ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – With its game at Central Oklahoma getting postponed due to COVID-19 protocols, Fort Hays State Men's Basketball will now travel to St. Joseph, Missouri to play Missouri Western this Saturday (Jan. 2). Game time is set for 2 pm at MWSU Fieldhouse. Only a select few family members of FHSU players will be granted access to a strictly limited amount of tickets provided by MWSU. Access to these tickets is being handled internally by FHSU Administration with FHSU Men's Basketball team personnel. Walk-up tickets will not be sold to the general public. FHSU and Missouri Western were initially scheduled to play in St. Joseph on February 25, but playing this game on Saturday opens up rescheduling possibilities for the FHSU at Central Oklahoma game that is postponed. The FHSU women's game against Emporia State in Hays on Saturday (Jan. 2) is still on as scheduled at 2 pm, a meeting that has already endured two postponements. So, the FHSU men and women will be playing at the same time on Saturday, one on the road and one at home. The men's game will be available on radio on&nbsp;<a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/index.cfm?stationCallSign=KJLS">KJLS (103.3 FM)</a>, while the women's game will be on&nbsp;<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KFIX">KFIX (96.9 FM)</a>. Both games will be available to watch on&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/fhsutigers/">The MIAA Network</a>. Visit the&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule">FHSU Men's Schedule</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/schedule">FHSU Women's Schedule</a>&nbsp;for links to gameday coverage (Radio, The MIAA Network, and Live Stats).&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609280971095.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – With its game at Central Oklahoma getting postponed due to COVID-19 protocols, Fort Hays State Men's Basketball will now travel to St. Joseph, Missouri to play Missouri Western this Saturday (Jan. 2). Game time is set for 2 pm at MWSU Fieldhouse. Only a select few family members of FHSU players will be granted access to a strictly limited amount of tickets provided by MWSU. Access to these tickets is being handled internally by FHSU Administration with FHSU Men's Basketball team personnel. Walk-up tickets will not be sold to the general public. FHSU and Missouri Western were initially scheduled to play in St. Joseph on February 25, but playing this game on Saturday opens up rescheduling possibilities for the FHSU at Central Oklahoma game that is postponed. The FHSU women's game against Emporia State in Hays on Saturday (Jan. 2) is still on as scheduled at 2 pm, a meeting that has already endured two postponements. So, the FHSU men and women will be playing at the same time on Saturday, one on the road and one at home. The men's game will be available on radio on&nbsp;<a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/index.cfm?stationCallSign=KJLS">KJLS (103.3 FM)</a>, while the women's game will be on&nbsp;<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KFIX">KFIX (96.9 FM)</a>. Both games will be available to watch on&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/fhsutigers/">The MIAA Network</a>. Visit the&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule">FHSU Men's Schedule</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/schedule">FHSU Women's Schedule</a>&nbsp;for links to gameday coverage (Radio, The MIAA Network, and Live Stats).&nbsp;&nbsp;FHSU Athletics

🏀 FHSU men adjust schedule; head to Missouri Western Saturday

EDMOND, Okla. – Due to COVID-19 testing protocols, the Fort Hays State 
men's basketball game scheduled for Saturday at Central 
Oklahoma has been postponed. Rescheduling of the game will be announced 
at a later time. 
As it stands right now, the next game on the FHSU men's schedule is on 
Jan. 7 at Central Missouri. Keep an eye on fhsuathletics.com for the 
potential of any further developments with the FHSU men's schedule in 
the coming days.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609279717390.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsEDMOND, Okla. – Due to COVID-19 testing protocols, the Fort Hays State 
men's basketball game scheduled for Saturday at Central 
Oklahoma has been postponed. Rescheduling of the game will be announced 
at a later time. 
As it stands right now, the next game on the FHSU men's schedule is on 
Jan. 7 at Central Missouri. Keep an eye on fhsuathletics.com for the 
potential of any further developments with the FHSU men's schedule in 
the coming days.

FHSU game against Central Oklahoma postponed due to COVID-19 protocols

By TOMMY REZAC St. Joseph Post

The Kansas City Royals announced Tuesday that they have signed right-handed pitcher Ervin Santana to a minor league contract.

The 38-year old right-hander pitched for the Royals in 2013, winning nine games with a 3.24 ERA in 211 innings.

Santana last pitched in the big leagues in 2019, making three starts for the Chicago White Sox with a 9.45 ERA. He was an All-Star as recently as 2017, winning 16 games for the Minnesota Twins with a 3.28 ERA.

Santana has spent parts of 15 seasons in the majors, winning 149 games with a 4.09 ERA for the Angels, Royals, Braves, Twins and White Sox.

By TOMMY REZAC St. Joseph PostThe Kansas City Royals announced Tuesday that they have signed right-handed pitcher Ervin Santana to a minor league contract.The 38-year old right-hander pitched for the Royals in 2013, winning nine games with a 3.24 ERA in 211 innings.Santana last pitched in the big leagues in 2019, making three starts for the Chicago White Sox with a 9.45 ERA. He was an All-Star as recently as 2017, winning 16 games for the Minnesota Twins with a 3.28 ERA.Santana has spent parts of 15 seasons in the majors, winning 149 games with a 4.09 ERA for the Angels, Royals, Braves, Twins and White Sox.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609265940634.jpeg" alt="Ervin Santana /&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/keithallison/">Keith Allison</a> on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.flickr.com/">Flickr</a>&nbsp;/&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:Creative_Commons">Creative Commons</a>" />
 <figcaption>Ervin Santana /&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/keithallison/">Keith Allison</a> on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.flickr.com/">Flickr</a>&nbsp;/&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:Creative_Commons">Creative Commons</a></figcaption>
 </figure>

Royals sign RHP Ervin Santana to minor-league contract

By RALPH D. RUSSO, AP College Football Writer

DeVonta Smith of Alabama is The Associated Press college football player of the year. He is the first wide receiver to win the award since it was established in 1998. 

Smith received 26 first-place votes and 114 points to finish ahead of his teammate and quarterback, Mac Jones. Jones received nine first-place votes and 67 points. They are the first teammates to finish 1-2 in the voting for AP player of the year. 

Smith is also the first Alabama player to win the award. 

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence finished third and Florida quarterback Kyle Trask was fourth.

By RALPH D. RUSSO, AP College Football WriterDeVonta Smith of Alabama is The Associated Press college football player of the year. He is the first wide receiver to win the award since it was established in 1998. Smith received 26 first-place votes and 114 points to finish ahead of his teammate and quarterback, Mac Jones. Jones received nine first-place votes and 67 points. They are the first teammates to finish 1-2 in the voting for AP player of the year. Smith is also the first Alabama player to win the award. Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence finished third and Florida quarterback Kyle Trask was fourth.

Tide's Smith the first wideout to win AP Player of the Year

LAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;– Kansas football coach Les Miles announced Tuesday that Lee Grimes has been hired as offensive line coach.

 Grimes, a decorated former player and staff member at Texas A&amp;M, spent the 2020 season at UNC Charlotte, and brings more than eight years of collegiate coaching experience to Lawrence.

“Lee is an impressive coach who will bring a lot of passion and energy to the offensive line position room,” Miles said in a statement. “He was a great player at Brownwood High School in Texas and one that I recruited heavily when I was head coach at Oklahoma State. Lee comes highly recommended as a coach, and has worked with some great offensive coaches including Jimbo Fisher, Josh Henson and Jim Turner. Lee is a relationship builder, and is the type of leader we want in our program. I am eager to get to work with him.”

Grimes, who played in the NFL in 2010, arrives at Kansas after one season with the Charlotte 49ers, serving as the offensive line coach.

Prior to his one season at Charlotte, Grimes spent three seasons at Texas A&amp;M, both as a senior offensive analyst and graduate assistant working with the offensive line.

Grimes came to Texas A&amp;M from Minnesota, where he served as a graduate assistant for the 2016 season.

Prior to his time at Minnesota, Grimes was the run game coordinator and offensive line coach at East Texas Baptist for three seasons.

Grimes got into coaching in 2010 at University of Arkansas at Monticello as the assistant offensive line coach. He also spent time at Southeastern Oklahoma State and Lubbock Estacado High School, prior to his stint at East Texas Baptist.

As a player at Texas A&amp;M, Grimes was a teammate of current Kansas safeties coach Jordan Peterson. Grimes was a two-year starter for the Aggies and a four-year letter winner. He was an All-Big 12 Second-Team selection in 2009 and was named to the Texas A&amp;M All-Decade team for 2000-2010. He received his bachelor’s degree from Texas A&amp;M in 2009.

Grimes spent part of the 2010 season with both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the San Diego Chargers following his playing career in College Station.

Grimes and his wife, Kristen, have one son, Deacon.

LAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;– Kansas football coach Les Miles announced Tuesday that Lee Grimes has been hired as offensive line coach. Grimes, a decorated former player and staff member at Texas A&amp;M, spent the 2020 season at UNC Charlotte, and brings more than eight years of collegiate coaching experience to Lawrence.“Lee is an impressive coach who will bring a lot of passion and energy to the offensive line position room,” Miles said in a statement. “He was a great player at Brownwood High School in Texas and one that I recruited heavily when I was head coach at Oklahoma State. Lee comes highly recommended as a coach, and has worked with some great offensive coaches including Jimbo Fisher, Josh Henson and Jim Turner. Lee is a relationship builder, and is the type of leader we want in our program. I am eager to get to work with him.”Grimes, who played in the NFL in 2010, arrives at Kansas after one season with the Charlotte 49ers, serving as the offensive line coach.Prior to his one season at Charlotte, Grimes spent three seasons at Texas A&amp;M, both as a senior offensive analyst and graduate assistant working with the offensive line.Grimes came to Texas A&amp;M from Minnesota, where he served as a graduate assistant for the 2016 season.Prior to his time at Minnesota, Grimes was the run game coordinator and offensive line coach at East Texas Baptist for three seasons.Grimes got into coaching in 2010 at University of Arkansas at Monticello as the assistant offensive line coach. He also spent time at Southeastern Oklahoma State and Lubbock Estacado High School, prior to his stint at East Texas Baptist.As a player at Texas A&amp;M, Grimes was a teammate of current Kansas safeties coach Jordan Peterson. Grimes was a two-year starter for the Aggies and a four-year letter winner. He was an All-Big 12 Second-Team selection in 2009 and was named to the Texas A&amp;M All-Decade team for 2000-2010. He received his bachelor’s degree from Texas A&amp;M in 2009.Grimes spent part of the 2010 season with both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the San Diego Chargers following his playing career in College Station.Grimes and his wife, Kristen, have one son, Deacon.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609261979175.jpeg" alt="Lee Grimes. Courtesy KUAthletics.com." />
 <figcaption>Lee Grimes. Courtesy KUAthletics.com.</figcaption>
 </figure>

Lee Grimes hired as KU offensive line coach

MANHATTAN&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kansas State running back&nbsp;Deuce Vaughn&nbsp;added to his 
postseason honors on Thursday as he was named one of seven semifinalists
 for the Shaun Alexander-FWAA Freshman of the Year award, the Football 
Writers Association of America announced.

One of three true 
freshmen to be named a semifinalist for the award, Vaughn is the first 
Wildcat to be in the running for the honor that is in its third year of 
existence. Joining Vaughn on this year’s list is Oklahoma quarterback 
Spencer Rattler, Coastal Carolina quarterback Grayson McCall, Notre Dame
 running back Kyren Williams, Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr., 
Northwestern defensive back Brandon Joseph and LSU defensive back Eli 
Ricks.

Vaughn, a product of Round Rock, Texas, burst onto the 
scene in 2020 as he reset four K-State freshman marks, including rushing
 yards (642) and all-purpose yards (1,221). He ranks second nationally 
among freshmen in all-purpose yards and yards from scrimmage (1,076).

His
 inclusion on the Shaun Alexander-FWAA Freshman of the Year semifinalist
 list adds to Vaughn’s impressive resume. Last week he was named the Big
 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year and a Second Team All-Big 12 
performer by the league’s coaches. Earlier this week, Vaughn was an 
Honorable Mention All-American by Pro Football Focus and a First Team 
Freshman All-American by&nbsp;The Athletic. Earlier on Thursday, 
Vaughn was selected a Second Team All-Big 12 performer as both a running
 back and all-purpose player by the Associated Press.

A list of three finalists for the Shaun Alexander-FWAA Freshman of the Year will be released following bowl games on January 2.

–&nbsp;<a href="http://k-statesports.com/" target="_blank">k-statesports.com</a>&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609171097894.jpeg" alt="K-State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>K-State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kansas State running back&nbsp;Deuce Vaughn&nbsp;added to his 
postseason honors on Thursday as he was named one of seven semifinalists
 for the Shaun Alexander-FWAA Freshman of the Year award, the Football 
Writers Association of America announced.One of three true 
freshmen to be named a semifinalist for the award, Vaughn is the first 
Wildcat to be in the running for the honor that is in its third year of 
existence. Joining Vaughn on this year’s list is Oklahoma quarterback 
Spencer Rattler, Coastal Carolina quarterback Grayson McCall, Notre Dame
 running back Kyren Williams, Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr., 
Northwestern defensive back Brandon Joseph and LSU defensive back Eli 
Ricks.Vaughn, a product of Round Rock, Texas, burst onto the 
scene in 2020 as he reset four K-State freshman marks, including rushing
 yards (642) and all-purpose yards (1,221). He ranks second nationally 
among freshmen in all-purpose yards and yards from scrimmage (1,076).His
 inclusion on the Shaun Alexander-FWAA Freshman of the Year semifinalist
 list adds to Vaughn’s impressive resume. Last week he was named the Big
 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year and a Second Team All-Big 12 
performer by the league’s coaches. Earlier this week, Vaughn was an 
Honorable Mention All-American by Pro Football Focus and a First Team 
Freshman All-American by&nbsp;The Athletic. Earlier on Thursday, 
Vaughn was selected a Second Team All-Big 12 performer as both a running
 back and all-purpose player by the Associated Press.A list of three finalists for the Shaun Alexander-FWAA Freshman of the Year will be released following bowl games on January 2.–&nbsp;<a href="http://k-statesports.com/" target="_blank">k-statesports.com</a>&nbsp;

K-State's Vaughn a semifinalist for FWAA Freshman of the Year

By DAVE SKRETTA, AP Basketball Writer

It's hard to determine who has been more dominant in men's college basketball: Gonzaga or the Big Ten Conference. 

The Bulldogs remain the clear-cut No. 1, earning 62 of 64 first-place votes after their latest win over a Top 25 foe. Gonzaga blitzed then-No. 16 Virginia 98-75 on Saturday for the most lopsided win over a ranked team in the Mark Few era to give the Bulldogs a poll-record fourth win over a Top 25 team in the first seven games of a season. 

Baylor and Kansas stayed second and third. Villanova and Houston each moved up a spot after Iowa's overtime loss to Minnesota. 

Meanwhile, sixth-ranked Wisconsin leads a pack of nine ranked teams from the Big Ten. Iowa tumbled four spots to 10th.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574675475903.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVE SKRETTA, AP Basketball WriterIt's hard to determine who has been more dominant in men's college basketball: Gonzaga or the Big Ten Conference. The Bulldogs remain the clear-cut No. 1, earning 62 of 64 first-place votes after their latest win over a Top 25 foe. Gonzaga blitzed then-No. 16 Virginia 98-75 on Saturday for the most lopsided win over a ranked team in the Mark Few era to give the Bulldogs a poll-record fourth win over a Top 25 team in the first seven games of a season. Baylor and Kansas stayed second and third. Villanova and Houston each moved up a spot after Iowa's overtime loss to Minnesota. Meanwhile, sixth-ranked Wisconsin leads a pack of nine ranked teams from the Big Ten. Iowa tumbled four spots to 10th.

Gonzaga, Big Ten dominate Top 25; Kansas third

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — The quarterback-receiver tandem of Drew Lock and Jerry Jeudy is supposed to be the centerpiece of the Denver Broncos' offense for years to come. But when the youngsters had a chance to engineer another comeback against the Los Angeles Chargers, they showed just how far they still have to go. 

Lock's red zone interception, several dropped passes by Jeudy and other mistakes proved costly in the Broncos' 19-16 loss to the Chargers. Jeudy had six receptions for 61 yards on 15 targets.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — The quarterback-receiver tandem of Drew Lock and Jerry Jeudy is supposed to be the centerpiece of the Denver Broncos' offense for years to come. But when the youngsters had a chance to engineer another comeback against the Los Angeles Chargers, they showed just how far they still have to go. Lock's red zone interception, several dropped passes by Jeudy and other mistakes proved costly in the Broncos' 19-16 loss to the Chargers. Jeudy had six receptions for 61 yards on 15 targets.

Mistakes by Lock, Jeudy cost Broncos in loss to Chargers

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs have clinched a first-round bye and home field advantage in the AFC playoffs. Patrick Mahomes threw a 25-yard scoring pass to Demarcus Robinson with 1:55 remaining to help the Chiefs beat Atlanta, 17-14. 

The Falcons still had a chance to force overtime, but Pro Bowl kicker Younghoe Koo missed a 39-yard field goal attempt with nine seconds left.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs have clinched a first-round bye and home field advantage in the AFC playoffs. Patrick Mahomes threw a 25-yard scoring pass to Demarcus Robinson with 1:55 remaining to help the Chiefs beat Atlanta, 17-14. The Falcons still had a chance to force overtime, but Pro Bowl kicker Younghoe Koo missed a 39-yard field goal attempt with nine seconds left.

Chiefs clinch home field advantage with win

"Voice of the Chiefs" Mitch Holthus chats about the Chiefs win over the Saints and looks ahead to Sunday's showdown with the Atlanta Falcons.

The Holthus Hotline airs Saturday's at 8:00 am on KFJX (96.9-FM).

