KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes moved into the rarest of company Sunday, joining Tom Brady and Drew Brees as the only quarterbacks with multiple 5,000-yard passing seasons, and the Chiefs overcame another sloppy start to beat the Broncos for the 15th consecutive time and stay alive for the No. 1 seed in the AFC.

So everything must be good in Kansas City, right?

“There's not a lot satisfying for me,” Mahomes said shortly after the 27-24 victory.

There was the pick he threw in the end zone and the mechanics that went awry in the second half. There was the fumbled punt return that led to a Denver touchdown, a sloppy snap on a point-after attempt and even a blocked field goal.

Yet the Chiefs (13-3) still managed to escape a 17-13 third-quarter deficit and rally for their fourth consecutive win.

“When I don't have my best stuff and guys step up and we still win football games,” said Mahomes, who nevertheless finished with 328 yards passing and three touchdowns, “that's a good thing.”

Jerick McKinnon had two touchdown catches while Blake Bell and Isiah Pacheco also scored for the Chiefs, who began the day tied with Buffalo for the best record in the AFC; the Bills play Cincinnati on Monday night.

“We'll watch it,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said with a smile.

For a while the Broncos (4-12) looked as if they might cap a chaotic week that began with the firing of first-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett in a stunning victory. But a late letdown by one of the league's best defenses, an another interception from embattled quarterback Russell Wilson, resulted in the first loss for interim coach Jerry Rosburg.

“I saw players and coaches digging in to do all they could possibly do to win that game,” he said. “That all said, it wasn't good enough. It wasn't good enough and I'm heartbroken for those guys because they deserve a win.”

Wilson threw for 222 yards and a touchdown while also running for a pair of scores, the second of them — after two costly penalties on the Kansas City defense — pulling Denver within 27-24 with 6:14 left in the game.

The Broncos got the ball back with just under four minutes to go, too, and picked up a quick first down. But the Kansas City defense stiffened near midfield, and Chris Jones sacked Wilson on fourth-and-2 to effectively end the game.

The Chiefs' sluggish start against the downtrodden Broncos wasn't all that surprising. They've habitually played down to the opposition, whether it was in their overtime win at Houston or their 34-28 victory over the Broncos three weeks ago.

But the Chiefs also have proven over the years their ability to strike quickly, and they did that after falling behind for the first time Sunday. Mahomes answered with long passes to Toney and McKinnon, a penalty on third down gave them a fresh set of downs, and McKinnon turned a screen pass into a touchdown reception for the fifth straight game.

That streak is the longest for an NFL running back since Bill Dudley of the Lions in 1947.

“If I would have told you I saw it was coming, nah,” McKinnon said, “but that's what you put the work in the offseason for, when you're opportunity comes you're ready for the moment.”

The Chiefs struggled to maintain momentum after halftime, though, going three-and-out on their first three possessions. And the Broncos, with their third play-caller of the season in offensive coordinator Justin Outten, capitalized with a 63-yard touchdown drive that gave them a 17-13 lead late in the third quarter.

Then the Chiefs began looking like the Chiefs. And the Broncos like the Broncos.

Mahomes led the AFC West champs briskly downfield before hitting Bell from 17 yards for his first regular-season touchdown catch. And on the very next play, Wilson threw a wobbler under pressure that L'Jarius Sneed picked off, setting up McKinnon's second touchdown catch of the day and his eighth in the past five games.

The Broncos scored in the fourth quarter to give themselves a chance before Kansas City put the game away.

“When you win and you don't feel like you play you best ball, that's a really good thing,” Mahomes said. “We have to find a way to, for four quarters, play our best football when we get to the playoffs. And I feel like we haven't done that.”

Mahomes improved to 11-0 against Denver, joining Andrew Luck (11-0 vs Tennessee) as the only QBs in the Super Bowl era with more than 10 wins and no losses against an opponent. ... The Chiefs' 15 straight wins over Denver is tied for the third-longest streak of any team against an opponent in NFL history. The Broncos have not won against the Chiefs since Sept. 17, 2015. ... Wilson ran for 27 yards, giving him 4,948 for his career and passing Randall Cunningham for third among quarterbacks.

Broncos: RB Marlon Mack (hamstring) left in the first quarter and LG Dalton Risner (elbow) in the third. CB Damarri Mathis went into the concussion protocol in the second. LB Baron Browning (back) and DL D.J. Jones (knee) were inactive.

Chiefs: LG Joe Thuney (ankle) left late in the third quarter and WR Skyy Moore (hand) in the fourth. Sneed also hurt his hip on his interception return in the fourth.

The Broncos conclude their season next Sunday against the Chargers.

The Chiefs visit the Raiders on Sunday in their regular-season finale.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1672610964644.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Chiefs running back Jerick McKinnon (1) celebrates after scoring past Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) and teammate JuJu Smith-Schuster (9) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)." />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Chiefs running back Jerick McKinnon (1) celebrates after scoring past Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) and teammate JuJu Smith-Schuster (9) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel).</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes moved into the rarest of company Sunday, joining Tom Brady and Drew Brees as the only quarterbacks with multiple 5,000-yard passing seasons, and the Chiefs overcame another sloppy start to beat the Broncos for the 15th consecutive time and stay alive for the No. 1 seed in the AFC.So everything must be good in Kansas City, right?“There's not a lot satisfying for me,” Mahomes said shortly after the 27-24 victory.There was the pick he threw in the end zone and the mechanics that went awry in the second half. There was the fumbled punt return that led to a Denver touchdown, a sloppy snap on a point-after attempt and even a blocked field goal.Yet the Chiefs (13-3) still managed to escape a 17-13 third-quarter deficit and rally for their fourth consecutive win.“When I don't have my best stuff and guys step up and we still win football games,” said Mahomes, who nevertheless finished with 328 yards passing and three touchdowns, “that's a good thing.”Jerick McKinnon had two touchdown catches while Blake Bell and Isiah Pacheco also scored for the Chiefs, who began the day tied with Buffalo for the best record in the AFC; the Bills play Cincinnati on Monday night.“We'll watch it,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said with a smile.For a while the Broncos (4-12) looked as if they might cap a chaotic week that began with the firing of first-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett in a stunning victory. But a late letdown by one of the league's best defenses, an another interception from embattled quarterback Russell Wilson, resulted in the first loss for interim coach Jerry Rosburg.“I saw players and coaches digging in to do all they could possibly do to win that game,” he said. “That all said, it wasn't good enough. It wasn't good enough and I'm heartbroken for those guys because they deserve a win.”Wilson threw for 222 yards and a touchdown while also running for a pair of scores, the second of them — after two costly penalties on the Kansas City defense — pulling Denver within 27-24 with 6:14 left in the game.The Broncos got the ball back with just under four minutes to go, too, and picked up a quick first down. But the Kansas City defense stiffened near midfield, and Chris Jones sacked Wilson on fourth-and-2 to effectively end the game.The Chiefs' sluggish start against the downtrodden Broncos wasn't all that surprising. They've habitually played down to the opposition, whether it was in their overtime win at Houston or their 34-28 victory over the Broncos three weeks ago.But the Chiefs also have proven over the years their ability to strike quickly, and they did that after falling behind for the first time Sunday. Mahomes answered with long passes to Toney and McKinnon, a penalty on third down gave them a fresh set of downs, and McKinnon turned a screen pass into a touchdown reception for the fifth straight game.That streak is the longest for an NFL running back since Bill Dudley of the Lions in 1947.“If I would have told you I saw it was coming, nah,” McKinnon said, “but that's what you put the work in the offseason for, when you're opportunity comes you're ready for the moment.”The Chiefs struggled to maintain momentum after halftime, though, going three-and-out on their first three possessions. And the Broncos, with their third play-caller of the season in offensive coordinator Justin Outten, capitalized with a 63-yard touchdown drive that gave them a 17-13 lead late in the third quarter.Then the Chiefs began looking like the Chiefs. And the Broncos like the Broncos.Mahomes led the AFC West champs briskly downfield before hitting Bell from 17 yards for his first regular-season touchdown catch. And on the very next play, Wilson threw a wobbler under pressure that L'Jarius Sneed picked off, setting up McKinnon's second touchdown catch of the day and his eighth in the past five games.The Broncos scored in the fourth quarter to give themselves a chance before Kansas City put the game away.“When you win and you don't feel like you play you best ball, that's a really good thing,” Mahomes said. “We have to find a way to, for four quarters, play our best football when we get to the playoffs. And I feel like we haven't done that.”STATS AND STREAKSMahomes improved to 11-0 against Denver, joining Andrew Luck (11-0 vs Tennessee) as the only QBs in the Super Bowl era with more than 10 wins and no losses against an opponent. ... The Chiefs' 15 straight wins over Denver is tied for the third-longest streak of any team against an opponent in NFL history. The Broncos have not won against the Chiefs since Sept. 17, 2015. ... Wilson ran for 27 yards, giving him 4,948 for his career and passing Randall Cunningham for third among quarterbacks.INJURIESBroncos: RB Marlon Mack (hamstring) left in the first quarter and LG Dalton Risner (elbow) in the third. CB Damarri Mathis went into the concussion protocol in the second. LB Baron Browning (back) and DL D.J. Jones (knee) were inactive.Chiefs: LG Joe Thuney (ankle) left late in the third quarter and WR Skyy Moore (hand) in the fourth. Sneed also hurt his hip on his interception return in the fourth.UP NEXTThe Broncos conclude their season next Sunday against the Chargers.The Chiefs visit the Raiders on Sunday in their regular-season finale.

🏈 Sluggish Chiefs beat Broncos for 15th straight time

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Markquis Nowell had a game-high 23 points and 10 assists, Keyontae Johnson scored 18, and Abayomi Iyiola added a career-best 14 points as Kansas State rallied from a 14-point deficit to beat No. 24 West Virginia 82-76 in overtime in the Big 12 opener for both teams on Saturday night.

The Wildcats (12-1) scored the first six points in overtime after West Virginia forced the extra period on a tying 3-pointer by Keadrian Johnson (nine points) with one second left in regulation. It was West Virginia’s third 3-pointer in the game.

Nowell took over in the extra period, scoring five points and helping Kansas State hold off the Mountaineers.

“He is just such a competitor,” Kansas State coach Jerome Tang said. “We are both competitors and we both want to win and you’ll never fault him for effort. I am so proud of him.”

Tre Mitchell scored 16 points and Emmitt Matthews Jr. added 12 for West Virginia (10-3, 0-1), which had 20 turnovers. The Wildcats scored 22 points off those miscues.

“They outplayed us and we had some guys do some really stupid things that enabled them to get back in the games,” West Virginia coach Bob Huggins said. “At the start of the game, we were passing the ball, defending, but we gave up too many point-blank shots because we are out of position. We gave this game away.”

The Wildcats shot 29 of 69 (42%) from the field, while West Virginia was 26 of 63 (41%).

“I said this to the team, ‘How do you miss a one-footer? How do you continue to miss that many free throws,’” Huggins said. “The bad news is that this is probably one the easiest places to play in the league.”

Kansas State took its first lead eight minutes into the second half at 44-42 after going nearly six minutes without a basket at the start of the game.

“I am very proud of the guys and I know we had fight in us,” Tang said. “I told the guys let’s settle down and for us to just continue and rebound.”

West Virginia: The Mountaineers went cold in the second half and lost a double-digit halftime lead. They will need to work on not turning the ball over after having 20 in the loss.

Kansas State: Despite the slow start, the Wildcats found a way to win. The 21-point first half was the team's lowest scoring half this season.

West Virginia: Travels to Oklahoma State on Monday .

