LAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;– Kansas volleyball freshman Raegan Burns has been named the Big 12 Rookie of the Week after a pair of strong performances at Texas Tech, the conference announced Tuesday.

Burns tied for the lead among conference players with 5.63 digs per set on the weekend, including her career-high of 28 digs in KU’s first match against the Red Raiders on Friday. The Lafayette, Indiana native added 17 digs in the Jayhawks’ 3-0 victory on Saturday, leading the way for Kansas all weekend in the digs category.

After these two matches, Burns officially climbed to the top of the Kansas leaderboard with her 3.65 digs per set average, which ranks eighth in the Big 12 and first among conference freshmen. She has started and played all 12 matches and 43 sets so far, and in 10 of those matches, has notched double-digit digs for a total of 157 on the year.

Burns has also contributed the second-most assists for the Jayhawks this year (60) behind junior Camryn Turner.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695752621041.png" alt="(Courtesy Kansas Athletics)" />
 <figcaption>(Courtesy Kansas Athletics)</figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy of Kansas AthleticsLAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;– Kansas volleyball freshman Raegan Burns has been named the Big 12 Rookie of the Week after a pair of strong performances at Texas Tech, the conference announced Tuesday.Burns tied for the lead among conference players with 5.63 digs per set on the weekend, including her career-high of 28 digs in KU’s first match against the Red Raiders on Friday. The Lafayette, Indiana native added 17 digs in the Jayhawks’ 3-0 victory on Saturday, leading the way for Kansas all weekend in the digs category.After these two matches, Burns officially climbed to the top of the Kansas leaderboard with her 3.65 digs per set average, which ranks eighth in the Big 12 and first among conference freshmen. She has started and played all 12 matches and 43 sets so far, and in 10 of those matches, has notched double-digit digs for a total of 157 on the year.Burns has also contributed the second-most assists for the Jayhawks this year (60) behind junior Camryn Turner.

🏐 KU's Burns named Big 12 Rookie of the Week

Courtesy of Kansas State Athletics&nbsp;

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Kansas State sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/dj-giddens/11102">DJ Giddens</a>&nbsp;picked up a second honor following his outing against UCF as he was named the Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week, the PwC SMU Athletic Forum announced Tuesday.&nbsp;

Giddens, who was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week on Monday, is coming off one of the best rushing performances in school history to guide K-State to a 44-31 victory over UCF in its Big 12 opener. All the Junction City, Kansas, native did was produce the first 200-yard, four-touchdown rushing game in school history, while he had the third-most yards from scrimmage ever by a Wildcat. It was the 22nd&nbsp;time in Big 12 history a player had 200 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns in a single game but just the second since 2015.

Giddens' 207-yard rushing output was the first 200-yard rushing game by a Wildcat since Alex Barnes at Baylor in 2018, while it was the most in school history by a sophomore, and his four rushing touchdowns tied for the third most in a game in K-State history. Additionally, he added 86 receiving yards on eight receptions as his 293 total yards from scrimmage were only outdone by a pair of efforts by Darren Sproles, who went for 323 yards in the 2003 Big 12 Championship Game victory over No. 1 Oklahoma and a 298-yard effort against Louisiana in 2004.

Entering the bye week, Giddens ranks 11th nationally and second in the Big 12 in rushing yards per game (105.8), while he is fourth in the conference in rushing touchdowns (4).

Following its bye, Kansas State travels to Stillwater, Oklahoma, to face Oklahoma State next Friday, October 6. The game kicks off at 6:30 p.m., and will be televised by ESPN.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/pages/eagle-media-broadcast-calendar">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the EAGLE Media Sports Broadcast Calendar. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile&nbsp;app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695744711775.jpeg" alt="(Courtesy Kansas State Athletics)" />
 <figcaption>(Courtesy Kansas State Athletics)</figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy of Kansas State Athletics&nbsp;MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Kansas State sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/dj-giddens/11102">DJ Giddens</a>&nbsp;picked up a second honor following his outing against UCF as he was named the Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week, the PwC SMU Athletic Forum announced Tuesday.&nbsp; Giddens, who was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week on Monday, is coming off one of the best rushing performances in school history to guide K-State to a 44-31 victory over UCF in its Big 12 opener. All the Junction City, Kansas, native did was produce the first 200-yard, four-touchdown rushing game in school history, while he had the third-most yards from scrimmage ever by a Wildcat. It was the 22nd&nbsp;time in Big 12 history a player had 200 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns in a single game but just the second since 2015.Giddens' 207-yard rushing output was the first 200-yard rushing game by a Wildcat since Alex Barnes at Baylor in 2018, while it was the most in school history by a sophomore, and his four rushing touchdowns tied for the third most in a game in K-State history. Additionally, he added 86 receiving yards on eight receptions as his 293 total yards from scrimmage were only outdone by a pair of efforts by Darren Sproles, who went for 323 yards in the 2003 Big 12 Championship Game victory over No. 1 Oklahoma and a 298-yard effort against Louisiana in 2004.Entering the bye week, Giddens ranks 11th nationally and second in the Big 12 in rushing yards per game (105.8), while he is fourth in the conference in rushing touchdowns (4).Following its bye, Kansas State travels to Stillwater, Oklahoma, to face Oklahoma State next Friday, October 6. The game kicks off at 6:30 p.m., and will be televised by ESPN.&nbsp;&nbsp;<div><div class="scorestream-widget-container" data-ss_widget_type="vertScoreboard" style="height:600px;" data-user-widget-id="57228"></div><script async="async" type="text/javascript" src="https://scorestream.com/apiJsCdn/widgets/embed.js"></script></div><a href="https://hutchpost.com/pages/eagle-media-broadcast-calendar">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the EAGLE Media Sports Broadcast Calendar. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile&nbsp;app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

🏈 K-State's Giddens named Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week

Courtesy of Kansas State Athletics

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State will open the new-look Big 12 with a home game against conference newcomer UCF on Saturday, Jan. 6, as the league office announced the dates for its conference-only schedule on Tuesday morning (Sept. 26). 

