ATLANTA (AP) — Patrick Mahomes knows he must get better.

Thanks to a couple of stifling stands from Kansas City's defense, the two-time reigning Super Bowl champs are still unbeaten.

Mahomes shook off another interception to throw a pair of touchdown passes and the Chiefs defense stopped Atlanta twice on fourth down in the closing minutes, preserving a 22-17 victory over the Falcons on Sunday night.

“It helps when you have a defense that’s been in those moments before and is able to make those big plays,” Mahomes said. “It’s a team game and we’re winning games and I feel like we’re gonna start getting better and better each and every week.”

The Chiefs (3-0) have been far from perfect, that's for sure — Mahomes points to himself more than anyone — but their record has remained unblemished by a combined 13 points.

Coming off an upset victory at Philadelphia, the Falcons (1-2) had a couple of shots at the go-ahead touchdown in the closing minutes.

Kirk Cousins threw a pair of incompletions in the end zone from the Chiefs 6 after the Falcons passed up a shot at a field goal with just over 4 minute remaining.

Atlanta got the ball back, drove down the field with help from a couple of penalties, and had third-and-1 at the Kansas City 13. Tyler Allgeier was stuffed for no gain and Bijan Robinson was thrown for&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/i/status/1838055793762963661">a 3-yard loss</a>&nbsp;by Nick Bolton on fourth down with less than a minute remaining.

Bolton said he recognized what play the Falcons were running before they snapped the ball.

“Trust my keys, trust my eyes, trust the play call we had,” he said. “I already knew where I was going.”

Mahomes threw for 217 yards, including scoring throws to Rashee Rice and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/i/status/1838043830265819572">JuJu Smith-Schuster</a>, and Harrison Butker booted three field goals for the Chiefs.

Cousins was 20 of 29 for 230 yards with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Drake London and a 50-yard completion to Kyle Pitts that set up Robinson's 1-yard scoring run.

“I feel like we’ve left a lot of opportunities out there on the field,” Cousins said. “I look forward to getting better.”

Riding the momentum from their last-minute stunner at Philadelphia, the Falcons took the opening kickoff and quickly drove 70 yards for a touchdown.

Cousins completed all five of his passes for 66 yards, including a 14-yard scoring toss to Drake London — who also caught the winning score against the Eagles. London wound up all alone in the end zone on a busted coverage by the Chiefs.

Mahomes bounced back from his fourth interception of the season to take Kansas City on a 13-play, 79-yard drive that ended with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Rice.

The Falcons reclaimed the lead on Robinson’s 1-yard touchdown run, which was set up by Cousins’ 50-yard pass to Kyle Pitts.

But Atlanta’s offensive line took a pair of hits when right tackle Kaleb McGary and center Drew Dalman both went out with injuries. With a pair of backups joining their ranks, the guys up from struggled to keep the pressure off Cousins, who was sacked twice and hit 10 more times as he threw, spending much of the night picking himself off the turf at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

One of those hits resulted in a wobbly pass that was picked off by Chamarri Conner, setting up Butker's 44-yard field goal that sliced the Falcons’ edge to 14-13 at halftime.

Butker put the Chiefs ahead to stay on a 21-yard chip shot in the third quarter, and Kansas City stretched the lead on Mahomes’ 13-yard touchdown pass to Smith-Schuster late in the third quarter.

For the third game in a row, Travis Kelce was not much of a factor. The star tight end had four catches for 30 yards.

With Kansas City running back&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-pacheco-injury-5a299988d5e757e798571eaffe8fc1fe">Isiah Pacheco</a>&nbsp;sidelined with an ankle injury, the Chiefs got good production from his replacements.

Carson Steele, an undrafted rookie, led the way with 17 bruising carries for 72 yards. Samaje Perine chipped in with six carries for 25 yards, to go along with three catches for 15 yards.

“I had a lot of trust there,” Mahomes said. “You lose some of that juice that Isaiah has. I mean, there’s not a lot of people that are that fired up after every run. But I thought the guys did a great job.”

After a disputed pass interference penalty on fourth-and-long set up their victory over Cincinnati the previous week, the Chiefs might have gotten away with one against the Falcons.

On third-and-goal from the Kansas City 6, Cousins looked toward Pitts in the back of the end zone. With his back to the quarterback, safety Bryan Cook appeared to collide with Pitts just before the ball arrived.

But the officials did not throw a flag, and Cousins' fourth-down pass also fell incomplete.

“That is a real-time call that officials have to make a judgment on," referee Tra Blake told a pool reporter. "We do the best we can to make that decision.”

Chiefs: Bolton hobbled off the field early in the fourth quarter after an awkward landing, but he came back to make the big stop on Robinson.

Falcons: McGary and Dalman both went out in the second quarter. McGary was helped off the field with a knee injury and replaced by Storm Norton. Dalman was replaced by Ryan Neuzil after being sidelined with an ankle issue.

Chiefs: Stay on the road for another week when they visit Los Angeles next Sunday to face the Chargers (2-1) in an AFC West matchup.

Falcons: Play the second of three straight home games when their NFC South rival, the New Orleans Saints (2-1), visit Atlanta next Sunday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727064277160.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (9) runs toward the end zone for a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (9) runs toward the end zone for a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)</figcaption>
 </figure>PAUL NEWBERRY AP Sports WriterATLANTA (AP) — Patrick Mahomes knows he must get better.Not to worry.Thanks to a couple of stifling stands from Kansas City's defense, the two-time reigning Super Bowl champs are still unbeaten.Mahomes shook off another interception to throw a pair of touchdown passes and the Chiefs defense stopped Atlanta twice on fourth down in the closing minutes, preserving a 22-17 victory over the Falcons on Sunday night.“It helps when you have a defense that’s been in those moments before and is able to make those big plays,” Mahomes said. “It’s a team game and we’re winning games and I feel like we’re gonna start getting better and better each and every week.”The Chiefs (3-0) have been far from perfect, that's for sure — Mahomes points to himself more than anyone — but their record has remained unblemished by a combined 13 points.Coming off an upset victory at Philadelphia, the Falcons (1-2) had a couple of shots at the go-ahead touchdown in the closing minutes.Kirk Cousins threw a pair of incompletions in the end zone from the Chiefs 6 after the Falcons passed up a shot at a field goal with just over 4 minute remaining.Atlanta got the ball back, drove down the field with help from a couple of penalties, and had third-and-1 at the Kansas City 13. Tyler Allgeier was stuffed for no gain and Bijan Robinson was thrown for&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/i/status/1838055793762963661">a 3-yard loss</a>&nbsp;by Nick Bolton on fourth down with less than a minute remaining.Bolton said he recognized what play the Falcons were running before they snapped the ball.“Trust my keys, trust my eyes, trust the play call we had,” he said. “I already knew where I was going.”Mahomes threw for 217 yards, including scoring throws to Rashee Rice and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/i/status/1838043830265819572">JuJu Smith-Schuster</a>, and Harrison Butker booted three field goals for the Chiefs.Cousins was 20 of 29 for 230 yards with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Drake London and a 50-yard completion to Kyle Pitts that set up Robinson's 1-yard scoring run.“I feel like we’ve left a lot of opportunities out there on the field,” Cousins said. “I look forward to getting better.”Riding the momentum from their last-minute stunner at Philadelphia, the Falcons took the opening kickoff and quickly drove 70 yards for a touchdown.Cousins completed all five of his passes for 66 yards, including a 14-yard scoring toss to Drake London — who also caught the winning score against the Eagles. London wound up all alone in the end zone on a busted coverage by the Chiefs.Mahomes bounced back from his fourth interception of the season to take Kansas City on a 13-play, 79-yard drive that ended with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Rice.The Falcons reclaimed the lead on Robinson’s 1-yard touchdown run, which was set up by Cousins’ 50-yard pass to Kyle Pitts.But Atlanta’s offensive line took a pair of hits when right tackle Kaleb McGary and center Drew Dalman both went out with injuries. With a pair of backups joining their ranks, the guys up from struggled to keep the pressure off Cousins, who was sacked twice and hit 10 more times as he threw, spending much of the night picking himself off the turf at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.One of those hits resulted in a wobbly pass that was picked off by Chamarri Conner, setting up Butker's 44-yard field goal that sliced the Falcons’ edge to 14-13 at halftime.Butker put the Chiefs ahead to stay on a 21-yard chip shot in the third quarter, and Kansas City stretched the lead on Mahomes’ 13-yard touchdown pass to Smith-Schuster late in the third quarter.For the third game in a row, Travis Kelce was not much of a factor. The star tight end had four catches for 30 yards.<h2>Running back replacements</h2>With Kansas City running back&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-pacheco-injury-5a299988d5e757e798571eaffe8fc1fe">Isiah Pacheco</a>&nbsp;sidelined with an ankle injury, the Chiefs got good production from his replacements.Carson Steele, an undrafted rookie, led the way with 17 bruising carries for 72 yards. Samaje Perine chipped in with six carries for 25 yards, to go along with three catches for 15 yards.“I had a lot of trust there,” Mahomes said. “You lose some of that juice that Isaiah has. I mean, there’s not a lot of people that are that fired up after every run. But I thought the guys did a great job.”<h2>Controversial no-call</h2>After a disputed pass interference penalty on fourth-and-long set up their victory over Cincinnati the previous week, the Chiefs might have gotten away with one against the Falcons.On third-and-goal from the Kansas City 6, Cousins looked toward Pitts in the back of the end zone. With his back to the quarterback, safety Bryan Cook appeared to collide with Pitts just before the ball arrived.But the officials did not throw a flag, and Cousins' fourth-down pass also fell incomplete.“That is a real-time call that officials have to make a judgment on," referee Tra Blake told a pool reporter. "We do the best we can to make that decision.”<h2>Injury report</h2>Chiefs: Bolton hobbled off the field early in the fourth quarter after an awkward landing, but he came back to make the big stop on Robinson.Falcons: McGary and Dalman both went out in the second quarter. McGary was helped off the field with a knee injury and replaced by Storm Norton. Dalman was replaced by Ryan Neuzil after being sidelined with an ankle issue.<h2>Up next</h2>Chiefs: Stay on the road for another week when they visit Los Angeles next Sunday to face the Chargers (2-1) in an AFC West matchup.Falcons: Play the second of three straight home games when their NFC South rival, the New Orleans Saints (2-1), visit Atlanta next Sunday.

