AMERICAN LEAGUEEast DivisionW	L	Pct	GBNew
York	78	56	.582	—Baltimore	77	58	.570	1½Boston	69	65	.515	9Tampa
Bay	66	67	.496	11½Toronto	66	70	.485	13Central DivisionCleveland	76	58	.567	—Kansas
City	75	60	.556	1½Minnesota	72	61	.541	3½Detroit	68	67	.504	8½Chicago	31	104	.230	45½West DivisionHouston	72	62	.537	—Seattle	68	66	.507	4Texas	63	71	.470	9Oakland	58	76	.433	14Los
Angeles	55	79	.410	17NATIONAL LEAGUEEast DivisionW	L	Pct	GBPhiladelphia	79	55	.590	—Atlanta	73	61	.545	6New
York	70	64	.522	9Washington	61	73	.455	18Miami	49	85	.366	30Central DivisionMilwaukee	77	56	.579	—Chicago	68	66	.507	9½St.
Louis	67	67	.500	10½Cincinnati	64	70	.478	13½Pittsburgh	62	71	.466	15West DivisionLos
Angeles	80	54	.597	—Arizona	76	58	.567	4San
Diego	76	60	.559	5San
Francisco	67	68	.496	13½

MLB Standings

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/2024/8/1725010743096.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;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>&nbsp;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 6-3

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers just keep walking it off this season.

While they really have no chance to defend their World Series title, they are keeping things exciting by winning in their last at-bat.

Rookie outfielder Wyatt Langford hit a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yankees-rangers-score-e34eed5135d8017a3c1430a3f420b1fd">game-ending grand slam for a 7-4 win</a>&nbsp;over the New York Yankees on Tuesday night, for their third consecutive win that came in walk-off fashion. The last two have come against All-Star closers.

“It’s really cool to be a part of,” said Langford, the first Rangers rookie ever with a walk-off slam. “It’s hard to explain, really. But, I mean we have put together really good at-bats at the end of games, off really good pitchers, closers. Yeah, I wish we could do it a little earlier, making it a little less stressful, but it’s definitely really cool.”

Texas won twice in final at-bats against Oakland right before losing the series opener against New York.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rangers-athletics-score-2878f4c80a4d79053ca59fb05e28d377">Leody Taveras had an RBI single in the ninth inning for a 3-2 victory on Saturday</a>&nbsp;night against the Athletics, then&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/athletics-rangers-score-da3ca2c5fe4ce33076f8ee9e37f0314b">Josh Jung hit a three-run homer</a>&nbsp;on a 101.7 mph fastball from All-Star closer Mason Miller in the 10th inning Sunday to win 6-4.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Randal Grichuk hit a two-run homer in the first and a solo drive in the fifth to move within one of 300 for his career, and the Arizona Diamondbacks held off the San Francisco Giants 8-7 on Tuesday night for their seventh straight road win.

Grichuk had his 12th career multi-homer game and first in nearly two years since connecting twice for Colorado on Sept. 6, 2022, against Milwaukee.

“He’s hot, and when he’s hot he can carry a ballclub,” manager Torey Lovullo said.

Grichuk’s big bat helped Ryne Nelson (10-6) reach double-digit victories for the first time in his career in just the second win in six games overall for Arizona, which holds the second NL wild card spot.

“It was a big win for us to kind of get back on that train we were riding for a little bit,” Nelson said.

Matt Chapman homered in the sixth and Mike Yastrzemski connected to spark a four-run eighth for the Giants on a night they drew a season-low crowd of 23,545 and lost their third straight and fifth in six. San Francisco threatened against Ryan Thompson, who gave up RBI singles to Jerar Encarnacion and Patrick Bailey.

The main event of Week 2 in college football happens early Saturday.

No. 3 Texas visits No. 10 and defending national champion Michigan in the day’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michigan-texas-preview-866368e482739f3bc8b1288c690afb4a">only top-10 matchup.</a>&nbsp;It’s Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff, and it comes 20 seasons after the Longhorns won their only previous meeting in a&nbsp;<a href="https://texaslonghorns.com/news/2005/1/1/010105aaa_26.aspx" target="_blank">classic Rose Bowl.</a>&nbsp;The Longhorns also were in the College Football Playoff last season and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cfp-washington-texas-score-c04283ba51bfccd88fe49ca99513846d">lost to Washington</a>, the team Michigan beat in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michigan-washington-cfp-championship-score-0f286d1fb129620e77e667cdc73fd159">the title game</a>.

The SEC-ACC matchup between No. 14 Tennessee and No. 24 North Carolina State is the only other Top 25 game . Look for Volunteers’ wunderkind Nico Iamaleava to put the Wolfpack secondary to the test in Charlotte.

Boise State and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boise-state-georgia-southern-football-score-72c0c6c0ec1aa5a9d6bb933bf23e1b42">star running back Ashton Jeanty</a>&nbsp;visit No. 7 Oregon the week after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dillon-gabriel-oregon-93d0df6be436370833ab3e5a5fd0bb34">Ducks were sloppy</a>&nbsp;and struggled to get past FCS Idaho. Dillon Gabriel put up good numbers against the Vandals but was sacked three times, and the Ducks were called for eight penalties. The Broncos are one of the top challengers for the Group of Five bid in the College Football Playoff and, though nearly three-touchdown underdogs, will be no pushover.

PARIS (AP) — It’s the end of the second set of a women’s sitting volleyball match between the United States and France, and the French fans are letting loose.

They wave their tricolor flags in the flashing lights. Songs and cheers erupt from the packed stands at North Paris Arena.

And yet, the French have just lost this set, 25-1.

Win or lose, the French fans are turning out and supporting the more than 4,000 Paralympians competing in Paris, especially their own team.

These Paralympics sold more than 2.3 million tickets as of Monday, the latest count, according to Paris 2024 organizers. That puts it at No. 2 all time in terms of ticket sales for a Paralympic Games, behind only London’s 2.7 million in 2012, a moment generally regarded as a big victory in the disability sport community as it fights for visibility.

“We are surfing on the spirit of the Olympic Games, with crowds that embraced the spirit, and now we’re having crowds embrace the Paralympic spirit,” Etienne Thobois, director general of Paris 2024 said at a Saturday news conference.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723542041782.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers just keep walking it off this season.While they really have no chance to defend their World Series title, they are keeping things exciting by winning in their last at-bat.Rookie outfielder Wyatt Langford hit a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yankees-rangers-score-e34eed5135d8017a3c1430a3f420b1fd">game-ending grand slam for a 7-4 win</a>&nbsp;over the New York Yankees on Tuesday night, for their third consecutive win that came in walk-off fashion. The last two have come against All-Star closers.“It’s really cool to be a part of,” said Langford, the first Rangers rookie ever with a walk-off slam. “It’s hard to explain, really. But, I mean we have put together really good at-bats at the end of games, off really good pitchers, closers. Yeah, I wish we could do it a little earlier, making it a little less stressful, but it’s definitely really cool.”Texas won twice in final at-bats against Oakland right before losing the series opener against New York.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rangers-athletics-score-2878f4c80a4d79053ca59fb05e28d377">Leody Taveras had an RBI single in the ninth inning for a 3-2 victory on Saturday</a>&nbsp;night against the Athletics, then&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/athletics-rangers-score-da3ca2c5fe4ce33076f8ee9e37f0314b">Josh Jung hit a three-run homer</a>&nbsp;on a 101.7 mph fastball from All-Star closer Mason Miller in the 10th inning Sunday to win 6-4.SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Randal Grichuk hit a two-run homer in the first and a solo drive in the fifth to move within one of 300 for his career, and the Arizona Diamondbacks held off the San Francisco Giants 8-7 on Tuesday night for their seventh straight road win.Grichuk had his 12th career multi-homer game and first in nearly two years since connecting twice for Colorado on Sept. 6, 2022, against Milwaukee.“He’s hot, and when he’s hot he can carry a ballclub,” manager Torey Lovullo said.Grichuk’s big bat helped Ryne Nelson (10-6) reach double-digit victories for the first time in his career in just the second win in six games overall for Arizona, which holds the second NL wild card spot.“It was a big win for us to kind of get back on that train we were riding for a little bit,” Nelson said.Matt Chapman homered in the sixth and Mike Yastrzemski connected to spark a four-run eighth for the Giants on a night they drew a season-low crowd of 23,545 and lost their third straight and fifth in six. San Francisco threatened against Ryan Thompson, who gave up RBI singles to Jerar Encarnacion and Patrick Bailey.The main event of Week 2 in college football happens early Saturday.No. 3 Texas visits No. 10 and defending national champion Michigan in the day’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michigan-texas-preview-866368e482739f3bc8b1288c690afb4a">only top-10 matchup.</a>&nbsp;It’s Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff, and it comes 20 seasons after the Longhorns won their only previous meeting in a&nbsp;<a href="https://texaslonghorns.com/news/2005/1/1/010105aaa_26.aspx" target="_blank">classic Rose Bowl.</a>&nbsp;The Longhorns also were in the College Football Playoff last season and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cfp-washington-texas-score-c04283ba51bfccd88fe49ca99513846d">lost to Washington</a>, the team Michigan beat in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michigan-washington-cfp-championship-score-0f286d1fb129620e77e667cdc73fd159">the title game</a>.The SEC-ACC matchup between No. 14 Tennessee and No. 24 North Carolina State is the only other Top 25 game . Look for Volunteers’ wunderkind Nico Iamaleava to put the Wolfpack secondary to the test in Charlotte.The undercard is full of intrigue.Boise State and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boise-state-georgia-southern-football-score-72c0c6c0ec1aa5a9d6bb933bf23e1b42">star running back Ashton Jeanty</a>&nbsp;visit No. 7 Oregon the week after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dillon-gabriel-oregon-93d0df6be436370833ab3e5a5fd0bb34">Ducks were sloppy</a>&nbsp;and struggled to get past FCS Idaho. Dillon Gabriel put up good numbers against the Vandals but was sacked three times, and the Ducks were called for eight penalties. The Broncos are one of the top challengers for the Group of Five bid in the College Football Playoff and, though nearly three-touchdown underdogs, will be no pushover.PARIS (AP) — It’s the end of the second set of a women’s sitting volleyball match between the United States and France, and the French fans are letting loose.They wave their tricolor flags in the flashing lights. Songs and cheers erupt from the packed stands at North Paris Arena.And yet, the French have just lost this set, 25-1.Win or lose, the French fans are turning out and supporting the more than 4,000 Paralympians competing in Paris, especially their own team.These Paralympics sold more than 2.3 million tickets as of Monday, the latest count, according to Paris 2024 organizers. That puts it at No. 2 all time in terms of ticket sales for a Paralympic Games, behind only London’s 2.7 million in 2012, a moment generally regarded as a big victory in the disability sport community as it fights for visibility.“We are surfing on the spirit of the Olympic Games, with crowds that embraced the spirit, and now we’re having crowds embrace the Paralympic spirit,” Etienne Thobois, director general of Paris 2024 said at a Saturday news conference.MAJOR LEAGUE
BASEBALLINTERLEAGUEFinal	N.Y.
Mets	7	Boston	2	Final	Philadelphia	10	Toronto	9	Final	L.A.
Dodgers	6	L.A. Angels	2	AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal	Tampa
Bay	2	Minnesota	1	Final	Baltimore	9	Chicago
White Sox	0	Final	Cleveland	7	Kansas
City	1	Final	Texas	7	N.Y.
Yankees	4	Final	Oakland	3	Seattle	2	NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal	Washington	6	Miami	2	Final	Atlanta	3	Colorado	0	Final	Pittsburgh	5	Chicago
Cubs	0	Final	St.
Louis	7	Milwaukee	4

