FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Garrett Wilson agreed with Willie Gay's assessment earlier this week that the New York Jets' struggling offense appears to be a run-first bunch without Aaron Rodgers leading the way.

Yep, the Jets wide receiver said, the Kansas City Chiefs linebacker has them pegged.

“That’s exactly what we want to do,” Wilson said Friday. “We want to run the ball. We want to tote the rock. So, yeah, man, expect to see a lot of that.”

Wilson's mischievous grin as he walked away from the media scrum might have suggested otherwise, though.

Either way — by ground or air — the Jets acknowledge they'll need to at least keep up with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs' explosive offense Sunday night if they expect to have any chance of winning.

“We know what problems are going to arise this weekend," Wilson said. "And it’s going to be our job to respond. We feel like we’ll be able to, for sure.”

That's a bit of a bold statement, considering the Jets rank last or close to it in several offensive categories and have scored just 10 points in each of their last two games against Dallas and New England. Meanwhile, Kansas City has scored 78 points in its three games, including a 41-10 thrashing of Chicago last Sunday.

Gay raised some eyebrows when he was asked about Zach Wilson and the Jets' offense. He smiled and appeared to hold back a laugh before saying it appears New York is in sort of a “panic mode” without Rodgers. Gay referred to the Jets' run game, intimating New York isn't looking to throw the ball much while its current quarterback struggles mightily.

“It’s not about them," coach Robert Saleh said. “It’s about us and what we have to do. It doesn’t bother me.”

There has been plenty of chatter swirling outside the Jets' facility, with frustrated fans and critical media dissecting the poor play of the offense, the lack of production and development by Zach Wilson and highlighting perceived mistakes made by Saleh and his staff and general manager Joe Douglas.

Even Joe Namath went on a rant during a radio interview this week calling for Zach Wilson to be benched permanently and for the Jets to make wholesale changes to its coaching staff and front office.

The players, including the embattled quarterback, have insisted the noise outside the building is blocked out. But Saleh understands the reality is some of it seeps in.

“There’s an old saying that you keep sweeping the poop under the rug and eventually the smell is going to come through,” Saleh said. “So, you address it, you talk about it, and it’s not something you want to labor on. It’s like, ‘Hey, this is what it is,’ and then you go back to, now what? Yeah, we acknowledge whatever’s going on in our lives — we acknowledge good things, we acknowledge bad things, we acknowledge everything.

"But the point is, OK, you’ve got that, you’ve acknowledged it, now what are you going to do about it?”

That's the big question, especially on an offense that has been ineffective in third-down opportunities to start the season. The Jets are 8 for 37 in those situations, a 22% conversion rate that ranks them last in the NFL.

“I mean, if you take our body of work these past three games, it hasn’t been pretty,” offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett said. “That’s facts. And again, like anybody that questions us, we have the right to prove everybody wrong. But in the end, we have to do it. The offense has to come together. They have to play downhill, physical football and not get these negative yardage plays.”

Otherwise, it could be a long night for the Jets against the high-scoring Chiefs.

“When you have someone coming into to your place on ‘Sunday Night Football,’ it's definitely a must-win,” Garrett Wilson said. “I mean, we’re not where we want to be right now record-wise, playing ball-wise. So we feel like we've got to pull it all together this week, and we’re excited for the opportunity.”

NOTES: S Tony Adams (hamstring) and OL Wes Schweitzer (concussion) were ruled out. ... DT Quinnen Williams was added as one of the team's four captains. “That guy is such a big vocal leader in this room and on this team,” Saleh said, adding Williams finished fourth in the player voting before the season. “He says all the right things, he does all the right things and stands for everything that we believe in.” Rodgers was voted a captain on offense, but Saleh said the Jets haven't considered a replacement to represent that side of the ball. ... Saleh wore a Farmingdale High School T-shirt at his news conference in honor of those affected by the school bus accident last week.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Garrett Wilson agreed with Willie Gay's assessment earlier this week that the New York Jets' struggling offense appears to be a run-first bunch without Aaron Rodgers leading the way.Yep, the Jets wide receiver said, the Kansas City Chiefs linebacker has them pegged.“That’s exactly what we want to do,” Wilson said Friday. “We want to run the ball. We want to tote the rock. So, yeah, man, expect to see a lot of that.”Wilson's mischievous grin as he walked away from the media scrum might have suggested otherwise, though.Either way — by ground or air — the Jets acknowledge they'll need to at least keep up with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs' explosive offense Sunday night if they expect to have any chance of winning.“We know what problems are going to arise this weekend," Wilson said. "And it’s going to be our job to respond. We feel like we’ll be able to, for sure.”That's a bit of a bold statement, considering the Jets rank last or close to it in several offensive categories and have scored just 10 points in each of their last two games against Dallas and New England. Meanwhile, Kansas City has scored 78 points in its three games, including a 41-10 thrashing of Chicago last Sunday.Gay raised some eyebrows when he was asked about Zach Wilson and the Jets' offense. He smiled and appeared to hold back a laugh before saying it appears New York is in sort of a “panic mode” without Rodgers. Gay referred to the Jets' run game, intimating New York isn't looking to throw the ball much while its current quarterback struggles mightily.“It’s not about them," coach Robert Saleh said. “It’s about us and what we have to do. It doesn’t bother me.”There has been plenty of chatter swirling outside the Jets' facility, with frustrated fans and critical media dissecting the poor play of the offense, the lack of production and development by Zach Wilson and highlighting perceived mistakes made by Saleh and his staff and general manager Joe Douglas.Even Joe Namath went on a rant during a radio interview this week calling for Zach Wilson to be benched permanently and for the Jets to make wholesale changes to its coaching staff and front office.The players, including the embattled quarterback, have insisted the noise outside the building is blocked out. But Saleh understands the reality is some of it seeps in.“There’s an old saying that you keep sweeping the poop under the rug and eventually the smell is going to come through,” Saleh said. “So, you address it, you talk about it, and it’s not something you want to labor on. It’s like, ‘Hey, this is what it is,’ and then you go back to, now what? Yeah, we acknowledge whatever’s going on in our lives — we acknowledge good things, we acknowledge bad things, we acknowledge everything."But the point is, OK, you’ve got that, you’ve acknowledged it, now what are you going to do about it?”That's the big question, especially on an offense that has been ineffective in third-down opportunities to start the season. The Jets are 8 for 37 in those situations, a 22% conversion rate that ranks them last in the NFL.“I mean, if you take our body of work these past three games, it hasn’t been pretty,” offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett said. “That’s facts. And again, like anybody that questions us, we have the right to prove everybody wrong. But in the end, we have to do it. The offense has to come together. They have to play downhill, physical football and not get these negative yardage plays.”Otherwise, it could be a long night for the Jets against the high-scoring Chiefs.“When you have someone coming into to your place on ‘Sunday Night Football,’ it's definitely a must-win,” Garrett Wilson said. “I mean, we’re not where we want to be right now record-wise, playing ball-wise. So we feel like we've got to pull it all together this week, and we’re excited for the opportunity.”NOTES: S Tony Adams (hamstring) and OL Wes Schweitzer (concussion) were ruled out. ... DT Quinnen Williams was added as one of the team's four captains. “That guy is such a big vocal leader in this room and on this team,” Saleh said, adding Williams finished fourth in the player voting before the season. “He says all the right things, he does all the right things and stands for everything that we believe in.” Rodgers was voted a captain on offense, but Saleh said the Jets haven't considered a replacement to represent that side of the ball. ... Saleh wore a Farmingdale High School T-shirt at his news conference in honor of those affected by the school bus accident last week.

Jets know they must try to at least keep up with the Chiefs' explosive offense

Even without a leading scorer in Saturday's race in Wichita, the top-ranked Lady Panther cross country team cruised to the title at Bishop Carroll with 34 points. The host Golden Eagles scored 61 points for second, and Kapaun ran third with 68 points. No other squad scored fewer than 130 points.

Kapaun finished third despite having the second and third-place finishers in the field. Great Bend senior Addy Nicholson beat Kapaun's lead runner by 18 seconds in 19:12.9 for the individual title. Junior Marissa Boone ran fourth in 20:06.7, and senior Eliana Beckham missed the top five by six seconds in 20:19.8 for sixth. Sophomore Sienna Smith ran ninth in 20:52.7, and senior Morgan Beckwith capped team scoring in 14th with a time of 21:24.7. Freshman Bella Long finished just two spots back in 21:29.2, and freshman Teegan Guerra placed 21st in 21:47.1. A big varsity roster included junior Kate Welcher in 25th in 22:04.2, and freshman Teah King behind her in 22:22.1.

On the boys' side, Maize senior Kaleb Glazier has made the move to 6A but still posed a problem for the field in Wichita with a win by six seconds in 15:55.8. Bishop Carroll scored 37 points for the team win, followed by Kapaun in second with 45 points. Great Bend placed ninth with 225 points.

Sophomore Tavon Stroup paced the Panther boys in 15th in 17:16.2 to miss the top 10 by 15 seconds. Senior Braylon Moore placed 46th in 18:32.3, and senior Braydon Suppes finished 53rd in 18:37.5. Freshman Anthony Lawrence crossed in 19:27.8 for 78th, and freshman Parker Coleman completed team scoring in 98th with a time of 20:25.1.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673886338241.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Great Bend Post SportsEven without a leading scorer in Saturday's race in Wichita, the top-ranked Lady Panther cross country team cruised to the title at Bishop Carroll with 34 points. The host Golden Eagles scored 61 points for second, and Kapaun ran third with 68 points. No other squad scored fewer than 130 points.Kapaun finished third despite having the second and third-place finishers in the field. Great Bend senior Addy Nicholson beat Kapaun's lead runner by 18 seconds in 19:12.9 for the individual title. Junior Marissa Boone ran fourth in 20:06.7, and senior Eliana Beckham missed the top five by six seconds in 20:19.8 for sixth. Sophomore Sienna Smith ran ninth in 20:52.7, and senior Morgan Beckwith capped team scoring in 14th with a time of 21:24.7. Freshman Bella Long finished just two spots back in 21:29.2, and freshman Teegan Guerra placed 21st in 21:47.1. A big varsity roster included junior Kate Welcher in 25th in 22:04.2, and freshman Teah King behind her in 22:22.1.On the boys' side, Maize senior Kaleb Glazier has made the move to 6A but still posed a problem for the field in Wichita with a win by six seconds in 15:55.8. Bishop Carroll scored 37 points for the team win, followed by Kapaun in second with 45 points. Great Bend placed ninth with 225 points.Sophomore Tavon Stroup paced the Panther boys in 15th in 17:16.2 to miss the top 10 by 15 seconds. Senior Braylon Moore placed 46th in 18:32.3, and senior Braydon Suppes finished 53rd in 18:37.5. Freshman Anthony Lawrence crossed in 19:27.8 for 78th, and freshman Parker Coleman completed team scoring in 98th with a time of 20:25.1.

