?si=NNjOpTjMFY5r3oBG" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LAC1dSFo_ZM?si=ivhltKc4GFkeXi62" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6p3u9BDXxBQ?si=xJdEs5RUursN0YgD" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

🏈📹 FHSU weekly press conference 

Tuesday, November 12
 KAYS: Kansas MBKB vs.
Michigan State, 4:00pm

Tuesday, November 12
 KAYS: Kansas MBKB vs.
Michigan State, 4:00pmWednesday, November 13
 KAYS: Hawk Talk with Lance Leipold, 6:00pmThursday, 11/14 noneFriday, November 15
 KJLS: Fort Hays State
WBKB vs. Adams State, 5:05pm
 KKQY: Hill City vs. South Central, 5:15*
 KAYS: Victoria FB vs. Central Christian, 5:45pm
 KHAZ: Plainville FB at Conway Springs, 5:45pm
 KFIX: Hays High FB at Hutchinson, 6:30pmSaturday, November 16
 KJLS: Fort Hays State
FB at Nebraska-Kearney, 11:00am
 KAYS: Kansas MBKB vs. Oakland, 3:30pm
 KJLS: Fort Hays State WBKB vs. MSU Denver, 4:35pm
 KAYS: Kansas FB at BYU, 7:30pmSunday, November 17
 KFIX: Kansas City
Chiefs at Buffalo Bills, 2:00pm

INDIANAPOLIS - Fort Hays State's&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-cross-country/roster/emily-diercks/8438">Emily Diercks</a>&nbsp;earned an automatic qualifier spot to compete in the 2024 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, held next Saturday (Nov. 23) beginning at 1:15 p.m. (11:15 a.m. PT) at the Arcade Creek Cross Country Course in Sacramento, Calif.

Diercks secured her trip to the national meet with a seventh-place finish at this weekend's&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/news/2024/11/9/womens-cross-country-women-sixth-at-cross-country-regionals-diercks-named-all-region.aspx">Central Region Championships</a>, where she was the second-highest finishing individual not on an advancing team with a time of 21:12.7.The Hoxie, Kan. native is no stranger to national championship events after competing in two NJCAA Cross Country national meets and three NJCAA track national events during her time at Colby CC. Diercks was a cross country All-American after finishing sixth as a sophomore in 2022, while she placed 51st as a freshman in 2021. She went on to earn numerous All-American trophies in track, including winning the 2023 NJCAA Indoor 3,000m national title.

Diercks has had a stellar junior campaign, finishing in the top seven at all five races in which she finished including a pair of victories. She was the MIAA individual champion and was an All-Region selection, placing behind only six DII runners all season.

This is the fourth-straight season the Tigers have sent an individual to the national race and the ninth time out of the last 12 DII national championships that have had some sort of Tiger representation.

The top three teams from each of eight regions earn automatic bids as a team, with 10 more teams nationwide being selected on an at-large basis. A total of five teams were chosen from the Central Region, with the Tigers being the top-finishing team to not earn a bid.

Augustana, Pittsburg State, Rogers State, U-Mary and Winona State will all compete as a team, while Diercks will be joined by three other individuals from the Central Region - Ella Buhlke from Nebraska-Kearney, Franny Seidel from Minnesota Duluth and Sophia Strange from Oklahoma Baptist. A total of 34 teams and 26 individuals will run in the national championships.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731409852469.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsINDIANAPOLIS - Fort Hays State's&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-cross-country/roster/emily-diercks/8438">Emily Diercks</a>&nbsp;earned an automatic qualifier spot to compete in the 2024 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, held next Saturday (Nov. 23) beginning at 1:15 p.m. (11:15 a.m. PT) at the Arcade Creek Cross Country Course in Sacramento, Calif.Diercks secured her trip to the national meet with a seventh-place finish at this weekend's&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/news/2024/11/9/womens-cross-country-women-sixth-at-cross-country-regionals-diercks-named-all-region.aspx">Central Region Championships</a>, where she was the second-highest finishing individual not on an advancing team with a time of 21:12.7.The Hoxie, Kan. native is no stranger to national championship events after competing in two NJCAA Cross Country national meets and three NJCAA track national events during her time at Colby CC. Diercks was a cross country All-American after finishing sixth as a sophomore in 2022, while she placed 51st as a freshman in 2021. She went on to earn numerous All-American trophies in track, including winning the 2023 NJCAA Indoor 3,000m national title.Diercks has had a stellar junior campaign, finishing in the top seven at all five races in which she finished including a pair of victories. She was the MIAA individual champion and was an All-Region selection, placing behind only six DII runners all season.This is the fourth-straight season the Tigers have sent an individual to the national race and the ninth time out of the last 12 DII national championships that have had some sort of Tiger representation.The top three teams from each of eight regions earn automatic bids as a team, with 10 more teams nationwide being selected on an at-large basis. A total of five teams were chosen from the Central Region, with the Tigers being the top-finishing team to not earn a bid.Augustana, Pittsburg State, Rogers State, U-Mary and Winona State will all compete as a team, while Diercks will be joined by three other individuals from the Central Region - Ella Buhlke from Nebraska-Kearney, Franny Seidel from Minnesota Duluth and Sophia Strange from Oklahoma Baptist. A total of 34 teams and 26 individuals will run in the national championships.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏃‍♀️ FHSU's Diercks picked to run at National Championship