Wednesday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

The Kansas City
Chiefs claimed the following player:

The Kansas City
Chiefs signed the following players to the Practice Squad:

Bozeman, Swayze (LB-
Southern Mississippi)

Ingram, Keaontay
(RB- Southern California)

The Kansas City
Chiefs signed the following International Player to the Practice
Squad:

The Kansas City
Chiefs waived the following player:

Courtesy of Chiefs.comThe Kansas City
Chiefs claimed the following player:Scott, Eric (CB-
Southern Mississippi)The Kansas City
Chiefs signed the following players to the Practice Squad:Bailey, Emani (RB-
Texas Christian)Bozeman, Swayze (LB-
Southern Mississippi)Bush, Deon (S-
Miami)Christiansen, Cole
(LB- Army)Cupp, Baylor (TE-
Texas Tech)Dickerson, Matt (DT-
UCLA)Farrell, Neil (DT-
Louisiana State)Ingram, Keaontay
(RB- Southern California)Jones, Truman (DE-
Harvard)Lovett, Fabien (DT-
Florida State)Niang, Lucas (T-
Texas Christian)Remigio, Nikko (WR-
Fresno State)Ross, Justyn (WR-
Clemson)Taylor, Keith (CB-
Washington)Washington, Montrell
(WR- Samford)The Kansas City
Chiefs signed the following International Player to the Practice
Squad:Godrick, Chukwuebuka
(T- No College)The Kansas City
Chiefs waived the following player:<div><iframe title="Great Bend Post Podcast" allowtransparency="true" height="315" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:315px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=exg2z-fe3d77-pbblog-playlist&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=f6f6f6&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&order=episodic&limit=10&filter=all&ss=a713390a017602015775e868a2cf26b0&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=315" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

Chiefs Announce Practice Squad and Other Roster Moves

No. 18 Kansas State
will play Tennessee-Martin on Saturday night to open the season. The
Wildcats are coming off a nine-win season that ended with a victory
in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Avery Johnson will be taking over at QB for
Will Howard, who transferred to Ohio State. He starred when given the
chance to play last season. The Wildcats also return RB D.J. Giddens,
who will split carries with Colorado transfer Dylan Edwards.
Tennessee-Martin is coming off three consecutive conference titles,
including the inaugural Big South-OVC championship last season.

Tennessee-Martin at
No. 18 Kansas State, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

BetMGM College
Football Odds: No line.

Kansas State is
coming off a nine-win season capped by a victory in the Pop-Tarts
Bowl, where QB Avery Johnson replaced Will Howard and showed star
potential. Johnson is the starter now after Howard's transfer to Ohio
State, and he has running back D.J. Giddens and Colorado transfer
Dylan Edwards alongside him in an explosive backfield. The Wildcats'
defense returns eight starters, including five of its six tacklers
from last season. Tennessee-Martin is coming off three consecutive
conference titles, including the inaugural Big South-OVC championship
last season.

Johnson against the
Tennessee-Martin defense. The sophomore could be the fastest QB in
college football, and his ability to beat teams with his legs was in
evidence last season at Texas Tech, when he ran for five touchdowns.
But he also has a strong arm and the Wildcats are hopeful of more
big-play strikes from the offense this season.

Tennessee-Martin:
QB Kinkead Dent threw for 2,295 yards and 25 touchdowns last season
after winning an open competition for the starting job. He has a
capable backup in Kentucky transfer Kaiya Sheron.

Kansas State:
DJ Gidden ran for 1,226 yards and 10 touchdowns last season while
catching 29 passes for 323 yards and three scores. He finished the
season with at least 100 yards rushing in four consecutive games. His
powerful running style is offset by the speed of Colorado transfer
Dylan Edwards.

By The Associated
PressNo. 18 Kansas State
will play Tennessee-Martin on Saturday night to open the season. The
Wildcats are coming off a nine-win season that ended with a victory
in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Avery Johnson will be taking over at QB for
Will Howard, who transferred to Ohio State. He starred when given the
chance to play last season. The Wildcats also return RB D.J. Giddens,
who will split carries with Colorado transfer Dylan Edwards.
Tennessee-Martin is coming off three consecutive conference titles,
including the inaugural Big South-OVC championship last season.Tennessee-Martin at
No. 18 Kansas State, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)BetMGM College
Football Odds: No line.Series record:
First meeting.WHAT’S AT
STAKE?Kansas State is
coming off a nine-win season capped by a victory in the Pop-Tarts
Bowl, where QB Avery Johnson replaced Will Howard and showed star
potential. Johnson is the starter now after Howard's transfer to Ohio
State, and he has running back D.J. Giddens and Colorado transfer
Dylan Edwards alongside him in an explosive backfield. The Wildcats'
defense returns eight starters, including five of its six tacklers
from last season. Tennessee-Martin is coming off three consecutive
conference titles, including the inaugural Big South-OVC championship
last season.KEY MATCHUPJohnson against the
Tennessee-Martin defense. The sophomore could be the fastest QB in
college football, and his ability to beat teams with his legs was in
evidence last season at Texas Tech, when he ran for five touchdowns.
But he also has a strong arm and the Wildcats are hopeful of more
big-play strikes from the offense this season.PLAYERS TO WATCHTennessee-Martin:
QB Kinkead Dent threw for 2,295 yards and 25 touchdowns last season
after winning an open competition for the starting job. He has a
capable backup in Kentucky transfer Kaiya Sheron.Kansas State:
DJ Gidden ran for 1,226 yards and 10 touchdowns last season while
catching 29 passes for 323 yards and three scores. He finished the
season with at least 100 yards rushing in four consecutive games. His
powerful running style is offset by the speed of Colorado transfer
Dylan Edwards.FACTS &amp;
FIGURES

#18 Kansas State host UT-Martin to begin 2024 campaign

By STEPHEN HAWKINS AP Sports Writer

West Virginia and TCU are the only Big 12 teams that are opening the season against Power Four opponents. The Mountaineers are the only one taking on a ranked team, hosting eighth-ranked Penn State on Saturday. It's a rematch of last year's opener when Penn State won in the first meeting since 1992 between the schools only about 180 miles apart. TCU is going to ACC newcomer Stanford on Friday night. Of the 16 season openers in the Big 12, there are 11 against FCS teams. No. 21 Arizona, one of the Big 12’s four newcomers, carries a seven-game winning streak into the season. The Wildcats host New Mexico.

Things to watch this week in the Big 12 Conference:

No. 8 Penn State at West Virginia, Saturday, noon ET (Fox)

The Mountaineers, coming off a surprising 9-4 record last year after being picked to finish last in the Big 12, are the league's only team opening against a ranked Power Four team. West Virginia has lost its past three openers, including 38-15 at Penn State last year in the first meeting since 1992 between the schools that are only about 180 miles apart. The Nittany Lions have won 35 of the last 38 meetings since the mid-1950s.

West Virginia returns its top three rushers with running backs sophomore Jaheim White (842 yards and four TDs) and junior CJ Donaldson (798 yards and 11 TDs), and dual-threat senior quarterback Garrett Greene (772 yards rushing and 13 TDs). The Mountaineers' 229 yards rushing per game were the most for a major conference team. Penn State was the nation's top rushing defense allowing only 75.5 yards per game.

TCU is the only other Big 12 team opening against a major conference opponent, Friday at Stanford, in the Cardinal's first game as an ACC member after the dismemberment of the Pac-12. TCU went 5-7 last year. Josh Hoover is the TCU starting quarterback after averaging 339 yards passing the final six games as a redshirt freshman last year.

