HOUSTON (AP) — Framber Valdez pitched seven no-hit innings and Jose Altuve hit a game-ending RBI double in the ninth to lift the Houston Astros to a 3-2 win over the Kansas City Royals on Friday night.

The game was tied at 2-all when Jake Meyers singled off James McArthur (5-6) with one out in the ninth. There were two outs when Altuve bounced his double off the wall in left field to send Meyers home and set off a wild celebration.

“He always finds a way to wow us and that’s another big swing by Jose Altuve,” manager Joe Espada said.

The Royals trailed 2-0 and had just one hit when Bobby Witt Jr. reached on an error by shortstop Jeremy Peña to start the ninth. With one out, Paul DeJong sent a slider from Josh Hader (7-7) into the Crawford Boxes in left field to tie it.

Valdez was pulled after throwing 98 pitches, 60 for strikes, with seven strikeouts, three walks and a hit batter. He wasn't upset that Espada removed him from the game with the no-hitter intact.

“He made the decision that I was done there and I agreed,” Valdez said through an interpreter. “The most important thing was that we won the game.”

Espada raved about his starter's performance.

“That curveball, the sinker kept that all-righty lineup off-balance,” Espada said. “His stuff is so good. Efficient, composed, going after hitters, getting big outs.”

Bryan Abreu took over to start the eighth and retired Michael Massey on a fly ball before pinch-hitter MJ Melendez grounded out. Pinch-hitter Kyle Isbel then grounded a single to left field for the Royals' first hit.

The 30-year-old Valdez threw a no-hitter against Cleveland on Aug. 1, 2023. He nearly had a second one earlier this month before Corey Seager homered with two outs in the ninth inning of a 4-2 win over Texas on Aug. 6.

It was the second time this week the Astros took a no-hit bid into the eighth inning. Spencer Arrighetti allowed his first hit to start the eighth in a 10-0 win over the NL East-leading Phillies on Wednesday.

Valdez sailed through the first four innings but needed some help from his defense in the fifth. Freddy Fermin hit a sharp grounder to Peña, who fielded it and made a leaping throw that bounced to Victor Caratini at first just before Fermin’s foot hit the bag.

Valdez smiled and pointed at Peña after the play. Nick Loftin grounded out to end the inning.

Valdez hit Perez with a pitch with one out in the seventh before striking out DeJong. Fermin walked, prompting a visit from pitching coach Josh Miller. Valdez then struck out Loftin to end his night.

Espada said it was a tough decision to remove Valdez but that he thought it was best because of how hard he had to work in the seventh inning.

Ben Gamel led off Houston’s third with his first home run this season, a shot to center field.

Yainer Diaz singled with one out in the eighth before a double by Caratini. The Astros made it 2-0 when Diaz scored on a sacrifice fly by Peña.

Seth Lugo permitted six hits and a run with nine strikeouts in six innings.

“He had it all working,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “Seven innings of one-run baseball against that team is a phenomenal effort.”

Royals: 1B Vinnie Pasquantino will miss the rest of the regular season after breaking his right thumb while trying to make a play Thursday night. The injury will require surgery and the expected recovery time is 6-to-8 weeks, meaning Pasquantino could potentially return if the Royals make a playoff run. ... Reliever Lucas Erceg was injured on the same play when he tried to barehand a comebacker. His hand was bruised and swollen Friday but Quatraro said the injury wasn’t serious.

Astros: 3B Alex Bregman was out of the lineup Friday with elbow soreness. ... RF Kyle Tucker (right shin bruise) took live batting practice Friday for the first time since fouling a ball off his leg June 3. Tucker said he’s feeling good and believes he can return soon. He added that he hopes not to go on a minor league rehabilitation assignment and instead prepare for his return by doing more live BP and possibly simulated games.

Houston LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 4.39 ERA) opposes LHP Cole Ragans (10-8, 3.28) when the series continues Saturday night.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1725072957125.jpeg" alt="Houston Astros' Jose Altuve (27) is mobbed by his teammates after hitting a walk-off RBI double during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)" />
 <figcaption>Houston Astros' Jose Altuve (27) is mobbed by his teammates after hitting a walk-off RBI double during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)</figcaption>
 </figure>HOUSTON (AP) — Framber Valdez pitched seven no-hit innings and Jose Altuve hit a game-ending RBI double in the ninth to lift the Houston Astros to a 3-2 win over the Kansas City Royals on Friday night.The game was tied at 2-all when Jake Meyers singled off James McArthur (5-6) with one out in the ninth. There were two outs when Altuve bounced his double off the wall in left field to send Meyers home and set off a wild celebration.“He always finds a way to wow us and that’s another big swing by Jose Altuve,” manager Joe Espada said.The Royals trailed 2-0 and had just one hit when Bobby Witt Jr. reached on an error by shortstop Jeremy Peña to start the ninth. With one out, Paul DeJong sent a slider from Josh Hader (7-7) into the Crawford Boxes in left field to tie it.Valdez was pulled after throwing 98 pitches, 60 for strikes, with seven strikeouts, three walks and a hit batter. He wasn't upset that Espada removed him from the game with the no-hitter intact.“He made the decision that I was done there and I agreed,” Valdez said through an interpreter. “The most important thing was that we won the game.”Espada raved about his starter's performance.“That curveball, the sinker kept that all-righty lineup off-balance,” Espada said. “His stuff is so good. Efficient, composed, going after hitters, getting big outs.”Bryan Abreu took over to start the eighth and retired Michael Massey on a fly ball before pinch-hitter MJ Melendez grounded out. Pinch-hitter Kyle Isbel then grounded a single to left field for the Royals' first hit.The 30-year-old Valdez threw a no-hitter against Cleveland on Aug. 1, 2023. He nearly had a second one earlier this month before Corey Seager homered with two outs in the ninth inning of a 4-2 win over Texas on Aug. 6.It was the second time this week the Astros took a no-hit bid into the eighth inning. Spencer Arrighetti allowed his first hit to start the eighth in a 10-0 win over the NL East-leading Phillies on Wednesday.Valdez sailed through the first four innings but needed some help from his defense in the fifth. Freddy Fermin hit a sharp grounder to Peña, who fielded it and made a leaping throw that bounced to Victor Caratini at first just before Fermin’s foot hit the bag.Valdez smiled and pointed at Peña after the play. Nick Loftin grounded out to end the inning.Valdez hit Perez with a pitch with one out in the seventh before striking out DeJong. Fermin walked, prompting a visit from pitching coach Josh Miller. Valdez then struck out Loftin to end his night.Espada said it was a tough decision to remove Valdez but that he thought it was best because of how hard he had to work in the seventh inning.Ben Gamel led off Houston’s third with his first home run this season, a shot to center field.Yainer Diaz singled with one out in the eighth before a double by Caratini. The Astros made it 2-0 when Diaz scored on a sacrifice fly by Peña.Seth Lugo permitted six hits and a run with nine strikeouts in six innings.“He had it all working,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “Seven innings of one-run baseball against that team is a phenomenal effort.”TRAINER'S ROOMRoyals: 1B Vinnie Pasquantino will miss the rest of the regular season after breaking his right thumb while trying to make a play Thursday night. The injury will require surgery and the expected recovery time is 6-to-8 weeks, meaning Pasquantino could potentially return if the Royals make a playoff run. ... Reliever Lucas Erceg was injured on the same play when he tried to barehand a comebacker. His hand was bruised and swollen Friday but Quatraro said the injury wasn’t serious.Astros: 3B Alex Bregman was out of the lineup Friday with elbow soreness. ... RF Kyle Tucker (right shin bruise) took live batting practice Friday for the first time since fouling a ball off his leg June 3. Tucker said he’s feeling good and believes he can return soon. He added that he hopes not to go on a minor league rehabilitation assignment and instead prepare for his return by doing more live BP and possibly simulated games.UP NEXTHouston LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 4.39 ERA) opposes LHP Cole Ragans (10-8, 3.28) when the series continues Saturday night.

⚾Royals held hitless through 7, Altuve's hit in 9th lifts Astros to win

HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State opened the 2024 football season with a 21-7 win over No. 24 ranked Angelo State at Lewis Field on Friday afternoon in a game postponed from the night before due to lightning. The Tigers claimed their first-ever win over a team from Texas and have now won back-to-back games against AFCA ranked opponents at Lewis Field. 

Fort Hays State (1-0), receiving votes in the AFCA Preseason Top 25 poll, snapped a four-season run of dropping home openers with their first win in a home opener since the 2018 season. Two of those four losses in that run were to nationally ranked teams.

The Tiger defense allowed just 203 yards of total offense to the Rams. The Tigers had big performances from the men in the middle, led by linebacker Makel Williams who had 12 tackles and&nbsp;and a new FHSU high for Benyon Williams&nbsp;with 11 tackles. Sam Brandt&nbsp;&nbsp;matched his career high in tackles with 10. Mason Perez forced a key fumble to set up FHSU's final score early in the fourth quarter to make the eventual final score. 

The Tigers scored on their second possession thanks to big plays from brothers Travis and Shane Watts. Travis opened the seven-play, 90-yard march with a 24-yard reception. Shane capped it with a 51-yard pass reception, breaking several tackles before winning a footrace to the endzone.

FHSU marched 90-yards for a touchdown on their next possession. Freshman receiver Jabari Lewis&nbsp;had a big field-flipping reception, going 51 yards to the ASU 17. Three plays later, Ryan Allen&nbsp;hauled in a 19-yard reception to put the Tigers up 14-0.

Angelo State scored their lone touchdown on its third drive of the game. The Rams used six plays to go 65 yards, capped by a 28-yard touchdown run by quarterback Kaeden Smith to cut the lead to 14-7.

