Four days after scoring just 52 points in a loss to North Texas, Wichita State put 57 on the board… before halftime.

Tyson Etienne led a group of six double-figure scorers with 20 points and the resurgent Shockers exploded for a 102-66 victory over Prairie View A&amp;M on Wednesday evening at Charles Koch Arena.

Playing without injured starters Joe Pleasant (hamstring) and Craig Porter Jr. (ankle), Wichita State (9-3) closed out non-conference play with its first 100-point performance since hanging 112 on Savannah State a little over two years ago (Nov. 16, 2019).

The Shockers shot a season-best 47.7 percent and knocked down 12 threes on 40 percent accuracy. They out-rebounded the visiting Panthers 47-30,  won the turnover battle 16-9, and also swatted away nine shots.

Etienne was an efficient 6-of-11 from the field and tallied five assists and four steals. It was his third 20-point performance of the season and his 15th as a Shocker.

Morris Udeze finished with 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting. He supplied three of the Shockers' eight dunks to move into the top-10 on WSU's career list (45).

In his first-career start, sophomore forward Clarence "Monzy" Jackson set new personal-bests with 15 points in 26 minutes to go with eight rebounds and a pair of steals.

Junior point guard Qua Grant started for the first time season the season-opener and contributed six points, eight assists and four steals in 30 turnover-free minutes.

Dexter Dennis chipped in 14 points on three dunks and shared the team lead with nine rebounds.

Kenny Pohto (12 points, nine rebounds, three blocks) and Chaunce Jenkins (11 points, three blocks) both played extended minutes off the bench.

The Shockers suited up just eight players due to injuries and redshirts. All eight clocked at least 20 minutes and scored at least half-a-dozen points.

Jeremiah Gambrell put up a game-high 22 points for three-time defending SWAC champion, Prairie View A&amp;M (0-10), which shot 38.7 percent from the field. The Panthers entered the evening ranked 10th nationally in steals (10.6) but managed just four.

Grant and Jackson were early catalysts for the Shockers, combining to score WSU's first nine points for a 9-2 lead.

Grant's three-pointer capped a 12-2 spurt that upped the advantage to 21-7 after less than six minutes of play.

Jackson delivered the signature play in a game full of them when he dove into the Shocker bench for a loose ball, sending chairs flying, then hustled to the opposite end for a transition tip-dunk.

Helped by Jackson's 13 first-half points, the Shockers led comfortably at the intermission, 57-33.

The Shockers shot over 59 percent and finished the first half with more blocks (6) and steals (5) than turnovers (2).

WSU opened the second half with another flurry that included four threes and three Udeze dunks. The last made it a 79-44 ballgame with 13:19 to play.

The Shockers begin their American Athletic Conference title defense next Wednesday at East Carolina (9-3). The 6 p.m. CT tip will air on ESPN+.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640260045894.jpeg" alt="Wichita State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Wichita State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>Four days after scoring just 52 points in a loss to North Texas, Wichita State put 57 on the board… before halftime.Tyson Etienne led a group of six double-figure scorers with 20 points and the resurgent Shockers exploded for a 102-66 victory over Prairie View A&amp;M on Wednesday evening at Charles Koch Arena.Playing without injured starters Joe Pleasant (hamstring) and Craig Porter Jr. (ankle), Wichita State (9-3) closed out non-conference play with its first 100-point performance since hanging 112 on Savannah State a little over two years ago (Nov. 16, 2019).The Shockers shot a season-best 47.7 percent and knocked down 12 threes on 40 percent accuracy. They out-rebounded the visiting Panthers 47-30, won the turnover battle 16-9, and also swatted away nine shots.Etienne was an efficient 6-of-11 from the field and tallied five assists and four steals. It was his third 20-point performance of the season and his 15th as a Shocker.Morris Udeze finished with 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting. He supplied three of the Shockers' eight dunks to move into the top-10 on WSU's career list (45).In his first-career start, sophomore forward Clarence "Monzy" Jackson set new personal-bests with 15 points in 26 minutes to go with eight rebounds and a pair of steals.Junior point guard Qua Grant started for the first time season the season-opener and contributed six points, eight assists and four steals in 30 turnover-free minutes.Dexter Dennis chipped in 14 points on three dunks and shared the team lead with nine rebounds.Kenny Pohto (12 points, nine rebounds, three blocks) and Chaunce Jenkins (11 points, three blocks) both played extended minutes off the bench.The Shockers suited up just eight players due to injuries and redshirts. All eight clocked at least 20 minutes and scored at least half-a-dozen points.Jeremiah Gambrell put up a game-high 22 points for three-time defending SWAC champion, Prairie View A&amp;M (0-10), which shot 38.7 percent from the field. The Panthers entered the evening ranked 10th nationally in steals (10.6) but managed just four.Grant and Jackson were early catalysts for the Shockers, combining to score WSU's first nine points for a 9-2 lead.Grant's three-pointer capped a 12-2 spurt that upped the advantage to 21-7 after less than six minutes of play.Jackson delivered the signature play in a game full of them when he dove into the Shocker bench for a loose ball, sending chairs flying, then hustled to the opposite end for a transition tip-dunk.Helped by Jackson's 13 first-half points, the Shockers led comfortably at the intermission, 57-33.The Shockers shot over 59 percent and finished the first half with more blocks (6) and steals (5) than turnovers (2).WSU opened the second half with another flurry that included four threes and three Udeze dunks. The last made it a 79-44 ballgame with 13:19 to play.The teams traded baskets from there.The Shockers begin their American Athletic Conference title defense next Wednesday at East Carolina (9-3). The 6 p.m. CT tip will air on ESPN+.

Shockers Crush Prairie View A&M, 102-66

MANHATTAN, Kan. – The Kansas State football program will wear a special decal on the back of its helmets when the Wildcats take the field for the TaxAct Texas Bowl in support of Kansans who were affect by last week's wildfires, K-State Athletics officials announced Tuesday.

Many K-Staters and fellow Kansans in Western Kansas were dealt a devasting blow on December 15 when fires fueled by 100-plus mile an hour winds burned over 400,000 acres of pasture, destroying homes, vehicles, barns, equipment, pets and killing thousands of head of cattle.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the many Kansans who were affected by the recent storms and wildfires," Athletics Director Gene Taylor said. "This helmet sticker is a small department-wide gesture that will let all K-Staters and those effected by this storm know that we are with them as they rebuild their lives and their livelihoods."

Kansas State takes on LSU in the TaxAct Texas Bowl on January 4, 2022, inside NRG Stadium in Houston. The game kicks off at 8 p.m., and will be shown on ESPN.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640199186000.jpeg" alt="Kansas State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Kansas State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN, Kan. – The Kansas State football program will wear a special decal on the back of its helmets when the Wildcats take the field for the TaxAct Texas Bowl in support of Kansans who were affect by last week's wildfires, K-State Athletics officials announced Tuesday.Many K-Staters and fellow Kansans in Western Kansas were dealt a devasting blow on December 15 when fires fueled by 100-plus mile an hour winds burned over 400,000 acres of pasture, destroying homes, vehicles, barns, equipment, pets and killing thousands of head of cattle."Our thoughts and prayers are with the many Kansans who were affected by the recent storms and wildfires," Athletics Director Gene Taylor said. "This helmet sticker is a small department-wide gesture that will let all K-Staters and those effected by this storm know that we are with them as they rebuild their lives and their livelihoods."Kansas State takes on LSU in the TaxAct Texas Bowl on January 4, 2022, inside NRG Stadium in Houston. The game kicks off at 8 p.m., and will be shown on ESPN.

K-State to Wear Wildfire Recovery Helmet Decal for TaxAct Texas Bowl

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Another 21 NFL players were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday, including Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill, cornerback Rashad Fenton and tight end Blake Bell.

They were among nine players, including two on the practice squad, who joined tight end Travis Kelce and kicker Harrison Butker on Kansas City’s growing list.

The Chiefs also have Charvarius Ward on the list, which means two of their top three cornerbacks are in the league’s virus protocol, along with defensive tackle Chris Jones, linebacker Willie Gay Jr. and wide receiver Josh Gordon.

Linebacker Nick Bolton, offensive lineman Kyle Long, right tackle Lucas Niang and safety Armani Watts also were added to list on Tuesday.

On Monday, the first day under the NFL’s revised protocols, 47 players were placed on the COVID-19 list, the most in a single day since the pandemic began.

Another receiver on an AFC contender tested positive Tuesday when the Buffalo Bills placed wideout Cole Beasley — the team’s most vocal vaccine critic — on the COVID-19 list. Unvaccinated players aren’t eligible to return for 10 days so Beasley wouldn’t be available for Sunday’s game at New England with first place in the AFC East on the line.