Colorado won at TCU last year in coach Deion Sanders' first game with the Buffaloes while still in the Pac-12, but are now back in the Big 12 after 13 seasons away. They open Thursday night at home against FCS powerhouse North Dakota State. The Buffs ended last season with a six-game losing streak, and eight losses in nine games after a 3-0 start.

Nick Martin and Collin Oliver are returning starting linebackers for No. 17 Oklahoma State. Martin's 140 tackles last season in his first as a starter were the most by a Cowboys player since 1984, and the most by a Big 12 player since 2018. Oliver, a defensive end his first two seasons in Stillwater, had 45 tackles, 15 1/2 tackles for loss, and four forced fumbles last season. The Cowboys host FCS national champion South Dakota State on Saturday.

No. 21 Arizona, one of the Big 12's four newcomers, carries a seven-game winning streak into this season. West Virginia (three games) and No. 22 Kansas (two games) are the only other Big 12 teams that finished last season with consecutive wins. ... Oklahoma State's Ollie Gordon II, the nation's leading rusher last season, is one of eight returning Big 12 running backs that rushed for at least 1,000 yards last season, the most for any conference. ... Eleven of the 16 openers in the Big 12 are against FCS teams.

Two Big 12 teams have new coaches: Willie Fritz at Houston and Arizona's Brent Brennan. There are also two coaches going into their 20th seasons, Kyle Whittingham for 12th-ranked and league newcomer Utah, and Mike Gundy at Oklahoma State. The only longer-tenured FBS coach is Kirk Ferentz, going into his 25th season at Iowa.

By STEPHEN HAWKINS AP Sports WriterWest Virginia and TCU are the only Big 12 teams that are opening the season against Power Four opponents. The Mountaineers are the only one taking on a ranked team, hosting eighth-ranked Penn State on Saturday. It's a rematch of last year's opener when Penn State won in the first meeting since 1992 between the schools only about 180 miles apart. TCU is going to ACC newcomer Stanford on Friday night. Of the 16 season openers in the Big 12, there are 11 against FCS teams. No. 21 Arizona, one of the Big 12’s four newcomers, carries a seven-game winning streak into the season. The Wildcats host New Mexico.Things to watch this week in the Big 12 Conference:Game of the weekNo. 8 Penn State at West Virginia, Saturday, noon ET (Fox)The Mountaineers, coming off a surprising 9-4 record last year after being picked to finish last in the Big 12, are the league's only team opening against a ranked Power Four team. West Virginia has lost its past three openers, including 38-15 at Penn State last year in the first meeting since 1992 between the schools that are only about 180 miles apart. The Nittany Lions have won 35 of the last 38 meetings since the mid-1950s.West Virginia returns its top three rushers with running backs sophomore Jaheim White (842 yards and four TDs) and junior CJ Donaldson (798 yards and 11 TDs), and dual-threat senior quarterback Garrett Greene (772 yards rushing and 13 TDs). The Mountaineers' 229 yards rushing per game were the most for a major conference team. Penn State was the nation's top rushing defense allowing only 75.5 yards per game.The undercardTCU is the only other Big 12 team opening against a major conference opponent, Friday at Stanford, in the Cardinal's first game as an ACC member after the dismemberment of the Pac-12. TCU went 5-7 last year. Josh Hoover is the TCU starting quarterback after averaging 339 yards passing the final six games as a redshirt freshman last year.Colorado won at TCU last year in coach Deion Sanders' first game with the Buffaloes while still in the Pac-12, but are now back in the Big 12 after 13 seasons away. They open Thursday night at home against FCS powerhouse North Dakota State. The Buffs ended last season with a six-game losing streak, and eight losses in nine games after a 3-0 start.Impact playersNick Martin and Collin Oliver are returning starting linebackers for No. 17 Oklahoma State. Martin's 140 tackles last season in his first as a starter were the most by a Cowboys player since 1984, and the most by a Big 12 player since 2018. Oliver, a defensive end his first two seasons in Stillwater, had 45 tackles, 15 1/2 tackles for loss, and four forced fumbles last season. The Cowboys host FCS national champion South Dakota State on Saturday.Inside the numbersNo. 21 Arizona, one of the Big 12's four newcomers, carries a seven-game winning streak into this season. West Virginia (three games) and No. 22 Kansas (two games) are the only other Big 12 teams that finished last season with consecutive wins. ... Oklahoma State's Ollie Gordon II, the nation's leading rusher last season, is one of eight returning Big 12 running backs that rushed for at least 1,000 yards last season, the most for any conference. ... Eleven of the 16 openers in the Big 12 are against FCS teams.From Year 1 to 2 decadesTwo Big 12 teams have new coaches: Willie Fritz at Houston and Arizona's Brent Brennan. There are also two coaches going into their 20th seasons, Kyle Whittingham for 12th-ranked and league newcomer Utah, and Mike Gundy at Oklahoma State. The only longer-tenured FBS coach is Kirk Ferentz, going into his 25th season at Iowa.<div><iframe title="Great Bend Post Podcast" allowtransparency="true" height="315" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:315px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=exg2z-fe3d77-pbblog-playlist&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=f6f6f6&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&order=episodic&limit=10&filter=all&ss=a713390a017602015775e868a2cf26b0&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=315" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

Things to watch this week in the Big 12 Conference

- Great Bend Panther football coach Erin Beck. He will be joined by Seniors Aiden Davidson and Owen Kaiser.

- Great Bend Panther volleyball coach Shelly Duval

- Barton Men's and Women's soccer coach Rafael Simmons

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1693997740304.jpeg" alt="Thursday show lineup with hosts Steve Webster, Mike Courson, and Mike Hesher" />
 <figcaption>Thursday show lineup with hosts Steve Webster, Mike Courson, and Mike Hesher</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7eClexF_K3g?si=lQfulW1X5KH2-Q5X" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>- Great Bend Panther football coach Erin Beck. He will be joined by Seniors Aiden Davidson and Owen Kaiser.- Great Bend Panther volleyball coach Shelly Duval- Barton Men's and Women's soccer coach Rafael Simmons- Thursday Sports Headlines- Sounds of the past 24-hours

Thursday on Sports Day(Watch)

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer

Avery Johnson was recruited to be the starting quarterback at Kansas State, and one of the nation's top dual-threats did nothing to dissuade Wildcats coach Chris Klieman from turning the team over to him after last season.

Just look at what Johnson did in limited opportunities as a freshman.

On the road against Texas Tech, he replaced Will Howard and went 8 of 9 for 77 yards while running 13 times for 90 yards and five touchdowns. Against Houston, he was 5 of 6 for 46 yards and another score. And when Howard decided to transfer to Ohio State, Johnson accounted for three TDs while leading the Wildcats to a win in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.

Now, it is up to Johnson to help the No. 18 Wildcats reach some lofty expectations beginning Saturday night, when Tennessee-Martin arrives at Bill Snyder Family Stadium for the season-opener for both teams.

“It's a different feeling for sure,” Johnson said, “but I think mentally it doesn't change anything. Prepare like you're the starter. Nothing changes. It's just that whenever the offense takes the field for the first time, I'm going to be out there.”

He will have plenty of talent surrounding him.

While the Wildcats had to rebuild an offensive line that lost multiple starters to the NFL, they also return wide receivers Jayce Brown, Keagan Johnson, Tre Spivey and Jadon Jackson. In the backfield is D.J. Giddens, who ran for 1,226 yards and 10 scores last season, and he'll be splitting reps this time with dynamic Colorado transfer Dylan Edwards.

Throw in a veteran defense and it's easy to see why the Wildcats were picked to challenge Utah and Oklahoma State for the Big 12 title this season, and why some think they could make a run to the College Football Playoff.

“Yeah, there's excitement. There's really good momentum from the end of the season, and excitement of maybe expectations,” Klieman said, “but forget about expectations, man. Just go about your business daily, and stack day after day after day. Don't talk about championships, don't talk about what we can be. Talk about what we can be today.”

The Skyhawks may play at the FCS level, but they are accustomed to winning. They are coming off three consecutive conference titles, including the inaugural Big South-OVC championship last season. Jason Simpson is beginning his 19th season in charge, so they have some continuity, and safety Oshae Baker is one of the best defensive players in the nation.

“It’s been a grind. It’s been three weeks of camp. I’m really pleased with these guys,” Simpson said. “They’ve done a good job. Had some guys dinged up but that’s part of it as you prepare.”

Kansas State has not always rolled over FCS opponents. It beat Southeast Missouri State 45-0 last year, and South Dakota 34-0 the year before that. But the Wildcats also scuffled to a 31-23 victory over Southern Illinois in 2021 and a 27-24 win over South Dakota in 2018, the last season of Bill Snyder's second tenure as their coach.

The Wildcats lost one of the nation's most productive running backs in Deuce Vaughn two years ago, and Giddens — who was lightly recruited out of high school — filled the role with aplomb. But the powerful running back, who added 29 catches for 323 yards last season, should be much fresher this season with Edwards sharing the load. The speedster from Derby, Kansas, ran 76 times for 321 yards and a touchdown while catching 36 passes for 299 yards and four more scores for Colorado.

The Wildcats return eight starters from last season, including five of their top six tacklers. That includes linebacker Austin Moore and safety Marques Sigle, who had 63 tackles apiece. Both have been voted team captains for this season.