K-State will continue to play an 18-game Big 12 schedule with nine games at home and on the road as the league embarks on its new 14-team format in 2023-24 with the additions of BYU, UCF, Cincinnati and Houston.

The 9-game conference home schedule will include visits from NCAA Tournament teams Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas, TCU and West Virginia as well as BYU, UCF, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. The Wildcats will make trips to BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas Tech and West Virginia.

The UCF game will be one of five Saturday home conference games at Bramlage Coliseum in 2024, which includes visits by Oklahoma State (Jan. 20 at 6 p.m., CT), TCU (Feb. 17 at 11 a.m., CT), BYU (Feb. 24 at 1 p.m., CT) and Iowa State (March 9 at 1:30 p.m., CT).

ESPN's Big Monday will make a return to Bramlage Coliseum for the first time since 2018 for the annual Dillons Sunflower Showdown with Kansas at 8 p.m., CT on Feb. 5. It will mark the 10th&nbsp;time that the Monday primetime game will air the historic rivalry from Manhattan. The final road conference game will be a weekday trip to Allen Fieldhouse on Tuesday, March 5 at 8 p.m., CT.

The Sunflower Showdown will be one of three Monday contests for K-State, which includes the matchup at Texas at 8 p.m., CT on Feb. 19 and the home game with West Virginia at 6 p.m., CT on Feb. 26.

In addition to the opener with UCF, the Wildcats will play their first conference game at Houston on Saturday, Jan. 27 at 11 a.m., CT before the first of two matchups with BYU on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 9 p.m., CT. Following the home game with BYU on Saturday, Feb. 24, the team will play at Cincinnati on Saturday, March 2 at 6 p.m., CT.

A limited number of season tickets for the 2023-24 season are still available by calling (800) 221.CATS (2287) and/or online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/tickets">www.kstatesports.com/tickets</a>. Pricing for single-game tickets will be announced shortly. Ahearn Fund members will have the first opportunity to purchase single-game tickets starting Monday, Oct. 16. Remaining tickets will be available to the general public starting Wednesday, Oct. 18.

The expanded Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship will run Tuesday-Saturday, March 12-16 at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City and will coincide with the women's championship, which runs Thursday-Tuesday, March 7-12, also at T-Mobile.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695743067590.jpeg" alt="(Courtesy Kansas State Athletics)" />
 <figcaption>(Courtesy Kansas State Athletics)</figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy of Kansas State AthleticsMANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State will open the new-look Big 12 with a home game against conference newcomer UCF on Saturday, Jan. 6, as the league office announced the dates for its conference-only schedule on Tuesday morning (Sept. 26). K-State will continue to play an 18-game Big 12 schedule with nine games at home and on the road as the league embarks on its new 14-team format in 2023-24 with the additions of BYU, UCF, Cincinnati and Houston.The 9-game conference home schedule will include visits from NCAA Tournament teams Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas, TCU and West Virginia as well as BYU, UCF, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. The Wildcats will make trips to BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas Tech and West Virginia.The UCF game will be one of five Saturday home conference games at Bramlage Coliseum in 2024, which includes visits by Oklahoma State (Jan. 20 at 6 p.m., CT), TCU (Feb. 17 at 11 a.m., CT), BYU (Feb. 24 at 1 p.m., CT) and Iowa State (March 9 at 1:30 p.m., CT).ESPN's Big Monday will make a return to Bramlage Coliseum for the first time since 2018 for the annual Dillons Sunflower Showdown with Kansas at 8 p.m., CT on Feb. 5. It will mark the 10th&nbsp;time that the Monday primetime game will air the historic rivalry from Manhattan. The final road conference game will be a weekday trip to Allen Fieldhouse on Tuesday, March 5 at 8 p.m., CT.The Sunflower Showdown will be one of three Monday contests for K-State, which includes the matchup at Texas at 8 p.m., CT on Feb. 19 and the home game with West Virginia at 6 p.m., CT on Feb. 26.In addition to the opener with UCF, the Wildcats will play their first conference game at Houston on Saturday, Jan. 27 at 11 a.m., CT before the first of two matchups with BYU on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 9 p.m., CT. Following the home game with BYU on Saturday, Feb. 24, the team will play at Cincinnati on Saturday, March 2 at 6 p.m., CT.A limited number of season tickets for the 2023-24 season are still available by calling (800) 221.CATS (2287) and/or online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/tickets">www.kstatesports.com/tickets</a>. Pricing for single-game tickets will be announced shortly. Ahearn Fund members will have the first opportunity to purchase single-game tickets starting Monday, Oct. 16. Remaining tickets will be available to the general public starting Wednesday, Oct. 18.The expanded Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship will run Tuesday-Saturday, March 12-16 at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City and will coincide with the women's championship, which runs Thursday-Tuesday, March 7-12, also at T-Mobile.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 MBB: Five Saturday home games highlight 2023-24 K-State Big 12 schedule

LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Kansas men’s basketball will appear on ESPN Big Monday three times and 12 of KU’s 18 league contests will appear on ESPN or ESPN2 as the Big 12 announced its conference schedule for 2023-24 on Tuesday. The Big 12 also announced that CBS will air two KU league games this season, one at Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday, Jan. 6, against TCU and the other at Iowa State on Saturday, Jan. 27.