🏈 Chiefs now 3-0

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693423047822.png" alt="Photo Courtesy KSHSAA Covered" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy KSHSAA Covered</figcaption>
 </figure><div>KSHSAA Covered
 
CLASS 6A
&nbsp;
Team &hellip; 2024 Record
<ol style="text-align: start;color: rgb(73, 73, 73);background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size: 16px;">
 <li>Derby (1) &hellip; 3-0</li>
 <li>Gardner Edgerton (2) &hellip; 3-0</li>
 <li>Blue Valley Northwest (3) &hellip; 3-0</li>
 <li>Manhattan (5) &hellip; 3-0</li>
 <li>Wichita Northwest (NR) &hellip; 3-0</li>
</ol>
Others &ndash; Blue Valley West 2-1, Free State 1-2, Junction City 1-2, Lawrence 2-1, Olathe East 3-0, SM East 2-1, SM Northwest 1-2, Topeka High 3-0, Washburn Rural 1-2, Wichita East 1-2.
&nbsp;
CLASS 5A
&nbsp;
Team &hellip; 2024 Record
<ol style="text-align: start;color: rgb(73, 73, 73);background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size: 16px;">
 <li>St. Thomas Aquinas (2) &hellip; 3-0</li>
 <li>Mill Valley (3) &hellip; 2-1</li>
 <li>Blue Valley (1) &hellip; 2-1</li>
 <li>Eisenhower (4) &hellip; 3-0</li>
 <li>Maize South (5) &hellip; 3-0</li>
</ol>
Others &ndash; Basehor-Linwood 3-0, Blue Valley Southwest 2-1, De Soto 3-0, Great Bend 3-0, Hays 1-2, Highland Park 3-0, Hutchinson 2-1, Liberal 3-0, Salina Central 2-1, Seaman 2-1, Spring Hill 3-0.
&nbsp;
CLASS 4A
&nbsp;
Team &hellip; 2024 Record
<ol style="text-align: start;color: rgb(73, 73, 73);background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size: 16px;">
 <li>Andover Central (1) &hellip; 3-0</li>
 <li>Kapaun Mt. Carmel (2) &hellip; 3-0</li>
 <li>Chanute (4) &hellip; 3-0</li>
 <li>Louisburg (5) &hellip; 3-0</li>
 <li>Buhler (3) &hellip; 2-1</li>
</ol>
Others &ndash; Bishop Miege 0-3, Eudora 1-2, Fort Scott 3-0, McPherson 1-2, Mulvane 2-1, Ottawa 3-0, Tonganoxie 1-2, Wamego 2-1, Wellington 1-2, Winfield 3-0.
&nbsp;
CLASS 3A
&nbsp;
Team &hellip; 2024 Record
<ol style="text-align: start;color: rgb(73, 73, 73);background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size: 16px;">
 <li>Hayden (1) &hellip; 3-0</li>
 <li>Andale (2) &hellip; 3-0</li>
 <li>Cheney (3) &hellip; 3-0</li>
 <li>Wichita Collegiate (4) &hellip; 3-0</li>
 <li>Pratt (5) &hellip; 3-0</li>
</ol>
Others &ndash; Clay Center 1-2, Clearwater 2-1, Colby 3-0, Columbus 2-1, Frontenac 3-0, Hesston 3-0, Holcomb 2-1, Hugoton 3-0, Marysville 3-0, Prairie View 2-1, Rock Creek 2-1, Scott City 2-1, Wellsville 3-0.
&nbsp;
CLASS 2A
&nbsp;
Team &hellip; 2024 Record
<ol style="text-align: start;color: rgb(73, 73, 73);background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size: 16px;">
 <li>Norton (1) &hellip; 3-0</li>
 <li>Southeast of Saline (2) &hellip; 3-0</li>
 <li>St. Marys (3) &hellip; 3-0</li>
 <li>Nemaha Central (4) &hellip; 2-1</li>
 <li>Osage City (NR) &hellip; 3-0</li>
</ol>
Others &ndash; Beloit 2-1 Council Grove 3-0, Ellsworth 3-0, Eureka 3-0, Garden Plain 1-2, Haven 3-0, Humboldt 3-0, Kingman 2-1, Lakin 2-1, Phillipsburg 2-1, Riley County 3-0, Sabetha 2-1.
&nbsp;
CLASS 1A
&nbsp;
Team &hellip; 2024 Record
<ol style="text-align: start;color: rgb(73, 73, 73);background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size: 16px;">
 <li>Conway Springs (1) &hellip; 3-0</li>
 <li>Medicine Lodge (2) &hellip; 2-0</li>
 <li>Sedgwick (3) &hellip; 3-0</li>
 <li>Jackson Heights (4) &hellip; 3-0</li>
 <li>Marion (5) &hellip; 3-0</li>
</ol>
Others &ndash; Centralia 2-1, Ellinwood 3-0, Jefferson County North 2-1, McLouth 2-1, Moundridge 2-0, Olpe 2-1, Riverside 2-1, Rossville 0-3, St. Mary&rsquo;s Colgan 2-1, TMP-Marian 2-1, Troy 2-1, Valley Heights 2-1.
&nbsp;
EIGHT-PLAYER DIVISION I
&nbsp;
Team &hellip; 2024 Record
<ol style="text-align: start;color: rgb(73, 73, 73);background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size: 16px;">
 <li>Hoxie (1) &hellip; 3-0</li>
 <li>Wichita County (2) &hellip; 2-1</li>
 <li>Little River (3) &hellip; 3-0</li>
 <li>South Central (4) &hellip; 3-0</li>
 <li>West Elk (5) &hellip; 3-0</li>
</ol>
Others &ndash; Argonia-Attica 2-1, Chase County 1-2, Ell-Saline 2-1, Ellis 2-1, Hill City 2-1, Lincoln 2-1, Lyndon 2-1, Oberlin 2-1, Oxford 2-1, Rawlins County 2-1, Rock Hills 3-0, St. Francis 3-0, Sublette 2-1, Sylvan-Lucas 3-0.
&nbsp;
EIGHT-PLAYER DIVISION II
&nbsp;
Team &hellip; 2024 Record
<ol style="text-align: start;color: rgb(73, 73, 73);background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size: 16px;">
 <li>Axtell (1) &hellip; 3-0</li>
 <li>Frankfort (2) &hellip; 3-0</li>
 <li>Victoria (3) &hellip; 3-0</li>
 <li>Burlingame (4) &hellip; 3-0</li>
 <li>Dighton (5) &hellip; 3-0</li>
</ol>
Others &ndash; Bucklin 3-0, Hanover 3-0, Hodgeman County 3-0, Hutchinson Central Christian 2-1, Lebo 2-0, Logan-Palco 3-0, Marmaton Valley 3-0, Minneola 3-0, Wakefield 3-0, Wallace County 2-1, Waverly 1-1.
&nbsp;
SIX-PLAYER
&nbsp;
Team &hellip; 2024 Record
<ol style="text-align: start;color: rgb(73, 73, 73);background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size: 16px;">
 <li>Cunningham (1) &hellip; 3-0</li>
 <li>Ingalls (2) &hellip; 3-0</li>
 <li>Weskan (3) &hellip; 3-0</li>
 <li>South Barber (5) &hellip; 2-1</li>
 <li>Cheylin (4) &hellip; 1-2</li>
</ol>
Others &ndash; Chetopa 1-2, Golden Plains 2-1, Marais des Cygnes Valley 3-0, Pawnee Heights 2-1, Northern Valley 1-2, Otis-Bison 2-1, Peabody 1-1, Tescott 2-1.</div>

🏈 KSHSAA Covered Week 4 high school rankings

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Blake Snell struck out nine in six strong innings and the San Francisco Giants completed a three-game series sweep with a 2-0 win over the Kansas City Royals on Sunday.

Kansas City (82-72) moved into the second AL wild-card ahead of Detroit (82-74) because it holds the tiebreaker, winning the season series against the Tigers 7-6. Minnesota is a half-game back of Kansas City and the Tigers, pending the outcome of its second game of a doubleheader against Boston.

The Royals were shut out for the second straight game and lost their seventh straight, dropping all six games of their homestand.

“It couldn’t have been a worse homestand,” Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said. “It’s really disappointing.”

Snell (5-3) allowed two singles and a walk and didn’t allow a runner past first base. In his last 14 starts, he is 5-0 with a 1.23 ERA and 114 strikeouts.

Working with an effective curveball, Snell held Royals’ batters to 1 for 13 when throwing a first-pitch strike. Opponents are hitting .121 this season when the 31-year-old left-hander gets ahead in the count.

“I was going to throw change-ups, but they were so on it,” Snell said. “So, I adjusted. (The curveball) was just there more today.”

With one out in the second, Grant McCray lined an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/seth-lugo-in-play-run-s-to-grant-mccray" target="_blank">RBI triple to right-center</a>&nbsp;and scored on Brett Wisely’s two-out hit. McCray snapped an 0-for-13 skid with his first extra-base hit since Sept. 7.

“That was a huge hit for us because (Seth) Lugo looked like he was on his game,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said.

Lugo (16-9) retired the next 16 batters and finished with five strikeouts and two runs allowed through seven innings.

“His command was impeccable today,” Quatraro said. “His stuff was really good.”

With two out and runners at second and third, the Giants intentionally walked Bobby Witt Jr. to load the bases. Tyler Rogers induced a pop fly from Salvador Perez to end the threat.

“Witt’s numbers against righties are off the charts,” Melvin said. “But it’s still not an easy thing to do because Salvy’s really good.”

Ryan Walker struck out one in the ninth, earning his ninth save.

San Francisco completed its first series sweep of Kansas City and its first series sweep against an American League opponent since April 15-17, 2022, at Cleveland.