The Wildcats lost offensive coordinator Collin Klein, who was a Heisman Trophy finalist at quarterback for them, to the same job at Texas A&amp;M. They replaced him by promoting offensive line coach Conor Riley to co-offensive coordinator and bringing aboard Matt Wells, who went 57-51 as the head coach at Utah State and Texas Tech.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724950500509.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;FILE - Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson (5) tries to break away from TCU safety Millard Bradford (28) as he runs the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;FILE - Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson (5) tries to break away from TCU safety Millard Bradford (28) as he runs the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports WriterAvery Johnson was recruited to be the starting quarterback at Kansas State, and one of the nation's top dual-threats did nothing to dissuade Wildcats coach Chris Klieman from turning the team over to him after last season.Just look at what Johnson did in limited opportunities as a freshman.On the road against Texas Tech, he replaced Will Howard and went 8 of 9 for 77 yards while running 13 times for 90 yards and five touchdowns. Against Houston, he was 5 of 6 for 46 yards and another score. And when Howard decided to transfer to Ohio State, Johnson accounted for three TDs while leading the Wildcats to a win in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.Now, it is up to Johnson to help the No. 18 Wildcats reach some lofty expectations beginning Saturday night, when Tennessee-Martin arrives at Bill Snyder Family Stadium for the season-opener for both teams.“It's a different feeling for sure,” Johnson said, “but I think mentally it doesn't change anything. Prepare like you're the starter. Nothing changes. It's just that whenever the offense takes the field for the first time, I'm going to be out there.”He will have plenty of talent surrounding him.While the Wildcats had to rebuild an offensive line that lost multiple starters to the NFL, they also return wide receivers Jayce Brown, Keagan Johnson, Tre Spivey and Jadon Jackson. In the backfield is D.J. Giddens, who ran for 1,226 yards and 10 scores last season, and he'll be splitting reps this time with dynamic Colorado transfer Dylan Edwards.Throw in a veteran defense and it's easy to see why the Wildcats were picked to challenge Utah and Oklahoma State for the Big 12 title this season, and why some think they could make a run to the College Football Playoff.“Yeah, there's excitement. There's really good momentum from the end of the season, and excitement of maybe expectations,” Klieman said, “but forget about expectations, man. Just go about your business daily, and stack day after day after day. Don't talk about championships, don't talk about what we can be. Talk about what we can be today.”More on UT-MartinThe Skyhawks may play at the FCS level, but they are accustomed to winning. They are coming off three consecutive conference titles, including the inaugural Big South-OVC championship last season. Jason Simpson is beginning his 19th season in charge, so they have some continuity, and safety Oshae Baker is one of the best defensive players in the nation.“It’s been a grind. It’s been three weeks of camp. I’m really pleased with these guys,” Simpson said. “They’ve done a good job. Had some guys dinged up but that’s part of it as you prepare.”FCS foesKansas State has not always rolled over FCS opponents. It beat Southeast Missouri State 45-0 last year, and South Dakota 34-0 the year before that. But the Wildcats also scuffled to a 31-23 victory over Southern Illinois in 2021 and a 27-24 win over South Dakota in 2018, the last season of Bill Snyder's second tenure as their coach.In the backfieldThe Wildcats lost one of the nation's most productive running backs in Deuce Vaughn two years ago, and Giddens — who was lightly recruited out of high school — filled the role with aplomb. But the powerful running back, who added 29 catches for 323 yards last season, should be much fresher this season with Edwards sharing the load. The speedster from Derby, Kansas, ran 76 times for 321 yards and a touchdown while catching 36 passes for 299 yards and four more scores for Colorado.Getting defensiveThe Wildcats return eight starters from last season, including five of their top six tacklers. That includes linebacker Austin Moore and safety Marques Sigle, who had 63 tackles apiece. Both have been voted team captains for this season.Offensive changeThe Wildcats lost offensive coordinator Collin Klein, who was a Heisman Trophy finalist at quarterback for them, to the same job at Texas A&amp;M. They replaced him by promoting offensive line coach Conor Riley to co-offensive coordinator and bringing aboard Matt Wells, who went 57-51 as the head coach at Utah State and Texas Tech.

Avery Johnson takes reins of No. 18 Kansas State

By ARNIE STAPLETON AP Pro Football Writer


The Kansas City Chiefs have ruled the AFC West since two-time MVP
Patrick Mahomes was still slinging it at Texas Tech. They've won the
division every year since 2016.


What the back-to-back Super Bowl champs are really out to accomplish
this season, though, is something that's never been done before: a
three-peat that has eluded the other seven repeat champs, including
the Pittsburgh Steelers twice.


As tight end Travis Kelce celebrated the Chiefs' 25-22 win over San
Francisco in Las Vegas at the last Super Bowl, his thoughts were
already on the next one, in New Orleans on Feb. 9, 2025.


“How about that?” Kelce hollered. “We get a chance to do it
three times in a row.”


None of the other back-to-back Super Bowl champs even made it back to
the big game for a shot at a three-peat. Joe Montana and the 49ers
came closest, but lost to the New York Giants 15-13 on Matt Bahr’s
42-yard field goal as time expired in the NFC championship at
Candlestick Park following the 1990 season.


The NFL is the only major sports league in North America that hasn't
had a back-to-back-to-back champion. The feat was last accomplished
in the NBA by Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal with the Los Angeles
Lakers from 2000-02, shortly after the Yankees won three straight
World Series titles from 1998-2000. The last NHL team to do it was
the New York Islanders in the early 1980s.


In trying to break the Chiefs' stranglehold on the AFC West, the
Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders both brought in new quarterbacks
and the Los Angeles Chargers hired a new head coach.


Rookie Bo Nix will be the 14th different starter at quarterback in
Denver since Peyton Manning retired following a triumphant Super Bowl
50 — the last time the Broncos even reached the playoffs.


Journeyman Gardner Minshew won the Raiders' QB competition and Justin
Herbert has coach Jim Harbaugh calling the shots in Los Angeles. The
former 49ers head coach returned to the NFL after guiding Michigan to
the national title last season.


The Chiefs bring back largely the same cast led by Mahomes, Kelce,
coach Andy Reid and All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones, who signed
a five-year, $158.75 million contract in the offseason.


The Chiefs got even better in the offseason, upgrading their wide
receiver corps by signing free agents “Hollywood” Brown and Juju
Smith-Schuster and drafting Xavier Worthy in the first round.


In Smith-Schuster, the Chiefs are reuniting with a veteran pass
catcher who helped Kansas City beat the Eagles 38-35 in the Super
Bowl two years ago.


GM Brett Veach shored up the team's greatest remaining roster
weakness by signing Broncos castoff running back Samaje Perine
shortly after roster cuts Tuesday.


The Broncos also had an abundance of wide receivers and three whom
they let go — Tim Patrick (Lions), Brandon Johnson (Steelers) and
Jalen Virgil (Bills) — were snapped up to serve on other teams'
practice squads.


If the Chiefs needed any fresh fire for their quest, they got it this
summer from an unlikely source: Trey Taylor, the Jim Thorpe
Award-winning former Air Force safety and Raiders seventh-round draft
pick.


A Raiders fan attending the team’s training camp brought a Kermit
the Frog puppet complete with a Mahomes wig and jersey to practice. A
viral video showed Taylor laughing with the other players while
placing the puppet on his right hand and speaking in a voice that
sounded like both the genial green amphibian and the three-time Super
Bowl winning QB.


Las Vegas coach Antonio Pierce said the team addressed the rookie
clowning on Mahomes and declared, “It’s over with.”


“It'll get handled when it gets handled,” Mahomes said when asked
about the mockery by the Raiders rookie.


Mahomes has manhandled the Raiders, beating them 10 times in 12
tries. He's also 12-1 against Denver and 8-2 against the Raiders.


That's 30-5 against division opponents, the chief reason Kansas City
has owned the AFC West for so long.


Nix, the sixth quarterback selected in the top dozen picks in the NFL
draft in April, beat out career backup Jarrett Stidham and 2021
second overall pick Zach Wilson to win the Broncos' starting job.


When the Broncos open at Seattle on Sept. 8, he'll become the first
rookie quarterback to start a season for Denver since Hall of Famer
John Elway in 1983.


Elway's debut was forgettable: He went 1 for 8 for 14 yards with an
interception and four sacks before being replaced by former starter
Steve DeBerg, who rallied the Broncos past the Pittsburgh Steelers
14-10.


Jim Harbaugh was quick to praise Justin Herbert for quickly picking
up the new offense, but the Chargers' fifth-year quarterback's
acclimation was dealt a setback with yet another injury this summer.
This time, it was to the plantar fascia in his right foot that had
him in a walking boot for two weeks.


Over the past two seasons, Herbert has had bruised ribs, a torn
labrum to his non-throwing shoulder and two broken fingers, including
one on his throwing hand that caused him to miss the final four games
last season.