Kansas State: Travels to Texas on Tuesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1672580559151.jpeg" alt="Kansas State Athletics photo" />
 <figcaption>Kansas State Athletics photo</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Markquis Nowell had a game-high 23 points and 10 assists, Keyontae Johnson scored 18, and Abayomi Iyiola added a career-best 14 points as Kansas State rallied from a 14-point deficit to beat No. 24 West Virginia 82-76 in overtime in the Big 12 opener for both teams on Saturday night.The Wildcats (12-1) scored the first six points in overtime after West Virginia forced the extra period on a tying 3-pointer by Keadrian Johnson (nine points) with one second left in regulation. It was West Virginia’s third 3-pointer in the game.Nowell took over in the extra period, scoring five points and helping Kansas State hold off the Mountaineers.“He is just such a competitor,” Kansas State coach Jerome Tang said. “We are both competitors and we both want to win and you’ll never fault him for effort. I am so proud of him.”Tre Mitchell scored 16 points and Emmitt Matthews Jr. added 12 for West Virginia (10-3, 0-1), which had 20 turnovers. The Wildcats scored 22 points off those miscues.“They outplayed us and we had some guys do some really stupid things that enabled them to get back in the games,” West Virginia coach Bob Huggins said. “At the start of the game, we were passing the ball, defending, but we gave up too many point-blank shots because we are out of position. We gave this game away.”The Wildcats shot 29 of 69 (42%) from the field, while West Virginia was 26 of 63 (41%).“I said this to the team, ‘How do you miss a one-footer? How do you continue to miss that many free throws,’” Huggins said. “The bad news is that this is probably one the easiest places to play in the league.”Kansas State took its first lead eight minutes into the second half at 44-42 after going nearly six minutes without a basket at the start of the game.“I am very proud of the guys and I know we had fight in us,” Tang said. “I told the guys let’s settle down and for us to just continue and rebound.”BIG PICTUREWest Virginia: The Mountaineers went cold in the second half and lost a double-digit halftime lead. They will need to work on not turning the ball over after having 20 in the loss.Kansas State: Despite the slow start, the Wildcats found a way to win. The 21-point first half was the team's lowest scoring half this season.UP NEXTWest Virginia: Travels to Oklahoma State on Monday .Kansas State: Travels to Texas on Tuesday.

🏀 Kansas State rallies, beats No. 24 West Virginia in OT

WARRENSBURG, Mo. – Fort Hays State moved to 9-3 overall and 4-2 in the MIAA with a 57-46 win at Central Missouri on Saturday at the Multipurpose Building. The Tigers led by two at halftime and created space with a 10-0 run to open the second half before winning by 11.

Central Missouri held the early advantage, but never led by more than four prior to FHSU taking its first lead at 14-13 on a&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/bjarni-jonsson/6901">Bjarni Jonsson</a>&nbsp;3-point field goal from the left corner. FHSU also led by four at 19-15 before few more lead changes the remainder of the first half. A driving layup by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/jaheim-holden/6906">Jaheim Holden</a>&nbsp;gave the Tigers a two-point advantage, 27-25, at the break. The Tigers opened up their advantage with staunch defense to open the second half, holding the Mules scoreless over the first 6:42 of action.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/kaleb-hammeke/6897">Kaleb Hammeke</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/elijah-nnanabu/6902">Elijah Nnanabu</a>&nbsp;did all of the damage for FHSU in their 10-0 run to open the second frame, Hammeke with a pair of threes and Nnanabu with a pair of twos. After FHSU was starting to cruise up 14 with 11:47 to play, the UCM offense came to life with an 8-0 run to get the lead back down to six with 10:16 to play. However, Nnanabu buried a 3-point field goal to snap the run and FHSU pushed its lead back to double figures with 7:38 to play on a Jonsson jumper. UCM brought the lead back inside 10 only one time at nine points with 3:47 to play before FHSU regained its double-figure lead to close out the contest. Hammeke led the Tigers with 16 points with three of his four field goals in the game beyond the 3-point line. Holden finished with 12 points after leading the team with nine at the half. He hit two 3-point field goals and was 5-of-6 from the field, while dishing out a team-high four assists.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/gabe-pieschl/6904">Gabe Pieschl</a>&nbsp;led the Tigers in rebounds with 12, helping the team win the battle on the glass by five. The Tigers surrendered just two second-chance points in the game.

FHSU was very efficient from the field in the second-half, going 11-of-18 (61.1 percent). FHSU shot 45.8 percent overall for the game. The Tigers held the Mules to just 34.6 percent from the field. The 46 points were the lowest allowed to an MIAA opponent so far this year by the Tigers. Mikel Henderson led UCM, now 6-6 overall and 2-4 in the MIAA, with 18 points and four assists. Gaven Pinkley also reached double figures in scoring for the Mules with 11. Garrett Luinstra pulled down a team-best seven rebounds. Fort Hays State will open the new year on Monday with a 3 p.m. tipoff at Lincoln University. The Blue Tigers will enter the game on a three-game win streak, now 7-2 overall and 3-2 in the MIAA after a win over Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1672536345924.jpeg" alt="FHSU's Kaleb Hammeke drives to the basket Saturday vs. Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Mo. (FHSU Athletics photo/Seth Kincaid)" />
 <figcaption>FHSU's Kaleb Hammeke drives to the basket Saturday vs. Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Mo. (FHSU Athletics photo/Seth Kincaid)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsWARRENSBURG, Mo. – Fort Hays State moved to 9-3 overall and 4-2 in the MIAA with a 57-46 win at Central Missouri on Saturday at the Multipurpose Building. The Tigers led by two at halftime and created space with a 10-0 run to open the second half before winning by 11.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1413980998&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=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-814667509/12-31-22-coach-johnson-interview" title="Mark Johnson Postgame at Central Missouri (Dec. 31, 2022)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Mark Johnson Postgame at Central Missouri (Dec. 31, 2022)</a></div></div>Central Missouri held the early advantage, but never led by more than four prior to FHSU taking its first lead at 14-13 on a&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/bjarni-jonsson/6901">Bjarni Jonsson</a>&nbsp;3-point field goal from the left corner. FHSU also led by four at 19-15 before few more lead changes the remainder of the first half. A driving layup by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/jaheim-holden/6906">Jaheim Holden</a>&nbsp;gave the Tigers a two-point advantage, 27-25, at the break. The Tigers opened up their advantage with staunch defense to open the second half, holding the Mules scoreless over the first 6:42 of action.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/kaleb-hammeke/6897">Kaleb Hammeke</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/elijah-nnanabu/6902">Elijah Nnanabu</a>&nbsp;did all of the damage for FHSU in their 10-0 run to open the second frame, Hammeke with a pair of threes and Nnanabu with a pair of twos. After FHSU was starting to cruise up 14 with 11:47 to play, the UCM offense came to life with an 8-0 run to get the lead back down to six with 10:16 to play. However, Nnanabu buried a 3-point field goal to snap the run and FHSU pushed its lead back to double figures with 7:38 to play on a Jonsson jumper. UCM brought the lead back inside 10 only one time at nine points with 3:47 to play before FHSU regained its double-figure lead to close out the contest. Hammeke led the Tigers with 16 points with three of his four field goals in the game beyond the 3-point line. Holden finished with 12 points after leading the team with nine at the half. He hit two 3-point field goals and was 5-of-6 from the field, while dishing out a team-high four assists.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/gabe-pieschl/6904">Gabe Pieschl</a>&nbsp;led the Tigers in rebounds with 12, helping the team win the battle on the glass by five. The Tigers surrendered just two second-chance points in the game.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1413981016&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=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-814667509/12-31-22-fhsu-mbkb-vs-central-mo-highlights" title="Fort Hays State MBB Highlights at Central Missouri (Dec. 31, 2022)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Fort Hays State MBB Highlights at Central Missouri (Dec. 31, 2022)</a></div></div>FHSU was very efficient from the field in the second-half, going 11-of-18 (61.1 percent). FHSU shot 45.8 percent overall for the game. The Tigers held the Mules to just 34.6 percent from the field. The 46 points were the lowest allowed to an MIAA opponent so far this year by the Tigers. Mikel Henderson led UCM, now 6-6 overall and 2-4 in the MIAA, with 18 points and four assists. Gaven Pinkley also reached double figures in scoring for the Mules with 11. Garrett Luinstra pulled down a team-best seven rebounds. Fort Hays State will open the new year on Monday with a 3 p.m. tipoff at Lincoln University. The Blue Tigers will enter the game on a three-game win streak, now 7-2 overall and 3-2 in the MIAA after a win over Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 Big second half carries Tiger men past Central Missouri

WARRENSBURG, Mo. - A battle between the top two teams in the MIAA women's basketball standings lived up to the billing Saturday afternoon, with 11th-ranked Central Missouri holding on to defeat Fort Hays State 63-62. The Tigers had a chance to win at the buzzer after holding the Jennies scoreless for the final three-plus minutes, but a corner 3-pointer in the waning seconds was off the mark.

The Tigers were battling from behind all afternoon after Central Missouri (10-0, 6-0 MIAA) scored the first five points of the game.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/sydney-golladay/6844">Sydney Golladay</a>&nbsp;got the Tigers (11-4, 6-1 MIAA) on the board with a 3-pointer before adding another triple two minutes later, ending a 6-0 Jennie run. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jessie-sallach/6847">Jessie Sallach</a>&nbsp;dropped in her second layup of the game in the final minute of the first quarter to close within three before UCM ended the frame with another basket, pushing the lead to 19-14 after 10 minutes of play. The Tigers closed within two on four separate occasions early in the second quarter before a six-plus minute scoreless stretch allowed the Jennies to push their lead as high as nine. Golladay ended the drought with 35 seconds to go until halftime with her third 3-pointer of the half.

While the offense was unable to find a rhythm, the Tiger defense forced seven-consecutive missed shots by the Jennies over the final seven-plus minutes of the first half. UCM did all of its damage at the charity stripe, hitting 9-of-10 free throws to build a 34-26 halftime lead. Sallach helped the Tigers close within one midway through the third quarter with six early points in the second half. The Jennies responded to a 6-0 Tiger run with seven-consecutive points of their own.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/megan-earney/6842">Megan Earney</a>&nbsp;broke up the run with a triple before&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/ellie-stearns/6851">Ellie Stearns</a>&nbsp;poured in another 3-pointer just before the end of the quarter. The Tigers outscored UCM 16-11 in the fourth quarter, but were never able to get over the hump and take the lead. The Jennies pushed their lead back to eight midway through the quarter and led by six with 3:10 remaining before the Tigers made one final push. Sallach fought her way into the paint for her sixth bucket of the game with 90 seconds to go before&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/kate-dilsaver/6841">Kate Dilsaver</a>&nbsp;poked away a steal on the defensive end. Earney drilled a deep 3-pointer from the right wing with 38 seconds on the clock, helping the Tigers close within one. The Tiger defense forced the Jennies into a tough shot that was missed, giving FHSU its chance to steal the win that was ultimately missed. The Jennies outscored FHSU at the line by nine, 21-12. Fort Hays State was whistled for 25 fouls, compared to just 19 on the Jennies. Golladay finished the game with a career-high 17 points thanks to a personal-best four 3-pointers while adding a team-high five assists. Sallach tallied a season-high 13 points and led the Tigers with six rebounds. Fort Hays State will wrap up its trip to the Show-Me State with a Monday matinee (Jan. 2, 1 p.m.) in Jefferson City, Mo. when the Tigers take on the Blue Tigers of Lincoln University.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1672536131855.jpeg" alt="FHSU Sydney Golloday scored a career-high 17 points Saturday at Central Missouri. (FHSU Athletics photo/Seth Kincaid)" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Sydney Golloday scored a career-high 17 points Saturday at Central Missouri. (FHSU Athletics photo/Seth Kincaid)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsWARRENSBURG, Mo. - A battle between the top two teams in the MIAA women's basketball standings lived up to the billing Saturday afternoon, with 11th-ranked Central Missouri holding on to defeat Fort Hays State 63-62. The Tigers had a chance to win at the buzzer after holding the Jennies scoreless for the final three-plus minutes, but a corner 3-pointer in the waning seconds was off the mark.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1413980992&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=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-814667509/12-31-22-coach-hobson-interview" title="Tony Hobson Postgame at #11 Central Missouri (Dec. 31, 2022)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Tony Hobson Postgame at #11 Central Missouri (Dec. 31, 2022)</a></div></div>The Tigers were battling from behind all afternoon after Central Missouri (10-0, 6-0 MIAA) scored the first five points of the game.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/sydney-golladay/6844">Sydney Golladay</a>&nbsp;got the Tigers (11-4, 6-1 MIAA) on the board with a 3-pointer before adding another triple two minutes later, ending a 6-0 Jennie run. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jessie-sallach/6847">Jessie Sallach</a>&nbsp;dropped in her second layup of the game in the final minute of the first quarter to close within three before UCM ended the frame with another basket, pushing the lead to 19-14 after 10 minutes of play. The Tigers closed within two on four separate occasions early in the second quarter before a six-plus minute scoreless stretch allowed the Jennies to push their lead as high as nine. Golladay ended the drought with 35 seconds to go until halftime with her third 3-pointer of the half.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1413981055&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=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-814667509/12-31-22-fhsu-wbkb-vs-central-mo-highlights" title="Fort Hays State WBB Highlight at #11 Central Missouri (Dec. 31, 2022)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Fort Hays State WBB Highlight at #11 Central Missouri (Dec. 31, 2022)</a></div></div>While the offense was unable to find a rhythm, the Tiger defense forced seven-consecutive missed shots by the Jennies over the final seven-plus minutes of the first half. UCM did all of its damage at the charity stripe, hitting 9-of-10 free throws to build a 34-26 halftime lead. Sallach helped the Tigers close within one midway through the third quarter with six early points in the second half. The Jennies responded to a 6-0 Tiger run with seven-consecutive points of their own.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/megan-earney/6842">Megan Earney</a>&nbsp;broke up the run with a triple before&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/ellie-stearns/6851">Ellie Stearns</a>&nbsp;poured in another 3-pointer just before the end of the quarter. The Tigers outscored UCM 16-11 in the fourth quarter, but were never able to get over the hump and take the lead. The Jennies pushed their lead back to eight midway through the quarter and led by six with 3:10 remaining before the Tigers made one final push. Sallach fought her way into the paint for her sixth bucket of the game with 90 seconds to go before&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/kate-dilsaver/6841">Kate Dilsaver</a>&nbsp;poked away a steal on the defensive end. Earney drilled a deep 3-pointer from the right wing with 38 seconds on the clock, helping the Tigers close within one. The Tiger defense forced the Jennies into a tough shot that was missed, giving FHSU its chance to steal the win that was ultimately missed. The Jennies outscored FHSU at the line by nine, 21-12. Fort Hays State was whistled for 25 fouls, compared to just 19 on the Jennies. Golladay finished the game with a career-high 17 points thanks to a personal-best four 3-pointers while adding a team-high five assists. Sallach tallied a season-high 13 points and led the Tigers with six rebounds. Fort Hays State will wrap up its trip to the Show-Me State with a Monday matinee (Jan. 2, 1 p.m.) in Jefferson City, Mo. when the Tigers take on the Blue Tigers of Lincoln University.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 Tigers rally comes up short against No. 11 Jennies