The team’s Jan. 6 contest against TCU will serve as the conference opener for both teams. The Jayhawks will then hit the road for a Jan. 10 matchup against new conference member UCF at the Financial Arena in Orlando, Florida.

The two-time defending Big 12 champion Jayhawks will make their first appearance on Big Monday Jan. 22, hosting Cincinnati at Allen Fieldhouse for the first Big 12 Conference matchup between the two teams. KU will then travel to Manhattan, Kansas to play Kansas State on Monday, Feb. 5 and conclude its Big Monday slate at Texas Tech on Feb. 12.

Since the inception of the Big 12 in 1996-97, Kansas has appeared on more ESPN Big Monday contests than any other conference school. KU is 78-22 all-time on ESPN Big Monday (47-1 at home and 31-21 on the road), including 59-16 under head coach Bill Self (36-0 at home and 23-16 on the road). Additionally, KU has won 40-consecutive Big Monday games hosted at Allen Fieldhouse. Overall, KU is 23-4 in its last 27 ESPN Big Monday contests.

Kansas released its nonconference schedule on June 5, featuring an Allen Fieldhouse matchup against the reigning national champions, Connecticut, as well contests against Missouri, Yale, Eastern Illinois, Kansas City, North Carolina Central and Manhattan. The Connecticut game, slated for Dec. 1, is part of the Big 12/BIG EAST Battle. The home contest against Missouri is part of the Border Showdown, set for Dec. 9. KU will face Kentucky in the Champions Classic in Chicago on Nov. 14, and participate in the eight-team field at the Maui Invitational, Nov. 20-22 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Beginning with its home exhibition contest against Fort Hays State on Nov. 1, 10 Kansas games will be broadcast on Big 12 NOW on ESPN+, including four in conference play. Television and tip times for two non-conference games, Dec. 16 at Indiana and Dec. 30 versus Wichita State in Kansas City, Missouri, have not been announced.

KU will officially tip off the 2023-24 season with the 39th annual Late Night in the Phog on Friday, Oct. 6, in Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas won the 2023 Big 12 regular-season title, its second straight and 21st&nbsp;in the 27-year history of the league.

Kansas is coming off a 28-8 season in which it won the Big 12 regular-season title with a 13-5 league record. It was KU’s NCAA-record 64th conference regular-season title and 17th&nbsp;under head coach Bill Self in his 20 seasons at Kansas. Kansas finished runner-up in the 2023 Big 12 Tournament, advancing to its NCAA-record 33rd-consecutive NCAA Tournament, a streak that started in 1990.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695738883614.png" alt="(Courtesy Kansas Athletics)" />
 <figcaption>(Courtesy Kansas Athletics)</figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy of Kansas AthleticsLAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Kansas men’s basketball will appear on ESPN Big Monday three times and 12 of KU’s 18 league contests will appear on ESPN or ESPN2 as the Big 12 announced its conference schedule for 2023-24 on Tuesday. The Big 12 also announced that CBS will air two KU league games this season, one at Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday, Jan. 6, against TCU and the other at Iowa State on Saturday, Jan. 27.The team’s Jan. 6 contest against TCU will serve as the conference opener for both teams. The Jayhawks will then hit the road for a Jan. 10 matchup against new conference member UCF at the Financial Arena in Orlando, Florida.The two-time defending Big 12 champion Jayhawks will make their first appearance on Big Monday Jan. 22, hosting Cincinnati at Allen Fieldhouse for the first Big 12 Conference matchup between the two teams. KU will then travel to Manhattan, Kansas to play Kansas State on Monday, Feb. 5 and conclude its Big Monday slate at Texas Tech on Feb. 12.Since the inception of the Big 12 in 1996-97, Kansas has appeared on more ESPN Big Monday contests than any other conference school. KU is 78-22 all-time on ESPN Big Monday (47-1 at home and 31-21 on the road), including 59-16 under head coach Bill Self (36-0 at home and 23-16 on the road). Additionally, KU has won 40-consecutive Big Monday games hosted at Allen Fieldhouse. Overall, KU is 23-4 in its last 27 ESPN Big Monday contests.Kansas released its nonconference schedule on June 5, featuring an Allen Fieldhouse matchup against the reigning national champions, Connecticut, as well contests against Missouri, Yale, Eastern Illinois, Kansas City, North Carolina Central and Manhattan. The Connecticut game, slated for Dec. 1, is part of the Big 12/BIG EAST Battle. The home contest against Missouri is part of the Border Showdown, set for Dec. 9. KU will face Kentucky in the Champions Classic in Chicago on Nov. 14, and participate in the eight-team field at the Maui Invitational, Nov. 20-22 in Honolulu, Hawaii.Beginning with its home exhibition contest against Fort Hays State on Nov. 1, 10 Kansas games will be broadcast on Big 12 NOW on ESPN+, including four in conference play. Television and tip times for two non-conference games, Dec. 16 at Indiana and Dec. 30 versus Wichita State in Kansas City, Missouri, have not been announced.KU will officially tip off the 2023-24 season with the 39th annual Late Night in the Phog on Friday, Oct. 6, in Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas won the 2023 Big 12 regular-season title, its second straight and 21st&nbsp;in the 27-year history of the league.Kansas is coming off a 28-8 season in which it won the Big 12 regular-season title with a 13-5 league record. It was KU’s NCAA-record 64th conference regular-season title and 17th&nbsp;under head coach Bill Self in his 20 seasons at Kansas. Kansas finished runner-up in the 2023 Big 12 Tournament, advancing to its NCAA-record 33rd-consecutive NCAA Tournament, a streak that started in 1990.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695738956268.png" alt="(Courtesy Kansas Athletics)" />
 <figcaption>(Courtesy Kansas Athletics)</figcaption>
 </figure>

🏀 MBB: Schedule finalized for defending Big 12 champion Kansas

MANHATTAN, Kansas – Kansas State women's basketball has finalized its schedule for the upcoming 2023-24 season, as the Big 12 Conference slate has been completed. 