“It’s nice to get a sweep against a good team,” Melvin said. “We’re playing pretty good right now.”

The Royals have scored four runs in their last five games and have held a lead in just one of their last 50 innings.

“We’ve got to put ourselves in more opportunities,” Quatraro said. “There’s plenty of ways to score runs.”

Kansas City lost by shutout in consecutive games for the second time this season and the first time since June 22-23 at Texas.

“Every time we lose it’s hard,” Perez said. “We still have one more week. What happened at home, we’ll forget about that and try to win the next two series.”

Giants: RHP Hayden Birdsong (4-5, 4.74 ERA) opposes Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (3-3, 5.09) in Arizona on Monday.

Royals: LHP Cole Ragans (11-9, 3.24) opposes Nationals LHP Mitchell Parker (7-10, 4.44) in Washington on Tuesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727058816132.png" alt="Kansas City Royals' Michael Massey is hit by a pitch thrown by San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Tyler Rogers during the eighth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Royals' Michael Massey is hit by a pitch thrown by San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Tyler Rogers during the eighth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Blake Snell struck out nine in six strong innings and the San Francisco Giants completed a three-game series sweep with a 2-0 win over the Kansas City Royals on Sunday.Kansas City (82-72) moved into the second AL wild-card ahead of Detroit (82-74) because it holds the tiebreaker, winning the season series against the Tigers 7-6. Minnesota is a half-game back of Kansas City and the Tigers, pending the outcome of its second game of a doubleheader against Boston.The Royals were shut out for the second straight game and lost their seventh straight, dropping all six games of their homestand.“It couldn’t have been a worse homestand,” Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said. “It’s really disappointing.”Snell (5-3) allowed two singles and a walk and didn’t allow a runner past first base. In his last 14 starts, he is 5-0 with a 1.23 ERA and 114 strikeouts.Working with an effective curveball, Snell held Royals’ batters to 1 for 13 when throwing a first-pitch strike. Opponents are hitting .121 this season when the 31-year-old left-hander gets ahead in the count.“I was going to throw change-ups, but they were so on it,” Snell said. “So, I adjusted. (The curveball) was just there more today.”With one out in the second, Grant McCray lined an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/seth-lugo-in-play-run-s-to-grant-mccray" target="_blank">RBI triple to right-center</a>&nbsp;and scored on Brett Wisely’s two-out hit. McCray snapped an 0-for-13 skid with his first extra-base hit since Sept. 7.“That was a huge hit for us because (Seth) Lugo looked like he was on his game,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said.Lugo (16-9) retired the next 16 batters and finished with five strikeouts and two runs allowed through seven innings.“His command was impeccable today,” Quatraro said. “His stuff was really good.”With two out and runners at second and third, the Giants intentionally walked Bobby Witt Jr. to load the bases. Tyler Rogers induced a pop fly from Salvador Perez to end the threat.“Witt’s numbers against righties are off the charts,” Melvin said. “But it’s still not an easy thing to do because Salvy’s really good.”Ryan Walker struck out one in the ninth, earning his ninth save.San Francisco completed its first series sweep of Kansas City and its first series sweep against an American League opponent since April 15-17, 2022, at Cleveland.“It’s nice to get a sweep against a good team,” Melvin said. “We’re playing pretty good right now.”The Royals have scored four runs in their last five games and have held a lead in just one of their last 50 innings.“We’ve got to put ourselves in more opportunities,” Quatraro said. “There’s plenty of ways to score runs.”Kansas City lost by shutout in consecutive games for the second time this season and the first time since June 22-23 at Texas.“Every time we lose it’s hard,” Perez said. “We still have one more week. What happened at home, we’ll forget about that and try to win the next two series.”<h2>UP NEXT</h2>Giants: RHP Hayden Birdsong (4-5, 4.74 ERA) opposes Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (3-3, 5.09) in Arizona on Monday.Royals: LHP Cole Ragans (11-9, 3.24) opposes Nationals LHP Mitchell Parker (7-10, 4.44) in Washington on Tuesday.

⚾ Giants finish off sweep of Royals with shutout Sunday

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727058524349.png" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Kansas Athletics
 
LAWRENCE, Kan. &ndash; The Kansas Jayhawks will host TCU at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 28, in a game that will kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT and be broadcast on ESPN+, the Big 12 Conference announced Sunday.
This will be the conference home opener for the Jayhawks, and the first of four games that KU will host from GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the NFL&apos;s Kansas City Chiefs. All six of Kansas&apos; home games during the 2024 season are being played in the Kansas City area while construction continues on the transformational University of Kansas Gateway District.
Kansas and TCU will be meeting for the 40th time in series history and the first since Oct. 8, 2022, when the No. 19 Jayhawks hosted the No. 17 Horned Frogs in front of a sold-out crowd at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Lawrence was also the site of ESPN&apos;s College GameDay for the game, which was won by TCU, 38-31. TCU leads the all-time series 26-9-4, including wins in the last four meetings. Kansas last defeated the Horned Frogs 27-26 on Oct. 27, 2018, in Lawrence.&nbsp;
Kansas is 1-3 (0-1 Big 12) on the year following a 32-28 setback at West Virginia in their conference opener on Saturday, Sept. 21. The Jayhawks defeated Lindenwood 48-3 in the season opener, before suffering defeats at Illinois, 23-17, and against UNLV, 23-20.
TCU is 2-2 on the year and 0-1 in Big 12 play after dropping their conference opener 35-34 against UCF on Sept. 14. The Horned Frogs have now dropped two straight after also falling 66-42 at SMU on Sept. 21 in Dallas.
Single game tickets are on sale now, or fans can still purchase the 2024 Kansas Football four-game season ticket package that includes all home games at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. For more information on tickets and seating options, click <a href="https://kuathletics.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetGroupList?groupCode=FB&linkID=kansas&shopperContext=&caller=&appCode=&utm_source=navbar&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=navbar_website" style="color: rgb(0, 81, 186);">here</a>.</div>

🏈 KU and TCU set for afternoon kickoff Saturday

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727052610467.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Kansas State Athletics
 
MANHATTAN, Kan. &ndash; The Big 12 Conference and ESPN announced Sunday that Kansas State&apos;s Big 12 home opener against Oklahoma State will kick at 11 a.m., and will be televised by ESPN.
 
Kansas State will be in search of its second-straight home victory over the Cowboys for the first time since 2012 and 2014. Two years ago in Manhattan, K-State earned a 48-0 shutout over ninth-ranked OSU, which was the largest ever shutout win by a lower-ranked team against a team ranked in the top 10 of the Associated Press Top 25.
 
Tickets for the game against Oklahoma State can be purchased online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/tickets" style="text-align: start;color: rgb(229, 231, 235);background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size: 16px;">www.kstatesports.com/tickets</a>&nbsp;or by phone at 1-800-221-CATS.
 
Big 12 TV Selections for Saturday, September 28 (All Times Central)
<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="text-align: left;color: inherit;background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size: 0.875em;border-collapse: collapse;">
 <tbody>
 <tr style="color: rgb(229, 231, 235);">
 <td>Oklahoma State at K-State</td>
 <td>11 a.m.</td>
 <td>ESPN</td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="color: rgb(229, 231, 235);">
 <td>BYU at Baylor</td>
 <td>11 a.m.</td>
 <td>FS1</td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="color: rgb(229, 231, 235);">
 <td>Colorado at UCF</td>
 <td>2:30 p.m.</td>
 <td>FOX</td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="color: rgb(229, 231, 235);">
 <td>TCU at Kansas</td>
 <td>2:30 p.m.</td>
 <td>ESPN+</td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="color: rgb(229, 231, 235);">
 <td>Iowa State at Houston</td>
 <td>6 p.m.</td>
 <td>FS1</td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="color: rgb(229, 231, 235);">
 <td>Cincinnati at Texas Tech</td>
 <td>7 p.m.</td>
 <td>ESPN2</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="color: rgb(229, 231, 235);">Arizona at Utah</td>
 <td style="color: rgb(229, 231, 235);">9:15 p.m.</td>
 <td>ESPN</td>
 </tr>
 </tbody>
</table></div>

🏈 K-State and Oklahoma State set for morning kickoff

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll">AP Top 25 College Football Poll | Sept. 22</a>

Tennessee moved up to No. 5 in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll">The Associated Press college football poll</a>&nbsp;Sunday as the Volunteers continued to surge up the rankings, and No. 25 Boise State returned to the AP Top 25 for the first time in four years.

Texas was No. 1 for the second straight week, receiving 44 of 62 first-place votes as the top four teams remained the same. The Longhorns won a game as the top-ranked team in the country for the first time since 2008, cruising past Louisiana-Monroe in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/1b6e9e6655f8049f44c5ef52bcd7c4f5">quarterback Arch Manning’s first career start.</a>

Georgia held at No. 2, receiving 13 first-place votes, and Ohio State is No. 3 with five first-place votes. Alabama is No. 4.

The Bulldogs and Crimson Tide were each off this past weekend as they prepare to meet next Saturday in Tuscaloosa for a top-five matchup.

The Volunteers welcomed Oklahoma to the Southeastern Conference with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6ca3d03b9874e1555169b4c213f030c5">a 25-15 road victory</a>&nbsp;that helped Tennessee rise in the rankings for the fourth straight week. The Vols started the season ranked No. 15, then went to No. 14 after Week 1, No. 7 after Week 2 and No. 6 last week.

Tennessee was last in the top five in 2022, peaking at No. 2 on Oct. 30.

Mississippi slipped a spot to No. 6 and No. 7 Miami, No. 8 Oregon and No. 9 Penn State all moved up one place.

No. 10 Utah moved up two spots after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/99a4c3306329502113c0c31030159a28">beating Oklahoma State on the road</a>&nbsp;in a matchup of ranked Big 12 teams.