"Voice of the Chiefs" Mitch Holthus chats about the Chiefs win over the Saints and looks ahead to Sunday's showdown with the Atlanta Falcons.The Holthus Hotline airs Saturday's at 8:00 am on KFJX (96.9-FM).<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/953545249&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-814667509/122620a" title="Holthus Hotline 122620" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Holthus Hotline 122620</a></div></div>

🎧 Holthus Hotline with ‘Voice of the Chiefs’ Mitch Holthus

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with sportscaster and author Bob Davis.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1726c09f-9b53-4650-bbc7-6d7b7b6ad57d">To read more about Davis' recent book click here.</a>

<div><iframe title="Forward Ever: Sportscaster and author Bob Davis" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/tjjiv-f4aef9?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with sportscaster and author Bob Davis.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1726c09f-9b53-4650-bbc7-6d7b7b6ad57d">To read more about Davis' recent book click here.</a>

🎤Forward Ever: Sportscaster and author Bob Davis

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tyson Etienne scored 25 points and Wichita State never trailed in overtime to beat South Florida 82-77.

The Shockers (4-2, 2-0 American Athletic Conference) scored first in the extra period on a layup from Craig Porter Jr. with 3:46 remaining and never gave up the advantage.

Clarence Jackson had 10 points and seven rebounds for Wichita State.

Alterique Gilbert added 10 points. David Collins had 17 points for South Florida (5-3, 1-1), which had its four-game win streak snapped.

Collins hit two of three foul shots with under a second remaining in regulation to send the game to overtime.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tyson Etienne scored 25 points and Wichita State never trailed in overtime to beat South Florida 82-77.The Shockers (4-2, 2-0 American Athletic Conference) scored first in the extra period on a layup from Craig Porter Jr. with 3:46 remaining and never gave up the advantage.Clarence Jackson had 10 points and seven rebounds for Wichita State.Alterique Gilbert added 10 points. David Collins had 17 points for South Florida (5-3, 1-1), which had its four-game win streak snapped.Collins hit two of three foul shots with under a second remaining in regulation to send the game to overtime.

 🏀 Wichita State controls OT, tops South Florida 82-77

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Christian Braun hit six 3-pointers and had 22 points, Jalen Wilson made four 3s and scored 17, and No. 3 Kansas shrugged off a mid-game malaise before cruising past seventh-ranked West Virginia 79-65 on Tuesday night.

Marcus Garrett finished with 15 points, Ochai Agbaji had 11 points and 10 rebounds, and David McCormack added 10 points and 11 boards as the Jayhawks won their fifth-straight against the Mountaineers.

Kansas trailed by a point at halftime before Braun and Wilson heated up.

Sean McNeil led West Virginia with 24 points.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608737171495.jpeg" alt="Kansas sophomore guard Christian Braun looks for a pass in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against West Virginia, Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, in Lawrence, Kan. AP&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Kansas sophomore guard Christian Braun looks for a pass in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against West Virginia, Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, in Lawrence, Kan. AP&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Christian Braun hit six 3-pointers and had 22 points, Jalen Wilson made four 3s and scored 17, and No. 3 Kansas shrugged off a mid-game malaise before cruising past seventh-ranked West Virginia 79-65 on Tuesday night.Marcus Garrett finished with 15 points, Ochai Agbaji had 11 points and 10 rebounds, and David McCormack added 10 points and 11 boards as the Jayhawks won their fifth-straight against the Mountaineers.Kansas trailed by a point at halftime before Braun and Wilson heated up.Sean McNeil led West Virginia with 24 points.

 🏀 Braun carries No. 3 Kansas past No. 7 West Virginia 79-65

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Freshman Nijel Pack scored a season-high 16 points, with four 3-pointers, and Kansas State rolled to a 70-46 win over Jacksonville on Monday.

DaJuan Gordon had his second career double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds for the Wildcats (4-5), and Mike McGuirl added 12 points and seven assists. Pack also had six rebounds and five assists as K-State had 23 helpers on 27 baskets.

Bryce Workman topped the Dolphins (6-4) with 10 points. Jacksonville shot 34% from the field and was outrebounded 45-22.

McGuirl and Selton Miguel opened the game with 3-pointers, and Pack added two from distance with McGuirl making another in a 13-0 run that had the lead at 24-10 with almost nine minutes left in the first half.

The Wildcats were 9 of 17 behind the arc in building a 42-23 lead at the break. They cooled off in the second half, going 2 of 15 from distance, but the lead remained more than 20 for the last 16:51.

It was the first meeting between the schools. K-State, which lost to second-ranked Baylor 100-69 on Saturday, is scheduled to play Omaha on Tuesday.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Freshman Nijel Pack scored a season-high 16 points, with four 3-pointers, and Kansas State rolled to a 70-46 win over Jacksonville on Monday.DaJuan Gordon had his second career double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds for the Wildcats (4-5), and Mike McGuirl added 12 points and seven assists. Pack also had six rebounds and five assists as K-State had 23 helpers on 27 baskets.Bryce Workman topped the Dolphins (6-4) with 10 points. Jacksonville shot 34% from the field and was outrebounded 45-22.McGuirl and Selton Miguel opened the game with 3-pointers, and Pack added two from distance with McGuirl making another in a 13-0 run that had the lead at 24-10 with almost nine minutes left in the first half.The Wildcats were 9 of 17 behind the arc in building a 42-23 lead at the break. They cooled off in the second half, going 2 of 15 from distance, but the lead remained more than 20 for the last 16:51.It was the first meeting between the schools. K-State, which lost to second-ranked Baylor 100-69 on Saturday, is scheduled to play Omaha on Tuesday.

🏀 Pack scores season-high 16, Kansas State beats Jacksonville

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Impressive performances in three games last week helped Fort Hays State senior Jaden Hobbs&nbsp;earn MIAA women's basketball Athlete of the Week honors, announced Monday (Dec. 21) by the league office. The guard helped the Tigers to wins over a trio of Oklahoma-based institutions while averaging 16.7 points, 7.0 assists and 4.3 steals per contest. In addition to leading the Tigers in scoring for the week, the Alva, Okla. native had a pair of historic performances. Hobbs started the week with eight steals in a road win over Central Oklahoma Tuesday (Dec. 15), the most steals in a game for a Tiger in nearly 16 years. She then wrapped up the week with an 11-point, 11-assist double-double in a victory against Rogers State Sunday (Dec. 20), the most assists in a game for a Tiger in more than 14 years. When she wasn't dishing out assists or playing strong defense, Hobbs seemingly couldn't miss from the floor. She hit 65.4 percent from the floor (17-of-26) and was somehow even better from behind the arc, pouring in 10-of-15 3-point attempts (66.7 percent). Additionally, the senior missed just one free throw (6-of-7, 85.7 percent). Hobbs scored 19 points against UCO thanks to four 3-pointers before topping that performance Friday (Dec. 18) with 20 points against Northeastern State. She buried a trio of 3-pointers against both NSU and RSU over the weekend. An All-MIAA selection last season, Hobbs is the first Tiger to earn MIAA Athlete of the Week honors since the final week of the 2018-19 season (<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4045">Tatyana Legette</a>, 3/15/19). The Tigers won all three games by at least 20 points, giving them four consecutive 20-plus point conference victories for the first time since 2014. FHSU will return to action after the holiday break when they host Emporia State on Saturday, January 2. First tip is set for 2 p.m. in the women's-only contest.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608591084879.jpeg" alt="FHSU Athletics" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Impressive performances in three games last week helped Fort Hays State senior Jaden Hobbs&nbsp;earn MIAA women's basketball Athlete of the Week honors, announced Monday (Dec. 21) by the league office. The guard helped the Tigers to wins over a trio of Oklahoma-based institutions while averaging 16.7 points, 7.0 assists and 4.3 steals per contest. In addition to leading the Tigers in scoring for the week, the Alva, Okla. native had a pair of historic performances. Hobbs started the week with eight steals in a road win over Central Oklahoma Tuesday (Dec. 15), the most steals in a game for a Tiger in nearly 16 years. She then wrapped up the week with an 11-point, 11-assist double-double in a victory against Rogers State Sunday (Dec. 20), the most assists in a game for a Tiger in more than 14 years. When she wasn't dishing out assists or playing strong defense, Hobbs seemingly couldn't miss from the floor. She hit 65.4 percent from the floor (17-of-26) and was somehow even better from behind the arc, pouring in 10-of-15 3-point attempts (66.7 percent). Additionally, the senior missed just one free throw (6-of-7, 85.7 percent). Hobbs scored 19 points against UCO thanks to four 3-pointers before topping that performance Friday (Dec. 18) with 20 points against Northeastern State. She buried a trio of 3-pointers against both NSU and RSU over the weekend. An All-MIAA selection last season, Hobbs is the first Tiger to earn MIAA Athlete of the Week honors since the final week of the 2018-19 season (<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4045">Tatyana Legette</a>, 3/15/19). The Tigers won all three games by at least 20 points, giving them four consecutive 20-plus point conference victories for the first time since 2014. FHSU will return to action after the holiday break when they host Emporia State on Saturday, January 2. First tip is set for 2 p.m. in the women's-only contest.&nbsp;&nbsp;FHSU Athletics

🏀 Hobbs named MIAA Athlete of the Week

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Patrick Mahomes had his full repertoire of side-arm throws, basketball-style push passes and underhanded flips on display while passing for 254 yards and three touchdowns, and the Kansas City Chiefs extended their winning streak to nine games with a 32-29 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

The Kansas City defense did its part to spoil Drew Brees’ return from rib fractures and a punctured lung that had kept the record-setting passer out four games.