The third quarter was a stalemate with five punts between the two teams. The Perez forced fumble on the first play of the fourth quarter was recovered at the Rams 14-yard line Shane Watts&nbsp;did all the work with three rushes capped with a six-yard scamper into the endzone.

Shane Watts&nbsp;finished the game with 122 all-purpose yards, rushing for 60 and receiving for 62. Jack Dawson&nbsp;spread the ball around to eight different receivers, going 23-of-36 for 271 yards with the two touchdown passes and an interception. 

Dawson moved into a tie for sixth on FHSU's all-time passing touchdowns list with Dustin McEwen.&nbsp;

Trevor Watts&nbsp;led the Tigers in receiving yards with 73 on six catches. The Tigers had four receivers finish with at least 40 yards in the game.

Fort Hays State will host Missouri Western State (1-0) on Saturday, September 7. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1725067714453.jpeg" alt="Fort Hays State running back Shane Watts breaks a 51-yard touchdown run in the first quarter of an NCAA football game vs. Angelo State on Friday, August 30, 2024 in Hays, Kan. (Hays Post photo/Jeff Leiker)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State running back Shane Watts breaks a 51-yard touchdown run in the first quarter of an NCAA football game vs. Angelo State on Friday, August 30, 2024 in Hays, Kan. (Hays Post photo/Jeff Leiker)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsHAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State opened the 2024 football season with a 21-7 win over No. 24 ranked Angelo State at Lewis Field on Friday afternoon in a game postponed from the night before due to lightning. The Tigers claimed their first-ever win over a team from Texas and have now won back-to-back games against AFCA ranked opponents at Lewis Field. Fort Hays State (1-0), receiving votes in the AFCA Preseason Top 25 poll, snapped a four-season run of dropping home openers with their first win in a home opener since the 2018 season. Two of those four losses in that run were to nationally ranked teams.<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/1907369582&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/chris-brown-postgame-v-angelo-state-08-30-24" title="Chris Brown Postgame vs. Angelo State (August 30, 2024)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Chris Brown Postgame vs. Angelo State (August 30, 2024)</a></div></div>The Tiger defense allowed just 203 yards of total offense to the Rams. The Tigers had big performances from the men in the middle, led by linebacker Makel Williams who had 12 tackles and&nbsp;and a new FHSU high for Benyon Williams&nbsp;with 11 tackles. Sam Brandt&nbsp;&nbsp;matched his career high in tackles with 10. Mason Perez forced a key fumble to set up FHSU's final score early in the fourth quarter to make the eventual final score. The Tigers scored on their second possession thanks to big plays from brothers Travis and Shane Watts. Travis opened the seven-play, 90-yard march with a 24-yard reception. Shane capped it with a 51-yard pass reception, breaking several tackles before winning a footrace to the endzone.<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/1907312792&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/jack-dawson-postgame-vs-angelo-state" title="Jack Dawson Postgame vs. Angelo State (August 30, 2024)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Jack Dawson Postgame vs. Angelo State (August 30, 2024)</a></div></div>FHSU marched 90-yards for a touchdown on their next possession. Freshman receiver Jabari Lewis&nbsp;had a big field-flipping reception, going 51 yards to the ASU 17. Three plays later, Ryan Allen&nbsp;hauled in a 19-yard reception to put the Tigers up 14-0.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1725067917270.png" alt="Fort Hays State's Ryan Allen (11) hauls in a touchdown catch in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Angelo State on Friday, August 30, 2024 in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Gillian Lynch)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State's Ryan Allen (11) hauls in a touchdown catch in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Angelo State on Friday, August 30, 2024 in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Gillian Lynch)</figcaption>
 </figure>Angelo State scored their lone touchdown on its third drive of the game. The Rams used six plays to go 65 yards, capped by a 28-yard touchdown run by quarterback Kaeden Smith to cut the lead to 14-7.The third quarter was a stalemate with five punts between the two teams. The Perez forced fumble on the first play of the fourth quarter was recovered at the Rams 14-yard line Shane Watts&nbsp;did all the work with three rushes capped with a six-yard scamper into the endzone.<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/1907312306&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/benny-williams-postgame-v-angelo-state" title="Benyon Williams Postgame vs. Angelo State (August 30, 2024)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Benyon Williams Postgame vs. Angelo State (August 30, 2024)</a></div></div>Shane Watts&nbsp;finished the game with 122 all-purpose yards, rushing for 60 and receiving for 62. Jack Dawson&nbsp;spread the ball around to eight different receivers, going 23-of-36 for 271 yards with the two touchdown passes and an interception. Dawson moved into a tie for sixth on FHSU's all-time passing touchdowns list with Dustin McEwen.&nbsp;<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/1907312321&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/fhsu-fb-highlights-vs-angelo-state-8-30-24-mixdown" title="FHSU FB Highlights vs. Angelo State (August 30, 2024)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">FHSU FB Highlights vs. Angelo State (August 30, 2024)</a></div></div>Trevor Watts&nbsp;led the Tigers in receiving yards with 73 on six catches. The Tigers had four receivers finish with at least 40 yards in the game.UP NEXTFort Hays State will host Missouri Western State (1-0) on Saturday, September 7. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

🏈 Tigers open season with win over No. 24 Angelo State

Friday, August 30
 KAYS: Kansas City Royals at Houston Astros, 6:30pm

Saturday, August 31
 KAYS: Kansas City Royals at Houston Astros, 5:30pm

Sunday, September 1
 KAYS: Kansas City Royals at Houston Astros, 12:30pm

Friday, August 30
 KAYS: Kansas City Royals at Houston Astros, 6:30pmSaturday, August 31
 KAYS: Kansas City Royals at Houston Astros, 5:30pmSunday, September 1
 KAYS: Kansas City Royals at Houston Astros, 12:30pm

🎧 Eagle Radio, Hull sports broadcast schedule

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Devin Neal ran for 112 yards and two touchdowns on eight first-half carries and No. 22 Kansas beat Lindenwood 48-3 on Thursday night in the opener for both teams.

Kansas outscored Lindenwood 27-0 in the second quarter at Children’s Mercy Park. Lindenwood, in its third year as an FCS program, played its first game against an FBS opponent.

Daniels, who played only in the first half for Kansas, was 9 of 15 for 148 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

“For the first game, it was about what I hoped for,” Kansas coach Lance Leipold said. “I thought Jalon (Daniels) played really well. I thought Devin and Daniel (Hishaw) ran the ball hard. I thought all our backs ran the ball hard.

"I thought the defense was solid. There are still some things with communication where we've got to be better. It was a good night, but there are some things as we step up and play a Big Ten opponent (Illinois) next, we've got to be better.”

The Jayhawks are playing home games in Kansas City — two at Children’s Mercy Park and four at Arrowhead Stadium — because of stadium renovations.

“I thought the atmosphere was great at the beginning of the game,” Leipold said. “There was energy. After a few of those big plays, in the second half it tapered down a little bit.”

Lindenwood averted a shutout with a 34-yard field goal by Logan Seibert with 6:12 left.

After forcing a three-and-out on Lindenwood's first series, Kansas marched 65 yards in nine plays for its first touchdown. Neal punched it in from the 5. Kansas had to convert a fourth-and-3 on the drive.

But that's all the offense Kansas could muster in the first quarter. Lindenwood ran 20 plays in the first quarter, compared to just 12 for Kansas, and the Lions held the ball for almost 10 minutes.

Turnovers hurt Kansas early in the first half. Quentin Skinner fumbled on Kansas' second drive. Daniels then threw an interception, ending the Jayhawks' third drive early in the second quarter.

Luke Grimm said he and Daniels read different coverages, but Daniels took the blame.

“Luke read the defense perfectly," Daniels said. "That play was on me. I have to give props to the DB for making that play.”

Neal gave the Jayhawks a 14-0 lead in the second quarter on a 1-yard scamper, capping a seven-play, 85-yard drive.

Mello Dotson put Kansas up 20-0 with an interception return. He stepped in front of a pass on the right sideline and raced 33 yards untouched. The extra point caromed off the upright.

“At the beginning of that play, the quarterback was staring down his receiver,” Dotson said. “He gave him a sign to run the out route. I saw the quarterback give him that sign and I knew the ball was coming my way.”

Daniels then hit Grimm with a 58-yard touchdown strike to extend the lead to 27-0, vindicating Daniels.

“I just had to forget the (bad) play and make sure my next throw was the right throw.”

Hishaw's 1-yard run with 4 seconds left in the half made it 34-0.

Lindenwood saw the difference between the two levels of Division I in the trenches. The Lions averaged just 3.5 yards per play, compared to 8.2 yards per play for Kansas. Kansas will need to address the turnovers on offense as the quality of opponent ramps up next week.

Lindenwood: Hosts Central Arkansas on Saturday, Sept. 7.