Boise State is making its first poll appearance since a two-week stay in early November 2020. The Broncos, two weeks removed from losing at Oregon on a last-second field goal, improved to 2-1 with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/0e459a62c45f90552395fccd088a924d">a blowout of Portland State on Saturday.</a>

The SEC’s stranglehold on the top of the rankings loosened a little, with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vanderbilt-commodores-missouri-tigers-score-422cc010aedf60ed6a4ccda527442c6d">Missouri’s overtime victory against Vanderbilt</a>&nbsp;dropping the Tigers four spots to No. 11. The conference still reached another milestone.

The SEC had gone two straight weeks holding down six of the top seven spots in the rankings, a first for one league in poll history. No conference previously even held five of the top seven spots, which the now 16-team SEC still has this week.

With Missouri slipping, the SEC still holds five of the top six spots, and it’s on a three-week streak of owning four of the top five. That streak is another AP poll first.

The only other time in the 88-year history of the poll that a conference had four of the top five ranked teams was the SEC on Oct. 19, 2014 (No. 1 Mississippi State, No. 3 Mississippi, No. 4 Alabama and No. 5 Auburn). That lasted a week.

Boise State’s absence from the AP rankings had been notable after the Broncos became a poll fixture for nearly two decades.

Boise State went 19 straight seasons making at least one appearance in the AP Top 25, from its first-ever appearance in 2002 to 2020. The Broncos finished the season ranked 13 times during that span.

No. 22 BYU also made its season debut in the rankings. The Cougars (4-0) are in for the first time since Oct. 2, 2022, after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-state-byu-football-score-5194ee3d903917bfd5cf08cfcf551cb8">routing Kansas State at home</a>&nbsp;Saturday night. The loss dropped the previously unbeaten Wildcats 10 spots to No. 23.

Exiting the rankings this week after brief stays and their first losses of the season were Nebraska and Northern Illinois.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/illinois-nebraska-score-ce565ab5a2f85df324e733b9171725b5">Cornhuskers fell in overtime to Illinois</a>, a victory that helped the Illini move up five spots to No. 19.

NIU, which had not played since upsetting Notre Dame two weeks ago,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/northern-illinois-buffalo-football-score-cc635fe156d6d72cbccb061804833608">lost in overtime to Buffalo</a>&nbsp;in a Mid-American Conference game.

SEC — 9 (Nos. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 11, 14, 21, 24).

Big Ten — 6 (Nos. 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, 19).

—No. 2 Georgia at No. 4 Alabama. Bulldogs and Tide played eight times between 2012-23 but only twice in regular-season meetings on each other’s home field. The other six were two national title games and four SEC championships.

—No. 19 Illinois at No. 9 Penn State. Last time the Big Ten rivals met as ranked teams was 2008.

—No. 20 Oklahoma State at No. 23 Kansas State. Second straight game against a ranked Big 12 opponent for the Cowboys. Only third time in 68 meetings both are ranked.

—No. 15 Louisville at No. 16 Notre Dame. Second straight season the Cardinals-Fighting Irish is a ranked matchup.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699875693382.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy AP Top 25" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy AP Top 25</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll">AP Top 25 College Football Poll | Sept. 22</a>Associated PressTennessee moved up to No. 5 in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll">The Associated Press college football poll</a>&nbsp;Sunday as the Volunteers continued to surge up the rankings, and No. 25 Boise State returned to the AP Top 25 for the first time in four years.Texas was No. 1 for the second straight week, receiving 44 of 62 first-place votes as the top four teams remained the same. The Longhorns won a game as the top-ranked team in the country for the first time since 2008, cruising past Louisiana-Monroe in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/1b6e9e6655f8049f44c5ef52bcd7c4f5">quarterback Arch Manning’s first career start.</a>Georgia held at No. 2, receiving 13 first-place votes, and Ohio State is No. 3 with five first-place votes. Alabama is No. 4.The Bulldogs and Crimson Tide were each off this past weekend as they prepare to meet next Saturday in Tuscaloosa for a top-five matchup.The Volunteers welcomed Oklahoma to the Southeastern Conference with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6ca3d03b9874e1555169b4c213f030c5">a 25-15 road victory</a>&nbsp;that helped Tennessee rise in the rankings for the fourth straight week. The Vols started the season ranked No. 15, then went to No. 14 after Week 1, No. 7 after Week 2 and No. 6 last week.Tennessee was last in the top five in 2022, peaking at No. 2 on Oct. 30.Mississippi slipped a spot to No. 6 and No. 7 Miami, No. 8 Oregon and No. 9 Penn State all moved up one place.No. 10 Utah moved up two spots after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/99a4c3306329502113c0c31030159a28">beating Oklahoma State on the road</a>&nbsp;in a matchup of ranked Big 12 teams.Boise State is making its first poll appearance since a two-week stay in early November 2020. The Broncos, two weeks removed from losing at Oregon on a last-second field goal, improved to 2-1 with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/0e459a62c45f90552395fccd088a924d">a blowout of Portland State on Saturday.</a><h2>Poll points</h2>The SEC’s stranglehold on the top of the rankings loosened a little, with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vanderbilt-commodores-missouri-tigers-score-422cc010aedf60ed6a4ccda527442c6d">Missouri’s overtime victory against Vanderbilt</a>&nbsp;dropping the Tigers four spots to No. 11. The conference still reached another milestone.The SEC had gone two straight weeks holding down six of the top seven spots in the rankings, a first for one league in poll history. No conference previously even held five of the top seven spots, which the now 16-team SEC still has this week.With Missouri slipping, the SEC still holds five of the top six spots, and it’s on a three-week streak of owning four of the top five. That streak is another AP poll first.The only other time in the 88-year history of the poll that a conference had four of the top five ranked teams was the SEC on Oct. 19, 2014 (No. 1 Mississippi State, No. 3 Mississippi, No. 4 Alabama and No. 5 Auburn). That lasted a week.<h2>In-and-out</h2>Boise State’s absence from the AP rankings had been notable after the Broncos became a poll fixture for nearly two decades.Boise State went 19 straight seasons making at least one appearance in the AP Top 25, from its first-ever appearance in 2002 to 2020. The Broncos finished the season ranked 13 times during that span.No. 22 BYU also made its season debut in the rankings. The Cougars (4-0) are in for the first time since Oct. 2, 2022, after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-state-byu-football-score-5194ee3d903917bfd5cf08cfcf551cb8">routing Kansas State at home</a>&nbsp;Saturday night. The loss dropped the previously unbeaten Wildcats 10 spots to No. 23.Exiting the rankings this week after brief stays and their first losses of the season were Nebraska and Northern Illinois.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/illinois-nebraska-score-ce565ab5a2f85df324e733b9171725b5">Cornhuskers fell in overtime to Illinois</a>, a victory that helped the Illini move up five spots to No. 19.NIU, which had not played since upsetting Notre Dame two weeks ago,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/northern-illinois-buffalo-football-score-cc635fe156d6d72cbccb061804833608">lost in overtime to Buffalo</a>&nbsp;in a Mid-American Conference game.<h2>Conference call</h2>SEC — 9 (Nos. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 11, 14, 21, 24).Big Ten — 6 (Nos. 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, 19).Big 12 — 5 (Nos. 10, 18, 20, 22, 23).ACC — 3 (Nos. 7, 15, 17).Mountain West — 1 (No. 25).Independent — 1 (No. 16).<h2>Ranked vs. Ranked</h2>—No. 2 Georgia at No. 4 Alabama. Bulldogs and Tide played eight times between 2012-23 but only twice in regular-season meetings on each other’s home field. The other six were two national title games and four SEC championships.—No. 19 Illinois at No. 9 Penn State. Last time the Big Ten rivals met as ranked teams was 2008.—No. 20 Oklahoma State at No. 23 Kansas State. Second straight game against a ranked Big 12 opponent for the Cowboys. Only third time in 68 meetings both are ranked.—No. 15 Louisville at No. 16 Notre Dame. Second straight season the Cardinals-Fighting Irish is a ranked matchup.

🏈 K-State drops to No. 23 in latest AP Top 25

PROVO, Utah (AP) — BYU’s defense forced three turnovers, Jake Retzlaff threw for 149 yards and two touchdowns and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Big12Conference/status/1837714080649371736" target="_blank">Parker Kingston had a highlight reel 90-yard punt return touchdown</a>&nbsp;in a 38-9 victory over No. 13 Kansas State on Saturday night.

Sione Moa added a career-high 76 yards and a touchdown on the ground. The Cougars (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) snapped a five-game losing streak to Big 12 opponents in emphatic fashion.

“A lot of people were surprised by this. They didn’t really think we could do this,” Moa said. “This is not a surprise to us. We know the work we put in to get to this point.”

Avery Johnson piled up 204 yards of total offense for the Wildcats but also threw a pair of interceptions. DJ Giddens rushed for 93 yards on 19 carries as Kansas State (3-1, 0-1) dropped to 0-4 all-time in Provo despite totaling 224 rushing yards. The Wildcats did not score a touchdown in a game for the first time since 2020.

“We just shot ourselves in the foot too many times and we got to score touchdowns,” Johnson said. “You got to take care of the football on the road if you want to win games.”

BYU scored a pair of touchdowns 39 seconds apart before halftime after forcing turnovers on back-to-back Kansas State drives.

Jack Kelly stripped the ball from Giddens on a third-down run and Tommy Prassas took the fumble 30 yards to the house, giving the Cougars their first lead, 10-6. Tyler Batty intercepted Johnson two plays later at the Wildcats 29. His takeaway set up a 23-yard touchdown catch by Chase Roberts that gave BYU a 17-6 lead going into halftime.

“You got to make them earn it all and eventually we were able to crack the code a little bit and get some turnovers and create some momentum and then you saw the result,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake said.

Johnson tossed his second interception to Harrison Taggart on Kansas State’s opening drive of the second half. Taggart’s pick and a subsequent 24-yard sprint by Moa set up a 3-yard TD catch by Darius Lassiter and extended BYU’s lead to 24-6.

After the defense forced a three-and-out, Kingston nearly fumbled the ensuing punt but managed to scoop up the ball, cut over to the opposite sideline and race 90 yards for a touchdown. His score put BYU up 31-6 less than five minutes into the third quarter.