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Bryce Young's decision to opt in to the Sugar Bowl only enhanced his chances of cashing in as a pro.

Young
 passed for 321 yards and five touchdowns in a game that other top NFL 
prospects might have skipped, and No. 5 Alabama responded to an early 
two-score deficit with 35 straight points to defeat 11th-ranked Kansas 
State 45-20 on Saturday.

“For me it was just about doing 
everything I can to help the team,” Young said. "We had pride in how we 
played and how we prepared — us wanting to finish, us wanting to push 
ourselves and hold each other accountable.”

While a number of 
pro-bound college stars sat out bowl games that were not part of the 
College Football Playoff, the Crimson Tide and Wildcats had their best 
prospects on the field for the Sugar Bowl and they made a number of 
memorable plays — from Young's pivotal passes to Kansas State running 
back Deuce Vaughn's 88-yard touchdown run to interceptions by Alabama's 
Jordan Battle and Brian Branch.

“These guys sent a message to 
everybody that you create value for yourself by playing football,” 
Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “It speaks volumes of your character when
 you choose to be a part of your team and you can be counted on to be 
part of your team, regardless of the circumstances."

With the game
 in hand in the fourth quarter, Young was ceremoniously substituted out,
 raising his right hand to Alabama fans who loudly rose to their feet as
 the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner trotted to the sideline.

Kansas State coach Chris Klieman asked a member of Alabama's staff to thank Young for playing.

“That’s
 what college football is about. I was happy Bryce played,” Klieman 
said. “That was really good for college football and really good for 
kids to see.”

Jermaine Burton caught three passes for 87 yards and
 a touchdown for Alabama (11-2). Tide running back Jahmyr Gibbs had 142 
yards from scrimmage — 76 rushing and 66 receiving. Young's other 
touchdowns went to Isaiah Bond (6 yards), Cameron Latu (1 yard), 
Ja'Corey Brooks (32 yards) and Kobe Prentice (47 yards). Jase McClelland
 added a 17-yard scoring run.

“We had a little bit of a taste in 
our mouth that if we had a dominant performance, it would show people 
that we probably did deserve to do a little better than we did in terms 
of the playoff picture,” Saban said. “But I’m most proud that there was a
 team out there that cared.”

Kansas State (10-4) entered its first
 Sugar Bowl on a four-game winning streak and was riding high after 
knocking off No. 3 TCU — a CFP team — in the Big 12 title game.

Although
 Battle's leaping interception of Will Howard ended K-State's opening 
drive on the Alabama 21, the Wildcats scored the Sugar Bowl’s first 10 
points, surging in front on Ty Zentner's 41-yard field goal and Vaughn's
 long run.

Alabama was on the brink of punting a third time when 
Young, on third and 10, stepped up in a collapsing pocket and flicked a 
short pass to Gibbs, who was cutting across the middle and turned up 
field for 60 yards. Young stepped up similarly to avoid pressure on his 
touchdown pass to Bond soon after.

Young threw over the top to Burton for 47 yards to setup his scoring pass to Latu that put Alabama in front for good.

Kansas
 State drove to the Alabama 2 late in the first half — converting two 
fourth-downs along the way — only to fail on fourth-and-goal when Howard
 threw out of reach of tight end Ben Sinnott, who was breaking open 
after Will Anderson fell while trying to cover him.

“I would have done it again,” Klieman said. “I’m never going to second-guess myself."

Young
 needed just 51 seconds to produce another touchdown, completing passes 
of 12, 28 and 22 yards before hitting Burton from 12 yards out to make 
it 21-10 at halftime.

“That was a huge swing in the game,” Saban said.

Kansas
 State paid for another risk when its onside kick to open the second 
half was recovered by Alabama, which scored shortly after on Young's 
strike to Ja'Corey Brooks in the corner of the end zone.

“We came here to win, man,” Klieman said. “We didn’t come here to try to keep this thing close.”

Kansas
 State: Howard finished 18-of-35 passing for 210 yards. Vaughn rushed 
for 133 yards on 22 carries. Jordan Schippers had a late 1-yard TD run.

Alabama:
 The Tide upended the narrative that it doesn't get up for low-stakes 
bowl games, having lost by two touchdowns in each of its previous two 
Sugar Bowls that were not part of the BCS or CFP. Alabama has now won 10
 Sugar Bowls in 17 appearances.

Kansas State: Opens its 2023 campaign at home against Southeast Missouri on Sept. 2.

Alabama: Hosts Middle Tennessee on Sept. 2 to begin its 2023 season.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1672529135974.jpeg" alt="Kansas State Athletics photo" />
 <figcaption>Kansas State Athletics photo</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Bryce Young's decision to opt in to the Sugar Bowl only enhanced his chances of cashing in as a pro.Young
 passed for 321 yards and five touchdowns in a game that other top NFL 
prospects might have skipped, and No. 5 Alabama responded to an early 
two-score deficit with 35 straight points to defeat 11th-ranked Kansas 
State 45-20 on Saturday.“For me it was just about doing 
everything I can to help the team,” Young said. "We had pride in how we 
played and how we prepared — us wanting to finish, us wanting to push 
ourselves and hold each other accountable.”While a number of 
pro-bound college stars sat out bowl games that were not part of the 
College Football Playoff, the Crimson Tide and Wildcats had their best 
prospects on the field for the Sugar Bowl and they made a number of 
memorable plays — from Young's pivotal passes to Kansas State running 
back Deuce Vaughn's 88-yard touchdown run to interceptions by Alabama's 
Jordan Battle and Brian Branch.“These guys sent a message to 
everybody that you create value for yourself by playing football,” 
Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “It speaks volumes of your character when
 you choose to be a part of your team and you can be counted on to be 
part of your team, regardless of the circumstances."With the game
 in hand in the fourth quarter, Young was ceremoniously substituted out,
 raising his right hand to Alabama fans who loudly rose to their feet as
 the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner trotted to the sideline.Kansas State coach Chris Klieman asked a member of Alabama's staff to thank Young for playing.“That’s
 what college football is about. I was happy Bryce played,” Klieman 
said. “That was really good for college football and really good for 
kids to see.”Jermaine Burton caught three passes for 87 yards and
 a touchdown for Alabama (11-2). Tide running back Jahmyr Gibbs had 142 
yards from scrimmage — 76 rushing and 66 receiving. Young's other 
touchdowns went to Isaiah Bond (6 yards), Cameron Latu (1 yard), 
Ja'Corey Brooks (32 yards) and Kobe Prentice (47 yards). Jase McClelland
 added a 17-yard scoring run.“We had a little bit of a taste in 
our mouth that if we had a dominant performance, it would show people 
that we probably did deserve to do a little better than we did in terms 
of the playoff picture,” Saban said. “But I’m most proud that there was a
 team out there that cared.”Kansas State (10-4) entered its first
 Sugar Bowl on a four-game winning streak and was riding high after 
knocking off No. 3 TCU — a CFP team — in the Big 12 title game.Although
 Battle's leaping interception of Will Howard ended K-State's opening 
drive on the Alabama 21, the Wildcats scored the Sugar Bowl’s first 10 
points, surging in front on Ty Zentner's 41-yard field goal and Vaughn's
 long run.Alabama was on the brink of punting a third time when 
Young, on third and 10, stepped up in a collapsing pocket and flicked a 
short pass to Gibbs, who was cutting across the middle and turned up 
field for 60 yards. Young stepped up similarly to avoid pressure on his 
touchdown pass to Bond soon after.Young threw over the top to Burton for 47 yards to setup his scoring pass to Latu that put Alabama in front for good.Kansas
 State drove to the Alabama 2 late in the first half — converting two 
fourth-downs along the way — only to fail on fourth-and-goal when Howard
 threw out of reach of tight end Ben Sinnott, who was breaking open 
after Will Anderson fell while trying to cover him.“I would have done it again,” Klieman said. “I’m never going to second-guess myself."Young
 needed just 51 seconds to produce another touchdown, completing passes 
of 12, 28 and 22 yards before hitting Burton from 12 yards out to make 
it 21-10 at halftime.“That was a huge swing in the game,” Saban said.Kansas
 State paid for another risk when its onside kick to open the second 
half was recovered by Alabama, which scored shortly after on Young's 
strike to Ja'Corey Brooks in the corner of the end zone.“We came here to win, man,” Klieman said. “We didn’t come here to try to keep this thing close.”THE TAKEAWAYKansas
 State: Howard finished 18-of-35 passing for 210 yards. Vaughn rushed 
for 133 yards on 22 carries. Jordan Schippers had a late 1-yard TD run.Alabama:
 The Tide upended the narrative that it doesn't get up for low-stakes 
bowl games, having lost by two touchdowns in each of its previous two 
Sugar Bowls that were not part of the BCS or CFP. Alabama has now won 10
 Sugar Bowls in 17 appearances.UP NEXTKansas State: Opens its 2023 campaign at home against Southeast Missouri on Sept. 2.Alabama: Hosts Middle Tennessee on Sept. 2 to begin its 2023 season.

🏈 Young throws for 5 TDs, Alabama tops K-State in Sugar Bowl

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The last time Kansas needed to overcome a 15-point halftime deficit was on the biggest stage in college basketball.

The Jayhawks certainly weren't going to be intimidated by one in Allen Fieldhouse.

With another raucous home crowd behind it, the nation's No. 4 team quickly wiped out the big lead Oklahoma State had painstakingly built. And when KJ Adams scored the go-ahead basket with 4.8 seconds left, the Jayhawks twice stopped the Cowboys at the other end to squeak out a 69-67 victory Saturday in the Big 12 opener for both teams.

“There aren't any 15-point plays," said Jalen Wilson, who was instrumental in helping the Jayhawks rally from the same hole to beat North Carolina for the national title, “so the main thing was to win every 4 minutes and that's what we did.”

Wilson finished with 20 points and Adams had 14 to lead the Jayhawks (12-0), who trailed 45-30 at the break before a 22-5 run wiped out the deficit and propelled them to their 32nd consecutive conference-opening win.

“It could have went to 20 real quick or we could get it down to 10,” Wilson said. “We all came together, shook off the first half, understood we're at home. Fifteen points can seem like a lot but it's not.”

The Cowboys (8-5) didn't give up after the comeback, finding themselves with the lead again in the closing minutes.