INDIANAPOLIS – In the final edition of NCAA regional rankings released on Monday, Fort Hays State has surged into the Super Region 3 Top 10 rankings at No. 8 going into its final regular season game. The Tigers were not listed in the first two editions of the rankings, but a big win over Emporia State on November 2 and other results the past two weeks have got the Tigers right on the edge of potentially getting into the NCAA Playoffs.

Fort Hays State goes on the road to Nebraska-Kearney this Saturday to wrap the 2024 regular season. The Tigers need a win on Saturday and then potentially need help elsewhere or to have some mathematical formulas break their way to jump up among the seven teams selected to compete in the NCAA Playoffs from Super Region 3.

While sitting idle for a week, Fort Hays State vaulted past three schools to the No. 8 spot this week in comparison to the November 4 edition of the region rankings. In the last region ranking release, Emporia State was No. 7, Saginaw Valley State was No. 8, and Southern Arkansas was No. 10. The Tigers jumped past all three of those schools this week to No. 8, while last week's No. 9 ranked University of Indianapolis moved up to No. 7 this week.

The top seven teams in Super Region 3 will be selected to compete in the NCAA Playoffs. The Super Region 3 Top 7 for November 11, 2024 consists of two schools from the GLIAC (Ferris State and Grand Valley State), two schools from the MIAA (Pittsburg State and Central Oklahoma), two schools from the GAC (Ouachita Baptist and Harding), and one school from the GLVC (Indianapolis).

NCAA Super Region 3 Rankings for November 11, 2024 Rank - Team - Conference - Overall D2 Record - In-Region D2 Record 1 - Ferris State - GLIAC - 9-1 - 8-1 2 - Grand Valley State - GLIAC - 8-1 - 6-1 3 - Pittsburg State - MIAA - 7-2 - 7-2 4 - Central Oklahoma - MIAA - 8-1 - 8-1 5 - Ouachita Baptist - GAC - 9-1 - 9-1 6 - Harding - GAC - 9-1 - 9-1 7 - UIndy - GLVC - 9-1 - 9-1 8 - Fort Hays State - MIAA - 7-3 - 6-3 9 - Central Missouri - MIAA - 7-3 - 7-3 10 - Saginaw Valley State - GLIAC - 7-3 - 7-3&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731365255335.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsINDIANAPOLIS – In the final edition of NCAA regional rankings released on Monday, Fort Hays State has surged into the Super Region 3 Top 10 rankings at No. 8 going into its final regular season game. The Tigers were not listed in the first two editions of the rankings, but a big win over Emporia State on November 2 and other results the past two weeks have got the Tigers right on the edge of potentially getting into the NCAA Playoffs.Fort Hays State goes on the road to Nebraska-Kearney this Saturday to wrap the 2024 regular season. The Tigers need a win on Saturday and then potentially need help elsewhere or to have some mathematical formulas break their way to jump up among the seven teams selected to compete in the NCAA Playoffs from Super Region 3.While sitting idle for a week, Fort Hays State vaulted past three schools to the No. 8 spot this week in comparison to the November 4 edition of the region rankings. In the last region ranking release, Emporia State was No. 7, Saginaw Valley State was No. 8, and Southern Arkansas was No. 10. The Tigers jumped past all three of those schools this week to No. 8, while last week's No. 9 ranked University of Indianapolis moved up to No. 7 this week.The top seven teams in Super Region 3 will be selected to compete in the NCAA Playoffs. The Super Region 3 Top 7 for November 11, 2024 consists of two schools from the GLIAC (Ferris State and Grand Valley State), two schools from the MIAA (Pittsburg State and Central Oklahoma), two schools from the GAC (Ouachita Baptist and Harding), and one school from the GLVC (Indianapolis).NCAA Super Region 3 Rankings for November 11, 2024 Rank - Team - Conference - Overall D2 Record - In-Region D2 Record 1 - Ferris State - GLIAC - 9-1 - 8-1 2 - Grand Valley State - GLIAC - 8-1 - 6-1 3 - Pittsburg State - MIAA - 7-2 - 7-2 4 - Central Oklahoma - MIAA - 8-1 - 8-1 5 - Ouachita Baptist - GAC - 9-1 - 9-1 6 - Harding - GAC - 9-1 - 9-1 7 - UIndy - GLVC - 9-1 - 9-1 8 - Fort Hays State - MIAA - 7-3 - 6-3 9 - Central Missouri - MIAA - 7-3 - 7-3 10 - Saginaw Valley State - GLIAC - 7-3 - 7-3&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏈 Tiger surge into NCAA II Super Region 3 rankings