“It was stunning to see that,” Kansas State coach Chris Klieman said. “We got embarrassed and that hasn’t happened here since the Covid year.”

A 22-yard touchdown run by Moa early in the fourth capped the night for the Cougars.

Kansas State: The Wildcats gashed BYU with long runs on their first two drives, totaling 117 rushing yards and averaging 6.9 yards per carry, but only came away with a pair of field goals before the wheels fell off on offense.

BYU: Forcing turnovers on three straight Kansas State drives helped the Cougars turn a close game into a blowout early in the second half. BYU scored 31 unanswered points in a 6 1/2-minute span bridging the second and third quarters.

BYU has not allowed a touchdown in both games it has played against fellow Power Four schools thus far. The Cougars held SMU to five field goals in an 18-15 win over the Mustangs in week two and then limited Kansas State to three field goals on three trips to the red zone on Saturday.

“We already know what we’re capable of,” linebacker Isaiah Glasker said. “It’s really just showing other people what we can do.”

Moa was buried on the running back depth chart to start the season but injuries to LJ Martin and Hinckley Ropati led to the freshman making his first career start. He had just 17 yards on six carries before finishing with 76 yards as BYU’s lead back.

“I was pretty surprised I got a lot of these reps,” Moa said.

A lopsided loss to BYU could send Kansas State tumbling out of the AP Top 25 on Sunday. BYU could also work its way into the rankings.

Kansas State hosts Oklahoma State on Saturday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727012799747.png" alt="Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson (2) hands the football off to running back DJ Giddens (31) during an NCAA football game against BYU, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)(Tyler Tate | AP)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson (2) hands the football off to running back DJ Giddens (31) during an NCAA football game against BYU, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)(Tyler Tate | AP)</figcaption>
 </figure>PROVO, Utah (AP) — BYU’s defense forced three turnovers, Jake Retzlaff threw for 149 yards and two touchdowns and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Big12Conference/status/1837714080649371736" target="_blank">Parker Kingston had a highlight reel 90-yard punt return touchdown</a>&nbsp;in a 38-9 victory over No. 13 Kansas State on Saturday night.Sione Moa added a career-high 76 yards and a touchdown on the ground. The Cougars (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) snapped a five-game losing streak to Big 12 opponents in emphatic fashion.“A lot of people were surprised by this. They didn’t really think we could do this,” Moa said. “This is not a surprise to us. We know the work we put in to get to this point.”Avery Johnson piled up 204 yards of total offense for the Wildcats but also threw a pair of interceptions. DJ Giddens rushed for 93 yards on 19 carries as Kansas State (3-1, 0-1) dropped to 0-4 all-time in Provo despite totaling 224 rushing yards. The Wildcats did not score a touchdown in a game for the first time since 2020.“We just shot ourselves in the foot too many times and we got to score touchdowns,” Johnson said. “You got to take care of the football on the road if you want to win games.”BYU scored a pair of touchdowns 39 seconds apart before halftime after forcing turnovers on back-to-back Kansas State drives.Jack Kelly stripped the ball from Giddens on a third-down run and Tommy Prassas took the fumble 30 yards to the house, giving the Cougars their first lead, 10-6. Tyler Batty intercepted Johnson two plays later at the Wildcats 29. His takeaway set up a 23-yard touchdown catch by Chase Roberts that gave BYU a 17-6 lead going into halftime.“You got to make them earn it all and eventually we were able to crack the code a little bit and get some turnovers and create some momentum and then you saw the result,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake said.Johnson tossed his second interception to Harrison Taggart on Kansas State’s opening drive of the second half. Taggart’s pick and a subsequent 24-yard sprint by Moa set up a 3-yard TD catch by Darius Lassiter and extended BYU’s lead to 24-6.After the defense forced a three-and-out, Kingston nearly fumbled the ensuing punt but managed to scoop up the ball, cut over to the opposite sideline and race 90 yards for a touchdown. His score put BYU up 31-6 less than five minutes into the third quarter.“It was stunning to see that,” Kansas State coach Chris Klieman said. “We got embarrassed and that hasn’t happened here since the Covid year.”A 22-yard touchdown run by Moa early in the fourth capped the night for the Cougars.<h2>Takeaways</h2>Kansas State: The Wildcats gashed BYU with long runs on their first two drives, totaling 117 rushing yards and averaging 6.9 yards per carry, but only came away with a pair of field goals before the wheels fell off on offense.BYU: Forcing turnovers on three straight Kansas State drives helped the Cougars turn a close game into a blowout early in the second half. BYU scored 31 unanswered points in a 6 1/2-minute span bridging the second and third quarters.<h2>No Touchdowns Allowed</h2>BYU has not allowed a touchdown in both games it has played against fellow Power Four schools thus far. The Cougars held SMU to five field goals in an 18-15 win over the Mustangs in week two and then limited Kansas State to three field goals on three trips to the red zone on Saturday.“We already know what we’re capable of,” linebacker Isaiah Glasker said. “It’s really just showing other people what we can do.”<h2>Breakout Game</h2>Moa was buried on the running back depth chart to start the season but injuries to LJ Martin and Hinckley Ropati led to the freshman making his first career start. He had just 17 yards on six carries before finishing with 76 yards as BYU’s lead back.“I was pretty surprised I got a lot of these reps,” Moa said.<h2>Poll Implications</h2>A lopsided loss to BYU could send Kansas State tumbling out of the AP Top 25 on Sunday. BYU could also work its way into the rankings.Up NextKansas State hosts Oklahoma State on Saturday.BYU is at Baylor on Saturday.

🏈 No. 13 K-State tumbles at BYU

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Community College volleyball team served up a season-high 13 service aces to win to close the 2024 Blue Dragon Volleyball Classic with a sweep of the Labette Cardinals on Saturday afternoon at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.

The Blue Dragon (11-9) went 1-1 on Saturday to finish the Blue Dragon Classic with a 2-2 record. Missouri State-West Plains rallied from a set down to defeat the Dragons in four sets (25-23, 26-28, 17-25, 16-25). Hutchinson then rolled in the Classic finale with a 3-0 win (25-9, 25-17, 25-10) over Labette.

Hutchinson will return to KJCCC play on Monday night, playing host to Dodge City at 6 p.m. on Monday at the Sports Arena.

Addy Foster and Brooke Galey each had season highs for service aces as part of the Blue Dragons’ season-high 13 aces against the Cardinals.

Foster have five aces and Galey added four. Ellie Suber added two aces.

Offensively, the Blue Dragons were led by freshman Atlyn Proctor, who had 10 kills and five total blocks.

Sophomore Precious Johnson capped her best afternoon as a Blue Dragon with nine kills. Galey added a season-high-tying seven kills.

Suber had 18 assists and Shelby Wilson added 14 assists to lead the Blue Dragon offense.

Foster led the Blue Dragon back row with 12 digs. Freshman Bea Carvalho had five digs.

The Blue Dragons got off to a strong start, rally to score the final four points of the set to claim a 25-23 victory. The Dragons let a late second-set lead disappear and the Grizzlies won 28-26 to even the match at 1-1. West Plains then dominated the final two sets to defeat the Dragons.

Johnson led the Blue Dragons with a career-high 12 kills. Galey and Kierny Follmer both had season highs for kills with seven and six kills, respectively.

Wilson had 20 set assists and Suber added 18 assists.

Foster had her third 20-dig match of the tournament and sixth of the season with 20 digs. Carvalho had nine digs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727010561948.jpeg" alt="Image Courtesy HutchCC Sports Information" />
 <figcaption>Image Courtesy HutchCC Sports Information</figcaption>
 </figure>HutchCC Sports InformationHUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Community College volleyball team served up a season-high 13 service aces to win to close the 2024 Blue Dragon Volleyball Classic with a sweep of the Labette Cardinals on Saturday afternoon at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.The Blue Dragon (11-9) went 1-1 on Saturday to finish the Blue Dragon Classic with a 2-2 record. Missouri State-West Plains rallied from a set down to defeat the Dragons in four sets (25-23, 26-28, 17-25, 16-25). Hutchinson then rolled in the Classic finale with a 3-0 win (25-9, 25-17, 25-10) over Labette.Hutchinson will return to KJCCC play on Monday night, playing host to Dodge City at 6 p.m. on Monday at the Sports Arena.LABETTE RECAPAddy Foster and Brooke Galey each had season highs for service aces as part of the Blue Dragons’ season-high 13 aces against the Cardinals.Foster have five aces and Galey added four. Ellie Suber added two aces.Offensively, the Blue Dragons were led by freshman Atlyn Proctor, who had 10 kills and five total blocks.Sophomore Precious Johnson capped her best afternoon as a Blue Dragon with nine kills. Galey added a season-high-tying seven kills.Suber had 18 assists and Shelby Wilson added 14 assists to lead the Blue Dragon offense.Foster led the Blue Dragon back row with 12 digs. Freshman Bea Carvalho had five digs.MSU-WEST PLAINS RECAPThe Blue Dragons got off to a strong start, rally to score the final four points of the set to claim a 25-23 victory. The Dragons let a late second-set lead disappear and the Grizzlies won 28-26 to even the match at 1-1. West Plains then dominated the final two sets to defeat the Dragons.Johnson led the Blue Dragons with a career-high 12 kills. Galey and Kierny Follmer both had season highs for kills with seven and six kills, respectively.Wilson had 20 set assists and Suber added 18 assists.Foster had her third 20-dig match of the tournament and sixth of the season with 20 digs. Carvalho had nine digs.

🏐 Dragons close out classic with win over Labette

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — LaMonte Wade Jr. and Matt Chapman hit two home runs each, Landen Roupp pitched five scoreless innings for his first major league win, and the San Francisco Giants handed the Kansas City Royals their sixth straight loss, 9-0 on Saturday.

The Royals are clinging to the AL’s second wild-card berth. Kansas City’s lead over the Minnesota Twins — who were rained out Saturday — was reduced to a half game. The Tigers are another one half game behind the Twins. The Royals' loss also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cleveland-guardians-clinch-al-central-903f008e3e3bcf8337c4aa84dd34ab1d">allowed the Cleveland Guardians to clinch the AL Central</a>.