Teams will face five Big 12 opponents twice and eight Conference foes once. Opponents were selected based on a combination of geography, historical results and a poll of the coaches to best balance the schedule in terms of travel and competitiveness. Each school's conference opponents were announced in July.

K-State will begin its 28th season of Big 12 action on Saturday, December 30, as the Wildcats visit Big 12 newcomer Cincinnati.

The Wildcats return to Bramlage Coliseum to host league newcomer, Houston, on Wednesday, January 3. This will be the second straight season K-State will host the Cougars in Bramlage, as the Wildcats defeated Houston on December 4, 2022, in a non-conference meeting, 73-59.

K-State returns to the road to face its third straight league newcomer, as the Wildcats head to Orlando to face UCF on Saturday, January 6.

Following its game at UCF, Kansas State will play three of its next four games in Bramlage Coliseum, including a two-game home stand on Wednesday, January 10, against Oklahoma, followed by a visit from Texas on Saturday, January 13.

After a midweek trip to Fort Worth, Texas, to face TCU on Wednesday, January 17, the Wildcats return home for the 130th meeting of the Dillons Sunflower Showdown as K-State hosts Kansas on Saturday, January 20.K-State has a quick turnaround, as the Wildcats travel to Waco, Texas, to face Baylor on Monday, January 22. The game will be played in Baylor's new arena, Foster Pavilion.

The Wildcats will return home to host BYU on Saturday, January 27, to end the first half of its league schedule.

Ater hosting the Cougars, K-State will play three of its next four games on the road to start the second half of the league slate. The Wildcats visit Oklahoma on Wednesday, January 31, and then head to Austin, Texas, to face Texas on Sunday, February 4.&nbsp;

Following a quick stop in Bramlage to host Oklahoma State on Saturday, February 10, the Wildcats return to the road to face Iowa State on Wednesday, February 14.

With the road grind behind them, K-State will play three of its final five games in Bramlage Coliseum as the Wildcats welcome in UCF on Saturday, February 17, followed by a visit from West Virginia on Wednesday, February 21.

K-State will then visit Kansas for the 131st game in the history of the series with the Jayhawks on Sunday, February 25.

The Wildcats will host its final home game of the 2023-24 season on Wednesday, February 28, as Iowa State comes to the Little Apple. K-State's final regular season game of the season is a trip to Lubbock, Texas, on Saturday, March 2, at Texas Tech.

The Wildcats enter the 2023-24 season with the return of 10 letter winners, including four starters from last season's 2023 WNIT squad. The Wildcats will be led by 2022 All-American center&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/ayoka-lee/11193">Ayoka Lee</a>, who returns for her senior season, senior guard and 2023 All-Big 12 First Team selection&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/gabby-gregory/11191">Gabby Gregory</a>, and the junior trio of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/brylee-glenn/11188">Brylee Glenn</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jaelyn-glenn/11189">Jaelyn Glenn</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/serena-sundell/11197">Serena Sundell</a>.

The 10 returning letter winners were responsible for 84 percent of K-State's scoring, 82 percent of the team's assists, and 67 percent of the team's rebounding in the 2022-23 season. The Wildcats will also welcome transfers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/imani-lester/11201">Imani Lester</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/zyanna-walker/11200">Zyanna Walker</a>, redshirt sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/gisela-sanchez/11196">Gisela Sanchez</a>, and freshmen&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/alexis-hess/11199">Alexis Hess</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/taryn-sides/11198">Taryn Sides</a>.

The 2023-24 promotional and television schedules will be released at a later date.

The 2024 Phillips 66 Big 12 Women's Basketball Championship will be contested at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, from March 7-12, 2024. Ticket information will be available later this year.

