Fort Hays State women's basketball coach Tony Hobson and men's coach Mark Johnson held their weekly press conference Tuesday morning.

Both teams open MIAA play Wednesday at Washburn.

Fort Hays State women's basketball coach Tony Hobson and men's coach Mark Johnson held their weekly press conference Tuesday morning.Both teams open MIAA play Wednesday at Washburn.<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/1169465056&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/tony-hobson-presser-113021" title="Tony Hobson Presser 113021" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Tony Hobson Presser 113021</a></div></div><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/1169468485&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/mark-johnson-presser-113021" title="Mark Johnson Presser 113021" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Mark Johnson Presser 113021</a></div></div>

🏀🎧 FHSU coaches hold weekly press conferences

The Fort Hays State women's basketball team found itself atop the WBCA Division II Coaches Poll for the second week in a row, announced Tuesday by the coaches association. The Tigers, now 5-0 on the year, also held on to the No. 2 slot in the latest D2SIDA Media poll, also released Tuesday morning. This is the fourth DII coaches poll release in which the Tigers are ranked first in the country. FHSU&nbsp;also spent two weeks ranked atop the national polls in the 2015-16 season (12/8/15, 12/15/15). The Tigers are now 5-1 in games as the top-ranked team in the country and 116-31 all-time when ranked in the coaches poll. Fort Hays State picked up two additional first-place votes from the previous release, coming in on top of 16 of 22 ballots submitted this week. The Tigers increased their point total by 15, up to 537 points, and increased its lead over second-ranked Lubbock Christian to 31 points. Two other MIAA programs are ranked in the coaches poll, including 5-1 Nebraska-Kearney sitting in 21st and 4-3 Central Missouri coming in 25th for the second week in a row. Emporia State, Saturday's opponent, is just outside the Top 25, sitting atop the schools listed in the also receiving votes category. The Tigers added four points to its total in the media poll, up to 368 points this week. FHSU is 19 points behind top-ranked Alaska-Anchorage and 10 points ahead of third-ranked Texas A&amp;M-Commerce. The Tigers racked up a pair of first-place votes in the media poll for the second week in a row. A pair of MIAA teams are also ranked in the media poll, with ESU sitting in 18th and Nebraska-Kearney slotted 20th. Fort Hays State has been listed in the top 25 at some point during nine of the last 10 seasons, including appearances in the top five in six of the last eight campaigns. The Tigers will open conference play on the road this week when they travel to Washburn on Wednesday (Dec. 1, 5:30 p.m.) and to Emporia State on Saturday (Dec. 3, 1:30 p.m.)

WBCA DII Coaches Poll - November 30, 2021 1. Fort Hays State (16) 5-0 2. Lubbock Christian (4) 8-1 3. Drury&nbsp;8-14 4. North Georgia (2) 6-0 5. Texas A&amp;M-Commerce&nbsp;6-0 6. Lander&nbsp;5-1 7. Gannon&nbsp;4-0 8. Alaska Anchorage&nbsp;5-0 9. Glenville State&nbsp;4-0 10. Indiana, Pa.6-0 11. Ashland&nbsp;4-1 12. Azusa Pacific&nbsp;4-1 13. Grand Valley State&nbsp;5-0 14. Western Washington&nbsp;5-0 15. Tampa&nbsp;8-2 16. Lee, Tenn.7-0 17. Barton&nbsp;4-0 18. Valdosta State&nbsp;4-1 19. Colorado Mines&nbsp;5-1 20. Union, Tenn.3-2 21. Nebraska-Kearney&nbsp;5-1 22. Southwestern Oklahoma St. 6-2 23. Michigan Tech&nbsp;5-1 24. CSU Pueblo&nbsp;4-1 25. Central Missouri&nbsp;4-3 D2SIDA Media Poll - November 30, 2021 1. Alaska-Anchorage (11) 5-0 2. Fort Hays State (2) 5-0 3. Texas A&amp;M-Commerce 6-0 4. Drury (1) 8-1 5. Lander (1) 5-1 6. Lubbock Christian 8-1 7. North Georgia 6-0 8. Lee (1) 7-0 9. Gannon 4-0 10. Indiana (Pa.) 6-0 11. Western Washington 5-0 12. Grand Valley State 5-0 13. Colorado Mesa 5-0 14. Catawba 6-0 15. Tampa 8-2 16. Ashland 4-1 17. Glenville State 4-0 18. Emporia State 5-1 19. Colorado School of Mines 5-1 20. Nebraska-Kearney 5-1 21. Bentley 3-2 22. Valdosta State 4-1 23. California (Pa.) 4-0 24. USciences&nbsp;4-1 T25. Saint Martin's 5-1 T25. Southwestern Oklahoma St. 6-2

The Fort Hays State women's basketball team found itself atop the WBCA Division II Coaches Poll for the second week in a row, announced Tuesday by the coaches association. The Tigers, now 5-0 on the year, also held on to the No. 2 slot in the latest D2SIDA Media poll, also released Tuesday morning. This is the fourth DII coaches poll release in which the Tigers are ranked first in the country. FHSU&nbsp;also spent two weeks ranked atop the national polls in the 2015-16 season (12/8/15, 12/15/15). The Tigers are now 5-1 in games as the top-ranked team in the country and 116-31 all-time when ranked in the coaches poll. Fort Hays State picked up two additional first-place votes from the previous release, coming in on top of 16 of 22 ballots submitted this week. The Tigers increased their point total by 15, up to 537 points, and increased its lead over second-ranked Lubbock Christian to 31 points. Two other MIAA programs are ranked in the coaches poll, including 5-1 Nebraska-Kearney sitting in 21st and 4-3 Central Missouri coming in 25th for the second week in a row. Emporia State, Saturday's opponent, is just outside the Top 25, sitting atop the schools listed in the also receiving votes category. The Tigers added four points to its total in the media poll, up to 368 points this week. FHSU is 19 points behind top-ranked Alaska-Anchorage and 10 points ahead of third-ranked Texas A&amp;M-Commerce. The Tigers racked up a pair of first-place votes in the media poll for the second week in a row. A pair of MIAA teams are also ranked in the media poll, with ESU sitting in 18th and Nebraska-Kearney slotted 20th. Fort Hays State has been listed in the top 25 at some point during nine of the last 10 seasons, including appearances in the top five in six of the last eight campaigns. The Tigers will open conference play on the road this week when they travel to Washburn on Wednesday (Dec. 1, 5:30 p.m.) and to Emporia State on Saturday (Dec. 3, 1:30 p.m.) WBCA DII Coaches Poll - November 30, 2021 1. Fort Hays State (16) 5-0 2. Lubbock Christian (4) 8-1 3. Drury&nbsp;8-14 4. North Georgia (2) 6-0 5. Texas A&amp;M-Commerce&nbsp;6-0 6. Lander&nbsp;5-1 7. Gannon&nbsp;4-0 8. Alaska Anchorage&nbsp;5-0 9. Glenville State&nbsp;4-0 10. Indiana, Pa.6-0 11. Ashland&nbsp;4-1 12. Azusa Pacific&nbsp;4-1 13. Grand Valley State&nbsp;5-0 14. Western Washington&nbsp;5-0 15. Tampa&nbsp;8-2 16. Lee, Tenn.7-0 17. Barton&nbsp;4-0 18. Valdosta State&nbsp;4-1 19. Colorado Mines&nbsp;5-1 20. Union, Tenn.3-2 21. Nebraska-Kearney&nbsp;5-1 22. Southwestern Oklahoma St. 6-2 23. Michigan Tech&nbsp;5-1 24. CSU Pueblo&nbsp;4-1 25. Central Missouri&nbsp;4-3 D2SIDA Media Poll - November 30, 2021 1. Alaska-Anchorage (11) 5-0 2. Fort Hays State (2) 5-0 3. Texas A&amp;M-Commerce 6-0 4. Drury (1) 8-1 5. Lander (1) 5-1 6. Lubbock Christian 8-1 7. North Georgia 6-0 8. Lee (1) 7-0 9. Gannon 4-0 10. Indiana (Pa.) 6-0 11. Western Washington 5-0 12. Grand Valley State 5-0 13. Colorado Mesa 5-0 14. Catawba 6-0 15. Tampa 8-2 16. Ashland 4-1 17. Glenville State 4-0 18. Emporia State 5-1 19. Colorado School of Mines 5-1 20. Nebraska-Kearney 5-1 21. Bentley 3-2 22. Valdosta State 4-1 23. California (Pa.) 4-0 24. USciences&nbsp;4-1 T25. Saint Martin's 5-1 T25. Southwestern Oklahoma St. 6-2

🏀 FHSU women maintain top national billing

🎥🏀 Watch This Week's Tiger Talk

Here's Monday's Tiger Talk with Fort Hays State head women's basketball coach Tony Hobson and men's coach Mark Johnson.

Tiger Talk airs Mondays at 12:15 p.m. on KAYS (94.3-FM/1400-AM) live from the Golden Q in Hays.

Here's Monday's Tiger Talk with Fort Hays State head women's basketball coach Tony Hobson and men's coach Mark Johnson.Tiger Talk airs Mondays at 12:15 p.m. on KAYS (94.3-FM/1400-AM) live from the Golden Q in Hays.<div><iframe title="Tiger Talk (Nov 29, 2021)" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=u3xvn-114315a-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1&font-color=&btn-skin=2"></iframe></div>

🎧 Defend the Fort Podcast: Tiger Talk (Nov 29, 2021)

By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER Hays Post

Hays High Senior Garrett Wellbrock has played on every court and field that Fort Hays State University has to offer. Lewis Field Stadium, Gross Memorial Coliseum and Larks Park long served as the grounds to grow up on following a Tiger athletic event.

Monday, he put pen to paper for the opportunity to "do it for real." Wellbrock signed his National Letter of Intent to play baseball at Fort Hays State University.