Buffalo could now be missing two starting receivers after Emmanuel Sanders missed this past weekend’s win over Carolina because of a knee injury.

Beasley, who was fined by the NFL last summer for failing to wear a mask inside the team’s facility, threatened to retire in June over how the league’s COVID-19 protocols specifically targeted unvaccinated players.

For the Chiefs, Jones, Gay and Gordon tested positive last week and missed Thursday night’s win over the Chargers. There’s a good chance the trio could return two negative tests and be available for this week’s game against the Steelers.

“I’m hoping they’re going to be there, but we just have to see how it goes,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “You know, there’s a matrix of things you have to work out. That’s where (head trainer) Rick Burkholder comes in. I can’t sit here and tell you how all that works right now. Rick is working through everything every day to see where we’re at.”

Burkholder was among the experts that the NFL consulted during the offseason to devise its COVID-19 protocol.

Kelce, Butker and Ward tested positive on Monday, when the Chiefs began to return from their long weekend. The team did not have any formal meetings or practice until Tuesday and will begin game preparation in earnest on Wednesday.

Until the past two weeks, the Chiefs had navigated the season relatively unscathed when it came to COVID-19, losing only star safety Tyrann Mathieu for a week and a couple of role players. But the rapid transmission of the omicron variant across the league has hit Kansas City hard, resulting in some of their most important players going on the list.

Hill is second in the league with 102 catches and fourth with 1,178 yards to go along with nine touchdown catches. He had 12 catches for 148 yards and a touchdown in his most recent game against Los Angeles, breaking a tie with Chris Burford for third place in franchise history with 56 touchdown receptions.

Hill needs just six more catches to pass Kelce’s single-season franchise record of 105 set last year.

Meanwhile, Kelce is coming off a game against the Chargers in which he caught 10 passes for a career-high 191 yards along with the tying TD late in the fourth quarter and the winner in overtime. Kelce has 1,066 yards receiving this season, the sixth straight of at least 1,000 — a record for both the Chiefs and for NFL tight ends.

“I think this year has been big for him where he hasn’t put up the same numbers, but his mentality has never changed. He’s been a leader on this team,” Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said.

“When his number gets called, he goes out there and makes plays in big moments. That’s what special players do. He’s a special player. I’m glad he’s on my team.”

Together, Hill and Kelce have half of the Chiefs’ receptions and more than half of their yards receiving this season.

If Hill is unable to play Sunday, the Chiefs will be forced to rely more heavily on inconsistent Mecole Hardman and Demarcus Robinson along with Byron Pringle as they try to keep the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoff race.

Kelce and Bell on the COVID-19 list would leave rookie Noah Gray as the only tight end on the active roster.

On the defensive side, which has helped fuel the Chiefs’ seven-game win streak, the absence of Jones and Gay against the Chargers was evident in their inability to rush quarterback Justin Herbert.

The Chiefs would desperately like them back on the field against Pittsburgh, especially if they are without Fenton and Ward on the back end.

“We’ve had a couple things last week where we had to make a couple sudden changes,” Reid said earlier this week. “I’m not going to spend a ton of time on it. That’s what Rick does, so Rick explains it to the coaches and to the players, and then we roll with it. He’s the one that’s put a lot of time into it and continues to put a lot of time into it.”

— Washington cornerback Troy Apke cleared virus protocol in time to take a private plane to Philadelphia for the game against the Eagles that was moved to Tuesday night. Quarterbacks Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen did not test negative in time to be cleared to play, putting Garrett Gilbert in line to start days after Washington signed him. Kyle Shurmur was promoted from the practice squad to back up Gilbert. Also out for Washington because of COVID-19 protocols were 2020 All-Pro guard Brandon Scherff, cornerback Kendall Fuller, offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas and safety Kamren Curl.

— The Ravens put linebacker Pernell McPhee on the COVID-19 list. He had been on injured reserve but was designated for return Monday.

— Packers wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Texans defensive lineman Jaleel Johnson also have been placed on the COVID-19 list. Valdes-Scantling was coming off one of his most productive performances of the season, as he had five catches for 98 yards and a touchdown in a 31-30 victory at Baltimore.

— The Jets placed rookie left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker and cornerback Michael Carter II on the COVID-19 list. They also activated QB Mike White from the list.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Another 21 NFL players were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday, including Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill, cornerback Rashad Fenton and tight end Blake Bell.They were among nine players, including two on the practice squad, who joined tight end Travis Kelce and kicker Harrison Butker on Kansas City’s growing list.The Chiefs also have Charvarius Ward on the list, which means two of their top three cornerbacks are in the league’s virus protocol, along with defensive tackle Chris Jones, linebacker Willie Gay Jr. and wide receiver Josh Gordon.Linebacker Nick Bolton, offensive lineman Kyle Long, right tackle Lucas Niang and safety Armani Watts also were added to list on Tuesday.On Monday, the first day under the NFL’s revised protocols, 47 players were placed on the COVID-19 list, the most in a single day since the pandemic began.Another receiver on an AFC contender tested positive Tuesday when the Buffalo Bills placed wideout Cole Beasley — the team’s most vocal vaccine critic — on the COVID-19 list. Unvaccinated players aren’t eligible to return for 10 days so Beasley wouldn’t be available for Sunday’s game at New England with first place in the AFC East on the line.Buffalo could now be missing two starting receivers after Emmanuel Sanders missed this past weekend’s win over Carolina because of a knee injury.Beasley, who was fined by the NFL last summer for failing to wear a mask inside the team’s facility, threatened to retire in June over how the league’s COVID-19 protocols specifically targeted unvaccinated players.For the Chiefs, Jones, Gay and Gordon tested positive last week and missed Thursday night’s win over the Chargers. There’s a good chance the trio could return two negative tests and be available for this week’s game against the Steelers.“I’m hoping they’re going to be there, but we just have to see how it goes,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “You know, there’s a matrix of things you have to work out. That’s where (head trainer) Rick Burkholder comes in. I can’t sit here and tell you how all that works right now. Rick is working through everything every day to see where we’re at.”Burkholder was among the experts that the NFL consulted during the offseason to devise its COVID-19 protocol.Kelce, Butker and Ward tested positive on Monday, when the Chiefs began to return from their long weekend. The team did not have any formal meetings or practice until Tuesday and will begin game preparation in earnest on Wednesday.Until the past two weeks, the Chiefs had navigated the season relatively unscathed when it came to COVID-19, losing only star safety Tyrann Mathieu for a week and a couple of role players. But the rapid transmission of the omicron variant across the league has hit Kansas City hard, resulting in some of their most important players going on the list.Hill is second in the league with 102 catches and fourth with 1,178 yards to go along with nine touchdown catches. He had 12 catches for 148 yards and a touchdown in his most recent game against Los Angeles, breaking a tie with Chris Burford for third place in franchise history with 56 touchdown receptions.Hill needs just six more catches to pass Kelce’s single-season franchise record of 105 set last year.Meanwhile, Kelce is coming off a game against the Chargers in which he caught 10 passes for a career-high 191 yards along with the tying TD late in the fourth quarter and the winner in overtime. Kelce has 1,066 yards receiving this season, the sixth straight of at least 1,000 — a record for both the Chiefs and for NFL tight ends.“I think this year has been big for him where he hasn’t put up the same numbers, but his mentality has never changed. He’s been a leader on this team,” Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said.“When his number gets called, he goes out there and makes plays in big moments. That’s what special players do. He’s a special player. I’m glad he’s on my team.”Together, Hill and Kelce have half of the Chiefs’ receptions and more than half of their yards receiving this season.If Hill is unable to play Sunday, the Chiefs will be forced to rely more heavily on inconsistent Mecole Hardman and Demarcus Robinson along with Byron Pringle as they try to keep the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoff race.Kelce and Bell on the COVID-19 list would leave rookie Noah Gray as the only tight end on the active roster.On the defensive side, which has helped fuel the Chiefs’ seven-game win streak, the absence of Jones and Gay against the Chargers was evident in their inability to rush quarterback Justin Herbert.The Chiefs would desperately like them back on the field against Pittsburgh, especially if they are without Fenton and Ward on the back end.“We’ve had a couple things last week where we had to make a couple sudden changes,” Reid said earlier this week. “I’m not going to spend a ton of time on it. That’s what Rick does, so Rick explains it to the coaches and to the players, and then we roll with it. He’s the one that’s put a lot of time into it and continues to put a lot of time into it.”Also:— Washington cornerback Troy Apke cleared virus protocol in time to take a private plane to Philadelphia for the game against the Eagles that was moved to Tuesday night. Quarterbacks Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen did not test negative in time to be cleared to play, putting Garrett Gilbert in line to start days after Washington signed him. Kyle Shurmur was promoted from the practice squad to back up Gilbert. Also out for Washington because of COVID-19 protocols were 2020 All-Pro guard Brandon Scherff, cornerback Kendall Fuller, offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas and safety Kamren Curl.— The Ravens put linebacker Pernell McPhee on the COVID-19 list. He had been on injured reserve but was designated for return Monday.— Packers wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Texans defensive lineman Jaleel Johnson also have been placed on the COVID-19 list. Valdes-Scantling was coming off one of his most productive performances of the season, as he had five catches for 98 yards and a touchdown in a 31-30 victory at Baltimore.— The Jets placed rookie left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker and cornerback Michael Carter II on the COVID-19 list. They also activated QB Mike White from the list.