Kansas took it back on Kevin McCullar Jr.'s 3-pointer with 45 seconds left, and Wilson added two free throws moments later to stretch the lead to 67-64. But the Cowboys' Bryce Thompson, who began his career at Kansas and matched a career high with 23 points, drilled his own 3-pointer with 14.8 seconds left to tie the game at 67.

The Jayhawks raced up court, got the ball to Adams and he made a nifty lay-in to regain the lead.

“We always run plays where I screen and roll out real fast,” Adams said. “It was just like that.”

Oklahoma State lost the ball at the other end trying to score in transition, and with 1.1 seconds on the clock, the Cowboys got the inbounds pass to Thompson, whose shot was swatted from behind. A final inbounds pass was batted away.

Thompson hit seven 3-pointers but dealt with second-half foul trouble for the Cowboys, who have lost four straight and nine of their last 10 to the Jayhawks. John-Michael Wright also had four 3s and finished with 19 points.

“We gave ourselves a chance right up there to the end,” Cowboys coach Mike Boynton said, “but there’s no moral victories.”

The last instruction Oklahoma State got before tipoff came on a whiteboard held by a staff member: “Alert The Lob Backdoor.” The Cowboys shut that down and just about everything else.

McCullar had three turnovers in the first 5 minutes and four in the half. Adams also had four in the half. And one of the two 3-pointers that Gradey Dick hit was a desperation bank high off the glass.

Oklahoma State capitalized at the other end, taking advantage of wide open skip passes for their own easy 3s. Thompson hit four of them in the first 15 minutes, and two more attempts were halfway down before bouncing out. Wright's fall-away 3 with 1:56 left forced Kansas to call timeout, and his buzzer-beater gave Oklahoma State a 45-30 halftime lead.

The Cowboys were 9 of 18 from the arc in the first half. Kansas had 11 turnovers.

It began when DaJuan Harris Jr. drilled a 3 in front of the Kansas bench. It continued with 11 straight points after Thompson hit another 3 of his own. And by the time Wilson hit a 3-pointer with 10:54 to go, the Jayhawks had ridden a 22-5 surge to not only wipe out their halftime deficit but take their first lead since the opening minutes.

Kansas wasn't able to draw away, though. And that set up a frantic final 10 minutes.

“It's the exact same thing as the national championship,” Jayhawks coach Bill Self said. “You turn it up, tie it earlier than you ever expect and then it becomes a basketball game.”

Oklahoma State. The pressure of Allen Fieldhouse was evident in the second half. The Cowboys' first three possessions ended with a missed shot, another miss as the shot clock sounded and a shot-clock violation. By the time they finally got their legs under them, Kansas had wiped out their advantage and made for a tense finish.

Kansas: Even during the Jayhawks' 22-5 second-half run, when they went scoreless on three straight possessions, their defense kept Oklahoma State from regaining momentum. It helped that they only turned it over once after the break.

Oklahoma State: Plays No. 24 West Virginia on Monday night.

Kansas: Heads to Texas Tech on Tuesday night.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1672533254596.png" alt="Kansas Athletics photo" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Athletics photo</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The last time Kansas needed to overcome a 15-point halftime deficit was on the biggest stage in college basketball.The Jayhawks certainly weren't going to be intimidated by one in Allen Fieldhouse.With another raucous home crowd behind it, the nation's No. 4 team quickly wiped out the big lead Oklahoma State had painstakingly built. And when KJ Adams scored the go-ahead basket with 4.8 seconds left, the Jayhawks twice stopped the Cowboys at the other end to squeak out a 69-67 victory Saturday in the Big 12 opener for both teams.“There aren't any 15-point plays," said Jalen Wilson, who was instrumental in helping the Jayhawks rally from the same hole to beat North Carolina for the national title, “so the main thing was to win every 4 minutes and that's what we did.”Wilson finished with 20 points and Adams had 14 to lead the Jayhawks (12-0), who trailed 45-30 at the break before a 22-5 run wiped out the deficit and propelled them to their 32nd consecutive conference-opening win.“It could have went to 20 real quick or we could get it down to 10,” Wilson said. “We all came together, shook off the first half, understood we're at home. Fifteen points can seem like a lot but it's not.”The Cowboys (8-5) didn't give up after the comeback, finding themselves with the lead again in the closing minutes.Kansas took it back on Kevin McCullar Jr.'s 3-pointer with 45 seconds left, and Wilson added two free throws moments later to stretch the lead to 67-64. But the Cowboys' Bryce Thompson, who began his career at Kansas and matched a career high with 23 points, drilled his own 3-pointer with 14.8 seconds left to tie the game at 67.The Jayhawks raced up court, got the ball to Adams and he made a nifty lay-in to regain the lead.“We always run plays where I screen and roll out real fast,” Adams said. “It was just like that.”Oklahoma State lost the ball at the other end trying to score in transition, and with 1.1 seconds on the clock, the Cowboys got the inbounds pass to Thompson, whose shot was swatted from behind. A final inbounds pass was batted away.Thompson hit seven 3-pointers but dealt with second-half foul trouble for the Cowboys, who have lost four straight and nine of their last 10 to the Jayhawks. John-Michael Wright also had four 3s and finished with 19 points.“We gave ourselves a chance right up there to the end,” Cowboys coach Mike Boynton said, “but there’s no moral victories.”The last instruction Oklahoma State got before tipoff came on a whiteboard held by a staff member: “Alert The Lob Backdoor.” The Cowboys shut that down and just about everything else.McCullar had three turnovers in the first 5 minutes and four in the half. Adams also had four in the half. And one of the two 3-pointers that Gradey Dick hit was a desperation bank high off the glass.Oklahoma State capitalized at the other end, taking advantage of wide open skip passes for their own easy 3s. Thompson hit four of them in the first 15 minutes, and two more attempts were halfway down before bouncing out. Wright's fall-away 3 with 1:56 left forced Kansas to call timeout, and his buzzer-beater gave Oklahoma State a 45-30 halftime lead.The Cowboys were 9 of 18 from the arc in the first half. Kansas had 11 turnovers.Then came the comeback.It began when DaJuan Harris Jr. drilled a 3 in front of the Kansas bench. It continued with 11 straight points after Thompson hit another 3 of his own. And by the time Wilson hit a 3-pointer with 10:54 to go, the Jayhawks had ridden a 22-5 surge to not only wipe out their halftime deficit but take their first lead since the opening minutes.Kansas wasn't able to draw away, though. And that set up a frantic final 10 minutes.“It's the exact same thing as the national championship,” Jayhawks coach Bill Self said. “You turn it up, tie it earlier than you ever expect and then it becomes a basketball game.”BIG PICTUREOklahoma State. The pressure of Allen Fieldhouse was evident in the second half. The Cowboys' first three possessions ended with a missed shot, another miss as the shot clock sounded and a shot-clock violation. By the time they finally got their legs under them, Kansas had wiped out their advantage and made for a tense finish.Kansas: Even during the Jayhawks' 22-5 second-half run, when they went scoreless on three straight possessions, their defense kept Oklahoma State from regaining momentum. It helped that they only turned it over once after the break.UP NEXTOklahoma State: Plays No. 24 West Virginia on Monday night.Kansas: Heads to Texas Tech on Tuesday night.

🏀 No. 4 Kansas rallies from 15 down to beat Oklahoma State

Fort Hays State (8-3, 3-2 MIAA) at Central Missouri (6-5, 2-3 MIAA) Saturday, December 31 – 3 PM Warrensburg, Mo. – UCM Multipurpose Building Radio - KJLS (103.3)

<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KJLS">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> Fort Hays State returns to conference play following the holiday break with a weekend road trip to Missouri. The Tigers start the two-game swing with Central Missouri on New Year's Eve (Sat. Dec. 31). Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. at the UCM Multipurpose Building. FHSU enters at 8-3 overall and 3-2 in the MIAA. Fort Hays State owns a three-game win streak against Central Missouri, which has tied the all-time series 15-15. FHSU swept the regular season series between the teams last year with a 64-59 win in Hays and 61-54 win in Warrensburg. The Mules picked up a two-point road win over Pittsburg State before the holiday break. UCM has played all but two of its games this season at home, going 5-4 in its home building so far this season. The Tigers are coming off a 22-point win over Newman in their final contest before the holiday break. The Tigers are still looking for their first win in a true road contest this season, 0-2 so far after losses at Southwestern Oklahoma State and Northwest Missouri State. The Tigers sit in a tie for fourth in the MIAA standings with Emporia State, Rogers State, Northeastern State, and Missouri Southern. Six Tigers scored in double figures in their win over Newman on December 18 in Hays, led by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/traejon-davis/6896">Traejon Davis</a>&nbsp;with 16.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/kaleb-hammeke/6897">Kaleb Hammeke</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/jaheim-holden/6906">Jaheim Holden</a>&nbsp;each had 13 and Hammeke has now scored in double figures in all 11 games so far this season. He leads the team at 17.6 points per game.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/gabe-pieschl/6904">Gabe Pieschl</a>&nbsp;recorded his third double-double of the season in that contest with 11 points and 10 rebounds.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/bjarni-jonsson/6901">Bjarni Jonsson</a>&nbsp;had 11 and has scored in double figures in four of the last five contests.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/gilbert-peters/6903">Gilbert Peters</a>&nbsp;scored in double figures for the second straight game with 10.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1672416624053.jpeg" alt="FHSU Athletics photo/Nicole Heitmann" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics photo/Nicole Heitmann</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsFort Hays State (8-3, 3-2 MIAA) at Central Missouri (6-5, 2-3 MIAA) Saturday, December 31 – 3 PM Warrensburg, Mo. – UCM Multipurpose Building Radio - KJLS (103.3)<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KJLS">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> Fort Hays State returns to conference play following the holiday break with a weekend road trip to Missouri. The Tigers start the two-game swing with Central Missouri on New Year's Eve (Sat. Dec. 31). Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. at the UCM Multipurpose Building. FHSU enters at 8-3 overall and 3-2 in the MIAA. Fort Hays State owns a three-game win streak against Central Missouri, which has tied the all-time series 15-15. FHSU swept the regular season series between the teams last year with a 64-59 win in Hays and 61-54 win in Warrensburg. The Mules picked up a two-point road win over Pittsburg State before the holiday break. UCM has played all but two of its games this season at home, going 5-4 in its home building so far this season. The Tigers are coming off a 22-point win over Newman in their final contest before the holiday break. The Tigers are still looking for their first win in a true road contest this season, 0-2 so far after losses at Southwestern Oklahoma State and Northwest Missouri State. The Tigers sit in a tie for fourth in the MIAA standings with Emporia State, Rogers State, Northeastern State, and Missouri Southern. Six Tigers scored in double figures in their win over Newman on December 18 in Hays, led by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/traejon-davis/6896">Traejon Davis</a>&nbsp;with 16.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/kaleb-hammeke/6897">Kaleb Hammeke</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/jaheim-holden/6906">Jaheim Holden</a>&nbsp;each had 13 and Hammeke has now scored in double figures in all 11 games so far this season. He leads the team at 17.6 points per game.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/gabe-pieschl/6904">Gabe Pieschl</a>&nbsp;recorded his third double-double of the season in that contest with 11 points and 10 rebounds.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/bjarni-jonsson/6901">Bjarni Jonsson</a>&nbsp;had 11 and has scored in double figures in four of the last five contests.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/gilbert-peters/6903">Gilbert Peters</a>&nbsp;scored in double figures for the second straight game with 10.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀🎙️ LISTEN - Tiger men resume MIAA play at Central Missouri

Fort Hays State Women's Basketball (11-3, 6-0 MIAA) at No. 11/5 Central Missouri (9-0, 5-0 MIAA) Saturday, December 31, 2022 • 1 p.m. Warrensburg, Mo. • UCM Multipurpose Building Radio&nbsp;• KJLS (103.3)

