The No. 4-ranked Hutchinson Community College men's cross country team made an early statement for the 2025 season in winning the Terry Masterson Twilight Classic on Friday night at Fun Valley.

Led by sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mxc/2025-26/bios/kogo_cornelius_a3hy">Cornelius Kogo</a>, Blue Dragon runners finished first, second, third and fourth and had five runners in the Top 10 as Hutchinson captured its second Masterson Twilight team championship in the 10-year history of the event. The other team championship for Hutchinson came in 2018.

The Blue Dragons scored a Masterson Twilight team low score of 18 points (15 points is a perfect score in cross country). Wichita State was the team runner-up with 48 points and Garden City was third with 61 points.

The previous low team score in the Masterson Twilight was 23 points by Cloud County in 2019.

Hutchinson posted its fifth Top-3 finish in Masterson Twilight history.

Blue Dragon runners took immediate charge of the race with Kogo,&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mxc/2025-26/bios/kiprotich_titus_yvcm">Titus Kiprotich</a>&nbsp;and Faren Mangelson breaking away from the pack early.

Kogo won his first collegiate race with a time of 20:04.10, which is the 15th-fastest Masterson Twilight team in meet history. Kogo joins All-American and national champion Andrew Kibet as Blue Dragon runners to win the Masterson Twilight.

Kiprotich improved his 2024 Masterson Twilight time by 7 full seconds with a runner-up time of 20:25.41, the 16th-fastest time in meet history.

Mangelson jumped into the Top 25 Masterson club with a time of 20:27.36, which was good for third place and the 25th-best time in event history.

Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mxc/2025-26/bios/ortega_esteban_lfb9">Esteban Ortega</a>&nbsp;made a tremendous stretch run to get by Wichita State's Austin Carerra by 0.17 seconds for fourth place with a time of 20:32.83.

Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mxc/2025-26/bios/oses_esteban_x8g9">Esteban Oses</a>&nbsp;Campos also placed in the Top 10 for the Blue Dragons, placing 10th with a time of 21:10.55.

Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mxc/2025-26/bios/ryan_max_p5gh">Max Ryan</a>&nbsp;placed 45th in his Blue Dragon debut with a time of 23:59.13.

The Blue Dragons will next compete at the Missouri Southern Stampede on September 20 in Joplin, Missouri. That will be the Dragons' first 5K race of the season.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756648798666.jpeg" alt="Sophomore Cornelius Kogo is the first of four-straight Blue Dragon men's runners to cross the finish line and lead the No. 4-ranked Blue Dragon men to the Terry Masterson Twilight Classic team title on Friday at Fun Valley. (Andrew Carpenter/Digital Fox Photography)" />
 <figcaption>Sophomore Cornelius Kogo is the first of four-straight Blue Dragon men's runners to cross the finish line and lead the No. 4-ranked Blue Dragon men to the Terry Masterson Twilight Classic team title on Friday at Fun Valley. (Andrew Carpenter/Digital Fox Photography)</figcaption>
 </figure>Hutchinson CC Sports InformationThe No. 4-ranked Hutchinson Community College men's cross country team made an early statement for the 2025 season in winning the Terry Masterson Twilight Classic on Friday night at Fun Valley.Led by sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mxc/2025-26/bios/kogo_cornelius_a3hy">Cornelius Kogo</a>, Blue Dragon runners finished first, second, third and fourth and had five runners in the Top 10 as Hutchinson captured its second Masterson Twilight team championship in the 10-year history of the event. The other team championship for Hutchinson came in 2018.The Blue Dragons scored a Masterson Twilight team low score of 18 points (15 points is a perfect score in cross country). Wichita State was the team runner-up with 48 points and Garden City was third with 61 points.The previous low team score in the Masterson Twilight was 23 points by Cloud County in 2019.Hutchinson posted its fifth Top-3 finish in Masterson Twilight history.Blue Dragon runners took immediate charge of the race with Kogo,&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mxc/2025-26/bios/kiprotich_titus_yvcm">Titus Kiprotich</a>&nbsp;and Faren Mangelson breaking away from the pack early.Kogo won his first collegiate race with a time of 20:04.10, which is the 15th-fastest Masterson Twilight team in meet history. Kogo joins All-American and national champion Andrew Kibet as Blue Dragon runners to win the Masterson Twilight.Kiprotich improved his 2024 Masterson Twilight time by 7 full seconds with a runner-up time of 20:25.41, the 16th-fastest time in meet history.Mangelson jumped into the Top 25 Masterson club with a time of 20:27.36, which was good for third place and the 25th-best time in event history.Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mxc/2025-26/bios/ortega_esteban_lfb9">Esteban Ortega</a>&nbsp;made a tremendous stretch run to get by Wichita State's Austin Carerra by 0.17 seconds for fourth place with a time of 20:32.83.Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mxc/2025-26/bios/oses_esteban_x8g9">Esteban Oses</a>&nbsp;Campos also placed in the Top 10 for the Blue Dragons, placing 10th with a time of 21:10.55.Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mxc/2025-26/bios/ryan_max_p5gh">Max Ryan</a>&nbsp;placed 45th in his Blue Dragon debut with a time of 23:59.13.The Blue Dragons will next compete at the Missouri Southern Stampede on September 20 in Joplin, Missouri. That will be the Dragons' first 5K race of the season.

👟 Kogo, No. 4 Blue Dragons sweep Terry Masterson Twilight Classic

Hutchinson Community College freshman women's cross country runner&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wxc/2025-26/bios/roni_mildred_mud8">Mildred Rono</a>&nbsp;had quite a Blue Dragon debut on Friday night at Fun Valley.

Rono set two meet/course records in winning the Terry Masterson Twilight Classic individual title and leading the No. 15-ranked Blue Dragon women to a team runner-up finish.

Rono smashed the course record over the 3-mile course, becoming the first runner in the 10-year history of the event to break the 17-minute mark with a course-record and Invitational record time of 16:55.63 seconds. Rono beat the old course record of 17:34.75 set in 2023 by Fort Hays State's Regan Hodsden by 39.12 seconds.

<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wxc/2025-26/files/Terry_Masterson_Results.pdf">CLICK FOR COMPLETE TERRY MASTERSON TWILIGHT RESULTS</a>

Rono's winning margin of over women's runner-up Mercy Jepkoech of Wichita State of 55.30 seconds was also the widest margin of victory in the 10-year history of the Masterson Twilight.

Rono is the second-straight Blue Dragon to win the Masterson Twilight individual championship. Last year, NJCAA All-American Faith Jepchirchir won with a time of 16.17.0.

Wichita State repeated as team champion with 30 points. The Shockers had four runners place in the Top 10, including former Blue Dragon All-American Jordyn Picolet, who placed seventh with a time of 19:01.38.

The Blue Dragons were runner-up with 73 points. This was Hutchinson's seventh Top 3 finish at the Masterson Twilight. Garden City was third with 77 point and Tabor was fourth with 91 points.

Hutchinson had two runners overall in the individual Top 10 on Friday night.

Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wxc/2025-26/bios/frater_ashara_sw1a">Ashara Frater</a>&nbsp;placed sixth with a time of 18:56.78.

Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wxc/2025-26/bios/lovell_kimberlin_9kad">Kimberlin Lovell</a>&nbsp;placed 16th with a time of 20:18.35.

Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wxc/2025-26/bios/ramey_eva_d580">Eva Ramey</a>&nbsp;was 21st with a time of 20:50.84.

Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wxc/2025-26/bios/mcdonald_sabrina_qfz5">Sabrina McDonald</a>&nbsp;was 37th in a time of 22:15.38.

There were four runners who joined the all-time Top 25 club for the Masterson Twilight.

Wichita State's Jepkoech posted the fourth-fastest time in meet history. Garden City's Mai Meryeme was third with the 11th-best time in meet history of 18:13.88. Wichita State's Francesca Alvarado was fourth with the 19th-best time of 18:28.33.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756648679525.jpeg" alt="Blue Dragon freshman Mildred Rono shattered the Fun Valley course record with a winning time of 16:53.83 to win the 2025 Terry Masterson Twilight Classic on Friday night. (Andrew Carpenter/Digital Fox Photography)." />
 <figcaption>Blue Dragon freshman Mildred Rono shattered the Fun Valley course record with a winning time of 16:53.83 to win the 2025 Terry Masterson Twilight Classic on Friday night. (Andrew Carpenter/Digital Fox Photography).</figcaption>
 </figure>Hutchinson CC Sports InformationHutchinson Community College freshman women's cross country runner&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wxc/2025-26/bios/roni_mildred_mud8">Mildred Rono</a>&nbsp;had quite a Blue Dragon debut on Friday night at Fun Valley.Rono set two meet/course records in winning the Terry Masterson Twilight Classic individual title and leading the No. 15-ranked Blue Dragon women to a team runner-up finish.Rono smashed the course record over the 3-mile course, becoming the first runner in the 10-year history of the event to break the 17-minute mark with a course-record and Invitational record time of 16:55.63 seconds. Rono beat the old course record of 17:34.75 set in 2023 by Fort Hays State's Regan Hodsden by 39.12 seconds.<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wxc/2025-26/files/Terry_Masterson_Results.pdf">CLICK FOR COMPLETE TERRY MASTERSON TWILIGHT RESULTS</a>Rono's winning margin of over women's runner-up Mercy Jepkoech of Wichita State of 55.30 seconds was also the widest margin of victory in the 10-year history of the Masterson Twilight.Rono is the second-straight Blue Dragon to win the Masterson Twilight individual championship. Last year, NJCAA All-American Faith Jepchirchir won with a time of 16.17.0.Wichita State repeated as team champion with 30 points. The Shockers had four runners place in the Top 10, including former Blue Dragon All-American Jordyn Picolet, who placed seventh with a time of 19:01.38.The Blue Dragons were runner-up with 73 points. This was Hutchinson's seventh Top 3 finish at the Masterson Twilight. Garden City was third with 77 point and Tabor was fourth with 91 points.Hutchinson had two runners overall in the individual Top 10 on Friday night.Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wxc/2025-26/bios/frater_ashara_sw1a">Ashara Frater</a>&nbsp;placed sixth with a time of 18:56.78.Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wxc/2025-26/bios/lovell_kimberlin_9kad">Kimberlin Lovell</a>&nbsp;placed 16th with a time of 20:18.35.Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wxc/2025-26/bios/ramey_eva_d580">Eva Ramey</a>&nbsp;was 21st with a time of 20:50.84.Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wxc/2025-26/bios/mcdonald_sabrina_qfz5">Sabrina McDonald</a>&nbsp;was 37th in a time of 22:15.38.The Blue Dragons will next compete at the Missouri Southern Stampede on September 20 in Joplin, Missouri. That will be the Dragons' first 5K race of the season.There were four runners who joined the all-time Top 25 club for the Masterson Twilight.Wichita State's Jepkoech posted the fourth-fastest time in meet history. Garden City's Mai Meryeme was third with the 11th-best time in meet history of 18:13.88. Wichita State's Francesca Alvarado was fourth with the 19th-best time of 18:28.33.