Kansas: At Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 7.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1725011060418.jpeg" alt="Kansas running back Devin Neal (4) runs for a first down during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Lindenwood Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas running back Devin Neal (4) runs for a first down during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Lindenwood Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Devin Neal ran for 112 yards and two touchdowns on eight first-half carries and No. 22 Kansas beat Lindenwood 48-3 on Thursday night in the opener for both teams.Kansas outscored Lindenwood 27-0 in the second quarter at Children’s Mercy Park. Lindenwood, in its third year as an FCS program, played its first game against an FBS opponent.Daniels, who played only in the first half for Kansas, was 9 of 15 for 148 yards with a touchdown and an interception.“For the first game, it was about what I hoped for,” Kansas coach Lance Leipold said. “I thought Jalon (Daniels) played really well. I thought Devin and Daniel (Hishaw) ran the ball hard. I thought all our backs ran the ball hard."I thought the defense was solid. There are still some things with communication where we've got to be better. It was a good night, but there are some things as we step up and play a Big Ten opponent (Illinois) next, we've got to be better.”The Jayhawks are playing home games in Kansas City — two at Children’s Mercy Park and four at Arrowhead Stadium — because of stadium renovations.“I thought the atmosphere was great at the beginning of the game,” Leipold said. “There was energy. After a few of those big plays, in the second half it tapered down a little bit.”Lindenwood averted a shutout with a 34-yard field goal by Logan Seibert with 6:12 left.After forcing a three-and-out on Lindenwood's first series, Kansas marched 65 yards in nine plays for its first touchdown. Neal punched it in from the 5. Kansas had to convert a fourth-and-3 on the drive.But that's all the offense Kansas could muster in the first quarter. Lindenwood ran 20 plays in the first quarter, compared to just 12 for Kansas, and the Lions held the ball for almost 10 minutes.Turnovers hurt Kansas early in the first half. Quentin Skinner fumbled on Kansas' second drive. Daniels then threw an interception, ending the Jayhawks' third drive early in the second quarter.Luke Grimm said he and Daniels read different coverages, but Daniels took the blame.“Luke read the defense perfectly," Daniels said. "That play was on me. I have to give props to the DB for making that play.”Neal gave the Jayhawks a 14-0 lead in the second quarter on a 1-yard scamper, capping a seven-play, 85-yard drive.Mello Dotson put Kansas up 20-0 with an interception return. He stepped in front of a pass on the right sideline and raced 33 yards untouched. The extra point caromed off the upright.“At the beginning of that play, the quarterback was staring down his receiver,” Dotson said. “He gave him a sign to run the out route. I saw the quarterback give him that sign and I knew the ball was coming my way.”Daniels then hit Grimm with a 58-yard touchdown strike to extend the lead to 27-0, vindicating Daniels.“I just had to forget the (bad) play and make sure my next throw was the right throw.”Hishaw's 1-yard run with 4 seconds left in the half made it 34-0.<h2>The takeaway</h2>Lindenwood saw the difference between the two levels of Division I in the trenches. The Lions averaged just 3.5 yards per play, compared to 8.2 yards per play for Kansas. Kansas will need to address the turnovers on offense as the quality of opponent ramps up next week.<h2>Up next</h2>Lindenwood: Hosts Central Arkansas on Saturday, Sept. 7.Kansas: At Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 7.

🏈 No. 22 Kansas uses big 2nd quarter to rout Lindenwood 

HOUSTON (AP) — Zach Dezenzo drew a go-ahead bases-loaded walk and the Houston Astros took advantage of two Kansas City errors in a four-run eighth inning to beat the Royals 6-3 on Thursday night.

With two runners on and Astros trailing 3-2, Yainer Diaz hit a grounder to pitcher Lucas Erceg (2-5), who tried to barehand the comebacker, bobbled it and rushed a throw that got away from first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino. José Altuve scored from second on the play to tie the score. Pasquantino’s glove hand appeared to collide with Diaz, and he exited the game with an apparent injury.

After reliever John Schreiber intentionally walked Ben Gamel to load the bases, Jeremy Peña grounded into a force out at home. Dezenzo then drew a walk to force in Diaz with the tiebreaking run. Mauricio Dubón followed with a single to left field to score Ben Gamel, and Peña also scored on a fielding error by left fielder MJ Melendez to make it 6-3.

“It’s been like that the whole year,” Dubón said. “We’ve been fighting. Dezenzo had an unreal at-bat and gave me a chance to make something happen.”

Ryan Pressly (1-3) pitched a scoreless eighth to earn the win after being activated from the 15-day injured list earlier in the day, and Josh Hader pitched a perfect ninth to earn his 29th save of the season.

“These guys like big moments like that,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “That’s a huge win for us, right there.”

The Royals had taken the lead in the seventh after two errors by the Astros. With one out, Salvador Perez reached first on a fielding error by Peña. Paul DeJong, nearly grounded into a double play, but the throw to first was late. Melendez walked, and Maikel Garcia reached base after third baseman Shay Whitcomb bobbled a groundball, loading the bases. Kyle Isbel then followed with a three-run double down the left-field line off Bryan Abreu for the 3-2 lead.

“We took advantage of an error,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “That’s what you have to do -- when a good team makes a mistake, you have to take advantage of it. We made a mistake, and they took advantage of it. Same thing on the other side.”

Astros starter Hunter Brown — pitching on his 26th birthday — allowed two hits and no earned runs while striking out four and walking one in 6 2/3 innings.

Brown last faced the Royals on April 11, when he gave up nine runs on 11 hits in just two-thirds of an inning. He turned his season around after that start, posting an 11-5 record and a 2.98 ERA in 23 appearances since.

“I could not wait to pitch against these guys,” Brown said. “I got bounced in the first inning, and that was definitely still on my mind even though it was however many months ago. So, once I got through the first inning, that was awesome. I was very thankful. That was a birthday gift, in itself.”

Veteran outfielder Jason Heyward made a splash in his Astros debut. After being released by the Dodgers and signing with Houston earlier this week, Heyward had a two-run double down the right-field line off Royals starter Brady Singer in the bottom of the fifth inning to give Houston a 2-0 lead.

Singer allowed five hits and two runs while striking out six and walking one in six innings.

Astros third baseman Alex Bregman was ejected in the fourth inning after appearing to complain about a strike-three call from home plate umpire Alex Tosi.

“When Alex argues balls and strikes, 99% of the time, he’s right,” Espada said.

Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., who leads the American League in hits, batting average and runs, went 0 for 4 after hitting safely in 16 of his previous 17 games.

Royals: RF Hunter Renfroe (right hamstring strain) is “feeling better” and started running and doing a full workout on Wednesday, manager Matt Quatraro said.

Astros: RF Kyle Tucker (shin contusion) has “looked really good” in drills and sprinting exercises, and “we’re getting there,” Espada said before the game.

Royals RHP Seth Lugo (14-8, 3.19 ERA) will start against Astros LHP Framber Valdez (13-6, 3.27) on Friday,

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1725010825004.jpeg" alt="Houston Astros' Zach Dezenzo celebrates after drawing a bases-loaded walk during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)" />
 <figcaption>Houston Astros' Zach Dezenzo celebrates after drawing a bases-loaded walk during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)</figcaption>
 </figure>HOUSTON (AP) — Zach Dezenzo drew a go-ahead bases-loaded walk and the Houston Astros took advantage of two Kansas City errors in a four-run eighth inning to beat the Royals 6-3 on Thursday night.With two runners on and Astros trailing 3-2, Yainer Diaz hit a grounder to pitcher Lucas Erceg (2-5), who tried to barehand the comebacker, bobbled it and rushed a throw that got away from first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino. José Altuve scored from second on the play to tie the score. Pasquantino’s glove hand appeared to collide with Diaz, and he exited the game with an apparent injury.After reliever John Schreiber intentionally walked Ben Gamel to load the bases, Jeremy Peña grounded into a force out at home. Dezenzo then drew a walk to force in Diaz with the tiebreaking run. Mauricio Dubón followed with a single to left field to score Ben Gamel, and Peña also scored on a fielding error by left fielder MJ Melendez to make it 6-3.“It’s been like that the whole year,” Dubón said. “We’ve been fighting. Dezenzo had an unreal at-bat and gave me a chance to make something happen.”Ryan Pressly (1-3) pitched a scoreless eighth to earn the win after being activated from the 15-day injured list earlier in the day, and Josh Hader pitched a perfect ninth to earn his 29th save of the season.“These guys like big moments like that,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “That’s a huge win for us, right there.”The Royals had taken the lead in the seventh after two errors by the Astros. With one out, Salvador Perez reached first on a fielding error by Peña. Paul DeJong, nearly grounded into a double play, but the throw to first was late. Melendez walked, and Maikel Garcia reached base after third baseman Shay Whitcomb bobbled a groundball, loading the bases. Kyle Isbel then followed with a three-run double down the left-field line off Bryan Abreu for the 3-2 lead.“We took advantage of an error,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “That’s what you have to do -- when a good team makes a mistake, you have to take advantage of it. We made a mistake, and they took advantage of it. Same thing on the other side.”Astros starter Hunter Brown — pitching on his 26th birthday — allowed two hits and no earned runs while striking out four and walking one in 6 2/3 innings.Brown last faced the Royals on April 11, when he gave up nine runs on 11 hits in just two-thirds of an inning. He turned his season around after that start, posting an 11-5 record and a 2.98 ERA in 23 appearances since.“I could not wait to pitch against these guys,” Brown said. “I got bounced in the first inning, and that was definitely still on my mind even though it was however many months ago. So, once I got through the first inning, that was awesome. I was very thankful. That was a birthday gift, in itself.”Veteran outfielder Jason Heyward made a splash in his Astros debut. After being released by the Dodgers and signing with Houston earlier this week, Heyward had a two-run double down the right-field line off Royals starter Brady Singer in the bottom of the fifth inning to give Houston a 2-0 lead.Singer allowed five hits and two runs while striking out six and walking one in six innings.Astros third baseman Alex Bregman was ejected in the fourth inning after appearing to complain about a strike-three call from home plate umpire Alex Tosi.“When Alex argues balls and strikes, 99% of the time, he’s right,” Espada said.Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., who leads the American League in hits, batting average and runs, went 0 for 4 after hitting safely in 16 of his previous 17 games.TRAINER’S ROOMRoyals: RF Hunter Renfroe (right hamstring strain) is “feeling better” and started running and doing a full workout on Wednesday, manager Matt Quatraro said.Astros: RF Kyle Tucker (shin contusion) has “looked really good” in drills and sprinting exercises, and “we’re getting there,” Espada said before the game.UP NEXTRoyals RHP Seth Lugo (14-8, 3.19 ERA) will start against Astros LHP Framber Valdez (13-6, 3.27) on Friday,

⚾ Astros take advantage of two errors in 4-run eighth to beat Royals 

HAYS, Kan. – Persistent lightning from thunderstorms in the Hays area ultimately caused the postponement of the 2024 FHSU Football season opener at Lewis Field Stadium. The game between Fort Hays State and Angelo State will now be played at 1:30 p.m. on Friday at Lewis Field Stadium.