Tyreek Hill among 21 NFL players added to COVID-19 list

The University of Colorado men's basketball game against the University of Kansas scheduled for Tuesday at the CU Events Center has been canceled due to COVID-19 protocols within the Buffs' program.

"Our top priority since the start of the pandemic has been the health and safety of our student-athletes, staff and the community," CU Athletic Director Rick George said. "While we're disappointed for our student-athletes and fans to have to cancel the game, both schools agreed this is the best decision."

Fans with season tickets or single game tickets who made their original purchase from the CU Athletics Ticket Office have the following options:

Donate the value of the tickets to the Buff Club for end of year tax purposes and double priority points.

Request a credit on your account to be used this season.

Request a refund to their original form of payment.

Those who bought their tickets through the CU Athletic Ticket Office will be contacted via email this evening with an outline of the process, and prompted to respond with their preference by 5 p.m. Jan. 7.

The CU men's basketball program will coordinate with team medical staff and campus health officials on next steps regarding team activities. The Buffs' next game is not until Dec. 30 at Oregon.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640171101461.jpeg" alt="CU Sports Statement on cancellation" />
 <figcaption>CU Sports Statement on cancellation</figcaption>
 </figure>The University of Colorado men's basketball game against the University of Kansas scheduled for Tuesday at the CU Events Center has been canceled due to COVID-19 protocols within the Buffs' program."Our top priority since the start of the pandemic has been the health and safety of our student-athletes, staff and the community," CU Athletic Director Rick George said. "While we're disappointed for our student-athletes and fans to have to cancel the game, both schools agreed this is the best decision."Fans with season tickets or single game tickets who made their original purchase from the CU Athletics Ticket Office have the following options:Donate the value of the tickets to the Buff Club for end of year tax purposes and double priority points.Request a credit on your account to be used this season.Request a refund to their original form of payment.Those who bought their tickets through the CU Athletic Ticket Office will be contacted via email this evening with an outline of the process, and prompted to respond with their preference by 5 p.m. Jan. 7.The CU men's basketball program will coordinate with team medical staff and campus health officials on next steps regarding team activities. The Buffs' next game is not until Dec. 30 at Oregon.

Kansas/Colorado game cancelled due to Covid

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Nijel Pack and Marquis Nowell each scored 18 points and Selton Miguel added 17 more off the bench as Kansas State rolled to a 74-59 win over McNeese State on Tuesday for its third straight win.

Pack hit 4 of 8 from beyond the 3-point arc and the Wildcats collectively knocked down 10 3s. Nowell converted 7 of 8 from the free throw line and dished out 10 assists for his second double-double of the season. Miguel reached double-figure scoring for the fifth time this season and set a season-high.

Brendan Medley-Bacon dunked with 9:37 left in the first half to put the Cowboys up, 17-10 and Zach Scott’s 3 with just under six minutes to go gave McNeese a 26-17 lead, but Kansas State (8-3) closed the half on an 18-2 run to take a 35-28 lead into intermission.

Christian Shumate scored 18 points off the bench to lead McNeese State (3-9), which remains winless on the road through eight games. Zach Scott hit 3 of 6 from distance and finished with 11 points.

Kansas State will take a week off and will host Morgan State Dec. 29 and open Big 12 play New Year’s Day at Oklahoma.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Nijel Pack and Marquis Nowell each scored 18 points and Selton Miguel added 17 more off the bench as Kansas State rolled to a 74-59 win over McNeese State on Tuesday for its third straight win.Pack hit 4 of 8 from beyond the 3-point arc and the Wildcats collectively knocked down 10 3s. Nowell converted 7 of 8 from the free throw line and dished out 10 assists for his second double-double of the season. Miguel reached double-figure scoring for the fifth time this season and set a season-high.Brendan Medley-Bacon dunked with 9:37 left in the first half to put the Cowboys up, 17-10 and Zach Scott’s 3 with just under six minutes to go gave McNeese a 26-17 lead, but Kansas State (8-3) closed the half on an 18-2 run to take a 35-28 lead into intermission.Christian Shumate scored 18 points off the bench to lead McNeese State (3-9), which remains winless on the road through eight games. Zach Scott hit 3 of 6 from distance and finished with 11 points.Kansas State will take a week off and will host Morgan State Dec. 29 and open Big 12 play New Year’s Day at Oklahoma.

Pack, Nowell lead Kansas State past McNeese State, 74-59

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas Volleyball finished the 2021 season ranked No. 19 in the final American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Coaches poll, which was released on Monday, Dec. 20. 

The Jayhawks finished the season with an 18-12 overall record, the first time since 2017 they finished with a winning percentage of .600 or better. The 2021 season also marked the first season since 2017 that the Jayhawks received a bid to the NCAA national tournament.

In the NCAA Tournament, Kansas defeated No. 19 Oregon 3-0 in the first round and No. 20 Creighton 3-1 in the second round to move on to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2015. The Jayhawks’ postseason run ended after a 3-0 loss to No. 3 Pittsburgh, who advanced to the national semifinals.

Kansas was one of two previously unranked teams to make it into the final rankings. Illinois finished at No. 16 after being the only other unseeded team to advance to the Sweet 16 in the tournament. 

The Big 12 was represented in the final rankings as Kansas was joined by No. 5 Texas and No. 10 Baylor in the AVCA Coaches Poll. Kansas finished the regular season tied for third in the Big 12 at 8-8. They were joined by West Virginia and Iowa State, both also finishing at 8-8. Texas finished first at 15-1 followed by Baylor at 14-2.

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas Volleyball finished the 2021 season ranked No. 19 in the final American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Coaches poll, which was released on Monday, Dec. 20. The Jayhawks finished the season with an 18-12 overall record, the first time since 2017 they finished with a winning percentage of .600 or better. The 2021 season also marked the first season since 2017 that the Jayhawks received a bid to the NCAA national tournament.In the NCAA Tournament, Kansas defeated No. 19 Oregon 3-0 in the first round and No. 20 Creighton 3-1 in the second round to move on to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2015. The Jayhawks’ postseason run ended after a 3-0 loss to No. 3 Pittsburgh, who advanced to the national semifinals.Kansas was one of two previously unranked teams to make it into the final rankings. Illinois finished at No. 16 after being the only other unseeded team to advance to the Sweet 16 in the tournament. The Big 12 was represented in the final rankings as Kansas was joined by No. 5 Texas and No. 10 Baylor in the AVCA Coaches Poll. Kansas finished the regular season tied for third in the Big 12 at 8-8. They were joined by West Virginia and Iowa State, both also finishing at 8-8. Texas finished first at 15-1 followed by Baylor at 14-2.Kansas Athletics

Kansas Ranked No. 19 in Final 2021 Poll

MANHATTAN, Kan. – K-State will host a Bowl Game Watch Party in the Shamrock Zone for fans attending the Wildcats' Big 12 men's basketball home opener with Texas on Tuesday, January 4 at Bramlage Coliseum.

Tickets to the Bowl Game Watch Party will be $5 and limited to those with a men's basketball ticket. Select concessions items will be available for purchase and a cash bar will be available.

The 13,500-square foot Shamrock Zone, which connects the south concourse of Bill Snyder Family Stadium and the main concourse of Bramlage Coliseum, opened in August 2021. The space features a 50-foot bar as well as two 30-foot wide video boards and 36 TVs to watch the bowl game.

Doors to the Shamrock Zone will open at the conclusion of the men's basketball game, which has been moved up to a 6 p.m., CT tipoff to allow fans to watch the kickoff of the Wildcats' game with LSU in the TaxAct Texas Bowl, which is slated for an 8 p.m., CT kick on ESPN.