👟 Rono obliterates course record to win Masterson Twilight

Independence 51, Ellsworth 14 No. 5 Snow 37, Highland 6 No. 14 Butler 27, Northeastern Oklahoma A&amp;M 20

No. 12 Friends 73, Bethany 14 Kansas Wesleyan 27, Ottawa 10 McPherson 52, Avila 7 Southwestern 61, Bethel 7 Evangel 62, Saint Mary 14 Tabor 34, Sterling 9

No. 1 Ferris State 34, No. 9 Pittsburg State 17 Nebraska-Kearney 28, Wayne State 21 No. 12 Delta State 31, No. 22 Central Missouri 23 No. 11 Minnesota State 38, Northwest Missouri State 14 Emporia State 27, Minot State 7 No. 13 Angelo State 28, Fort Hays State 7 UT Permian Basin 34, No. 5 Central Oklahoma 14 No. 23 Augustana (S.D.) 30, Missouri Western 26 Washburn 20, Truman State 17 Missouri Southern 33, Midwestern State (Texas) 19

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719520416153.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><h2>KJCCC</h2>Independence 51, Ellsworth 14 No. 5 Snow 37, Highland 6 No. 14 Butler 27, Northeastern Oklahoma A&amp;M 20<h2>KCAC</h2>No. 12 Friends 73, Bethany 14 Kansas Wesleyan 27, Ottawa 10 McPherson 52, Avila 7 Southwestern 61, Bethel 7 Evangel 62, Saint Mary 14 Tabor 34, Sterling 9<h2>MIAA</h2>No. 1 Ferris State 34, No. 9 Pittsburg State 17 Nebraska-Kearney 28, Wayne State 21 No. 12 Delta State 31, No. 22 Central Missouri 23 No. 11 Minnesota State 38, Northwest Missouri State 14 Emporia State 27, Minot State 7 No. 13 Angelo State 28, Fort Hays State 7 UT Permian Basin 34, No. 5 Central Oklahoma 14 No. 23 Augustana (S.D.) 30, Missouri Western 26 Washburn 20, Truman State 17 Missouri Southern 33, Midwestern State (Texas) 19

🏈 KJCCC, KCAC, MIAA scoreboard from Week 1

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Avery Johnson threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Joe Jackson with 42 seconds left and No. 17 Kansas State escaped with a 38-35 victory over FCS opponent North Dakota on Saturday night.

Kansas State avoided becoming the first ranked team to lose two games in August in the history of the poll, and also dodged its first 0-2 start since coaching great Bill Snyder’s first season in 1989. The Wildcats opened last week with a 24-21 loss to Iowa State in Dublin.

North Dakota — playing its its first game under coach Eric Schmidt — missed a chance to become the seventh first FCS (formerly I-AA) team to knock off a school in the AP Top 25. Montana was the last to accomplish the feat, beating then-No. 20 Washington 13-7 in 2021.

K-State blew a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter, with North Dakota taking a 35-31 lead on Sawyer Seidl's 20-yard run with 4:19 left.

Johnson then drove the Wildcats 81 yards on 10 plays for the winning score. Johnson was 28 of 43 for 318 yards and three touchdowns.

North Dakota led 21-17 at the half, and Kansas State took a 31-21 lead into the fourth. North Dakota started the rally with Jerry Kaminski's 22-yard touchdown pass to Korey Tai.

North Dakota's Jerry Kaminski was 23 of 38 for 231 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for two touchdowns.

The Fighting Hawks were looking for their first victory over an FBS opponent since edging Wyoming in 2015.

North Dakota: The Fighting Hawks were not intimidated playing a Power 4 opponent on the road, matching the Wildcats until the final seconds.

Kansas State: Could drop out of the poll after the shaky start.

North Dakota: Hosts Portland State on Saturday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756607147057.png" alt="Photo K-State Athletics " />
 <figcaption>Photo K-State Athletics </figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Avery Johnson threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Joe Jackson with 42 seconds left and No. 17 Kansas State escaped with a 38-35 victory over FCS opponent North Dakota on Saturday night.Kansas State avoided becoming the first ranked team to lose two games in August in the history of the poll, and also dodged its first 0-2 start since coaching great Bill Snyder’s first season in 1989. The Wildcats opened last week with a 24-21 loss to Iowa State in Dublin.North Dakota — playing its its first game under coach Eric Schmidt — missed a chance to become the seventh first FCS (formerly I-AA) team to knock off a school in the AP Top 25. Montana was the last to accomplish the feat, beating then-No. 20 Washington 13-7 in 2021.K-State blew a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter, with North Dakota taking a 35-31 lead on Sawyer Seidl's 20-yard run with 4:19 left.Johnson then drove the Wildcats 81 yards on 10 plays for the winning score. Johnson was 28 of 43 for 318 yards and three touchdowns.North Dakota led 21-17 at the half, and Kansas State took a 31-21 lead into the fourth. North Dakota started the rally with Jerry Kaminski's 22-yard touchdown pass to Korey Tai.North Dakota's Jerry Kaminski was 23 of 38 for 231 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for two touchdowns.The Fighting Hawks were looking for their first victory over an FBS opponent since edging Wyoming in 2015.<h2>The takeaway</h2>North Dakota: The Fighting Hawks were not intimidated playing a Power 4 opponent on the road, matching the Wildcats until the final seconds.Kansas State: Could drop out of the poll after the shaky start.<h2>Up next</h2>North Dakota: Hosts Portland State on Saturday.Kansas State: Hosts Army on Saturday.

🏈 K-State dodges upset-minded FCS North Dakota on last-minute TD

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth inning to lift the Kansas City Royals over the Detroit Tigers 3-1 on Saturday night.

After pinch-hitter Tyler Tolbert drew a seven-pitch walk from Tyler Holton (5-4), Witt connected for his 20th home run, a 427-foot shot to dead center. Witt, who singled earlier, extended his hitting streak to 18 games.

Lucas Erceg (6-3) struck out one in a 1-2-3 eighth inning before Carlos Estévez worked around Riley Greene’s one-out double for his 36th save.

The Tigers jumped ahead 1-0 in the third on Gleyber Torres’ sharp, two-out single. Detroit is 55-17 when scoring first.

Maikel Garcia tied it in the fourth with his 15th homer.

Making his Royals debut, Stephen Kolek threw six innings and allowed a run and four hits, and struck out three.

With Seattle's 4-3 loss to Cleveland, Kansas City moved within two games of the Mariners for the final AL wild-card spot.

Tigers starter Jack Flaherty allowed a run and four hits with two walks and four strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.

Dillon Dingler had three of the seven hits by the Tigers, who were 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position.

With runners at second and third in the seventh, Royals right fielder Mike Yastrzemski fielded Trey Sweeney’s shallow fly and his throw home skipped past catcher Salvador Perez. Wenceel Pérez went halfway toward home, but stopped when pitcher John Schreiber backed up the plate. Ángel Zerpa got pinch-hitter Zach McKinstry to ground out, ending the inning and preserving the tie.

The last 10 games between Detroit and Kansas City have been decided by fewer than three runs, with the Tigers winning six.