Admission will be free to the public for the exciting matchup on Friday, though ticket holders will still have rights to the seats they purchased. Live stream on The MIAA Network, along with <a href="https://mix103fm.com/">live radio</a>, and stats coverage will still be available.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1725012336450.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsHAYS, Kan. – Persistent lightning from thunderstorms in the Hays area ultimately caused the postponement of the 2024 FHSU Football season opener at Lewis Field Stadium. The game between Fort Hays State and Angelo State will now be played at 1:30 p.m. on Friday at Lewis Field Stadium.Admission will be free to the public for the exciting matchup on Friday, though ticket holders will still have rights to the seats they purchased. Live stream on The MIAA Network, along with <a href="https://mix103fm.com/">live radio</a>, and stats coverage will still be available.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏈 Tigers opener postponed to Friday afternoon

🎥 Watch This Weeks Tiger Talk

Thursday, August 29
 KJLS: Fort Hays State FB vs. Angelo State, 6:00pm
 KAYS: Kansas FB vs. Lindenwood, 5:30pm

Thursday, August 29
 KJLS: Fort Hays State FB vs. Angelo State, 6:00pm
 KAYS: Kansas FB vs. Lindenwood, 5:30pmFriday, August 30
 KAYS: Kansas City Royals at Houston Astros, 6:30pmSaturday, August 31
 KAYS: Kansas City Royals at Houston Astros, 5:30pmSunday, September 1
 KAYS: Kansas City Royals at Houston Astros, 12:30pm

#24/- Angelo State (0-0, 0-0 Lone Star Conference) at RV/- Fort Hays State (0-0, 0-0 MIAA) Thursday, August 29 - 7 p.m. Hays, Kan. - Lewis Field

Radio:&nbsp;KJLS (103.3)&nbsp;<a href="https://mix103fm.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> Video:&nbsp;MIAA Network:&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/fhsutigers/">CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)</a>

Game Sponsor:&nbsp;Vyve Broadband Game Promotion:&nbsp;Gold Rush - Wear your Tiger Gold to the game on Thursday night.

HAYS, Kan. - Fort Hays State Football kicks off the 2024 season on Thursday night (Aug. 29) in the annual Vyve Broadband Kickoff Classic at Lewis Field The Tigers play host to No. 24 ranked Angelo State at 7 p.m. Both schools are coming off 7-win campaigns in 2023. FHSU finished at 7-4, while ASU finished at 7-3.Fort Hays State and Angelo State are meeting for the first time in football. This will only be the third time FHSU plays a team from Texas in its 117-season history of football. The Tigers are looking for their first-ever win over a team from Texas.

Angelo State has been a perennially strong program under sixth-year head coach Jeff Girsch, who owns a 40-12 mark leading the Rams since the 2019 season. Excluding the 2020 COVID year when Angelo State played just four games total, ASU has won at least seven games in each season of Girsch's guidance. The Rams were an NCAA playoff team in both 2021 and 2022, reaching the national quarterfinals each time before getting knocked out by Colorado School of Mines in the Super Region 4 bracket. ASU finished 11-3 overall in 2021 and 12-1 in 2022 before its 7-3 campaign in 2023.

Fort Hays State won its last home game against an AFCA Top 25 team. The Tigers defeated a No. 15 ranked Northwest Missouri State team last year in Hays by a score of 17-6 on September 16. FHSU was 1-1 against Top 25 teams at home last year. Since the 2014 season, FHSU is 7-7 against Top 25 ranked teams at Lewis Field Stadium. This will be the second-straight year the Tigers are playing a home opener against an AFCA Top 25 team after facing a No. 3 ranked Pittsburg State team last year. This will be the fifth time since 2017 the Tigers play their home opener against an AFCA Top 25 team.

Fort Hays State's last game against a current Lone Star Conference school was a 45-12 win against Eastern New Mexico in the 2016 Heart of Texas Bowl. That capped an 8-4 season for the Tigers and the program's first-ever bowl game win.

Fort Hays State will be playing its first non-conference regular season game against a non-MIAA affiliated school since 2013, when it defeated South Dakota School of Mines in Hays by a score of 63-17. In 2014, the MIAA went to an 11-game conference schedule and conference schools did not play non-conference games in the regular season all the way through the 2022 season. In 2023, MIAA affiliate Lincoln University chose to play as an independent before leaving for the Great Lakes Valley Conference in 2024, technically creating a non-conference game last year, but Lincoln remained part of the MIAA in every other sport.

Fort Hays State has 16 of its 17 All-MIAA performers from the 2023 season returning in 2024.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/john-johnson/8010">John Johnson</a>&nbsp;led the 16 returners with a first-team selection, while second-team picks went to&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/trevor-watts/8067">Trevor Watts</a>&nbsp;(WR),&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/myles-menges/8027">Myles Menges</a>&nbsp;(DL),&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/mason-perez/8032">Mason Perez</a>&nbsp;(DB), and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/kobe-rome/8040">Kobe Rome</a>&nbsp;(DB).&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/jack-dawson/7981">Jack Dawson</a>&nbsp;(QB),&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/josh-shaw/8047">Josh Shaw</a>&nbsp;(OL),&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/parrish-terry/8056">Parrish Terry</a>&nbsp;(DL), and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/makel-williams/8073">Makel Williams</a>&nbsp;(LB) were third-team selections. Honorable mention status went to&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/jayden-horace/8006">Jayden Horace</a>&nbsp;(WR),&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/cale-cormaney/7975">Cale Cormaney</a>&nbsp;(TE),&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/dawson-reynolds/8037">Dawson Reynolds</a>&nbsp;(OL),&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/kofi-karikari/8011">Kofi Karikari</a>&nbsp;(OL),&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/carson-arndt/7962">Carson Arndt</a>&nbsp;(K),&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/trevion-mitchell/8029">Trevion Mitchell</a>&nbsp;(DB), and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/sam-brandt/7968">Sam Brandt</a>&nbsp;(DB).

Solid defense has been a key to success for FHSU in recent years. FHSU ranked among the top three of the MIAA in total defense six of the last seven seasons (2nd three times, 3rd three times). Fort Hays State's 300.1 yards allowed per game in 2023 was its lowest average allowed in a season under head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/chris-brown/1296">Chris Brown</a>. Fort Hays State had to face six Top 45 total offenses in NCAA Division II in 2023, which included national leader Central Missouri (593.8) and Emporia State (497.4). It bested the 306.6 allowed per game by Brown's 2017 squad that finished 11-1 overall and ran through the MIAA with a perfect 11-0 record. FHSU had to face five teams in 2023 that finished with total offenses averaging at least 400 yards per game. FHSU has a nine-year streak of allowing less than 400 yards per game on defense, which started in 2014.

Fort Hays State has generated at least 400 yards of total offense per game in five of the last six seasons. The Tigers averaged 420.2 per game in 2023 to rank 28th in NCAA Division II. The Tigers have been among the Top 45 of NCAA Division II in total offense in five of the last six seasons as well. The Tigers were 12th nationally in 2019 at 485.6 yards per game, the top average generated in a season under head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/chris-brown/1296">Chris Brown</a>, and ranked 10th nationally in 2021 at 460.3 per game. The Tigers have been among the top four MIAA total offenses in five of the last six seasons, ranking fourth last year and as high as first in 2021.

FHSU owned the best kickoff return defense in NCAA Division II for the 2023 season. The Tigers allowed only 12.88 yards per return, leading Division II by 0.12 over East Central University (13.0).

Fort Hays State saw its biggest one-year win improvement under head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/chris-brown/1296">Chris Brown</a>&nbsp;in 2023, improving four wins by going from just three in 2022 to seven in 2023. The previous largest jump in win total under Brown was a three-win improvement from 2016 (8) to 2017 (11).