For the third time this season, Fort Hays State is in the D2Football.com Top 25 Poll. The latest edition released on Monday has the Tigers ranked No. 23. FHSU is 7-3 overall on the season. FHSU wraps up its regular season this Saturday&nbsp; at Nebraska-Kearney.

Fort Hays State is one of four MIAA schools listed in the D2Football.com Top 25 this week. Central Oklahoma (9-1) is No. 7, Pittsburg State (7-2) is No. 8, Fort Hays State (7-3) is No. 23, and Central Missouri (7-3) is No. 24.In the latest AFCA Top 25 Poll, Central Oklahoma is No. 8 and Pittsburg State is No. 13. Central Missouri and Fort Hays State are the top two teams in the receiving votes section. Emporia State is also receiving votes.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731362664713.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsFor the third time this season, Fort Hays State is in the D2Football.com Top 25 Poll. The latest edition released on Monday has the Tigers ranked No. 23. FHSU is 7-3 overall on the season. FHSU wraps up its regular season this Saturday&nbsp; at Nebraska-Kearney.Fort Hays State is one of four MIAA schools listed in the D2Football.com Top 25 this week. Central Oklahoma (9-1) is No. 7, Pittsburg State (7-2) is No. 8, Fort Hays State (7-3) is No. 23, and Central Missouri (7-3) is No. 24.In the latest AFCA Top 25 Poll, Central Oklahoma is No. 8 and Pittsburg State is No. 13. Central Missouri and Fort Hays State are the top two teams in the receiving votes section. Emporia State is also receiving votes.

🏈 Tigers return to D2Football.com top 25

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Fort Hays State Men's Soccer will be the No. 3 seed in the Great American Conference Championship Tournament this week in Bethany, Okla. The Tigers finished just one point shy of a tie for first place in the GAC standings behind Southern Nazarene and Rogers State. Southern Nazarene had the tiebreaker for the No. 1 seed and will host the tournament for a fourth-straight year.

Fort Hays State will meet No. 2 seed Rogers State in the semifinals on Thursday at 3 p.m. Winner of the match will move on to Saturday's championship match at 1 p.m. This will be the fourth-straight year FHSU and Rogers State are meeting in the semifinals. Rogers State won the last two, while FHSU won back in 2021.

Fort Hays State was No. 12 in the most recent edition of the NCAA Super Region rankings. A new release of the rankings will come out on Wednesday. Ten teams are selected to each of four Super Regionals for the NCAA Tournament. FHSU is part of Super Region 3. Conference tournament champions from four conferences within the super region automatically qualify for the national tournament, while the other six slots are filled with at-large selections.

No. 1 seed Southern Nazarene will meet No. 4 seed Newman in the other semifinal match, set for 6 p.m. on Thursday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731361542157.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsRUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Fort Hays State Men's Soccer will be the No. 3 seed in the Great American Conference Championship Tournament this week in Bethany, Okla. The Tigers finished just one point shy of a tie for first place in the GAC standings behind Southern Nazarene and Rogers State. Southern Nazarene had the tiebreaker for the No. 1 seed and will host the tournament for a fourth-straight year.Fort Hays State will meet No. 2 seed Rogers State in the semifinals on Thursday at 3 p.m. Winner of the match will move on to Saturday's championship match at 1 p.m. This will be the fourth-straight year FHSU and Rogers State are meeting in the semifinals. Rogers State won the last two, while FHSU won back in 2021.Fort Hays State was No. 12 in the most recent edition of the NCAA Super Region rankings. A new release of the rankings will come out on Wednesday. Ten teams are selected to each of four Super Regionals for the NCAA Tournament. FHSU is part of Super Region 3. Conference tournament champions from four conferences within the super region automatically qualify for the national tournament, while the other six slots are filled with at-large selections.No. 1 seed Southern Nazarene will meet No. 4 seed Newman in the other semifinal match, set for 6 p.m. on Thursday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