Tigers LHP Tarik Skubal (11-4, 2.28 ERA) opposes Royals RHP Michael Wacha (8-10, 3.39) on Sunday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756606774820.png" alt="Photo Kansas City Royals" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas City Royals</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth inning to lift the Kansas City Royals over the Detroit Tigers 3-1 on Saturday night.After pinch-hitter Tyler Tolbert drew a seven-pitch walk from Tyler Holton (5-4), Witt connected for his 20th home run, a 427-foot shot to dead center. Witt, who singled earlier, extended his hitting streak to 18 games.Lucas Erceg (6-3) struck out one in a 1-2-3 eighth inning before Carlos Estévez worked around Riley Greene’s one-out double for his 36th save.The Tigers jumped ahead 1-0 in the third on Gleyber Torres’ sharp, two-out single. Detroit is 55-17 when scoring first.Maikel Garcia tied it in the fourth with his 15th homer.Making his Royals debut, Stephen Kolek threw six innings and allowed a run and four hits, and struck out three.With Seattle's 4-3 loss to Cleveland, Kansas City moved within two games of the Mariners for the final AL wild-card spot.Tigers starter Jack Flaherty allowed a run and four hits with two walks and four strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.Dillon Dingler had three of the seven hits by the Tigers, who were 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position.<h2>Key moment</h2>With runners at second and third in the seventh, Royals right fielder Mike Yastrzemski fielded Trey Sweeney’s shallow fly and his throw home skipped past catcher Salvador Perez. Wenceel Pérez went halfway toward home, but stopped when pitcher John Schreiber backed up the plate. Ángel Zerpa got pinch-hitter Zach McKinstry to ground out, ending the inning and preserving the tie.<h2>Key stat</h2>The last 10 games between Detroit and Kansas City have been decided by fewer than three runs, with the Tigers winning six.<h2>Up next</h2>Tigers LHP Tarik Skubal (11-4, 2.28 ERA) opposes Royals RHP Michael Wacha (8-10, 3.39) on Sunday.

⚾ Bobby Witt Jr.'s 2-run homer in eighth lifts Royals over Tigers 

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Jalon Daniels threw for 280 yards and four touchdowns despite playing just one drive in the second half and Kansas easily defeated Wagner 46-7 on Friday night.

Emmanuel Henderson hauled in six of Daniels' passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns for Kansas (2-0). Daniel Hishaw rushed for 89 yards and a touchdown, all in the first half.

Kansas outgained Wagner 623-143, including 285-53 on the ground and 346-90 through the air. The Jayhawks had 32 first downs, compared to just six for Wagner.

But Kansas was not flawless. The Jayhawks had the game's only two turnovers, and both of those came in the red zone. They were just 4 of 10 on third down.

The Kansas defense did its part, limiting Wagner to just one drive of more than 20 yards.

Jack Stevens was 13 of 20 for 90 yards and a touchdown for Wagner (0-1). No Seahawks runner gained more than 25 yards on the ground.

Kansas was clearly better than its over-matched opponent from the FCS, but the Jayhawks left room for improvement. The Jayhawks put plenty on the tape, including a no-huddle offense on their second first-quarter drive, and some long passes from Daniels to his receivers.

Wagner will face Georgetown on the road on Sept. 6. Kansas will travel to face Missouri in Columbia for the first matchup between the former conference rivals since 2011.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756520094265.png" alt="Kansas Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Jalon Daniels threw for 280 yards and four touchdowns despite playing just one drive in the second half and Kansas easily defeated Wagner 46-7 on Friday night.Emmanuel Henderson hauled in six of Daniels' passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns for Kansas (2-0). Daniel Hishaw rushed for 89 yards and a touchdown, all in the first half.Kansas outgained Wagner 623-143, including 285-53 on the ground and 346-90 through the air. The Jayhawks had 32 first downs, compared to just six for Wagner.But Kansas was not flawless. The Jayhawks had the game's only two turnovers, and both of those came in the red zone. They were just 4 of 10 on third down.The Kansas defense did its part, limiting Wagner to just one drive of more than 20 yards.Jack Stevens was 13 of 20 for 90 yards and a touchdown for Wagner (0-1). No Seahawks runner gained more than 25 yards on the ground.<h2>The takeaway</h2>Kansas was clearly better than its over-matched opponent from the FCS, but the Jayhawks left room for improvement. The Jayhawks put plenty on the tape, including a no-huddle offense on their second first-quarter drive, and some long passes from Daniels to his receivers.<h2>Up next</h2>Wagner will face Georgetown on the road on Sept. 6. Kansas will travel to face Missouri in Columbia for the first matchup between the former conference rivals since 2011.

🏈 Jalon Daniels throws for 4 touchdowns as KU easily defeated Wagner

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Riley Greene and Kerry Carpenter hit two-run doubles and Dillon Dingler hit a solo homer as the Detroit Tigers rallied to beat the Kansas City Royals 5-3 on Friday night.

After Tigers starter Chris Paddack allowed three runs on five hits in 3 1/3 innings, four relievers shut out the Royals on four hits. Kansas City was 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position over in the final five innings.

Kyle Finnegan (4-4) worked 1 2/3 innings of relief and got five outs, striking out three. Will Vest erned his 20th save.

The Royals jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Mike Yastrzemski led off the first with a first-pitch homer, his 11th career leadoff homer and fourth since joining the Royals on July 31st. Bobby Witt Jr. followed with a single, extending his hitting streak to 17 games. One out later, Maikel Garcia’s 14th home run gave Kansas City a three-run lead.

Greene and Gleyber Torres each had three hits and the top four hitters in Detroit’s lineup collected nine hits. Dingler hit his 12th homer of the season in the eighth inning.

Seth Lugo (8-7) scuffled through 3 1/3 innings, allowing multiple baserunners each inning while surrendering four runs on eight hits and four walks.

Kansas City remained three games behind Seattle in the chase for the American League’s final wild card spot.

With runners at the corners, Carpenter leapt to snag Kyle Isbel’s drive at the top of the fence in right field, ending a scoreless sixth inning and maintaining Detroit’s 4-3 lead.

In seven starts since signing a two-year contract extension July 28, Lugo has one win and an 8.35 ERA.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Riley Greene and Kerry Carpenter hit two-run doubles and Dillon Dingler hit a solo homer as the Detroit Tigers rallied to beat the Kansas City Royals 5-3 on Friday night.After Tigers starter Chris Paddack allowed three runs on five hits in 3 1/3 innings, four relievers shut out the Royals on four hits. Kansas City was 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position over in the final five innings.Kyle Finnegan (4-4) worked 1 2/3 innings of relief and got five outs, striking out three. Will Vest erned his 20th save.The Royals jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Mike Yastrzemski led off the first with a first-pitch homer, his 11th career leadoff homer and fourth since joining the Royals on July 31st. Bobby Witt Jr. followed with a single, extending his hitting streak to 17 games. One out later, Maikel Garcia’s 14th home run gave Kansas City a three-run lead.Greene and Gleyber Torres each had three hits and the top four hitters in Detroit’s lineup collected nine hits. Dingler hit his 12th homer of the season in the eighth inning.Seth Lugo (8-7) scuffled through 3 1/3 innings, allowing multiple baserunners each inning while surrendering four runs on eight hits and four walks.Kansas City remained three games behind Seattle in the chase for the American League’s final wild card spot.<h2>Key moment</h2>With runners at the corners, Carpenter leapt to snag Kyle Isbel’s drive at the top of the fence in right field, ending a scoreless sixth inning and maintaining Detroit’s 4-3 lead.<h2>Key stat</h2>In seven starts since signing a two-year contract extension July 28, Lugo has one win and an 8.35 ERA.<h2>Up next</h2>

⚾ Greene, Carpenter and Dingler power Tigers to a win over Royals

By Steve Carpenter Hutchinson CC Sports Information Director

With the 2025 season-opening race on tap for Friday night, the Hutchinson Community College men's cross country team knows there are going to be plenty of eyes watching them this season.After matching the best national finish in team history with a third-place finish in the 2024 Division I National Championships, 4 of the top 5 runners from that team are back to defend their Jayhawk West and Region 6 titles and perhaps climb a little higher in the national championship podium in November.

"Our guys have had a great summer training and they have lot of momentum going from last fall," said third-year Blue Dragon head coach Jafet Molinares. "Tomorrow night, we are going to just try and knock some rust off and then just better each and every week."

The 2025 Blue Dragons open the season ranked fourth in the USTFCCCA/NJCAA Division I men's preseason rankings. Iowa Western, Butler and Iowa Central are the only teams ranked ahead of the Blue Dragons.

Hutchinson opens its season on Friday with the annual Terry Masterson Twilight Classic at Fun Valley. The Blue Dragons' first 8K race will be September 20 at the Missouri Southern Stampede in Joplin, Missouri.

Molinares said that he returns more top-level runners to a single team than he ever has before.

All 4 of those runners currently reside in the All-Time Blue Dragon Performances at 8,000 meters: 1.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mxc/2025-26/bios/kiprotich_titus_yvcm">Titus Kiprotich</a>&nbsp;– 23:56.9; 2.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mxc/2025-26/bios/cheruiyot_dennis_bxx4">Dennis Cheruiyot</a>&nbsp;– 23:58.9; 3.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mxc/2025-26/bios/kogo_cornelius_a3hy">Cornelius Kogo</a>&nbsp;– 23:50.50 and 8.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mxc/2025-26/bios/mangelson_farrin_731i">Farrin Mangelson</a>&nbsp;– 24:28.3. Kiprotich and Cheruiyot traded the school 8K record for the final three meets of the season.

Kiprotich (Iten, Kenya) finished ninth and Cheruiyot (Eldoret, Kenya) was 10th at the national championships last season and Cheruiyot enters the season as the defending Region 6 and Jayhawk West Champions. Mangelson (San Antonio, Texas) and Kogo (Eldoret, Kenya) finished 21st and 28th, respectively, at nationals to earn NJCAA Coaches Association All-America awards.

Kiprotich and Cheruiyot traded the program 8K record in each of the final three races last season.

" The depth we have at the top is honestly really exciting," Molinares said. "They have trained so hard for this fall. It's a great time to be a Blue Dragon."

The three incoming freshman will provide depth for 2025.

The freshmen are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mxc/2025-26/bios/ortega_esteban_lfb9">Esteban Ortega</a>&nbsp;(Bogota, Columbia),&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mxc/2025-26/bios/oses_esteban_x8g9">Esteban Oses</a>&nbsp;(Palmares, Costa Rica) and Mat Ryan (Hutchinson Trinity Catholic.