Lady Panther runners run to title at Bishop Carroll

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Jonathon Brooks rushed for 217 yards and two touchdowns to lead No. 3 Texas to a 40-14 win Saturday over No. 24 Kansas, which lost standout quarterback Jalon Daniels in pregame warmups with back stiffness.

Quinn Ewers passed for 325 yards and ran 30 yards for the game's first score. Texas (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) also got another standout game from its defense, which has surrendered just three touchdowns in the past three games.

Brooks' first touchdown came on a 54-yard ru n. His second came after Texas recovered a fourth-down fumble, putting the Longhorns ahead 26-14 late in the third quarter.

Texas finished with 336 yards rushing and 661 yards overall, and wore down Kansas (4-1, 1-1) in the second half. The Longhorns blew the game open in the fourth quarter with Ewer's touchdown pass to Adonai Mitchell and the quarterback's second touchdown run.

Brooks was behind freshman C.J. Baxter on the depth chart when the season started. He now has three consecutive 100-yard rushing games.

Kansas was hamstrung by the unexpected loss of Daniels, the preseason Big 12 offensive player of the year, who was with the team at the start of warmups. But he didn't finish them, leaving the offense with backup Jason Bean. Kansas managed just 260 total yards.

Bean passed for 136 yards and a 58-yard touchdown to Trevor Wilson that pulled Kansas within six points early in the third quarter. But missing Daniels, the hero of Kansas' upset win here in double-overtime in 2021, turned the Jayhawks heavily reliant on a running game that struggled.

Daniels also missed the first game of the season with back problems. Texas hasn't faced an opponent's starting quarterback since beating Alabama and Jalen Milroe in the second game of the season.

Kansas: Despite giving up the big rushing yards, the Jayhawks' defense played pretty well in the Texas heat in the mid-90s for three quarters. Two Texas drives ended near the endzone with Longhorns field goals instead of touchdowns, and Texas missed two more kicks. Kansas even snagged the first interception thrown by Ewers this season, That kept the Jayhawks in the game, but the constant pounding from Brooks and Baxter in the fourth quarter finished them off.

Texas: The Longhorns are showing tremendous balance on offense and did not punt. But a problem is emerging in the kicking game that has cost points when game are still close. Kicker Bert Auburn is 9 of 14 this season and has struggled from long range with three misses beyond 40 yards. It hasn't hurt Texas yet, but the misses kept Kansas in the game well into the second half.

Kansas hosts new Big 12 member Central Florida next Saturday.

Texas meets border rival No. 14 Oklahoma in Dallas next Saturday.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Jonathon Brooks rushed for 217 yards and two touchdowns to lead No. 3 Texas to a 40-14 win Saturday over No. 24 Kansas, which lost standout quarterback Jalon Daniels in pregame warmups with back stiffness.Quinn Ewers passed for 325 yards and ran 30 yards for the game's first score. Texas (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) also got another standout game from its defense, which has surrendered just three touchdowns in the past three games.Brooks' first touchdown came on a 54-yard ru n. His second came after Texas recovered a fourth-down fumble, putting the Longhorns ahead 26-14 late in the third quarter.Texas finished with 336 yards rushing and 661 yards overall, and wore down Kansas (4-1, 1-1) in the second half. The Longhorns blew the game open in the fourth quarter with Ewer's touchdown pass to Adonai Mitchell and the quarterback's second touchdown run.Brooks was behind freshman C.J. Baxter on the depth chart when the season started. He now has three consecutive 100-yard rushing games.Kansas was hamstrung by the unexpected loss of Daniels, the preseason Big 12 offensive player of the year, who was with the team at the start of warmups. But he didn't finish them, leaving the offense with backup Jason Bean. Kansas managed just 260 total yards.Bean passed for 136 yards and a 58-yard touchdown to Trevor Wilson that pulled Kansas within six points early in the third quarter. But missing Daniels, the hero of Kansas' upset win here in double-overtime in 2021, turned the Jayhawks heavily reliant on a running game that struggled.Daniels also missed the first game of the season with back problems. Texas hasn't faced an opponent's starting quarterback since beating Alabama and Jalen Milroe in the second game of the season.THE TAKEAWAYKansas: Despite giving up the big rushing yards, the Jayhawks' defense played pretty well in the Texas heat in the mid-90s for three quarters. Two Texas drives ended near the endzone with Longhorns field goals instead of touchdowns, and Texas missed two more kicks. Kansas even snagged the first interception thrown by Ewers this season, That kept the Jayhawks in the game, but the constant pounding from Brooks and Baxter in the fourth quarter finished them off.Texas: The Longhorns are showing tremendous balance on offense and did not punt. But a problem is emerging in the kicking game that has cost points when game are still close. Kicker Bert Auburn is 9 of 14 this season and has struggled from long range with three misses beyond 40 yards. It hasn't hurt Texas yet, but the misses kept Kansas in the game well into the second half.UP NEXT:Kansas hosts new Big 12 member Central Florida next Saturday.Texas meets border rival No. 14 Oklahoma in Dallas next Saturday.

With QB Jalen Daniels out, Texas beats Kansas 40-14

Patrick Mahomes has 199 TD passes and could reach No. 200 in his 84th game Sunday night when the Kansas City Chiefs square off against the struggling New York Jets. Mahomes would accomplish the feat in five games faster than Dan Marino’s NFL record. The game marks the first for Mahomes at MetLife Stadium. The Jets are playing on Sunday night for the first time since losing 37-16 to New England in Week 10 of the 2011 season. The struggling Zach Wilson will make his third straight start in place of the injured Aaron Rodgers.

KANSAS CITY (2-1) at NEW YORK JETS (1-2)

OPENING LINE: Chiefs by 9 1/2, according to FanDuel SportsBook.

AGAINST THE SPREAD: Chiefs 2-1; Jets 1-2.

SERIES RECORD: Chiefs lead 20-19-1.

LAST MEETING: Chiefs beat Jets 35-9 on Nov. 1, 2020, in Kansas City, Missouri.

LAST WEEK: Chiefs beat Bears 41-10; Jets lost to Patriots 15-10.

CHIEFS OFFENSE: OVERALL (5), RUSH (10), PASS (5), SCORING (9).

CHIEFS DEFENSE: OVERALL (6), RUSH (11), PASS (6), SCORING (4).

JETS OFFENSE: OVERALL (32), RUSH (22), PASS (32), SCORING (32)

JETS DEFENSE: OVERALL (20), RUSH (23), PASS (16), SCORING (12)

TURNOVER DIFFERENTIAL: Chiefs minus-2; Jets minus-1.

CHIEFS PLAYER TO WATCH: TE Travis Kelce. Taylor Swift is watching him, so why shouldn’t everyone else? He has 71 touchdown receptions, which is five behind Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez for the franchise record. Kelce and Patrick Mahomes have connected 48 times for touchdowns, including once last week against Chicago. Three more and they will tie Drew Brees and Jimmy Graham for the third most for a QB-TE combo in NFL history.

JETS PLAYER TO WATCH: QB Zach Wilson. It has gotten ugly (again) for the 2021 No. 2 overall draft pick. Struggling in place of the injured Aaron Rodgers, Wilson has drawn ire of frustrated fans — including Hall of Famer Joe Namath — who are clamoring for a quarterback change. New York signed veteran Trevor Siemian to its practice squad and he'll be inactive this week. But if Wilson can't improve on his production in a hurry, fans will be clamoring for Siemian moving forward.

KEY MATCHUP: Chiefs O-line vs. Jets D-line. Mahomes has been getting excellent blocking in front of him, having been pressured on only 25.4% of his drop-backs this season — which is a career low. Center Creed Humphrey and left guard Joe Thuney allowed no pressures on their 41 pass-blocking snaps against Chicago. The Jets were expected to have a strong pass rush this season and are putting pressure on quarterbacks, but have just six sacks through three games and Quinnen Williams is looking for his first after a career-high 12 last season.

KEY INJURIES: Mahomes tweaked his ankle last week against Chicago, but should be fine. ... DT Chris Jones was limited early in the week with a groin ailment. ... LB Nick Bolton didn't practice early in the week with a sprained ankle. ... Jets S Tony Adams (hamstring) and backup OL Wes Schweitzer (concussion) missed last week's game and didn't practice at the start of this week.

SERIES NOTES: The Chiefs have won three of the past four meetings. ... The teams have met twice in the postseason: a win by the Chiefs in the 1969 divisional round; and a victory by the Jets in the 1986 wild-card round. ... The Jets are 12-8-1 at home — including the two postseason matchups — against the Chiefs. ... Kansas City is looking to snap a four-game road skid against the Jets.