<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KJLS">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> The top two teams in the MIAA women's basketball standings meet up for the first of two regular-season matchups Saturday (Dec. 31) when Fort Hays State travels to Warrensburg, Mo. to take on No. 11 Central Missouri. First tip between the Tigers and Jennies is set for 1 p.m. inside the UCM Multipurpose Building. The Tigers (11-3, 6-0 MIAA) and Jennies (9-0, 5-0 MIAA) sit atop the league standings through one quarter of the conference schedule. UCM is 5-0 at home so far this season, while the Tigers are 3-0 in true road games on the year. Live video of the contest will be available on The MIAA Network. Fans can purchase access to a single contest for $10, a month-long pass for $25 or a season-long, all-access pass for $125. Both the monthly and year-long passes gain access to any event in any sport streamed on The MIAA Network. Live radio coverage with voice of the Tigers Gerard Wellbrock will be available over the air on KJLS 103.3 FM and online at hayspost.com. Last Time Out - Fort Hays State forced 33 turnovers and knocked down 50 percent from the floor in an 80-46 win over Bethany two weeks ago (12/19/22). - The Tigers never trailed in the contest. - A balanced offensive attack saw 12 different Tigers score, including nine players with five or more points. -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/ellie-stearns/6851">Ellie Stearns</a>&nbsp;recorded her first career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/olivia-hollenbeck/6845">Olivia Hollenbeck</a>&nbsp;paced the team in scoring for the fifth time this season with 15 points. Tiger Notables - Fort Hays State has won 220 games since the start of the 2014-15 season, by far the most of any MIAA team (ESU - 191 wins). - The Tigers are 210-112 (.652) in conference games since joining the MIAA in 2006. - Fort Hays State sits in a familiar position in the MIAA standings - right at the top. The Tigers and Jennies are the lone undefeated teams remaining in league play. - A win Saturday would give the Tigers their 15th double-digit winning streak in program history. -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/sydney-golladay/6844">Sydney Golladay</a>&nbsp;is averaging 5.8 assists per game over the last four contests, including a season-high seven in two-straight. -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/olivia-hollenbeck/6845">Olivia Hollenbeck</a>&nbsp;has scored in double figures in each of the last seven games, tied for the longest streak by a Tiger this season (<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/katie-wagner/6848">Katie Wagner</a>). The forward is averaging 15.7 points per game over that stretch. - The Tigers rank third nationally in assist/turnover ratio (1.40), sixth in turnovers per game (12.0), seventh in scoring defense (52.9) 14th in fouls per game (13.4) and 18th in turnover margin (+6.57). - The Tigers are in pursuit of their 12th-consecutive 20-win season. The current streak of 11 such seasons is the longest active streak in Division II. - FHSU is 62-42 when playing in the state of Missouri during the Hobson era. - The Tigers have a chance to win the league for a third-consecutive year, a feat not accomplished in more than 15 years (Washburn 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06). -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/katie-wagner/6848">Katie Wagner</a>&nbsp;averages 12.2 points and 5.2 rebounds in five career games against Central Missouri. Series History with Central Missouri - Central Missouri leads the all-time series, 19-17, including an 11-5 edge in games played in Warrensburg. - The Tigers have won three of the last four meetings and 10 of the last 16 dating back to the 2014-15 season. - Fort Hays State holds a slim 15-14 lead in the series during the Hobson era, including a 4-8 mark on the road. - The Tigers led by as many as 22 in the first half before holding on to win by six on the road last season, 60-54 (2/19/22). The Jennies closed within four in the second half before FHSU forced five turnovers down the stretch to hang on for the win.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/whitney-randall/6439">Whitney Randall</a>&nbsp;(19 points) and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jaden-hobbs/6437">Jaden Hobbs</a>&nbsp;(15 points) combined for more than half of FHSU's scoring after each hit a trio of 3-pointers. On This Day - The Tigers are 2-1 in recorded history on New Year's Eve. - Most recently, Fort Hays State defeated Kansas Christian College at home in 2016, 118-35. - The Tigers are 0-1 on December 31 in MIAA play, falling to Washburn on the road in 2008, 77-58. The Coach -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/tony-hobson/1136">Tony Hobson</a>&nbsp;enters his 15th season at Fort Hays State and his 31st season as a head coach at the collegiate level in 2022-23. - He is 322-112 as a Tiger and 732-218 all-time. - Hobson ranks third all-time amongst MIAA head coaches with 321 wins at FHSU. - He ranks in the top 30 in win percentage amongst all active NCAA head coaches and in the top 10 in Division II. - Hobson earned the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association Women's Four-Year College Coach of the Year award last season, his 19th career coach of the year award. - He has coached four All-Americans, four Academic All-Americans, two conference players of the year and 48 All-MIAA performers over the last 14 seasons. Scouting the Jennies - Central Missouri is one of eight remaining undefeated teams in Division II. - The Jennies hold a team shooting percentage of .500, third-best in DII. - UCM tops the league and ranks eighth in the country with a rebound margin of 10.8. - Brooke Littrell leads the MIAA and ranks in the top 20 in the country with an average of 20 points per game. - Olivia Nelson's 4.8 assists per game are second-most in the conference. Looking Ahead Fort Hays State wraps up the trip to Missouri on Monday afternoon (January 2) when the Tigers take on Lincoln in Jefferson City beginning at 1p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1672415081987.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsFort Hays State Women's Basketball (11-3, 6-0 MIAA) at No. 11/5 Central Missouri (9-0, 5-0 MIAA) Saturday, December 31, 2022 • 1 p.m. Warrensburg, Mo. • UCM Multipurpose Building Radio&nbsp;• KJLS (103.3)<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KJLS">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> The top two teams in the MIAA women's basketball standings meet up for the first of two regular-season matchups Saturday (Dec. 31) when Fort Hays State travels to Warrensburg, Mo. to take on No. 11 Central Missouri. First tip between the Tigers and Jennies is set for 1 p.m. inside the UCM Multipurpose Building. The Tigers (11-3, 6-0 MIAA) and Jennies (9-0, 5-0 MIAA) sit atop the league standings through one quarter of the conference schedule. UCM is 5-0 at home so far this season, while the Tigers are 3-0 in true road games on the year. Live video of the contest will be available on The MIAA Network. Fans can purchase access to a single contest for $10, a month-long pass for $25 or a season-long, all-access pass for $125. Both the monthly and year-long passes gain access to any event in any sport streamed on The MIAA Network. Live radio coverage with voice of the Tigers Gerard Wellbrock will be available over the air on KJLS 103.3 FM and online at hayspost.com. Last Time Out - Fort Hays State forced 33 turnovers and knocked down 50 percent from the floor in an 80-46 win over Bethany two weeks ago (12/19/22). - The Tigers never trailed in the contest. - A balanced offensive attack saw 12 different Tigers score, including nine players with five or more points. -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/ellie-stearns/6851">Ellie Stearns</a>&nbsp;recorded her first career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/olivia-hollenbeck/6845">Olivia Hollenbeck</a>&nbsp;paced the team in scoring for the fifth time this season with 15 points. Tiger Notables - Fort Hays State has won 220 games since the start of the 2014-15 season, by far the most of any MIAA team (ESU - 191 wins). - The Tigers are 210-112 (.652) in conference games since joining the MIAA in 2006. - Fort Hays State sits in a familiar position in the MIAA standings - right at the top. The Tigers and Jennies are the lone undefeated teams remaining in league play. - A win Saturday would give the Tigers their 15th double-digit winning streak in program history. -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/sydney-golladay/6844">Sydney Golladay</a>&nbsp;is averaging 5.8 assists per game over the last four contests, including a season-high seven in two-straight. -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/olivia-hollenbeck/6845">Olivia Hollenbeck</a>&nbsp;has scored in double figures in each of the last seven games, tied for the longest streak by a Tiger this season (<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/katie-wagner/6848">Katie Wagner</a>). The forward is averaging 15.7 points per game over that stretch. - The Tigers rank third nationally in assist/turnover ratio (1.40), sixth in turnovers per game (12.0), seventh in scoring defense (52.9) 14th in fouls per game (13.4) and 18th in turnover margin (+6.57). - The Tigers are in pursuit of their 12th-consecutive 20-win season. The current streak of 11 such seasons is the longest active streak in Division II. - FHSU is 62-42 when playing in the state of Missouri during the Hobson era. - The Tigers have a chance to win the league for a third-consecutive year, a feat not accomplished in more than 15 years (Washburn 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06). -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/katie-wagner/6848">Katie Wagner</a>&nbsp;averages 12.2 points and 5.2 rebounds in five career games against Central Missouri. Series History with Central Missouri - Central Missouri leads the all-time series, 19-17, including an 11-5 edge in games played in Warrensburg. - The Tigers have won three of the last four meetings and 10 of the last 16 dating back to the 2014-15 season. - Fort Hays State holds a slim 15-14 lead in the series during the Hobson era, including a 4-8 mark on the road. - The Tigers led by as many as 22 in the first half before holding on to win by six on the road last season, 60-54 (2/19/22). The Jennies closed within four in the second half before FHSU forced five turnovers down the stretch to hang on for the win.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/whitney-randall/6439">Whitney Randall</a>&nbsp;(19 points) and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jaden-hobbs/6437">Jaden Hobbs</a>&nbsp;(15 points) combined for more than half of FHSU's scoring after each hit a trio of 3-pointers. On This Day - The Tigers are 2-1 in recorded history on New Year's Eve. - Most recently, Fort Hays State defeated Kansas Christian College at home in 2016, 118-35. - The Tigers are 0-1 on December 31 in MIAA play, falling to Washburn on the road in 2008, 77-58. The Coach -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/tony-hobson/1136">Tony Hobson</a>&nbsp;enters his 15th season at Fort Hays State and his 31st season as a head coach at the collegiate level in 2022-23. - He is 322-112 as a Tiger and 732-218 all-time. - Hobson ranks third all-time amongst MIAA head coaches with 321 wins at FHSU. - He ranks in the top 30 in win percentage amongst all active NCAA head coaches and in the top 10 in Division II. - Hobson earned the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association Women's Four-Year College Coach of the Year award last season, his 19th career coach of the year award. - He has coached four All-Americans, four Academic All-Americans, two conference players of the year and 48 All-MIAA performers over the last 14 seasons. Scouting the Jennies - Central Missouri is one of eight remaining undefeated teams in Division II. - The Jennies hold a team shooting percentage of .500, third-best in DII. - UCM tops the league and ranks eighth in the country with a rebound margin of 10.8. - Brooke Littrell leads the MIAA and ranks in the top 20 in the country with an average of 20 points per game. - Olivia Nelson's 4.8 assists per game are second-most in the conference. Looking Ahead Fort Hays State wraps up the trip to Missouri on Monday afternoon (January 2) when the Tigers take on Lincoln in Jefferson City beginning at 1p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀🎙️ LISTEN - League-leading Tigers, Jennies battle Saturday in Warrensburg

Voice of the Chiefs Mitch Holthus reviews the Chiefs win over Seattle and previews Sunday's game with the Broncos.

The Holthus Hotline airs Saturday's around 8:00 a.m. on 96.9, KFIX.

Voice of the Chiefs Mitch Holthus reviews the Chiefs win over Seattle and previews Sunday's game with the Broncos.The Holthus Hotline airs Saturday's around 8:00 a.m. on 96.9, KFIX.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1413119209%3Fsecret_token%3Ds-eHXaFEhFdGT&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=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/holthus-hotline-dec-31-2022/s-eHXaFEhFdGT" title="Holthus Hotline (Dec. 31, 2022)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Holthus Hotline (Dec. 31, 2022)</a></div></div>

🎧 Holthus Hotline with Voice of the Chiefs Mitch Holthus

BUNKER HILL, KS –&nbsp;Smoky Hills PBS will air a day of local sports on New Year’s Day. The day will kick off at noon with the KSHSAA 8-Player State Football Championship (DI and DII).&nbsp; Next, will be&nbsp;The Jackie Stiles Story&nbsp;at 5:30 p.m. followed by the 2022 Kansas Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

The KSHSAA 8-Player State Football Championship will start at noon with the DII Championship game between Axtell and Thunder Ridge. Following DII will be the DI championship game between Little River and Wichita County. These games were previously played on Nov. 26 in Newton.

The Jackie Stiles Story will air on Smoky Hills PBS at 5:30 p.m.&nbsp; This inspirational film is about a 5’8” girl from Claflin, who became a basketball legend in the Midwest. Against all odds, Jackie became the all-time leading scorer in NCAA history and the WNBA Rookie-of-the-Year. Her coaches and teammates agree that Jackie’s work ethic will probably never be matched.&nbsp;

A re-airing of this documentary also will be available in March.&nbsp; Check&nbsp;<a href="http://smokyhillspbs.org/">SmokyHillsPBS.org</a>&nbsp;for a time and date to be announced.