While Brees passed for 234 yards and three TDs, he completed less than half of his passes and was intercepted for just the fourth time this season.

The victory kept the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs (13-1) in pole position to capture the AFC’s lone playoff bye as a No. 1 seed. The Saints (10-4), meanwhile, missed a chance to clinch the NFC South for a second straight week and now are longshots to capture the NFC’s top seed.

Mahomes’ scoring passes went for 5 yards each to Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman, the latter coming as the Chiefs’ agile QB back-peddled toward the left sideline to avoid pressure and released a throw to the back corner of the end zone, where Hardman was able to snag it in traffic while narrowly getting two feet inbounds.

Mahomes’ second TD toss looked more like a basketball assist, a chest-pass to tight end Travis Kelce cutting behind blockers for a 1-yard score.

Mahomes later used an underhanded forward flip to Kelce for a 2-point conversion after a 12-yard touchdown run by Le’Veon Bell to make it 29-15 in the fourth quarter.

Bell’s TD came one play after Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan was flagged for a personal foul and ejected for punching right guard Andrew Wylie following an incomplete pass.

The Saints pulled to 29-22 when Trey Hendrickson stripped Mahomes while making his second sack of the game, setting up Alvin Kamara’s 14-yard score on a short catch and run through a swarm of players along the right sideline.

Kansas City responded with a field goal with 4:18 left, but Brees pulled New Orleans within a field goal with his 17-yard scoring pass to Lil’Jordan Humphrey with 2:06 to go.

With two timeouts remaining, the Saints kicked deep, but could not prevent Mahomes and Co. from running out the clock.

Just 3,000 tickets were sold for this marquee matchup between playoff contenders in the Superdome, but those in attendance got a first-hand look at Mahomes’ mesmerizing and unconventional theatrics.

On a third-and-8 conversion in the first half, Mahomes darted right to avoid defensive tackle David Onyemata, then suddenly stopped and stepped up as Jordan, in close pursuit, stumbled past. Mahomes then fired a pass to Sammy Watkins for a 23-yard gain. The play extended the drive that culminated with Kelce’s TD.

The Saints briefly took a 15-14 lead early in the third quarter when Brees found Latavius Murray uncovered late in a play that appeared to be breaking down and the running back scampered for a 24-yard touchdown.

The Chiefs went back on top for good on their next series.

Brees’ return got off to a rough start. His first three passes fell incomplete before his fourth was intercepted by L’Jarius Sneed at the New Orleans 36-yard line, setting up Hill’s TD that made it 7-0.

Brees needed more than a full quarter to complete a pass or lead the Saints to a first down. His first completion came on his seventh pass. A few plays later, he hit Emmanuel Sanders 51 yards down the right sideline to set up Taysom Hill’s 1-yard TD run.

The Saints cut it to 14-9 at the end of the half with a safety during a Chiefs punt return fumbled into the end zone by Demarcus Robinson. Saints linebacker Alex Anzalone tried to fall on it in the end zone, but it squirted away and over the end line.

Chiefs: Rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire needed help to the locker room in the fourth quarter, not putting any pressure on his left leg. The Chiefs also announced linebacker Emmanuel Smith injured his hamstring.

Saints: Receiver Tre’Quan Smith and safety Marcus Williams each left with ankle injuries in the second half.

Chiefs: Host Atlanta on Sunday in the first of two home games to finish the regular season.

Saints: Close out their home schedule against Minnesota on Christmas Day.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Patrick Mahomes had his full repertoire of side-arm throws, basketball-style push passes and underhanded flips on display while passing for 254 yards and three touchdowns, and the Kansas City Chiefs extended their winning streak to nine games with a 32-29 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.The Kansas City defense did its part to spoil Drew Brees’ return from rib fractures and a punctured lung that had kept the record-setting passer out four games.While Brees passed for 234 yards and three TDs, he completed less than half of his passes and was intercepted for just the fourth time this season.The victory kept the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs (13-1) in pole position to capture the AFC’s lone playoff bye as a No. 1 seed. The Saints (10-4), meanwhile, missed a chance to clinch the NFC South for a second straight week and now are longshots to capture the NFC’s top seed.Mahomes’ scoring passes went for 5 yards each to Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman, the latter coming as the Chiefs’ agile QB back-peddled toward the left sideline to avoid pressure and released a throw to the back corner of the end zone, where Hardman was able to snag it in traffic while narrowly getting two feet inbounds.Mahomes’ second TD toss looked more like a basketball assist, a chest-pass to tight end Travis Kelce cutting behind blockers for a 1-yard score.Mahomes later used an underhanded forward flip to Kelce for a 2-point conversion after a 12-yard touchdown run by Le’Veon Bell to make it 29-15 in the fourth quarter.Bell’s TD came one play after Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan was flagged for a personal foul and ejected for punching right guard Andrew Wylie following an incomplete pass.The Saints pulled to 29-22 when Trey Hendrickson stripped Mahomes while making his second sack of the game, setting up Alvin Kamara’s 14-yard score on a short catch and run through a swarm of players along the right sideline.Kansas City responded with a field goal with 4:18 left, but Brees pulled New Orleans within a field goal with his 17-yard scoring pass to Lil’Jordan Humphrey with 2:06 to go.With two timeouts remaining, the Saints kicked deep, but could not prevent Mahomes and Co. from running out the clock.Just 3,000 tickets were sold for this marquee matchup between playoff contenders in the Superdome, but those in attendance got a first-hand look at Mahomes’ mesmerizing and unconventional theatrics.On a third-and-8 conversion in the first half, Mahomes darted right to avoid defensive tackle David Onyemata, then suddenly stopped and stepped up as Jordan, in close pursuit, stumbled past. Mahomes then fired a pass to Sammy Watkins for a 23-yard gain. The play extended the drive that culminated with Kelce’s TD.The Saints briefly took a 15-14 lead early in the third quarter when Brees found Latavius Murray uncovered late in a play that appeared to be breaking down and the running back scampered for a 24-yard touchdown.The Chiefs went back on top for good on their next series.Brees’ return got off to a rough start. His first three passes fell incomplete before his fourth was intercepted by L’Jarius Sneed at the New Orleans 36-yard line, setting up Hill’s TD that made it 7-0.Brees needed more than a full quarter to complete a pass or lead the Saints to a first down. His first completion came on his seventh pass. A few plays later, he hit Emmanuel Sanders 51 yards down the right sideline to set up Taysom Hill’s 1-yard TD run.The Saints cut it to 14-9 at the end of the half with a safety during a Chiefs punt return fumbled into the end zone by Demarcus Robinson. Saints linebacker Alex Anzalone tried to fall on it in the end zone, but it squirted away and over the end line.INJURIESChiefs: Rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire needed help to the locker room in the fourth quarter, not putting any pressure on his left leg. The Chiefs also announced linebacker Emmanuel Smith injured his hamstring.Saints: Receiver Tre’Quan Smith and safety Marcus Williams each left with ankle injuries in the second half.UP NEXTChiefs: Host Atlanta on Sunday in the first of two home games to finish the regular season.Saints: Close out their home schedule against Minnesota on Christmas Day.

🏈 Mahomes’ theatrics highlight Chiefs' win over Saints

HAYS – Fort Hays State shot 53-percent from three-point
range in the second half and defeated Rogers State 78-71 Sunday at Gross Coliseum.
It’s the Tigers third-straight win after an 0-3 start.

Quinten Rock followed up his 19-point effort against Northeastern
State Friday with a 24-point performance Sunday. Rock went 4-of-5 from three
and 12-of-13 from the free throw line.

Alvin Thompson and Jared Vitztum both scored 17. Vitztum
added 10 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season. Bjarni Jonsson added
11 points.

The Tigers led by 13 with two minutes to play in the first
half but the Hillcats (2-5) scored the final eight points to pull within five
at halftime.

Rock and Thompson combined to hit three straight 3-pointers
to open the second half as the Tigers pushed the lead to 15. Rogers State got
as close as five with just under 11 minutes to play but a 15-5 answer by the Tigers
pushed the lead back to 15 with just over five minutes to play.