STATS AND STUFF: The game marks the first for Mahomes at MetLife Stadium. ... Andy Reid is 3-1 as coach of the Chiefs against the Jets, including 1-0 with Mahomes as his quarterback. ... The Jets are playing on Sunday night for the first time since losing 37-16 to New England in Week 10 of the 2011 season. ... Reid won his 271st game last week, passing Tom Landry for fourth on the NFL's career list. ... Mahomes needs 23 yards rushing to break the Chiefs’ career mark for a quarterback held by Alex Smith (1,672). ... Mahomes has 199 TD passes. He could reach 200 in his 84th game Sunday night, five faster than Dan Marino’s NFL record. ... Mahomes surpassed 25,000 yards passing last week against the Bears. He did it in 83 games, seven faster than Matthew Stafford’s record. ... Chiefs RB Jerick McKinnon had two TD receptions last week against the Bears. He has 11 TD catches in 33 games for Kansas City, the fourth most by a running back in club history. ... Kelce has caught a pass in 145 consecutive games, five shy of Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome for the second-longest streak among tight ends. ... Humphrey is expected to start his 37th straight game since he was drafted. That’s the fifth-longest streak to start a career in club history. ... Kansas City allowed 203 yards last week against Chicago. It was the fifth-fewest yards since Reid took over before the 2013 season. ... Jones has 2 1/2 sacks in the two games since ending his holdout. ... The Jets went 1 for 10 on third down against Dallas in Week 2 and 2 for 14 last Sunday against New England. For the season, they’re 8 for 37 with a 22% conversion rate ranking last in the NFL. ... New York had just 12 first downs and averaged a measly 2.8 yards per play in the loss to the Patriots. ... Wilson's 57.0 quarterback rating ranks last in the NFL. Last season, he became the first player since the 1970 merger to finish last in that category two years in a row, and is on pace for a third straight. ... RB Breece Hall set the franchise record for the most yards per carry through a player’s first 10 games (minimum 50 carries) with 5.8. The previous best was Al Dorow in 1960, when he averaged 5.56 yards per carry for the then-NY Titans. ... WR Garrett Wilson has 1,268 yards receiving in 20 games, the fewest to reach 1,200 yards receiving in Jets history. ... FB Nick Bawden scored his first NFL touchdown on his first NFL carry last week. Bawden, who switched from QB to FB at San Diego State, has five catches in 22 games — but his 1-yard TD was the first time he carried the ball on a run. ... LG Laken Tomlinson made his 100th consecutive regular-season start last Sunday. The streak began in Week 2 of the 2017 season. He’s one of five active players with at least 100 straight starts. ... Former Jets star DL Joe Klecko will receive his Pro Football Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence during a halftime ceremony. Klecko will also serve as the Jets’ honorary captain.

FANTASY TIP: Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco had a season-high 78 yards from scrimmage last week and has led Kansas City's backfield in touches in each of the first three games. He could see increased carries if this one gets out of hand in the Chiefs' favor early.

Patrick Mahomes has 199 TD passes and could reach No. 200 in his 84th game Sunday night when the Kansas City Chiefs square off against the struggling New York Jets. Mahomes would accomplish the feat in five games faster than Dan Marino’s NFL record. The game marks the first for Mahomes at MetLife Stadium. The Jets are playing on Sunday night for the first time since losing 37-16 to New England in Week 10 of the 2011 season. The struggling Zach Wilson will make his third straight start in place of the injured Aaron Rodgers.KANSAS CITY (2-1) at NEW YORK JETS (1-2)Sunday, 8:20 p.m. EDT, NBCOPENING LINE: Chiefs by 9 1/2, according to FanDuel SportsBook.AGAINST THE SPREAD: Chiefs 2-1; Jets 1-2.SERIES RECORD: Chiefs lead 20-19-1.LAST MEETING: Chiefs beat Jets 35-9 on Nov. 1, 2020, in Kansas City, Missouri.LAST WEEK: Chiefs beat Bears 41-10; Jets lost to Patriots 15-10.CHIEFS OFFENSE: OVERALL (5), RUSH (10), PASS (5), SCORING (9).CHIEFS DEFENSE: OVERALL (6), RUSH (11), PASS (6), SCORING (4).JETS OFFENSE: OVERALL (32), RUSH (22), PASS (32), SCORING (32)JETS DEFENSE: OVERALL (20), RUSH (23), PASS (16), SCORING (12)TURNOVER DIFFERENTIAL: Chiefs minus-2; Jets minus-1.CHIEFS PLAYER TO WATCH: TE Travis Kelce. Taylor Swift is watching him, so why shouldn’t everyone else? He has 71 touchdown receptions, which is five behind Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez for the franchise record. Kelce and Patrick Mahomes have connected 48 times for touchdowns, including once last week against Chicago. Three more and they will tie Drew Brees and Jimmy Graham for the third most for a QB-TE combo in NFL history.JETS PLAYER TO WATCH: QB Zach Wilson. It has gotten ugly (again) for the 2021 No. 2 overall draft pick. Struggling in place of the injured Aaron Rodgers, Wilson has drawn ire of frustrated fans — including Hall of Famer Joe Namath — who are clamoring for a quarterback change. New York signed veteran Trevor Siemian to its practice squad and he'll be inactive this week. But if Wilson can't improve on his production in a hurry, fans will be clamoring for Siemian moving forward.KEY MATCHUP: Chiefs O-line vs. Jets D-line. Mahomes has been getting excellent blocking in front of him, having been pressured on only 25.4% of his drop-backs this season — which is a career low. Center Creed Humphrey and left guard Joe Thuney allowed no pressures on their 41 pass-blocking snaps against Chicago. The Jets were expected to have a strong pass rush this season and are putting pressure on quarterbacks, but have just six sacks through three games and Quinnen Williams is looking for his first after a career-high 12 last season.KEY INJURIES: Mahomes tweaked his ankle last week against Chicago, but should be fine. ... DT Chris Jones was limited early in the week with a groin ailment. ... LB Nick Bolton didn't practice early in the week with a sprained ankle. ... Jets S Tony Adams (hamstring) and backup OL Wes Schweitzer (concussion) missed last week's game and didn't practice at the start of this week.SERIES NOTES: The Chiefs have won three of the past four meetings. ... The teams have met twice in the postseason: a win by the Chiefs in the 1969 divisional round; and a victory by the Jets in the 1986 wild-card round. ... The Jets are 12-8-1 at home — including the two postseason matchups — against the Chiefs. ... Kansas City is looking to snap a four-game road skid against the Jets.STATS AND STUFF: The game marks the first for Mahomes at MetLife Stadium. ... Andy Reid is 3-1 as coach of the Chiefs against the Jets, including 1-0 with Mahomes as his quarterback. ... The Jets are playing on Sunday night for the first time since losing 37-16 to New England in Week 10 of the 2011 season. ... Reid won his 271st game last week, passing Tom Landry for fourth on the NFL's career list. ... Mahomes needs 23 yards rushing to break the Chiefs’ career mark for a quarterback held by Alex Smith (1,672). ... Mahomes has 199 TD passes. He could reach 200 in his 84th game Sunday night, five faster than Dan Marino’s NFL record. ... Mahomes surpassed 25,000 yards passing last week against the Bears. He did it in 83 games, seven faster than Matthew Stafford’s record. ... Chiefs RB Jerick McKinnon had two TD receptions last week against the Bears. He has 11 TD catches in 33 games for Kansas City, the fourth most by a running back in club history. ... Kelce has caught a pass in 145 consecutive games, five shy of Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome for the second-longest streak among tight ends. ... Humphrey is expected to start his 37th straight game since he was drafted. That’s the fifth-longest streak to start a career in club history. ... Kansas City allowed 203 yards last week against Chicago. It was the fifth-fewest yards since Reid took over before the 2013 season. ... Jones has 2 1/2 sacks in the two games since ending his holdout. ... The Jets went 1 for 10 on third down against Dallas in Week 2 and 2 for 14 last Sunday against New England. For the season, they’re 8 for 37 with a 22% conversion rate ranking last in the NFL. ... New York had just 12 first downs and averaged a measly 2.8 yards per play in the loss to the Patriots. ... Wilson's 57.0 quarterback rating ranks last in the NFL. Last season, he became the first player since the 1970 merger to finish last in that category two years in a row, and is on pace for a third straight. ... RB Breece Hall set the franchise record for the most yards per carry through a player’s first 10 games (minimum 50 carries) with 5.8. The previous best was Al Dorow in 1960, when he averaged 5.56 yards per carry for the then-NY Titans. ... WR Garrett Wilson has 1,268 yards receiving in 20 games, the fewest to reach 1,200 yards receiving in Jets history. ... FB Nick Bawden scored his first NFL touchdown on his first NFL carry last week. Bawden, who switched from QB to FB at San Diego State, has five catches in 22 games — but his 1-yard TD was the first time he carried the ball on a run. ... LG Laken Tomlinson made his 100th consecutive regular-season start last Sunday. The streak began in Week 2 of the 2017 season. He’s one of five active players with at least 100 straight starts. ... Former Jets star DL Joe Klecko will receive his Pro Football Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence during a halftime ceremony. Klecko will also serve as the Jets’ honorary captain.FANTASY TIP: Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco had a season-high 78 yards from scrimmage last week and has led Kansas City's backfield in touches in each of the first three games. He could see increased carries if this one gets out of hand in the Chiefs' favor early.

Mahomes could make history when Chiefs square off against Jets Sunday

The Coyotes play McPherson in their final game against teams from the Kessinger Division on Saturday. Kickoff is 1 p.m. on Bissell Field at JRI Stadium at the Graves Family Sports Complex.

The video stream of the game will be available online through the Coyote Sports Network at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kcacnetwork.com/kansaswesleyan">www.kcacnetwork.com/kansaswesleyan</a>.

Live Stats will be available at&nbsp;<a href="https://kwucoyotes.com/sidearmstats/football/summary">https://kwucoyotes.com/sidearmstats/football/summary</a>

Radio coverage can be heard locally on KINA 910 AM/107.5 FM

The online stream is also available at&nbsp;<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/ce/kina2.">https://radio.securenetsystems.net/ce/kina2.</a>

Tyler Henry will have the call with pregame starting at 5:00 p.m.

KWU has won the last eight games including a 14-12 victory last season in McPherson. The Coyotes averaged 43.6 points in the seven games before last season's defensive duel. They have a 16-6 advantage since the 2001 season.. It's the 100th all-time meeting between the teams. KWU leads the all-time series 58-37-4.

The Coyotes enter the game having won their last two - 35-28 over McPherson two weeks ago at JRI Stadium and 24-14 over Bethel last week in North Newton. They scored 17 points in the second quarter against Bethel, led 17-14 at intermission and held the Threshers scoreless in the second half.

The offense has come around the last two weeks after a slow start. Quarterback Richard Lara was 28 of 42 passing (66.7 percent) for 340 yards, four touchdowns and one interception in the two contests. He had a huge game against Bethel going 19 of 29 for 232 yards and three touchdowns.

