KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes landed awkwardly on his left ankle while throwing a tying touchdown pass against Tampa Bay on Monday night, and just about everyone in Arrowhead Stadium seemed to hold their breath as he lay on the ground. They didn’t feel a whole lot better when trainers began to help him to the Kansas City sideline. But after the two-time MVP was checked out, and the Chiefs’ medical staff declared him fit to continue, Mahomes was right back on the field. And after leading the Chiefs to a go-ahead touchdown in regulation, which the Buccaneers matched in the final minute to force overtime, Mahomes led Kansas City on the decisive touchdown march to escape with the 30-24 victory.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Saints fired coach Dennis Allen on Monday, a day after a loss at last-place Carolina extended the Saints’ losing streak to seven games — their longest since 1999. “DA is an excellent football coach,” Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said. “This season, we’ve had an avalanche of injuries. It took its toll. DA has never offered excuses. He fought each day for this organization and this team and that is what makes today disappointing.” The Saints named special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi the club’s interim coach for the final eight games of what is trending toward a fourth straight season without a playoff berth for New Orleans (2-7).
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Nolan Hickman scored 17 points, Graham Ike had 15 points and eight rebounds, and No. 6 Gonzaga beat No. 8 Baylor 101-63 at Spokane Arena on Monday night in the teams’ season-opener. Braden Huff added 14 points for the Bulldogs, who got their 19th consecutive season-opening victory. It was Gonzaga’s biggest margin of victory over a top-10 opponent in school history, over a team it lost to in the 2021 National Championship game in Indianapolis and the 2022 Peacock Classic in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Norchad Omier had 15 points and nine rebounds to lead the Bears. Robert Wright added 12 points and Josh Ojianwuna had 10. The Bulldogs went on a 24-4 run in the second half to run away with the win. It was the first time Baylor lost by more than 30 points under coach Scott Drew.
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Chloe Kitts had 19 points and 14 rebounds and Tessa Johnson scored 15 points as top-ranked South Carolina defeated scrappy Michigan 68-62 on Monday night in the Hall of Fame Series. Joyce Edwards added 10 points for South Carolina, which won the national championship last season. Syla Swords led Michigan with 27 points and 12 rebounds and Jordan Hobbs had 19 points. South Carolina, which was favored by 21 1/2 points at BetMGM Sportsbook, was pushed in the season opener for both teams. Michigan tried to become the first team since Big Ten Conference rival Iowa in 2023 national semifinals to beat the Gamecocks. Michigan got to within 64-62 with 22 seconds left, but South Carolina held on from there.
MONDAY SCORES
National Football League
Kansas City 30, Tampa Bay 24 OT
NCAA Basketball Top 10
No. 1 Kansas 87, Howard 57
No. 2 Alabama 110, UNC Asheville 54
No. 4 Houston 97, Jackson State 40
No. 5 Iowa State 83, Mississippi Valley State 44
No. 6 Gonzaga 101, No. 8 Baylor 63
No. 7 Duke 96, Maine 62
No. 9 North Carolina 90, Elon 76
No. 10 Arizona 93, Canisius 64