Ortega just competed for Columbia in the Junior Pan-American games. On August 21, Ortega placed fourth in the 10,000 meters with a time of 31:19.2.

"He's going to be a Top 5 runner for us," Molinares said. "He's more of a distance-oriented type runner.

The Blue Dragons will be part of a very deep Region 6 this season with Butler starting the year No. 2, Hutchinson is No. 4, Garden City is No. 12, Colby is No. 19, Fort Hays Tech Northwest is No. 20, Dodge City is No. 22 and Cloud County is No. 23 in the preseason national rankings.

As far as the Masterson on Friday, the women's race starts at 8:30 p.m. with the men's race beginning around 9:05 p.m. The course will be soft with the rain that has fallen over the last week.

"There are going to be some muddy spots, but the exciting part about this race is that the course is going to be a true cross-country feel. Tomorrow night you through the times out the window and just compete."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756474501022.jpeg" alt="(l to r) Titus Kiprotich, Dennis Cheruiyot and Cornelius Kogo all return to lead the defending Region 6 champion Blue Dragon men's cross country team heading into Friday's opener with the Terry Masterson Twilight Classic at Fun Valley." />
 <figcaption>(l to r) Titus Kiprotich, Dennis Cheruiyot and Cornelius Kogo all return to lead the defending Region 6 champion Blue Dragon men's cross country team heading into Friday's opener with the Terry Masterson Twilight Classic at Fun Valley.</figcaption>
 </figure><div>BLUE DRAGON MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY Terry Masterson Twilight Classic When: Friday, August 29, 2025 Men's Race Time: 9:05 p.m. Where: Fun Valley, Hutchinson Live Video:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kjcccsports.net/hutchcc/?B=2657351">Blue Dragon Sports Network, 8:25 p.m.</a> Live results:&nbsp;<a href="https://milesplit.live/meets/704025">Heartland Timing</a> X: @bluedragonsport</div>By Steve Carpenter Hutchinson CC Sports Information DirectorWith the 2025 season-opening race on tap for Friday night, the Hutchinson Community College men's cross country team knows there are going to be plenty of eyes watching them this season.After matching the best national finish in team history with a third-place finish in the 2024 Division I National Championships, 4 of the top 5 runners from that team are back to defend their Jayhawk West and Region 6 titles and perhaps climb a little higher in the national championship podium in November."Our guys have had a great summer training and they have lot of momentum going from last fall," said third-year Blue Dragon head coach Jafet Molinares. "Tomorrow night, we are going to just try and knock some rust off and then just better each and every week."The 2025 Blue Dragons open the season ranked fourth in the USTFCCCA/NJCAA Division I men's preseason rankings. Iowa Western, Butler and Iowa Central are the only teams ranked ahead of the Blue Dragons.Hutchinson opens its season on Friday with the annual Terry Masterson Twilight Classic at Fun Valley. The Blue Dragons' first 8K race will be September 20 at the Missouri Southern Stampede in Joplin, Missouri.Molinares said that he returns more top-level runners to a single team than he ever has before.All 4 of those runners currently reside in the All-Time Blue Dragon Performances at 8,000 meters: 1.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mxc/2025-26/bios/kiprotich_titus_yvcm">Titus Kiprotich</a>&nbsp;– 23:56.9; 2.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mxc/2025-26/bios/cheruiyot_dennis_bxx4">Dennis Cheruiyot</a>&nbsp;– 23:58.9; 3.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mxc/2025-26/bios/kogo_cornelius_a3hy">Cornelius Kogo</a>&nbsp;– 23:50.50 and 8.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mxc/2025-26/bios/mangelson_farrin_731i">Farrin Mangelson</a>&nbsp;– 24:28.3. Kiprotich and Cheruiyot traded the school 8K record for the final three meets of the season.Kiprotich (Iten, Kenya) finished ninth and Cheruiyot (Eldoret, Kenya) was 10th at the national championships last season and Cheruiyot enters the season as the defending Region 6 and Jayhawk West Champions. Mangelson (San Antonio, Texas) and Kogo (Eldoret, Kenya) finished 21st and 28th, respectively, at nationals to earn NJCAA Coaches Association All-America awards.Kiprotich and Cheruiyot traded the program 8K record in each of the final three races last season." The depth we have at the top is honestly really exciting," Molinares said. "They have trained so hard for this fall. It's a great time to be a Blue Dragon."The three incoming freshman will provide depth for 2025.The freshmen are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mxc/2025-26/bios/ortega_esteban_lfb9">Esteban Ortega</a>&nbsp;(Bogota, Columbia),&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mxc/2025-26/bios/oses_esteban_x8g9">Esteban Oses</a>&nbsp;(Palmares, Costa Rica) and Mat Ryan (Hutchinson Trinity Catholic.Ortega just competed for Columbia in the Junior Pan-American games. On August 21, Ortega placed fourth in the 10,000 meters with a time of 31:19.2."He's going to be a Top 5 runner for us," Molinares said. "He's more of a distance-oriented type runner."We will see how those guys develop."The Blue Dragons will be part of a very deep Region 6 this season with Butler starting the year No. 2, Hutchinson is No. 4, Garden City is No. 12, Colby is No. 19, Fort Hays Tech Northwest is No. 20, Dodge City is No. 22 and Cloud County is No. 23 in the preseason national rankings.As far as the Masterson on Friday, the women's race starts at 8:30 p.m. with the men's race beginning around 9:05 p.m. The course will be soft with the rain that has fallen over the last week."There are going to be some muddy spots, but the exciting part about this race is that the course is going to be a true cross-country feel. Tomorrow night you through the times out the window and just compete."<div>USTFCCCA/NJCAA DIV. 1 PRESEASON MEN'S XC RANKINGS &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Points&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Final 2024 Poll 1. Iowa Western&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 189&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;2 2. Butler&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;187&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;4 3. Iowa Central&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;174&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;19 4. Hutchinson&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;168&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;3 5. Odessa&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;155&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 8 6. New Mexico JC&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 147&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 7 7. Crowder&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;145&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 6 8. Snow&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;126&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;11 9. Ranger&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;103&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;15 10. Blinn&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 100&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;20 11. College of Southern Idaho&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;92&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 13 12. Garden City&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;86&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;12 13. Indian Hills&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 81&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; NR 14. El Paso&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;66&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 5 15. Central Arizona&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 53&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;9 16. Vincennes&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 52&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;14 17. Amarillo&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;37&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 23 18. Southern Nevada&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 28&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 21 19. Colby&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;21&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;NR 20. Fort Hays Tech Northwest&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 20&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;10 21. Hill&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 17&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;16 22. Dodge City&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;14&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;NR 23. Cloud County&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;13&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 17 24. Seminole State&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;6&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 25 24. Salt Lake&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 6&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 1</div>

👟 Loaded Blue Dragon men know expectations are high for 2025

Unlike his men's team and all of its returning experience, Hutchinson Community College head coach Jafet Molinares' Blue Dragon women's team underwent a complete roster turnover for 2025.

Six freshman runners begin their collegiate careers Friday for the Blue Dragons when they compete in the Terry Masterson Twilight Classic, which begins at 8:30 p.m. at Fun Valley.

"I'm very excited about this team," said Molinares, who is in his third season at Hutchinson. "We have a nice combination of distance runners and middle distance girls. We have some good Kansas girls and we have a lot of girls who put in a lot of miles this summer. I'm looking forward to Friday with this group."

Last season the Blue Dragons finished second in both the Jayhawk West and in Region 6. The Blue Dragons closed the season with a sixth-place finish at the 2024 NJCAA Division I Championships. Faith Jepchirchir was the individual national runner-up and Jordyn Picolet earned NJCAA Coaches Association All-America honors.

Regardless of the complete roster turnover, the Blue Dragon women start the season ranked No. 15 in the USTFCCCA/NJCAA Division I Preseason rankings, one of six Jayhawk Conference teams to be ranked.

"I'm a little shocked we are ranked, but I also think that is super exciting," Molinares said. "Last year the guys started No. 10 and we wound up No. 3. No. 15 is a great spot for the girls to start the season."

The 2025 Blue Dragons have four international runners and two in-state runners making up the roster.

The international runners are Mildred Rono (Iten, Kenya)&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wxc/2025-26/bios/lovett_mali_ugil">Mali Lovett</a>&nbsp;(Adelaide, Australia),&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wxc/2025-26/bios/frater_ashara_sw1a">Ashara Frater</a>&nbsp;(Trelawni, Jamaica) and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wxc/2025-26/bios/mcdonald_sabrina_qfz5">Sabrina McDonald</a>&nbsp;(Kingston, Jamaica).

<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wxc/2025-26/bios/lovell_kimberlin_9kad">Kimberlin Lovell</a>&nbsp;(Rose Hill) and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wxc/2025-26/bios/ramey_eva_d580">Eva Ramey</a>&nbsp;(McPherson) are the in-state runners. Last season Lovell finished 15th at the Kansas State Class 4A Championships with a time of (21:06.63). Ramey was 22nd in that same race with a time of 21:33.35.