Nick Allsman is the top rusher on the season with 239 yards on 61 carries and two touchdowns. Tyler Boston has 204 yards on 57 tries and one touchdown. Rhadarious Lomax-Spivey has a team-best eight receptions while Luke Armstrong and Boston each have seven.

Defense has been KWU's forte. Opponents are averaging 17.2 points, 287 total yards - 157.2 passing and 129.8 rushing. The Coyotes have forced 11 turnovers, six fumbles and five interceptions.

Placekicker Talon Cope has been superb. He has made three of four field goals - the longest from 45 yards out last week - and is perfect on 13 extra point attempts.

The Bulldogs have been a surprise this season. They have won their last two games - 60-17 over Ottawa in Ottawa and 42-21 versus Avila last week in McPherson. The loss was to Saint Mary 36-32 September 9 in McPherson. They're 2-0 on the road this season.

McPherson's offense has been outstanding. The Bulldogs are averaging 43.8 points and 473.6 total yards that includes 289.4 passing.

Junior quarterback Tristan Szabo has had a hot hand through five games, completing 56 percent of his passes for 1,407 yards, 17 touchdowns and four interceptions. He also has 179 yards rushing three more scores. Traven Lewis-Johnson and Alex Hill are the top receivers - Lewis-Johnson 19 receptions for 389 yards and Hill 15 for 209 yards. Each has four touchdowns.

Linebacker Marquis Willoughby has a team-best 49 tackles that include 6.5 for loss and has an interception. Nehemiah Figueroa has four interceptions. Opponents average 24.4 points and 333.6 yards.

The Bulldogs were 5-5 in last season but three of the losses were by one point along with the two-point setback against KWU.

"The defenses that we're playing are statistically very good so it's good to see the (offense) go out and perform. (The line) is not blowing assignments up front, we're taking care of the ball and we're protecting the quarterback. (McPherson) is going to drop back and pass 25, 30 times. We just need to make sure the quarterback is uncomfortable as possible and that relates to condensing the pocket which takes all the guys up front. (McPherson) is certainly tough, coach (Jeremiah) Fiscus does an excellent job down there. They have a very dynamic offense, honestly, and are very good at what they do. We expect a lot of shifts and motions and we need to make sure we're prepared. It will be a big challenge and we look forward to it."

The Coyotes and the entire Kansas Conference are idle October 7. Play resumes with a full slate of games October 14; KWU plays Bissell Division rival Avila at 1 p.m. in Kansas City, Missouri.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1696089570140.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Coyotes play McPherson in their final game against teams from the Kessinger Division on Saturday. Kickoff is 1 p.m. on Bissell Field at JRI Stadium at the Graves Family Sports Complex.<h2>LIVE COVERAGE</h2>The video stream of the game will be available online through the Coyote Sports Network at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kcacnetwork.com/kansaswesleyan">www.kcacnetwork.com/kansaswesleyan</a>.Live Stats will be available at&nbsp;<a href="https://kwucoyotes.com/sidearmstats/football/summary">https://kwucoyotes.com/sidearmstats/football/summary</a>Radio coverage can be heard locally on KINA 910 AM/107.5 FMThe online stream is also available at&nbsp;<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/ce/kina2.">https://radio.securenetsystems.net/ce/kina2.</a>Tyler Henry will have the call with pregame starting at 5:00 p.m.<h2>RECORDS</h2>Kansas Wesleyan 3-2.McPherson 4-1<h2>THE SERIES</h2>KWU has won the last eight games including a 14-12 victory last season in McPherson. The Coyotes averaged 43.6 points in the seven games before last season's defensive duel. They have a 16-6 advantage since the 2001 season.. It's the 100th all-time meeting between the teams. KWU leads the all-time series 58-37-4.<h2>KANSAS WESLEYAN AT A GLANCE</h2>The Coyotes enter the game having won their last two - 35-28 over McPherson two weeks ago at JRI Stadium and 24-14 over Bethel last week in North Newton. They scored 17 points in the second quarter against Bethel, led 17-14 at intermission and held the Threshers scoreless in the second half.The offense has come around the last two weeks after a slow start. Quarterback Richard Lara was 28 of 42 passing (66.7 percent) for 340 yards, four touchdowns and one interception in the two contests. He had a huge game against Bethel going 19 of 29 for 232 yards and three touchdowns.Nick Allsman is the top rusher on the season with 239 yards on 61 carries and two touchdowns. Tyler Boston has 204 yards on 57 tries and one touchdown. Rhadarious Lomax-Spivey has a team-best eight receptions while Luke Armstrong and Boston each have seven.Defense has been KWU's forte. Opponents are averaging 17.2 points, 287 total yards - 157.2 passing and 129.8 rushing. The Coyotes have forced 11 turnovers, six fumbles and five interceptions.Placekicker Talon Cope has been superb. He has made three of four field goals - the longest from 45 yards out last week - and is perfect on 13 extra point attempts.<h2>McPHERSON AT A GLANCE</h2>The Bulldogs have been a surprise this season. They have won their last two games - 60-17 over Ottawa in Ottawa and 42-21 versus Avila last week in McPherson. The loss was to Saint Mary 36-32 September 9 in McPherson. They're 2-0 on the road this season.McPherson's offense has been outstanding. The Bulldogs are averaging 43.8 points and 473.6 total yards that includes 289.4 passing.Junior quarterback Tristan Szabo has had a hot hand through five games, completing 56 percent of his passes for 1,407 yards, 17 touchdowns and four interceptions. He also has 179 yards rushing three more scores. Traven Lewis-Johnson and Alex Hill are the top receivers - Lewis-Johnson 19 receptions for 389 yards and Hill 15 for 209 yards. Each has four touchdowns.Linebacker Marquis Willoughby has a team-best 49 tackles that include 6.5 for loss and has an interception. Nehemiah Figueroa has four interceptions. Opponents average 24.4 points and 333.6 yards.The Bulldogs were 5-5 in last season but three of the losses were by one point along with the two-point setback against KWU.<h2>KWU COACH MATT MYERS</h2>"The defenses that we're playing are statistically very good so it's good to see the (offense) go out and perform. (The line) is not blowing assignments up front, we're taking care of the ball and we're protecting the quarterback. (McPherson) is going to drop back and pass 25, 30 times. We just need to make sure the quarterback is uncomfortable as possible and that relates to condensing the pocket which takes all the guys up front. (McPherson) is certainly tough, coach (Jeremiah) Fiscus does an excellent job down there. They have a very dynamic offense, honestly, and are very good at what they do. We expect a lot of shifts and motions and we need to make sure we're prepared. It will be a big challenge and we look forward to it."<h2>NEXT WEEK</h2>The Coyotes and the entire Kansas Conference are idle October 7. Play resumes with a full slate of games October 14; KWU plays Bissell Division rival Avila at 1 p.m. in Kansas City, Missouri.

Wesleyan faces McPherson in 100th meeting between teams Saturday

Team&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;CONF&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; ALL Liberal&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2-0&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 5-0 Great Bend&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 1-1&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;3-2 Garden City&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;1-1&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;3-2 Hays&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;1-1&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;3-2 Dodge City&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 0-2&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;2-3

Friday September 29 Great Bend 28, Dodge City 0 Hays 48, Ulysses 7 Liberal 28, Garden City 21 Friday October 6 Great Bend @ Liberal Hays @ Dodge City Garden City @ Ulysses Friday October 13 Great Bend @ Ulysses Hays @ Liberal Dodge City @ Garden City Friday October 20 Garden City @ Great Bend Ulysses @ Liberal Wichita Southeast @ Dodge City Topeka High @ Hays Friday October 27 TBA

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685109924036.png" alt="WAC Football" />
 <figcaption>WAC Football</figcaption>
 </figure>Team&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;CONF&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; ALL Liberal&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2-0&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 5-0 Great Bend&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 1-1&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;3-2 Garden City&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;1-1&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;3-2 Hays&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;1-1&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;3-2 Dodge City&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 0-2&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;2-3 Friday September 29 Great Bend 28, Dodge City 0 Hays 48, Ulysses 7 Liberal 28, Garden City 21 Friday October 6 Great Bend @ Liberal Hays @ Dodge City Garden City @ Ulysses Friday October 13 Great Bend @ Ulysses Hays @ Liberal Dodge City @ Garden City Friday October 20 Garden City @ Great Bend Ulysses @ Liberal Wichita Southeast @ Dodge City Topeka High @ Hays Friday October 27 TBA

Western Athletic Conference Football Standings

Saturday September 30 5:30PM 1590KVGB/95.5-Royals Baseball- NY Yankees @ Kansas City Sunday October 1 1:30PM 1590KVGB/95.5-Royals Baseball- NY Yankees @ Kansas City Monday October 2 12:30PM 1590KVGB/95.5 - Sports Day Tuesday October 3 12:30PM 1590KVGB/95.5 - Sports Day TBA - Major League Baseball Wild Card Playoffs

Saturday September 30 5:30PM 1590KVGB/95.5-Royals Baseball- NY Yankees @ Kansas City Sunday October 1 1:30PM 1590KVGB/95.5-Royals Baseball- NY Yankees @ Kansas City Monday October 2 12:30PM 1590KVGB/95.5 - Sports Day Tuesday October 3 12:30PM 1590KVGB/95.5 - Sports Day TBA - Major League Baseball Wild Card Playoffs