The 2022 Kansas Sports Hall of Fame will be featured at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday. The mission of the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame is to honor those that have contributed to the history of sports in Kansas and to educate and inspire the public regarding the value of athletics and Kansas athletic history by providing the requisite leadership and resources. Some 2022 inductees include NASCAR driver CLINT BOWYER from Emporia; Emporia State women’s basketball All-American TARA HOLLOWAY CHURCHILL from Moundridge; the winningest coach in Kansas girls high school basketball JESSE NELSON from Olpe; former University of Kansas basketball coach, ROY WILLIAMS.&nbsp; For a full list of the KSHOF Class of 2022 visit,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kshof.org/">www.kshof.org</a>.

A full Smoky Hills PBS January program schedule can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.smokyhillspbs.org/">www.SmokyHillsPBS.org</a>.&nbsp;

BUNKER HILL, KS –&nbsp;Smoky Hills PBS will air a day of local sports on New Year’s Day. The day will kick off at noon with the KSHSAA 8-Player State Football Championship (DI and DII).&nbsp; Next, will be&nbsp;The Jackie Stiles Story&nbsp;at 5:30 p.m. followed by the 2022 Kansas Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.The KSHSAA 8-Player State Football Championship will start at noon with the DII Championship game between Axtell and Thunder Ridge. Following DII will be the DI championship game between Little River and Wichita County. These games were previously played on Nov. 26 in Newton.The Jackie Stiles Story will air on Smoky Hills PBS at 5:30 p.m.&nbsp; This inspirational film is about a 5’8” girl from Claflin, who became a basketball legend in the Midwest. Against all odds, Jackie became the all-time leading scorer in NCAA history and the WNBA Rookie-of-the-Year. Her coaches and teammates agree that Jackie’s work ethic will probably never be matched.&nbsp;A re-airing of this documentary also will be available in March.&nbsp; Check&nbsp;<a href="http://smokyhillspbs.org/">SmokyHillsPBS.org</a>&nbsp;for a time and date to be announced.The 2022 Kansas Sports Hall of Fame will be featured at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday. The mission of the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame is to honor those that have contributed to the history of sports in Kansas and to educate and inspire the public regarding the value of athletics and Kansas athletic history by providing the requisite leadership and resources. Some 2022 inductees include NASCAR driver CLINT BOWYER from Emporia; Emporia State women’s basketball All-American TARA HOLLOWAY CHURCHILL from Moundridge; the winningest coach in Kansas girls high school basketball JESSE NELSON from Olpe; former University of Kansas basketball coach, ROY WILLIAMS.&nbsp; For a full list of the KSHOF Class of 2022 visit,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kshof.org/">www.kshof.org</a>.A full Smoky Hills PBS January program schedule can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.smokyhillspbs.org/">www.SmokyHillsPBS.org</a>.&nbsp;

Local sports on PBS to start your New Year

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs are perhaps the most 
stable franchise in the NFL these days, led by a coach in Andy Reid who 
commands league-wide respect and a quarterback in Patrick Mahomes who is
 in the mix for a second MVP award.

So it's no surprise <a href="https://pro32.ap.org/article/unsung-players-join-chiefs-stars-making-postseason-push">they have clinched the AFC West</a> and are tied with Buffalo for the conference's best record.

Then
 there's the Denver Broncos (4-11), the Chiefs' opponent Sunday, who 
mortgaged much of their future to acquire struggling Russell Wilson from
 the Seahawks and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-rams-denver-broncos-nfl-sports-69d6d952bd4279972d67867eabf585db">just fired coach Nathaniel Hackett</a> with two games left in his first year.

So it's also not surprising <a href="https://apnews.com/article/denver-broncos-sports-nfl-football-greg-penner-russell-wilson-0dfedb0b1b8002ca3f312f43e6c97e20">they'll be sitting out the playoffs</a> for the seventh straight season.

“They
 played us tough this last one. They gave us everything that we could 
ask for,” said Mahomes, who nevertheless led the Chiefs (12-3) to <a href="https://pro32.ap.org/article/mahomes-chiefs-outlast-broncos-34-28-wilson-concussed">a 34-28 victory in Denver</a>
 three weeks ago. “We have to go out and play our best ball. If you look
 at the tape, you see the talent that they have and how hard they play.”

It will be <a href="https://apnews.com/article/cleveland-browns-atlanta-falcons-denver-broncos-baltimore-ravens-sports-2450309727d8088a16d80f79c6028d46">up to 67-year-old Jerry Rosburg</a> to finally get that talent playing at a high level.

The
 Broncos turned to the career assistant, who has 18 years of NFL 
coaching experience, to bridge the gap from Hackett's firing into next 
season. He was special teams coordinator in Baltimore for a decade with 
stops in Atlanta and Cleveland, and was hired by the Broncos in 
September to hire in-game management when Hackett struggled in his first
 two games.

“He actually worked for (Ravens coach) John Harbaugh 
for a number of years,” Reid said. “One of the top special teams coaches
 in the NFL and a good football coach, period. But a tremendous special 
teams coach. Good guy.”

“He’s
 a fine man. He’s been so gracious with my family over the years,” 
Rosburg said of Reid, who was Harbaugh's mentor in Philadelphia. “He’s a
 model for all coaches. We should all aspire to be like Andy Reid.”

While Wilson is suffering through the worst season of his career, <a href="https://pro32.ap.org/article/chiefs-mahomes-making-mvp-bid-more-balanced-approach">Mahomes is on another tear for the Chiefs</a>,
 putting himself in position to break the NFL record for yards passing 
in a season — albeit in a 17-game schedule rather than 16. And Rosburg 
has seen enough of Mahomes over the years that he's plenty impressed by 
him.

He's just not so excited about facing Mahomes in his first game running the show for Denver.

“I
 could list them, and you all know them,” Rosburg said of the Chiefs' 
playmakers. “Who would sign up for this? You get to coach in the 
National Football League? OK, here are the Kansas City Chiefs. Here I 
am, choose me.”

While <a href="https://pro32.ap.org/article/chiefs-dump-seahawks-24-10-stay-tied-afcs-best-record">the Chiefs are tied with the Bills</a>
 for the AFC's best record, Buffalo would get the No. 1 seed and lone 
first-round bye because of its head-to-head win in October in Kansas 
City. So not only do the Chiefs need to beat Denver, and probably Las 
Vegas next week, they also need the Bengals or Patriots to beat the 
Bills down the stretch.

The Chiefs have 
won 14 straight against their longtime division rival, a franchise 
record for any opponent. It's the fifth-longest streak by any team 
against an opponent in NFL history, and one more would tie for the third
 longest. The last time the Broncos beat the Chiefs was a 31-24 victory 
on Sept. 17, 2015, in Kansas City.

The 
priority for the Broncos is fixing Wilson, who was brought in at a high 
cost (three players, four prime draft picks to Seattle) and signed to a 
five-year extension with about $165 million in guarantees. But this 
version of Wilson has been head-scratching: He’s on pace for career 
worsts in touchdowns, completion percentage and sacks.

“I believe 
in myself at the highest level,” Wilson said. “It’s not going to happen 
this year, but the mission is still the same and that’s to help bring 
Super Bowls to Denver. That’s the goal.”

Rosburg
 makes five different Broncos coaches for safety Justin Simmons since he
 was taken in the third-round of the 2016 draft. If owner and CEO Greg 
Penner wanted his opinion on, say, defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero 
getting a shot at the head coaching job, Simmons would gladly give it. 
Denver’s defense has been one of the best in the league until a clunker 
last weekend in <a href="https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-rams-denver-broncos-nfl-sports-football-34fb53c032cefd20475d7d3568556fe9">a 51-14 loss to Baker Mayfield and the Los Angeles Rams</a>.

“I
 just want to win,” Simmons said. “When stuff like this happens like 
with Coach Hackett, I think about what I could’ve done better to help 
keep his job stable. Whatever it is, whoever it is, I just want to win.”

The Chiefs <a href="https://pro32.ap.org/article/chiefs-expect-wr-hardman-back-field-after-nearly-2-months">expect to have wide receiver Mecole Hardman back</a>
 for the first time since an abdominal injury in Week 9 put him on 
injured reserve. He practiced the last couple of weeks, but has not been
 inactive for games. He was on a tear before getting hurt, too, scoring 
five touchdowns in his last three games.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs are perhaps the most 
stable franchise in the NFL these days, led by a coach in Andy Reid who 
commands league-wide respect and a quarterback in Patrick Mahomes who is
 in the mix for a second MVP award.So it's no surprise <a href="https://pro32.ap.org/article/unsung-players-join-chiefs-stars-making-postseason-push">they have clinched the AFC West</a> and are tied with Buffalo for the conference's best record.Then
 there's the Denver Broncos (4-11), the Chiefs' opponent Sunday, who 
mortgaged much of their future to acquire struggling Russell Wilson from
 the Seahawks and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-rams-denver-broncos-nfl-sports-69d6d952bd4279972d67867eabf585db">just fired coach Nathaniel Hackett</a> with two games left in his first year.So it's also not surprising <a href="https://apnews.com/article/denver-broncos-sports-nfl-football-greg-penner-russell-wilson-0dfedb0b1b8002ca3f312f43e6c97e20">they'll be sitting out the playoffs</a> for the seventh straight season.“They
 played us tough this last one. They gave us everything that we could 
ask for,” said Mahomes, who nevertheless led the Chiefs (12-3) to <a href="https://pro32.ap.org/article/mahomes-chiefs-outlast-broncos-34-28-wilson-concussed">a 34-28 victory in Denver</a>
 three weeks ago. “We have to go out and play our best ball. If you look
 at the tape, you see the talent that they have and how hard they play.”It will be <a href="https://apnews.com/article/cleveland-browns-atlanta-falcons-denver-broncos-baltimore-ravens-sports-2450309727d8088a16d80f79c6028d46">up to 67-year-old Jerry Rosburg</a> to finally get that talent playing at a high level.The
 Broncos turned to the career assistant, who has 18 years of NFL 
coaching experience, to bridge the gap from Hackett's firing into next 
season. He was special teams coordinator in Baltimore for a decade with 
stops in Atlanta and Cleveland, and was hired by the Broncos in 
September to hire in-game management when Hackett struggled in his first
 two games.“He actually worked for (Ravens coach) John Harbaugh 
for a number of years,” Reid said. “One of the top special teams coaches
 in the NFL and a good football coach, period. But a tremendous special 
teams coach. Good guy.”Turns out the affection goes both ways.“He’s
 a fine man. He’s been so gracious with my family over the years,” 
Rosburg said of Reid, who was Harbaugh's mentor in Philadelphia. “He’s a
 model for all coaches. We should all aspire to be like Andy Reid.”While Wilson is suffering through the worst season of his career, <a href="https://pro32.ap.org/article/chiefs-mahomes-making-mvp-bid-more-balanced-approach">Mahomes is on another tear for the Chiefs</a>,
 putting himself in position to break the NFL record for yards passing 
in a season — albeit in a 17-game schedule rather than 16. And Rosburg 
has seen enough of Mahomes over the years that he's plenty impressed by 
him.He's just not so excited about facing Mahomes in his first game running the show for Denver.“I
 could list them, and you all know them,” Rosburg said of the Chiefs' 
playmakers. “Who would sign up for this? You get to coach in the 
National Football League? OK, here are the Kansas City Chiefs. Here I 
am, choose me.”<h2>PLAYOFF POSITION</h2>While <a href="https://pro32.ap.org/article/chiefs-dump-seahawks-24-10-stay-tied-afcs-best-record">the Chiefs are tied with the Bills</a>
 for the AFC's best record, Buffalo would get the No. 1 seed and lone 
first-round bye because of its head-to-head win in October in Kansas 
City. So not only do the Chiefs need to beat Denver, and probably Las 
Vegas next week, they also need the Bengals or Patriots to beat the 
Bills down the stretch.<h2>DOMINANCE OF DENVER</h2>The Chiefs have 
won 14 straight against their longtime division rival, a franchise 
record for any opponent. It's the fifth-longest streak by any team 
against an opponent in NFL history, and one more would tie for the third
 longest. The last time the Broncos beat the Chiefs was a 31-24 victory 
on Sept. 17, 2015, in Kansas City.<h2>FIXING WILSON</h2>The 
priority for the Broncos is fixing Wilson, who was brought in at a high 
cost (three players, four prime draft picks to Seattle) and signed to a 
five-year extension with about $165 million in guarantees. But this 
version of Wilson has been head-scratching: He’s on pace for career 
worsts in touchdowns, completion percentage and sacks.“I believe 
in myself at the highest level,” Wilson said. “It’s not going to happen 
this year, but the mission is still the same and that’s to help bring 
Super Bowls to Denver. That’s the goal.”<h2>COACHING CAROUSEL</h2>Rosburg
 makes five different Broncos coaches for safety Justin Simmons since he
 was taken in the third-round of the 2016 draft. If owner and CEO Greg 
Penner wanted his opinion on, say, defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero 
getting a shot at the head coaching job, Simmons would gladly give it. 
Denver’s defense has been one of the best in the league until a clunker 
last weekend in <a href="https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-rams-denver-broncos-nfl-sports-football-34fb53c032cefd20475d7d3568556fe9">a 51-14 loss to Baker Mayfield and the Los Angeles Rams</a>.“I
 just want to win,” Simmons said. “When stuff like this happens like 
with Coach Hackett, I think about what I could’ve done better to help 
keep his job stable. Whatever it is, whoever it is, I just want to win.”<h2>WEAPON RETURNING</h2>The Chiefs <a href="https://pro32.ap.org/article/chiefs-expect-wr-hardman-back-field-after-nearly-2-months">expect to have wide receiver Mecole Hardman back</a>
 for the first time since an abdominal injury in Week 9 put him on 
injured reserve. He practiced the last couple of weeks, but has not been
 inactive for games. He was on a tear before getting hurt, too, scoring 
five touchdowns in his last three games.