The Blue Dragons open the season with the Masterson Twilight and will run their first 5K race on September 20 at the Missouri Southern Stampede in Joplin, Missouri.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756474346331.jpeg" alt="The 2025 Blue Dragon women's cross country team (l to r): Kimberlin Lovell, Sabrina McDonald, Mali Lovett, Mildred Rono, Ashara Frater and Eva Ramey open the season Friday at the Terry Masterson Twilight Classic at Fun Valley." />
 <figcaption>The 2025 Blue Dragon women's cross country team (l to r): Kimberlin Lovell, Sabrina McDonald, Mali Lovett, Mildred Rono, Ashara Frater and Eva Ramey open the season Friday at the Terry Masterson Twilight Classic at Fun Valley.</figcaption>
 </figure><div>BLUE DRAGON WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY Terry Masterson Twilight Classic When: Friday, August 29, 2025 Women's Race Time: 8:30 p.m. Where: Fun Valley, Hutchinson Live Video:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kjcccsports.net/hutchcc/?B=2657351">Blue Dragon Sports Network, 8:25 p.m.</a> Live results:&nbsp;<a href="https://milesplit.live/meets/704025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Heartland Timing</a> X: @bluedragonsport</div>By Steve Carpenter Hutchinson CC Sports Information DirectorUnlike his men's team and all of its returning experience, Hutchinson Community College head coach Jafet Molinares' Blue Dragon women's team underwent a complete roster turnover for 2025.Six freshman runners begin their collegiate careers Friday for the Blue Dragons when they compete in the Terry Masterson Twilight Classic, which begins at 8:30 p.m. at Fun Valley."I'm very excited about this team," said Molinares, who is in his third season at Hutchinson. "We have a nice combination of distance runners and middle distance girls. We have some good Kansas girls and we have a lot of girls who put in a lot of miles this summer. I'm looking forward to Friday with this group."Last season the Blue Dragons finished second in both the Jayhawk West and in Region 6. The Blue Dragons closed the season with a sixth-place finish at the 2024 NJCAA Division I Championships. Faith Jepchirchir was the individual national runner-up and Jordyn Picolet earned NJCAA Coaches Association All-America honors.Regardless of the complete roster turnover, the Blue Dragon women start the season ranked No. 15 in the USTFCCCA/NJCAA Division I Preseason rankings, one of six Jayhawk Conference teams to be ranked."I'm a little shocked we are ranked, but I also think that is super exciting," Molinares said. "Last year the guys started No. 10 and we wound up No. 3. No. 15 is a great spot for the girls to start the season."The 2025 Blue Dragons have four international runners and two in-state runners making up the roster.The international runners are Mildred Rono (Iten, Kenya)&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wxc/2025-26/bios/lovett_mali_ugil">Mali Lovett</a>&nbsp;(Adelaide, Australia),&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wxc/2025-26/bios/frater_ashara_sw1a">Ashara Frater</a>&nbsp;(Trelawni, Jamaica) and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wxc/2025-26/bios/mcdonald_sabrina_qfz5">Sabrina McDonald</a>&nbsp;(Kingston, Jamaica).<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wxc/2025-26/bios/lovell_kimberlin_9kad">Kimberlin Lovell</a>&nbsp;(Rose Hill) and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wxc/2025-26/bios/ramey_eva_d580">Eva Ramey</a>&nbsp;(McPherson) are the in-state runners. Last season Lovell finished 15th at the Kansas State Class 4A Championships with a time of (21:06.63). Ramey was 22nd in that same race with a time of 21:33.35.The Blue Dragons open the season with the Masterson Twilight and will run their first 5K race on September 20 at the Missouri Southern Stampede in Joplin, Missouri.<div>USTFCCCA/NJCAA DIV. I PRESEASON WOMEN'S XC RANKINGS &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Points&nbsp; &nbsp; Final 2024 Poll 1. Odessa&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;195&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 8 2. Iowa Western&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 187&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;NR 3. New Mexico JC&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 183&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 3 4. College of Southern Idaho&nbsp; &nbsp; 171&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 4 5. Crowder&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;159&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;5 6. Ranger&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;142&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 11 7. Garden City&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 128&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 14 8. Butler&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;123&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 10 9. Iowa Central&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;117&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;2 10. Snow&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 88&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 15 11. Blinn&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;84&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 21 12. Indian Hills&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 79&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; NR 13. Amarillo&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 74&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 18 14. El Paso&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;72&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 7 15. Hutchinson&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;54&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 6 16. Vincennes&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;49&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;19 17. Seminole State&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 43&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;17 18. Dodge City&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 41&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;12 19. Central Arizona&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;38&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 13 20. Cloud County&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 18&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;9 21. Southern Nevada&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;17&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;24 22. Salt Lake&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;16&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 1 23. Pima&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 9&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 20 24. Hill&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 8&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 16 25. Neosho County&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;5&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;25</div>

👟 Six freshmen make up 2025 Blue Dragon women's cross country roster

🎧⚾ Royals open series with Tigers; ⚾ Wind Surge wins; 👟 Terry Masterson tonight

HESSTON, Kan. — The McPherson High School Bullpup tennis team opened the 2025 season with a team title at the Hesston Invitational on Thursday.

The Bullpups scored 26 points to edge Buhler (25) and Hesston (21) in the top three. Wichita Collegiate (15), Maize South (10), Smoky Valley (7), Wichita Trinity Academy (7) and Abilene (4) rounded out the team scoring.

Buhler's Sofia Spies placed second in No. 1 singles, while Ella Gillespie was second in No. 2 singles. Emily Allen and Kylee Bradshaw placed first in No. 1 doubles and the team of Katelyn Harding and Payton Barnes finished third in No. 2 doubles.

McPherson's Maryn Sandbo placed third in No. 1 singles, while Mayson Wiens won No. 2 singles. Dragon Rodriguez and McKenna Paul placed third in No. 1 doubles, while Quinn Liebl and Avery Unruh won No. 2 doubles.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756474141807.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy McPherson High School tennis coach, Tyler Brown." />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy McPherson High School tennis coach, Tyler Brown.</figcaption>
 </figure>HESSTON, Kan. — The McPherson High School Bullpup tennis team opened the 2025 season with a team title at the Hesston Invitational on Thursday.The Bullpups scored 26 points to edge Buhler (25) and Hesston (21) in the top three. Wichita Collegiate (15), Maize South (10), Smoky Valley (7), Wichita Trinity Academy (7) and Abilene (4) rounded out the team scoring.Buhler's Sofia Spies placed second in No. 1 singles, while Ella Gillespie was second in No. 2 singles. Emily Allen and Kylee Bradshaw placed first in No. 1 doubles and the team of Katelyn Harding and Payton Barnes finished third in No. 2 doubles.McPherson's Maryn Sandbo placed third in No. 1 singles, while Mayson Wiens won No. 2 singles. Dragon Rodriguez and McKenna Paul placed third in No. 1 doubles, while Quinn Liebl and Avery Unruh won No. 2 doubles.

🎾 McPherson, Buhler, Hesston go 1-2-3 in Hesston Invitational

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs knew that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-rashee-rice-suspended-db7c2a8f3521f044eae93709290564c8">Rashee Rice’s six-game suspension</a>&nbsp;was coming down from the NFL this week.

That’s why they kept eight wide receivers on cutdown day.

Now, they believe they are better suited to deal with the absence of their No. 1 wide receiver than they were last season, when the Chiefs were suddenly without Rice for most of the season following an injury to his right knee.

JuJu Smith-Schuster came back to training camp in excellent shape, general manager Brett Veach said, and rookie Jalen Royals has a similar skillset. Throw in a healthy Marquise Brown, who was out most of last season because of a shoulder injury, and the Chiefs think they can weather the loss of Rice until his return Oct. 19 for a game against the Raiders.

“It wasn’t a surprise,” Veach told a small group of reporters Thursday. “It was communicated to us, and we were certainly made aware a few days prior to cutdown day that this was a better-than-50 percent shot that this would get resolved.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rashee-rice-charges-dallas-crash-kansas-city-chiefs-d71cfd66fabfc151111d67ea1bfa0f74">Rice pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;last month to two third-degree felony charges of collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway causing bodily injury. As part of his plea agreement from the March 2024 crash on a Dallas highway, prosecutors said, Rice also received a sentence of five years of deferred probation and 30 days in jail as a condition of his probation.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The NFL had to wait until the legal process was finished before launching its own internal investigation. There was a hearing set for Sept. 30 before former federal judge Sue L. Robinson to determine the length and terms of Rice’s suspension, but that voided when Rice and his team agreed to the six-game banishment.

Along with the Chargers game in Brazil, Rice will miss a Super Bowl rematch with the Eagles on Sept. 14 at Arrowhead Stadium; a Sunday night trip to the Meadowlands to face the Giants; a high-profile matchup with Lamar Jackson and the Ravens on Sept. 28; a game against Jacksonville the following Monday night; and a Sunday night showdown with the Lions.

“I think Rashee is a top-10 receiver. I think he’s a legit stud, a star in this league, and it’s going to be awfully hard to do what he can do, and I don’t think we have anybody like Rashee,” Veach acknowledged. “There are few players who can punish tacklers like Rashee can at that position.”

Indeed, while Rice has the speed to take the top off a defense, he is at his best catching balls near the line of scrimmage and then getting up the field. The 28-year-old Smith-Schuster, who has more size and experience on his side, can play some of the same roles in what is considered a complex Kansas City offense.

“JuJu to his credit, I think, he’s looked better this camp than the last camp he was here,” Veach said. “That’s a good thing. We’re getting JuJu fresh at the beginning of the season.”

As for Royals, the fourth-round pick out of Utah State has been sidelined by knee tendinitis late in training camp, an injury that could extend into the start of the season. But the Chiefs are hopeful of him returning soon, and the 15.2-yards per catch and 21 touchdowns he had over his final two seasons in college provide a peek at his game-changing ability.