Eagle Radio and Hull Broadcasting PBP Schedule

Attica/Argonia 56, Wichita Independent 12

Christ Preparatory Academy 26, KIPP KC, Mo. 14

Kapaun Mount Carmel 70, Wichita Southeast 12

Kinsley 50, Hutchinson Central Christian 0

Friday AP ScoresAbilene 33, Rose Hill 13Altoona-Midway 64, Ingalls 13Andale 85, Nickerson 7Ashland def. Rolla, forfeitAtchison 55, KC Washington 12Atchison County 30, Pleasant Ridge 8Attica/Argonia 56, Wichita Independent 12Augusta 50, Circle 16Axtell 68, Blue Valley Randolph 0BV Northwest 27, BV West 14BV Southwest 55, BV North 21Baldwin 39, Anderson County 33Basehor-Linwood 44, Leavenworth 14Baxter Springs 28, Galena 20Beloit 48, Phillipsburg 24Bennington 16, Washington County 0Bishop Miege 28, Blue Valley 21Blair Oaks, Mo. 63, Topeka Seaman 28Buhler 59, Mulvane 36Burden Central 60, Udall 0Burlington 46, Iola 42Cair Paravel 62, Burlingame 28Canton-Galva 50, Fairfield 0Cedar Vale-Dexter 51, Yates Center 0Centralia 48, Jackson Heights 12Chanute 35, Independence 0Chaparral 35, Douglass 13Chase County 58, Maranatha Academy 0Cheney 46, Smoky Valley 0Cherryvale 27, Fredonia 20Cheylin 68, Greeley County 0Christ Preparatory Academy 26, KIPP KC, Mo. 14Clearwater 36, Wichita Trinity 30Clifton-Clyde 44, Lincoln 22Concordia 49, Hiawatha 0Conway Springs 54, Ellinwood 20Council Grove 42, Neodesha 0Cunningham 52, Pawnee Heights 0DeSoto 41, Shawnee Heights 18Deerfield 53, Moscow 7Derby 48, Wichita Campus 0Dighton 70, Otis-Bison 22Elkhart 40, Sublette 38Ell-Saline 47, Rock Hills 0Ellsworth 72, Lyons 6Erie 24, Uniontown 20Fort Scott 49, Labette County 20Frankfort 55, Linn 8Frontenac 41, Columbus 7Garden Plain 41, Haven 19Gardner-Edgerton 21, Olathe North 14Goddard 35, Andover Central 21Goddard-Eisenhower 34, Andover 0Golden Plains 57, Western Plains-Healy 7Great Bend 28, Dodge City 0Hanover 48, Doniphan West 0Hays 48, Ulysses 7Herington 52, Pretty Prairie 22Hill City 32, Quinter 26, OTHillsboro 30, Halstead 25Hodgeman County 40, Bucklin 38Hoisington 27, Pratt 19Holcomb 55, Colby 21Holton 34, Royal Valley 9Hoxie 46, Oberlin-Decatur 0Humboldt 62, Eureka 0Hutchinson 57, Salina South 14Hutchinson Trinity 20, Inman 0Jayhawk Linn 34, Central Heights 0Jefferson North 66, Oskaloosa 0KC Piper 56, KC Turner 7KC Sumner 17, KC Schlagle 8KC Wyandotte 40, KC Harmon 14Kapaun Mount Carmel 70, Wichita Southeast 12Kingman 28, Hesston 21Kinsley 50, Hutchinson Central Christian 0La Crosse 38, Pratt Skyline 32Lakin 52, Southwestern Hts. 22Larned 24, Cimarron 21Lawrence 37, SM North 22Lawrence Free State 49, SM South 24Lebo 50, Marais des Cygnes Valley 0Liberal 28, Garden City 21Lincoln, Mo. 35, Highland Park 6Logan/Palco 50, Wheatland-Grinnell 0Louisburg 13, Eudora 7Lyndon 66, Madison 16Macksville 58, Ness City 40Maize South 47, Maize 0Manhattan 51, Emporia 7Marion 55, Belle Plaine 26Marmaton Valley 80, Hartford 22McLouth 26, Mission Valley 21McPherson 17, Winfield 14Meade 66, South Gray 6Medicine Lodge 21, Sterling 20Mill Valley 77, Olathe South 21Minneapolis 49, Horton 0Minneola 62, Satanta 12Moundridge 58, Little River 20Nemaha Central 46, Jefferson West 0Newton 26, Arkansas City 0Northern Valley 56, Triplains-Brewster 6Norton 41, Goodland 6Olathe East 31, Olathe Northwest 0Olpe 60, Northern Heights 0Osborne 82, St John's Beloit 34Oswego 54, Sedan 26Paola 19, Pittsburg 16Parsons 27, Riverton 0Plainville 38, Ellis 10Pleasanton 42, Southeast 6Prairie View 21, Girard 0Rawlins County 66, Stockton 0Remington 50, Bluestem 0Riverside 32, Onaga 6Rock Creek 30, Marysville 21Rockhurst, Mo. 45, St. Thomas Aquinas 44, OTRural Vista 48, Norwich 28Russell 26, Hays-TMP-Marian 6SM East 25, SM West 0Sabetha 27, Riley County 6Salina Central 34, Valley Center 31Santa Fe Trail 44, Osawatomie 0Scott City 28, Hugoton 6Sedgwick 46, Osage City 40Silver Lake 42, Rossville 28Smith Center 68, Oakley 6Solomon 36, Goessel 24South Barber 46, South Central 26South Sumner 56, Oxford 6Southeast Saline 22, Clay Center 17Southern Cloud 60, Chase 13Spring Hill 27, Ottawa 21St. James Academy 34, St. Pius X (Kansas City), Mo. 17St. Mary's 60, Valley Falls 6St. Mary's Academy 44, Southeast, Mo. 14St. Paul 26, Crest 20, OTStanton County 36, Syracuse 0Sylvan Grove 26, Central Plains 14Tescott 48, Burrton 0Thunder Ridge 92, Lakeside 52Tonganoxie 52, Bonner Springs 0Topeka Hayden 27, Perry-Lecompton 0Trego 50, Kiowa County 0Troy 60, Maur Hill - Mount Academy 14Valley Heights 38, Salina Sacred Heart 15Wabaunsee 54, Republic County 0Wakefield 44, Pike Valley 42Wallace County 38, St. Francis 0Wamego 49, Coffeyville 14Washburn Rural 28, Junction City 7Waverly 55, Chetopa 20Wellington 53, El Dorado 14Wellsville 39, KC Bishop Ward 0Weskan 59, Deer Trail, Colo. 14West Elk 72, Flinthills 0Wichita Bishop Carroll 63, Wichita North 6Wichita Collegiate 41, Chapman 6Wichita County 64, Spearville 0Wichita East 52, Wichita West 0Wichita Heights 32, Wichita South 0Wichita Northwest 70, Topeka 7

Friday Statewide Scores

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. admitted the pressure was beginning to mount, and time running out, to hit the 30th homer that would make the budding superstar the first Kansas City player to join the 30-30 club.

The Royals did everything they could to take the pressure off him Friday night.

Every batter they sent up against Yankees starter Carlos Rodón scored, resulting in a nine-run first inning that put the game solidly in control. So by the time Witt stepped to the plate in the seventh, with a hit and RBI already behind him, the 23-year-old could swing freely against New York reliever Keynan Middleton for a chance to make history.

By the time the ball landed in the left-field stands, punctuating the Royals' 12-5 rout, the celebration was underway.

“I feel like there were times I was trying and it got a little selfish,” said Witt, who had gone 11 games without a home run. “I was just trying to keep it simple. That was my approach. And just go out there and compete.”

Witt could join a much more exclusive group in the next two days. Along with 30 homers he has 49 stolen bases, and needs one more to join Eric Davis, Barry Bonds and Ronald Acuña Jr. as the only players in major league history in the 30-50 club.

“It's really nice that he did it here,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “Everybody really appreciates the significance of that, and you know, it's inevitable you're going to press when you get near those round numbers. I think he was to a certain extent. But that was a great swing, and I feel really good for him.”

Nobody felt worse Friday night than Rodón (3-8), who faced eight batters and all of them scored, tying the most for any start without recording an out since at least 1901. Rodón allowed six hits and two walks before Yankees manager Aaron Boone pulled him from the game, and Kansas City went on to put its first 10 aboard to set a franchise record.

Rodón's fastball averaged 93.6 mph, down from his 95.3 mph season average.

“Rough. A tick down in stuff. Just didn’t have the life on his fastball," Boone said, "and then location, just in the heart of the plate a lot, even with the secondary stuff. Obviously, a tough way for him to end.”

Jordan Lyles (6-17) took advantage of the Royals' immense run support to earn his second straight win. The right-hander got through six shaky innings, allowing five runs on four hits and a walk while striking out four.

Austin Wells hit a three-run homer and finished with four RBIs for New York.

The Royals (55-105) need to sweep the three-game series to avoid equaling the 2005 team that lost 106 times for the most in franchise history. The Yankees (81-79) need to win one of the last two to ensure their 31st consecutive winning season.

The miserable first year of Rodón's six-year, $162 million contract came to a fitting conclusion. In 35 pitches without recording an out, Rodón allowed four singles, two walks, a double and Edward Oliveras' no-doubt homer into the Yankees bullpen.

Not even a visit from New York pitching coach Matt Blake could slow down the damage. Rodón turned his back on Blake, something Rodón and Boone both said afterward was wrong to do.

It was the most batters faced without recording an out by a starter since Steven Matz faced eight for the Mets in 2019, and the 10 consecutive hitters that reached base were the most to start a game against the Yankees since the Cleveland Indians had that many reach against Catfish Hunter and Bob Kammeyer on July 27, 1978.

“Just throwing balls down the middle,” Rodón said. "Just didn’t find my lane and they hit the ball.”

Rodón began the year on the injured list with a strained forearm and then dealt with a back injury that slowed his return. He didn't make his Yankees debut until July 7, then lost four of his first five starts. Not even a respectable last month for the two-time All-Star could salvage his ERA, which plummeted to 6.85 on Friday night.

“It’s not all about the numbers. It’s about the profile, where he’s getting it to,” said Boone, whose club went 3-11 in Rodón's starts this season. "Today was just a day where he didn’t have too much.”

The Royals kept rolling against reliever Matt Bowman, too. Their first out scored another run on Witt's sacrifice fly, and their second was a productive fielder's choice by Oliveras that moved up runners. Maikel Garcia and Salvador Perez, who had three RBIs, each had two hits in the first inning, which ended on a questionable called third strike against Nelson Velázquez.

The Yankees trimmed their 10-run deficit in half by the sixth, but Witt's homer in the seventh put the game away.

“Everybody," Perez said, “was waiting for that moment.”

Yankees: Middleton (shoulder inflammation) was activated from the injured list and RHP Yoendrys Gómez was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Yankees RHP Frankie Montas (shoulder inflammation) arrived in Kansas City and could pitch before the end of the weekend. He had surgery on his labrum Feb. 21 in Los Angeles, an injury that had limited him after last season's trade from Oakland to the Yankees. He began a Triple-A rehab assignment on Sept. 17 and pitched two scoreless innings last Saturday.