Harbaugh had some more praise for Herbert when the QB was among a
dozen Chargers players who got stuck in an elevator for two hours at
the team hotel the night before a preseason game at Dallas. Harbaugh
said he saw the players as they were rescued and Herbert hadn't even
broken a sweat.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724925292475.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)</figcaption>
 </figure>By ARNIE STAPLETON AP Pro Football Writer
The Kansas City Chiefs have ruled the AFC West since two-time MVP
Patrick Mahomes was still slinging it at Texas Tech. They've won the
division every year since 2016.
What the back-to-back Super Bowl champs are really out to accomplish
this season, though, is something that's never been done before: a
three-peat that has eluded the other seven repeat champs, including
the Pittsburgh Steelers twice.
As tight end Travis Kelce celebrated the Chiefs' 25-22 win over San
Francisco in Las Vegas at the last Super Bowl, his thoughts were
already on the next one, in New Orleans on Feb. 9, 2025.
“How about that?” Kelce hollered. “We get a chance to do it
three times in a row.”
None of the other back-to-back Super Bowl champs even made it back to
the big game for a shot at a three-peat. Joe Montana and the 49ers
came closest, but lost to the New York Giants 15-13 on Matt Bahr’s
42-yard field goal as time expired in the NFC championship at
Candlestick Park following the 1990 season.
The NFL is the only major sports league in North America that hasn't
had a back-to-back-to-back champion. The feat was last accomplished
in the NBA by Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal with the Los Angeles
Lakers from 2000-02, shortly after the Yankees won three straight
World Series titles from 1998-2000. The last NHL team to do it was
the New York Islanders in the early 1980s.
In trying to break the Chiefs' stranglehold on the AFC West, the
Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders both brought in new quarterbacks
and the Los Angeles Chargers hired a new head coach.
Rookie Bo Nix will be the 14th different starter at quarterback in
Denver since Peyton Manning retired following a triumphant Super Bowl
50 — the last time the Broncos even reached the playoffs.
Journeyman Gardner Minshew won the Raiders' QB competition and Justin
Herbert has coach Jim Harbaugh calling the shots in Los Angeles. The
former 49ers head coach returned to the NFL after guiding Michigan to
the national title last season.
The Chiefs bring back largely the same cast led by Mahomes, Kelce,
coach Andy Reid and All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones, who signed
a five-year, $158.75 million contract in the offseason.Rich get richer
The Chiefs got even better in the offseason, upgrading their wide
receiver corps by signing free agents “Hollywood” Brown and Juju
Smith-Schuster and drafting Xavier Worthy in the first round.
In Smith-Schuster, the Chiefs are reuniting with a veteran pass
catcher who helped Kansas City beat the Eagles 38-35 in the Super
Bowl two years ago.
GM Brett Veach shored up the team's greatest remaining roster
weakness by signing Broncos castoff running back Samaje Perine
shortly after roster cuts Tuesday.
The Broncos also had an abundance of wide receivers and three whom
they let go — Tim Patrick (Lions), Brandon Johnson (Steelers) and
Jalen Virgil (Bills) — were snapped up to serve on other teams'
practice squads.Poking the bear
If the Chiefs needed any fresh fire for their quest, they got it this
summer from an unlikely source: Trey Taylor, the Jim Thorpe
Award-winning former Air Force safety and Raiders seventh-round draft
pick.
A Raiders fan attending the team’s training camp brought a Kermit
the Frog puppet complete with a Mahomes wig and jersey to practice. A
viral video showed Taylor laughing with the other players while
placing the puppet on his right hand and speaking in a voice that
sounded like both the genial green amphibian and the three-time Super
Bowl winning QB.
Las Vegas coach Antonio Pierce said the team addressed the rookie
clowning on Mahomes and declared, “It’s over with.”
Maybe not.
“It'll get handled when it gets handled,” Mahomes said when asked
about the mockery by the Raiders rookie.
Mahomes has manhandled the Raiders, beating them 10 times in 12
tries. He's also 12-1 against Denver and 8-2 against the Raiders.
That's 30-5 against division opponents, the chief reason Kansas City
has owned the AFC West for so long.Nix is up next
Nix, the sixth quarterback selected in the top dozen picks in the NFL
draft in April, beat out career backup Jarrett Stidham and 2021
second overall pick Zach Wilson to win the Broncos' starting job.
When the Broncos open at Seattle on Sept. 8, he'll become the first
rookie quarterback to start a season for Denver since Hall of Famer
John Elway in 1983.
Elway's debut was forgettable: He went 1 for 8 for 14 yards with an
interception and four sacks before being replaced by former starter
Steve DeBerg, who rallied the Broncos past the Pittsburgh Steelers
14-10.Harbaugh and
Herbert
Jim Harbaugh was quick to praise Justin Herbert for quickly picking
up the new offense, but the Chargers' fifth-year quarterback's
acclimation was dealt a setback with yet another injury this summer.
This time, it was to the plantar fascia in his right foot that had
him in a walking boot for two weeks.
Over the past two seasons, Herbert has had bruised ribs, a torn
labrum to his non-throwing shoulder and two broken fingers, including
one on his throwing hand that caused him to miss the final four games
last season.
Harbaugh had some more praise for Herbert when the QB was among a
dozen Chargers players who got stuck in an elevator for two hours at
the team hotel the night before a preseason game at Dallas. Harbaugh
said he saw the players as they were rescued and Herbert hadn't even
broken a sweat.Predicted order
of finish

Mahomes seeking another AFC West title and a Super Bowl 3-peat


No. 22 Kansas opens the season Thursday night against FCS school
Lindenwood at Children's Mercy Park, the home of MLS club Sporting
Kansas City. The Jayhawks are playing their nonconference games in
Kansas City, Kansas, while construction is ongoing for their
on-campus stadium. They are coming off a second consecutive bowl game
for only the third time in school history, and return quarterback
Jalon Daniels, their top four wide receivers and star running back
Devin Neal. Lindenwood went 3-7 last year in its first full season at
the FCS level.


Lindenwood at No. 22 Kansas in Kansas City, Kan., Thursday, 8 p.m. ET
(ESPN+)

BetMGM College Football Odds: No line.


No. 22 Kansas will try to get off to a fast start against Lindenwood,
a school from St. Charles, Missouri, that became a full member of the
Championship Subdivision last year. The Jayhawks are coming off a
nine-win season highlighted by a win over UNLV in the Guaranteed Rate
Bowl. They return quarterback Jalon Daniels, who missed most of last
season with a back injury, along with most of their top wide
receivers and running back Devin Neal, who is coming off his second
1,000-yard plus season. Lindenwood went 3-7 and finished last in the
Ohio Valley last season. The game will be played at Children's Mercy
Park, the home of MLS club Sporting Kansas City, due to the
construction of the Jayhawks' on-campus stadium.


Jalon Daniels against the Lindenwood defense. Daniels has been
spectacular when he's been healthy, but that was only for three games
last season. He completed nearly 75% of his throws for 705 yards with
five touchdowns and only one interception in those games. He has the
benefit of experienced WRs in Quentin Skinner, Lawrence Arnold,
Trevor Wilson and Luke Grimm.

Lindenwood: DL Kobe McClendon will be a good test for the
Jayhawks' new and unsettled offensive line. He had 32 tackles last
season, including 9 1/2 for loss, while his 6 1/2 sacks led the team.
DB Kanyon Walker was the lone Racer to land on one of the preseason
all-Missouri Valley teams. He transferred last season from Tulane and
finished fourth on the team with 54 tackles.

Kansas: Cobee Bryant and Mello Dotson form one of the best
cornerback tandems in college football. They have combined to make 64
starts with 16 interceptions, the most of any duo in the country.
Eight of those came last season.

By The Associated
Press
No. 22 Kansas opens the season Thursday night against FCS school
Lindenwood at Children's Mercy Park, the home of MLS club Sporting
Kansas City. The Jayhawks are playing their nonconference games in
Kansas City, Kansas, while construction is ongoing for their
on-campus stadium. They are coming off a second consecutive bowl game
for only the third time in school history, and return quarterback
Jalon Daniels, their top four wide receivers and star running back
Devin Neal. Lindenwood went 3-7 last year in its first full season at
the FCS level.
Lindenwood at No. 22 Kansas in Kansas City, Kan., Thursday, 8 p.m. ET
(ESPN+)
BetMGM College Football Odds: No line.
Series record: First meeting.WHAT’S AT
STAKE?
No. 22 Kansas will try to get off to a fast start against Lindenwood,
a school from St. Charles, Missouri, that became a full member of the
Championship Subdivision last year. The Jayhawks are coming off a
nine-win season highlighted by a win over UNLV in the Guaranteed Rate
Bowl. They return quarterback Jalon Daniels, who missed most of last
season with a back injury, along with most of their top wide
receivers and running back Devin Neal, who is coming off his second
1,000-yard plus season. Lindenwood went 3-7 and finished last in the
Ohio Valley last season. The game will be played at Children's Mercy
Park, the home of MLS club Sporting Kansas City, due to the
construction of the Jayhawks' on-campus stadium.KEY MATCHUP
Jalon Daniels against the Lindenwood defense. Daniels has been
spectacular when he's been healthy, but that was only for three games
last season. He completed nearly 75% of his throws for 705 yards with
five touchdowns and only one interception in those games. He has the
benefit of experienced WRs in Quentin Skinner, Lawrence Arnold,
Trevor Wilson and Luke Grimm.PLAYERS TO WATCH
Lindenwood: DL Kobe McClendon will be a good test for the
Jayhawks' new and unsettled offensive line. He had 32 tackles last
season, including 9 1/2 for loss, while his 6 1/2 sacks led the team.
DB Kanyon Walker was the lone Racer to land on one of the preseason
all-Missouri Valley teams. He transferred last season from Tulane and
finished fourth on the team with 54 tackles.
Kansas: Cobee Bryant and Mello Dotson form one of the best
cornerback tandems in college football. They have combined to make 64
starts with 16 interceptions, the most of any duo in the country.
Eight of those came last season.FACTS &amp;
FIGURES

No. 22 Kansas opens season against Lindenwood at Children's Mercy Park

By TODD MOORE Barton Sports Info

A 60-yard goal set the tone of what the day had in store for the 5th ranked Barton Community College men's soccer team as Dodge City Community College pulled off a big KJCCC season opening victory at Memorial Stadium.