“His athletic ability, we think he’ll ascend and be a good player,” Veach said.

The Chiefs have been similarly careful with Brown, who missed time in training camp and did not play in any of their preseason games because of an ankle injury. They lost him in their preseason opener a year ago and he did not return until the playoffs, and even then he could only provide a fraction of what he can do when healthy.

Then there is also second-year pro Xavier Worthy, who may have benefited the most from Rice and Brown being absent last season. He was forced into a starring role alongside star tight end Travis Kelce and flourished, especially in the playoffs, where Worthy had 19 catches for 287 yards and three touchdowns in three games.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756385879693.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) reacts during warm ups before an NFL preseason football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) reacts during warm ups before an NFL preseason football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs knew that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-rashee-rice-suspended-db7c2a8f3521f044eae93709290564c8">Rashee Rice’s six-game suspension</a>&nbsp;was coming down from the NFL this week.That’s why they kept eight wide receivers on cutdown day.Now, they believe they are better suited to deal with the absence of their No. 1 wide receiver than they were last season, when the Chiefs were suddenly without Rice for most of the season following an injury to his right knee.JuJu Smith-Schuster came back to training camp in excellent shape, general manager Brett Veach said, and rookie Jalen Royals has a similar skillset. Throw in a healthy Marquise Brown, who was out most of last season because of a shoulder injury, and the Chiefs think they can weather the loss of Rice until his return Oct. 19 for a game against the Raiders.“It wasn’t a surprise,” Veach told a small group of reporters Thursday. “It was communicated to us, and we were certainly made aware a few days prior to cutdown day that this was a better-than-50 percent shot that this would get resolved.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rashee-rice-charges-dallas-crash-kansas-city-chiefs-d71cfd66fabfc151111d67ea1bfa0f74">Rice pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;last month to two third-degree felony charges of collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway causing bodily injury. As part of his plea agreement from the March 2024 crash on a Dallas highway, prosecutors said, Rice also received a sentence of five years of deferred probation and 30 days in jail as a condition of his probation.&nbsp;&nbsp;The NFL had to wait until the legal process was finished before launching its own internal investigation. There was a hearing set for Sept. 30 before former federal judge Sue L. Robinson to determine the length and terms of Rice’s suspension, but that voided when Rice and his team agreed to the six-game banishment.Along with the Chargers game in Brazil, Rice will miss a Super Bowl rematch with the Eagles on Sept. 14 at Arrowhead Stadium; a Sunday night trip to the Meadowlands to face the Giants; a high-profile matchup with Lamar Jackson and the Ravens on Sept. 28; a game against Jacksonville the following Monday night; and a Sunday night showdown with the Lions.“I think Rashee is a top-10 receiver. I think he’s a legit stud, a star in this league, and it’s going to be awfully hard to do what he can do, and I don’t think we have anybody like Rashee,” Veach acknowledged. “There are few players who can punish tacklers like Rashee can at that position.”Indeed, while Rice has the speed to take the top off a defense, he is at his best catching balls near the line of scrimmage and then getting up the field. The 28-year-old Smith-Schuster, who has more size and experience on his side, can play some of the same roles in what is considered a complex Kansas City offense.“JuJu to his credit, I think, he’s looked better this camp than the last camp he was here,” Veach said. “That’s a good thing. We’re getting JuJu fresh at the beginning of the season.”As for Royals, the fourth-round pick out of Utah State has been sidelined by knee tendinitis late in training camp, an injury that could extend into the start of the season. But the Chiefs are hopeful of him returning soon, and the 15.2-yards per catch and 21 touchdowns he had over his final two seasons in college provide a peek at his game-changing ability.“His athletic ability, we think he’ll ascend and be a good player,” Veach said.The Chiefs have been similarly careful with Brown, who missed time in training camp and did not play in any of their preseason games because of an ankle injury. They lost him in their preseason opener a year ago and he did not return until the playoffs, and even then he could only provide a fraction of what he can do when healthy.Then there is also second-year pro Xavier Worthy, who may have benefited the most from Rice and Brown being absent last season. He was forced into a starring role alongside star tight end Travis Kelce and flourished, especially in the playoffs, where Worthy had 19 catches for 287 yards and three touchdowns in three games.

🏈 Chiefs brace for Rashee Rice’s six-game suspension with deep wide receiver roster

(AP) —&nbsp;Week 1 of the 2025 college football season boasts a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-top-25-football-f9b67c602d84bc4b44d6e1ab6820013e">loaded schedule</a>&nbsp;with top-10 matchups and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-football-what-to-watch-d8381e39915c7e880ee92f8f5d2c3b93">revenge games,</a>&nbsp;and the spotlight falls squarely on the quarterbacks. Unless everyone&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll">runs the table,</a>&nbsp;expect some shakeups in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll">the next AP Top 25</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday.

Several top programs are breaking in new QBs, from the Arch Manning takeover at Texas to Julian Sayin filling the shoes of national championship-winner Will Howard at Ohio State. Just like Manning-Sayin, Heisman Trophy hopefuls Garrett Nussmeier and Cade Klubnik will also go head-to-head, while Notre Dame and Miami debut new starters with a vast difference in experience.

The theme is common across six can’t-miss Week 1 games: How the QBs perform could set the tone for the playoff hunt as early as this weekend:

One of the most talked-about Week 1 matchups in years, Texas travels to Columbus to take on the reigning national champs. The two teams met in a College Football Playoff semifinal, where Ohio State won 28-14. Less than a year later, the two rosters look quite different, starting at signal-caller.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-arch-manning-ohio-state-798695ef3ef467e0ec09e1240e365417">Manning</a>&nbsp;makes his long-awaited debut as official QB1 for the Longhorns while the Buckeyes turn to Sayin, who transferred from Alabama and sat behind Howard last year. Sayin’s job is simple but could be daunting for an inexperienced QB:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-ohio-state-jeremiah-smith-fdaf58ef416751553e22043fd897a28b">feed Jeremiah Smith,</a>&nbsp;the sophomore receiver considered a Heisman candidate.

Tiger vs. Tiger, Death Valley vs. Death Valley. QBs Nussmeier and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/clemson-cade-klubnik-af2b4f7abb453868d37df5bc9ef114c9">Klubnik</a>&nbsp;should each have high-powered offenses in this one.

LSU is 3-1 in the series and the last meeting came in January 2019 when it ended Clemson’s 29-game winning streak with a 42-25 victory for the national championship. Five years later, the teams meet again, with two Heisman favorites eager to get a title run started with a big win.

Georgia transfer quarterback Carson Beck will make his debut for the Hurricanes, and the Fighting Irish have picked CJ Carr to start following Riley Leonard’s departure for the pros.

Carr played all of four snaps in 2024 and is tasked with taking on a top-10 opponent on the road. Carr will lean on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-presesaon-allamerica-35afa7cb3f15918ad16d7d52d9b2cb51">Jeremiyah Love</a>, one of the top backs in the game and the Irish have seven starters back on defense.

The Crimson Tide have something to prove after falling short of the CFP during coach Kalen DeBoer’s inaugural season. Will Florida State be able to slow down a highly motivated Alabama team? The Seminoles received eight votes in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll">preseason poll</a>&nbsp;but are coming off a 2-10 season.

The Seminoles hope senior transfer quarterback Tommy Castellanos can jumpstart the rebuild. Returner Ty Simpson will fill Jalen Milroe’s shoes for a Crimson Tide team with higher expectations and little margin for error.

It’s a somewhat sentimental season opener for South Carolina coach Shane Beamer facing Virginia Tech, where his father, Frank, was the winningest coach in Hokies’ history. The teams meet at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Expectations are high for the Gamecocks and quarterback LaNorris Sellers after winning six straight to end the season. The Gamecocks welcome back nine starters — five on the offensive side of the ball, and four defensively, including Dylan Stewart, expected to have a breakout year.

It’s an opportunity for South Carolina to get a win under its belt before a challenging SEC schedule commences.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virginia-tech-football-preview-dbe47f55fb4aef928f64b24f9642b978">Virginia Tech</a>&nbsp;has a chance to make a statement after a 6-7 finish last year, including 0-5 in one-possession games last year with two overtime road losses.

A whole bunch of orange in this one. No. 24 Tennessee’s quarterback room was a hot topic of conversation this offseason with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-football-ucla-nico-iamaleava-463f1bbdb7fbd4bc491ab8d68b9510b1">Nico Iamaleava</a>&nbsp;unexpectedly departing for UCLA. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tennessee-joey-aguilar-ucla-iamaleava-564aa3f972327748c808938e2690d517">Volunteers landed Joey Aguilar</a>&nbsp;in return, ironically coming off a short stint at UCLA.

The dual-threat veteran will lead an offense against a Syracuse defense that struggled against the run and pass last fall.

Syracuse is tasked with replacing key offensive playmakers in quarterback Kyle McCord and running back LeQuint Allen Jr. Notre Dame transfer Steve Angeli has big shoes to fill at QB.