After going 2-for-8 from beyond the arc in the first half, the
Tigers hit 7-of-13 in the second. FHSU also connected on 25-of-28 free throws.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608516672489.jpeg" alt="Quinten Rock&nbsp; scored a career-high 24 points in the Tigers Sunday win over Rogers State (Courtesy FHSU Athletics, Tylee Biera)" />
 <figcaption>Quinten Rock&nbsp; scored a career-high 24 points in the Tigers Sunday win over Rogers State (Courtesy FHSU Athletics, Tylee Biera)</figcaption>
 </figure>HAYS – Fort Hays State shot 53-percent from three-point
range in the second half and defeated Rogers State 78-71 Sunday at Gross Coliseum.
It’s the Tigers third-straight win after an 0-3 start.<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/951409504&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-814667509/12-20-20-fhsu-men-coach-int" title="Mark Johnson Postgame vs. Rogers State 122020" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Mark Johnson Postgame vs. Rogers State 122020</a></div></div>Quinten Rock followed up his 19-point effort against Northeastern
State Friday with a 24-point performance Sunday. Rock went 4-of-5 from three
and 12-of-13 from the free throw line.Alvin Thompson and Jared Vitztum both scored 17. Vitztum
added 10 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season. Bjarni Jonsson added
11 points.<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/951409396&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-814667509/12-20-20-fhsu-men-player-int" title="Alvin Thompson Postgame vs. Rogers State 122020" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Alvin Thompson Postgame vs. Rogers State 122020</a></div></div>The Tigers led by 13 with two minutes to play in the first
half but the Hillcats (2-5) scored the final eight points to pull within five
at halftime.Rock and Thompson combined to hit three straight 3-pointers
to open the second half as the Tigers pushed the lead to 15. Rogers State got
as close as five with just under 11 minutes to play but a 15-5 answer by the Tigers
pushed the lead back to 15 with just over five minutes to play.<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/951409450&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-814667509/12-20-20-fhsu-men-highlights" title="FHSU MBB vs. Rogers State Highlights 122020" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">FHSU MBB vs. Rogers State Highlights 122020</a></div></div>After going 2-for-8 from beyond the arc in the first half, the
Tigers hit 7-of-13 in the second. FHSU also connected on 25-of-28 free throws.

🏀 Tigers hold off Hillcats for third straight win

HAYS – The Fort Hays State women’s basketball team used a
14-0 run early in the second quarter to build a 15 point lead and cruised to an
83-58 win over Rogers State Sunday afternoon at Gross Coliseum. 

The Tigers
close out the first semester 5-0 with the final four wins all by 20 or more
points. It’s the first time they’ve won four straight by that margin since the
2013-14 season.

After the Tigers (5-0) built a 15 point halftime lead, the Hillcats (1-6) scored the first six points of the third
quarter to pull within nine but that would be the closest they would get the rest of the game.

Katie Wagner came off the bench to lead four Tigers in
double-figures with 13 points. Jaden Hobbs went 3-for-5 from beyond the arc and
scored 11 while dishing out a career-high 11 assists. Freshman post players
Olivia Hollenbeck and Jessie Sallach both added 10 points apiece.

Rogers State was led by Vanessa Gajdosova who scored 21.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608516228236.jpeg" alt="Jaden Hobbs recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 assists in the Tigers Sunday win over Rogers State. (Courtesy FHSU Athletics, Tylee Biera)" />
 <figcaption>Jaden Hobbs recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 assists in the Tigers Sunday win over Rogers State. (Courtesy FHSU Athletics, Tylee Biera)</figcaption>
 </figure>HAYS – The Fort Hays State women’s basketball team used a
14-0 run early in the second quarter to build a 15 point lead and cruised to an
83-58 win over Rogers State Sunday afternoon at Gross Coliseum. The Tigers
close out the first semester 5-0 with the final four wins all by 20 or more
points. It’s the first time they’ve won four straight by that margin since the
2013-14 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/951409138&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-814667509/12-20-20-fhsu-women-coach-int" title="Tony Hobson Postgame vs. Rogers State 122020" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Tony Hobson Postgame vs. Rogers State 122020</a></div></div>After the Tigers (5-0) built a 15 point halftime lead, the Hillcats (1-6) scored the first six points of the third
quarter to pull within nine but that would be the closest they would get the rest of 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/951409093&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-814667509/12-20-20-fhsu-women-highlights" title="FHSU WBB vs. Rogers State Highlights 122020" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">FHSU WBB vs. Rogers State Highlights 122020</a></div></div>Katie Wagner came off the bench to lead four Tigers in
double-figures with 13 points. Jaden Hobbs went 3-for-5 from beyond the arc and
scored 11 while dishing out a career-high 11 assists. Freshman post players
Olivia Hollenbeck and Jessie Sallach both added 10 points apiece.Rogers State was led by Vanessa Gajdosova who scored 21.

🏀 Tiger women roll past Hillcats

Rogers State (2-4, 2-4&nbsp;MIAA) at Fort Hays State (2-3, 2-3 MIAA) Sunday, December 20, 2020 - 4 p.m. Hays, Kan. - Gross Memorial Coliseum Radio: KJLS (103.3-FM) <a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/index.cfm?stationCallSign=KJLS">LISTEN LIVE</a> Fort Hays State Men's Basketball will close out the 2020 portion of its calendar on Sunday when it plays host to Rogers State. Tipoff is set for 4 pm, which follows the women's contest at 2 pm. The Tigers enter at 2-3 looking to even their season record, while the Hillcats are 2-4. Rogers State is out to a slow start this year after finishing second in the MIAA last year and getting selected to the NCAA Tournament. The Hillcats finished 24-6 overall in 2019-20, their first year as members of the MIAA. Rogers State swept the 2019-20 series with Fort Hays State, winning by 10 in Claremore before claiming a six-point win in Hays. The Hillcats were nationally ranked last season when they came to the coliseum in February. Last season marked the first-ever meetings between FHSU and Rogers State. The Tigers have won three straight games when including their exhibition win at Kansas State back on December 8. Since that victory, the Tigers picked up their first two wins in regular season play downing Newman in Wichita before their win over Northeastern State on Friday evening. FHSU started the year 0-3, but look to get back to the break-even mark before heading into the holiday break. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5865">Jared Vitztum</a>&nbsp;once again paced the Tigers in scoring on Friday night with 20 points in the win over Northeastern State.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5868">Quinten Rock</a>&nbsp;was right behind with a new career high of 19.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5864">Alvin Thompson</a>&nbsp;provided 15 points and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5859">Kaleb Hammeke</a>&nbsp;added 10 in Fort Hays State's first home win of the season. Vitztum leads the MIAA in rebounding at 10.0 per game, while ranking fourth in scoring at 20.8 per game. He has led the team in scoring in four of the five games played this season. Devin Pullum leads the Hillcats in scoring at 15.2 points per game. He is also the top assister on the team at 3.5 per game. Pullum is a perfect 16-of-16 at the free-throw line this season. Destin Eke and Darraja Parnell lead the Hillcats in rebounding at 5.3 and 5.2 per game respectively. The three aforementioned Hillcats are part of a group of five averaging double figures in scoring, which also including Jett Sternberger and Brewster Peacock.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608431024558.jpeg" alt="Traejon Davis (Courtesy FHSU Athletics, Tylee Biera)" />
 <figcaption>Traejon Davis (Courtesy FHSU Athletics, Tylee Biera)</figcaption>
 </figure>Rogers State (2-4, 2-4&nbsp;MIAA) at Fort Hays State (2-3, 2-3 MIAA) Sunday, December 20, 2020 - 4 p.m. Hays, Kan. - Gross Memorial Coliseum Radio: KJLS (103.3-FM) <a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/index.cfm?stationCallSign=KJLS">LISTEN LIVE</a> Fort Hays State Men's Basketball will close out the 2020 portion of its calendar on Sunday when it plays host to Rogers State. Tipoff is set for 4 pm, which follows the women's contest at 2 pm. The Tigers enter at 2-3 looking to even their season record, while the Hillcats are 2-4. Rogers State is out to a slow start this year after finishing second in the MIAA last year and getting selected to the NCAA Tournament. The Hillcats finished 24-6 overall in 2019-20, their first year as members of the MIAA. Rogers State swept the 2019-20 series with Fort Hays State, winning by 10 in Claremore before claiming a six-point win in Hays. The Hillcats were nationally ranked last season when they came to the coliseum in February. Last season marked the first-ever meetings between FHSU and Rogers State. The Tigers have won three straight games when including their exhibition win at Kansas State back on December 8. Since that victory, the Tigers picked up their first two wins in regular season play downing Newman in Wichita before their win over Northeastern State on Friday evening. FHSU started the year 0-3, but look to get back to the break-even mark before heading into the holiday break. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5865">Jared Vitztum</a>&nbsp;once again paced the Tigers in scoring on Friday night with 20 points in the win over Northeastern State.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5868">Quinten Rock</a>&nbsp;was right behind with a new career high of 19.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5864">Alvin Thompson</a>&nbsp;provided 15 points and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5859">Kaleb Hammeke</a>&nbsp;added 10 in Fort Hays State's first home win of the season. Vitztum leads the MIAA in rebounding at 10.0 per game, while ranking fourth in scoring at 20.8 per game. He has led the team in scoring in four of the five games played this season. Devin Pullum leads the Hillcats in scoring at 15.2 points per game. He is also the top assister on the team at 3.5 per game. Pullum is a perfect 16-of-16 at the free-throw line this season. Destin Eke and Darraja Parnell lead the Hillcats in rebounding at 5.3 and 5.2 per game respectively. The three aforementioned Hillcats are part of a group of five averaging double figures in scoring, which also including Jett Sternberger and Brewster Peacock.&nbsp;&nbsp;FHSU Athletics