Fort Hays State is 81-55 during&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/chris-brown/1296">Chris Brown</a>'s tenure as head coach. Brown enters his 13th season in 2024 and has guided the Tigers to winning records in eight seasons. The Tigers have played in four postseason games under Brown, which included bowl games in 2015 and 2016, and NCAA Playoff games in 2017 and 2018. FHSU has reached at least eight wins in a season five times under Brown's guidance. He is the all-time wins leader in FHSU history and has the most eight-win seasons of any coach in program history. By completing the 2024 season, Brown can match Wayne McConnell (1956-68) as the longest tenured head coach in FHSU Football history.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724842297799.png" alt="2024-08-28.png" />
 <figcaption>2024-08-28.png</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU Athletics#24/- Angelo State (0-0, 0-0 Lone Star Conference) at RV/- Fort Hays State (0-0, 0-0 MIAA) Thursday, August 29 - 7 p.m. Hays, Kan. - Lewis FieldRadio:&nbsp;KJLS (103.3)&nbsp;<a href="https://mix103fm.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> Video:&nbsp;MIAA Network:&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/fhsutigers/">CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)</a> Game Sponsor:&nbsp;Vyve Broadband Game Promotion:&nbsp;Gold Rush - Wear your Tiger Gold to the game on Thursday night.HAYS, Kan. - Fort Hays State Football kicks off the 2024 season on Thursday night (Aug. 29) in the annual Vyve Broadband Kickoff Classic at Lewis Field The Tigers play host to No. 24 ranked Angelo State at 7 p.m. Both schools are coming off 7-win campaigns in 2023. FHSU finished at 7-4, while ASU finished at 7-3.Fort Hays State and Angelo State are meeting for the first time in football. This will only be the third time FHSU plays a team from Texas in its 117-season history of football. The Tigers are looking for their first-ever win over a team from Texas.Angelo State has been a perennially strong program under sixth-year head coach Jeff Girsch, who owns a 40-12 mark leading the Rams since the 2019 season. Excluding the 2020 COVID year when Angelo State played just four games total, ASU has won at least seven games in each season of Girsch's guidance. The Rams were an NCAA playoff team in both 2021 and 2022, reaching the national quarterfinals each time before getting knocked out by Colorado School of Mines in the Super Region 4 bracket. ASU finished 11-3 overall in 2021 and 12-1 in 2022 before its 7-3 campaign in 2023.Fort Hays State won its last home game against an AFCA Top 25 team. The Tigers defeated a No. 15 ranked Northwest Missouri State team last year in Hays by a score of 17-6 on September 16. FHSU was 1-1 against Top 25 teams at home last year. Since the 2014 season, FHSU is 7-7 against Top 25 ranked teams at Lewis Field Stadium. This will be the second-straight year the Tigers are playing a home opener against an AFCA Top 25 team after facing a No. 3 ranked Pittsburg State team last year. This will be the fifth time since 2017 the Tigers play their home opener against an AFCA Top 25 team.Fort Hays State's last game against a current Lone Star Conference school was a 45-12 win against Eastern New Mexico in the 2016 Heart of Texas Bowl. That capped an 8-4 season for the Tigers and the program's first-ever bowl game win.Fort Hays State will be playing its first non-conference regular season game against a non-MIAA affiliated school since 2013, when it defeated South Dakota School of Mines in Hays by a score of 63-17. In 2014, the MIAA went to an 11-game conference schedule and conference schools did not play non-conference games in the regular season all the way through the 2022 season. In 2023, MIAA affiliate Lincoln University chose to play as an independent before leaving for the Great Lakes Valley Conference in 2024, technically creating a non-conference game last year, but Lincoln remained part of the MIAA in every other sport.Fort Hays State has 16 of its 17 All-MIAA performers from the 2023 season returning in 2024.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/john-johnson/8010">John Johnson</a>&nbsp;led the 16 returners with a first-team selection, while second-team picks went to&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/trevor-watts/8067">Trevor Watts</a>&nbsp;(WR),&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/myles-menges/8027">Myles Menges</a>&nbsp;(DL),&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/mason-perez/8032">Mason Perez</a>&nbsp;(DB), and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/kobe-rome/8040">Kobe Rome</a>&nbsp;(DB).&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/jack-dawson/7981">Jack Dawson</a>&nbsp;(QB),&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/josh-shaw/8047">Josh Shaw</a>&nbsp;(OL),&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/parrish-terry/8056">Parrish Terry</a>&nbsp;(DL), and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/makel-williams/8073">Makel Williams</a>&nbsp;(LB) were third-team selections. Honorable mention status went to&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/jayden-horace/8006">Jayden Horace</a>&nbsp;(WR),&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/cale-cormaney/7975">Cale Cormaney</a>&nbsp;(TE),&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/dawson-reynolds/8037">Dawson Reynolds</a>&nbsp;(OL),&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/kofi-karikari/8011">Kofi Karikari</a>&nbsp;(OL),&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/carson-arndt/7962">Carson Arndt</a>&nbsp;(K),&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/trevion-mitchell/8029">Trevion Mitchell</a>&nbsp;(DB), and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/sam-brandt/7968">Sam Brandt</a>&nbsp;(DB).Solid defense has been a key to success for FHSU in recent years. FHSU ranked among the top three of the MIAA in total defense six of the last seven seasons (2nd three times, 3rd three times). Fort Hays State's 300.1 yards allowed per game in 2023 was its lowest average allowed in a season under head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/chris-brown/1296">Chris Brown</a>. Fort Hays State had to face six Top 45 total offenses in NCAA Division II in 2023, which included national leader Central Missouri (593.8) and Emporia State (497.4). It bested the 306.6 allowed per game by Brown's 2017 squad that finished 11-1 overall and ran through the MIAA with a perfect 11-0 record. FHSU had to face five teams in 2023 that finished with total offenses averaging at least 400 yards per game. FHSU has a nine-year streak of allowing less than 400 yards per game on defense, which started in 2014.Fort Hays State has generated at least 400 yards of total offense per game in five of the last six seasons. The Tigers averaged 420.2 per game in 2023 to rank 28th in NCAA Division II. The Tigers have been among the Top 45 of NCAA Division II in total offense in five of the last six seasons as well. The Tigers were 12th nationally in 2019 at 485.6 yards per game, the top average generated in a season under head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/chris-brown/1296">Chris Brown</a>, and ranked 10th nationally in 2021 at 460.3 per game. The Tigers have been among the top four MIAA total offenses in five of the last six seasons, ranking fourth last year and as high as first in 2021.FHSU owned the best kickoff return defense in NCAA Division II for the 2023 season. The Tigers allowed only 12.88 yards per return, leading Division II by 0.12 over East Central University (13.0).Fort Hays State saw its biggest one-year win improvement under head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/chris-brown/1296">Chris Brown</a>&nbsp;in 2023, improving four wins by going from just three in 2022 to seven in 2023. The previous largest jump in win total under Brown was a three-win improvement from 2016 (8) to 2017 (11).Fort Hays State is 81-55 during&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/chris-brown/1296">Chris Brown</a>'s tenure as head coach. Brown enters his 13th season in 2024 and has guided the Tigers to winning records in eight seasons. The Tigers have played in four postseason games under Brown, which included bowl games in 2015 and 2016, and NCAA Playoff games in 2017 and 2018. FHSU has reached at least eight wins in a season five times under Brown's guidance. He is the all-time wins leader in FHSU history and has the most eight-win seasons of any coach in program history. By completing the 2024 season, Brown can match Wayne McConnell (1956-68) as the longest tenured head coach in FHSU Football history.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏈 Tigers open 2024 season vs. No. 24 Angelo State

CLEVELAND (AP) — Rookie Jhonkensy Noel singled home Josh Naylor with the go-ahead run in the seventh inning and the Cleveland Guardians rallied for a 7-5 win over the Kansas City Royals, reclaiming sole possession of first place in the AL Central on Wednesday.

The Guardians trailed 5-2 entering the seventh, but scored four times to take their first lead of the afternoon. Bo Naylor homered off starter Michael Wacha, while Josh Naylor, Will Brennan and Noel had RBI singles against Lucas Erceg (2-4).

Erceg was charged with one run allowed, his first in 12 appearances and 13 1/3 innings since joining the Royals in a July 30 trade with Oakland.

Andrés Giménez tacked on a sacrifice fly in the eighth as Cleveland avoided a four-game sweep in the series. The Guardians and rookie manager Stephen Vogt had been alone atop the Central for 154 days until Kansas City pulled into a tie Tuesday.

Eli Morgan (2-0) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings for the victory. Emmanuel Clase earned his AL-best 39th save — with his career-high 26th straight conversion — and matched Cody Allen’s franchise record with 149.

Kansas City had its seven-game road winning streak snapped and is 23-14 since the All-Star break. The Royals have clinched the season tiebreaker over the Guardians.

Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino and Michael Massey hit solo homers off Guardians ace Tanner Bibee, who gave up five runs in five innings.

Pasquantino had a career-high four hits and is fourth in the majors with 97 RBIs. Witt continues to lead baseball with a .346 batting average, 185 hits and 114 runs.

Kansas City starter Michael Wacha was denied his 100th career win. The right-hander pitched six innings and gave up five runs with seven strikeouts.

Royals: SS Bobby Witt Jr. (right middle finger bruise) has started all 134 games in the second spot in the batting order. The AL MVP candidate was hit by a pitch from Pedro Avila in the seventh inning Tuesday, but remained in the game.

Guardians: RHP Alex Cobb (right fingernail tear) played catch at Progressive Field, one day after throwing three innings of live batting practice. The 36-year-old starter is eligible to be activated from the 15-day injured list on Aug. 31.

Royals: RHP Brady Singer (9-9, 3.38 ERA) starts the opener of a four-game series at AL West-leading Houston on Thursday.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Rookie Jhonkensy Noel singled home Josh Naylor with the go-ahead run in the seventh inning and the Cleveland Guardians rallied for a 7-5 win over the Kansas City Royals, reclaiming sole possession of first place in the AL Central on Wednesday.The Guardians trailed 5-2 entering the seventh, but scored four times to take their first lead of the afternoon. Bo Naylor homered off starter Michael Wacha, while Josh Naylor, Will Brennan and Noel had RBI singles against Lucas Erceg (2-4).Erceg was charged with one run allowed, his first in 12 appearances and 13 1/3 innings since joining the Royals in a July 30 trade with Oakland.Andrés Giménez tacked on a sacrifice fly in the eighth as Cleveland avoided a four-game sweep in the series. The Guardians and rookie manager Stephen Vogt had been alone atop the Central for 154 days until Kansas City pulled into a tie Tuesday.Eli Morgan (2-0) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings for the victory. Emmanuel Clase earned his AL-best 39th save — with his career-high 26th straight conversion — and matched Cody Allen’s franchise record with 149.Kansas City had its seven-game road winning streak snapped and is 23-14 since the All-Star break. The Royals have clinched the season tiebreaker over the Guardians.Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino and Michael Massey hit solo homers off Guardians ace Tanner Bibee, who gave up five runs in five innings.Pasquantino had a career-high four hits and is fourth in the majors with 97 RBIs. Witt continues to lead baseball with a .346 batting average, 185 hits and 114 runs.Kansas City starter Michael Wacha was denied his 100th career win. The right-hander pitched six innings and gave up five runs with seven strikeouts.TRAINER’S ROOMRoyals: SS Bobby Witt Jr. (right middle finger bruise) has started all 134 games in the second spot in the batting order. The AL MVP candidate was hit by a pitch from Pedro Avila in the seventh inning Tuesday, but remained in the game.Guardians: RHP Alex Cobb (right fingernail tear) played catch at Progressive Field, one day after throwing three innings of live batting practice. The 36-year-old starter is eligible to be activated from the 15-day injured list on Aug. 31.UP NEXTRoyals: RHP Brady Singer (9-9, 3.38 ERA) starts the opener of a four-game series at AL West-leading Houston on Thursday.