With many K-State fans in Houston for the Texas Bowl, the athletics department is offering all general admission tickets for just a $1 as well as free general admission parking when the Wildcats play host to the Longhorns at Bramlage Coliseum. General admission tickets are located in Section 19 through 25.

Season-ticket holders who will be traveling to Houston can contact the Athletics Ticket Office to donate their tickets to a Fort Riley soldier and their family.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting k-statesports.com, calling (800) 221.CATS, or by visiting the Bramlage Coliseum ticket office in person from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

Fans wanting to upgrade their game experience can purchase a Bramlage Bundle that includes a reserved Cat Cushion ticket, $10 concessions voucher and a $10 voucher for the K-State Super Store for just $40.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640112027147.jpeg" alt="Kansas State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Kansas State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN, Kan. – K-State will host a Bowl Game Watch Party in the Shamrock Zone for fans attending the Wildcats' Big 12 men's basketball home opener with Texas on Tuesday, January 4 at Bramlage Coliseum.Tickets to the Bowl Game Watch Party will be $5 and limited to those with a men's basketball ticket. Select concessions items will be available for purchase and a cash bar will be available.The 13,500-square foot Shamrock Zone, which connects the south concourse of Bill Snyder Family Stadium and the main concourse of Bramlage Coliseum, opened in August 2021. The space features a 50-foot bar as well as two 30-foot wide video boards and 36 TVs to watch the bowl game.Doors to the Shamrock Zone will open at the conclusion of the men's basketball game, which has been moved up to a 6 p.m., CT tipoff to allow fans to watch the kickoff of the Wildcats' game with LSU in the TaxAct Texas Bowl, which is slated for an 8 p.m., CT kick on ESPN.With many K-State fans in Houston for the Texas Bowl, the athletics department is offering all general admission tickets for just a $1 as well as free general admission parking when the Wildcats play host to the Longhorns at Bramlage Coliseum. General admission tickets are located in Section 19 through 25.Season-ticket holders who will be traveling to Houston can contact the Athletics Ticket Office to donate their tickets to a Fort Riley soldier and their family.Tickets can be purchased by visiting k-statesports.com, calling (800) 221.CATS, or by visiting the Bramlage Coliseum ticket office in person from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Fans wanting to upgrade their game experience can purchase a Bramlage Bundle that includes a reserved Cat Cushion ticket, $10 concessions voucher and a $10 voucher for the K-State Super Store for just $40.

K-State to Host Bowl Game Watch Party after Texas Game

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday.

Kelce is vaccinated, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, so he has a chance to return in time for the Chiefs' next game on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Arrowhead Stadium.

Kansas City kicker Harrison Butker and cornerback Charvarius Ward also were placed on the COVID-19 list.

A total of 47 players were placed on the COVID-19 list Monday, all as a result of a positive test. That's the most the NFL has had in a single day.

The Chiefs signed kicker Elliott Fry to their active roster off the practice squad as insurance in case Butker can't return for Sunday's game.

Kelce was named on Monday to play in this year's Pro Bowl, his seventh straight selection. He leads NFL tight ends in receiving yardage with 1,066. He is second in catches (83) and fourth in touchdowns (7). The 1,000-yard season is the sixth straight for Kelce.

He is coming off the biggest statistical game of his career in Kansas City's 34-28 overtime win over the Los Angeles Chargers. He caught 10 passes for a career-high 191 yards and two touchdowns, including the game winner -- a 34-yard scoring pass from Patrick Mahomes -- in the extra period.

The Chiefs have two other tight ends, veteran Blake Bell and rookie Noah Gray, on their active roster. Bell and Gray have combined this season to catch nine passes for 59 yards and a touchdown.

Kansas City placed defensive tackle Chris Jones, linebacker Willie Gay and wide receiver Josh Gordon on the COVID-19 list last week, and all three players missed the game against the Chargers.

By Adam Teicher-ESPNKANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday.Kelce is vaccinated, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, so he has a chance to return in time for the Chiefs' next game on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Arrowhead Stadium.Kansas City kicker Harrison Butker and cornerback Charvarius Ward also were placed on the COVID-19 list.A total of 47 players were placed on the COVID-19 list Monday, all as a result of a positive test. That's the most the NFL has had in a single day.The Chiefs signed kicker Elliott Fry to their active roster off the practice squad as insurance in case Butker can't return for Sunday's game.Kelce was named on Monday to play in this year's Pro Bowl, his seventh straight selection. He leads NFL tight ends in receiving yardage with 1,066. He is second in catches (83) and fourth in touchdowns (7). The 1,000-yard season is the sixth straight for Kelce.He is coming off the biggest statistical game of his career in Kansas City's 34-28 overtime win over the Los Angeles Chargers. He caught 10 passes for a career-high 191 yards and two touchdowns, including the game winner -- a 34-yard scoring pass from Patrick Mahomes -- in the extra period.The Chiefs have two other tight ends, veteran Blake Bell and rookie Noah Gray, on their active roster. Bell and Gray have combined this season to catch nine passes for 59 yards and a touchdown.Kansas City placed defensive tackle Chris Jones, linebacker Willie Gay and wide receiver Josh Gordon on the COVID-19 list last week, and all three players missed the game against the Chargers.

Pro Bowl TE Travis Kelce among three Kansas City Chiefs put on COVID-19 list

UNDATED (AP) — Defending national champion Baylor has maintained its top spot in The Associated Press men's college basketball poll, though not without ceding a No. 1 vote to Arizona, while the six remaining unbeatens continued their rise. Duke stayed No. 2 after ending a two-week break with three easy wins. Purdue was third while Gonzaga and UCLA flip-flopped their spots, with the Bruins rounding out the top five while being on a COVID-19 pause. Arizona jumped two spots to No. 6. Providence and Wisconsin entered the AP Top 25 while UConn and Arkansas dropped out.

Others receiving votes: Oklahoma 65, West Virginia 57, UConn 55, Illinois 49, Loyola Chicago 42, Michigan 9, Arkansas 9, BYU 8, North Carolina 7, San Francisco 6, Wake Forest 5, Virginia Tech 4, Oklahoma St. 4, Iowa 3, Minnesota 3, Creighton 2, Memphis 1.

UNDATED (AP) — Defending national champion Baylor has maintained its top spot in The Associated Press men's college basketball poll, though not without ceding a No. 1 vote to Arizona, while the six remaining unbeatens continued their rise. Duke stayed No. 2 after ending a two-week break with three easy wins. Purdue was third while Gonzaga and UCLA flip-flopped their spots, with the Bruins rounding out the top five while being on a COVID-19 pause. Arizona jumped two spots to No. 6. Providence and Wisconsin entered the AP Top 25 while UConn and Arkansas dropped out.	Record	Pts	Prv1. Baylor (60)	10-0	1524	12. Duke	10-1	1445	23. Purdue	10-1	1360	34. Gonzaga	9-2	1313	55. UCLA	9-1	1294	46. Arizona (1)	11-0	1230	87. Kansas	9-1	1210	78. Southern Cal	12-0	937	109. Iowa St.	11-0	926	1110. Alabama	9-2	897	611. Michigan St.	9-2	822	1212. Auburn	10-1	782	1313. Houston	10-2	780	1414. Ohio St.	8-2	744	1515. Seton Hall	9-2	693	1616. Texas	8-2	569	1717. LSU	11-0	542	1918. Xavier	11-1	469	2219. Tennessee	8-2	447	1820. Kentucky	8-2	428	2121. Colorado St.	10-0	328	2322. Providence	11-1	266	-23. Villanova	7-4	222	924. Wisconsin	9-2	182	-25. Texas Tech	8-2	86	25Others receiving votes: Oklahoma 65, West Virginia 57, UConn 55, Illinois 49, Loyola Chicago 42, Michigan 9, Arkansas 9, BYU 8, North Carolina 7, San Francisco 6, Wake Forest 5, Virginia Tech 4, Oklahoma St. 4, Iowa 3, Minnesota 3, Creighton 2, Memphis 1.

Kansas Stays at 7th in AP Poll

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos are preparing backup quarterback Drew Lock for his first start of the season at Las Vegas next weekend after Teddy Bridgewater was&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/PFN365/status/1472705206978813954?s=20" target="_blank">knocked unconscious</a>&nbsp;Sunday against the Bengals, carted off the field and hospitalized overnight.

Bridgewater was discharged Monday morning and is in the league’s concussion protocol for the second time this season.

“I just spoke to him a few minutes ago,” coach Vic Fangio said. “He’s been released, he’s home, he’s resting comfortably. He sounded a lot better this morning than he did last night. Last night he sounded real tired.”