Dodge City's long distance wind-aided net shaker over the top of a leaping Emil Ludemann-Ravit just six minutes into the contest was one of three glaring defensive miscues committed by the young Cougars while the offense missed countless opportunities leaving Barton on the wrong side of the scoreboard.

Barton falls to 2-1 on the early slate while Dodge City bounces back from a 5-2 defeat to Division II 19th ranked Neosho County in moving to 1-1 on the year.

A late Adna Mahdi header Wednesday evening salvaged a 2-2 draw for the 17th ranked Barton Community College women's soccer team's season and conference opener at Dodge City Community College.

Barton will next host upstart Highland Community College in a 1:30 p.m. Saturday kick at the Cougar Soccer Complex before a quick turnaround for a Sunday trek to El Dorado in a 7:00 p.m. kick-off at 12th ranked Butler Community College.

By TODD MOORE Barton Sports InfoDodge City Men 3, Barton 2A 60-yard goal set the tone of what the day had in store for the 5th ranked Barton Community College men's soccer team as Dodge City Community College pulled off a big KJCCC season opening victory at Memorial Stadium.Dodge City's long distance wind-aided net shaker over the top of a leaping Emil Ludemann-Ravit just six minutes into the contest was one of three glaring defensive miscues committed by the young Cougars while the offense missed countless opportunities leaving Barton on the wrong side of the scoreboard.Barton falls to 2-1 on the early slate while Dodge City bounces back from a 5-2 defeat to Division II 19th ranked Neosho County in moving to 1-1 on the year.Barton Women 2, Dodge City 2A late Adna Mahdi header Wednesday evening salvaged a 2-2 draw for the 17th ranked Barton Community College women's soccer team's season and conference opener at Dodge City Community College.Barton will next host upstart Highland Community College in a 1:30 p.m. Saturday kick at the Cougar Soccer Complex before a quick turnaround for a Sunday trek to El Dorado in a 7:00 p.m. kick-off at 12th ranked Butler Community College.

Lady Cougars play to a 2-2 draw; Barton Men lose to Dodge City


The Houston Astros play the Kansas City Royals after Yordan Alvarez
hit three home runs on Wednesday in a 10-0 win over the Phillies.


Kansas City Royals (75-59, second in the AL Central) vs. Houston
Astros (71-62, first in the AL West)

PITCHING PROBABLES: Royals: Brady Singer (9-9, 3.37 ERA, 1.25
WHIP, 141 strikeouts); Astros: Hunter Brown (11-7, 3.72 ERA, 1.32
WHIP, 151 strikeouts)

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Astros -155, Royals +130; over/under
is 8 runs

BOTTOM LINE: The Houston Astros host the Kansas City Royals
after Yordan Alvarez hit three home runs on Wednesday in a 10-0 win
over the Phillies.


Houston is 35-29 in home games and 71-62 overall. The Astros have a
59-18 record in games when they out-hit their opponents.


Kansas City has a 34-31 record on the road and a 75-59 record
overall. The Royals have the third-ranked team batting average in the
AL at .258.


The matchup Thursday is the fourth time these teams match up this
season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Alvarez leads the Astros with a .311 batting
average, and has 29 doubles, two triples, 28 home runs, 60 walks and
71 RBI. Yainer Diaz is 13-for-42 with four home runs and four RBI
over the past 10 games.


Bobby Witt Jr. has 39 doubles, 11 triples and 28 home runs while
hitting .346 for the Royals. Salvador Perez is 13-for-38 with five
doubles and three home runs over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Astros: 4-6, .272 batting average, 3.10
ERA, outscored opponents by seven runs

Royals: 6-4, .277 batting average, 4.85 ERA, outscored by four
runs

INJURIES: Astros: J.P. France: 60-Day IL (undisclosed),
Ryan Pressly: 15-Day IL (back), Kyle Tucker: 60-Day IL (shin),
Cristian Javier: 60-Day IL (forearm), Jose Urquidy: 60-Day IL
(forearm), Oliver Ortega: 60-Day IL (elbow), Bennett Sousa: 60-Day IL
(shoulder), Penn Murfee: 60-Day IL (elbow), Luis Garcia: 60-Day IL
(elbow), Lance McCullers Jr.: 60-Day IL (elbow), Kendall Graveman:
60-Day IL (elbow)

By The Associated
Press
The Houston Astros play the Kansas City Royals after Yordan Alvarez
hit three home runs on Wednesday in a 10-0 win over the Phillies.
Kansas City Royals (75-59, second in the AL Central) vs. Houston
Astros (71-62, first in the AL West)
Houston; Thursday, 8:10 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Royals: Brady Singer (9-9, 3.37 ERA, 1.25
WHIP, 141 strikeouts); Astros: Hunter Brown (11-7, 3.72 ERA, 1.32
WHIP, 151 strikeouts)
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Astros -155, Royals +130; over/under
is 8 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Houston Astros host the Kansas City Royals
after Yordan Alvarez hit three home runs on Wednesday in a 10-0 win
over the Phillies.
Houston is 35-29 in home games and 71-62 overall. The Astros have a
59-18 record in games when they out-hit their opponents.
Kansas City has a 34-31 record on the road and a 75-59 record
overall. The Royals have the third-ranked team batting average in the
AL at .258.
The matchup Thursday is the fourth time these teams match up this
season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Alvarez leads the Astros with a .311 batting
average, and has 29 doubles, two triples, 28 home runs, 60 walks and
71 RBI. Yainer Diaz is 13-for-42 with four home runs and four RBI
over the past 10 games.
Bobby Witt Jr. has 39 doubles, 11 triples and 28 home runs while
hitting .346 for the Royals. Salvador Perez is 13-for-38 with five
doubles and three home runs over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Astros: 4-6, .272 batting average, 3.10
ERA, outscored opponents by seven runs
Royals: 6-4, .277 batting average, 4.85 ERA, outscored by four
runs
INJURIES: Astros: J.P. France: 60-Day IL (undisclosed),
Ryan Pressly: 15-Day IL (back), Kyle Tucker: 60-Day IL (shin),
Cristian Javier: 60-Day IL (forearm), Jose Urquidy: 60-Day IL
(forearm), Oliver Ortega: 60-Day IL (elbow), Bennett Sousa: 60-Day IL
(shoulder), Penn Murfee: 60-Day IL (elbow), Luis Garcia: 60-Day IL
(elbow), Lance McCullers Jr.: 60-Day IL (elbow), Kendall Graveman:
60-Day IL (elbow)

Royals take on Astros in Houston

AMERICAN LEAGUEEast DivisionW	L	Pct	GBNew
York	78	56	.582	—Baltimore	77	57	.575	1Boston	69	64	.519	8½Tampa
Bay	66	67	.496	11½Toronto	65	70	.481	13½Central DivisionCleveland	76	58	.567	—Kansas
City	75	59	.560	1Minnesota	72	61	.541	3½Detroit	68	66	.507	8Chicago	31	103	.231	45West DivisionHouston	71	62	.534	—Seattle	68	66	.507	3½Texas	62	71	.466	9Oakland	58	75	.436	13Los
Angeles	54	79	.406	17NATIONAL LEAGUEEast DivisionW	L	Pct	GBPhiladelphia	78	55	.586	—Atlanta	73	60	.549	5New
York	69	64	.519	9Washington	61	73	.455	17½Miami	48	85	.361	30Central DivisionMilwaukee	76	56	.576	—Chicago	68	66	.507	9St.
Louis	66	67	.496	10½Cincinnati	63	70	.474	13½Pittsburgh	62	71	.466	14½West DivisionLos
Angeles	79	54	.594	—Arizona	76	57	.571	3San
Diego	76	59	.563	4San
Francisco	67	67	.500	12½

Maxence Voinier of the 5th ranked Barton Community College men's soccer team has been named the 2024 season's inaugural KJCCC Division I Player of the Week.

Voinier picked up where he left off last year accounting for five points this past weekend leading the Cougars to a pair of season opening victories in Enid, Oklahoma.

On Friday, Voinier set up the eventual game winning goal before producing a second half insurance netter of the neutral site matchup against Eastern Oklahoma State College.

On the Cougars' return trip to Enid on Saturday, Voinier helped Barton produce its highest output over a fellow NJCAA opponent since 2019 by scoring a goal and added a distraction resulting in a teammate's goal during Barton's 9-1 victory over the host NOC-Enid Jets.

The 2-0 Cougars open conference play today with a 4:00 p.m. kick-off at Dodge City Community College against a Conquistador squad picked third in the league race but received one of the seven first place votes in the pre-season predicted order of finish.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724924367805.jpeg" alt="Barton Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Barton Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>By TODD MOORE Barton Sports InfoMaxence Voinier of the 5th ranked Barton Community College men's soccer team has been named the 2024 season's inaugural KJCCC Division I Player of the Week.Voinier picked up where he left off last year accounting for five points this past weekend leading the Cougars to a pair of season opening victories in Enid, Oklahoma.On Friday, Voinier set up the eventual game winning goal before producing a second half insurance netter of the neutral site matchup against Eastern Oklahoma State College.On the Cougars' return trip to Enid on Saturday, Voinier helped Barton produce its highest output over a fellow NJCAA opponent since 2019 by scoring a goal and added a distraction resulting in a teammate's goal during Barton's 9-1 victory over the host NOC-Enid Jets.The 2-0 Cougars open conference play today with a 4:00 p.m. kick-off at Dodge City Community College against a Conquistador squad picked third in the league race but received one of the seven first place votes in the pre-season predicted order of finish.