The Indians' starting shortstop and pitcher hit .375 in the 2021 spring season and boasted a team high .554 on-base percentage, finishing .025 out of the TOP 10 for a single season in program history. He hit six doubles, one home run, struck out just six times while driving in 22 runs and scoring 25. His 22 walks at the plate tied for sixth in a single season in Hays High history.

Wellbrock lost the opportunity to get on the recruiting map during his sophomore season, which was canceled due to COVID-19. He made up for lost time this past spring.

On the mound in the spring of 2021, Wellbrock threw 39.1 innings earning a 5-2 record. He struck out 23 while walking 19 and posting a 3.92 earned run average. Opponents hit just .268 off the right-hander.

Coach Dustin Dreher puts Wellbrock in the same category as the versatile Major League Baseball player Ben Zobrist.

Wellbrock and his teammates will look to improve upon third-place finish at the 5A State Tournament this past season. Until then, you can catch him in the hitting barn and working on a throwing program in preparation for the spring of 2022.&nbsp;

Garrett Wellbrock is the son of Gerard Wellbrock, who works for Eagle Radio of Hays, which owns and operates Hays Post.

By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER Hays PostHays High Senior Garrett Wellbrock has played on every court and field that Fort Hays State University has to offer. Lewis Field Stadium, Gross Memorial Coliseum and Larks Park long served as the grounds to grow up on following a Tiger athletic event.Monday, he put pen to paper for the opportunity to "do it for real." Wellbrock signed his National Letter of Intent to play baseball at Fort Hays State University.The Indians' starting shortstop and pitcher hit .375 in the 2021 spring season and boasted a team high .554 on-base percentage, finishing .025 out of the TOP 10 for a single season in program history. He hit six doubles, one home run, struck out just six times while driving in 22 runs and scoring 25. His 22 walks at the plate tied for sixth in a single season in Hays High history.Garrett Wellbrock<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1168842130&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/garrett-wellbrock-11-29-21" title="Garrett Wellbrock Signing With FHSU Baseball" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Garrett Wellbrock Signing With FHSU Baseball</a></div></div>Wellbrock lost the opportunity to get on the recruiting map during his sophomore season, which was canceled due to COVID-19. He made up for lost time this past spring.On the mound in the spring of 2021, Wellbrock threw 39.1 innings earning a 5-2 record. He struck out 23 while walking 19 and posting a 3.92 earned run average. Opponents hit just .268 off the right-hander.Coach Dustin Dreher puts Wellbrock in the same category as the versatile Major League Baseball player Ben Zobrist.Coach Dustin Dreher<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1168841878&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/dustin-dreher-gw-signing" title="Dustin Dreher GW Signing" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Dustin Dreher GW Signing</a></div></div>Wellbrock and his teammates will look to improve upon third-place finish at the 5A State Tournament this past season. Until then, you can catch him in the hitting barn and working on a throwing program in preparation for the spring of 2022.&nbsp;Garrett Wellbrock is the son of Gerard Wellbrock, who works for Eagle Radio of Hays, which owns and operates Hays Post.

🎙 Hard Work Pays: Wellbrock signs with FHSU baseball

Four of the six boys teams in the Hays City Shootout – which starts Thursday – are ranked in the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association preseason poll. Lawrence Free State is No. 1 in 6A, Hays is No. 7 in 5A, TMP-Marian is ranked third and Hugoton seventh in Class 3A.&nbsp;

The girls' bracket will also feature several ranked teams. Hugoton is No. 1 and TMP-Marian seventh in 3A.

The Trego girls are ranked seventh and the boys 10th in Class 2A. The Victoria girls are ninth and Osborne 10th in 1A Division I.

6A Girls 1 Shawnee Mission Northwest 2 Washburn Rural 3 Olathe North 4 Shawnee Mission West 5 Blue Valley North 6 Derby 7 Dodge City 8 Topeka High 9 Wichita Heights 10 Olathe Northwest

5A Girls 1 St. Thomas Aquinas 2 Andover Central 3 Salina Central 4 Lansing 5 Maize 6 Bishop Carroll 7 St. James Academy 8 Maize South 9 Kapaun Mt. Carmel 10 Emporia

4A Girls 1 Bishop Miege 2 McPherson 3 Labette County 4 Andale 5 Louisburg 6 Paola 7 Clearwater 8 Wellington 9 Eudora 10 Wamego

3A Girls 1 Hugoton 2 Cheney 3 Nickerson 4 Goodland 5 Silver Lake 6 Phillipsburg 7 Thomas More Prep 8 Hesston9 Eureka 10 Haven

2A Girls 1 Sterling 2 St. Mary's Colgan 3 Garden Plain 4 Valley Heights 5 Smith Center 6 Hillsboro 7 Trego Community 8 Wabaunsee 9 Atchison County 10 Moundridge

1A-Div 1-Girls 1 Little River 2 Burlingame 3 St. John- Hudson 4 Spearville 5 Pretty Prairie 6 Centralia 7 Coldwater-South Central 8 Highland - Doniphan West 9 Victoria 10 Osborne

1A-Div 2- Girls 1 Central Plains 2 Hanover 3 Lebo 4 Golden Plains 5 Hutchinson Central Christian 6 Dighton 7 Wheatland/Grinnell 8 St. John's/Beloit 9 Bucklin 10 Attica

6A Boys 1 Lawrence-Free State 2 Shawnee Mission Northwest 3 Wichita Heights 4 Blue Valley Northwest 5 Blue Valley West 6 Blue Valley North 7 Derby 8 Lawrence 9 Olathe South 10 Blue Valley

5A Boys 1 Maize 2 Basehor Linwood 3 Bishop Carroll 4 Andover 5 Blue Valley Southwest 6 Kapaun Mt. Carmel 7 Hays 8 Topeka Seaman 9 Maize South 10 St. James Academy

4A Boys 1 Bishop Miege 2 Louisburg 3 Tonganoxie 4 Rose Hill 5 McPherson 6 Abilene 7 Buhler 8 Wamego 9 Parsons 10 Holton

3A Boys 1 Hesston 2 Galena 3 Thomas More Prep 4 Royal Valley 5 Wichita Collegiate 6 Nemaha Central 7 Hugoton 8 Cheney 9 Wichita Trinity 10 Haven

2A Boys 1 Hillsboro 2 St. Mary's 3 Wabaunsee 4 Lyndon 5 Inman 6 Valley Falls 7 Ellinwood 8 Jefferson County North 9 Erie 10 Trego Community

1A-Div 1Boys 1 Olpe 2 South Gray 3 Troy 4 Little River 5 Lebo 6 Meade 7 Centralia 8 Wichita Classical School 9 Solomon 10 Frankfort

1A-Div 2-Boys 1 Hanover 2 Northern Valley 3 Wheatland-Grinnell 4 Pawnee Heights 5 Axtell 6 Elyria Christian 7 Waverly 8 Logan-Palco 9 Attica 10 South Barber

Four of the six boys teams in the Hays City Shootout – which starts Thursday – are ranked in the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association preseason poll. Lawrence Free State is No. 1 in 6A, Hays is No. 7 in 5A, TMP-Marian is ranked third and Hugoton seventh in Class 3A.&nbsp;The girls' bracket will also feature several ranked teams. Hugoton is No. 1 and TMP-Marian seventh in 3A.The Trego girls are ranked seventh and the boys 10th in Class 2A. The Victoria girls are ninth and Osborne 10th in 1A Division I.Complete rankings below...GIRLS RANKINGS6A Girls 1 Shawnee Mission Northwest 2 Washburn Rural 3 Olathe North 4 Shawnee Mission West 5 Blue Valley North 6 Derby 7 Dodge City 8 Topeka High 9 Wichita Heights 10 Olathe Northwest5A Girls 1 St. Thomas Aquinas 2 Andover Central 3 Salina Central 4 Lansing 5 Maize 6 Bishop Carroll 7 St. James Academy 8 Maize South 9 Kapaun Mt. Carmel 10 Emporia4A Girls 1 Bishop Miege 2 McPherson 3 Labette County 4 Andale 5 Louisburg 6 Paola 7 Clearwater 8 Wellington 9 Eudora 10 Wamego3A Girls 1 Hugoton 2 Cheney 3 Nickerson 4 Goodland 5 Silver Lake 6 Phillipsburg 7 Thomas More Prep 8 Hesston9 Eureka 10 Haven2A Girls 1 Sterling 2 St. Mary's Colgan 3 Garden Plain 4 Valley Heights 5 Smith Center 6 Hillsboro 7 Trego Community 8 Wabaunsee 9 Atchison County 10 Moundridge1A-Div 1-Girls 1 Little River 2 Burlingame 3 St. John- Hudson 4 Spearville 5 Pretty Prairie 6 Centralia 7 Coldwater-South Central 8 Highland - Doniphan West 9 Victoria 10 Osborne 1A-Div 2- Girls 1 Central Plains 2 Hanover 3 Lebo 4 Golden Plains 5 Hutchinson Central Christian 6 Dighton 7 Wheatland/Grinnell 8 St. John's/Beloit 9 Bucklin 10 AtticaBOYS RANKINGS6A Boys 1 Lawrence-Free State 2 Shawnee Mission Northwest 3 Wichita Heights 4 Blue Valley Northwest 5 Blue Valley West 6 Blue Valley North 7 Derby 8 Lawrence 9 Olathe South 10 Blue Valley 5A Boys 1 Maize 2 Basehor Linwood 3 Bishop Carroll 4 Andover 5 Blue Valley Southwest 6 Kapaun Mt. Carmel 7 Hays 8 Topeka Seaman 9 Maize South 10 St. James Academy4A Boys 1 Bishop Miege 2 Louisburg 3 Tonganoxie 4 Rose Hill 5 McPherson 6 Abilene 7 Buhler 8 Wamego 9 Parsons 10 Holton3A Boys 1 Hesston 2 Galena 3 Thomas More Prep 4 Royal Valley 5 Wichita Collegiate 6 Nemaha Central 7 Hugoton 8 Cheney 9 Wichita Trinity 10 Haven2A Boys 1 Hillsboro 2 St. Mary's 3 Wabaunsee 4 Lyndon 5 Inman 6 Valley Falls 7 Ellinwood 8 Jefferson County North 9 Erie 10 Trego Community 1A-Div 1Boys 1 Olpe 2 South Gray 3 Troy 4 Little River 5 Lebo 6 Meade 7 Centralia 8 Wichita Classical School 9 Solomon 10 Frankfort 1A-Div 2-Boys 1 Hanover 2 Northern Valley 3 Wheatland-Grinnell 4 Pawnee Heights 5 Axtell 6 Elyria Christian 7 Waverly 8 Logan-Palco 9 Attica 10 South Barber

🏀 KBCA releases preseason rankings

DENVER (AP) — Rookie Patrick Surtain II picked off Justin Herbert twice, returning the second one 70 yards for a touchdown and sparking the Denver Broncos’ 28-7 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

The Broncos’ big win sets up a showdown for the AFC West lead next weekend in Kansas City, where the game between Denver (6-5) and the Chiefs (7-4) already was flexed to Sunday night.