K-State women's basketball season tickets for the 2023-24 season are available now for purchase. For more information on season ticket packages for the Wildcats' home schedule, contact the K-State Athletics Ticket Office by calling 1-800-221-CATS or visit www.kstatesports.com/tickets.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695739027502.jpeg" alt="(Courtesy Kansas State Athletics)" />
 <figcaption>(Courtesy Kansas State Athletics)</figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy of Kansas State AthleticsMANHATTAN, Kansas – Kansas State women's basketball has finalized its schedule for the upcoming 2023-24 season, as the Big 12 Conference slate has been completed. Teams will face five Big 12 opponents twice and eight Conference foes once. Opponents were selected based on a combination of geography, historical results and a poll of the coaches to best balance the schedule in terms of travel and competitiveness. Each school's conference opponents were announced in July.K-State will begin its 28th season of Big 12 action on Saturday, December 30, as the Wildcats visit Big 12 newcomer Cincinnati.The Wildcats return to Bramlage Coliseum to host league newcomer, Houston, on Wednesday, January 3. This will be the second straight season K-State will host the Cougars in Bramlage, as the Wildcats defeated Houston on December 4, 2022, in a non-conference meeting, 73-59.K-State returns to the road to face its third straight league newcomer, as the Wildcats head to Orlando to face UCF on Saturday, January 6.Following its game at UCF, Kansas State will play three of its next four games in Bramlage Coliseum, including a two-game home stand on Wednesday, January 10, against Oklahoma, followed by a visit from Texas on Saturday, January 13.After a midweek trip to Fort Worth, Texas, to face TCU on Wednesday, January 17, the Wildcats return home for the 130th meeting of the Dillons Sunflower Showdown as K-State hosts Kansas on Saturday, January 20.K-State has a quick turnaround, as the Wildcats travel to Waco, Texas, to face Baylor on Monday, January 22. The game will be played in Baylor's new arena, Foster Pavilion.The Wildcats will return home to host BYU on Saturday, January 27, to end the first half of its league schedule.Ater hosting the Cougars, K-State will play three of its next four games on the road to start the second half of the league slate. The Wildcats visit Oklahoma on Wednesday, January 31, and then head to Austin, Texas, to face Texas on Sunday, February 4.&nbsp;Following a quick stop in Bramlage to host Oklahoma State on Saturday, February 10, the Wildcats return to the road to face Iowa State on Wednesday, February 14.With the road grind behind them, K-State will play three of its final five games in Bramlage Coliseum as the Wildcats welcome in UCF on Saturday, February 17, followed by a visit from West Virginia on Wednesday, February 21.K-State will then visit Kansas for the 131st game in the history of the series with the Jayhawks on Sunday, February 25.The Wildcats will host its final home game of the 2023-24 season on Wednesday, February 28, as Iowa State comes to the Little Apple. K-State's final regular season game of the season is a trip to Lubbock, Texas, on Saturday, March 2, at Texas Tech.The Wildcats enter the 2023-24 season with the return of 10 letter winners, including four starters from last season's 2023 WNIT squad. The Wildcats will be led by 2022 All-American center&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/ayoka-lee/11193">Ayoka Lee</a>, who returns for her senior season, senior guard and 2023 All-Big 12 First Team selection&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/gabby-gregory/11191">Gabby Gregory</a>, and the junior trio of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/brylee-glenn/11188">Brylee Glenn</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jaelyn-glenn/11189">Jaelyn Glenn</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/serena-sundell/11197">Serena Sundell</a>.The 10 returning letter winners were responsible for 84 percent of K-State's scoring, 82 percent of the team's assists, and 67 percent of the team's rebounding in the 2022-23 season. The Wildcats will also welcome transfers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/imani-lester/11201">Imani Lester</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/zyanna-walker/11200">Zyanna Walker</a>, redshirt sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/gisela-sanchez/11196">Gisela Sanchez</a>, and freshmen&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/alexis-hess/11199">Alexis Hess</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/taryn-sides/11198">Taryn Sides</a>.The 2023-24 promotional and television schedules will be released at a later date.The 2024 Phillips 66 Big 12 Women's Basketball Championship will be contested at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, from March 7-12, 2024. Ticket information will be available later this year.K-State women's basketball season tickets for the 2023-24 season are available now for purchase. For more information on season ticket packages for the Wildcats' home schedule, contact the K-State Athletics Ticket Office by calling 1-800-221-CATS or visit www.kstatesports.com/tickets.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 WBB: K-State finalizes 2023-24 schedule with Big 12 slate

LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;The Big 12 Conference announced Tuesday the 18-game league schedule for the upcoming 2023-24 season, which begins on Saturday, Dec. 30, as the league embarks on its first season with 14 members.

Teams will face five Big 12 opponents twice and eight conference foes once. Opponents were selected based on a combination of geography, historical results and a poll of the coaches to best balance the schedule in terms of travel and competitiveness. Each school’s conference opponents were announced in July.

Complete television information will be released at a later date.

Kansas opens league play at Allen Fieldhouse against West Virginia on Dec. 30 before road contests at Iowa State (Jan. 3) and Texas Tech (Jan 6). The Jayhawks then host Baylor (Jan. 10) and Oklahoma State (Jan. 13) prior to road trips to Texas (Jan. 16) and Kansas State (Jan. 20). KU closes out the season series against Iowa State by hosting the Cyclones on Jan. 24 ahead of a trip to Oklahoma on Jan. 27.

The Jayhawks close out the month of January by hosting conference newcomer BYU on Jan. 31, then head back on the road to meet TCU on Feb. 3. Consecutive home games will follow against other league newcomers Houston (Feb. 10) and Cincinnati (Feb. 14) before KU makes its first league trip to BYU on Feb. 17. Kansas will close out the regular season at Baylor (Feb. 21), home against Kansas State (Feb. 25), at UCF (Feb. 28) and hosting Oklahoma (March 2).

The 18-game schedule concludes Sunday, March 3, leading into the Phillips 66 Big 12 Women’s Basketball Championship, which takes place in Kansas City’s T-Mobile Center for the first time, March 7-12.

Season tickets for the 2023-24 Kansas Women’s Basketball campaign are now on sale. For as low as $90, fans can reserve their seat at historic Allen Fieldhouse for the entire season. Tickets can be purchased by visiting&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventList?groupCode=WBN&amp;linkID=kansas&amp;shopperContext=&amp;caller=&amp;appCode=">KUAthletics.com</a>&nbsp;or calling 800-34-HAWKS.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695738566261.png" alt="(Courtesy Kansas Athletics)" />
 <figcaption>(Courtesy Kansas Athletics)</figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy of Kansas AthleticsLAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;The Big 12 Conference announced Tuesday the 18-game league schedule for the upcoming 2023-24 season, which begins on Saturday, Dec. 30, as the league embarks on its first season with 14 members.Teams will face five Big 12 opponents twice and eight conference foes once. Opponents were selected based on a combination of geography, historical results and a poll of the coaches to best balance the schedule in terms of travel and competitiveness. Each school’s conference opponents were announced in July.Complete television information will be released at a later date.Kansas opens league play at Allen Fieldhouse against West Virginia on Dec. 30 before road contests at Iowa State (Jan. 3) and Texas Tech (Jan 6). The Jayhawks then host Baylor (Jan. 10) and Oklahoma State (Jan. 13) prior to road trips to Texas (Jan. 16) and Kansas State (Jan. 20). KU closes out the season series against Iowa State by hosting the Cyclones on Jan. 24 ahead of a trip to Oklahoma on Jan. 27.The Jayhawks close out the month of January by hosting conference newcomer BYU on Jan. 31, then head back on the road to meet TCU on Feb. 3. Consecutive home games will follow against other league newcomers Houston (Feb. 10) and Cincinnati (Feb. 14) before KU makes its first league trip to BYU on Feb. 17. Kansas will close out the regular season at Baylor (Feb. 21), home against Kansas State (Feb. 25), at UCF (Feb. 28) and hosting Oklahoma (March 2).The 18-game schedule concludes Sunday, March 3, leading into the Phillips 66 Big 12 Women’s Basketball Championship, which takes place in Kansas City’s T-Mobile Center for the first time, March 7-12.Season tickets for the 2023-24 Kansas Women’s Basketball campaign are now on sale. For as low as $90, fans can reserve their seat at historic Allen Fieldhouse for the entire season. Tickets can be purchased by visiting&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventList?groupCode=WBN&amp;linkID=kansas&amp;shopperContext=&amp;caller=&amp;appCode=">KUAthletics.com</a>&nbsp;or calling 800-34-HAWKS.2023-24 Big 12 Conference Schedule<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695738676158.png" alt="(Courtesy Kansas Athletics)" />
 <figcaption>(Courtesy Kansas Athletics)</figcaption>
 </figure>