⚾ Guardians rally for victory over Royals, reclaim top spot in AL Central

We're joined by Fort Hays State women's soccer coach Tyson John, volleyball coach Jessica Wood-Atkins and football coach Chris Brown.

Tiger Talk takes place Wednesday's at 12:15 p.m. at the Robbins Center on the Fort Hays State University campus.

<div><iframe title="Tiger Talk (August 28, 2024)" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=wty3p-16b7bd7-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=2" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>We're joined by Fort Hays State women's soccer coach Tyson John, volleyball coach Jessica Wood-Atkins and football coach Chris Brown.Tiger Talk takes place Wednesday's at 12:15 p.m. at the Robbins Center on the Fort Hays State University campus.

🎧 Defend the Fort Podcast: Tiger Talk (August 28, 2024)

Wednesday, August 28
 KAYS: Kansas City Royals at Cleveland Guardians,
11:30am
 KJLS: Tiger Talk, 12:15pm

Wednesday, August 28
 KAYS: Kansas City Royals at Cleveland Guardians,
11:30am
 KJLS: Tiger Talk, 12:15pmThursday, August 29
 KJLS: Fort Hays State FB vs. Angelo State, 6:00pm
 KAYS: Kansas FB vs. Lindenwood, 5:30pmFriday, August 30
 KAYS: Kansas City Royals at Houston Astros, 6:30pmSaturday, August 31
 KAYS: Kansas City Royals at Houston Astros, 5:30pmSunday, September 1
 KAYS: Kansas City Royals at Houston Astros, 12:30pm

CLEVELAND (AP) — After four months and a lengthy rain delay, there's a second team sitting atop the AL Central.

Paul DeJong hit a two-run homer and Kansas City moved into a tie for first with Cleveland by beating the Guardians 6-1 on Tuesday night in a game delayed more than two hours by rain.

The Royals, who lost 106 games last season, improved to a league-best 23-13 since the All-Star break, when they trailed the Guardians by seven games.

“That’s our goal, to win the division," Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said. “Clearly nothing is decided. We got a month-plus to go, but we like the way we’re playing. Our guys are super competitive. They don’t back down from anything and this is what a pennant race should be.”

Cleveland had led the division since April 14 — 154 days — before dropping the first three games in this series, which concludes with a matinee Wednesday. The Guardians have lost nine of 12 and are just 17-21 since the break.

Cleveland had a nine-game lead on June 26. It's gone now.

“For me, it’s about the end of the season,” first-year manager Stephen Vogt said. "It doesn’t matter how you get there. What matters is that we do get there. Yeah, if you want to look back at the standings, you have a big lead that’s early in the season, that’s why you play 162 games.

“There’s nothing that says in this final stretch that we don’t go on a run. There’s nothing that says we don’t do it again. So you can’t look at the standings and worry about where you are on any given day. You’ve got to wait one day at a time, look where you are at the end of the season and then see where it lands.”

DeJong connected in the second inning off Gavin Williams (2-7), and the Royals tacked on three runs in the seventh off Scott Barlow on RBI singles by Maikel Garcia and Michael Massey, to go along with a wild pitch.

James McArthur (5-5) struck out four in two innings, and the Royals' solid bullpen closed with five perfect innings following the rain delay. The Guardians were held to just three hits.

Kansas City's win came with a minor scare.

All-Star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. got hit on the right hand by a pitch from Pedro Avila in the seventh inning. Witt grabbed his right hand in pain, but the majors' leader in average, hits and runs stayed in the game and ripped a double in the ninth.

Quatraro said Witt got hit on the right middle finger. In the clubhouse, Witt indicated to reporters he was OK.

Cleveland was coming to bat in the bottom of the fifth — and three outs from making the game official — when the ballpark's grounds crew rolled out the tarp at 8:06 p.m. to cover the infield before the rain hit.

When it finally came and lightning raced across the sky above Progressive Field, fans retreated for protection in the concourses. The game was delayed for 2 hours, 14 minutes before resuming at 10:20 p.m. with few thousand die-hards on hand.

DeJong, who came over in a trade with the last-place White Sox in July, said the Royals killed time during the delay by playing video games in the clubhouse. He said All-Star catcher Salvado Perez even tried to learn to play chess.

DeJong said he quickly recognized the Royals have a special group.

“Watching them from the outside in, you saw they got their core pieces," he said. "They got starting pitching. They got Salvador Perez and Bobby Witt, so it’s a great combo right there to build a team around.

“It’s nice to have those guys, but we have depth and guys who can play all over. A lot of guys are contributing from a lot of different angles and a lot of things are going our way.”

Royals starter Michael Lorenzen left in the second after straining his left hamstring while covering first base. Quatraro said Lorenzen will return to Kansas City on Wednesday to undergo imaging tests.

“We think it’s mild, but doubtful he’ll be able to pitch in five days,” Quatraro said. “We’ll have to wait until tomorrow.”

Royals: OF Hunter Renfroe (strained right hamstring) continues to undergo treatment and Quatraro said the hope is “to get him back out there as quickly as we can.” Renfroe was placed on the 10-day injured list on Sunday after his leg tightened against Philadelphia.

Guardians: RHP Alex Cobb (broken fingernail) threw three simulated innings in a live batting practice against minor leaguers before the game. Cobb is eligible to come off the injured list on Sunday. Vogt said the team is still determining whether to have him go on a minor league rehab assignment.

Guardians RHP Tanner Bibee (10-6, 3.46 ERA) starts the series finale against Royals RHP Michael Wacha (11-6, 3.23 ERA), who is 7-0 with a 2.40 ERA in 10 starts since June 22.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724838207128.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Royals' Paul DeJong watches his home run in the second inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Royals' Paul DeJong watches his home run in the second inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)</figcaption>
 </figure>CLEVELAND (AP) — After four months and a lengthy rain delay, there's a second team sitting atop the AL Central.The Royals have run down the Guardians.Paul DeJong hit a two-run homer and Kansas City moved into a tie for first with Cleveland by beating the Guardians 6-1 on Tuesday night in a game delayed more than two hours by rain.The Royals, who lost 106 games last season, improved to a league-best 23-13 since the All-Star break, when they trailed the Guardians by seven games.“That’s our goal, to win the division," Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said. “Clearly nothing is decided. We got a month-plus to go, but we like the way we’re playing. Our guys are super competitive. They don’t back down from anything and this is what a pennant race should be.”Cleveland had led the division since April 14 — 154 days — before dropping the first three games in this series, which concludes with a matinee Wednesday. The Guardians have lost nine of 12 and are just 17-21 since the break.Cleveland had a nine-game lead on June 26. It's gone now.“For me, it’s about the end of the season,” first-year manager Stephen Vogt said. "It doesn’t matter how you get there. What matters is that we do get there. Yeah, if you want to look back at the standings, you have a big lead that’s early in the season, that’s why you play 162 games.“There’s nothing that says in this final stretch that we don’t go on a run. There’s nothing that says we don’t do it again. So you can’t look at the standings and worry about where you are on any given day. You’ve got to wait one day at a time, look where you are at the end of the season and then see where it lands.”DeJong connected in the second inning off Gavin Williams (2-7), and the Royals tacked on three runs in the seventh off Scott Barlow on RBI singles by Maikel Garcia and Michael Massey, to go along with a wild pitch.James McArthur (5-5) struck out four in two innings, and the Royals' solid bullpen closed with five perfect innings following the rain delay. The Guardians were held to just three hits.Kansas City's win came with a minor scare.All-Star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. got hit on the right hand by a pitch from Pedro Avila in the seventh inning. Witt grabbed his right hand in pain, but the majors' leader in average, hits and runs stayed in the game and ripped a double in the ninth.Quatraro said Witt got hit on the right middle finger. In the clubhouse, Witt indicated to reporters he was OK.Cleveland was coming to bat in the bottom of the fifth — and three outs from making the game official — when the ballpark's grounds crew rolled out the tarp at 8:06 p.m. to cover the infield before the rain hit.When it finally came and lightning raced across the sky above Progressive Field, fans retreated for protection in the concourses. The game was delayed for 2 hours, 14 minutes before resuming at 10:20 p.m. with few thousand die-hards on hand.DeJong, who came over in a trade with the last-place White Sox in July, said the Royals killed time during the delay by playing video games in the clubhouse. He said All-Star catcher Salvado Perez even tried to learn to play chess.DeJong said he quickly recognized the Royals have a special group.“Watching them from the outside in, you saw they got their core pieces," he said. "They got starting pitching. They got Salvador Perez and Bobby Witt, so it’s a great combo right there to build a team around.“It’s nice to have those guys, but we have depth and guys who can play all over. A lot of guys are contributing from a lot of different angles and a lot of things are going our way.”Royals starter Michael Lorenzen left in the second after straining his left hamstring while covering first base. Quatraro said Lorenzen will return to Kansas City on Wednesday to undergo imaging tests.“We think it’s mild, but doubtful he’ll be able to pitch in five days,” Quatraro said. “We’ll have to wait until tomorrow.”TRAINER'S ROOMRoyals: OF Hunter Renfroe (strained right hamstring) continues to undergo treatment and Quatraro said the hope is “to get him back out there as quickly as we can.” Renfroe was placed on the 10-day injured list on Sunday after his leg tightened against Philadelphia.Guardians: RHP Alex Cobb (broken fingernail) threw three simulated innings in a live batting practice against minor leaguers before the game. Cobb is eligible to come off the injured list on Sunday. Vogt said the team is still determining whether to have him go on a minor league rehab assignment.UP NEXTGuardians RHP Tanner Bibee (10-6, 3.46 ERA) starts the series finale against Royals RHP Michael Wacha (11-6, 3.23 ERA), who is 7-0 with a 2.40 ERA in 10 starts since June 22.