“He didn't have to fight his way to get back for the finish,” Boone said. “He's put himself in a position to be healthy and ready. He is continuing to get after it, right? To be in a position that he is. So we certainly respect that.”

Yankees RHP Clarke Schmidt (9-9, 4.65 ERA) will start Saturday night. The Royals had not yet decided on their starter.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. admitted the pressure was beginning to mount, and time running out, to hit the 30th homer that would make the budding superstar the first Kansas City player to join the 30-30 club.The Royals did everything they could to take the pressure off him Friday night.Every batter they sent up against Yankees starter Carlos Rodón scored, resulting in a nine-run first inning that put the game solidly in control. So by the time Witt stepped to the plate in the seventh, with a hit and RBI already behind him, the 23-year-old could swing freely against New York reliever Keynan Middleton for a chance to make history.By the time the ball landed in the left-field stands, punctuating the Royals' 12-5 rout, the celebration was underway.“I feel like there were times I was trying and it got a little selfish,” said Witt, who had gone 11 games without a home run. “I was just trying to keep it simple. That was my approach. And just go out there and compete.”Witt could join a much more exclusive group in the next two days. Along with 30 homers he has 49 stolen bases, and needs one more to join Eric Davis, Barry Bonds and Ronald Acuña Jr. as the only players in major league history in the 30-50 club.“It's really nice that he did it here,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “Everybody really appreciates the significance of that, and you know, it's inevitable you're going to press when you get near those round numbers. I think he was to a certain extent. But that was a great swing, and I feel really good for him.”Nobody felt worse Friday night than Rodón (3-8), who faced eight batters and all of them scored, tying the most for any start without recording an out since at least 1901. Rodón allowed six hits and two walks before Yankees manager Aaron Boone pulled him from the game, and Kansas City went on to put its first 10 aboard to set a franchise record.Rodón's fastball averaged 93.6 mph, down from his 95.3 mph season average.“Rough. A tick down in stuff. Just didn’t have the life on his fastball," Boone said, "and then location, just in the heart of the plate a lot, even with the secondary stuff. Obviously, a tough way for him to end.”Jordan Lyles (6-17) took advantage of the Royals' immense run support to earn his second straight win. The right-hander got through six shaky innings, allowing five runs on four hits and a walk while striking out four.Austin Wells hit a three-run homer and finished with four RBIs for New York.The Royals (55-105) need to sweep the three-game series to avoid equaling the 2005 team that lost 106 times for the most in franchise history. The Yankees (81-79) need to win one of the last two to ensure their 31st consecutive winning season.The miserable first year of Rodón's six-year, $162 million contract came to a fitting conclusion. In 35 pitches without recording an out, Rodón allowed four singles, two walks, a double and Edward Oliveras' no-doubt homer into the Yankees bullpen.Not even a visit from New York pitching coach Matt Blake could slow down the damage. Rodón turned his back on Blake, something Rodón and Boone both said afterward was wrong to do.It was the most batters faced without recording an out by a starter since Steven Matz faced eight for the Mets in 2019, and the 10 consecutive hitters that reached base were the most to start a game against the Yankees since the Cleveland Indians had that many reach against Catfish Hunter and Bob Kammeyer on July 27, 1978.“Just throwing balls down the middle,” Rodón said. "Just didn’t find my lane and they hit the ball.”Rodón began the year on the injured list with a strained forearm and then dealt with a back injury that slowed his return. He didn't make his Yankees debut until July 7, then lost four of his first five starts. Not even a respectable last month for the two-time All-Star could salvage his ERA, which plummeted to 6.85 on Friday night.“It’s not all about the numbers. It’s about the profile, where he’s getting it to,” said Boone, whose club went 3-11 in Rodón's starts this season. "Today was just a day where he didn’t have too much.”The Royals kept rolling against reliever Matt Bowman, too. Their first out scored another run on Witt's sacrifice fly, and their second was a productive fielder's choice by Oliveras that moved up runners. Maikel Garcia and Salvador Perez, who had three RBIs, each had two hits in the first inning, which ended on a questionable called third strike against Nelson Velázquez.The Yankees trimmed their 10-run deficit in half by the sixth, but Witt's homer in the seventh put the game away.“Everybody," Perez said, “was waiting for that moment.”ROSTER MOVESYankees: Middleton (shoulder inflammation) was activated from the injured list and RHP Yoendrys Gómez was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.WAIT AND SEEYankees RHP Frankie Montas (shoulder inflammation) arrived in Kansas City and could pitch before the end of the weekend. He had surgery on his labrum Feb. 21 in Los Angeles, an injury that had limited him after last season's trade from Oakland to the Yankees. He began a Triple-A rehab assignment on Sept. 17 and pitched two scoreless innings last Saturday.“He didn't have to fight his way to get back for the finish,” Boone said. “He's put himself in a position to be healthy and ready. He is continuing to get after it, right? To be in a position that he is. So we certainly respect that.”UP NEXTYankees RHP Clarke Schmidt (9-9, 4.65 ERA) will start Saturday night. The Royals had not yet decided on their starter.

Witt homers to join 30-30 club as KC rolls to 12-5 win over Yankees

Western Athletic Conference Great Bend 28, Dodge City 0 Liberal 28, Garden City 21 Hays 48, Ulysses 7

Central Kansas League Hoisington 27, Pratt 19 Larned 24, Cimarron 21 Ellsworth 72, Lyons 6 Cheney 46, Smoky Valley 0 Andale 85, Nickerson 7 Hillsboro 30, Halstead 25 Kingman 28, Hesston 21 Garden Plain 41, Haven 19

Other 11-Man Games Conway Springs 54, Ellinwood 20 Russell 26, TMP 6 Medicine Lodge 21, Sterling 20

8-Man St. John 36, Stafford 28 Sylvan United 26, Central Plains 14 Dighton 70, Otis-Bison 22 Macksville 58, Ness City 42 La Crosse 38, Skyline 32 Kinsley 50, Central Christian 0 Hodgeman County 40, Bucklin 38 Trego 50, Kiowa County 0 Moundridge 58, Little River 20

6-Man Cunningham 52, Pawnee Heights 0 So. Cloud 60, Chase 13

Western Athletic Conference Great Bend 28, Dodge City 0 Liberal 28, Garden City 21 Hays 48, Ulysses 7Central Kansas League Hoisington 27, Pratt 19 Larned 24, Cimarron 21 Ellsworth 72, Lyons 6 Cheney 46, Smoky Valley 0 Andale 85, Nickerson 7 Hillsboro 30, Halstead 25 Kingman 28, Hesston 21 Garden Plain 41, Haven 19Other 11-Man Games Conway Springs 54, Ellinwood 20 Russell 26, TMP 6 Medicine Lodge 21, Sterling 208-Man St. John 36, Stafford 28 Sylvan United 26, Central Plains 14 Dighton 70, Otis-Bison 22 Macksville 58, Ness City 42 La Crosse 38, Skyline 32 Kinsley 50, Central Christian 0 Hodgeman County 40, Bucklin 38 Trego 50, Kiowa County 0 Moundridge 58, Little River 206-Man Cunningham 52, Pawnee Heights 0 So. Cloud 60, Chase 13

Area Week 5 Football Scores

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673886602159.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Great Bend 28, Dodge City 0<div><iframe width="100%" height="265" src="https://clyp.it/ygkryeeq/widget" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>

Great Bend 28, Dodge City 0

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695238768373.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Larned 24, Cimarron 21<div><iframe width="100%" height="265" src="https://clyp.it/lnlxwarh/widget" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>

Larned 24, Cimarron 21

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582693944473.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Hoisington 27, Pratt 19<div><iframe width="100%" height="265" src="https://clyp.it/zcgmprzo/widget" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>

Hoisington 27, Pratt 19

- Sunflower Sports Solutions Conor Nicholl is back for his football friday preview and rundown of all the area volleyball news

- Dodge City Red Demon Football coach Glenn O'Neil

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1693997740304.jpeg" alt="Friday show lineup with hosts Steve Webster, Mike Courson, Aaron Clark and Mike Hesher" />
 <figcaption>Friday show lineup with hosts Steve Webster, Mike Courson, Aaron Clark and Mike Hesher</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/30SIKeJDysY?si=C6sOiaiyQ6DRFLs9" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>- Sunflower Sports Solutions Conor Nicholl is back for his football friday preview and rundown of all the area volleyball news- Dodge City Red Demon Football coach Glenn O'Neil- Friday Sports Headlines- Sounds of the past 24-hours

Friday on Sports Day (Watch)

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The NFL figured it had a marquee made-for-TV matchup when it announced the league's schedule in May.

Aaron Rodgers' New York Jets would square off at home against Patrick Mahomes and the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in prime time on Sunday night.

Rodgers was lost for the season just four snaps into his debut with the Jets — and now all the hype has shifted off the field, with fans wondering whether Taylor Swift will show up at MetLife Stadium to support Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce again.

The pop superstar attended Kansas City's victory over Chicago at home last Sunday, but the All-Pro tight end wouldn't divulge any details about their relationship. And neither would Mahomes.

"Like Travis said, I’m going to let them have their privacy and keep it moving,” Mahomes said this week.

That's what the Chiefs (2-1) intend to do when they face a struggling Jets (1-2) team that's now led by Zach Wilson in place of the injured Rodgers, who's healing at home in California after having surgery on his torn left Achilles tendon.

Mahomes and the offense appeared in top form last week while romping past the winless Bears. The reigning league MVP threw three touchdown passes, including one to Kelce and two to Jerick McKinnon, while Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire added TD runs.

Mahomes, who surpassed 25,000 yards passing last week, has 199 career touchdown passes. If he gets one against the Jets in his first appearance at MetLife Stadium, he would reach 200 in his 84th game — five faster than Dan Marino’s NFL record.

“Patrick Ma-homie? He’s a special talent,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said. “Some of the throws he makes are disgusting from a defensive perspective, but they’re super talented.”

Andy Reid's Chiefs rank fifth in overall offense, fifth in passing, 10th in rushing and ninth in scoring.