🏀 WBB: KU announces 2023-24 conference schedule

TOPEKA, Kan.&nbsp;— The Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) released its classifications for the 2023-24 school year, plus its football classifications for the 2024-25 school year.

<figure>
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 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan.&nbsp;— The Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) released its classifications for the 2023-24 school year, plus its football classifications for the 2024-25 school year.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695738189999.png" alt="(Courtesy Kansas State High School Activities Association)" />
 <figcaption>(Courtesy Kansas State High School Activities Association)</figcaption>
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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695738264654.png" alt="(Courtesy Kansas State High School Activities Association)" />
 <figcaption>(Courtesy Kansas State High School Activities Association)</figcaption>
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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695738285022.png" alt="(Courtesy Kansas State High School Activities Association)" />
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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695738308910.png" alt="(Courtesy Kansas State High School Activities Association)" />
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KSHSAA announces classification changes for 2023-24, football classifications for 2024-25

LAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;— The University of Kansas has landed the No. 1 ranked basketball player in the state of Alabama for the class of 2024, point guard Labaron Philon.

Philon is a 6-foot-3, 175-pound point guard from Link Year Prep in Branson, Missouri. He is listed as the No. 38 player in the country.&nbsp;

He chose the Jayhawks over Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Cincinnati, Houston, LSU, Louisville, Mississippi, Penn State, Stanford, South Alabama, Oklahoma State, Tennessee and others.

Philon took an official visit to Lawrence this past weekend.&nbsp;

He had originally committed to Auburn at one point during his recruitment, before de-committing in April.&nbsp;

Philon won the Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year at Baker High School in Mobile, Alabama his junior year. He averaged nearly 35 points, six rebounds, four assists and nearly three steals.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695737628895.jpeg" alt="(Courtesy Labaron Philon on X)" />
 <figcaption>(Courtesy Labaron Philon on X)</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;— The University of Kansas has landed the No. 1 ranked basketball player in the state of Alabama for the class of 2024, point guard Labaron Philon.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">NEWS: Labaron Philon, the No. 31 overall player in the 2024 class, tells me he’s committed to Kansas. The 6-3 PG chose the Jayhawks over Alabama, Ole Miss, and Cincinnati. Former Auburn commit. Story: <a href="https://t.co/Sg02yLqkHK">https://t.co/Sg02yLqkHK</a> <a href="https://t.co/u6L1AUS8mo">pic.twitter.com/u6L1AUS8mo</a>&mdash; Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) <a href="https://twitter.com/TiptonEdits/status/1706481191790977407?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Philon is a 6-foot-3, 175-pound point guard from Link Year Prep in Branson, Missouri. He is listed as the No. 38 player in the country.&nbsp;He chose the Jayhawks over Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Cincinnati, Houston, LSU, Louisville, Mississippi, Penn State, Stanford, South Alabama, Oklahoma State, Tennessee and others.Philon took an official visit to Lawrence this past weekend.&nbsp;He had originally committed to Auburn at one point during his recruitment, before de-committing in April.&nbsp;Philon won the Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year at Baker High School in Mobile, Alabama his junior year. He averaged nearly 35 points, six rebounds, four assists and nearly three steals.

🏀 MBB: KU lands 4-star point guard Labaron Philon

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686627047967.jpeg" alt="Eagle Media Sports for Early Tuesday Morning, September 26th, 2023" />
 <figcaption>Eagle Media Sports for Early Tuesday Morning, September 26th, 2023</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="September 26th, 2023 Early Morning Sports" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=bwi86-14b564e-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=1b1b1b" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

🎧 LISTEN: Morning sports for Tuesday, Sept. 26

Burrow shakes off calf injury, throws for a season-high 259 yards as Bengals beat the Rams 19-16

CINCINNATI (AP) — Joe Burrow shook off a lingering calf injury, throwing for 259 yards as the Cincinnati Bengals beat the Los Angeles Rams 19-16 to get their first win after starting the season with two losses. Joe Mixon's 14-yard touchdown run in the third quarter gave the reigning AFC North champs their first lead of the season. Meanwhile, Logan Wilson picked off Los Angeles quarterback Matthew Stafford twice and the Bengals sacked him six times. Stafford finished 18 for 39 for 269 yards as the Rams slipped to 1-2.