Surtain’s first interception came in the end zone on a pass intended for tight end Jared Cook early in the fourth quarter. The Broncos converted that takeaway into a touchdown when Teddy Bridgewater hit tight end Eric Saubert from 9 yards to make it 21-7.

His second one came off the hands of Austin Ekeler, who watched helplessly as Surtain cradled his second interception and sprinted down the Broncos’ jubilant sideline to push Denver’s lead to 28-7.

Denver’s defense came up big on a day the injury-riddled offense lost Bridgewater temporarily to a lower right leg injury, left tackle Calvin Anderson (knee), and left guard Dalton Risner (back).

Bridgewater returned after halftime and the Broncos closed out the win by running the ball behind a makeshift line, finishing with 147 yards rushing against the league’s leakiest run defense.

The Chargers’ first two drives of the second half consisted of two dozen plays and ate up 14 minutes, 15 seconds. Both were fruitless.

Dustin Hopkins missed his first field goal attempt with the Chargers, hooking a 52-yarder wide left after an 11-play opening drive that took 7:06.

The Broncos went three-and-out and the Chargers ate up the rest of the clock in the third quarter, when Denver had the ball for just 75 seconds. But on third down from the Broncos 23, Surtain got his first interception of Herbert.

Drew Lock replaced Bridgewater in the first half and was picked off by Derwin James Jr. when he tried to fit in a pass to a bracketed Kendall Hinton in the closing minutes of the first half. That led to Herbert’s 12-yard touchdown toss to Ekeler with 31 seconds left in the second quarter, cutting the Chargers’ deficit to 14-7 at halftime.

Cook outjumped several defenders and even a teammate or two to get both feet down on a 16-yard touchdown catch that made it 28-13 with 4:34 remaining. But the Chargers inexplicably went for 2 and the pass was incomplete.

Before getting hurt, Bridgewater’s 11-yard scramble to the right pylon put Denver ahead 7-0. When the Broncos began their next drive, they replaced Risner with Netane Muti. Bridgewater was injured when James swept through untouched on a blitz and blindsided the quarterback.

It was originally ruled a strip-sack with teammate Kyzir White recovering the loose ball for Los Angeles, but that turnover was overturned on review. Lock led the Broncos’ offense back on the field while Bridgewater was tended to on the sideline.

Joey Bosa got a strip-sack on Lock’s second snap, but receiver Tim Patrick recovered the loose ball for a first down. The Broncos went ahead 14-0 on rookie running back Javonte Williams’ 9-yard burst up the middle.

Running back Melvin Gordon gained 83 yards on 17 carries against his former team and Williams gained 54 yards on 14 runs, adding 57 yards on three catches.

With LT Garett Bolles (COVID-19) and RT Bobby Massie (ankle) out, Anderson and Cam Fleming, respectively, got the starts for Denver. ... Rookie S Caden Sterns started in place of S Kareem Jackson (neck/shoulder).

Chargers: visit the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 5.

Broncos: visit the Kansas City Chiefs for prime-time game Dec. 5.

DENVER (AP) — Rookie Patrick Surtain II picked off Justin Herbert twice, returning the second one 70 yards for a touchdown and sparking the Denver Broncos’ 28-7 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.The Broncos’ big win sets up a showdown for the AFC West lead next weekend in Kansas City, where the game between Denver (6-5) and the Chiefs (7-4) already was flexed to Sunday night.Surtain’s first interception came in the end zone on a pass intended for tight end Jared Cook early in the fourth quarter. The Broncos converted that takeaway into a touchdown when Teddy Bridgewater hit tight end Eric Saubert from 9 yards to make it 21-7.His second one came off the hands of Austin Ekeler, who watched helplessly as Surtain cradled his second interception and sprinted down the Broncos’ jubilant sideline to push Denver’s lead to 28-7.Denver’s defense came up big on a day the injury-riddled offense lost Bridgewater temporarily to a lower right leg injury, left tackle Calvin Anderson (knee), and left guard Dalton Risner (back).Bridgewater returned after halftime and the Broncos closed out the win by running the ball behind a makeshift line, finishing with 147 yards rushing against the league’s leakiest run defense.The Chargers’ first two drives of the second half consisted of two dozen plays and ate up 14 minutes, 15 seconds. Both were fruitless.Dustin Hopkins missed his first field goal attempt with the Chargers, hooking a 52-yarder wide left after an 11-play opening drive that took 7:06.The Broncos went three-and-out and the Chargers ate up the rest of the clock in the third quarter, when Denver had the ball for just 75 seconds. But on third down from the Broncos 23, Surtain got his first interception of Herbert.Drew Lock replaced Bridgewater in the first half and was picked off by Derwin James Jr. when he tried to fit in a pass to a bracketed Kendall Hinton in the closing minutes of the first half. That led to Herbert’s 12-yard touchdown toss to Ekeler with 31 seconds left in the second quarter, cutting the Chargers’ deficit to 14-7 at halftime.Cook outjumped several defenders and even a teammate or two to get both feet down on a 16-yard touchdown catch that made it 28-13 with 4:34 remaining. But the Chargers inexplicably went for 2 and the pass was incomplete.Before getting hurt, Bridgewater’s 11-yard scramble to the right pylon put Denver ahead 7-0. When the Broncos began their next drive, they replaced Risner with Netane Muti. Bridgewater was injured when James swept through untouched on a blitz and blindsided the quarterback.It was originally ruled a strip-sack with teammate Kyzir White recovering the loose ball for Los Angeles, but that turnover was overturned on review. Lock led the Broncos’ offense back on the field while Bridgewater was tended to on the sideline.Joey Bosa got a strip-sack on Lock’s second snap, but receiver Tim Patrick recovered the loose ball for a first down. The Broncos went ahead 14-0 on rookie running back Javonte Williams’ 9-yard burst up the middle.1-2 PUNCHRunning back Melvin Gordon gained 83 yards on 17 carries against his former team and Williams gained 54 yards on 14 runs, adding 57 yards on three catches.INJURIESWith LT Garett Bolles (COVID-19) and RT Bobby Massie (ankle) out, Anderson and Cam Fleming, respectively, got the starts for Denver. ... Rookie S Caden Sterns started in place of S Kareem Jackson (neck/shoulder).Chargers: visit the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 5.Broncos: visit the Kansas City Chiefs for prime-time game Dec. 5.

🏈 Surtain's pair of picks leads Broncos past Chargers

MANHATTAN, Kansas -- Markquis Nowell scored 18 points with five assists, Nijel Pack drained four 3-pointers to score 16 points and five players reached into double figures as Kansas State demolished North Dakota 84-42 on Sunday.

Mike McGuirl and Kaosi Ezeagu each scored 15 points and Mark Smith 11 for the Wildcats (3-2), who snapped a two-game skid in a big way. After losing to Power Five foes Arkansas and Illinois by identical 72-64 scores, Kansas State hit the gas pedal with a 19-1 run spanning seven minutes of the first half to sprint away from mid-major North Dakota.

The breakaway featured five 3-pointers and when McGuirl hit his second, the Wildcats were up by 20 and in control.

Kansas State made 35-of-58 field goals for 60% shooting and were 9-for-19 from beyond the arc.

Seven-foot junior Carlton Linguard played four minutes and scored two points as he eases back into the rotation after knee surgery in the spring.

Paul Bruns scored 16 points to lead North Dakota (2-5), which lost a fourth straight. Bentiu Panoam added 10 points. The Fighting Hawks shot 29% and were 3-for-31 from distance.

MANHATTAN, Kansas -- Markquis Nowell scored 18 points with five assists, Nijel Pack drained four 3-pointers to score 16 points and five players reached into double figures as Kansas State demolished North Dakota 84-42 on Sunday.Mike McGuirl and Kaosi Ezeagu each scored 15 points and Mark Smith 11 for the Wildcats (3-2), who snapped a two-game skid in a big way. After losing to Power Five foes Arkansas and Illinois by identical 72-64 scores, Kansas State hit the gas pedal with a 19-1 run spanning seven minutes of the first half to sprint away from mid-major North Dakota.The breakaway featured five 3-pointers and when McGuirl hit his second, the Wildcats were up by 20 and in control.Kansas State made 35-of-58 field goals for 60% shooting and were 9-for-19 from beyond the arc.Seven-foot junior Carlton Linguard played four minutes and scored two points as he eases back into the rotation after knee surgery in the spring.Paul Bruns scored 16 points to lead North Dakota (2-5), which lost a fourth straight. Bentiu Panoam added 10 points. The Fighting Hawks shot 29% and were 3-for-31 from distance.

🏀 K-State rolls past North Dakota

HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State moved to 4-0 overall with a 49-point win over Manhattan Christian College on Sunday (Nov. 28). For the fourth consecutive game the Tigers never trailed, pushing their streak of consecutive minutes of not trailing to 160 to open the season.

