MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Xavier Sneed had 18 points, Mike McGuirl scored 16 and Cartier Diarra provided 11 and Kansas State beat Florida A&M 76-58. Evins Desir led the Rattlers with 18 points and eight rebounds and M.J. Randolph scored 10 in the game.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The biggest culprit in the Kansas City Chiefs’ loss to the New England Patriots in last season’s AFC championship game was their defense. It failed to stop Tom Brady and Co. down the stretch and in overtime in a crushing home defeat. With a trip to New England looming Sunday, the Chiefs’ revamped defense is finally rounding into form.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Royals and left-hander Mike Montgomery have agreed to a $3.1 million contract for next season to avoid salary arbitration. The club’s once-heralded prospect returned to Kansas City last season as part of a trade with the Cubs. He went 2-7 with a 4.64 ERA down the stretch. The numbers were good enough for the Royals to believe Montgomery could be part of the rotation next season. Montgomery made $2.44 million last season. He is 23-34 with a 3.83 ERA in 180 career appearances.
No. 6 Oklahoma and No. 8 Baylor could be playing for more than a Big 12 championship in their rematch on Saturday. A spot in the College Football Playoff seems much more feasible for the Big 12 champion after some other top teams lost. Oklahoma and Baylor are both 11-1. Baylor has rebounded from its only loss. The Bears have had convincing wins over Texas and Kansas since Oklahoma rallied from 25 points down to beat Baylor.
MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Kansas State was picked to finish second-to-last in the Big 12 under new coach Chris Klieman. The Wildcats responded by going 8-4 and locking up a spot in a high-profile bowl game. Kansas State finished in a tie for third in the Big 12 after a season that included a win over powerhouse Oklahoma. Klieman was hired from North Dakota State to replace Wildcats legend Bill Snyder.
National Headlines
UNDATED (AP) — Louisville climbed to No. 1 in the latest reshuffling of The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll while Michigan matched a record by going from unranked to No. 4. The Cardinals became the fourth No. 1 in five weeks this season following Duke’s home loss to Stephen F. Austin. Kansas is second, followed by Maryland in a week when every spot in the poll changed. The Wolverines matched Kansas in 1989 for the biggest jump from being unranked in the history of the poll that dates to 1949.
UNDATED (AP) — No. 1 Louisville faces No. 4 Michigan after both climb the AP Top 25. The Cardinals moved to No. 1 for the first time in 6 years in this week’s poll. The Wolverines matched the biggest climb for an unranked team in the 70-year history of the poll by hitting No. 4 after winning the Battle 4 Atlantis.
SEATTLE (AP) — Rashaad Penny scored one touchdown rushing and one receiving in the Seahawks’ 37-30 win over the Vikings. Seattle trailed 17-10 until Penny burst into the end zone on a one-yard run early in the third quarter. The Seahawks pulled ahead on a field goal and took control when Russell Wilson hit David Moore for a 60-yard TD. The Seahawks took control of first place in the NFC West at 10-2, while the 8-4 Vikings fell one game behind the NFC North-leading Green Bay Packers.
SEATTLE (AP) — Chris Petersen has unexpectedly resigned as head football coach at Washington after six seasons and a 54-26 record with the Huskies. The Huskies coming off a 7-5 regular season and bound for a sixth straight bowl game under his leadership. Peterson will coach in the team’s upcoming bowl game before handing over the reins to defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone is going back with rookie Gardner Minshew as his starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Minshew went 4-4 as the starter early this season while Nick Foles recovered from a broken left collarbone suffered in the opener. Foles was benched at halftime yesterday in favor of Minshew with the Jags trailing 25-0 in a 28-11 loss to Tampa Bay.
CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Reds have worked out a four-year, $64 million package with free-agent infielder Mike Moustakas. Moustakas batted .254 with 35 homers and 87 RBIs this year and made his third All-Star team. The 31-year-old could fill the Reds’ hole at second base that opened when Scooter Gennett (jeh-NEHT’) got hurt and then was traded last season.
Monday Scores
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Final Seattle 37 Minnesota 30
TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Final (22)Washington 75 South Dakota 55
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Final Phoenix 109 Charlotte 104
Final Philadelphia 103 Utah 94
Final Atlanta 104 Golden State 79
Final Indiana 117 Memphis 104
Final Milwaukee 132 New York 88
Final Chicago 113 Sacramento 106