Barton's Voinier named KJCCC Division I Men's Soccer Player of the Week

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. The Guardians trailed 5-2 entering the
seventh, but scored four times to take their first lead. Bo Naylor
homered off Michael Wacha, while Josh Naylor, Will Brennan and Noel
had RBI singles against Lucas Erceg. Eli Morgan pitched 1 1/3
scoreless innings for the win. Emmanuel Clase earned his AL-best 39th
save — with his career-high 26th straight conversion — and
matched Cody Allen’s franchise record with 149.

CLEVELAND (AP) —
Royals starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen was placed on the 15-day
injured list, one day after straining his left hamstring while
covering first base against the Cleveland Guardians. Lorenzen, who
was acquired in a July 29 trade with Texas, returned to Kansas City
following the 6-1 victory at Progressive Field. The right-hander was
scheduled to undergo an MRI, but the team has not disclosed the
results. The 32-year-old Lorenzen exited the game after throwing 1
2/3 scoreless innings. Steven Cruz, a 6-foot-7 reliever, was recalled
from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move.

ST. LOUIS (AP) —
Nolan Arenado drove in Masyn Winn with two outs in the ninth inning,
lifting the St. Louis Cardinals to a 4-3 victory over the San Diego
Padres. Winn reached on a single off Robert Suarez (8-2), who came in
to pitch the ninth. Rookie Victor Scott II kept the inning alive when
he singled Winn to second, before Arenado singled to center. Ryan
Helsley (6-4) pitched one inning for the win. San Diego’s Luis
Arraez, who had three hits Tuesday, hit two doubles and two singles
in five at-bats. It was his major league-leading sixth four-hit game
this season. Manny Machado added two hits.

LOS ANGELES (AP) —
Shohei Ohtani has homered leading off the game on his bobblehead
night at Dodger Stadium. He sent a 1-2 pitch from Baltimore's Corbin
Burnes to right-center shortly after Ohtani and his dog handled first
pitch duties. The second Ohtani bobblehead giveaway this season is
proving just as popular as the first. Only the first 40,000 fans at
Wednesday's game received the bobblehead, which depicts a smiling
Ohtani holding his dog named Decoy. Long lines of cars backed up on
roads around the stadium five hours before the Dodgers hosted the
Orioles. Ohtani carried his dog to the mound for the ceremonial first
pitch. They later shared a hand-to-paw high five.

PITTSBURGH (AP) —
The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to let Russell Wilson cook. Coach
Mike Tomlin has selected the nine-time Pro Bowler as the starting
quarterback heading into Week 1. The move ended a largely perfunctory
quarterback competition with Justin Fields in which the 35-year-old
Wilson held the “pole position” as Tomlin put it for months and
did little to cede ground. Wilson is the fourth different quarterback
to start Week 1 for the Steelers in the past four years.

SANTA CLARA, Calif.
(AP) — San Francisco star receiver Brandon Aiyuk wasn’t at the
start of practice despite the team saying he was cleared by doctors
to participate. Aiyuk had refused to practice all training camp as he
seeks a long-term extension or a possible trade, with coach Kyle
Shanahan citing a back injury as the official reason for what is
essentially a contract dispute. Both Shanahan and general manager
John Lynch said before practice that Aiyuk had been cleared by team
doctors and the expectation was that he would practice. But Aiyuk was
not on the field during the portion open to reporters and could be
subject to fines.

FRISCO, Texas (AP) —
Free agent running back Dalvin Cook is set to join the practice squad
of the Dallas Cowboys after agreeing to a contract. The addition of
Cook gives the Cowboys another option at a position in flux even with
the return of two-time rushing champion Ezekiel Elliott. Cook was
waived by the New York Jets with one game remaining last season
before playing in the first of Baltimore's two playoff games. The
29-year-old spent his first six seasons in Minnesota.

UNDATED (AP) —
After a brisk Week 0 warmup, Week 1 arrives with dozens of games from
Thursday through Monday, including a few tasty matchups: No. 1
Georgia vs. No. 14 Clemson; No. 7 Notre Dame at No.20 Texas A&amp;M;
No. 19 Miami at Florida; No. 13 LSU vs. No. 23 Southern California.
There is also a lot of filler on this slate. A total of 59 games will
be FBS-FCS matchups. Add in the two played last week and 61 FBS-FCS
games to open the college football season is by far the most since
2010, according to Sportradar.

UNDATED (AP) —
College football season begins in earnest this week with a full slate
of games highlighted by three Top 25 matchups. The race for the
playoff already has begun. It’s not even Labor Day and No. 10
Florida State's playoff hopes are teetering following its loss to
Georgia Tech in Ireland. The rest of the top teams pick up the chase
this week. The top games Saturday pit No. 14 Clemson against No. 1
Georgia in Atlanta and No. 7 Notre Dame at No. 20 Texas A&amp;M. No.
23 Southern California is matched against No. 13 LSU in Las Vegas
Sunday.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP)
— Utah is 15-4 in season-openers under head coach Kyle Whittingham.
A 33-17 loss to USC in 2020 is the only season opening setback at
home in Whittingham’s tenure. Many of those 15 wins have come by
lopsided margins. Now, following an injury plagued 2023 season, the
Utes seeking a return to punishing teams on offense and defense —
starting with FCS opponent Southern Utah.

UNDATED (AP) — No.
22 Kansas will open the season Thursday night against Lindenwood at
Children's Mercy Park, the home of MLS club Sporting Kansas City. The
Jayhawks will play two home games there and four at Arrowhead Stadium
while their on-campus stadium gets rebuilt. Kansas has big
aspirations in the Big 12 after winning nine games a year ago. Star
quarterback Jalon Daniels is back and healthy, Devin Neal could set
the school rushing record, and the Jayhawks have several more
starters back on both sides of the ball. Lindenwood only recently
moved from Division II to the Football Championship Subdivision.

UNDATED (AP) —
West Virginia's Jahiem White became one of the nation’s top
freshman running backs last year. It was a rise whose origins came
through the kindness of a new teacher and her family. White grew up
in Miami, raised by a single mom simply trying to make ends meet. He
wasn’t happy when she moved the family to York, Pennsylvania, where
she had other relatives. That’s where White met his sixth-grade
teacher. Amanda Poff. Eventually, Poff and her husband welcomed White
into their home permanently. White went to school two hours from Penn
State’s campus. He’ll get the chance to play the eighth-ranked
Nittany Lions for the first time Saturday.

UNDATED (AP) —
Fans of Washington, Oregon, Southern California and UCLA thought
their viewing headaches would end with the move from the Pac-12 to
the Big Ten. Not so fast. Huskies and Ducks fans who subscribe to
Comcast might not be able to see their team’s openers on Saturday
due to a carriage dispute with the Big Ten Network. Comcast is
blacking out live events involving the four new Big Ten schools in
their home markets. The root of the problem is that Comcast wants to
keep BTN on an expanded tier instead of basic while also not agreeing
to pay the in-market rates with the four West Coast schools moving to
the conference.