Manhattan Christian hung around early in the contest, tying the game at 13-13 midway through the first half after the Tigers had stretched their lead to seven twice. But the Tigers finished the first half on an 11-0 run to open up a 16-point lead of 40-24 at halftime. The Tigers went on to outscore the Thunder 43-10 in the second half. FHSU held MCC to just two points for the first 11:30 of the second half. MCC was just 2-of-28 from the field in the second half.

<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6460">Kaleb Hammeke</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6467">Quinten Rock</a>&nbsp;led the Tigers with 12 points each, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6470">Nyjee Wright</a>&nbsp;also reached double figures with 10. Rock led the Tigers with six assists. The Tigers had 46 points from their bench players.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6463">Jackson Miller</a>&nbsp;led in rebounding, doing all of his damage in the final six minutes of the game. The Tigers hit 11 3-point field goals and shot 45.6 percent overall, while limiting the Thunder to just 22.4 percent overall. Ferdinand Handy, Jr. led Manhattan Christian with eight points, while Taymont Lindsey had a team-high six rebounds.

The Tigers brought their season scoring defense average down to just 46.8 points allowed per game, which leads all NCAA divisions. The Tigers also dropped their opponent field goal percentage for the season down to 32.6 percent, which also leads NCAA Division II. The Tigers will now prepare for their MIAA opener on Wednesday (Dec. 1) at Washburn, set to follow the women's contest at 7:30 pm.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1638141178058.jpeg" alt="FHSU's Jackson Miller drives against Manhattan Christian Sunday at Gross Colisium (Courtesy FHSU Athletics, Niocole Heitmann)" />
 <figcaption>FHSU's Jackson Miller drives against Manhattan Christian Sunday at Gross Colisium (Courtesy FHSU Athletics, Niocole Heitmann)</figcaption>
 </figure>HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State moved to 4-0 overall with a 49-point win over Manhattan Christian College on Sunday (Nov. 28). For the fourth consecutive game the Tigers never trailed, pushing their streak of consecutive minutes of not trailing to 160 to open the season.<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/1168393540&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-814667509/11-28-21-mbb-fhsu-coach-int" title="Mark Johnson Postgame vs. Manhattan Christian (Nov 28, 2021)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Mark Johnson Postgame vs. Manhattan Christian (Nov 28, 2021)</a></div></div>Manhattan Christian hung around early in the contest, tying the game at 13-13 midway through the first half after the Tigers had stretched their lead to seven twice. But the Tigers finished the first half on an 11-0 run to open up a 16-point lead of 40-24 at halftime. The Tigers went on to outscore the Thunder 43-10 in the second half. FHSU held MCC to just two points for the first 11:30 of the second half. MCC was just 2-of-28 from the field in the second 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/1168391296&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-814667509/11-28-21-mbb-player-int-quinton-rock" title="Quinton Rock Postgame vs. Manhattan Christian (Nov 28, 2021)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Quinton Rock Postgame vs. Manhattan Christian (Nov 28, 2021)</a></div></div><a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6460">Kaleb Hammeke</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6467">Quinten Rock</a>&nbsp;led the Tigers with 12 points each, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6470">Nyjee Wright</a>&nbsp;also reached double figures with 10. Rock led the Tigers with six assists. The Tigers had 46 points from their bench players.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6463">Jackson Miller</a>&nbsp;led in rebounding, doing all of his damage in the final six minutes of the game. The Tigers hit 11 3-point field goals and shot 45.6 percent overall, while limiting the Thunder to just 22.4 percent overall. Ferdinand Handy, Jr. led Manhattan Christian with eight points, while Taymont Lindsey had a team-high six rebounds.<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/1168401331&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-814667509/11-28-21-mbb-fhsu-v-manhattan-christian-hilights" title="Fort Hays State MBB vs. Manhattan Christian Highlights (Nov 28, 2021)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Fort Hays State MBB vs. Manhattan Christian Highlights (Nov 28, 2021)</a></div></div>The Tigers brought their season scoring defense average down to just 46.8 points allowed per game, which leads all NCAA divisions. The Tigers also dropped their opponent field goal percentage for the season down to 32.6 percent, which also leads NCAA Division II. The Tigers will now prepare for their MIAA opener on Wednesday (Dec. 1) at Washburn, set to follow the women's contest at 7:30 pm.&nbsp;&nbsp;FHSU Athletics

🏀 Tigers cruise past Manhattan Christian

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Christian Braun had 18 points and seven rebounds, Ochai Agbaji added 17 points, and No. 4 Kansas beat Iona 96-83 on Sunday in the first meeting between Hall of Fame coaches Bill Self and Rick Pitino.

David McCormack scored 13 points for Kansas (5-1). The Jayhawks were was coming off their first loss of the season, 74-73 to Dayton on a buzzer-beater in an ESPN Events Invitational semifinal on Friday.

Beating Pitino’s Iona team, which opened the tournament with a win over No. 10 Alabama, was enough to salvage third place in the tournament for Self’s Jayhawks.

“Now that I’ve faced Kansas, I’m glad we didn’t play them in all those years,” Pitino said. “I’ve always admired him. I’ve always thought he’s one of the best coaches in the game. What I admire most is, whether it’s his fast break, his offensive sets, his rebounding, he doesn’t have a weakness as a coach.”

When asked what he had to say to Pitino, a smiling Self said: “Good game and he said good game, too.”

“The way that his teams always competed on a very national high level and doing it without five-star recruits compared to the way some other people do it means they develop and they get the most out their guys,” Self said.

Iona (6-2) got 14 points apiece from Tyson Jolly and Ryan Myers. The Gaels also lost for the first time Friday, dropping a 72-65 decision to Belmont.

Both teams had five players score in double figures.

Unlike its first two games in the invitational, Kansas built a double-digit first-half advantage and held onto it, taking a 46-31 lead at the break behind 13 points from Braun.

“We didn’t accomplish the goal,” Braun said of the Jayhawks’ tournament performance. “All of us weren’t pleased. We have stuff to improve on. We’re going to do it.”

Agbaji had a dunk and Braun made a 3 during an 8-0 surge that made it 64-43 with 11 minutes left. Another long-range jumper by Braun gave Kansas a 75-52 lead 3 1/2 minutes later.

Myers, who came off the bench, had a pair of 3-pointers that helped Iona get within 80-68 with 5 minutes remaining, but the Gaels got no closer.

The Jayhawks put together first-half runs of 12-0, 10-0 and 8-0, and shot 58.8% (20 of 34). They shot 54.9% (39 of 71) overall and had 22 assists.

Iona had a pair of 4 1/2-minute scoring droughts, and turned the ball over 10 times during the opening 20 minutes.

Kansas: The Jayhawks tried to make a case to stay in the Top 10. They are 104-15 after a loss under Self since 2003-04. Kansas won its opener at the invitational 71-59 over North Texas.

Iona: The Gaels look like a squad that could reach the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season with Pitino at the helm.

“We’d like to get to the point where we have the same type of talent Kansas has,” Pitino said.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Christian Braun had 18 points and seven rebounds, Ochai Agbaji added 17 points, and No. 4 Kansas beat Iona 96-83 on Sunday in the first meeting between Hall of Fame coaches Bill Self and Rick Pitino.David McCormack scored 13 points for Kansas (5-1). The Jayhawks were was coming off their first loss of the season, 74-73 to Dayton on a buzzer-beater in an ESPN Events Invitational semifinal on Friday.Beating Pitino’s Iona team, which opened the tournament with a win over No. 10 Alabama, was enough to salvage third place in the tournament for Self’s Jayhawks.“Now that I’ve faced Kansas, I’m glad we didn’t play them in all those years,” Pitino said. “I’ve always admired him. I’ve always thought he’s one of the best coaches in the game. What I admire most is, whether it’s his fast break, his offensive sets, his rebounding, he doesn’t have a weakness as a coach.”When asked what he had to say to Pitino, a smiling Self said: “Good game and he said good game, too.”“The way that his teams always competed on a very national high level and doing it without five-star recruits compared to the way some other people do it means they develop and they get the most out their guys,” Self said.Iona (6-2) got 14 points apiece from Tyson Jolly and Ryan Myers. The Gaels also lost for the first time Friday, dropping a 72-65 decision to Belmont.Both teams had five players score in double figures.Unlike its first two games in the invitational, Kansas built a double-digit first-half advantage and held onto it, taking a 46-31 lead at the break behind 13 points from Braun.“We didn’t accomplish the goal,” Braun said of the Jayhawks’ tournament performance. “All of us weren’t pleased. We have stuff to improve on. We’re going to do it.”Agbaji had a dunk and Braun made a 3 during an 8-0 surge that made it 64-43 with 11 minutes left. Another long-range jumper by Braun gave Kansas a 75-52 lead 3 1/2 minutes later.Myers, who came off the bench, had a pair of 3-pointers that helped Iona get within 80-68 with 5 minutes remaining, but the Gaels got no closer.The Jayhawks put together first-half runs of 12-0, 10-0 and 8-0, and shot 58.8% (20 of 34). They shot 54.9% (39 of 71) overall and had 22 assists.Iona had a pair of 4 1/2-minute scoring droughts, and turned the ball over 10 times during the opening 20 minutes.THE TAKEAWAYKansas: The Jayhawks tried to make a case to stay in the Top 10. They are 104-15 after a loss under Self since 2003-04. Kansas won its opener at the invitational 71-59 over North Texas.Iona: The Gaels look like a squad that could reach the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season with Pitino at the helm.“We’d like to get to the point where we have the same type of talent Kansas has,” Pitino said.UP NEXTKansas: At St. John’s on Friday night.Iona: At Marist on Wednesday night.