“With a week to go we’ve got to figure out how to get out of this rut,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “We need to start that tomorrow.”

Wade put the Giants ahead with two out in the first inning, lining the first pitch above the right field bullpen.

“It always sets the tone for the game when you score in the first inning,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said. “Next thing you know we have two, then put together a crooked number.”

Wade led off the fourth with a drive down the right field line and Chapman followed with a blast to straightaway center, marking the seventh time the Giants have had back-to-back homers this season. It was the second multi-homer game of Wade’s career.

“When he’s pulling the ball with authority, that means he’s seeing it pretty good,” Melvin said.

Chapman returned to the lineup after missing four games while on the paternity list.

“I’ve seen guys hit a lot of homers on their first day back after having a baby,” he said. “I’m glad I got to join that club.”

“First at-bat didn’t look great, next thing you know he’s hit the homer to center, then another,” Melvin said. “It’s good to have him back and certainly good that he got off a good game today.”

The Giants batted around and scored six runs in the sixth for a 9-0 lead. Chapman hit his 26th of the season with one out for his 12th career multi-homer game.

After Curt Casali’s two-run single, Mike Yastrzemski capped the frame with a three-run homer. Yastrzemski has five home runs in his last 10 games and 18 homers this season.

Roupp (1-1), making his third career start, shut out the Royals on three hits, walking three and striking out three. He held Kansas City hitters to 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position.

“They put pressure on us early and he was able to escape it,” catcher Casali said. “He’s got a good attitude. It never seems like the moment is too big for him.”

Brady Singer (9-12) allowed six runs on seven hits and a walk with six strikeouts and a season-high four home runs over 5 1/3 innings.

“You know the old adage that you don’t get beat by solo homers … today he did,” Quatraro said. “Four solo homers is very unique, but two very good hitters who did that. Both sides of the ball we got our butts beat.”

The Giants have won four of five games, hitting nine home runs and outscoring opponents 29-9.

The Royals have lost six straight while hitting 8 for 52 with runners in scoring position in that stretch.

“These guys feel it,” Quatraro said. “They don’t want to play baseball like that. We expect more of ourselves.”

Giants: IF Marco Luciano was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento.

Giants LHP Blake Snell (4-3, 3.31 ERA) opposes RHP Seth Lugo (16-8, 3.05) in the Royals final regular-season home game on Sunday.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717239521858.png" alt="" />
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 </figure>MARC BOWMAN Associated PressKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — LaMonte Wade Jr. and Matt Chapman hit two home runs each, Landen Roupp pitched five scoreless innings for his first major league win, and the San Francisco Giants handed the Kansas City Royals their sixth straight loss, 9-0 on Saturday.The Royals are clinging to the AL’s second wild-card berth. Kansas City’s lead over the Minnesota Twins — who were rained out Saturday — was reduced to a half game. The Tigers are another one half game behind the Twins. The Royals' loss also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cleveland-guardians-clinch-al-central-903f008e3e3bcf8337c4aa84dd34ab1d">allowed the Cleveland Guardians to clinch the AL Central</a>.“With a week to go we’ve got to figure out how to get out of this rut,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “We need to start that tomorrow.”Wade put the Giants ahead with two out in the first inning, lining the first pitch above the right field bullpen.“It always sets the tone for the game when you score in the first inning,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said. “Next thing you know we have two, then put together a crooked number.”Wade led off the fourth with a drive down the right field line and Chapman followed with a blast to straightaway center, marking the seventh time the Giants have had back-to-back homers this season. It was the second multi-homer game of Wade’s career.“When he’s pulling the ball with authority, that means he’s seeing it pretty good,” Melvin said.Chapman returned to the lineup after missing four games while on the paternity list.“I’ve seen guys hit a lot of homers on their first day back after having a baby,” he said. “I’m glad I got to join that club.”Melvin was glad to have him back.“First at-bat didn’t look great, next thing you know he’s hit the homer to center, then another,” Melvin said. “It’s good to have him back and certainly good that he got off a good game today.”The Giants batted around and scored six runs in the sixth for a 9-0 lead. Chapman hit his 26th of the season with one out for his 12th career multi-homer game.After Curt Casali’s two-run single, Mike Yastrzemski capped the frame with a three-run homer. Yastrzemski has five home runs in his last 10 games and 18 homers this season.Roupp (1-1), making his third career start, shut out the Royals on three hits, walking three and striking out three. He held Kansas City hitters to 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position.“They put pressure on us early and he was able to escape it,” catcher Casali said. “He’s got a good attitude. It never seems like the moment is too big for him.”Brady Singer (9-12) allowed six runs on seven hits and a walk with six strikeouts and a season-high four home runs over 5 1/3 innings.“You know the old adage that you don’t get beat by solo homers … today he did,” Quatraro said. “Four solo homers is very unique, but two very good hitters who did that. Both sides of the ball we got our butts beat.”The Giants have won four of five games, hitting nine home runs and outscoring opponents 29-9.The Royals have lost six straight while hitting 8 for 52 with runners in scoring position in that stretch.“These guys feel it,” Quatraro said. “They don’t want to play baseball like that. We expect more of ourselves.”TRANSACTIONS:Giants: IF Marco Luciano was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento.UP NEXTGiants LHP Blake Snell (4-3, 3.31 ERA) opposes RHP Seth Lugo (16-8, 3.05) in the Royals final regular-season home game on Sunday.

⚾ Royals lose sixth straight

AP Sports Summary for September 22nd, 2024:

AP Top 25 Takeaways: Who is better off? Lincoln Riley's new (USC) and old (OU) teams hoping for more

Lincoln Riley has yet to deliver the level of success Southern California fans hoped for when he made a shocking move west from Oklahoma after the 2021 regular season. USC is better than it was when Riley arrived but as the Trojans' loss at No. 18 Michigan suggests, they are not entering the Big Ten as serious contenders. The school Riley left behind also played its first game in a new league, and No. 15 Oklahoma made it clear it will not be challenging for a Southeastern Conference championship. So who's better off, Riley's new team or his old?

North Carolina coach Mack Brown says 'embarrasing' 70-50 loss to James Madison is his fault

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Alonza Barnett III's five touchdown passes led a quick-strike offense that helped James Madison beat North Carolina 70-50 on Saturday for a signature road win under first-year coach Bob Chesney. Barnett threw for 388 yards with no interceptions while also running for 99 yards and two scores for the Dukes. James Madison had TDs on offense, defense and special teams in its first victory over North Carolina in four meetings. Jacolby Criswell threw for 475 yards and three touchdowns in his second career start for UNC, while running back Omarion Hampton ran for three scores.

Mullings' 2nd TD with 37 seconds left lifts No. 18 Michigan to 27-24 win over No. 11 USC

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Kalel Mullings had a 2-yard, go-ahead touchdown run on fourth down with 37 seconds left, lifting No. 18 Michigan to a 27-24 win over No. 11 USC. The Wolverines overcame losing a 14-0 lead in the first half and coughing up two fumbles in the second half. They won with a 10-play, 89-yard possession that was capped by Mullings' second touchdown run in a jumbo package that left no doubt they were going to run. USC turned it over on downs near midfield in the final seconds to end its comeback hopes in the program's Big Ten debut.

No. 1 Texas keeps rolling behind Manning and Blue and routs ULM 51-3 in last game before SEC play

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Arch Manning earned his first career win as a starter and Jaydon Blue scored four touchdowns as No. 1 Texas ran over Louisiana-Monroe 51-3 Saturday night. The Longhorns took over the No. 1 ranking last week for the first time since 2008 and made quick work of the Warhawks. Blue scored three times and Manning threw a touchdown as Texas raced to a 28-0 halftime lead. Manning started in place of injured regular starter Quinn Ewers. Texas played its final nonconference game before starting its first SEC schedule.

All-Star CJ Abrams is demoted to the minors by the Nationals for nonperformance reasons

CHICAGO (AP) — All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams has been demoted to the minor leagues by the Washington Nationals for a reason not related to his on-field performance and is not expected to play for them the rest of the season. Nationals manager Dave Martinez announced the unusual decision before the team's 5-1 win at the Chicago Cubs. Abrams has 20 homers, 65 RBIs and 31 stolen bases but is hitting .193 since July 3. Triple-A Rochester didn't qualify for the International League postseason and plays its final game on Sunday. Martinez said Abrams won't play for the Red Wings. He will fly to Washington and then travel to the team's training complex at West Palm Beach, Florida.

White Sox lose 119th game to tie the AL record as the Padres win 6-2 behind 3 home runs

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox tied the American League record with their 119th loss when Xander Bogaerts and Elias Díaz each hit a two-run homer to help the San Diego Padres win 6-2 and move closer to a playoff spot. With a record of 36-119, the White Sox matched the AL mark for losses set by the 2003 Detroit Tigers, who finished 43-119. One more defeat for Chicago over its final seven games would equal the post-1900 record of 120 losses by the 1962 expansion New York Mets. Chicago is 9-48 since the All-Star break. The 1899 Cleveland Spiders hold the major league record for losses at 20-134.

Kyle Larson wins at Bristol as 2 former NASCAR champions eliminated from playoffs

NASCAR champions Brad Keselowski and Martin Truex Jr. were among the first four drivers knocked out of the playoffs at Bristol Motor Speedway, where Kyle Larson cruised to an easy victory. Keselowski, Truex, Ty Gibbs and Harrison Burton were all eliminated Saturday night. Larson, meanwhile, led 462 of 500 laps. That's the most since Cale Yarborough led 495 laps in 1977. Larson's laps led is the most ever by a Hendrick Motorsports driver and marked the fifth win of the season for the driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet.

Lindor's earliest return to New York Mets lineup from back injury likely Tuesday at Atlanta

NEW YORK (AP) — Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor's earliest return to New York's lineup from a back injury likely is Tuesday night's series opener at the Atlanta Braves. Lindor missed five straight games entering Saturday and had played only one inning in the past seven games. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Lindor felt better Saturday and hoped to run sprints, hit and take ground balls. Lindor received a numbing injection on Thursday. Mendoza said he envisioned Lindor will return at shortstop and not designated hitter.