(AP) —&nbsp;Week 1 of the 2025 college football season boasts a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-top-25-football-f9b67c602d84bc4b44d6e1ab6820013e">loaded schedule</a>&nbsp;with top-10 matchups and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-football-what-to-watch-d8381e39915c7e880ee92f8f5d2c3b93">revenge games,</a>&nbsp;and the spotlight falls squarely on the quarterbacks. Unless everyone&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll">runs the table,</a>&nbsp;expect some shakeups in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll">the next AP Top 25</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday.Several top programs are breaking in new QBs, from the Arch Manning takeover at Texas to Julian Sayin filling the shoes of national championship-winner Will Howard at Ohio State. Just like Manning-Sayin, Heisman Trophy hopefuls Garrett Nussmeier and Cade Klubnik will also go head-to-head, while Notre Dame and Miami debut new starters with a vast difference in experience.The theme is common across six can’t-miss Week 1 games: How the QBs perform could set the tone for the playoff hunt as early as this weekend:<h2>No. 1 Texas at No. 3 Ohio State</h2>One of the most talked-about Week 1 matchups in years, Texas travels to Columbus to take on the reigning national champs. The two teams met in a College Football Playoff semifinal, where Ohio State won 28-14. Less than a year later, the two rosters look quite different, starting at signal-caller.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-arch-manning-ohio-state-798695ef3ef467e0ec09e1240e365417">Manning</a>&nbsp;makes his long-awaited debut as official QB1 for the Longhorns while the Buckeyes turn to Sayin, who transferred from Alabama and sat behind Howard last year. Sayin’s job is simple but could be daunting for an inexperienced QB:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-ohio-state-jeremiah-smith-fdaf58ef416751553e22043fd897a28b">feed Jeremiah Smith,</a>&nbsp;the sophomore receiver considered a Heisman candidate.<h2>No. 9 LSU at No. 4 Clemson</h2>Tiger vs. Tiger, Death Valley vs. Death Valley. QBs Nussmeier and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/clemson-cade-klubnik-af2b4f7abb453868d37df5bc9ef114c9">Klubnik</a>&nbsp;should each have high-powered offenses in this one.LSU is 3-1 in the series and the last meeting came in January 2019 when it ended Clemson’s 29-game winning streak with a 42-25 victory for the national championship. Five years later, the teams meet again, with two Heisman favorites eager to get a title run started with a big win.<h2>No. 6 Notre Dame at No. 10 Miami</h2>Georgia transfer quarterback Carson Beck will make his debut for the Hurricanes, and the Fighting Irish have picked CJ Carr to start following Riley Leonard’s departure for the pros.Carr played all of four snaps in 2024 and is tasked with taking on a top-10 opponent on the road. Carr will lean on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-presesaon-allamerica-35afa7cb3f15918ad16d7d52d9b2cb51">Jeremiyah Love</a>, one of the top backs in the game and the Irish have seven starters back on defense.<h2>No. 8 Alabama at Florida State</h2>The Crimson Tide have something to prove after falling short of the CFP during coach Kalen DeBoer’s inaugural season. Will Florida State be able to slow down a highly motivated Alabama team? The Seminoles received eight votes in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll">preseason poll</a>&nbsp;but are coming off a 2-10 season.The Seminoles hope senior transfer quarterback Tommy Castellanos can jumpstart the rebuild. Returner Ty Simpson will fill Jalen Milroe’s shoes for a Crimson Tide team with higher expectations and little margin for error.<h2>Virginia Tech vs. No. 13 South Carolina</h2>It’s a somewhat sentimental season opener for South Carolina coach Shane Beamer facing Virginia Tech, where his father, Frank, was the winningest coach in Hokies’ history. The teams meet at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.Expectations are high for the Gamecocks and quarterback LaNorris Sellers after winning six straight to end the season. The Gamecocks welcome back nine starters — five on the offensive side of the ball, and four defensively, including Dylan Stewart, expected to have a breakout year.It’s an opportunity for South Carolina to get a win under its belt before a challenging SEC schedule commences.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virginia-tech-football-preview-dbe47f55fb4aef928f64b24f9642b978">Virginia Tech</a>&nbsp;has a chance to make a statement after a 6-7 finish last year, including 0-5 in one-possession games last year with two overtime road losses.<h2>Syracuse vs. No. 24 Tennessee</h2>A whole bunch of orange in this one. No. 24 Tennessee’s quarterback room was a hot topic of conversation this offseason with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-football-ucla-nico-iamaleava-463f1bbdb7fbd4bc491ab8d68b9510b1">Nico Iamaleava</a>&nbsp;unexpectedly departing for UCLA. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tennessee-joey-aguilar-ucla-iamaleava-564aa3f972327748c808938e2690d517">Volunteers landed Joey Aguilar</a>&nbsp;in return, ironically coming off a short stint at UCLA.The dual-threat veteran will lead an offense against a Syracuse defense that struggled against the run and pass last fall.Syracuse is tasked with replacing key offensive playmakers in quarterback Kyle McCord and running back LeQuint Allen Jr. Notre Dame transfer Steve Angeli has big shoes to fill at QB.

🏈 AP Top 25: Quarterbacks, clashes and storylines to know heading into Week 1

By <a href="mailto:sean.boston@eaglemedia.com">SEAN BOSTON</a> Hutch Post

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Buhler sophomore Anika Paulsrud, a Trinity Catholic student who competes for the Crusaders because Trinity does not sponsor girls golf, tied for runner-up honors with McPherson senior Brodie Kuhn on Thursday at the <a href="https://highschoolgolfscores.com/tournaments/results/105?page=1">Class 4A Girls State Preview tournament</a> at Carey Park Golf Course.

Wamego captured the team title with a score of 329 on the par-71 layout. Wellington was second at 334, followed by McPherson in third with 347. Buhler placed fourth with 370, while Hesston was eighth at 400 and Pratt finished 16th at 449 in the 16-team field.

Paulsrud and Kuhn each posted rounds of 79, finishing 8-over par. They trailed only medalist Addison Douglass of Wamego, who fired a 3-under 68. McPherson placed two more golfers inside the top 15 with Andi Buschbom taking ninth at 84 and Lleyton Kuhn tying for 13th at 87. Amelia Moody added a 97, and Pera Bauer shot 100.

Buhler backed up Paulsrud’s performance with steady rounds from Macy Miller (95), Paityn Weber (98), Harlie Terrell (98) and Addison Specht (100).

Hesston was led by Elizabeth Hosford’s 91, tying for 20th, and Wendy Roth’s 92, good for a share of 23rd. Maci Kramer added a 96, while Brynn Thiesen shot 121.

Pratt’s top score came from Hayden Riffey with a 97 to tie for 34th. The Falcons also counted rounds from Ava Simmons (110), Kaitlyn Vega (120), Lexi Simmons (122) and Rachel Rawlings (126).

By <a href="mailto:sean.boston@eaglemedia.com">SEAN BOSTON</a> Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Buhler sophomore Anika Paulsrud, a Trinity Catholic student who competes for the Crusaders because Trinity does not sponsor girls golf, tied for runner-up honors with McPherson senior Brodie Kuhn on Thursday at the <a href="https://highschoolgolfscores.com/tournaments/results/105?page=1">Class 4A Girls State Preview tournament</a> at Carey Park Golf Course.Wamego captured the team title with a score of 329 on the par-71 layout. Wellington was second at 334, followed by McPherson in third with 347. Buhler placed fourth with 370, while Hesston was eighth at 400 and Pratt finished 16th at 449 in the 16-team field.Paulsrud and Kuhn each posted rounds of 79, finishing 8-over par. They trailed only medalist Addison Douglass of Wamego, who fired a 3-under 68. McPherson placed two more golfers inside the top 15 with Andi Buschbom taking ninth at 84 and Lleyton Kuhn tying for 13th at 87. Amelia Moody added a 97, and Pera Bauer shot 100.Buhler backed up Paulsrud’s performance with steady rounds from Macy Miller (95), Paityn Weber (98), Harlie Terrell (98) and Addison Specht (100).Hesston was led by Elizabeth Hosford’s 91, tying for 20th, and Wendy Roth’s 92, good for a share of 23rd. Maci Kramer added a 96, while Brynn Thiesen shot 121.Pratt’s top score came from Hayden Riffey with a 97 to tie for 34th. The Falcons also counted rounds from Ava Simmons (110), Kaitlyn Vega (120), Lexi Simmons (122) and Rachel Rawlings (126).

⛳ Buhler’s Paulsrud, McPherson’s Kuhn tie for runner-up at 4A state preview 

WICHITA, Kan. - In a move reflecting the evolving landscape of collegiate athletics, institutional alignment, and simplicity for stakeholders, beginning August 1, Wichita State Athletics has transitioned support from the Wheat Shock Collective (WSC) into the newly restructured Shocker Athletics Annual Membership model, specifically through the We Fight for Wichita Fund. Effective August 1, 2025, all WSC memberships concluded. Those memberships are now seamlessly honored under the new, streamlined model along with philanthropic contributions previously gifted to the WSC.

"This proactive step brings Roster Resources support and NIL operations fully in-house with Shocker Athletics," said Wichita State Director of Athletics Kevin Saal. "It provides a more unified model for our donors, ensures tax-deductible giving, and directly aligns with our mission to advance student-athlete success. We are deeply grateful for what the Wheat Shock Collective accomplished and look forward to building on that momentum with Shocker Nation."

All Wheat Shock Collective (WSC) memberships will now be honored under the Shocker Athletics Annual Membership model.

Future philanthropic giving to support Roster Resources can be done through the newly created We Fight for Wichita Fund. This allows donors to take advantage of tax-deductible opportunities and add more value to their Shocker Athletics Annual Membership.

Emily Hiebert, former General Manager of the Wheat Shock Collective and now Wichita State's Director of Development, Roster Resources/NIL, will lead this work internally for Shocker Athletics. 

"Over the last year, it's been an honor to lead in the Wheat Shock Collective's growth, and I'm thrilled to continue this mission from within Wichita State Athletics, and through the We Fight for Wichita Fund," Hiebert said. "Wichita State and its competitive success mean the world to me, and I am glad to be here serving our loyal donors and amazing student-athletes!"