🏀 Self bests Pitino in 1st meeting, No. 4 Kansas tops Iona

Manhattan Christian (3-4) at Fort Hays State (3-0) Sunday, November 28 - 2 pm Hays, Kan. - Gross Memorial Coliseum Radio: KJLS (103.3-FM)

<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KJLS">LISTEN LIVE</a> Fort Hays State Men's Basketball plays the final game of its four-game homestand to open the 2021-22 season on Sunday at 2 pm. The Tigers host Manhattan Christian College in their final non-conference tune-up before entering MIAA play on Wednesday at Washburn. The Tigers are 3-0 overall, while Manhattan Christian enters at 3-4 overall. This will be the first-ever meeting between Fort Hays State and Manhattan Christian. The Thunder are members of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA). Fort Hays State is coming off an 82-40 win over Central Christian College (Kan.) on Tuesday night. The Tigers led from start to finish in that contest and held a 53-point advantage at one point in the second half. Fort Hays State currently leads NCAA Division II in scoring defense, allowing just 51 points per game to their opponents. The Tigers have kept all three of their opponents so far this season under 60 points. They rank seventh in NCAA Division II in rebounding margin, holding a +14.7 margin through the three contests. Individually,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6468">Jared Vitztum</a>&nbsp;ranks 5th&nbsp;in NCAA Division II for rebounds per game (12.3) and he ranks third in defensive rebounds per game (8.7). Vitztum leads the Tigers in both points and rebounding, averaging 12.3 per game in both categories.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6470">Nyjee Wright</a>&nbsp;is the team leader in assists, averaging 4.0 per game, and he joins&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6460">Kaleb Hammeke</a>&nbsp;as the two Tigers aside from Vitztum averaging double figures in scoring, each at 10.3 per game.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1638058784416.jpeg" alt="Geoff&nbsp; Hamperian (Courtesy FHSU Athletics)" />
 <figcaption>Geoff&nbsp; Hamperian (Courtesy FHSU Athletics)</figcaption>
 </figure>Manhattan Christian (3-4) at Fort Hays State (3-0) Sunday, November 28 - 2 pm Hays, Kan. - Gross Memorial Coliseum Radio: KJLS (103.3-FM)<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KJLS">LISTEN LIVE</a> Fort Hays State Men's Basketball plays the final game of its four-game homestand to open the 2021-22 season on Sunday at 2 pm. The Tigers host Manhattan Christian College in their final non-conference tune-up before entering MIAA play on Wednesday at Washburn. The Tigers are 3-0 overall, while Manhattan Christian enters at 3-4 overall. This will be the first-ever meeting between Fort Hays State and Manhattan Christian. The Thunder are members of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA). Fort Hays State is coming off an 82-40 win over Central Christian College (Kan.) on Tuesday night. The Tigers led from start to finish in that contest and held a 53-point advantage at one point in the second half. Fort Hays State currently leads NCAA Division II in scoring defense, allowing just 51 points per game to their opponents. The Tigers have kept all three of their opponents so far this season under 60 points. They rank seventh in NCAA Division II in rebounding margin, holding a +14.7 margin through the three contests. Individually,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6468">Jared Vitztum</a>&nbsp;ranks 5th&nbsp;in NCAA Division II for rebounds per game (12.3) and he ranks third in defensive rebounds per game (8.7). Vitztum leads the Tigers in both points and rebounding, averaging 12.3 per game in both categories.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6470">Nyjee Wright</a>&nbsp;is the team leader in assists, averaging 4.0 per game, and he joins&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6460">Kaleb Hammeke</a>&nbsp;as the two Tigers aside from Vitztum averaging double figures in scoring, each at 10.3 per game.&nbsp;&nbsp;FHSU Athletics

🏀📻 LISTEN - Tiger men host Manhattan Christian

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — West Virginia will finish its season in a bowl game.

Sure beats Saturday night inside mostly empty Memorial Stadium in Kansas.

Jarret Doege threw for 170 yards and three touchdowns, Leddie Brown ran for 156 yards and another score, and the resilient Mountaineers held off the Jayhawks 34-28 to reach the six-win plateau that qualifies them for the postseason.

“It's not something we talked about with our team because when we hit the reset there during the bye week, I really felt like it was a week-to-week deal,” said Mountaineers coach Neal Brown, whose team won four of its last six.

“Now we have a chance to finish the year with a three-game win streak,” Brown added. “We have a chance to send the guys exiting out in the right manner. We have a chance to set the tone for next year.”

Winston Wright Jr. had two TD catches and Tony Mathis Jr. added 118 yards rushing for the Mountaineers (6-6, 4-5 Big 12), who also got two picks in the end zone from Josh Chandler-Semedo in beating the Jayhawks for the eighth straight time.

Jalon Daniels gave Kansas (2-10, 1-8) a chance with his touchdown run with 1:46 left, but the Jayhawks had no timeouts left and were forced to try an onside kick. The Mountaineers recovered it and ran out the clock.

Gavin Potter had a pick-6 for the Jayhawks that made it 21-all in the second half. But the Jayhawks made too many mistakes on the other side of the ball, getting stopped three times on fourth down and finishing 3 of 6 in the red zone.

“They're all learning moments,” Kansas coach Lance Leipold said. “We’re learning. We’re learning on the run. Those are going to be great moments to build upon and then we need to find ways to get over the hump. But I like to think some of the gaps are beginning to close and hopefully next season we can take the next step.”

On a day of high stakes and major rivalries across college football — Ohio State against Michigan, Auburn against Alabama — the Mountaineers and Jayhawks played before about 10,000 mostly morose fans on Mount Oread.

After the Jayhawks opened with a field goal, the Mountaineers fumbled on their first offensive play, only for Kansas to give the ball right back when Daniels was sacked on fourth-and-goal at the West Virginia 4.

The Mountaineers proceeded 84 yards and 75 yards on consecutive possessions to take a 14-6 lead. And when Kansas answered with a touchdown toss to walk-on tight end Jared Casey, the cult hero for his 2-point conversion catch to beat Texas, West Virginia skipped 59 yards in a mere 1:23 for an answering touchdown and 21-13 halftime lead.

Early in the second half, Potter returned his interception 28 yards for a score. And the Jayhawks made the tying 2-point try when Daniels threw a backward pass to 290-pound left tackle Earl Bostick Jr. and he rumbled into the end zone.

The Mountaineers finally took control late in the third quarter, though. Brown coasted 44 yards for a go-ahead score, then they stuffed the Jayhawks on fourth down and added a pair of field goals for a 34-21 lead that proved to be just enough.

“Credit our kids for finishing," Brown said. “We found a way.”

Jayhawks running back Devin Neal did not suit up for the finale of his standout freshman season after hurting his shoulder against TCU last week. Neal finished with 707 yards and eight touchdowns rushing in 11 games.

West Virginia played poorly enough that Brown is probably for the extra bowl practices. The Mountaineers were just 5 of 14 on third down, squandered a red zone chance of their own and gave up too many chunk plays on defense.

Kansas made big strides in its first season under Leipold, beating the Longhorns and taking TCU and West Virginia to the wire late in the season. The Jayhawks need more talent but they just might have finally found the right coach.

The Guaranteed Rate Bowl in Phoenix and Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tennessee, appear the most likely destinations for the Mountaineers. The Armed Services Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas, and the Texas Bowl in Houston also are possibilities.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — West Virginia will finish its season in a bowl game.Sure beats Saturday night inside mostly empty Memorial Stadium in Kansas.Jarret Doege threw for 170 yards and three touchdowns, Leddie Brown ran for 156 yards and another score, and the resilient Mountaineers held off the Jayhawks 34-28 to reach the six-win plateau that qualifies them for the postseason.“It's not something we talked about with our team because when we hit the reset there during the bye week, I really felt like it was a week-to-week deal,” said Mountaineers coach Neal Brown, whose team won four of its last six.“Now we have a chance to finish the year with a three-game win streak,” Brown added. “We have a chance to send the guys exiting out in the right manner. We have a chance to set the tone for next year.”Winston Wright Jr. had two TD catches and Tony Mathis Jr. added 118 yards rushing for the Mountaineers (6-6, 4-5 Big 12), who also got two picks in the end zone from Josh Chandler-Semedo in beating the Jayhawks for the eighth straight time.Jalon Daniels gave Kansas (2-10, 1-8) a chance with his touchdown run with 1:46 left, but the Jayhawks had no timeouts left and were forced to try an onside kick. The Mountaineers recovered it and ran out the clock.Gavin Potter had a pick-6 for the Jayhawks that made it 21-all in the second half. But the Jayhawks made too many mistakes on the other side of the ball, getting stopped three times on fourth down and finishing 3 of 6 in the red zone.“They're all learning moments,” Kansas coach Lance Leipold said. “We’re learning. We’re learning on the run. Those are going to be great moments to build upon and then we need to find ways to get over the hump. But I like to think some of the gaps are beginning to close and hopefully next season we can take the next step.”On a day of high stakes and major rivalries across college football — Ohio State against Michigan, Auburn against Alabama — the Mountaineers and Jayhawks played before about 10,000 mostly morose fans on Mount Oread.After the Jayhawks opened with a field goal, the Mountaineers fumbled on their first offensive play, only for Kansas to give the ball right back when Daniels was sacked on fourth-and-goal at the West Virginia 4.The Mountaineers proceeded 84 yards and 75 yards on consecutive possessions to take a 14-6 lead. And when Kansas answered with a touchdown toss to walk-on tight end Jared Casey, the cult hero for his 2-point conversion catch to beat Texas, West Virginia skipped 59 yards in a mere 1:23 for an answering touchdown and 21-13 halftime lead.Early in the second half, Potter returned his interception 28 yards for a score. And the Jayhawks made the tying 2-point try when Daniels threw a backward pass to 290-pound left tackle Earl Bostick Jr. and he rumbled into the end zone.The Mountaineers finally took control late in the third quarter, though. Brown coasted 44 yards for a go-ahead score, then they stuffed the Jayhawks on fourth down and added a pair of field goals for a 34-21 lead that proved to be just enough.“Credit our kids for finishing," Brown said. “We found a way.”MISSING MR. NEALJayhawks running back Devin Neal did not suit up for the finale of his standout freshman season after hurting his shoulder against TCU last week. Neal finished with 707 yards and eight touchdowns rushing in 11 games.THE TAKEAWAYWest Virginia played poorly enough that Brown is probably for the extra bowl practices. The Mountaineers were just 5 of 14 on third down, squandered a red zone chance of their own and gave up too many chunk plays on defense.Kansas made big strides in its first season under Leipold, beating the Longhorns and taking TCU and West Virginia to the wire late in the season. The Jayhawks need more talent but they just might have finally found the right coach.UP NEXTThe Guaranteed Rate Bowl in Phoenix and Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tennessee, appear the most likely destinations for the Mountaineers. The Armed Services Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas, and the Texas Bowl in Houston also are possibilities.