🏀 📻 Tigers close out 2020 at home against Rogers State Sunday

Rogers State (1-5, 1-5&nbsp;MIAA) at Fort Hays State (4-0, 4-0 MIAA) Sunday, December 20, 2020 • 2 p.m. Hays, Kan. • Gross Memorial Coliseum Radio: KJLS (103.3-FM) <a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/index.cfm?stationCallSign=KJLS">LISTEN LIVE</a> The Fort Hays State women's basketball team will look to cap off 2020 with a fifth-straight victory Sunday (Dec. 20) when the Tigers host Rogers State. First tip is set for 2 p.m. inside Gross Memorial Coliseum in a rare Sunday conference doubleheader. The Tigers have played just 10 games on Sunday in 12-plus seasons under head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=947">Tony Hobson</a>, going 6-4 in those contests. FHSU is 5-2 on Sunday in the regular season on Sunday.&nbsp;This is FHSU's first regular season conference game to be played on a Sunday since the Tigers finished the 2009-10 regular season against Emporia State on Sunday, February&nbsp;28, 2010. After holding on for a six-point win over Washburn in the season opener earlier this month, the Tigers have now won each of the last three games by at least 20 points.&nbsp;A 20-plus-point win Sunday would be FHSU's first run of four consecutive conference wins by at least 20 points since the 2013-14 season (1/6-16/14 at Southwest Baptist, vs. Lindenwood, vs. Lincoln,&nbsp;at Central Oklahoma). <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5850">Whitney Randall</a>&nbsp;has scored in double figures in each of the first four games this season, ranking sixth in the MIAA with 17.5 points per contest. Thanks to 39 points so far this week (19 at UCO, 20 vs NSU),&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5847">Jaden Hobbs</a>&nbsp;is up to 14th in the MIAA in scoring at 14.5 ppg. The Tigers are one of four teams with multiple players in the top 14 in scoring in the conference (Rogers State, Pittsburg State, Northeastern State). The Tigers have been sharp from behind the arc of late, hitting 39.7 percent (31-of-78) of their 3-point attempts over the last three contests. Hobbs (2.8 3FG/gm), Randall (2.0) and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5853">Sydney Golladay</a>&nbsp;(2.0) are all hitting at least two triples per game. All three rank in the top 10 in the MIAA in 3-pointers per game. The six Tiger true freshmen have played an integral role on the team this year, playing nearly 40 percent of the team's minutes through four games (319:11) while averaging 24.8 points per contest. Sunday's contest will be FHSU's&nbsp;fifth and final game before the holiday break, the fewest number of games played in the opening semester of a season by the Tigers since they played five games in the 2003 portion of the 2003-04 season. Rogers State enters Sunday 1-5 on the season, including losses in its last three contests. The Hillcats are 1-2 away from Claremore this season, including their lone win over Pittsburg State coming on the road. RSU ranks in the middle of the pack in the MIAA in scoring, sitting in seventh at 68.2 ppg, while sitting in 13th with 78.0 points allowed per contest. The Hillcats rank third in the league with a free-throw shooting percentage of 79.8 percent. Samariah Thompson, the team leader in points, rebounds and assists, missed Friday's game against Nebraska-Kearney. The junior was averaging 21.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game over the first five contests.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608409963546.jpeg" alt="Emma Ruddle (Courtesy FHSU Athletics, Tylee Biera" />
 <figcaption>Emma Ruddle (Courtesy FHSU Athletics, Tylee Biera</figcaption>
 </figure>Rogers State (1-5, 1-5&nbsp;MIAA) at Fort Hays State (4-0, 4-0 MIAA) Sunday, December 20, 2020 • 2 p.m. Hays, Kan. • Gross Memorial Coliseum Radio: KJLS (103.3-FM) <a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/index.cfm?stationCallSign=KJLS">LISTEN LIVE</a> The Fort Hays State women's basketball team will look to cap off 2020 with a fifth-straight victory Sunday (Dec. 20) when the Tigers host Rogers State. First tip is set for 2 p.m. inside Gross Memorial Coliseum in a rare Sunday conference doubleheader. The Tigers have played just 10 games on Sunday in 12-plus seasons under head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=947">Tony Hobson</a>, going 6-4 in those contests. FHSU is 5-2 on Sunday in the regular season on Sunday.&nbsp;This is FHSU's first regular season conference game to be played on a Sunday since the Tigers finished the 2009-10 regular season against Emporia State on Sunday, February&nbsp;28, 2010. After holding on for a six-point win over Washburn in the season opener earlier this month, the Tigers have now won each of the last three games by at least 20 points.&nbsp;A 20-plus-point win Sunday would be FHSU's first run of four consecutive conference wins by at least 20 points since the 2013-14 season (1/6-16/14 at Southwest Baptist, vs. Lindenwood, vs. Lincoln,&nbsp;at Central Oklahoma). <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5850">Whitney Randall</a>&nbsp;has scored in double figures in each of the first four games this season, ranking sixth in the MIAA with 17.5 points per contest. Thanks to 39 points so far this week (19 at UCO, 20 vs NSU),&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5847">Jaden Hobbs</a>&nbsp;is up to 14th in the MIAA in scoring at 14.5 ppg. The Tigers are one of four teams with multiple players in the top 14 in scoring in the conference (Rogers State, Pittsburg State, Northeastern State). The Tigers have been sharp from behind the arc of late, hitting 39.7 percent (31-of-78) of their 3-point attempts over the last three contests. Hobbs (2.8 3FG/gm), Randall (2.0) and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5853">Sydney Golladay</a>&nbsp;(2.0) are all hitting at least two triples per game. All three rank in the top 10 in the MIAA in 3-pointers per game. The six Tiger true freshmen have played an integral role on the team this year, playing nearly 40 percent of the team's minutes through four games (319:11) while averaging 24.8 points per contest. Sunday's contest will be FHSU's&nbsp;fifth and final game before the holiday break, the fewest number of games played in the opening semester of a season by the Tigers since they played five games in the 2003 portion of the 2003-04 season. Rogers State enters Sunday 1-5 on the season, including losses in its last three contests. The Hillcats are 1-2 away from Claremore this season, including their lone win over Pittsburg State coming on the road. RSU ranks in the middle of the pack in the MIAA in scoring, sitting in seventh at 68.2 ppg, while sitting in 13th with 78.0 points allowed per contest. The Hillcats rank third in the league with a free-throw shooting percentage of 79.8 percent. Samariah Thompson, the team leader in points, rebounds and assists, missed Friday's game against Nebraska-Kearney. The junior was averaging 21.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game over the first five contests.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 📻 Tiger women host Rogers State Sunday

By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development

There are two legendary football coaches who are retired and living in Manhattan, Kansas. One is Bill Snyder, a multiple-time national coach of the year and a member of the National College Football Hall of Fame.&nbsp;

The other is a legendary high school football coach who led his team to the longest winning streak in the nation while coaching in rural Kansas.&nbsp;

Roger Barta is the retired high school football coach who set these records in Smith Center, Kansas. His accomplishments were so noteworthy that an East Coast writer spent a year in Kansas to write about them. In 2010, the book chronicling these achievements was published.&nbsp;

Roger Barta and his wife Pam grew up in the rural community of Plainville, population 1,903 people. Now, that’s rural. In high school, Roger played quarterback but couldn’t continue football due to injury. After graduating from Fort Hays State and earning a master’s in Georgia, he embarked on a high school teaching and coaching career. In 1978, he took his first and only head coaching job in Smith Center.&nbsp;

That was the beginning of a phenomenal career. Roger Barta built a coaching staff and a power football system which would develop into a juggernaut, with tremendous community support.&nbsp;

His won-loss record was excellent, and then came the streak of consecutive winning games. One win turned into two, and then five and 10 and more. A state championship was achieved, and then another and another.&nbsp;

One day in 2007, the Smith Center Redmen played Plainville and got on a roll. A series of Plainville turnovers and Smith Center offensive strikes snowballed into a rout. In a set of circumstances that Coach Barta regrets today, the Redmen scored 72 points – in the first quarter. This broke a national record set back in 1925 and propelled Smith Center into the national spotlight.&nbsp;

One of the national sportswriters who followed this story was a New York Times reporter named Joe Drape. He visited Smith Center to report on it and found himself intrigued with this remarkable coach and community.&nbsp;

Joe returned to New York, but something about the community stayed with him. He thought about Coach Barta and the lives the coach had touched. He thought about the winning streak and the challenges of the upcoming season, after a highly touted senior class graduated.&nbsp;

Joe had the unlikely idea to move his wife and young son from New York to Kansas for a year to follow the football season. He did so and chronicled the remarkable season that followed.&nbsp;