As previously announced, to honor donors who launched NIL support at WSU, all past contributions will retroactively receive four Priority Points per $100 donated, ensuring equitable recognition within the Shocker Athletics priority point system. Ongoing support for Roster Resources and NIL will also earn four Priority Points for every $100 donated.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756431801264.png" alt="Photo Courtesy Wichita State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Wichita State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>Wichita State AthleticsWICHITA, Kan. - In a move reflecting the evolving landscape of collegiate athletics, institutional alignment, and simplicity for stakeholders, beginning August 1, Wichita State Athletics has transitioned support from the Wheat Shock Collective (WSC) into the newly restructured Shocker Athletics Annual Membership model, specifically through the We Fight for Wichita Fund. Effective August 1, 2025, all WSC memberships concluded. Those memberships are now seamlessly honored under the new, streamlined model along with philanthropic contributions previously gifted to the WSC."This proactive step brings Roster Resources support and NIL operations fully in-house with Shocker Athletics," said Wichita State Director of Athletics Kevin Saal. "It provides a more unified model for our donors, ensures tax-deductible giving, and directly aligns with our mission to advance student-athlete success. We are deeply grateful for what the Wheat Shock Collective accomplished and look forward to building on that momentum with Shocker Nation."As part of this transition:All Wheat Shock Collective (WSC) memberships will now be honored under the Shocker Athletics Annual Membership model.Future philanthropic giving to support Roster Resources can be done through the newly created We Fight for Wichita Fund. This allows donors to take advantage of tax-deductible opportunities and add more value to their Shocker Athletics Annual Membership.Emily Hiebert, former General Manager of the Wheat Shock Collective and now Wichita State's Director of Development, Roster Resources/NIL, will lead this work internally for Shocker Athletics. "Over the last year, it's been an honor to lead in the Wheat Shock Collective's growth, and I'm thrilled to continue this mission from within Wichita State Athletics, and through the We Fight for Wichita Fund," Hiebert said. "Wichita State and its competitive success mean the world to me, and I am glad to be here serving our loyal donors and amazing student-athletes!"As previously announced, to honor donors who launched NIL support at WSU, all past contributions will retroactively receive four Priority Points per $100 donated, ensuring equitable recognition within the Shocker Athletics priority point system. Ongoing support for Roster Resources and NIL will also earn four Priority Points for every $100 donated.

Wheat Shock Collective transitions under Shocker Athletics

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Warren Corman, a fixture in the rich history of the Kansas Athletics and University of Kansas architecture, died August 28, in Lawrence, the Corman family informed KU officials. The last of the seven architects that built Allen Fieldhouse to pass, Corman was 99 years old.

A KU men's basketball season ticket holder for more than 60 years, Corman, and his wife, Mary, were regulars at both football and men's basketball weekly Hawk Talk radio shows and deeply passionate about the Jayhawks.

"Warren Corman's legacy will forever be woven into the fabric of the University of Kansas with his incredible contributions to Allen Fieldhouse," Kansas Director of Athletics Travis Goff said. "That historic venue would not be what it is today without Warren. We will miss his amazing stories and his passion for KU but cherish the time we have had with him. The KU Athletics' family sends our love and condolences to Mary and the entire family."

Corman was the youngest of the architects on the Allen Fieldhouse project. The others included James Canole, Frank Johnson, Charles Marshall, Robert Jokish, Robert Schober, and Thornton Beck. Six of Kansas' eight all-time coaches played their home contests in Allen Fieldhouse and all developed a relationship with Corman.

"Warren Corman played an integral role in what Kansas basketball is today as one the architects who designed Allen Fieldhouse," Kansas men's basketball coach Bill Self said. "Cindy and I truly enjoyed getting to know Warren and Mary over the years and listening to Warren tell stories about his role with the University. He had such a wealth of knowledge about everything KU. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mary and his family.

A 1950 architecture engineering graduate from KU who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, Corman had a major impact on the learning environment encountered by the state's college students. In 1966, he was recruited by the Kansas Board of Regents to be director of facilities, a position he held for 31 years. During his tenure, Corman worked with all the regents institutions, overseeing planning and construction on more than 300 construction projects, valued at more than $500 million. 

Corman also was instrumental in two public policy actions that continue to serve Kansans: the State Building Advisory Committee, which greatly reduced the opportunity for corruption, and Crumbling Classrooms, widely recognized as the single most important facilities repair-and-rehabilitation funding project in regents history.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756431599521.png" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas AthleticsLAWRENCE, Kan. – Warren Corman, a fixture in the rich history of the Kansas Athletics and University of Kansas architecture, died August 28, in Lawrence, the Corman family informed KU officials. The last of the seven architects that built Allen Fieldhouse to pass, Corman was 99 years old.A KU men's basketball season ticket holder for more than 60 years, Corman, and his wife, Mary, were regulars at both football and men's basketball weekly Hawk Talk radio shows and deeply passionate about the Jayhawks."Warren Corman's legacy will forever be woven into the fabric of the University of Kansas with his incredible contributions to Allen Fieldhouse," Kansas Director of Athletics Travis Goff said. "That historic venue would not be what it is today without Warren. We will miss his amazing stories and his passion for KU but cherish the time we have had with him. The KU Athletics' family sends our love and condolences to Mary and the entire family."Corman was the youngest of the architects on the Allen Fieldhouse project. The others included James Canole, Frank Johnson, Charles Marshall, Robert Jokish, Robert Schober, and Thornton Beck. Six of Kansas' eight all-time coaches played their home contests in Allen Fieldhouse and all developed a relationship with Corman."Warren Corman played an integral role in what Kansas basketball is today as one the architects who designed Allen Fieldhouse," Kansas men's basketball coach Bill Self said. "Cindy and I truly enjoyed getting to know Warren and Mary over the years and listening to Warren tell stories about his role with the University. He had such a wealth of knowledge about everything KU. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mary and his family."KU lost a treasure in Warren."A 1950 architecture engineering graduate from KU who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, Corman had a major impact on the learning environment encountered by the state's college students. In 1966, he was recruited by the Kansas Board of Regents to be director of facilities, a position he held for 31 years. During his tenure, Corman worked with all the regents institutions, overseeing planning and construction on more than 300 construction projects, valued at more than $500 million. Corman also was instrumental in two public policy actions that continue to serve Kansans: the State Building Advisory Committee, which greatly reduced the opportunity for corruption, and Crumbling Classrooms, widely recognized as the single most important facilities repair-and-rehabilitation funding project in regents history.

🏀 Allen Fieldhouse architect, Warren Corman dies at 99

No. 17 Kansas State (0-1) vs North Dakota, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET.

Overall offense: 360.2 yards per game (61st in FCS)

Overall defense: 386.4 yards allowed per game (80th in FCS)

Passing: 198.6 yards allowed per game (40th)

Rushing: 187.8 yards allowed per game (102nd)

Scoring: 30.9 points allowed per game (92nd)

Overall offense: 426.8 yards per game (31st in FBS)

Overall defense: 343.4 yards allowed per game (43rd in FBS)

Passing: 224.7 yards allowed per game (77th)

Rushing: 118.7 yards allowed per game (28th)

Scoring: 23.4 points allowed per game (50th)

Passing: Simon Romfo, 2,050 yards, 18 TDs, 8 INTs, 60.8 completion percentage

Rushing: Gavin Ziebarth, 534 yards on 133 carries, 8 TDs

Receiving: Caden Dennis, 245 yards on 32 catches, 2 TDs

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755542588219.jpeg" alt="FILE - Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa State on Nov. 30, 2024, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE - Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa State on Nov. 30, 2024, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>No. 17 Kansas State (0-1) vs North Dakota, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET.BetMGM College Football Odds: No line.How to watch: ESPN+<h2>Key stats</h2>North Dakota (2024):Overall offense: 360.2 yards per game (61st in FCS)Passing: 173.2 yards per game (95th)Rushing: 186.9 yards per game (25th)Scoring: 30.8 points per game (26th)Overall defense: 386.4 yards allowed per game (80th in FCS)Passing: 198.6 yards allowed per game (40th)Rushing: 187.8 yards allowed per game (102nd)Scoring: 30.9 points allowed per game (92nd)Kansas State (2024):Overall offense: 426.8 yards per game (31st in FBS)Passing: 211.4 yards per game (85th)Rushing: 215.5 yards per game (11th)Scoring: 30.8 points per game (46th)Overall defense: 343.4 yards allowed per game (43rd in FBS)Passing: 224.7 yards allowed per game (77th)Rushing: 118.7 yards allowed per game (28th)Scoring: 23.4 points allowed per game (50th)<h2>Team leaders</h2>North Dakota (2024)Passing: Simon Romfo, 2,050 yards, 18 TDs, 8 INTs, 60.8 completion percentageRushing: Gavin Ziebarth, 534 yards on 133 carries, 8 TDsReceiving: Caden Dennis, 245 yards on 32 catches, 2 TDsKansas State (2024)Passing: Avery Johnson, 2,712 yards, 25 TDs, 10 INTs, 58.3 completion percentageRushing: Dylan Edwards, 546 yards on 74 carries, 5 TDsReceiving: Jayce Brown, 823 yards, 47 catches, 5 TDs<h2>Last game</h2>North Dakota lost to Illinois State 35-13 to finish 5-7 last seasonKansas State lost to Iowa State 24-21 last Saturday in Dublin, Ireland<h2>Next game</h2>North Dakota plays its home opener against Portland State on Sept. 6.