🏈 West Virginia holds off Kansas to become bowl-eligible

Mitch recaps the Chiefs win over Dallas Cowboys and shares how they are handling this week's bye.

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

Mitch recaps the Chiefs win over Dallas Cowboys and shares how they are handling this week's bye.The Holthus Hotline airs Saturday's mornings 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/1165297558%3Fsecret_token%3Ds-daQqEFSJS3N&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-nov-27-2021/s-daQqEFSJS3N" title="Holthus Hotline (Nov 27, 2021)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Holthus Hotline (Nov 27, 2021)</a></div></div>

🎧 Holthus Hotline with "Voice of the Chiefs" Mitch Holthus

COLUMBIA, Mo. --&nbsp;Wichita State used a strong defensive effort to subdue Missouri, 61-55, Friday evening at Mizzou Arena. Playing in their first true road game of the season, the Shockers (5-1) never trailed. They used an 8-0 run to build an 11-point lead near the midway point of the second half and remained in control the rest of the way. WSU improved to 6-2 on the road&nbsp;under second-year head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/coaches.aspx?rc=957">Isaac Brown</a>&nbsp;and scored its first-ever victory over Mizzou. The Tigers defeated the Shockers last December at Charles Koch Arena and had won three other meetings in the early 1950s. "In my eight years at Wichita State, we've been one of the better road teams in the country, but it wasn't about our offense," Brown said. "In order to be a team that can go out and get a win you've got to defend, rebound and play with toughness. And we executed tonight." <a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6187">Tyson Etienne</a>&nbsp;scored 13 of his game-high 18 points in the second half. He finished 7-of-17 from the field and knocked 3-of-9 three-point attempts. WSU's platoon of centers also enjoyed a productive night with starter&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6192">Morris Udeze</a>&nbsp;tallying 15 points and five rebounds to go with&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6194">Kenny Pohto's</a>&nbsp;10 points and seven boards. The pair combined to sink 10-of-14 shots, helped by five dunks. The Shockers finished with a 41-35 advantage on the glass, with&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6189">Craig Porter Jr.</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6190">Ricky Council IV</a>&nbsp;grabbing seven rebounds apiece to share the team lead with Pohto. Porter also blocked two shots and dished out a team-best four assists in 26 minutes. Amari Davis topped the scoring for Mizzou with 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting. For the fourth time in six games, WSU held its opponent under 60 points. Mizzou (3-3) shot just 34.8 percent from the field and missed 16 of its 18 three-point attempts. From the 7:28-mark of the first half through the midway point of the second, the Tigers went 4-of-29 from the field. WSU shot 46.9 percent and connected on 6-of-17 three-point tries. The Shockers had won the turnover battle in each of their first five contests, but committed 18 miscues to Mizzou's 12 and made just 9-of-20 free throws.&nbsp;&nbsp;

COLUMBIA, Mo. --&nbsp;Wichita State used a strong defensive effort to subdue Missouri, 61-55, Friday evening at Mizzou Arena. Playing in their first true road game of the season, the Shockers (5-1) never trailed. They used an 8-0 run to build an 11-point lead near the midway point of the second half and remained in control the rest of the way. WSU improved to 6-2 on the road&nbsp;under second-year head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/coaches.aspx?rc=957">Isaac Brown</a>&nbsp;and scored its first-ever victory over Mizzou. The Tigers defeated the Shockers last December at Charles Koch Arena and had won three other meetings in the early 1950s. "In my eight years at Wichita State, we've been one of the better road teams in the country, but it wasn't about our offense," Brown said. "In order to be a team that can go out and get a win you've got to defend, rebound and play with toughness. And we executed tonight." <a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6187">Tyson Etienne</a>&nbsp;scored 13 of his game-high 18 points in the second half. He finished 7-of-17 from the field and knocked 3-of-9 three-point attempts. WSU's platoon of centers also enjoyed a productive night with starter&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6192">Morris Udeze</a>&nbsp;tallying 15 points and five rebounds to go with&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6194">Kenny Pohto's</a>&nbsp;10 points and seven boards. The pair combined to sink 10-of-14 shots, helped by five dunks. The Shockers finished with a 41-35 advantage on the glass, with&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6189">Craig Porter Jr.</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6190">Ricky Council IV</a>&nbsp;grabbing seven rebounds apiece to share the team lead with Pohto. Porter also blocked two shots and dished out a team-best four assists in 26 minutes. Amari Davis topped the scoring for Mizzou with 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting. For the fourth time in six games, WSU held its opponent under 60 points. Mizzou (3-3) shot just 34.8 percent from the field and missed 16 of its 18 three-point attempts. From the 7:28-mark of the first half through the midway point of the second, the Tigers went 4-of-29 from the field. WSU shot 46.9 percent and connected on 6-of-17 three-point tries. The Shockers had won the turnover battle in each of their first five contests, but committed 18 miscues to Mizzou's 12 and made just 9-of-20 free throws.&nbsp;&nbsp;Wichita State Athletics

🏀 Shockers win at Mizzou

AUSTIN, Texas -- Junior Roschon Johnson ran for a career-best 179 yards, Cameron Dicker kicked three field goals, and Texas summoned some uncommonly strong defense to beat Kansas State 22-17 Friday afternoon.

Texas (5-7, 3-6 Big 12) ended the regular season by snapping a six-game losing streak, its longest since 1956.

Johnson, who arrived at Texas as a quarterback but quickly converted to running back, started in place of Bijan Robinson, who rushed for 1,127 yards this season but missed the last two games with a dislocated elbow. Johnson carried 31 times. He ran for a 9-yard touchdown in the first quarter.

Texas which has performed poorly defending the run this season, stopped star running back Deuce Vaughn on third and one at the Longhorn 17 and backup quarterback Will Howard on fourth down with 4:03 remaining.

Kansas State (7-5, 4-5) played without starting quarterback Skylar Thompson, who suffered an ankle injury last week against Baylor. Howard, his replacement, ran for a 71-yard touchdown, untouched by a defender, in the second quarter. But Howard completed just nine of 13 passes for 65 yards.

Texas which ranks No. 112 nationally in run defense, yielded 228 yards to Kansas State. But the Longhorns managed to stop Vaughn on third and one and fourth and one from the Wildcat 30 with 9:14 remaining before making the two critical plays against Vaughn and Howard.

After the first stops, Texas used Dicker's third field goal, from 22 yards, to take a 22-17 lead with 7:32 left.

The Longhorns faced Kansas State without two of their three starting linebackers, Luke Brockermeyer (knee) and DeMarvion Overshown (foot), both injured.

Kansas State: Vaughn, raised in the Austin suburb Round Rock, staged a good show for the family and friends who came to watch him. He rushed for 143 yards and caught two passes for seven yards, exceeding his average of 143.5 yards per game from scrimmage, fourth-best in the country. But without Thompson at quarterback, the Wildcats had no passing game.

Texas: The Longhorns produced a strong effort at the end of disastrous regular season. Not long past noon on Oct. 9, the Longhorns were 4-1 and led Oklahoma 28-7 at halftime. Texas lost that game, 55-48, and five more in a row, surrendering halftime leads against Oklahoma State, Baylor and Iowa State in addition to the one to the Sooners. Then they fell behind Kansas 35-14 at halftime and lost in overtime.

Kansas State will receive its bowl game invitation on Dec. 5.

Texas is not bowl eligible with its 5-7 record, but the Longhorns could receive an invitation if there are not enough teams with six wins to fill all 82 spots. Candidates with 5-7 records are sorted out based on their NCAA Academic Progress Report.

AUSTIN, Texas -- Junior Roschon Johnson ran for a career-best 179 yards, Cameron Dicker kicked three field goals, and Texas summoned some uncommonly strong defense to beat Kansas State 22-17 Friday afternoon.Texas (5-7, 3-6 Big 12) ended the regular season by snapping a six-game losing streak, its longest since 1956.Johnson, who arrived at Texas as a quarterback but quickly converted to running back, started in place of Bijan Robinson, who rushed for 1,127 yards this season but missed the last two games with a dislocated elbow. Johnson carried 31 times. He ran for a 9-yard touchdown in the first quarter.Texas which has performed poorly defending the run this season, stopped star running back Deuce Vaughn on third and one at the Longhorn 17 and backup quarterback Will Howard on fourth down with 4:03 remaining.Kansas State (7-5, 4-5) played without starting quarterback Skylar Thompson, who suffered an ankle injury last week against Baylor. Howard, his replacement, ran for a 71-yard touchdown, untouched by a defender, in the second quarter. But Howard completed just nine of 13 passes for 65 yards.Texas which ranks No. 112 nationally in run defense, yielded 228 yards to Kansas State. But the Longhorns managed to stop Vaughn on third and one and fourth and one from the Wildcat 30 with 9:14 remaining before making the two critical plays against Vaughn and Howard.After the first stops, Texas used Dicker's third field goal, from 22 yards, to take a 22-17 lead with 7:32 left.The Longhorns faced Kansas State without two of their three starting linebackers, Luke Brockermeyer (knee) and DeMarvion Overshown (foot), both injured.HE TAKEAWAYKansas State: Vaughn, raised in the Austin suburb Round Rock, staged a good show for the family and friends who came to watch him. He rushed for 143 yards and caught two passes for seven yards, exceeding his average of 143.5 yards per game from scrimmage, fourth-best in the country. But without Thompson at quarterback, the Wildcats had no passing game.Texas: The Longhorns produced a strong effort at the end of disastrous regular season. Not long past noon on Oct. 9, the Longhorns were 4-1 and led Oklahoma 28-7 at halftime. Texas lost that game, 55-48, and five more in a row, surrendering halftime leads against Oklahoma State, Baylor and Iowa State in addition to the one to the Sooners. Then they fell behind Kansas 35-14 at halftime and lost in overtime.UP NEXTKansas State will receive its bowl game invitation on Dec. 5.Texas is not bowl eligible with its 5-7 record, but the Longhorns could receive an invitation if there are not enough teams with six wins to fill all 82 spots. Candidates with 5-7 records are sorted out based on their NCAA Academic Progress Report.