“Sometimes I wonder if he just draws it in the dirt as the game goes on, with some of the concepts that they have,” a smiling Saleh said of Reid. “But it’s going to be a challenge, for sure.”

Especially with the embattled Wilson under center for at least another week. After a solid showing in the Jets' season-opening win over Buffalo in overtime, the offense has sputtered. And a lot of it is on Wilson, who has been unable to get anything going — while frustrated fans are calling for him to be benched.

Even Joe Namath went all in this week, saying during a radio show he has seen enough of the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 and suggested wholesale changes to the organization.

Saleh and the Jets have reiterated their confidence in Wilson, but acknowledged he must improve — and fast.

“It’s a long season,” Wilson said after New York's 15-10 loss to New England last Sunday. “We’re all going to look in the mirror, find out how we can be better and learning and improving. Having that short-term memory, understanding that we lost this week — oh well, we have to learn from this and move on and get better.”

Mahomes remembers just about every interception he has thrown, mostly because there haven’t been many.

And when it gets returned for a touchdown? Those really stand out, even if they happened in college.

So it was easy for him to recount D.J. Reed’s pick-6 against him on Oct. 8, 2016 — when Mahomes was playing for Texas Tech and Reed for Kansas State.

“That’s stuff you really have to be aware of when you play quarterback,” said Mahomes, who'll see Reed on the opposite side again Sunday night. “I think he was supposed to get blocked by a receiver and jumped it and got to the house.”

“Just from watching the tape back then I knew he was going to be special,” the Jets cornerback said. “He's a generational quarterback with his off-rhythm throws."

The Jets' struggles on offense could be largely attributed to what they've done — or haven't done — on third down.

New York was 1 for 10 in those situations against Dallas in Week 2 and 2 for 14 last Sunday against New England. For the season, the Jets are 8 for 37, a 22% conversion rate that ranks them last in the NFL.

“It's all of us,” offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett said. "I think that we put our entire offense into some really bad situations. Doesn’t matter who’s back there at quarterback, who’s playing, when you’re behind the sticks, when you’re third-and-extra-long continuously, it’s not going to be good, and we have to be better.”

Rarely does Reid criticize officials, but he doubled down on his critique of them after last week’s rout of Chicago, during which they continued to penalize Chiefs right tackle Jawaan Taylor.

Taylor had been thrust into the spotlight after Week 1 when he appeared to continually line up too deep in the backfield, and was flagged five times for various infractions the following week. Yet replays showed that Taylor lined up no deeper than any other offensive tackle in the league last week, leading Reid to conclude Taylor was being picked on.

“They got their point proved,” he said. “Now let’s make sure we’re staying consistent.”

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The NFL figured it had a marquee made-for-TV matchup when it announced the league's schedule in May.Aaron Rodgers' New York Jets would square off at home against Patrick Mahomes and the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in prime time on Sunday night.Well, then came quite a plot twist.Rodgers was lost for the season just four snaps into his debut with the Jets — and now all the hype has shifted off the field, with fans wondering whether Taylor Swift will show up at MetLife Stadium to support Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce again.The pop superstar attended Kansas City's victory over Chicago at home last Sunday, but the All-Pro tight end wouldn't divulge any details about their relationship. And neither would Mahomes."Like Travis said, I’m going to let them have their privacy and keep it moving,” Mahomes said this week.That's what the Chiefs (2-1) intend to do when they face a struggling Jets (1-2) team that's now led by Zach Wilson in place of the injured Rodgers, who's healing at home in California after having surgery on his torn left Achilles tendon.Mahomes and the offense appeared in top form last week while romping past the winless Bears. The reigning league MVP threw three touchdown passes, including one to Kelce and two to Jerick McKinnon, while Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire added TD runs.Mahomes, who surpassed 25,000 yards passing last week, has 199 career touchdown passes. If he gets one against the Jets in his first appearance at MetLife Stadium, he would reach 200 in his 84th game — five faster than Dan Marino’s NFL record.“Patrick Ma-homie? He’s a special talent,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said. “Some of the throws he makes are disgusting from a defensive perspective, but they’re super talented.”Andy Reid's Chiefs rank fifth in overall offense, fifth in passing, 10th in rushing and ninth in scoring.“Sometimes I wonder if he just draws it in the dirt as the game goes on, with some of the concepts that they have,” a smiling Saleh said of Reid. “But it’s going to be a challenge, for sure.”Especially with the embattled Wilson under center for at least another week. After a solid showing in the Jets' season-opening win over Buffalo in overtime, the offense has sputtered. And a lot of it is on Wilson, who has been unable to get anything going — while frustrated fans are calling for him to be benched.Even Joe Namath went all in this week, saying during a radio show he has seen enough of the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 and suggested wholesale changes to the organization.Saleh and the Jets have reiterated their confidence in Wilson, but acknowledged he must improve — and fast.“It’s a long season,” Wilson said after New York's 15-10 loss to New England last Sunday. “We’re all going to look in the mirror, find out how we can be better and learning and improving. Having that short-term memory, understanding that we lost this week — oh well, we have to learn from this and move on and get better.”GOOD MEMORY OF A BAD MEMORYMahomes remembers just about every interception he has thrown, mostly because there haven’t been many.And when it gets returned for a touchdown? Those really stand out, even if they happened in college.So it was easy for him to recount D.J. Reed’s pick-6 against him on Oct. 8, 2016 — when Mahomes was playing for Texas Tech and Reed for Kansas State.“That’s stuff you really have to be aware of when you play quarterback,” said Mahomes, who'll see Reed on the opposite side again Sunday night. “I think he was supposed to get blocked by a receiver and jumped it and got to the house.”Reed’s Wildcats won 44-38.“Just from watching the tape back then I knew he was going to be special,” the Jets cornerback said. “He's a generational quarterback with his off-rhythm throws."THIRD DOWNSThe Jets' struggles on offense could be largely attributed to what they've done — or haven't done — on third down.New York was 1 for 10 in those situations against Dallas in Week 2 and 2 for 14 last Sunday against New England. For the season, the Jets are 8 for 37, a 22% conversion rate that ranks them last in the NFL.“It's all of us,” offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett said. "I think that we put our entire offense into some really bad situations. Doesn’t matter who’s back there at quarterback, who’s playing, when you’re behind the sticks, when you’re third-and-extra-long continuously, it’s not going to be good, and we have to be better.”TACKLE TROUBLERarely does Reid criticize officials, but he doubled down on his critique of them after last week’s rout of Chicago, during which they continued to penalize Chiefs right tackle Jawaan Taylor.Taylor had been thrust into the spotlight after Week 1 when he appeared to continually line up too deep in the backfield, and was flagged five times for various infractions the following week. Yet replays showed that Taylor lined up no deeper than any other offensive tackle in the league last week, leading Reid to conclude Taylor was being picked on.“They got their point proved,” he said. “Now let’s make sure we’re staying consistent.”

No Rodgers, but there's still plenty of hype in Chiefs' Sunday night showdown with Jets

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

With just three home competitions scheduled this fall, time was tight to celebrate the seniors on the Great Bend High School volleyball team. Thursday night, in front of a Senior Night crowd, the Lady Panthers downed Dodge City in a best-of-five match 25-10, 23-25, 25-17, 25-21. Great Bend improves to 14-1 on the season.

The Lady Panthers never trailed in the first set, getting an ace from senior Lauryn Davis and a kill from junior Cassie Ellegood to push the lead to 8-3 early. Dodge City cut the gap to 13-8 before junior Kara Feist put down a kill, freshman Kya Behr had a stuff, and senior Macy Nachtigal served up an ace. Feist added a pair of late stuffs, and Davis ended the set on back-to-back aces. Great Bend scored 14 of the final 16 points in the set to win 25-10. 

Great Bend was cruising in the second set at 6-1 with back-to-back kills from Feist and senior Makenzie Premer. Two points from senior Emilee Hall and another stuff from Feist kept the lead at 15-7. Dodge City ultimately leveled the set at 18, then took its first lead of the night at 19-18. Ellegood came up with several key points late but the Lady Panthers dropped the set 25-23.

The Demons carried some of that momentum into the third set, holding tight at 8-0 before Davis and Ellegood put down points. A pair of kills from Feist and an ace from Behr all but secured the set at 20-12. Great Bend took that set 25-17 and finished off the Red Demons 25-21 in the fourth set.

Ellegood led a balanced attack with 11 kills, followed by 10 each from Feist and Hall, and nine apiece from Behr and Premer. Davis served up four of the team's eight aces on the evening. Feist led the blockers with five. Senior Paige Thexton led the back row with 17 digs, followed by 14 from Nachtigal, 11 from Davis, 10 from Sadie Spray, and nine from Behr. Behr had 28 assists and Spray added 10.

The Lady Panthers stay home for their invitational Saturday in the GBHS gymnasium.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695985036019.jpeg" alt="Senior Paige Thexton looks on as senior teammate Macy Nachtigal makes a pass during Thursday's win against Dodge City." />
 <figcaption>Senior Paige Thexton looks on as senior teammate Macy Nachtigal makes a pass during Thursday's win against Dodge City.</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostWith just three home competitions scheduled this fall, time was tight to celebrate the seniors on the Great Bend High School volleyball team. Thursday night, in front of a Senior Night crowd, the Lady Panthers downed Dodge City in a best-of-five match 25-10, 23-25, 25-17, 25-21. Great Bend improves to 14-1 on the season.The Lady Panthers never trailed in the first set, getting an ace from senior Lauryn Davis and a kill from junior Cassie Ellegood to push the lead to 8-3 early. Dodge City cut the gap to 13-8 before junior Kara Feist put down a kill, freshman Kya Behr had a stuff, and senior Macy Nachtigal served up an ace. Feist added a pair of late stuffs, and Davis ended the set on back-to-back aces. Great Bend scored 14 of the final 16 points in the set to win 25-10. Great Bend was cruising in the second set at 6-1 with back-to-back kills from Feist and senior Makenzie Premer. Two points from senior Emilee Hall and another stuff from Feist kept the lead at 15-7. Dodge City ultimately leveled the set at 18, then took its first lead of the night at 19-18. Ellegood came up with several key points late but the Lady Panthers dropped the set 25-23.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695985087298.jpeg" alt="Freshman Kya Behr (17) and junior Cassie Ellegood (2) go up for a block." />
 <figcaption>Freshman Kya Behr (17) and junior Cassie Ellegood (2) go up for a block.</figcaption>
 </figure>The Demons carried some of that momentum into the third set, holding tight at 8-0 before Davis and Ellegood put down points. A pair of kills from Feist and an ace from Behr all but secured the set at 20-12. Great Bend took that set 25-17 and finished off the Red Demons 25-21 in the fourth set.Ellegood led a balanced attack with 11 kills, followed by 10 each from Feist and Hall, and nine apiece from Behr and Premer. Davis served up four of the team's eight aces on the evening. Feist led the blockers with five. Senior Paige Thexton led the back row with 17 digs, followed by 14 from Nachtigal, 11 from Davis, 10 from Sadie Spray, and nine from Behr. Behr had 28 assists and Spray added 10.The Lady Panthers stay home for their invitational Saturday in the GBHS gymnasium.