ATLANTA (AP) —
Scottie Scheffler is the best player in golf. And now the other 29
players at the Tour Championship are spotting him a two-shot lead.
Shane Lowry says he's used to giving his friends a few shots at home.
But he says his friends are not named Scottie Scheffler and Xander
Schauffele. The Tour Championship and its staggered start depending
on FedEx Cup ranking gets underway on Thursday. One change already in
place for restored East Lake is to insert interior out-of-bounds
stakes left the 18th to keep players from trying to take an easier
route down the adjacent 10th fairway.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701258411232.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>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. The Guardians trailed 5-2 entering the
seventh, but scored four times to take their first lead. Bo Naylor
homered off Michael Wacha, while Josh Naylor, Will Brennan and Noel
had RBI singles against Lucas Erceg. Eli Morgan pitched 1 1/3
scoreless innings for the win. Emmanuel Clase earned his AL-best 39th
save — with his career-high 26th straight conversion — and
matched Cody Allen’s franchise record with 149.CLEVELAND (AP) —
Royals starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen was placed on the 15-day
injured list, one day after straining his left hamstring while
covering first base against the Cleveland Guardians. Lorenzen, who
was acquired in a July 29 trade with Texas, returned to Kansas City
following the 6-1 victory at Progressive Field. The right-hander was
scheduled to undergo an MRI, but the team has not disclosed the
results. The 32-year-old Lorenzen exited the game after throwing 1
2/3 scoreless innings. Steven Cruz, a 6-foot-7 reliever, was recalled
from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move.ST. LOUIS (AP) —
Nolan Arenado drove in Masyn Winn with two outs in the ninth inning,
lifting the St. Louis Cardinals to a 4-3 victory over the San Diego
Padres. Winn reached on a single off Robert Suarez (8-2), who came in
to pitch the ninth. Rookie Victor Scott II kept the inning alive when
he singled Winn to second, before Arenado singled to center. Ryan
Helsley (6-4) pitched one inning for the win. San Diego’s Luis
Arraez, who had three hits Tuesday, hit two doubles and two singles
in five at-bats. It was his major league-leading sixth four-hit game
this season. Manny Machado added two hits.LOS ANGELES (AP) —
Shohei Ohtani has homered leading off the game on his bobblehead
night at Dodger Stadium. He sent a 1-2 pitch from Baltimore's Corbin
Burnes to right-center shortly after Ohtani and his dog handled first
pitch duties. The second Ohtani bobblehead giveaway this season is
proving just as popular as the first. Only the first 40,000 fans at
Wednesday's game received the bobblehead, which depicts a smiling
Ohtani holding his dog named Decoy. Long lines of cars backed up on
roads around the stadium five hours before the Dodgers hosted the
Orioles. Ohtani carried his dog to the mound for the ceremonial first
pitch. They later shared a hand-to-paw high five.PITTSBURGH (AP) —
The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to let Russell Wilson cook. Coach
Mike Tomlin has selected the nine-time Pro Bowler as the starting
quarterback heading into Week 1. The move ended a largely perfunctory
quarterback competition with Justin Fields in which the 35-year-old
Wilson held the “pole position” as Tomlin put it for months and
did little to cede ground. Wilson is the fourth different quarterback
to start Week 1 for the Steelers in the past four years.SANTA CLARA, Calif.
(AP) — San Francisco star receiver Brandon Aiyuk wasn’t at the
start of practice despite the team saying he was cleared by doctors
to participate. Aiyuk had refused to practice all training camp as he
seeks a long-term extension or a possible trade, with coach Kyle
Shanahan citing a back injury as the official reason for what is
essentially a contract dispute. Both Shanahan and general manager
John Lynch said before practice that Aiyuk had been cleared by team
doctors and the expectation was that he would practice. But Aiyuk was
not on the field during the portion open to reporters and could be
subject to fines.FRISCO, Texas (AP) —
Free agent running back Dalvin Cook is set to join the practice squad
of the Dallas Cowboys after agreeing to a contract. The addition of
Cook gives the Cowboys another option at a position in flux even with
the return of two-time rushing champion Ezekiel Elliott. Cook was
waived by the New York Jets with one game remaining last season
before playing in the first of Baltimore's two playoff games. The
29-year-old spent his first six seasons in Minnesota.UNDATED (AP) —
After a brisk Week 0 warmup, Week 1 arrives with dozens of games from
Thursday through Monday, including a few tasty matchups: No. 1
Georgia vs. No. 14 Clemson; No. 7 Notre Dame at No.20 Texas A&amp;M;
No. 19 Miami at Florida; No. 13 LSU vs. No. 23 Southern California.
There is also a lot of filler on this slate. A total of 59 games will
be FBS-FCS matchups. Add in the two played last week and 61 FBS-FCS
games to open the college football season is by far the most since
2010, according to Sportradar.UNDATED (AP) —
College football season begins in earnest this week with a full slate
of games highlighted by three Top 25 matchups. The race for the
playoff already has begun. It’s not even Labor Day and No. 10
Florida State's playoff hopes are teetering following its loss to
Georgia Tech in Ireland. The rest of the top teams pick up the chase
this week. The top games Saturday pit No. 14 Clemson against No. 1
Georgia in Atlanta and No. 7 Notre Dame at No. 20 Texas A&amp;M. No.
23 Southern California is matched against No. 13 LSU in Las Vegas
Sunday.SALT LAKE CITY (AP)
— Utah is 15-4 in season-openers under head coach Kyle Whittingham.
A 33-17 loss to USC in 2020 is the only season opening setback at
home in Whittingham’s tenure. Many of those 15 wins have come by
lopsided margins. Now, following an injury plagued 2023 season, the
Utes seeking a return to punishing teams on offense and defense —
starting with FCS opponent Southern Utah.UNDATED (AP) — No.
22 Kansas will open the season Thursday night against Lindenwood at
Children's Mercy Park, the home of MLS club Sporting Kansas City. The
Jayhawks will play two home games there and four at Arrowhead Stadium
while their on-campus stadium gets rebuilt. Kansas has big
aspirations in the Big 12 after winning nine games a year ago. Star
quarterback Jalon Daniels is back and healthy, Devin Neal could set
the school rushing record, and the Jayhawks have several more
starters back on both sides of the ball. Lindenwood only recently
moved from Division II to the Football Championship Subdivision.UNDATED (AP) —
West Virginia's Jahiem White became one of the nation’s top
freshman running backs last year. It was a rise whose origins came
through the kindness of a new teacher and her family. White grew up
in Miami, raised by a single mom simply trying to make ends meet. He
wasn’t happy when she moved the family to York, Pennsylvania, where
she had other relatives. That’s where White met his sixth-grade
teacher. Amanda Poff. Eventually, Poff and her husband welcomed White
into their home permanently. White went to school two hours from Penn
State’s campus. He’ll get the chance to play the eighth-ranked
Nittany Lions for the first time Saturday.UNDATED (AP) —
Fans of Washington, Oregon, Southern California and UCLA thought
their viewing headaches would end with the move from the Pac-12 to
the Big Ten. Not so fast. Huskies and Ducks fans who subscribe to
Comcast might not be able to see their team’s openers on Saturday
due to a carriage dispute with the Big Ten Network. Comcast is
blacking out live events involving the four new Big Ten schools in
their home markets. The root of the problem is that Comcast wants to
keep BTN on an expanded tier instead of basic while also not agreeing
to pay the in-market rates with the four West Coast schools moving to
the conference.ATLANTA (AP) —
Scottie Scheffler is the best player in golf. And now the other 29
players at the Tour Championship are spotting him a two-shot lead.
Shane Lowry says he's used to giving his friends a few shots at home.
But he says his friends are not named Scottie Scheffler and Xander
Schauffele. The Tour Championship and its staggered start depending
on FedEx Cup ranking gets underway on Thursday. One change already in
place for restored East Lake is to insert interior out-of-bounds
stakes left the 18th to keep players from trying to take an easier
route down the adjacent 10th fairway.WEDNESDAY SCORESMAJOR LEAGUE
BASEBALLINTERLEAGUEFinal	Houston	10	Philadelphia	0	Final	Oakland	9	Cincinnati	6	Final	Washington	5	N.Y.
Yankees	2	Final	Atlanta	5	Minnesota	1	Final	L.A.
Dodgers	6	Baltimore	4	AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal	Cleveland	7	Kansas
City	5	Final	Seattle	6	Tampa
Bay	2	Final	Texas	3	Chicago
White Sox	1	Final	Boston	3	Toronto	0	Final	Texas	4	Chicago
White Sox	3	Final	Detroit	3	L.A.
Angels	2	NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal	Chicago
Cubs	14	Pittsburgh	10	Final	St.
Louis	4	San Diego	3	Final	Milwaukee	5	San
Francisco	3	Final	Colorado	8	Miami	2

Thursday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

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

Andrés Giménez tacked on a sacrifice fly in the eighth as Cleveland avoided a four-game sweep in the series with its MLB-leading 37th comeback win. The Guardians had been alone atop the division for 154 days until Kansas City pulled into a tie Tuesday.

“We haven’t looked like ourselves for a while, but that inning, that was us,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. “It was such a great response by our guys. Erceg has been very good, but Will came up with a big swing and Big Christmas (Noel) again comes through.”

Kansas City had its seven-game road winning streak snapped and is 23-14 since the All-Star break. The Royals, who have clinched the season tiebreaker over the Guardians, host Cleveland for three games next week.

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

“Tough way for us to go out, but we came in here and did what we needed to do,” said Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino, who had a career-high four hits. “I think we have their respect and they have ours. It’s going to be a fun month.”

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.

“The competitive nature Clase attacks the game with and the mentality he goes out with, it’s huge having him in the back end of a game,” Bo Naylor said. “The vibes today were electric, back to what we’ve known throughout this year. That was definitely a great step in the right direction.”

Bobby Witt Jr., Pasquantino and Michael Massey hit solo homers off Guardians ace Tanner Bibee, who gave up five runs in five innings. Witt went 2 for 5 and continues to lead baseball with a .346 batting average, 185 hits and 114 runs.

Wacha was denied his 100th career win, pitching six-plus innings and allowing five runs.

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.

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 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.

Guardians: RHP Ben Lively (11-8, 3.62 ERA) pitches the first game of a three-game home series against Pittsburgh on Friday.

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 and scored four times to take their first lead of the game. Bo Naylor homered off starter Michael Wacha, while Josh Naylor, Will Brennan and Noel had RBI singles against Lucas Erceg (2-4).Andrés Giménez tacked on a sacrifice fly in the eighth as Cleveland avoided a four-game sweep in the series with its MLB-leading 37th comeback win. The Guardians had been alone atop the division for 154 days until Kansas City pulled into a tie Tuesday.“We haven’t looked like ourselves for a while, but that inning, that was us,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. “It was such a great response by our guys. Erceg has been very good, but Will came up with a big swing and Big Christmas (Noel) again comes through.”Kansas City had its seven-game road winning streak snapped and is 23-14 since the All-Star break. The Royals, who have clinched the season tiebreaker over the Guardians, host Cleveland for three games next week.Erceg was charged with one run allowed, his first in 12 appearances and 13 1/3 innings since joining Kansas City in a July 30 trade with Oakland.“Tough way for us to go out, but we came in here and did what we needed to do,” said Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino, who had a career-high four hits. “I think we have their respect and they have ours. It’s going to be a fun month.”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.“The competitive nature Clase attacks the game with and the mentality he goes out with, it’s huge having him in the back end of a game,” Bo Naylor said. “The vibes today were electric, back to what we’ve known throughout this year. That was definitely a great step in the right direction.”Bobby Witt Jr., Pasquantino and Michael Massey hit solo homers off Guardians ace Tanner Bibee, who gave up five runs in five innings. Witt went 2 for 5 and continues to lead baseball with a .346 batting average, 185 hits and 114 runs.Wacha was denied his 100th career win, pitching six-plus innings and allowing five runs.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.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 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: RHP Ben Lively (11-8, 3.62 ERA) pitches the first game of a three-game home series against Pittsburgh on Friday.___