Cleveland Guardians clinch AL Central title when Royals lose to Giants

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The Cleveland Guardians have clinched their second AL Central championship in three years. They wrapped it up when the second-place Kansas City Royals lost 9-0 to the San Francisco Giants. José Ramírez and the Guardians had already secured a postseason berth, locking up at least an American League wild card Thursday with a 3-2 win over Minnesota at home. Cleveland entered Saturday needing a win at St. Louis or a Kansas City defeat to wrap up the division title. Even before the Guardians got deep into their night game against the Cardinals, the Royals lost at home in a late-afternoon start. It is Cleveland's 12th division crown, all coming in the AL Central since 1995.

Dubois beats up Joshua to retain IBF heavyweight title with brutal 5th-round knockout

LONDON (AP) — Daniel Dubois has retained the IBF heavyweight title by knocking out former two-time world champion Anthony Joshua in the fifth round in a dominant first defense of his belt. Joshua had already been floored in the first and third rounds before he fell face first after a straight right hand by Dubois on Saturday. The fight took place in front of a record post-war boxing crowd in Britain of 96,000 fans. Dubois became IBF champion after the belt was vacated by Oleksandr Usyk in June, and this was his first title defense.

Here are the scores from yesterday's sports events:

		Minnesota	at	Boston	5:35 p.m.	(Postponed)

Final	(18)Michigan	27	(11)Southern Cal	24	

Final	(25)Texas A&amp;M	26	Bowling Green	20	

Final	(5)Mississippi	52	Georgia Southern	13	

Final	Minnesota	2	Sporting Kansas City	0	

		San Francisco	at	Kansas City	2:10 p.m.	

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701494597443.png" alt="Sports Headlines and News for Sunday, September 22nd, 2024." />
 <figcaption>Sports Headlines and News for Sunday, September 22nd, 2024.</figcaption>
 </figure>AP Sports Summary for September 22nd, 2024:<div><iframe width="100%" height="95" src="https://embeds.audioboom.com/posts/8575196/embed?v=202301" style="background-color: transparent; display: block; padding: 0; width: 100%" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="allowtransparency" scrolling="no" title="Audioboom player" allow="autoplay" sandbox="allow-downloads allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation"></iframe></div>AP Top 25 Takeaways: Who is better off? Lincoln Riley's new (USC) and old (OU) teams hoping for moreLincoln Riley has yet to deliver the level of success Southern California fans hoped for when he made a shocking move west from Oklahoma after the 2021 regular season. USC is better than it was when Riley arrived but as the Trojans' loss at No. 18 Michigan suggests, they are not entering the Big Ten as serious contenders. The school Riley left behind also played its first game in a new league, and No. 15 Oklahoma made it clear it will not be challenging for a Southeastern Conference championship. So who's better off, Riley's new team or his old?North Carolina coach Mack Brown says 'embarrasing' 70-50 loss to James Madison is his faultCHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Alonza Barnett III's five touchdown passes led a quick-strike offense that helped James Madison beat North Carolina 70-50 on Saturday for a signature road win under first-year coach Bob Chesney. Barnett threw for 388 yards with no interceptions while also running for 99 yards and two scores for the Dukes. James Madison had TDs on offense, defense and special teams in its first victory over North Carolina in four meetings. Jacolby Criswell threw for 475 yards and three touchdowns in his second career start for UNC, while running back Omarion Hampton ran for three scores.Mullings' 2nd TD with 37 seconds left lifts No. 18 Michigan to 27-24 win over No. 11 USCANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Kalel Mullings had a 2-yard, go-ahead touchdown run on fourth down with 37 seconds left, lifting No. 18 Michigan to a 27-24 win over No. 11 USC. The Wolverines overcame losing a 14-0 lead in the first half and coughing up two fumbles in the second half. They won with a 10-play, 89-yard possession that was capped by Mullings' second touchdown run in a jumbo package that left no doubt they were going to run. USC turned it over on downs near midfield in the final seconds to end its comeback hopes in the program's Big Ten debut.No. 1 Texas keeps rolling behind Manning and Blue and routs ULM 51-3 in last game before SEC playAUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Arch Manning earned his first career win as a starter and Jaydon Blue scored four touchdowns as No. 1 Texas ran over Louisiana-Monroe 51-3 Saturday night. The Longhorns took over the No. 1 ranking last week for the first time since 2008 and made quick work of the Warhawks. Blue scored three times and Manning threw a touchdown as Texas raced to a 28-0 halftime lead. Manning started in place of injured regular starter Quinn Ewers. Texas played its final nonconference game before starting its first SEC schedule.All-Star CJ Abrams is demoted to the minors by the Nationals for nonperformance reasonsCHICAGO (AP) — All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams has been demoted to the minor leagues by the Washington Nationals for a reason not related to his on-field performance and is not expected to play for them the rest of the season. Nationals manager Dave Martinez announced the unusual decision before the team's 5-1 win at the Chicago Cubs. Abrams has 20 homers, 65 RBIs and 31 stolen bases but is hitting .193 since July 3. Triple-A Rochester didn't qualify for the International League postseason and plays its final game on Sunday. Martinez said Abrams won't play for the Red Wings. He will fly to Washington and then travel to the team's training complex at West Palm Beach, Florida.White Sox lose 119th game to tie the AL record as the Padres win 6-2 behind 3 home runsSAN DIEGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox tied the American League record with their 119th loss when Xander Bogaerts and Elias Díaz each hit a two-run homer to help the San Diego Padres win 6-2 and move closer to a playoff spot. With a record of 36-119, the White Sox matched the AL mark for losses set by the 2003 Detroit Tigers, who finished 43-119. One more defeat for Chicago over its final seven games would equal the post-1900 record of 120 losses by the 1962 expansion New York Mets. Chicago is 9-48 since the All-Star break. The 1899 Cleveland Spiders hold the major league record for losses at 20-134.Kyle Larson wins at Bristol as 2 former NASCAR champions eliminated from playoffsNASCAR champions Brad Keselowski and Martin Truex Jr. were among the first four drivers knocked out of the playoffs at Bristol Motor Speedway, where Kyle Larson cruised to an easy victory. Keselowski, Truex, Ty Gibbs and Harrison Burton were all eliminated Saturday night. Larson, meanwhile, led 462 of 500 laps. That's the most since Cale Yarborough led 495 laps in 1977. Larson's laps led is the most ever by a Hendrick Motorsports driver and marked the fifth win of the season for the driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet.Lindor's earliest return to New York Mets lineup from back injury likely Tuesday at AtlantaNEW YORK (AP) — Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor's earliest return to New York's lineup from a back injury likely is Tuesday night's series opener at the Atlanta Braves. Lindor missed five straight games entering Saturday and had played only one inning in the past seven games. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Lindor felt better Saturday and hoped to run sprints, hit and take ground balls. Lindor received a numbing injection on Thursday. Mendoza said he envisioned Lindor will return at shortstop and not designated hitter.Cleveland Guardians clinch AL Central title when Royals lose to GiantsST. LOUIS (AP) — The Cleveland Guardians have clinched their second AL Central championship in three years. They wrapped it up when the second-place Kansas City Royals lost 9-0 to the San Francisco Giants. José Ramírez and the Guardians had already secured a postseason berth, locking up at least an American League wild card Thursday with a 3-2 win over Minnesota at home. Cleveland entered Saturday needing a win at St. Louis or a Kansas City defeat to wrap up the division title. Even before the Guardians got deep into their night game against the Cardinals, the Royals lost at home in a late-afternoon start. It is Cleveland's 12th division crown, all coming in the AL Central since 1995.Dubois beats up Joshua to retain IBF heavyweight title with brutal 5th-round knockoutLONDON (AP) — Daniel Dubois has retained the IBF heavyweight title by knocking out former two-time world champion Anthony Joshua in the fifth round in a dominant first defense of his belt. Joshua had already been floored in the first and third rounds before he fell face first after a straight right hand by Dubois on Saturday. The fight took place in front of a record post-war boxing crowd in Britain of 96,000 fans. Dubois became IBF champion after the belt was vacated by Oleksandr Usyk in June, and this was his first title defense.AP-ScorecardHere are the scores from yesterday's sports events:___INTERLEAGUEFinal	San Francisco	9	Kansas City	0	Final	St. Louis	6	Cleveland	5	Final	San Diego	6	Chicago White Sox	2	___AMERICAN LEAGUE		Minnesota	at	Boston	5:35 p.m.	(Postponed)Final	Tampa Bay	3	Toronto	2	Final	Detroit	6	Baltimore	4	Final	Houston	10	L.A. Angels	4	Final	Seattle	8	Texas	4	Final	N.Y. Yankees	10	Oakland	0	___NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal	Cincinnati	7	Pittsburgh	1	Final	Washington	5	Chicago Cubs	1	Final	N.Y. Mets	6	Philadelphia	3	Final	Atlanta	6	Miami	2	Final	Arizona	5	Milwaukee	0	Final	Colorado	6	L.A. Dodgers	3	___NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PRESEASONFinal	Buffalo	7	Pittsburgh	3	Final	Dallas	2	St. Louis	1	Final	Minnesota	5	Winnipeg	2	___TOP-25 COLLEGE FOOTBALLFinal	(12)Utah	22	(14)Oklahoma St.	19	Final	(6)Tennessee	25	(15)Oklahoma	15	Final	(18)Michigan	27	(11)Southern Cal	24	Final	(21)Clemson	59	NC State	35	Final	(3)Ohio St.	49	Marshall	14	Final	(20)Iowa St.	52	Arkansas St.	7	Final	(10)Penn St.	56	Kent St.	0	Final	(16)LSU	34	UCLA	17	Final	(19)Louisville	31	Georgia Tech	19	Final	Buffalo	23	(23)N. Illinois	20	Final	(17)Notre Dame	28	Miami (Ohio)	3	Final	(7)Missouri	30	Vanderbilt	27	Final	(8)Miami	50	South Florida	15	Final	(25)Texas A&amp;M	26	Bowling Green	20	Final	(5)Mississippi	52	Georgia Southern	13	Final	(1)Texas	51	Louisiana-Monroe	3	Final	BYU	38	(13)Kansas St.	9	___MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCERFinal tie	Miami	1	New York City FC	1	Final	Charlotte FC	4	New England	0	Final	Columbus	4	Orlando City	3	Final	CF Montréal	2	Chicago	0	Final tie	Atlanta	2	New York	2	Final	Houston	1	Austin FC	0	Final	FC Dallas	3	Los Angeles FC	1	Final	Minnesota	2	Sporting Kansas City	0	Final tie	Cincinnati	2	Nashville	2	Final	Colorado	2	Toronto FC	0	Final tie	Portland	3	Real Salt Lake	3	Final	LA Galaxy	4	Vancouver	2	Final	St Louis City	2	San Jose	1	___TODAY'S SPORTS SCHEDULE___INTERLEAGUE		San Francisco	at	Kansas City	2:10 p.m.			Cleveland	at	St. Louis	2:15 p.m.			Chi White Sox	at	San Diego	4:10 p.m.	___AMERICAN LEAGUE		Minnesota	at	Boston	12:35 p.m.			Detroit	at	Baltimore	1:35 p.m.			Toronto	at	Tampa Bay	1:40 p.m.			L-A Angels	at	Houston	2:10 p.m.			Seattle	at	Texas	2:35 p.m.			N-Y Yankees	at	Oakland	4:07 p.m.			Minnesota	at	Boston	5:35 p.m.	___NATIONAL LEAGUE		Pittsburgh	at	Cincinnati	1:10 p.m.			Atlanta	at	Miami	1:40 p.m.			Arizona	at	Milwaukee	2:10 p.m.			Washington	at	Chi Cubs	2:20 p.m.			Colorado	at	L-A Dodgers	4:10 p.m.			Philadelphia	at	N-Y Mets	7:15 p.m.	___NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PRESEASON		Nashville	at	Florida	2 p.m.			Philadelphia	at	Washington	3 p.m.			N-Y Rangers	at	Boston	5 p.m.			Nashville	at	Florida	6 p.m.			Winnipeg	at	Edmonton	6 p.m.			N-Y Islanders	at	New Jersey	7 p.m.			Ottawa	at	Toronto	7 p.m.			St. Louis	at	Utah	7 p.m.			Vegas	at	San Jose	8 p.m.			Calgary	at	Seattle	10 p.m.	___NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE		Chicago	at	Indianapolis	1 p.m.			Denver	at	Tampa Bay	1 p.m.			Green Bay	at	Tennessee	1 p.m.			Houston	at	Minnesota	1 p.m.			L.A. Chargers	at	Pittsburgh	1 p.m.			N-Y Giants	at	Cleveland	1 p.m.			Philadelphia	at	New Orleans	1 p.m.			Carolina	at	Las Vegas	4:05 p.m.			Miami	at	Seattle	4:05 p.m.			Baltimore	at	Dallas	4:25 p.m.			Detroit	at	Arizona	4:25 p.m.			San Francisco	at	L.A. Rams	4:25 p.m.			Kansas City	at	Atlanta	8:20 p.m.	___WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PLAYOFFS		Atlanta	at	New York	1 p.m.			Indiana	at	Connecticut	3 p.m.			Phoenix	at	Minnesota	5 p.m.			Seattle	at	Las Vegas	10 p.m.	___MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER		D.C. United	at	Philadelphia	6:15 p.m.	___