🏈 Johnson, Dicker lead Texas past Kansas State

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Mustapha Amzil's lone basket of the game was a memorable one.

Amzil hit a running jumper in the lane at the buzzer, and Dayton beat No. 4 Kansas 74-73 on Friday.

Kansas’ David McCormack blocked Malachi Smith's layup with 3 seconds left. Amzil picked up the loose ball, and his shot went off the rim and backboard before going in.

“It was great,” Amzil said. “I had to watch the ball bounce in and down. It's hard to describe. It's surreal. It's a great feeling.”

It was Amzil's only shot from the field. He also went 2 for 4 at the free-throw line.

“Obviously great presence of mind by Mustapha to know the clock and give us a chance,” Dayton coach Anthony Grant said. “We're grateful the shot fell.”

Kansas coach Bill Self said after McCormack's block it was “good fortune, bad fortune.”

“The bottom line is, we didn’t execute when we needed to,” Self said. ”It was a heck of a shot. They deserved it. It was a great baseball game."

After Smith cut the deficit to 73-72 on a layup, McCormack was called for an offensive foul with 9 seconds to play.

Ochai Agbaji scored four of his 21 points during a late 6-0 run, helping Kansas take a 73-70 advantage with just over a minute remaining.

Dayton (3-3) had five players score in double figures. DaRon Holmes II had 16 points, and Toumani Camara and Elijah Weaver both added 14.

“That was a battle,” Grant said. “That was a heck of a game.”

Christian Braun had 17 points for Kansas (4-1).

Weaver hit a pair of 3-pointers and Holmes ended a 16-1 surge with consecutive dunks to put Dayton up 53-50 five minutes into the second half.

After Kansas pulled within one, Holmes was left alone for a dunk that made it 70-67 with four minutes remaining.

Kansas went on a 17-8 run to go up 44-29 late in the first half. Braun ended the stretch with a slam off a floating pass from Dajuan Harris Jr.

ESPN college&nbsp;<a href="https://abcnews.go.com/alerts/NBA" target="_blank">basketball</a>&nbsp;analyst Dick Vitale received a standing ovation as he walked across the court to his broadcast position before the game. Vitale announced last month that he has been diagnosed with cancer for the second time this year, undergoing tests that show he has lymphoma. Vitale said in August that he underwent multiple surgeries to remove melanoma.

Dayton: Has 12 freshmen on the roster and continue to improve as the season progresses.

“Every game is a growing experience for our guys.” Grant said. “I think today showed them that when they lock in, when they're focused on the things that are most important, they're capable of doing what they did tonight.”

Kansas: Will be interesting to see if the Jayhawks will fall out of the top 10.

The teams met in the 2019 Maui Invitational championship, with Kansas prevailing 90-84 in overtime.

Dayton: Will play either Iona or Belmont on Sunday

Kansas: Plays Sunday against the loser of Iona-Belmont.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Mustapha Amzil's lone basket of the game was a memorable one.Amzil hit a running jumper in the lane at the buzzer, and Dayton beat No. 4 Kansas 74-73 on Friday.Kansas’ David McCormack blocked Malachi Smith's layup with 3 seconds left. Amzil picked up the loose ball, and his shot went off the rim and backboard before going in.“It was great,” Amzil said. “I had to watch the ball bounce in and down. It's hard to describe. It's surreal. It's a great feeling.”It was Amzil's only shot from the field. He also went 2 for 4 at the free-throw line.“Obviously great presence of mind by Mustapha to know the clock and give us a chance,” Dayton coach Anthony Grant said. “We're grateful the shot fell.”Kansas coach Bill Self said after McCormack's block it was “good fortune, bad fortune.”“The bottom line is, we didn’t execute when we needed to,” Self said. ”It was a heck of a shot. They deserved it. It was a great baseball game."After Smith cut the deficit to 73-72 on a layup, McCormack was called for an offensive foul with 9 seconds to play.Ochai Agbaji scored four of his 21 points during a late 6-0 run, helping Kansas take a 73-70 advantage with just over a minute remaining.Dayton (3-3) had five players score in double figures. DaRon Holmes II had 16 points, and Toumani Camara and Elijah Weaver both added 14.“That was a battle,” Grant said. “That was a heck of a game.”Christian Braun had 17 points for Kansas (4-1).Weaver hit a pair of 3-pointers and Holmes ended a 16-1 surge with consecutive dunks to put Dayton up 53-50 five minutes into the second half.After Kansas pulled within one, Holmes was left alone for a dunk that made it 70-67 with four minutes remaining.Kansas went on a 17-8 run to go up 44-29 late in the first half. Braun ended the stretch with a slam off a floating pass from Dajuan Harris Jr.BIG-TIME WELCOMEESPN college&nbsp;<a href="https://abcnews.go.com/alerts/NBA" target="_blank">basketball</a>&nbsp;analyst Dick Vitale received a standing ovation as he walked across the court to his broadcast position before the game. Vitale announced last month that he has been diagnosed with cancer for the second time this year, undergoing tests that show he has lymphoma. Vitale said in August that he underwent multiple surgeries to remove melanoma.THE TAKEAWAYDayton: Has 12 freshmen on the roster and continue to improve as the season progresses.“Every game is a growing experience for our guys.” Grant said. “I think today showed them that when they lock in, when they're focused on the things that are most important, they're capable of doing what they did tonight.”Kansas: Will be interesting to see if the Jayhawks will fall out of the top 10.REMATCHThe teams met in the 2019 Maui Invitational championship, with Kansas prevailing 90-84 in overtime.UP NEXTDayton: Will play either Iona or Belmont on SundayKansas: Plays Sunday against the loser of Iona-Belmont.

🏀 Amzil hits jumper at buzzer, Dayton beats No. 4 Kansas

Thursday 12/2 4:45 Hugoton vs Olathe West (HHS) 6:30 Great Bend vs Lawrence Free State (HMS) 8:15 Hays vs TMP (HHS) Friday 12/3 4:45 GB/Free State winner vs Hays/TMP loser (HHS) 6:30 GB/Free State loser vs Hugoton/Olathe West loser&nbsp;(HMS) 8:15 Hays/TMP winner vs&nbsp;Hugoton/Olathe West winner&nbsp;(HHS) Saturday 12/4 12:45 - 4th Place Game&nbsp;(HMS) 2:30 - 3rd Place Game&nbsp;(HHS) 6:00 - Championship Game&nbsp;(HHS)

Thursday 12/2 3:00 Hugoton vs Olathe West (HHS) 6:30 Hays vs TMP (HHS) 8:15 Great Bend vs Fort Smith Northside (HMS) Friday 12/3 3:00 GB/Fort Smith winner vs Hays/TMP loser (HHS) 6:30 Hays/TMP winner vs Hugoton/Olathe West winner (HHS) 8:15 Hugoton/Olathe West loser (HMS) Saturday 12/4 11:00- 4th Place Game&nbsp;(HMS) 2:30 - 3rd Place Game&nbsp;(HMS) 4:15- Championship Game&nbsp;(HHS)

<h2>Boys</h2>Thursday 12/2 4:45 Hugoton vs Olathe West (HHS) 6:30 Great Bend vs Lawrence Free State (HMS) 8:15 Hays vs TMP (HHS) Friday 12/3 4:45 GB/Free State winner vs Hays/TMP loser (HHS) 6:30 GB/Free State loser vs Hugoton/Olathe West loser&nbsp;(HMS) 8:15 Hays/TMP winner vs&nbsp;Hugoton/Olathe West winner&nbsp;(HHS) Saturday 12/4 12:45 - 4th Place Game&nbsp;(HMS) 2:30 - 3rd Place Game&nbsp;(HHS) 6:00 - Championship Game&nbsp;(HHS)<h2>Girls</h2>Thursday 12/2 3:00 Hugoton vs Olathe West (HHS) 6:30 Hays vs TMP (HHS) 8:15 Great Bend vs Fort Smith Northside (HMS) Friday 12/3 3:00 GB/Fort Smith winner vs Hays/TMP loser (HHS) 6:30 Hays/TMP winner vs Hugoton/Olathe West winner (HHS) 8:15 Hugoton/Olathe West loser (HMS) Saturday 12/4 11:00- 4th Place Game&nbsp;(HMS) 2:30 - 3rd Place Game&nbsp;(HMS) 4:15- Championship Game&nbsp;(HHS)

🏀 2021 Hays City Shootout pairings announced

ORLANDO, Fla. —&nbsp;Behind strong performances from senior Ochai Agbaji, junior Christian Braun and super-senior Remy Martin, Kansas defeated North Texas by a score of 71-59 in its first game of the ESPN Events Invitational inside the HP Field House at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on Thanksgiving Day.

Agbaji scored the first points of the game with a three-point field goal at the 17:28 mark of the first half, surpassing 1,000 points in his career. Agbaji is the 63rd player in KU history to reach the 1,000-point plateau and the 17th under Bill Self. Agbaji would finish with 18 points in the contest.