Jalen Hurts throws for TD, runs for another as Eagles thump Buccaneers 25-11 to remain unbeaten

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Jalen Hurts threw for one touchdown and ran for another to help the Philadelphia Eagles remain unbeaten with a 25-11 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hurts also led on his team on a game-ending drive that lasted more than nine minutes. The defending NFC champions are off to a 3-0 start in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1992-93. Hurts improved to 20-1 over his last 21 regular-season games. He tossed a 34-yard TD pass to Olamide Zaccheaus that helped Philly build a 13-3 halftime lead, and his 1-yard scoring run gave the Eagles a 17-point advantage early in the second half.

Analysis: Vikings, Chargers trade inexplicable decisions. Jets' commitment to Wilson still baffling

The Vikings and Chargers traded inexplicable decisions in the final two minutes. The Jets are sticking with a baffling choice for the foreseeable future. After Los Angeles coach Brandon Staley set Minnesota up for a win, Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell and quarterback Kirk Cousins gave him a reprieve with their inability to manage the clock. The most perplexing decision in the first three weeks of the NFL season isn't a call on the field. It's the Jets choosing not to add a quarterback after Aaron Rodgers tore his left Achilles tendon in Week 1.

Joe Burrow starts for Bengals vs. Rams after being questionable with calf injury

CINCINNATI (AP) — Joe Burrow started for the Cincinnati Bengals in Monday night's game against the Los Angeles Rams. The star quarterback has been dealing with a calf injury but was a full participant in warmups without any obvious discomfort and went out for the Bengals' first offensive series. It wasn't clear until just before the game whether Burrow would play. The injury occurred early in training camp, and he aggravated it late in the Bengals' loss to Baltimore last week. Burrow returned to practice on Thursday on a limited basis, and on Saturday the team listed him as questionable.

With Pac-12 unsettled, CFP managers meet to make difficult decision on number of reserved bids

College Football Playoff managers will meet this week at the Big Ten offices outside Chicago. With the future of the Pac-12 still unsettled, it will be difficult for them to make a final decision on whether the number of places reserved for conference champions in the soon-to-be expanded field should remain six or be reduced to five. The CFP management committee will gather Tuesday and Wednesday at the Big Ten offices. The playoff expands from four teams to 12 next season, but conference realignment has led to a reconsideration about the selection process.

Raiders' Garoppolo is in concussion protocol, putting his start for Chargers game in question

HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is in concussion protocol. That puts his status in question for when Las Vegas visits the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Garoppolo was injured in Sunday night's 23-18 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Garoppolo took several hits in getting sacked four times and his head bounced off the turf on one play in the fourth quarter. Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was flagged for roughing the quarterback. If Garoppolo can't play, the Raiders will go with 15-year veteran Brian Hoyer or rookie Aidan O'Connell.

Mel Tucker's attorney: Michigan State doesn't have cause to fire suspended coach over phone sex

Mel Tucker's attorney says Michigan State does not have cause to fire its suspended football coach after Tucker acknowledged having phone sex with an activist and rape survivor because he did not "engage in unprofessional or unethical behavior" or violate his contract. Attorney Jennifer Belveal denied in a statement Monday that Tucker's actions were acts of moral turpitude at the university that operates in the shadow of Larry Nassar's abuse of more than 100 athletes. Michigan State informed Tucker it planned to fire him last week. Activist and rape survivor Brenda Tracy said Tucker sexually harassed her during a phone call in April 2022. Tucker says the phone sex was consensual.

Jets' commitment to QB Wilson has many fans and media puzzled. But there's no quick or easy solution

Most Jets fans would take anyone at quarterback other than Zach Wilson at this point. They don't want to hear it's not all his fault or New York has plenty of problems and not just him. Even Joe Namath is angry and says he has seen enough of Wilson. The fact is the Jets are sticking with Wilson, the third-year quarterback who was once the future of the franchise but now is the most popular target of frustrated fans. A season that began with big hopes and Aaron Rodgers under center has gone south in a hurry and it's only Week 4.

Call for sanctions as homophobic chants again overshadow French soccer's biggest game

Homophobic chanting by sections of Paris Saint-Germain fans targeting Marseille players has again marred the biggest game in French soccer and prompted calls for sanctions. Olivier Klein is the inter-ministerial delegate for the fight against racism, anti-Semitism and anti-LGBTQ+ and he has posted a video of PSG supporters using insulting homophobic slurs aimed at their Marseille rivals. PSG won the game at the Parc des Princes 4-0. Klein called for sanctions and was joined by French sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera. She said the disciplinary committee of the French federation will look into the case and urged PSG to file a legal complaint.

MLB-leading Braves are dealing with an ailing rotation as the playoffs loom

ATLANTA (AP) — Baseball's best team has some major pitching concerns heading into the final week of the regular season. Max Fried and Charlie Morton have both landed on the injured list in recent days. That leaves 19-game winner Spencer Strider and Bryce Elder as the only two healthy, established starting pitchers. The Braves have earned a bye for the wild-card round. If Fried can get over a lingering blister issue, he would give Atlanta the three starters it needs for the NL Division Series. Morton is definitely out until at least the NL Championship Series, should the Braves get that far.