Fangio added that it’s “highly unlikely he plays this week.” He also dismissed the notion of starting third-string QB Brett Rypien, who began quarantining last week as a precaution with the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases across the NFL.

Battered behind a porous offensive line Sunday, Bridgewater scrambled for the first down marker late in the third quarter of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-sports-cincinnati-bengals-drew-lock-teddy-bridgewater-88fb354b1609e5bb96949de406232b4a">Denver’s 15-10 loss</a>&nbsp;to the Cincinnati Bengals. Linebacker Joe Bachie squared up to stop him and when they collided, Bridgewater went airborne and was hit from the side by defensive tackle B.J. Hill just as he faceplanted into the ground.

Bridgewater lay motionless, his arms bent awkwardly.

The crowd quieted as Bridgewater and Bachie lay on the ground and their teammates gathered around, some kneeling. As Bachie was helped off a minute later with a leg injury and ruled out, Bridgewater came to as he was rolled over and strapped onto a body board to be carted off the field.

As he was being transported via ambulance to a hospital, the Broncos said he had movement in his arms and legs and would be evaluated for a head injury.

“Relieved that he’s doing well,” Fangio said. “On my Catholic background, I said a quick Hail Mary and and Our Father for him during that time.”

Bridgewater was replaced by former starter Lock, who finished the drive with a 25-yard touchdown toss to Tim Patrick that briefly put Denver ahead 10-9. After Cincinnati regained the lead with its only TD drive of the day, Lock had the Broncos threatening again when he committed his second turnover of the season on a goal-to-go situation in relief of Bridgewater.

Against the Ravens in October, he threw an end zone interception with 3 seconds left, which allowed Baltimore to run one more play and extend its streak of 100-yard rushing games, much to Fangio’s chagrin.

With their season possibly on the line Sunday, the Broncos (7-7) put a key decision in Lock’s hands on second-and-goal from the Cincinnati 9. The old read option, which Tim Tebow brought back to the NFL a decade ago.

Instead of handing the ball off as he should have, Lock pulled the ball back from running back Javonte Williams’ belly and was immediately face to face with unblocked defensive end Khalid Kareem, who snatched the ball out of Lock’s hands.

Kareem’s colossal play, officially a fumble recovery, helped the Bengals (8-6) surge into a first-place tie with Baltimore atop the AFC North while damaging the Broncos’ playoff hopes.

Lock ended up completing 6 of 12 passes for 88 yards with a sack, a touchdown and a turnover.

“I hope after a week’s worth of practice that he’ll be much more comfortable and much more efficient in that operation,” Fangio said. “His accuracy will be better. Everything will be better.”

Denver’s defense. Although they got no takeaways, the Broncos held Joe Burrow to 157 air yards, kept Joe Mixon out of the end zone, held rookie star Ja’Marr Chase to one catch for 3 yards and Tee Higgins to two catches for 23 yards.

The offense, which wasted a dominant defensive performance like it hadn’t in a decade — ever since Kyle Orton returned to Denver and led Kansas City to a 7-3 win over Tebow and the Broncos to close out the 2011 season. Of course, the Broncos backed into the playoffs anyway at 8-8 that year and Tebow’s best play as a pro came one week later when he found Demaryius Thomas for an 80-yard TD on the first play of overtime against Pittsburgh.

It’s unlikely a playoff appearance awaits Denver this year after Lock both handed the Bengals the win and took the Broncos’ playoff hopes out of their own hands.

Fangio, for another brilliant defensive game plan that throttled another young quarterback.

Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, for once again stubbornly sticking to his favorite diet of three wide receiver sets when his O-line kept folding so quickly that plays couldn’t develop downfield.

3 - Broncos safety Justin Simmons got his third career sack and his first since 2017.

The Broncos visit the Raiders (6-7), whose game at Cleveland was pushed back from last Saturday to Monday because of the Browns’ COVID-19 outbreak. Fangio is 1-4 against Las Vegas, including a 34-24 home loss this season when the Raiders were supposedly reeling from Jon Gruden’s unceremonious exit.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos are preparing backup quarterback Drew Lock for his first start of the season at Las Vegas next weekend after Teddy Bridgewater was&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/PFN365/status/1472705206978813954?s=20" target="_blank">knocked unconscious</a>&nbsp;Sunday against the Bengals, carted off the field and hospitalized overnight.Bridgewater was discharged Monday morning and is in the league’s concussion protocol for the second time this season.“I just spoke to him a few minutes ago,” coach Vic Fangio said. “He’s been released, he’s home, he’s resting comfortably. He sounded a lot better this morning than he did last night. Last night he sounded real tired.”Fangio added that it’s “highly unlikely he plays this week.” He also dismissed the notion of starting third-string QB Brett Rypien, who began quarantining last week as a precaution with the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases across the NFL.Battered behind a porous offensive line Sunday, Bridgewater scrambled for the first down marker late in the third quarter of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-sports-cincinnati-bengals-drew-lock-teddy-bridgewater-88fb354b1609e5bb96949de406232b4a">Denver’s 15-10 loss</a>&nbsp;to the Cincinnati Bengals. Linebacker Joe Bachie squared up to stop him and when they collided, Bridgewater went airborne and was hit from the side by defensive tackle B.J. Hill just as he faceplanted into the ground.Bridgewater lay motionless, his arms bent awkwardly.The crowd quieted as Bridgewater and Bachie lay on the ground and their teammates gathered around, some kneeling. As Bachie was helped off a minute later with a leg injury and ruled out, Bridgewater came to as he was rolled over and strapped onto a body board to be carted off the field.As he was being transported via ambulance to a hospital, the Broncos said he had movement in his arms and legs and would be evaluated for a head injury.“Relieved that he’s doing well,” Fangio said. “On my Catholic background, I said a quick Hail Mary and and Our Father for him during that time.”Bridgewater was replaced by former starter Lock, who finished the drive with a 25-yard touchdown toss to Tim Patrick that briefly put Denver ahead 10-9. After Cincinnati regained the lead with its only TD drive of the day, Lock had the Broncos threatening again when he committed his second turnover of the season on a goal-to-go situation in relief of Bridgewater.Against the Ravens in October, he threw an end zone interception with 3 seconds left, which allowed Baltimore to run one more play and extend its streak of 100-yard rushing games, much to Fangio’s chagrin.With their season possibly on the line Sunday, the Broncos (7-7) put a key decision in Lock’s hands on second-and-goal from the Cincinnati 9. The old read option, which Tim Tebow brought back to the NFL a decade ago.Instead of handing the ball off as he should have, Lock pulled the ball back from running back Javonte Williams’ belly and was immediately face to face with unblocked defensive end Khalid Kareem, who snatched the ball out of Lock’s hands.Kareem’s colossal play, officially a fumble recovery, helped the Bengals (8-6) surge into a first-place tie with Baltimore atop the AFC North while damaging the Broncos’ playoff hopes.Lock ended up completing 6 of 12 passes for 88 yards with a sack, a touchdown and a turnover.“I hope after a week’s worth of practice that he’ll be much more comfortable and much more efficient in that operation,” Fangio said. “His accuracy will be better. Everything will be better.”WHAT’S WORKINGDenver’s defense. Although they got no takeaways, the Broncos held Joe Burrow to 157 air yards, kept Joe Mixon out of the end zone, held rookie star Ja’Marr Chase to one catch for 3 yards and Tee Higgins to two catches for 23 yards.WHAT NEEDS HELPThe offense, which wasted a dominant defensive performance like it hadn’t in a decade — ever since Kyle Orton returned to Denver and led Kansas City to a 7-3 win over Tebow and the Broncos to close out the 2011 season. Of course, the Broncos backed into the playoffs anyway at 8-8 that year and Tebow’s best play as a pro came one week later when he found Demaryius Thomas for an 80-yard TD on the first play of overtime against Pittsburgh.It’s unlikely a playoff appearance awaits Denver this year after Lock both handed the Bengals the win and took the Broncos’ playoff hopes out of their own hands.STOCK UPFangio, for another brilliant defensive game plan that throttled another young quarterback.STOCK DOWNOffensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, for once again stubbornly sticking to his favorite diet of three wide receiver sets when his O-line kept folding so quickly that plays couldn’t develop downfield.KEY NUMBER3 - Broncos safety Justin Simmons got his third career sack and his first since 2017.WHAT’S NEXTThe Broncos visit the Raiders (6-7), whose game at Cleveland was pushed back from last Saturday to Monday because of the Browns’ COVID-19 outbreak. Fangio is 1-4 against Las Vegas, including a 34-24 home loss this season when the Raiders were supposedly reeling from Jon Gruden’s unceremonious exit.