Coach Barta shaped this group of unheralded underclassmen into a powerful team once again. After some early-season close calls, the team came together and finished undefeated with Smith Center’s fifth consecutive state championship. Eventually, the winning streak would extend to 79 games – the longest high school victory streak in the nation.&nbsp;

The best-selling book is titled “Our Boys - A Perfect Season on the Plains with the Smith Center Redmen.”&nbsp;

“Our Boys” is about rural life as well as football. In the end, the book is about Coach Barta and the values he instills. Coach Barta teaches the simple values of hard work, dedication and love. “We talk about getting a little better each day,” he said, “about being the best we can be, about being a team.” He tells his players, “We need to respect each other, and then like each other, and then love each other. And when we have chemistry, that’s when together we are champions.”&nbsp;

Coach Barta said, “None of this is about football. What I hope we’re doing is sending kids into life who know that every day means something.” After retiring, Coach Barta and Pam retired to Manhattan.&nbsp;

Hard work, high values, and getting better every day. That sounds like another legendary coach who is retired and living in Manhattan. We commend Bill Snyder and Roger Barta for making a difference in their community and in the lives of so many young people.&nbsp;

And there’s more. Roger’s son Brooks would follow in his father’s footsteps of outstanding coaching. We’ll learn about that next week.&nbsp;

Correction 9:40 a.m. Sunday to reflect Barta began at Smith Center in 1978.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608128340534.png" alt="Screen Shot 2020-12-16 at 8.18.42 AM.png" />
 <figcaption>Screen Shot 2020-12-16 at 8.18.42 AM.png</figcaption>
 </figure>By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development There are two legendary football coaches who are retired and living in Manhattan, Kansas. One is Bill Snyder, a multiple-time national coach of the year and a member of the National College Football Hall of Fame.&nbsp;The other is a legendary high school football coach who led his team to the longest winning streak in the nation while coaching in rural Kansas.&nbsp;Roger Barta is the retired high school football coach who set these records in Smith Center, Kansas. His accomplishments were so noteworthy that an East Coast writer spent a year in Kansas to write about them. In 2010, the book chronicling these achievements was published.&nbsp;Roger Barta and his wife Pam grew up in the rural community of Plainville, population 1,903 people. Now, that’s rural. In high school, Roger played quarterback but couldn’t continue football due to injury. After graduating from Fort Hays State and earning a master’s in Georgia, he embarked on a high school teaching and coaching career. In 1978, he took his first and only head coaching job in Smith Center.&nbsp;That was the beginning of a phenomenal career. Roger Barta built a coaching staff and a power football system which would develop into a juggernaut, with tremendous community support.&nbsp;His won-loss record was excellent, and then came the streak of consecutive winning games. One win turned into two, and then five and 10 and more. A state championship was achieved, and then another and another.&nbsp;One day in 2007, the Smith Center Redmen played Plainville and got on a roll. A series of Plainville turnovers and Smith Center offensive strikes snowballed into a rout. In a set of circumstances that Coach Barta regrets today, the Redmen scored 72 points – in the first quarter. This broke a national record set back in 1925 and propelled Smith Center into the national spotlight.&nbsp;One of the national sportswriters who followed this story was a New York Times reporter named Joe Drape. He visited Smith Center to report on it and found himself intrigued with this remarkable coach and community.&nbsp;Joe returned to New York, but something about the community stayed with him. He thought about Coach Barta and the lives the coach had touched. He thought about the winning streak and the challenges of the upcoming season, after a highly touted senior class graduated.&nbsp;Joe had the unlikely idea to move his wife and young son from New York to Kansas for a year to follow the football season. He did so and chronicled the remarkable season that followed.&nbsp;Coach Barta shaped this group of unheralded underclassmen into a powerful team once again. After some early-season close calls, the team came together and finished undefeated with Smith Center’s fifth consecutive state championship. Eventually, the winning streak would extend to 79 games – the longest high school victory streak in the nation.&nbsp;The best-selling book is titled “Our Boys - A Perfect Season on the Plains with the Smith Center Redmen.”&nbsp;“Our Boys” is about rural life as well as football. In the end, the book is about Coach Barta and the values he instills. Coach Barta teaches the simple values of hard work, dedication and love. “We talk about getting a little better each day,” he said, “about being the best we can be, about being a team.” He tells his players, “We need to respect each other, and then like each other, and then love each other. And when we have chemistry, that’s when together we are champions.”&nbsp;Coach Barta said, “None of this is about football. What I hope we’re doing is sending kids into life who know that every day means something.” After retiring, Coach Barta and Pam retired to Manhattan.&nbsp;Hard work, high values, and getting better every day. That sounds like another legendary coach who is retired and living in Manhattan. We commend Bill Snyder and Roger Barta for making a difference in their community and in the lives of so many young people.&nbsp;And there’s more. Roger’s son Brooks would follow in his father’s footsteps of outstanding coaching. We’ll learn about that next week.&nbsp;Correction 9:40 a.m. Sunday to reflect Barta began at Smith Center in 1978.

Now That’s Rural: Roger Barta, football family, part 1 

DENVER (AP) — The potential feel-good story for the Denver Broncos’ emergency kicker turned into a nightmare with a missed field goal and two pushed extra points.

Taylor Russolino, a late fill-in for Brandon McManus, was hardly the only one off the mark for Denver on this forgettable afternoon.

Drew Lock struggled to ignite the offense and the Denver defense couldn’t stop Josh Allen or Stefon Diggs as the Buffalo Bills clinched the AFC East title with a 48-19 win on Saturday.

The Broncos (5-9) clinched something, too — a fourth straight losing season.

What’s more, the Broncos are assured of missing the playoffs for a fifth straight season.

“We all know the expectations here in Denver, the winning tradition this organization has,” safety Justin Simmons conceded. ”There’s no asterisk next to our record saying injury and COVID-19. It just says wins or losses. That’s all anyone cares about.

“At the end of the day, of course, I’m always going to be hopeful because I believe we have a really good team.”

Not on this windy day that began with Russolino sending a 51-yard field goal wide right on the opening drive. The former XFL kicker was added with McManus sidelined because of COVID-19 concerns. Russolino also missed two extra points, including one before halftime after Noah Fant’s score trimmed it to 21-13.

“Everybody’s human,” Fant said. “Everybody makes mistakes. I have no clue what it’s like to be in his shoes. I have no clue what it’s like to kick a field goal. I’m not the guy to be real upset about things like that.”

Plus, there was plenty of blame to spread around against Buffalo (11-3). The Broncos secondary was lit up as part of the Josh Allen Show.

To think, Denver could’ve drafted Allen at No. 5 in 2018. The Broncos took Bradley Chubb, instead.

Allen gave them a glimpse of what they missed, throwing for 359 yards and two TDs. He also ran for two scores.

His favorite target was the tough-to-cover Stefon Diggs, who hauled in 11 passes for 147 yards on a banged-up Broncos defensive backfield.

“Josh Allen is a great quarterback,” Broncos coach Vic Fangio said. “He’s right up there with the best in the league.”

Fangio’s QB couldn’t get much going, especially in the second half. Lock threw for just 33 yards after halftime. He also had a fumble that Jerry Hughes returned 21 yards for a score to make it 35-13.

This after Lock turned in a four-touchdown performance at Carolina last weekend.

Lock refuted the notion the offense took a step back on a day when receivers Tim Patrick, Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler caught a combined five passes.

“I wouldn’t say that any of us are feeling in a way that we’re taking a step back,” said Lock, who was 20 of 32 for 132 yards and one TD. “That was not a good day for us, by any means. Our job is to figure out why it wasn’t, what we did wrong, what we could’ve done better, and go from there.”

The defense surrendered its most points since Fangio took over, including a 51-yard TD run from tailback Devin Singletary through the heart of Denver’s defense with the outcome long decided.

This may have best exemplified Denver’s level of frustration: Linebacker Alexander Johnson was called for a personal foul for throwing Allen out of bounds in the third quarter. On the next play, Broncos cornerback Michael Ojemudia was ejected for throwing a punch at Bills receiver Gabriel Davis.

“You’re going to have a bad play every once in a while. How you recover is how it matters — if you’re going to play down the rest of the game or you’re going to come back and try to kick butt the rest of the game,” Broncos linebacker Josey Jewell said. “Just try to stay even-keeled.”