🏈 Stable Chiefs face reeling Broncos in midst of playoff push

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — In an age of opt-outs in college football, top NFL prospects for Alabama and Kansas State are opting in at the Sugar Bowl.

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young and edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. headline those players who could have skipped Saturday's game and the risk of injury.

Same goes for K-State running back Deuce Vaughn and defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah.

All decided to play. Anudike-Uzomah says he and Vaughn worked three years to get the Wildcats to a major bowl and that it's a “dream” to play against Alabama.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — In an age of opt-outs in college football, top NFL prospects for Alabama and Kansas State are opting in at the Sugar Bowl.Alabama quarterback Bryce Young and edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. headline those players who could have skipped Saturday's game and the risk of injury.Same goes for K-State running back Deuce Vaughn and defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah.All decided to play. Anudike-Uzomah says he and Vaughn worked three years to get the Wildcats to a major bowl and that it's a “dream” to play against Alabama.

🏈 Alabama, Kansas St. extol virtues of opting in at Sugar Bowl

It’s game day. The high school athlete has her jersey on and prepares to go into action.&nbsp;&nbsp;All eyes are on her as she makes her move. But right now this athlete isn’t using a ball, she’s using a book.&nbsp;

On game days at Frankfort High School, the athletes don’t just perform on the court, they read to younger kids in the classroom. This is small-town athletics at its best.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Dean Dalinghaus is principal at Frankfort High School, home of the Wildcats. He went to high school at B&amp;B, graduated from K-State, and has been principal at Frankfort since 2006. He has observed the significance of hometown sports teams in rural communities.&nbsp;

“I think it brings the community together,” he said. “It creates a sense of pride. It’s the joy of seeing the kids put their heart and soul on the line, for the (town) name on the front of the jersey.”&nbsp;

Among the competitive athletes who recently came from his school is Emilee Ebert. In fact, her parents are directly involved with the school. Her father, Brian, is a teacher and was Emilee’s basketball coach at Frankfort. Her mother, Jennifer, is the school librarian.&nbsp;

Emilee Ebert had a standout athletic career at Frankfort. She set the school record with 1,648 career points in basketball. A four-time Kansas Basketball Coaches Association honoree, she earned first-team honors in 2018 and 2019. She completed her basketball career as a four-time All-Twin Valley League First Team recipient and a four-time All-Flint Hills First Team honoree by the&nbsp;Manhattan Mercury.&nbsp;

At the end of her senior season in 2018-19, Emilee was a McDonald’s All-American nominee and garnered top-15 All-Class honors as well as Class 1A All-State First Team honors from multiple sources. Not only was she selected to play in several all-star games, but she was also selected as the most valuable player at two of them.&nbsp;

Ebert was also an outstanding competitor in volleyball and track and field.&nbsp;

Emilee Ebert chose to come to K-State to play basketball for women’s coach Jeff Mittie.&nbsp;&nbsp;By her sophomore season, she was the only Wildcat to start all 27 games. That year, she finished among the Big 12’s best in assists, blocks per game, and assist-to-turnover ratio. Ebert set the school record for blocks by a guard in a season and was the only player in the Big 12 to appear in the top 15 in assists and blocks.&nbsp;

In her junior year, she played in a career-high 31 games with 24 starts. As this is being written—partway through her senior season—she has helped lead the Cats to a 9-2 record and a top 25 ranking. On Dec. 7, she led K-State in scoring in its win against Kansas City and has been consistently good from the free-throw line.&nbsp;

She is also an excellent example of a student-athlete. Ebert has made the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll twice, plus the Big 12 All-Rookie Academic Team, and the Academic All-Big 12 Team the following year.&nbsp;

Dalinghaus said he wants his students to appreciate academics as well. Frankfort has a K-12 attendance center, so all grades are in the same building. This creates an opportunity for interaction between older and younger students.&nbsp;

Three years ago, Dalinghaus created an initiative called Wildcat Readers. On game days, the athletes take turns reading a book to the elementary school children while wearing their jerseys or dress clothes, depending on the sport.&nbsp;

“It lets the little kids see the older kids as student-athletes, not just athletes,” Dalinghaus said. By modeling reading and encouraging the kids to read, it is a win-win for academics as well as athletics.&nbsp;

This type of interaction works especially well in a school in a rural community such as Frankfort, population 723 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;

All eyes are on the athlete as she makes her move—not to the basket, but to the book.&nbsp;&nbsp;We commend Dean Dalinghaus for making a difference with this initiative to connect learning and athletics, and we salute Emilee Ebert and all small-town athletes for representing their communities so well.

Ron Wilson is the director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University .

It’s game day. The high school athlete has her jersey on and prepares to go into action.&nbsp;&nbsp;All eyes are on her as she makes her move. But right now this athlete isn’t using a ball, she’s using a book.&nbsp;On game days at Frankfort High School, the athletes don’t just perform on the court, they read to younger kids in the classroom. This is small-town athletics at its best.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dean Dalinghaus is principal at Frankfort High School, home of the Wildcats. He went to high school at B&amp;B, graduated from K-State, and has been principal at Frankfort since 2006. He has observed the significance of hometown sports teams in rural communities.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1672283436581.jpeg" alt="Emilee Ebert, K-State basketball. Courtesy photo " />
 <figcaption>Emilee Ebert, K-State basketball. Courtesy photo </figcaption>
 </figure>“I think it brings the community together,” he said. “It creates a sense of pride. It’s the joy of seeing the kids put their heart and soul on the line, for the (town) name on the front of the jersey.”&nbsp;Among the competitive athletes who recently came from his school is Emilee Ebert. In fact, her parents are directly involved with the school. Her father, Brian, is a teacher and was Emilee’s basketball coach at Frankfort. Her mother, Jennifer, is the school librarian.&nbsp;Emilee Ebert had a standout athletic career at Frankfort. She set the school record with 1,648 career points in basketball. A four-time Kansas Basketball Coaches Association honoree, she earned first-team honors in 2018 and 2019. She completed her basketball career as a four-time All-Twin Valley League First Team recipient and a four-time All-Flint Hills First Team honoree by the&nbsp;Manhattan Mercury.&nbsp;At the end of her senior season in 2018-19, Emilee was a McDonald’s All-American nominee and garnered top-15 All-Class honors as well as Class 1A All-State First Team honors from multiple sources. Not only was she selected to play in several all-star games, but she was also selected as the most valuable player at two of them.&nbsp;Ebert was also an outstanding competitor in volleyball and track and field.&nbsp;Emilee Ebert chose to come to K-State to play basketball for women’s coach Jeff Mittie.&nbsp;&nbsp;By her sophomore season, she was the only Wildcat to start all 27 games. That year, she finished among the Big 12’s best in assists, blocks per game, and assist-to-turnover ratio. Ebert set the school record for blocks by a guard in a season and was the only player in the Big 12 to appear in the top 15 in assists and blocks.&nbsp;In her junior year, she played in a career-high 31 games with 24 starts. As this is being written—partway through her senior season—she has helped lead the Cats to a 9-2 record and a top 25 ranking. On Dec. 7, she led K-State in scoring in its win against Kansas City and has been consistently good from the free-throw line.&nbsp;She is also an excellent example of a student-athlete. Ebert has made the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll twice, plus the Big 12 All-Rookie Academic Team, and the Academic All-Big 12 Team the following year.&nbsp;Dalinghaus said he wants his students to appreciate academics as well. Frankfort has a K-12 attendance center, so all grades are in the same building. This creates an opportunity for interaction between older and younger students.&nbsp;Three years ago, Dalinghaus created an initiative called Wildcat Readers. On game days, the athletes take turns reading a book to the elementary school children while wearing their jerseys or dress clothes, depending on the sport.&nbsp;“It lets the little kids see the older kids as student-athletes, not just athletes,” Dalinghaus said. By modeling reading and encouraging the kids to read, it is a win-win for academics as well as athletics.&nbsp;This type of interaction works especially well in a school in a rural community such as Frankfort, population 723 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;All eyes are on the athlete as she makes her move—not to the basket, but to the book.&nbsp;&nbsp;We commend Dean Dalinghaus for making a difference with this initiative to connect learning and athletics, and we salute Emilee Ebert and all small-town athletes for representing their communities so well.Ron Wilson is the director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University .

Now That’s Rural: Dalinghaus, Frankfort High, Emilee Ebert, K-State basketball 

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — KJ Jefferson passed to Rashod Dubinion for a 2-point conversion in the third overtime and Arkansas held off a furious second-half rally by Kansas for a 55-53 win the Liberty Bowl.

The Jayhawks had rallied from 25 points down in the second half to force overtime, but a failed on a 2-point conversion pass from Jason Bean to Lawrence Arnold to end a four-and-a-half hour bowl marathon.

Jefferson passed for 287 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 130 yards and two more scores to lead the Razorbacks. 

Kansas quarterback Daniels passed for 544 yards and five touchdowns. He set Liberty Bowl records for passing yards, touchdown passes, completions (37) and total TDs scored (6).

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — KJ Jefferson passed to Rashod Dubinion for a 2-point conversion in the third overtime and Arkansas held off a furious second-half rally by Kansas for a 55-53 win the Liberty Bowl.The Jayhawks had rallied from 25 points down in the second half to force overtime, but a failed on a 2-point conversion pass from Jason Bean to Lawrence Arnold to end a four-and-a-half hour bowl marathon.Jefferson passed for 287 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 130 yards and two more scores to lead the Razorbacks. Kansas quarterback Daniels passed for 544 yards and five touchdowns. He set Liberty Bowl records for passing yards, touchdown passes, completions (37) and total TDs scored (6).

Arkansas withstands furious Kansas rally, wins Liberty Bowl

The <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kansas-jayhawks">Kansas</a> Jayhawks see a bright future thanks to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-football-sports-kansas-lance-leipold-jayhawks-a81eea3cb4311c24ddabd543816efab1">coach Lance Leipold's quick turnaround.</a>

The <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/arkansas-razorbacks">Arkansas Razorbacks</a>?

That proud <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/college-football">Southeastern Conference</a>
 program goes into the Liberty Bowl on Wednesday hoping quarterback KJ 
Jefferson and running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders can provide enough 
offense to make up for a roster thinned by opt-outs and transfer portal 
departures.

“It’s out of our hands so we just want to be able to control what we can control and do the best we can,” Jefferson said.

A
 winning season is on the line for both Kansas and Arkansas, who are 
6-6, in the first meeting between these neighbors since 1906.

This
 game means a lot to the Jayhawks after going 2-10 last season and 
finishing last in the Big 12. This is the Jayhawks' first bowl since 
2008 and second all-time at the Liberty Bowl, sponsored by AutoZone.

“Now
 the fun starts,” Kansas linebacker Rich Miller said. “This is what 
we’ve worked for all season, and now it’s time to pay off.”

Expect
 lots of scoring. Kansas ranks fifth nationally, averaging 7.01 yards 
per play. That's on target to set a program record, topping the 6.4 
yards averaged per play for the 1950 season. The Jayhawks rank 27th 
nationally scoring with an average of 34.2 points per game, and Arkansas
 puts up 30.7 points a game.