⚽ FHSU men to play Rogers State in GAC Tournament semifinals

LAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;– After extending his own school record in Kansas' 45-36 win over No. 17 Iowa State, senior cornerback&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/mello-dotson/1352">Mello Dotson</a>&nbsp;has been named the Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Week. The conference announced the weekly honors on Monday.

Dotson was KU's highest graded defensive player against Iowa State, receiving an 85.1 grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF). Statistically, he recorded one solo tackle and one pass breakup, and his interception with 5:58 to play sealed the victory after he returned it 25 yards for a touchdown, putting Kansas up 45-28 at the time.

The interception was historic for Dotson as it extended his own school record as his fourth career interception returned for a touchdown, which is also tops among all active FBS players. It was the fourth interception for Dotson this season, which is tied for the Big 12 lead, and the 11th of his career, which is tied for No. 4 in school history.

This is the first career Big 12 weekly honor for Dotson, who joins KU's other senior cornerback,&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/cobee-bryant/1350">Cobee Bryant</a>, in receiving conference recognition this season. Bryant was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 21 after tying the single-game school record with three interceptions in KU's 42-14 victory over Houston.

Kansas returns to action on Saturday, Nov. 16, traveling to Provo, Utah for the first time to face No. 7 BYU, who will be the third-straight ranked opponent for the Jayhawks. Kickoff from LaVell Edwards Stadium is set for 9:15 p.m. CT and the game will be televised on ESPN.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731411738661.png" alt="Kansas Athletics photo" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Athletics photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas AthleticsLAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;– After extending his own school record in Kansas' 45-36 win over No. 17 Iowa State, senior cornerback&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/mello-dotson/1352">Mello Dotson</a>&nbsp;has been named the Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Week. The conference announced the weekly honors on Monday.Dotson was KU's highest graded defensive player against Iowa State, receiving an 85.1 grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF). Statistically, he recorded one solo tackle and one pass breakup, and his interception with 5:58 to play sealed the victory after he returned it 25 yards for a touchdown, putting Kansas up 45-28 at the time.The interception was historic for Dotson as it extended his own school record as his fourth career interception returned for a touchdown, which is also tops among all active FBS players. It was the fourth interception for Dotson this season, which is tied for the Big 12 lead, and the 11th of his career, which is tied for No. 4 in school history.This is the first career Big 12 weekly honor for Dotson, who joins KU's other senior cornerback,&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/cobee-bryant/1350">Cobee Bryant</a>, in receiving conference recognition this season. Bryant was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 21 after tying the single-game school record with three interceptions in KU's 42-14 victory over Houston.Kansas returns to action on Saturday, Nov. 16, traveling to Provo, Utah for the first time to face No. 7 BYU, who will be the third-straight ranked opponent for the Jayhawks. Kickoff from LaVell Edwards Stadium is set for 9:15 p.m. CT and the game will be televised on ESPN.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏈 KU's Dotson Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week

🎥🏈 Redeem Designs Plays of the Week HHS vs Great Bend Playoffs

Monday, November 11
 KFIX: Chiefs Kingdom,
6pm

Monday, November 11
 KFIX: Chiefs Kingdom,
6pmTuesday, November 12
 KAYS: Kansas MBKB vs.
Michigan State, 4:00pmWednesday, November 13
 KAYS: Hawk Talk with Lance Leipold, 6:00pmThursday, 11/14 noneFriday, November 15
 KJLS: Fort Hays State
WBKB vs. Adams State, 5:05pm
 KKQY: Hill City vs. South Central, 5:15*
 KAYS: Victoria FB vs. Central Christian, 5:45pm
 KHAZ: Plainville FB at Conway Springs, 5:45pm
 KFIX: Hays High FB at Hutchinson, 6:30pmSaturday, November 16
 KJLS: Fort Hays State
FB at Nebraska-Kearney, 11:00am
 KAYS: Kansas MBKB vs. Oakland, 3:30pm
 KJLS: Fort Hays State WBKB vs. MSU Denver, 4:35pm
 KAYS: Kansas FB at BYU, 7:30pmSunday, November 17
 KFIX: Kansas City
Chiefs at Buffalo Bills, 2:00pm

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs have won just about every way imaginable during a perfect 15-game run that dates to last season: Patrick Mahomes leading last-second touchdown drives, their defense making a stand, and Harrison Butker kicking game-winning field goals.