A game which Kansas never trailed, the Jayhawks used a 15-2 run in the first half to build an 18-5 lead. North Texas would chip away at that margin, cutting the score to 35-27 at halftime. Agbaji led KU with 10 points in the first half.

After the break, super-senior Remy Martin knocked down back-to-back three pointers, followed by a 7-0 Kansas run. That combination put KU in control for the remainder of the game. Martin had one of his best games statistically as a Jayhawk, finishing with a season-high-tying 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including a season-high three three-point field goals, and season highs of eight rebounds and four assists.

Braun finished with a season-high 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting and five rebounds. Braun reached a milestone of 500 career points when he hit a three-point basket with 16:11 remaining in the first half.

Kansas shot 51.0% (26-of-51) from the field, its third straight game shooting at least 50%. The last time the Jayhawks shot 50% or better in three consecutive games was during the 2019 season.

The Jayhawks will return to action on Friday, Nov. 26 at 12:30 p.m. CT when they take on Dayton. The game will be broadcast on ESPN and can be heard on the Jayhawks Sports Network.

ORLANDO, Fla. —&nbsp;Behind strong performances from senior Ochai Agbaji, junior Christian Braun and super-senior Remy Martin, Kansas defeated North Texas by a score of 71-59 in its first game of the ESPN Events Invitational inside the HP Field House at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on Thanksgiving Day.Agbaji scored the first points of the game with a three-point field goal at the 17:28 mark of the first half, surpassing 1,000 points in his career. Agbaji is the 63rd player in KU history to reach the 1,000-point plateau and the 17th under Bill Self. Agbaji would finish with 18 points in the contest.A game which Kansas never trailed, the Jayhawks used a 15-2 run in the first half to build an 18-5 lead. North Texas would chip away at that margin, cutting the score to 35-27 at halftime. Agbaji led KU with 10 points in the first half.After the break, super-senior Remy Martin knocked down back-to-back three pointers, followed by a 7-0 Kansas run. That combination put KU in control for the remainder of the game. Martin had one of his best games statistically as a Jayhawk, finishing with a season-high-tying 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including a season-high three three-point field goals, and season highs of eight rebounds and four assists.Braun finished with a season-high 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting and five rebounds. Braun reached a milestone of 500 career points when he hit a three-point basket with 16:11 remaining in the first half.Kansas shot 51.0% (26-of-51) from the field, its third straight game shooting at least 50%. The last time the Jayhawks shot 50% or better in three consecutive games was during the 2019 season.The Jayhawks will return to action on Friday, Nov. 26 at 12:30 p.m. CT when they take on Dayton. The game will be broadcast on ESPN and can be heard on the Jayhawks Sports Network.Kansas Athletics

🏀 Jayhawks take down North Texas in ESPN Events Invitational

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Free agent pitcher Wade Davis is retiring at age 36 after 13 major league seasons. 

The three-time All-Star played for the Kansas City Royals in 2021 and helped them win the 2015 World Series title. Davis was 63-55 with a 3.94 ERA and 141 saves in 161 chances for Tampa Bay, Kansas City, the Chicago Cubs and Colorado. 

He made 88 starts and 469 relief appearances and was an All-Star from 2015-17. His retirement was announced by his agency, Jet Sports.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Free agent pitcher Wade Davis is retiring at age 36 after 13 major league seasons. The three-time All-Star played for the Kansas City Royals in 2021 and helped them win the 2015 World Series title. Davis was 63-55 with a 3.94 ERA and 141 saves in 161 chances for Tampa Bay, Kansas City, the Chicago Cubs and Colorado. He made 88 starts and 469 relief appearances and was an All-Star from 2015-17. His retirement was announced by his agency, Jet Sports.

⚾ Royals reliever Wade Davis retires after 13 MLB seasons

Cover image by Tommy Rezac / St. Joseph Post

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Even the mind of Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid, whose ability to put on blinders and focus only on the future is downright legendary, can find its way back to a season that looked remarkably like this one.

You know, when the Chiefs won the Super Bowl?

That year began with then-new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo trying to implement a wholesale change in scheme, resulting in a bunch that was bad the previous year under Bob Sutton and just may have been worse. Throw in a whole bunch of injuries, including one to Patrick Mahomes, and the result was a decidedly un-championship-like 6-4 start to the year.

That was the same record the Chiefs had through the first 10 weeks this season.

It also was produced by a defense that was historically inept for the first eight weeks of the season, and injuries to such big names as Chris Jones, Frank Clark and Clyde Edwards-Helaire that hampered the Chiefs on both sides of the ball.

"I wouldn't say specifically that I've brought it up," Reid said. "I understand that, but you spend so much time focusing on getting yourself ready to play that those things don't necessarily have an impact. It does in the big picture, but when you're getting ready to play a good football team, you spend every minute trying to get the scheme down and get their scheme down and then understand their players. It's endless hours on that, trying to get that done."

Reid should have some time to ponder such comparisons during the Chiefs bye this week.

It probably would give him a whole lot of confidence in what lies ahead.

Back in 2019, the Chiefs ran the table after their mediocre start, relying on a defense that adapted to Spagnuolo's system and an offense that had a healthy Mahomes. They won their last game before their bye, which also came in Week 12, and began their torrid run to the playoffs by beating up the AFC West-rival Raiders after the break.

This year's version of the Chiefs also turned things around on defense. They have held four straight opponents to 301 yards or fewer, coinciding with a season-changing four-game win streak. And they played easily their best game of the season against the NFL's top-ranked offense in a 19-9 win over the Cowboys last week.

Dallas turned the ball over three times and managed just 276 yards in a game that was always in Kansas City's control.

"It got lost because the offense wasn't playing very well, that we were winning games because of the defense," Mahomes said. "People were so used to our offense kind of going out there and putting up these numbers, but I would say it every week when I was right here at the podium, don't lose how good our defense is playing."

Now the trick is to keep playing that way. 

Cover image by Tommy Rezac / St. Joseph PostBy DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports WriterKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Even the mind of Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid, whose ability to put on blinders and focus only on the future is downright legendary, can find its way back to a season that looked remarkably like this one.It was only two years ago.You know, when the Chiefs won the Super Bowl?That year began with then-new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo trying to implement a wholesale change in scheme, resulting in a bunch that was bad the previous year under Bob Sutton and just may have been worse. Throw in a whole bunch of injuries, including one to Patrick Mahomes, and the result was a decidedly un-championship-like 6-4 start to the year.That was the same record the Chiefs had through the first 10 weeks this season.It also was produced by a defense that was historically inept for the first eight weeks of the season, and injuries to such big names as Chris Jones, Frank Clark and Clyde Edwards-Helaire that hampered the Chiefs on both sides of the ball."I wouldn't say specifically that I've brought it up," Reid said. "I understand that, but you spend so much time focusing on getting yourself ready to play that those things don't necessarily have an impact. It does in the big picture, but when you're getting ready to play a good football team, you spend every minute trying to get the scheme down and get their scheme down and then understand their players. It's endless hours on that, trying to get that done."Reid should have some time to ponder such comparisons during the Chiefs bye this week.It probably would give him a whole lot of confidence in what lies ahead.Back in 2019, the Chiefs ran the table after their mediocre start, relying on a defense that adapted to Spagnuolo's system and an offense that had a healthy Mahomes. They won their last game before their bye, which also came in Week 12, and began their torrid run to the playoffs by beating up the AFC West-rival Raiders after the break.This year's version of the Chiefs also turned things around on defense. They have held four straight opponents to 301 yards or fewer, coinciding with a season-changing four-game win streak. And they played easily their best game of the season against the NFL's top-ranked offense in a 19-9 win over the Cowboys last week.Dallas turned the ball over three times and managed just 276 yards in a game that was always in Kansas City's control."It got lost because the offense wasn't playing very well, that we were winning games because of the defense," Mahomes said. "People were so used to our offense kind of going out there and putting up these numbers, but I would say it every week when I was right here at the podium, don't lose how good our defense is playing."Now the trick is to keep playing that way. The defense in 2019 managed to do it, holding three of its five opponents after the bye to fewer than 300 yards. It held the Titans to 295 yards in the AFC title game to usher the Chiefs to their first Super Bowl since 1971, then was strong enough to allow Kansas City to mount a comeback against the 49ers.There's every reason to believe this year's bunch can do it, too. They have more talent top to bottom than the 2019 defense did, particularly since the arrival of pass rusher Melvin Ingram. His work opposite Frank Clark on the defensive line has allowed Chris Jones to move back to his more natural position at defensive tackle, and he's made life miserable for opposing quarters; he had 3 1/2 sacks, forced a fumble and recovered one against the Cowboys last weekend.In the linebacker group, second-round pick Nick Bolton has given the Chiefs the kind of athleticism that they've lacked since Derrick Johnson retired. And in the secondary, L'Jarius Sneed is playing at a Pro Bowl level at cornerback, which has freed up three-time All-Pro safety Tyrann Mathieu to freelance a bit more and cause defensive havoc."I'm not trying to blame it on injuries," Spagnuolo said, "but it always feels better or seems to come together when you can have some consecutive weeks of the same guys. When you can get a volume of reps underneath your belt with the same guys, talking to the same guy — you know what I'm saying? To me, that would be the biggest thing."Perhaps the most encouraging part of the Chiefs' midseason turnaround? Their high-powered offense still isn't in sync.Imagine what the Chiefs could do the rest of the way if Mahomes and Co. start lighting up the scoreboard again."We lost some games close early that we probably should have won if we found ways to finish. We took some big lumps and had some big losses that we don't usually have here," Mahomes said. "We kind of went back to the drawing board, went back to the fundamentals and decided to take it week by week, go through the process, trust in the coaching staff. We're sitting here now with everything in front of us. We just have to keep that same mindset."