Bridgewater out of hospital but unlikely to play next week

DENVER (AP) — Patrick Mahomes is getting into his opponents’ heads, and they’re playing right into his hands.

The Kansas City Chiefs are on a roll again thanks to division foes getting spooked by Mahomes the way opponents used to wig out when facing a young Peyton Manning.

The Chiefs are riding a seven-game winning streak after a 3-4 start and have surged into the pole position in the logjammed AFC playoff chase as they jockey for their third trip to the Super Bowl in four years.

They can thank their AFC West rivals in Denver and Los Angeles for their helping hand.

Both the Broncos and Chargers were hell-bent on scoring touchdowns instead of field goals so they could keep up with Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill, et. al.

These rivals who believe they have absolutely no margin for error when facing the Chiefs are playing right into Mahomes’ hands by frittering away golden scoring opportunities.

In the leadup to the Broncos’ trip to Kansas City on Dec, 5, Denver quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was asked about what lessons he had learned from his 33-31 loss at Arrowhead Stadium last year while he was with the Carolina Panthers.

That was exactly the thinking employed by Broncos coach Vic Fangio and his embattled offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur that day in Kansas City. The Broncos lost 22-9 despite holding Hill and Kelce to fewer than 50 combined yards and limiting Mahomes to 15-of-29 passing for a mere 184 yards with no touchdowns and an interception.

During an epic drive in the second quarter, the Broncos did exactly what they had set out to do, chewing up yards and clock, dinking and dunking their way downfield while keeping Mahomes and his high-octane offensive teammates cooling their cleats on the Kansas City sideline.

Trailing 10-3, the Broncos took over at their own 3 with 12:16 left in the second quarter. Eleven runs and eight passes later, they found themselves facing fourth-and-2 from the Kansas City 8.

Instead of taking the points, they went for it and rookie running back Javonte Williams was dropped for a 1-yard loss.

Fangio said he only had a fleeting thought of settling for the field goal that would have cut Denver’s deficit to 10-6 with a minute left until halftime.

“There was, but very little. I am comfortable with that decision,” Fangio said after the game. “We had converted a couple of fourth downs to keep it going. One was fourth-and-7, I believe. You guys just got done grilling me about the points. You have to score touchdowns to beat this team.”

The next day, Fangio was still adamant, saying going for it on fourth down was one of his easiest decisions in that game.

Yes, the analytics say to go for it almost every time, and almost always that’s the right thing to do. But in that moment, the Broncos brain trust miscalculated the psychological cost of coming up empty on the gamble — and the big boost it would give the Chiefs.

“When you’re in a situation where you get the ball really backed up then take the ball all the way down the field and you don’t score, it just sucks, man,” Bridgewater said.

When they stuffed Williams, the rejuvenated Chiefs defenders whooped and hollered their way off the field.

They did the same thing Thursday night in a 34-28 overtime win at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles when the Chargers failed to punch the ball into the end zone on the game’s opening drive and again on the final play of the first half.

Justin Herbert’s fourth-and-goal pass from the 5-yard line on the Chargers’ opening possession was dropped when tight end Donald Parham suffered a concussion hitting the ground, then Herbert threw incomplete to wide receiver Keenan Allen on fourth-and-goal from the 1 on the final play of the first half.

The Chiefs celebrated on their way to the locker room while the Chargers trudged off the field even though they led 14-10 at the break.

Chargers coach Brandon Staley is a defensive disciple of Fangio, and he made the same psychological blunder by shying away from a precious three points in favor of gambling for seven because when he looked across the field he saw Mahomes staring back.

It’s reminiscent of how teams that faced Manning frequently fell victim to their own forced errors.

Even Bill Belichick, who’s won seven Super Bowl rings as a head coach and a record eight overall, famously fell under the spell cast by Archie Manning’s kid back in 2009.

With two minutes left in their game, the Patriots led the Colts 34-28, but they were backed up at their 28 and needed two yards for a first down. Belichick chose to go for it on fourth down rather than put the ball back in Manning’s hands.

Kevin Faulk caught Tom Brady’s pass but was driven backward by Melvin Bullitt. When the chain gang went in to measure it, the ball was short of the first down.

Three plays later, Manning’s touchdown throw to Reggie Wayne gave the Colts a 35-34 win.

The Colts went on to win the AFC championship that year and faced New Orleans in the Super Bowl, where Sean Payton’s onside gamble paid off with an upset of Manning &amp; Co.

Just like Manning used to do, Mahomes is getting into his opponents’ heads. And just like the Colts seemed to always do, the Chiefs toyed with other teams early this season before getting down to business.

Would anyone be surprised to see them get back to the Super Bowl — with a little help from their friends?

DENVER (AP) — Patrick Mahomes is getting into his opponents’ heads, and they’re playing right into his hands.The Kansas City Chiefs are on a roll again thanks to division foes getting spooked by Mahomes the way opponents used to wig out when facing a young Peyton Manning.The Chiefs are riding a seven-game winning streak after a 3-4 start and have surged into the pole position in the logjammed AFC playoff chase as they jockey for their third trip to the Super Bowl in four years.They can thank their AFC West rivals in Denver and Los Angeles for their helping hand.Both the Broncos and Chargers were hell-bent on scoring touchdowns instead of field goals so they could keep up with Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill, et. al.These rivals who believe they have absolutely no margin for error when facing the Chiefs are playing right into Mahomes’ hands by frittering away golden scoring opportunities.In the leadup to the Broncos’ trip to Kansas City on Dec, 5, Denver quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was asked about what lessons he had learned from his 33-31 loss at Arrowhead Stadium last year while he was with the Carolina Panthers.That was exactly the thinking employed by Broncos coach Vic Fangio and his embattled offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur that day in Kansas City. The Broncos lost 22-9 despite holding Hill and Kelce to fewer than 50 combined yards and limiting Mahomes to 15-of-29 passing for a mere 184 yards with no touchdowns and an interception.During an epic drive in the second quarter, the Broncos did exactly what they had set out to do, chewing up yards and clock, dinking and dunking their way downfield while keeping Mahomes and his high-octane offensive teammates cooling their cleats on the Kansas City sideline.Trailing 10-3, the Broncos took over at their own 3 with 12:16 left in the second quarter. Eleven runs and eight passes later, they found themselves facing fourth-and-2 from the Kansas City 8.Instead of taking the points, they went for it and rookie running back Javonte Williams was dropped for a 1-yard loss.Fangio said he only had a fleeting thought of settling for the field goal that would have cut Denver’s deficit to 10-6 with a minute left until halftime.“There was, but very little. I am comfortable with that decision,” Fangio said after the game. “We had converted a couple of fourth downs to keep it going. One was fourth-and-7, I believe. You guys just got done grilling me about the points. You have to score touchdowns to beat this team.”The next day, Fangio was still adamant, saying going for it on fourth down was one of his easiest decisions in that game.Yes, the analytics say to go for it almost every time, and almost always that’s the right thing to do. But in that moment, the Broncos brain trust miscalculated the psychological cost of coming up empty on the gamble — and the big boost it would give the Chiefs.“When you’re in a situation where you get the ball really backed up then take the ball all the way down the field and you don’t score, it just sucks, man,” Bridgewater said.When they stuffed Williams, the rejuvenated Chiefs defenders whooped and hollered their way off the field.They did the same thing Thursday night in a 34-28 overtime win at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles when the Chargers failed to punch the ball into the end zone on the game’s opening drive and again on the final play of the first half.Justin Herbert’s fourth-and-goal pass from the 5-yard line on the Chargers’ opening possession was dropped when tight end Donald Parham suffered a concussion hitting the ground, then Herbert threw incomplete to wide receiver Keenan Allen on fourth-and-goal from the 1 on the final play of the first half.The Chiefs celebrated on their way to the locker room while the Chargers trudged off the field even though they led 14-10 at the break.Chargers coach Brandon Staley is a defensive disciple of Fangio, and he made the same psychological blunder by shying away from a precious three points in favor of gambling for seven because when he looked across the field he saw Mahomes staring back.It’s reminiscent of how teams that faced Manning frequently fell victim to their own forced errors.Even Bill Belichick, who’s won seven Super Bowl rings as a head coach and a record eight overall, famously fell under the spell cast by Archie Manning’s kid back in 2009.With two minutes left in their game, the Patriots led the Colts 34-28, but they were backed up at their 28 and needed two yards for a first down. Belichick chose to go for it on fourth down rather than put the ball back in Manning’s hands.Kevin Faulk caught Tom Brady’s pass but was driven backward by Melvin Bullitt. When the chain gang went in to measure it, the ball was short of the first down.Three plays later, Manning’s touchdown throw to Reggie Wayne gave the Colts a 35-34 win.The Colts went on to win the AFC championship that year and faced New Orleans in the Super Bowl, where Sean Payton’s onside gamble paid off with an upset of Manning &amp; Co.Just like Manning used to do, Mahomes is getting into his opponents’ heads. And just like the Colts seemed to always do, the Chiefs toyed with other teams early this season before getting down to business.Would anyone be surprised to see them get back to the Super Bowl — with a little help from their friends?