Lady Panthers take down Dodge City on Senior Night

No. 24 Kansas plays at No. 3 Texas in a battle of two of the Big 12's last three unbeaten. And it is another big chance for a program-elevating win for Kansas and coach Lance Leipold. Kansas stunned Texas in double overtime in 2021 and have been on the rise since. The Jayhawks are 4-0 for the second consecutive season for the first time in 108 years. Texas has been dominant on defense through the first four games but faces its best opposing quarterback yet in the Jayhawks' Jalon Daniels. Texas has 13 sacks and six interceptions this season.

No. 24 Kansas (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) at No. 3 Texas (4-0, 1-0), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)

Line: Texas by 16 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

The matchup of two of the last three undefeated teams in the Big 12 is another big chance for a program-elevating win for Kansas and coach Lance Leipold. The Jayhawks stunned the Longhorns in Austin in overtime in 2021 and have been on the rise since. It is the first of consecutive games for Texas against ranked opponents. Texas plays arch rival Oklahoma next.

Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels vs. the Texas defensive line. Daniels is the best quarterback Texas has faced this season and brings a combination of poise, passing and mobility that makes him a unique challenge to defend. He'll need confidence to make quick decisions against a Texas defense that has 13 sacks.

Kansas: Jayhawks running back Devin Neal averages 99 yards per game, including an impressive 6.9 yards per carry, and has five touchdowns. A big game from him is vital for the Jayhawks to keep Texas' up-front pressure off of Daniels. Texas has allowed just 87 yards per game and one rushing touchdown this season.

Texas: Tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders is the not-so-secret weapon in the Texas passing attack, yet he still seems to get lost in the secondary for big catches. Sanders has elite hands and averages a whopping 22 yards per catch with two 100-yard games already this season. He is the first Longhorns tight end with multiple 100-yard games in a career.

Kansas has started 4-0 in consecutive seasons for the first time in 108 years. Texas is 4-0 for the first time since 2012 ... The Longhorns and Jayhawks defenses both already have six interceptions ... Texas fumbled two punts and a kickoff last week against Baylor, turning it over twice .... The Jayhawks scored two defensive touchdowns last week against BYU on fumble and interception returns.

No. 24 Kansas plays at No. 3 Texas in a battle of two of the Big 12's last three unbeaten. And it is another big chance for a program-elevating win for Kansas and coach Lance Leipold. Kansas stunned Texas in double overtime in 2021 and have been on the rise since. The Jayhawks are 4-0 for the second consecutive season for the first time in 108 years. Texas has been dominant on defense through the first four games but faces its best opposing quarterback yet in the Jayhawks' Jalon Daniels. Texas has 13 sacks and six interceptions this season.No. 24 Kansas (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) at No. 3 Texas (4-0, 1-0), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)Line: Texas by 16 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.Series record: Texas leads 17-4.WHAT'S AT STAKE?The matchup of two of the last three undefeated teams in the Big 12 is another big chance for a program-elevating win for Kansas and coach Lance Leipold. The Jayhawks stunned the Longhorns in Austin in overtime in 2021 and have been on the rise since. It is the first of consecutive games for Texas against ranked opponents. Texas plays arch rival Oklahoma next.KEY MATCHUPKansas quarterback Jalon Daniels vs. the Texas defensive line. Daniels is the best quarterback Texas has faced this season and brings a combination of poise, passing and mobility that makes him a unique challenge to defend. He'll need confidence to make quick decisions against a Texas defense that has 13 sacks.PLAYERS TO WATCHKansas: Jayhawks running back Devin Neal averages 99 yards per game, including an impressive 6.9 yards per carry, and has five touchdowns. A big game from him is vital for the Jayhawks to keep Texas' up-front pressure off of Daniels. Texas has allowed just 87 yards per game and one rushing touchdown this season.Texas: Tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders is the not-so-secret weapon in the Texas passing attack, yet he still seems to get lost in the secondary for big catches. Sanders has elite hands and averages a whopping 22 yards per catch with two 100-yard games already this season. He is the first Longhorns tight end with multiple 100-yard games in a career.FACTS &amp; FIGURESKansas has started 4-0 in consecutive seasons for the first time in 108 years. Texas is 4-0 for the first time since 2012 ... The Longhorns and Jayhawks defenses both already have six interceptions ... Texas fumbled two punts and a kickoff last week against Baylor, turning it over twice .... The Jayhawks scored two defensive touchdowns last week against BYU on fumble and interception returns.

No. 24 Kansas and No. 3 Texas square off in a battle of Big 12 unbeatens

DETROIT (AP) — Miguel Cabrera hit his 511th home run as Detroit won the completion of a suspended game 8-0 and Spencer Torkelson hit a three-run homer in a seven-run seventh inning that led the Tigers over the Kansas City Royals 7-3 Thursday for a sweep both games.

Cabrera, who is retiring after the season, tied Mel Ott for 25th on the career home run list. The 40-year-old has 373 homers for Detroit, tying Norm Cash for second behind Al Kaline’s 399.

Cabrera did not play in the regularly scheduled game but intends to appear in the season’s final three games this weekend against Cleveland.

At 54-105, the Royals have their most losses since 2005.

Cole Ragans (5-2) led 3-0 after 6 1/3 innings in the second game before Parker Meadows hit an RBI single and Matt Vierling tied the score with a two-run single off Carlos Hernández.

“He said he didn’t feel right mechanically all day,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. ” That’s the kind of thing he has to be able to overcome.”

Andy Ibañez singled for a 4-3 lead and Torkelson became the first Detroit player with 30 homers since Cabrera had 38 and Justin Upton 31 in 2016.

“It feels great, especially because my teammates were so happy for me,” Torkelson said. “I wouldn’t have even gotten that chance if they hadn’t put together so many great at-bats in that inning.”

José Cisnero (3-4-0) pitched a scoreless seventh.

Play was suspended because of rain after four innings and an 80-minute wait on Wednesday night.

Miguel Díaz (1-0) pitched two innings for the win. Kansas City was held to four hits for the 25th time this season.

Cabrera homered leading off the second against Jonathan Bowlan (0-1), a 26-year-old right-hander who allowed one run and three hits over two innings in his major league debut.

Cabrera’s homer, his fourth this season, would have hit the out-of-town scoreboard before this season’s renovations lowered the fence in right-centerfield.

DETROIT (AP) — Miguel Cabrera hit his 511th home run as Detroit won the completion of a suspended game 8-0 and Spencer Torkelson hit a three-run homer in a seven-run seventh inning that led the Tigers over the Kansas City Royals 7-3 Thursday for a sweep both games.Cabrera, who is retiring after the season, tied Mel Ott for 25th on the career home run list. The 40-year-old has 373 homers for Detroit, tying Norm Cash for second behind Al Kaline’s 399.Cabrera did not play in the regularly scheduled game but intends to appear in the season’s final three games this weekend against Cleveland.At 54-105, the Royals have their most losses since 2005.Cole Ragans (5-2) led 3-0 after 6 1/3 innings in the second game before Parker Meadows hit an RBI single and Matt Vierling tied the score with a two-run single off Carlos Hernández.“He said he didn’t feel right mechanically all day,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. ” That’s the kind of thing he has to be able to overcome.”Andy Ibañez singled for a 4-3 lead and Torkelson became the first Detroit player with 30 homers since Cabrera had 38 and Justin Upton 31 in 2016.“It feels great, especially because my teammates were so happy for me,” Torkelson said. “I wouldn’t have even gotten that chance if they hadn’t put together so many great at-bats in that inning.”José Cisnero (3-4-0) pitched a scoreless seventh.Play was suspended because of rain after four innings and an 80-minute wait on Wednesday night.Miguel Díaz (1-0) pitched two innings for the win. Kansas City was held to four hits for the 25th time this season.Detroit has pitched 14 shutouts.Cabrera homered leading off the second against Jonathan Bowlan (0-1), a 26-year-old right-hander who allowed one run and three hits over two innings in his major league debut.Cabrera’s homer, his fourth this season, would have hit the out-of-town scoreboard before this season’s renovations lowered the fence in right-centerfield.“It’s meaningful, because he wants to win games,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “Is it his last homer? I don’t know, but that was vintage Miggy. That’s how he hits.”Cabrera singled in the fourth for his 3,170th hit, took second on Ibañez’s double, and scored on pinch-hitter Tyler Nevin’s three-run homer.Detroit added two runs in the fifth on Cabrera’s bases-loaded walk and Ibañez’s RBI forceout.Jake Rogers hit a two-run homer in the eighth off Jackson Kowar.Parker Meadows made a leaping catch at the center-field wall for the final out, denying Nelson Velazquez .MOTHER NATUREMost of the completion was played in light showers, but rain grew heavier during the fourth inning. Crew chief Marvin Hudson called for the tarp after a lengthy attempt to get the field playable to start the fifth.UP NEXTRoyals: RHP Jordan Lyles (5-17, 6.24) starts Friday’s series opener against the visiting New York Yankees, who go with LHP Carlos Rodón (3-7, 5.74).Tigers: LHP Joey Wentz (3-12, 6.45) starts Friday night’s series opener against Cleveland and RHP Cal Quantrill (3-7, 5.13).