They added a walk-off block to the list against the Broncos on Sunday.

<a href="https://x.com/NFL/status/1855715685764407408">Leo Chenal was part of a red wave</a>&nbsp;that crashed through the center of the Denver field goal unit, and the Chiefs linebacker got his hand on Wil Lutz's 35-yard attempt as time expired, allowing Kansas City&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/sports/denver-broncos-kansas-city-chiefs-e0c70031bac895819e5b83d347f168ba">to escape with a 16-14 victory</a>.

“It's a complete shock, you know? Not much I can say about it," Chenal said. “I was really praying for something to happen. That moment is so heavy. There's a second on the clock, they're going to kick a field goal and you feel the weight of the moment.”

Chiefs coach Andy Reid indicated they took advantage of something they had seen in the Broncos' field-goal operation.

“We did,” Reid said, “but it's also something we work on like crazy. It normally doesn't work quite like that one.”

The Chiefs had taken the lead on Butker's field goal with 5:57 remaining, but Bo Nix and the Broncos converted a trio of third downs while marching right back down the field. They proceeded to set up Lutz for the winner, but Chenal came up the middle amid a big push by the Kansas City defensive line to get his hand on the kick.

The ball squibbed away toward the Denver sideline as the Chiefs rushed onto the field to celebrate.

“I felt like we outplayed them but we didn't finish,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said. “That one will take a while. It'll sting.”

Mahomes finished with 266 yards passing and a touchdown for the Chiefs, who became only the fifth Super Bowl champion to win its first nine games the next season. That also matches the best start to a season in franchise history, and their 15-game win streak dating to last season is the longest in the NFL since the Packers won 19 in a row from 2010-11.

Travis Kelce had eight catches for 64 yards and a touchdown for Kansas City. DeAndre Hopkins caught four passes for 56 yards, and Kareem Hunt was held to 35 yards rushing but also caught seven passes for 65 yards.

“Any way you win is good in this league,” Mahomes said. “You live for these moments. When you grow up playing football, you live for the walk-off whatever-it-is. And I'm glad we get to experience it together.”

Nix finished with 215 yards passing and two touchdowns for the Broncos (5-5). Courtland Sutton had six catches for 60 yards and a score. And their 13-yard hookup on third-and-6 with 1:45 left is what gave&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/NFL/status/1855715047949193510">Denver a chance to kick as time expired</a>.

“They just made one extra play. When we thought it was in our hands, it wasn't,” Nix said. “It's tough. And again, it's two good football teams out there playing against each other, and one day it will go our way.”

The Broncos stunned the Chiefs a year ago, forcing five turnovers in a 21-9 win at Denver that ended a 16-game losing streak in the series. And they clearly had the same intention in mind as the AFC West rivals met again Sunday.

Their defense harassed Mahomes throughout the first half, particularly when an injury to Wanya Morris forced rookie left tackle Kingsley Suamataia into the game. And the Broncos capitalized on offense with two long scoring drives, the first ending with Nix finding Devaughn Vele wide open and the second with Sutton's 32-yard TD catch for a 14-3 lead.

It was Mahomes who got the Chiefs on track, going 7 for 7 for 62 yards on the ensuing drive. When it looked as if it had stalled at the Denver 2, Reid went against his conservative nature on fourth down, and Mahomes hit Kelce for the score.

The Chiefs still trailed 14-10 at the break, meaning they had Denver right where they wanted them.

Unflappable in winning its last eight games when trailing in the second half, Kansas City closed within 14-13 on Butker's chip-shot field goal late in the third quarter. The Chiefs defense then forced back-to-back punts, and Mahomes and the offense drove to the Denver 2, where Butker added the go-ahead kick with just under six minutes remaining.