Mahomes in teams’ heads and they play right into his hands

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs are alone with the best record in the AFC, one game ahead of the Patriots and Titans and two up on the Chargers, Colts and Bengals. That's crucial with three games remaining because there is only one bye for the playoffs, and that team also earns home-field advantage throughout the AFC postseason. Kansas City begins the stretch run against Pittsburgh, which is fighting for its postseason hopes, on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium. Then comes road trips to Cincinnati and Denver, two more teams that are trying to keep their playoff chances alive.

DENVER (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes has gotten into his opponents' heads and they're playing right into his hands. The Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers have both made the mistake this month of believing they had to eschew field goals to go for touchdowns and keep up with the prolific Mahomes when playing for the points would have benefitted them more. This isn't a new phenomenon. A young Peyton Manning used to make teams wig out and do unconventional things in trying to keep up with the high-scoring, quick-strike Indianapolis Colts.

UNDATED (AP) — The opportunity to cash in on endorsements probably was a major factor in the decision of some college football recruits on signing day last week. But the head of a company that works with schools and athletes in the new world of NIL doubts it was an overriding one for most. Athliance CEO Peter Schoenthal said name, image and likeness programs tied to schools are in the spotlight now. He says eventually they'll become like factors such as facilities, playing time and academics. Most recruits didn't mention NIL in media reports. Several coaches said it was a big deal.

WACO, Texas (AP) — Kendall Brown, Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua and Flo Thamba scored 16 points apiece to lead five players in double figures, and No. 1 Baylor beat Alcorn State 94-57. Baylor took a 10-point lead on a 3-pointer by James Akinjo with 14:31 left in the first half. The Bears led by double digits for good after Akinjo's layup made it 22-11. Dominic Brewton led the Braves with 19 points. Alcorn State lost its fifth straight and has yet to play a home game this season.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Daniel Carlson’s 48-yard field goal as time expired sent the Las Vegas Raiders to a 16-14 win over the COVID-19-depleted Cleveland Browns in a game pushed back two days by the NFL amid an uptick of virus cases across the league. Down by a point, quarterback Derek Carr patiently drove the 7-7 Raiders into Cleveland territory in the final two minutes. Then Carlson shrugged off being iced by the Browns to boot his winner, keeping Las Vegas in the playoff mix.

CHICAGO (AP) — Kirk Cousins passed for two touchdowns and the Minnesota Vikings evened their record at 7-7 with a 17-9 victory over the Bears in Chicago. The two-time Pro Bowler also connected with Justin Jefferson for a 12-yard touchdown in the first quarter and threw a 7-yarder to Ihmir Smith-Marsette in the third. Dalvin Cook ran for 89 yards D.J. Wonnum had three sacks and the Vikings recovered three fumbles.

Montreal	at	N-Y Islanders	7 p.m.	(Postponed)

Colorado	at	Detroit	7:30 p.m.	(Postponed)

Anaheim	at	Edmonton	9:30 p.m.	(Postponed)

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 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs are alone with the best record in the AFC, one game ahead of the Patriots and Titans and two up on the Chargers, Colts and Bengals. That's crucial with three games remaining because there is only one bye for the playoffs, and that team also earns home-field advantage throughout the AFC postseason. Kansas City begins the stretch run against Pittsburgh, which is fighting for its postseason hopes, on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium. Then comes road trips to Cincinnati and Denver, two more teams that are trying to keep their playoff chances alive.DENVER (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes has gotten into his opponents' heads and they're playing right into his hands. The Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers have both made the mistake this month of believing they had to eschew field goals to go for touchdowns and keep up with the prolific Mahomes when playing for the points would have benefitted them more. This isn't a new phenomenon. A young Peyton Manning used to make teams wig out and do unconventional things in trying to keep up with the high-scoring, quick-strike Indianapolis Colts.UNDATED (AP) — The opportunity to cash in on endorsements probably was a major factor in the decision of some college football recruits on signing day last week. But the head of a company that works with schools and athletes in the new world of NIL doubts it was an overriding one for most. Athliance CEO Peter Schoenthal said name, image and likeness programs tied to schools are in the spotlight now. He says eventually they'll become like factors such as facilities, playing time and academics. Most recruits didn't mention NIL in media reports. Several coaches said it was a big deal.WACO, Texas (AP) — Kendall Brown, Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua and Flo Thamba scored 16 points apiece to lead five players in double figures, and No. 1 Baylor beat Alcorn State 94-57. Baylor took a 10-point lead on a 3-pointer by James Akinjo with 14:31 left in the first half. The Bears led by double digits for good after Akinjo's layup made it 22-11. Dominic Brewton led the Braves with 19 points. Alcorn State lost its fifth straight and has yet to play a home game this season.UNDATED (AP) — Defending national champion Baylor has maintained its top spot in The Associated Press men's college basketball poll, though not without ceding a No. 1 vote to Arizona, while the six remaining unbeatens continued their rise. Duke stayed No. 2 after ending a two-week break with three easy wins. Purdue was third while Gonzaga and UCLA flip-flopped their spots, with the Bruins rounding out the top five while being on a COVID-19 pause. Arizona jumped two spots to No. 6. Providence and Wisconsin entered the AP Top 25 while UConn and Arkansas dropped out.CLEVELAND (AP) — Daniel Carlson’s 48-yard field goal as time expired sent the Las Vegas Raiders to a 16-14 win over the COVID-19-depleted Cleveland Browns in a game pushed back two days by the NFL amid an uptick of virus cases across the league. Down by a point, quarterback Derek Carr patiently drove the 7-7 Raiders into Cleveland territory in the final two minutes. Then Carlson shrugged off being iced by the Browns to boot his winner, keeping Las Vegas in the playoff mix.CHICAGO (AP) — Kirk Cousins passed for two touchdowns and the Minnesota Vikings evened their record at 7-7 with a 17-9 victory over the Bears in Chicago. The two-time Pro Bowler also connected with Justin Jefferson for a 12-yard touchdown in the first quarter and threw a 7-yarder to Ihmir Smith-Marsette in the third. Dalvin Cook ran for 89 yards D.J. Wonnum had three sacks and the Vikings recovered three fumbles.MONDAY SCORESNATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUEFinal	Las Vegas	16	Cleveland	14	Final	Minnesota	17	Chicago	9	TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALLFinal	(1)Baylor	94	Alcorn St.	57	Final	(3)Purdue	79	Incarnate Word	59	Final	(4)Gonzaga	95	N. Arizona	49	Final	St. John's	2	(15)Seton Hall	0NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATIONOrlando	at	Toronto	7:30 p.m.	(Postponed)Final	Philadelphia	108	Boston	103	Final	Chicago	133	Houston	118	Final	Oklahoma City	102	Memphis	99	Final	Utah	112	Charlotte	102	Final	Golden State	113	Sacramento	98	Final	San Antonio	116	L.A. Clippers	92	NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUEColumbus	at	Buffalo	7 p.m.	(Postponed)Montreal	at	N-Y Islanders	7 p.m.	(Postponed)Colorado	at	Detroit	7:30 p.m.	(Postponed)Anaheim	at	Edmonton	9:30 p.m.	(Postponed)Final	Dallas	7	Minnesota	4

Tuesday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

No. 7 Kansas (9-1) vs. Colorado (9-3)

CU Events Center, Boulder, Colorado; Tuesday, 9 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: No. 7 Kansas presents a tough challenge for Colorado. Colorado has lost both of its games against ranked teams this season. Kansas is looking to extend its current five-game winning streak.

SUPER SENIORS: Kansas has relied heavily on its seniors. Ochai Agbaji, Remy Martin, David McCormack and Mitch Lightfoot have collectively accounted for 55 percent of the team's scoring this year and 63 percent of all Jayhawks points over the team's last five games.ACCURATE AGBAJI: Agbaji has connected on 48.4 percent of the 64 3-pointers he's attempted and has gone 11 for 19 over his last three games. He's also made 71.9 percent of his foul shots this season.

STREAK STATS: Colorado has scored 61.7 points per game and allowed 52.3 over a three-game home winning streak.