The Jayhawks also have dual-threat 
quarterback Jalon Daniels back after missing four games. He threw for 13
 touchdowns with only two interceptions this season and is a dual threat
 — second on the Jayhawks with 404 yards and six TDs rushing.

Jefferson,
 who missed two games himself, joined Georgia's Stetson Bennett as the 
SEC's only quarterbacks to throw for at least 20 TDs and run for seven 
more. Jefferson threw for 2,361 yards and 22 TDs with only four 
interceptions.

Devin Neal averages 6.2 yards per carry for Kansas and gained 1,061 yards this season. Neal had his best game <a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-football-sports-kansas-lawrence-spencer-sanders-6e9da4d46531ffd25d634f91c449abf2">against then-No. 18 Oklahoma State,</a>
 when he ran for 224 yards and had 110 yards more receiving in the win. 
Later, he became the first Power Five running back to follow that up 
with <a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-football-sports-kansas-tyler-donovan-smith-5401a9ccb7fc54f1ea534560635fd9b4">at least 190 yards against Texas Tech</a>.

Arkansas
 counters with Sanders, who ranked second in the SEC with 1,426 yards 
rushing and an average of 118.8 yards per game. He led the SEC with 
1,687 all-purpose yards as a receiving threat as well.

Arkansas
 leads the SEC and is tied for fifth nationally with 39 sacks, one off 
the school record of 40 set in 1998. Yet the Razorbacks will be without 
their <a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-football-ap-all-america-team-1c0078baac0857cf80a461485108405d">All-American linebacker Drew Sanders,</a> who had a team-high 9 1/2 sacks.

Sanders
 is just one of the Razorbacks who chose to prepare for the NFL draft 
rather than play in the bowl. Center Ricky Stromberg, wide receiver 
Jadon Haselwood and linebacker Bumper Pool, who recently had hip 
surgery, also are focused on the NFL.

Kansas gave up only nine sacks with the same five linemen starting every game, which ranks seventh in the country.

This
 is Kansas’ 13th bowl and first since 2008, when the Jayhawks beat 
Minnesota in the Insight Bowl. This also is their first bowl against an 
SEC team since a 10-0 loss to Mississippi State in the 1981 Hall of Fame
 Bowl. The Jayhawks first played in the Liberty Bowl in 1973, a loss to 
North Carolina State.

Arkansas is heading to its second straight 
bowl and 44th all-time. The Razorbacks, who come in having lost three of
 their last four, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-football-sports-penn-state-nittany-lions-football-arkansas-razorbacks-football-sean-clifford-0bdf34681205c6b414bccae4b66e194d">beat Penn State in the Outback Bowl</a> to open this calendar year.

Extreme cold has led to lots of burst water pipes in Memphis, prompting <a href="https://twitter.com/AZOLibertyBowl/status/1607528440059641857">bowl officials to go on social media Monday night to make it clear the game will go on as scheduled</a>. By kickoff, temperatures are expected to be in the 50s.

Simmons
 Bank Liberty Stadium was dealing with water pressure issues on Tuesday 
night, and local officials were working to ensure the game is played. 
They are bringing in more than 400 portable toilets and putting hand 
sanitizer pumps near existing restrooms and concession areas.

The Associated Press The <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kansas-jayhawks">Kansas</a> Jayhawks see a bright future thanks to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-football-sports-kansas-lance-leipold-jayhawks-a81eea3cb4311c24ddabd543816efab1">coach Lance Leipold's quick turnaround.</a>The <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/arkansas-razorbacks">Arkansas Razorbacks</a>?That proud <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/college-football">Southeastern Conference</a>
 program goes into the Liberty Bowl on Wednesday hoping quarterback KJ 
Jefferson and running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders can provide enough 
offense to make up for a roster thinned by opt-outs and transfer portal 
departures.“It’s out of our hands so we just want to be able to control what we can control and do the best we can,” Jefferson said.A
 winning season is on the line for both Kansas and Arkansas, who are 
6-6, in the first meeting between these neighbors since 1906.This
 game means a lot to the Jayhawks after going 2-10 last season and 
finishing last in the Big 12. This is the Jayhawks' first bowl since 
2008 and second all-time at the Liberty Bowl, sponsored by AutoZone.“Now
 the fun starts,” Kansas linebacker Rich Miller said. “This is what 
we’ve worked for all season, and now it’s time to pay off.”<h2>OFFENSIVE FIREWORKS</h2>Expect
 lots of scoring. Kansas ranks fifth nationally, averaging 7.01 yards 
per play. That's on target to set a program record, topping the 6.4 
yards averaged per play for the 1950 season. The Jayhawks rank 27th 
nationally scoring with an average of 34.2 points per game, and Arkansas
 puts up 30.7 points a game.The Jayhawks also have dual-threat 
quarterback Jalon Daniels back after missing four games. He threw for 13
 touchdowns with only two interceptions this season and is a dual threat
 — second on the Jayhawks with 404 yards and six TDs rushing.Jefferson,
 who missed two games himself, joined Georgia's Stetson Bennett as the 
SEC's only quarterbacks to throw for at least 20 TDs and run for seven 
more. Jefferson threw for 2,361 yards and 22 TDs with only four 
interceptions.<h2>SPEEDY BACKS</h2>Devin Neal averages 6.2 yards per carry for Kansas and gained 1,061 yards this season. Neal had his best game <a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-football-sports-kansas-lawrence-spencer-sanders-6e9da4d46531ffd25d634f91c449abf2">against then-No. 18 Oklahoma State,</a>
 when he ran for 224 yards and had 110 yards more receiving in the win. 
Later, he became the first Power Five running back to follow that up 
with <a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-football-sports-kansas-tyler-donovan-smith-5401a9ccb7fc54f1ea534560635fd9b4">at least 190 yards against Texas Tech</a>.Arkansas
 counters with Sanders, who ranked second in the SEC with 1,426 yards 
rushing and an average of 118.8 yards per game. He led the SEC with 
1,687 all-purpose yards as a receiving threat as well.<h2>PASS PROTECTION</h2>Arkansas
 leads the SEC and is tied for fifth nationally with 39 sacks, one off 
the school record of 40 set in 1998. Yet the Razorbacks will be without 
their <a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-football-ap-all-america-team-1c0078baac0857cf80a461485108405d">All-American linebacker Drew Sanders,</a> who had a team-high 9 1/2 sacks.Sanders
 is just one of the Razorbacks who chose to prepare for the NFL draft 
rather than play in the bowl. Center Ricky Stromberg, wide receiver 
Jadon Haselwood and linebacker Bumper Pool, who recently had hip 
surgery, also are focused on the NFL.Kansas gave up only nine sacks with the same five linemen starting every game, which ranks seventh in the country.<h2>LONG TIME COMING</h2>This
 is Kansas’ 13th bowl and first since 2008, when the Jayhawks beat 
Minnesota in the Insight Bowl. This also is their first bowl against an 
SEC team since a 10-0 loss to Mississippi State in the 1981 Hall of Fame
 Bowl. The Jayhawks first played in the Liberty Bowl in 1973, a loss to 
North Carolina State.Arkansas is heading to its second straight 
bowl and 44th all-time. The Razorbacks, who come in having lost three of
 their last four, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-football-sports-penn-state-nittany-lions-football-arkansas-razorbacks-football-sean-clifford-0bdf34681205c6b414bccae4b66e194d">beat Penn State in the Outback Bowl</a> to open this calendar year.<h2>WATER ISSUES</h2>Extreme cold has led to lots of burst water pipes in Memphis, prompting <a href="https://twitter.com/AZOLibertyBowl/status/1607528440059641857">bowl officials to go on social media Monday night to make it clear the game will go on as scheduled</a>. By kickoff, temperatures are expected to be in the 50s.Simmons
 Bank Liberty Stadium was dealing with water pressure issues on Tuesday 
night, and local officials were working to ensure the game is played. 
They are bringing in more than 400 portable toilets and putting hand 
sanitizer pumps near existing restrooms and concession areas.

Liberty Bowl pits Kansas vs Arkansas for 1st time since 1906

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — His family bought the Denver Broncos last 
summer but it was on Tuesday that CEO Greg Penner really took ownership 
of the franchise.

Penner made it clear that not only will he lead 
the search for a new head coach but that Nathaniel Hackett's replacement
 will report directly to him and not to general manager George Paton.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — His family bought the Denver Broncos last 
summer but it was on Tuesday that CEO Greg Penner really took ownership 
of the franchise.Penner made it clear that not only will he lead 
the search for a new head coach but that Nathaniel Hackett's replacement
 will report directly to him and not to general manager George Paton.“Yes,
 the new head coach will report to me, which is the more typical 
structure in the NFL,” Penner said. “Obviously, the relationship between
 the general manager and the head coach is a critical one and George is 
going to be intimately involved with this process of looking for a new 
head coach and we’ll make sure that there’s a good fit there.”Penner,
 his wife, Carrie Walton-Penner, and her father, Rob Walton, purchased 
the team for $4.65 billion, a global record for a professional sports 
franchise. Limited partners include former U.S. Secretary of State 
Condoleezza Rice.The team has proven to be more of a fixer-upper than the new owners expected.The
 Broncos have tumbled through a 4-11 season and quarterback Russell 
Wilson has stumbled through the worst season of his career after signing
 a $245 million extension before the opener.“When we purchased 
this great franchise in August this is not the season we were 
expecting," Penner said, adding, “I want to personally apologize to our 
fans and all of Broncos country. We know that we need to be better and 
we will.”The Broncos have extended their playoff drought to seven
 years, mostly because of a sputtering offense that averages fewer than 
16 points per game.Hackett became just the fifth coach in NFL 
history not to make it through his first season. He's being replaced by 
interim coach Jerry Rosburg after Ejiro Evero, a candidate for the 
full-time job, declined the temporary offer, suggesting he'd be more of a
 help these last two weeks just sticking to his role as defensive 
coordinator.The new head coach will have to find a way to fix Wilson and establish an offensive identity to match the team's stingy defense.Penner said he wanted to wait until after the season to decide on Hackett's fate, but that all changed when the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-rams-denver-broncos-nfl-sports-69d6d952bd4279972d67867eabf585db">Broncos were blown out</a> 51-14 by the Los Angeles Rams on Christmas Day.Exacerbating
 the Broncos' embarrassment, guard Dalton Risner, the team's Walter 
Payton Man of the Year honoree, shoved backup QB Brett Rypien on the 
sideline and linebacker Randy Gregory threw a punch at Rams O-lineman 
Oday Aboushi during postgame handshakes, resulting in a one-game 
suspension.That debacle alone isn't what got Hackett fired with 
three years and more than $12 million left on his contract, but it did 
accelerate the conversations that led to his dismissal.Penner 
said he "didn’t go into this week thinking this was a time we were going
 to make a change. But after we saw the effort we put forward on Sunday,
 some of the things that were going on off the field, we just felt like 
it was time to make a decision."Paton said he still thinks Hackett is “a great football coach” but that “it just didn't work out here.”“And
 that’s on me,” added Paton. “I take full responsibility for where we 
are as a football team. I brought in the head coach; I brought in most 
of the players. Those are my decisions, and there’s no one to blame but 
me.”So, why, Penner was asked, does he maintain such faith in both his GM and his QB given their dreadful 2022 performances?“So,
 the decision to have Russ here was a long-term one,” Penner said. “This
 season has not been up to his standards or expectations. We saw some 
glimpses of (vintage Wilson) in the last few weeks. He knows he can play
 better. We know he can play better. And we know he’ll do the right work
 in the offseason to be ready for next year.”Penner said he and 
his GM have daily conversations "and he acknowledged right up front 
there are a couple of decisions that haven’t worked out as he had 
expected. But I understand his thought process. He understands the work 
that needs to be done this offseason. And I’m going to rely on him 
heavily as we go through and make these changes.”The Broncos 
aren't limiting their search to experienced NFL coaches even though 
their past three hires have been first-time head coaches who were fired 
before their contracts were up.“It certainly helps, but it’s not 
necessary,” Paton said of previous NFL head coaching experience. “We’re 
going to keep an open mind through this search."Paton said he's not necessarily looking for a quarterback whisperer, either.“That's
 not why we're getting a new coach, to turn around Russ," Paton said. 
"It's about the entire organization, it's about the entire football 
team. It's not one player. It's not whether Russ is fixable or not. We 
do believe he is, we do.”