⚾ Royals catch Guardians atop AL Central after win in rain delayed game

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22SCHUYLER%20DIXON%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Pro Football Writer</a>

Kansas City receiver&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kadarius-toney">Kadarius Toney</a>&nbsp;and Tennessee cornerback&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/caleb-farley">Caleb Farley</a>, both first-round picks in the 2021 NFL draft, were among the cuts Tuesday as teams trimmed their rosters for the regular season.

Toney, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bradberry-zappe-toney-collins-edwards-adf38d186419ddd013d5bc3417644834">figured to be on the roster bubble</a>, was on his second team since the New York Giants drafted him 20th overall three years ago. The Titans took Farley two picks later.

A person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press about the move with Toney. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team hasn't revealed Toney's status.

Teams had to cut their rosters to 53 players from the training camp maximum of 90. Toney, Farley and hundreds of others will be eligible to return on practice squads that allow up to 17 players, including a spot allocated for the International Player Pathway Program.

Injuries shortened both of Toney's first two seasons, and he was traded to the Chiefs during his second year with the Giants. The 25-year-old never displayed his dynamic playmaking skills consistently, but did have a big role in the first of the two Super Bowl rings he got with the Chiefs.

In a three-minute span in the fourth quarter of Kansas City’s 38-35 win over Philadelphia in Super Bowl 57, Toney made two monumental plays. First, he caught a 5-yard TD pass that gave the Chiefs a 28-27 lead. Then, he returned a punt 65 yards to the Eagles 5-yard line to set up another TD.

But Toney couldn’t build off that success. He struggled last season, was inactive from Week 15 through the playoffs and sat out when the Chiefs finished their repeat against San Francisco.

Kansas City added veteran wideout Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and drafted Xavier Worthy in the first round to go with Rashee Rice. The Chiefs also have Skyy Moore, Mecole Hardman and Justin Watson.

The Titans drafted Farley out of Virginia Tech after he was the first player from a major college to opt out of the 2020 season because of the pandemic. Farley was drafted weeks after a second surgery to repair a back injury from college.

Farley started just twice as injuries limited him to 12 games over his first two seasons. Farley had another back procedure in 2023.

The 25-year-old never played last season. The Titans kept him on the physically unable to perform list after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-caleb-farley-explosion-titans-father-604e51b82f1d1f11fdc9f32a4075f98d">his father was killed last August</a>&nbsp;in an explosion that destroyed Farley’s home in North Carolina.

San Francisco's initial roster is missing a big piece with holdout All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams remaining on the reserve/did not report list as he seeks a new deal. Star receiver Brandon Aiyuk is on the roster but has refused to practice unless he gets a new contract or is traded.

Jacksonville released eight-year veteran quarterback C.J. Beathard with an injury designation, presumably clearing the way for Mac Jones to back up Trevor Lawrence. Jones started 42 games over the past three seasons with New England after the Patriots drafted him in the first round in 2021.

Receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster was cut by the Chiefs after re-signing with them following his release by the Patriots this month.

The Chiefs added a tight end in a trade with Dallas, getting Peyton Hendershot and sending a conditional seventh-round pick in 2026 to the Cowboys. After a promising rookie season as an undrafted free agent, Henderson had an injury-filled second season in Dallas in 2023.

The Cowboys put CeeDee Lamb on the commissioner exempt list a day after the All-Pro receiver agreed to a $136 million, four-year contract extension that ended his preseason-long holdout. Lamb signed the contract Tuesday.

The move allowed the Cowboys to put offensive lineman Chuma Edoga on the 53-man roster for a day. Lamb would take the place of Edoga, who would go on injured reserve and be eligible to return sooner than four weeks.

The Minnesota Vikings kept recovering tight end T.J. Hockenson on the physically unable to perform list, meaning the two-time Pro Bowler must miss at least the first four games. Hockenson is working through the final stage of his rehabilitation after tearing an ACL against Detroit last Dec. 24.

The Vikings waived safety Lewis Cine, the final pick of the first round two years ago in the first draft directed by general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.

Cine badly broke his leg on special teams in a game early in his rookie year and never made much traction on the depth chart last season. He played a total of 10 defensive snaps in two seasons.

As expected, Cleveland placed star running back Nick Chubb on the physically unable to perform list as he continues to recover from two surgeries last year. The club is optimistic Chubb will play this season.

The Browns released running back D’Onta Foreman, who overcame a scary neck injury in training camp. With Nyheim Hines on the non-football injury list, the Browns currently have only Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong Jr. at running back.

Washington released veteran receiver Martavis Bryant, who is in his second season of trying to end a long hiatus from the NFL. The oft-suspended 32-year-old spent most of last season on Dallas' practice squad and could land in the same place with the Commanders, who signed him Aug. 13.

“Martavis getting here later, obviously, that certainly had a factor,” said first-year coach Dan Quinn, who was the Cowboys' defensive coordinator last season. “Proud of him for learning a good bit of the system to be ready to play.”

Green Bay waived kicker Anders Carlson a year after drafting him in the sixth round. He was supposed to replace Mason Crosby but had a disappointing rookie year. Greg Joseph is the only kicker on the roster.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dolphins-mike-white-thompson-c26516a2949bd2ec7254b510e9a4e6c0">Miami cut third-string quarterback Mike White</a>, who started seven games for the New York Jets in 2021-22.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724795012758.jpeg" alt="FILE - Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney walks to the field at the start of an NFL football training camp, July 27, 2024, in St. Joseph, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann, File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE - Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney walks to the field at the start of an NFL football training camp, July 27, 2024, in St. Joseph, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann, File)</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22SCHUYLER%20DIXON%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Pro Football Writer</a>Kansas City receiver&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kadarius-toney">Kadarius Toney</a>&nbsp;and Tennessee cornerback&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/caleb-farley">Caleb Farley</a>, both first-round picks in the 2021 NFL draft, were among the cuts Tuesday as teams trimmed their rosters for the regular season.Toney, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bradberry-zappe-toney-collins-edwards-adf38d186419ddd013d5bc3417644834">figured to be on the roster bubble</a>, was on his second team since the New York Giants drafted him 20th overall three years ago. The Titans took Farley two picks later.A person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press about the move with Toney. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team hasn't revealed Toney's status.Teams had to cut their rosters to 53 players from the training camp maximum of 90. Toney, Farley and hundreds of others will be eligible to return on practice squads that allow up to 17 players, including a spot allocated for the International Player Pathway Program.Injuries shortened both of Toney's first two seasons, and he was traded to the Chiefs during his second year with the Giants. The 25-year-old never displayed his dynamic playmaking skills consistently, but did have a big role in the first of the two Super Bowl rings he got with the Chiefs.In a three-minute span in the fourth quarter of Kansas City’s 38-35 win over Philadelphia in Super Bowl 57, Toney made two monumental plays. First, he caught a 5-yard TD pass that gave the Chiefs a 28-27 lead. Then, he returned a punt 65 yards to the Eagles 5-yard line to set up another TD.But Toney couldn’t build off that success. He struggled last season, was inactive from Week 15 through the playoffs and sat out when the Chiefs finished their repeat against San Francisco.Kansas City added veteran wideout Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and drafted Xavier Worthy in the first round to go with Rashee Rice. The Chiefs also have Skyy Moore, Mecole Hardman and Justin Watson.The Titans drafted Farley out of Virginia Tech after he was the first player from a major college to opt out of the 2020 season because of the pandemic. Farley was drafted weeks after a second surgery to repair a back injury from college.Farley started just twice as injuries limited him to 12 games over his first two seasons. Farley had another back procedure in 2023.The 25-year-old never played last season. The Titans kept him on the physically unable to perform list after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-caleb-farley-explosion-titans-father-604e51b82f1d1f11fdc9f32a4075f98d">his father was killed last August</a>&nbsp;in an explosion that destroyed Farley’s home in North Carolina.San Francisco's initial roster is missing a big piece with holdout All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams remaining on the reserve/did not report list as he seeks a new deal. Star receiver Brandon Aiyuk is on the roster but has refused to practice unless he gets a new contract or is traded.Jacksonville released eight-year veteran quarterback C.J. Beathard with an injury designation, presumably clearing the way for Mac Jones to back up Trevor Lawrence. Jones started 42 games over the past three seasons with New England after the Patriots drafted him in the first round in 2021.Receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster was cut by the Chiefs after re-signing with them following his release by the Patriots this month.The Chiefs added a tight end in a trade with Dallas, getting Peyton Hendershot and sending a conditional seventh-round pick in 2026 to the Cowboys. After a promising rookie season as an undrafted free agent, Henderson had an injury-filled second season in Dallas in 2023.The Cowboys put CeeDee Lamb on the commissioner exempt list a day after the All-Pro receiver agreed to a $136 million, four-year contract extension that ended his preseason-long holdout. Lamb signed the contract Tuesday.The move allowed the Cowboys to put offensive lineman Chuma Edoga on the 53-man roster for a day. Lamb would take the place of Edoga, who would go on injured reserve and be eligible to return sooner than four weeks.The Minnesota Vikings kept recovering tight end T.J. Hockenson on the physically unable to perform list, meaning the two-time Pro Bowler must miss at least the first four games. Hockenson is working through the final stage of his rehabilitation after tearing an ACL against Detroit last Dec. 24.The Vikings waived safety Lewis Cine, the final pick of the first round two years ago in the first draft directed by general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.Cine badly broke his leg on special teams in a game early in his rookie year and never made much traction on the depth chart last season. He played a total of 10 defensive snaps in two seasons.As expected, Cleveland placed star running back Nick Chubb on the physically unable to perform list as he continues to recover from two surgeries last year. The club is optimistic Chubb will play this season.The Browns released running back D’Onta Foreman, who overcame a scary neck injury in training camp. With Nyheim Hines on the non-football injury list, the Browns currently have only Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong Jr. at running back.Washington released veteran receiver Martavis Bryant, who is in his second season of trying to end a long hiatus from the NFL. The oft-suspended 32-year-old spent most of last season on Dallas' practice squad and could land in the same place with the Commanders, who signed him Aug. 13.“Martavis getting here later, obviously, that certainly had a factor,” said first-year coach Dan Quinn, who was the Cowboys' defensive coordinator last season. “Proud of him for learning a good bit of the system to be ready to play.”Green Bay waived kicker Anders Carlson a year after drafting him in the sixth round. He was supposed to replace Mason Crosby but had a disappointing rookie year. Greg Joseph is the only kicker on the roster.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dolphins-mike-white-thompson-c26516a2949bd2ec7254b510e9a4e6c0">Miami cut third-string quarterback Mike White</a>, who started seven games for the New York Jets in 2021-22.