ACCOUNTING FOR ASSISTS: The Jayhawks have recently used assists to create buckets more often than the Buffaloes. Colorado has an assist on 39 of 67 field goals (58.2 percent) across its previous three outings while Kansas has assists on 53 of 89 field goals (59.6 percent) during its past three games.

DID YOU KNOW: Kansas is ranked eighth among Division I teams with an average of 85.8 points per game. The Jayhawks have averaged 90.2 per game over their five-game winning streak.

No. 7 Kansas (9-1) vs. Colorado (9-3)CU Events Center, Boulder, Colorado; Tuesday, 9 p.m. ESTBOTTOM LINE: No. 7 Kansas presents a tough challenge for Colorado. Colorado has lost both of its games against ranked teams this season. Kansas is looking to extend its current five-game winning streak.SUPER SENIORS: Kansas has relied heavily on its seniors. Ochai Agbaji, Remy Martin, David McCormack and Mitch Lightfoot have collectively accounted for 55 percent of the team's scoring this year and 63 percent of all Jayhawks points over the team's last five games.ACCURATE AGBAJI: Agbaji has connected on 48.4 percent of the 64 3-pointers he's attempted and has gone 11 for 19 over his last three games. He's also made 71.9 percent of his foul shots this season.STREAK STATS: Colorado has scored 61.7 points per game and allowed 52.3 over a three-game home winning streak.ACCOUNTING FOR ASSISTS: The Jayhawks have recently used assists to create buckets more often than the Buffaloes. Colorado has an assist on 39 of 67 field goals (58.2 percent) across its previous three outings while Kansas has assists on 53 of 89 field goals (59.6 percent) during its past three games.DID YOU KNOW: Kansas is ranked eighth among Division I teams with an average of 85.8 points per game. The Jayhawks have averaged 90.2 per game over their five-game winning streak.

Colorado faces tough test vs No. 7 Kansas

John Harbaugh again went for the win and the AFC North became even more jumbled.

The Ravens (8-6) lost their third straight game Sunday when Tyler Huntley threw incomplete to Mark Andrews on a 2-point conversion attempt after Baltimore had rallied for two touchdowns in the final five minutes to get within one point against Green Bay.

The same thing happened in Week 13 at Pittsburgh. That time, Lamar Jackson threw incomplete to Andrews and the Ravens lost to the Steelers 20-19.

Baltimore’s latest loss knocked the Ravens out of first place and set up a showdown at Cincinnati (8-6) for the top spot next week.

The Browns (7-6) are right behind those two teams and host Las Vegas on Monday. The Steelers (7-6-1) kept up with an impressive win over AFC South-leading Tennessee.

The division likely will come down to the final week when Baltimore hosts Pittsburgh, and Cleveland hosts Cincinnati.

“It goes by situation to situation,” Harbaugh said. “Those two situations you want to talk about, if you want to go back and rehash the season, I’m happy to do it. To me, in both of those cases, that gave us the best chance to win. Because we didn’t win doesn’t make it not true. It’s still true now, just as true as it was then. So, it doesn’t always work out.”

Harbaugh wasn’t the only coach whose aggressiveness backfired in Week 15. Chargers coach Brandon Staley passed up three field goals only to see his offense fail to convert on fourth down each time in a 34-28 overtime loss to Kansas City on Thursday night.

“I’m never going to gamble as a coach,” Staley said. “These players mean too much to me. Our team means too much to me. I’m not gambling at all. I’m definitely not going to be reckless, ever. I felt like those were advantaged situations for us. I didn’t think any one of those opportunities decreased our chances of winning. I felt like doing that made our chances of winning increase in a big way. What we’re trying to establish around here is the mindset that we’re going to try and go win the game on our terms, and the team is going to have to beat us.”

A victory would’ve given Los Angeles (8-6) a season sweep over the Chiefs and put the Chargers in first place in the AFC West. Instead, the Chargers, like the Ravens, have a tougher task to reach the postseason.

The close race in the AFC North is a microcosm of the NFL in 2021.

Only the Packers (11-3) have clinched a division title. The Buccaneers (10-4) and Cowboys (10-4) have comfortable leads, but Tampa Bay missed an opportunity to win the NFC South and hurt its chances for a No. 1 seed by losing 9-0 to the Saints.

The NFC West suddenly got tighter with Arizona’s stunning loss at Detroit to the previously one-win Lions. The Cardinals have a half-game lead over the Rams (9-4) going into Los Angeles’ game against Seattle on Tuesday night.

The AFC East is up for grabs with New England (9-5) and Buffalo (8-6) separated by one game. Indianapolis (8-6) is one game behind the Titans (9-5) but lost to them twice. The Chiefs (10-4) have a two-game lead over the Chargers.

This is the first time since 2002 that no teams in the AFC have clinched a playoff spot after 15 weeks, although the schedule was extended to 18 weeks this season.

Eight AFC teams are within one game of each other — the Raiders (6-7) could make it nine if they beat the Browns — in the race for three wild-card spots.

The NFC will have at least five teams within one game of each other for the last wild-card spot.

With four games remaining in Week 15, only four teams have been eliminated from playoff contention.

The NFL’s first season with 17 games is setting up for a wild finish. With coaches like Harbaugh and Staley making gutsy decisions on a weekly basis, it’ll make it even more exciting.

John Harbaugh again went for the win and the AFC North became even more jumbled.The Ravens (8-6) lost their third straight game Sunday when Tyler Huntley threw incomplete to Mark Andrews on a 2-point conversion attempt after Baltimore had rallied for two touchdowns in the final five minutes to get within one point against Green Bay.The same thing happened in Week 13 at Pittsburgh. That time, Lamar Jackson threw incomplete to Andrews and the Ravens lost to the Steelers 20-19.Baltimore’s latest loss knocked the Ravens out of first place and set up a showdown at Cincinnati (8-6) for the top spot next week.The Browns (7-6) are right behind those two teams and host Las Vegas on Monday. The Steelers (7-6-1) kept up with an impressive win over AFC South-leading Tennessee.The division likely will come down to the final week when Baltimore hosts Pittsburgh, and Cleveland hosts Cincinnati.“It goes by situation to situation,” Harbaugh said. “Those two situations you want to talk about, if you want to go back and rehash the season, I’m happy to do it. To me, in both of those cases, that gave us the best chance to win. Because we didn’t win doesn’t make it not true. It’s still true now, just as true as it was then. So, it doesn’t always work out.”Harbaugh wasn’t the only coach whose aggressiveness backfired in Week 15. Chargers coach Brandon Staley passed up three field goals only to see his offense fail to convert on fourth down each time in a 34-28 overtime loss to Kansas City on Thursday night.He also didn’t apologize.“I’m never going to gamble as a coach,” Staley said. “These players mean too much to me. Our team means too much to me. I’m not gambling at all. I’m definitely not going to be reckless, ever. I felt like those were advantaged situations for us. I didn’t think any one of those opportunities decreased our chances of winning. I felt like doing that made our chances of winning increase in a big way. What we’re trying to establish around here is the mindset that we’re going to try and go win the game on our terms, and the team is going to have to beat us.”A victory would’ve given Los Angeles (8-6) a season sweep over the Chiefs and put the Chargers in first place in the AFC West. Instead, the Chargers, like the Ravens, have a tougher task to reach the postseason.The close race in the AFC North is a microcosm of the NFL in 2021.Only the Packers (11-3) have clinched a division title. The Buccaneers (10-4) and Cowboys (10-4) have comfortable leads, but Tampa Bay missed an opportunity to win the NFC South and hurt its chances for a No. 1 seed by losing 9-0 to the Saints.The NFC West suddenly got tighter with Arizona’s stunning loss at Detroit to the previously one-win Lions. The Cardinals have a half-game lead over the Rams (9-4) going into Los Angeles’ game against Seattle on Tuesday night.The AFC East is up for grabs with New England (9-5) and Buffalo (8-6) separated by one game. Indianapolis (8-6) is one game behind the Titans (9-5) but lost to them twice. The Chiefs (10-4) have a two-game lead over the Chargers.This is the first time since 2002 that no teams in the AFC have clinched a playoff spot after 15 weeks, although the schedule was extended to 18 weeks this season.Eight AFC teams are within one game of each other — the Raiders (6-7) could make it nine if they beat the Browns — in the race for three wild-card spots.The NFC will have at least five teams within one game of each other for the last wild-card spot.With four games remaining in Week 15, only four teams have been eliminated from playoff contention.The NFL’s first season with 17 games is setting up for a wild finish. With coaches like Harbaugh and Staley making gutsy decisions on a weekly basis, it’ll make it even more exciting.