📢📰🎧 Sports Headlines for Sunday

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — Garrett Greene threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Rodney Gallagher with 26 seconds left to lift West Virginia to a 32-28 victory over Kansas in their Big 12 opener Saturday.

The Mountaineers (2-2) overcame an 11-point deficit and withstood a lightning delay of about two hours with two touchdown passes by Greene in the final 3:27. It came a week after the Mountaineers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/west-virginia-pitt-score-74df4aa149c7fb92e25ef8a0f77b0f8e">squandered a 10-point lead in the final three minutes</a>&nbsp;of a heartbreaking loss at Pittsburgh.

“Offensively, we just found a way,” coach Neal Brown said. “It wasn't our best day. We didn't have our ‘A’ game, but we finished well.”

Saturday's outcome wasn't decided until West Virginia's Tyrin Bradley stripped the ball from Jalon Daniels on a pass attempt and Bradley recovered it with 8 seconds left. Bradley also had the team's first interception of the season in the first quarter.

Kansas appeared to be in control when wide receiver Luke Grimm went 32 yards down the left sideline for a touchdown with 5:39 left for a 28-17 lead.

“Sometimes it doesn't roll your way," Grimm said. “We just didn't execute in the final stretch. They executed and we didn't.”

Greene, who had been shaky up until that point, then took over. He hit Kole Taylor with an 8-yard TD toss, and Taylor caught the two-point conversion pass from Traylon Ray.

After Kansas was forced to punt, Greene ran for 25 yards on the winning drive. A pass interference call in the end zone on Mello Dotson of Kansas gave the Mountaineers first-and-goal at the 10. A false start pushed the ball back to the 15 before Greene hit Gallagher in the end zone for the final margin.

“I always want the ball in my hands at the end of the game,” Greene said.

West Virginia's Hudson Clement caught seven passes for 150 yards.

Greene, who also had a 5-yard scoring run, completed 15 of 30 passes for 295 yards. He also led the Mountaineers with 87 rushing yards on on 17 carries.

“I may coach for a long time and may never have another guy that’s as competitive as he is,” Brown said.

Devin Neal rushed for 110 yards for Kansas (1-3). It was his fourth straight 100-yard game this season.

Brown said defensive back Aubrey Burks was walking around and “in good spirits” and that medical tests on him were “clear” after Burks was removed from the sideline on a cart in the second quarter with what the coach described as an upper body injury. Burks initially was tended to while the West Virginia offense was on the field.

"It must have happened during a play but he didn't have symptoms until he came out," Brown said.

Last year Burks was injured making a tackle on a punt at TCU and had to have his neck immobilized. He missed one game with a concussion.

Kansas: KU has lost three straight. The Jayhawks are in a free fall after starting the season ranked.

“We’ve been in situations worse than this,” Grimm said. "We sucked when I was first here. We came from way worse than what we are right now. So we’re not worried at all.”

West Virginia: The Mountaineers showed some mettle in the comeback win, but the schedule doesn’t get any easier with the next three games against ranked opponents and three of the next five games on the road.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726956688394.jpeg" alt="A lightning strike is shown in the distance above Mountaineer Field during a game between Kansas and West Virginia on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Morgantown, W.Va. (AP Photo)" />
 <figcaption>A lightning strike is shown in the distance above Mountaineer Field during a game between Kansas and West Virginia on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Morgantown, W.Va. (AP Photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — Garrett Greene threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Rodney Gallagher with 26 seconds left to lift West Virginia to a 32-28 victory over Kansas in their Big 12 opener Saturday.The Mountaineers (2-2) overcame an 11-point deficit and withstood a lightning delay of about two hours with two touchdown passes by Greene in the final 3:27. It came a week after the Mountaineers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/west-virginia-pitt-score-74df4aa149c7fb92e25ef8a0f77b0f8e">squandered a 10-point lead in the final three minutes</a>&nbsp;of a heartbreaking loss at Pittsburgh.“Offensively, we just found a way,” coach Neal Brown said. “It wasn't our best day. We didn't have our ‘A’ game, but we finished well.”Saturday's outcome wasn't decided until West Virginia's Tyrin Bradley stripped the ball from Jalon Daniels on a pass attempt and Bradley recovered it with 8 seconds left. Bradley also had the team's first interception of the season in the first quarter.Kansas appeared to be in control when wide receiver Luke Grimm went 32 yards down the left sideline for a touchdown with 5:39 left for a 28-17 lead.“Sometimes it doesn't roll your way," Grimm said. “We just didn't execute in the final stretch. They executed and we didn't.”Greene, who had been shaky up until that point, then took over. He hit Kole Taylor with an 8-yard TD toss, and Taylor caught the two-point conversion pass from Traylon Ray.After Kansas was forced to punt, Greene ran for 25 yards on the winning drive. A pass interference call in the end zone on Mello Dotson of Kansas gave the Mountaineers first-and-goal at the 10. A false start pushed the ball back to the 15 before Greene hit Gallagher in the end zone for the final margin.“I always want the ball in my hands at the end of the game,” Greene said.West Virginia's Hudson Clement caught seven passes for 150 yards.Greene, who also had a 5-yard scoring run, completed 15 of 30 passes for 295 yards. He also led the Mountaineers with 87 rushing yards on on 17 carries.“I may coach for a long time and may never have another guy that’s as competitive as he is,” Brown said.Devin Neal rushed for 110 yards for Kansas (1-3). It was his fourth straight 100-yard game this season.<h2>Burks hurt</h2>Brown said defensive back Aubrey Burks was walking around and “in good spirits” and that medical tests on him were “clear” after Burks was removed from the sideline on a cart in the second quarter with what the coach described as an upper body injury. Burks initially was tended to while the West Virginia offense was on the field."It must have happened during a play but he didn't have symptoms until he came out," Brown said.Last year Burks was injured making a tackle on a punt at TCU and had to have his neck immobilized. He missed one game with a concussion.<h2>The takeaway</h2>Kansas: KU has lost three straight. The Jayhawks are in a free fall after starting the season ranked.“We’ve been in situations worse than this,” Grimm said. "We sucked when I was first here. We came from way worse than what we are right now. So we’re not worried at all.”West Virginia: The Mountaineers showed some mettle in the comeback win, but the schedule doesn’t get any easier with the next three games against ranked opponents and three of the next five games on the road.<h2>Up next</h2>Kansas: Hosts TCU next Saturday.West Virginia: Has a week off before playing at No. 14 Oklahoma State on Oct. 5.