🏈Kadarius Toney and Caleb Farley, 1st-rounders from 2021, let go on NFL roster cutdown day

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22DAVE%20SKRETTA%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer</a>

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — All the talk is over in the Big 12. The preseason hype has hit and settled.

Now it's time for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/big-12-college-football-preview-79d12ff2e295b73c0b670db9cf1d4e6d">the new-look conference,</a>&nbsp;where longtime members Oklahoma and Texas have been replaced by Arizona State, Arizona, Utah and Colorado in the latest round of college football musical chairs, to prove its worth on the field.

The newcomers don't exactly have it easy out of the gate.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arizona-state-kenny-dillingham-6d0a61c703199b0e40cd829eaf07788b">Start with the Sun Devils</a>, who open Saturday with perennially bowl-bound Wyoming, which won nine games a year ago. The Cowboys' season ended with a win over Toledo in the Arizona Bowl, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arizona-football-brent-brennan-noah-fifita-509d99b83d1195f530559deb37cd5ee7">the No. 21 Wildcats call home</a>.

Arizona, meanwhile, gets a softer opening against New Mexico, then plays Northern Arizona the following week. But things get rough in a hurry with a trip to No. 18 Kansas State for a nonconference matchup against a new conference rival.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/utah-big-12-top-25-ba794355b434bc7f7addb8d75eeb0bff">No. 12 Utah opens against Southern Utah</a>&nbsp;before it, like Arizona, gets a nonconference game against a Big 12 foe. In the Utes' case, it's Baylor, which is trying to bounce back from a three-win season but won 12 games just a few years ago.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/deion-sanders-colorado-100a3b14d45693578cb67a3921c3e4d2">Then there is Colorado</a>, which might attract the most attention of any newcomer not just because of their play — the Buffaloes won four games in their last season in the Pac-12 — but because of their high-profile coach. Deion Sanders is confident that they will be vastly improved this season, and they have a chance to prove it right away against North Dakota State.

The Bison may play at the Football Championship Subdivision level, but they've won fewer than 11 games only once in the past 12 years. During that stretch, they've beaten Big 12 schools Kansas State and Iowa State along with No. 13 Iowa of the Big Ten.

“They're good. They're really darned good,” Sanders said recently, “and I'm mad at (athletic director) Rick (George) right now for putting them on the schedule, to open up with them. Like, can you give me a layup or something? Those guys are wonderful."

The Bison played in five of the previous six FCS title games before losing in the semifinals last season.

“Their staff has always been amongst the best. Many people have matriculated from that staff to go to higher levels. Those kids play their butts off. They play tough. They don’t make many mistakes. They’re accustomed to winning,” Sanders said. “They don’t give a darned about being at home or on the road. That doesn’t faze them whatsoever.”

The quartet of newcomers — though Colorado is in fact returning the league after 13 years in the Pac 12 — aren't the only ones who face a challenge right away.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tcu-college-football-preview-da0b0c09b2b3056921eb021489c12ae3">TCU hits the road to face Stanford</a>, which is now a member of the ACC, while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/west-virginia-season-preview-4fa690e81dc67f5b54d0d89049efc2ce">West Virginia has perhaps the toughest task</a>&nbsp;when it welcomes No. 8 Penn State to town Saturday night.

“I think the Penn State game is huge for us,” said Mountaineers coach Neal Brown, whose job was starting to come into question before they won nine games last season. “That's a regional rivalry, which I know that you're very entrenched in traditions. It's not a rivalry that's gone West Virginia's way very often. So that's a great opportunity for us.”

It's also a great opportunity for the Big 12 to beat one of the best programs in the expanded Big Ten.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724794767065.jpeg" alt="Colorado head coach Deion Sanders directs his team during the first half of an NCAA spring college football game Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)" />
 <figcaption>Colorado head coach Deion Sanders directs his team during the first half of an NCAA spring college football game Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22DAVE%20SKRETTA%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer</a>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — All the talk is over in the Big 12. The preseason hype has hit and settled.Now it's time for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/big-12-college-football-preview-79d12ff2e295b73c0b670db9cf1d4e6d">the new-look conference,</a>&nbsp;where longtime members Oklahoma and Texas have been replaced by Arizona State, Arizona, Utah and Colorado in the latest round of college football musical chairs, to prove its worth on the field.The newcomers don't exactly have it easy out of the gate.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arizona-state-kenny-dillingham-6d0a61c703199b0e40cd829eaf07788b">Start with the Sun Devils</a>, who open Saturday with perennially bowl-bound Wyoming, which won nine games a year ago. The Cowboys' season ended with a win over Toledo in the Arizona Bowl, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arizona-football-brent-brennan-noah-fifita-509d99b83d1195f530559deb37cd5ee7">the No. 21 Wildcats call home</a>.Arizona, meanwhile, gets a softer opening against New Mexico, then plays Northern Arizona the following week. But things get rough in a hurry with a trip to No. 18 Kansas State for a nonconference matchup against a new conference rival.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/utah-big-12-top-25-ba794355b434bc7f7addb8d75eeb0bff">No. 12 Utah opens against Southern Utah</a>&nbsp;before it, like Arizona, gets a nonconference game against a Big 12 foe. In the Utes' case, it's Baylor, which is trying to bounce back from a three-win season but won 12 games just a few years ago.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/deion-sanders-colorado-100a3b14d45693578cb67a3921c3e4d2">Then there is Colorado</a>, which might attract the most attention of any newcomer not just because of their play — the Buffaloes won four games in their last season in the Pac-12 — but because of their high-profile coach. Deion Sanders is confident that they will be vastly improved this season, and they have a chance to prove it right away against North Dakota State.The Bison may play at the Football Championship Subdivision level, but they've won fewer than 11 games only once in the past 12 years. During that stretch, they've beaten Big 12 schools Kansas State and Iowa State along with No. 13 Iowa of the Big Ten.“They're good. They're really darned good,” Sanders said recently, “and I'm mad at (athletic director) Rick (George) right now for putting them on the schedule, to open up with them. Like, can you give me a layup or something? Those guys are wonderful."The Bison played in five of the previous six FCS title games before losing in the semifinals last season.“Their staff has always been amongst the best. Many people have matriculated from that staff to go to higher levels. Those kids play their butts off. They play tough. They don’t make many mistakes. They’re accustomed to winning,” Sanders said. “They don’t give a darned about being at home or on the road. That doesn’t faze them whatsoever.”The quartet of newcomers — though Colorado is in fact returning the league after 13 years in the Pac 12 — aren't the only ones who face a challenge right away.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tcu-college-football-preview-da0b0c09b2b3056921eb021489c12ae3">TCU hits the road to face Stanford</a>, which is now a member of the ACC, while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/west-virginia-season-preview-4fa690e81dc67f5b54d0d89049efc2ce">West Virginia has perhaps the toughest task</a>&nbsp;when it welcomes No. 8 Penn State to town Saturday night.“I think the Penn State game is huge for us,” said Mountaineers coach Neal Brown, whose job was starting to come into question before they won nine games last season. “That's a regional rivalry, which I know that you're very entrenched in traditions. It's not a rivalry that's gone West Virginia's way very often. So that's a great opportunity for us.”It's also a great opportunity for the Big 12 to beat one of the best programs in the expanded Big Ten.“You're correct,” Brown said, “it's a big game for our league, and this new Big 12, without a couple schools that have been part of the Big 12 for a long time in that first weekend on a marquee stage, to show what kind of football we play in this league.”There will be other chances for marquee nonconference wins, of course. Take next week: Iowa State plays No. 25 Iowa, No. 22 Kansas heads to Illinois and Colorado visits Nebraska in games against Big Ten foes; Arkansas visits No. 17 Oklahoma State and Mississippi State visits Arizona State in Big 12-SEC showdowns; and Cincinnati plays ACC rival Pittsburgh.Yet there is something meaningful about winning in Week 1, both for West Virginia and the Big 12 as a conference.“Whether it’s West Virginia or any other program in the Big 12 gets those kind of marquee wins, our brand will continue to grow,” Brown said, “and we’ve got to make some noise in the playoff. I think Commissioner (Brett) Yormark spoke about this: We’re the most competitive league. I would say we’re the deepest football league in the entire country. But we’ve got to go. TCU had a nice run (in 2022), but we’ve got to have more wins in the playoff once we get in.”