Plenty of time for the Broncos to drive down the field. Not enough time for them to win.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731272059485.png" alt="Photo Kansas City Chiefs" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas City Chiefs</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs have won just about every way imaginable during a perfect 15-game run that dates to last season: Patrick Mahomes leading last-second touchdown drives, their defense making a stand, and Harrison Butker kicking game-winning field goals.They added a walk-off block to the list against the Broncos on Sunday.<a href="https://x.com/NFL/status/1855715685764407408">Leo Chenal was part of a red wave</a>&nbsp;that crashed through the center of the Denver field goal unit, and the Chiefs linebacker got his hand on Wil Lutz's 35-yard attempt as time expired, allowing Kansas City&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/sports/denver-broncos-kansas-city-chiefs-e0c70031bac895819e5b83d347f168ba">to escape with a 16-14 victory</a>.“It's a complete shock, you know? Not much I can say about it," Chenal said. “I was really praying for something to happen. That moment is so heavy. There's a second on the clock, they're going to kick a field goal and you feel the weight of the moment.”Chiefs coach Andy Reid indicated they took advantage of something they had seen in the Broncos' field-goal operation.“We did,” Reid said, “but it's also something we work on like crazy. It normally doesn't work quite like that one.”The Chiefs had taken the lead on Butker's field goal with 5:57 remaining, but Bo Nix and the Broncos converted a trio of third downs while marching right back down the field. They proceeded to set up Lutz for the winner, but Chenal came up the middle amid a big push by the Kansas City defensive line to get his hand on the kick.The ball squibbed away toward the Denver sideline as the Chiefs rushed onto the field to celebrate.“I felt like we outplayed them but we didn't finish,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said. “That one will take a while. It'll sting.”Mahomes finished with 266 yards passing and a touchdown for the Chiefs, who became only the fifth Super Bowl champion to win its first nine games the next season. That also matches the best start to a season in franchise history, and their 15-game win streak dating to last season is the longest in the NFL since the Packers won 19 in a row from 2010-11.Travis Kelce had eight catches for 64 yards and a touchdown for Kansas City. DeAndre Hopkins caught four passes for 56 yards, and Kareem Hunt was held to 35 yards rushing but also caught seven passes for 65 yards.“Any way you win is good in this league,” Mahomes said. “You live for these moments. When you grow up playing football, you live for the walk-off whatever-it-is. And I'm glad we get to experience it together.”Nix finished with 215 yards passing and two touchdowns for the Broncos (5-5). Courtland Sutton had six catches for 60 yards and a score. And their 13-yard hookup on third-and-6 with 1:45 left is what gave&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/NFL/status/1855715047949193510">Denver a chance to kick as time expired</a>.“They just made one extra play. When we thought it was in our hands, it wasn't,” Nix said. “It's tough. And again, it's two good football teams out there playing against each other, and one day it will go our way.”The Broncos stunned the Chiefs a year ago, forcing five turnovers in a 21-9 win at Denver that ended a 16-game losing streak in the series. And they clearly had the same intention in mind as the AFC West rivals met again Sunday.Their defense harassed Mahomes throughout the first half, particularly when an injury to Wanya Morris forced rookie left tackle Kingsley Suamataia into the game. And the Broncos capitalized on offense with two long scoring drives, the first ending with Nix finding Devaughn Vele wide open and the second with Sutton's 32-yard TD catch for a 14-3 lead.It was Mahomes who got the Chiefs on track, going 7 for 7 for 62 yards on the ensuing drive. When it looked as if it had stalled at the Denver 2, Reid went against his conservative nature on fourth down, and Mahomes hit Kelce for the score.The Chiefs still trailed 14-10 at the break, meaning they had Denver right where they wanted them.Unflappable in winning its last eight games when trailing in the second half, Kansas City closed within 14-13 on Butker's chip-shot field goal late in the third quarter. The Chiefs defense then forced back-to-back punts, and Mahomes and the offense drove to the Denver 2, where Butker added the go-ahead kick with just under six minutes remaining.Plenty of time for the Broncos to drive down the field. Not enough time for them to win.“I told our team I was proud of the way they fought. I thought we outplayed them," Payton said. “But nonetheless, you have to beat a champion and we weren't able to do it, so obviously gut-wrenching.”<h2>Swift returns</h2>Taylor Swift was back at Arrowhead Stadium to watch Kelce and the Chiefs just&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-taylor-swift-kansas-city-1aca48cb971d6d232186c5d73a2c4244">six days after turning up</a>&nbsp;to see their win over Tampa Bay on Monday night. The pop superstar resumes her Eras Tour on Thursday night at Rogers Centre in Toronto.<h2>Injuries</h2>Chiefs: Morris hurt his knee in the first half but returned early in the fourth quarter.