DENVER (AP) — The potential feel-good story for the Denver Broncos’ emergency kicker turned into a nightmare with a missed field goal and two pushed extra points.Taylor Russolino, a late fill-in for Brandon McManus, was hardly the only one off the mark for Denver on this forgettable afternoon.Drew Lock struggled to ignite the offense and the Denver defense couldn’t stop Josh Allen or Stefon Diggs as the Buffalo Bills clinched the AFC East title with a 48-19 win on Saturday.The Broncos (5-9) clinched something, too — a fourth straight losing season.What’s more, the Broncos are assured of missing the playoffs for a fifth straight season.“We all know the expectations here in Denver, the winning tradition this organization has,” safety Justin Simmons conceded. ”There’s no asterisk next to our record saying injury and COVID-19. It just says wins or losses. That’s all anyone cares about.“At the end of the day, of course, I’m always going to be hopeful because I believe we have a really good team.”Not on this windy day that began with Russolino sending a 51-yard field goal wide right on the opening drive. The former XFL kicker was added with McManus sidelined because of COVID-19 concerns. Russolino also missed two extra points, including one before halftime after Noah Fant’s score trimmed it to 21-13.No finger pointing, though.“Everybody’s human,” Fant said. “Everybody makes mistakes. I have no clue what it’s like to be in his shoes. I have no clue what it’s like to kick a field goal. I’m not the guy to be real upset about things like that.”Plus, there was plenty of blame to spread around against Buffalo (11-3). The Broncos secondary was lit up as part of the Josh Allen Show.To think, Denver could’ve drafted Allen at No. 5 in 2018. The Broncos took Bradley Chubb, instead.Allen gave them a glimpse of what they missed, throwing for 359 yards and two TDs. He also ran for two scores.His favorite target was the tough-to-cover Stefon Diggs, who hauled in 11 passes for 147 yards on a banged-up Broncos defensive backfield.“Josh Allen is a great quarterback,” Broncos coach Vic Fangio said. “He’s right up there with the best in the league.”Fangio’s QB couldn’t get much going, especially in the second half. Lock threw for just 33 yards after halftime. He also had a fumble that Jerry Hughes returned 21 yards for a score to make it 35-13.This after Lock turned in a four-touchdown performance at Carolina last weekend.Lock refuted the notion the offense took a step back on a day when receivers Tim Patrick, Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler caught a combined five passes.“I wouldn’t say that any of us are feeling in a way that we’re taking a step back,” said Lock, who was 20 of 32 for 132 yards and one TD. “That was not a good day for us, by any means. Our job is to figure out why it wasn’t, what we did wrong, what we could’ve done better, and go from there.”The defense surrendered its most points since Fangio took over, including a 51-yard TD run from tailback Devin Singletary through the heart of Denver’s defense with the outcome long decided.This may have best exemplified Denver’s level of frustration: Linebacker Alexander Johnson was called for a personal foul for throwing Allen out of bounds in the third quarter. On the next play, Broncos cornerback Michael Ojemudia was ejected for throwing a punch at Bills receiver Gabriel Davis.“You’re going to have a bad play every once in a while. How you recover is how it matters — if you’re going to play down the rest of the game or you’re going to come back and try to kick butt the rest of the game,” Broncos linebacker Josey Jewell said. “Just try to stay even-keeled.”

🏈 Broncos off mark in loss to AFC East-clinching Bills

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Baylor returned from a week-long pause due to COVID-19 concerns and didn’t miss a beat.

MaCio Teague had 23 points and 10 rebounds, Davion Mitchell scored 20 points and No. 2 Baylor beat Kansas State 100-69 on Saturday.

Jared Butler had 14 points and 13 assists for his first career double-double with the Bears (5-0, 1-0 Big 12), and Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua scored 13 points.

“Butler is full of brilliance and very efficient,” Baylor coach Scott Drew said. “I think it started on the defensive end and the offensive end followed.”

Antonio Gordon led the Wildcats (3-5, 1-1) with 23 points on 9-of-9 shooting, and Selton Miguel scored 14 points. Gordon is the eighth player in school history to be perfect from the field with at least nine shots attempted.

This was the first game back for Baylor in a week, after the school paused team activity as part of coronavirus protocols.

“There was definitely was an excitement for us to be here and to play again,” Drew said. “Every time you play it’s a joy and a privilege.”

The Bears shot 64% in the first half, including seven 3-pointers, to lead by 29 at the half.

“It’s really hard to guard us, so I wasn’t too surprised,” Mitchell said.

Baylor (5-0, 1-0 Big 12) finished shooting 58% while the Wildcats shot 47%. The Bears made 14 3-pointers while Kansas State connected on six.

“They kicked our butt,” Kansas State coach Bruce Weber said. “I knew it would not be easy because they can beat you in so many ways.”

Kansas State turned the ball over 14 times. The Bears scored 21 points off those mistakes. Baylor also dominated on the boards, outrebounding the Wildcats 41-25.

“After the game I told them how special Baylor is,” Weber said. “They do a lot of good things, but we need to learn from it.”

Teague nailed three 3s and scored 12 of the first 15 points for Baylor while Tchamwa Tchatchoua scored 13 points on three alley-oop dunks by halftime.

“His energy really sparked us in the first half,” Drew said. “Making shots helps for the spacing and the execution was really well done.”

Drew said Baylor would try to reschedule a canceled game against No. 1 Gonzaga but that obstacles remained.

“There’s a lot we have to do for that to happen with CBS and league policy,” Drew said. “We hope it’s rescheduled for April in the tournament. I know both us coaches would love to play each other then.”

In the meantime, Baylor is in the process of scheduling another nonconference opponent before the new year.

Baylor: The Bears looked to pick up right where they left off before their pause. If they shoot as well as they did against the Wildcats, they will be a tough team to beat against anyone in the Big 12.

Kansas State: Early turnovers and missed open shots haunted the Wildcats as they got into a big hole. The Wildcats needed to jump out to a fast start to keep up with Baylor.

Baylor: Takes on the University of Arkansas Pine-Bluff at 7 pm on Monday at home.

Kansas State: Hosts Jacksonville at 1 pm on the same day.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608431787452.jpeg" alt="DaJuan Gordon (Courtesy Kansas State Athletics)" />
 <figcaption>DaJuan Gordon (Courtesy Kansas State Athletics)</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Baylor returned from a week-long pause due to COVID-19 concerns and didn’t miss a beat.MaCio Teague had 23 points and 10 rebounds, Davion Mitchell scored 20 points and No. 2 Baylor beat Kansas State 100-69 on Saturday.Jared Butler had 14 points and 13 assists for his first career double-double with the Bears (5-0, 1-0 Big 12), and Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua scored 13 points.“Butler is full of brilliance and very efficient,” Baylor coach Scott Drew said. “I think it started on the defensive end and the offensive end followed.”Antonio Gordon led the Wildcats (3-5, 1-1) with 23 points on 9-of-9 shooting, and Selton Miguel scored 14 points. Gordon is the eighth player in school history to be perfect from the field with at least nine shots attempted.This was the first game back for Baylor in a week, after the school paused team activity as part of coronavirus protocols.“There was definitely was an excitement for us to be here and to play again,” Drew said. “Every time you play it’s a joy and a privilege.”The Bears shot 64% in the first half, including seven 3-pointers, to lead by 29 at the half.“It’s really hard to guard us, so I wasn’t too surprised,” Mitchell said.Baylor (5-0, 1-0 Big 12) finished shooting 58% while the Wildcats shot 47%. The Bears made 14 3-pointers while Kansas State connected on six.“They kicked our butt,” Kansas State coach Bruce Weber said. “I knew it would not be easy because they can beat you in so many ways.”Kansas State turned the ball over 14 times. The Bears scored 21 points off those mistakes. Baylor also dominated on the boards, outrebounding the Wildcats 41-25.“After the game I told them how special Baylor is,” Weber said. “They do a lot of good things, but we need to learn from it.”Teague nailed three 3s and scored 12 of the first 15 points for Baylor while Tchamwa Tchatchoua scored 13 points on three alley-oop dunks by halftime.“His energy really sparked us in the first half,” Drew said. “Making shots helps for the spacing and the execution was really well done.”NO. 1 VS NO. 2Drew said Baylor would try to reschedule a canceled game against No. 1 Gonzaga but that obstacles remained.“There’s a lot we have to do for that to happen with CBS and league policy,” Drew said. “We hope it’s rescheduled for April in the tournament. I know both us coaches would love to play each other then.”In the meantime, Baylor is in the process of scheduling another nonconference opponent before the new year.BIG PICTUREBaylor: The Bears looked to pick up right where they left off before their pause. If they shoot as well as they did against the Wildcats, they will be a tough team to beat against anyone in the Big 12.Kansas State: Early turnovers and missed open shots haunted the Wildcats as they got into a big hole. The Wildcats needed to jump out to a fast start to keep up with Baylor.UP NEXTBaylor: Takes on the University of Arkansas Pine-Bluff at 7 pm on Monday at home.Kansas State: Hosts Jacksonville at 1 pm on the same day.

🏀 Kansas State falls to No. 2 Baylor

"Voice of the Chiefs" Mitch Holthus reviews Kansas City's win in Miami and previews Sunday's showdown with Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints. They may even talk a bit about Air Force vs. Army, you never know.

"Voice of the Chiefs" Mitch Holthus reviews Kansas City's win in Miami and previews Sunday's showdown with Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints. They may even talk a bit about Air Force vs. Army, you never know.The Holthus Hotline airs at 8:00 am Saturday mornings on KFIX (96.9-FM).<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/950088757&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-121920" title="Holthus Hotline 121920" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Holthus Hotline 121920</a></div></div>