Here are the scores from yesterday's sports events:

		Arizona	at	Chi White Sox	2:10 p.m.	(Postponed)

WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PLAYOFFS

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688383699667.jpeg" alt="Sports Headlines for Tuesday Morning, September 26th, 2023" />
 <figcaption>Sports Headlines for Tuesday Morning, September 26th, 2023</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="September 26th, 2023 Early Morning Sports" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=bwi86-14b564e-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=1b1b1b" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>AP Sports Summary for September 26th.Burrow shakes off calf injury, throws for a season-high 259 yards as Bengals beat the Rams 19-16CINCINNATI (AP) — Joe Burrow shook off a lingering calf injury, throwing for 259 yards as the Cincinnati Bengals beat the Los Angeles Rams 19-16 to get their first win after starting the season with two losses. Joe Mixon's 14-yard touchdown run in the third quarter gave the reigning AFC North champs their first lead of the season. Meanwhile, Logan Wilson picked off Los Angeles quarterback Matthew Stafford twice and the Bengals sacked him six times. Stafford finished 18 for 39 for 269 yards as the Rams slipped to 1-2.Jalen Hurts throws for TD, runs for another as Eagles thump Buccaneers 25-11 to remain unbeatenTAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Jalen Hurts threw for one touchdown and ran for another to help the Philadelphia Eagles remain unbeaten with a 25-11 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hurts also led on his team on a game-ending drive that lasted more than nine minutes. The defending NFC champions are off to a 3-0 start in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1992-93. Hurts improved to 20-1 over his last 21 regular-season games. He tossed a 34-yard TD pass to Olamide Zaccheaus that helped Philly build a 13-3 halftime lead, and his 1-yard scoring run gave the Eagles a 17-point advantage early in the second half.Analysis: Vikings, Chargers trade inexplicable decisions. Jets' commitment to Wilson still bafflingThe Vikings and Chargers traded inexplicable decisions in the final two minutes. The Jets are sticking with a baffling choice for the foreseeable future. After Los Angeles coach Brandon Staley set Minnesota up for a win, Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell and quarterback Kirk Cousins gave him a reprieve with their inability to manage the clock. The most perplexing decision in the first three weeks of the NFL season isn't a call on the field. It's the Jets choosing not to add a quarterback after Aaron Rodgers tore his left Achilles tendon in Week 1.Joe Burrow starts for Bengals vs. Rams after being questionable with calf injuryCINCINNATI (AP) — Joe Burrow started for the Cincinnati Bengals in Monday night's game against the Los Angeles Rams. The star quarterback has been dealing with a calf injury but was a full participant in warmups without any obvious discomfort and went out for the Bengals' first offensive series. It wasn't clear until just before the game whether Burrow would play. The injury occurred early in training camp, and he aggravated it late in the Bengals' loss to Baltimore last week. Burrow returned to practice on Thursday on a limited basis, and on Saturday the team listed him as questionable.With Pac-12 unsettled, CFP managers meet to make difficult decision on number of reserved bidsCollege Football Playoff managers will meet this week at the Big Ten offices outside Chicago. With the future of the Pac-12 still unsettled, it will be difficult for them to make a final decision on whether the number of places reserved for conference champions in the soon-to-be expanded field should remain six or be reduced to five. The CFP management committee will gather Tuesday and Wednesday at the Big Ten offices. The playoff expands from four teams to 12 next season, but conference realignment has led to a reconsideration about the selection process.Raiders' Garoppolo is in concussion protocol, putting his start for Chargers game in questionHENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is in concussion protocol. That puts his status in question for when Las Vegas visits the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Garoppolo was injured in Sunday night's 23-18 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Garoppolo took several hits in getting sacked four times and his head bounced off the turf on one play in the fourth quarter. Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was flagged for roughing the quarterback. If Garoppolo can't play, the Raiders will go with 15-year veteran Brian Hoyer or rookie Aidan O'Connell.Mel Tucker's attorney: Michigan State doesn't have cause to fire suspended coach over phone sexMel Tucker's attorney says Michigan State does not have cause to fire its suspended football coach after Tucker acknowledged having phone sex with an activist and rape survivor because he did not "engage in unprofessional or unethical behavior" or violate his contract. Attorney Jennifer Belveal denied in a statement Monday that Tucker's actions were acts of moral turpitude at the university that operates in the shadow of Larry Nassar's abuse of more than 100 athletes. Michigan State informed Tucker it planned to fire him last week. Activist and rape survivor Brenda Tracy said Tucker sexually harassed her during a phone call in April 2022. Tucker says the phone sex was consensual.Jets' commitment to QB Wilson has many fans and media puzzled. But there's no quick or easy solutionMost Jets fans would take anyone at quarterback other than Zach Wilson at this point. They don't want to hear it's not all his fault or New York has plenty of problems and not just him. Even Joe Namath is angry and says he has seen enough of Wilson. The fact is the Jets are sticking with Wilson, the third-year quarterback who was once the future of the franchise but now is the most popular target of frustrated fans. A season that began with big hopes and Aaron Rodgers under center has gone south in a hurry and it's only Week 4.Call for sanctions as homophobic chants again overshadow French soccer's biggest gameHomophobic chanting by sections of Paris Saint-Germain fans targeting Marseille players has again marred the biggest game in French soccer and prompted calls for sanctions. Olivier Klein is the inter-ministerial delegate for the fight against racism, anti-Semitism and anti-LGBTQ+ and he has posted a video of PSG supporters using insulting homophobic slurs aimed at their Marseille rivals. PSG won the game at the Parc des Princes 4-0. Klein called for sanctions and was joined by French sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera. She said the disciplinary committee of the French federation will look into the case and urged PSG to file a legal complaint.MLB-leading Braves are dealing with an ailing rotation as the playoffs loomATLANTA (AP) — Baseball's best team has some major pitching concerns heading into the final week of the regular season. Max Fried and Charlie Morton have both landed on the injured list in recent days. That leaves 19-game winner Spencer Strider and Bryce Elder as the only two healthy, established starting pitchers. The Braves have earned a bye for the wild-card round. If Fried can get over a lingering blister issue, he would give Atlanta the three starters it needs for the NL Division Series. Morton is definitely out until at least the NL Championship Series, should the Braves get that far.AP-ScorecardHere are the scores from yesterday's sports events:___INTERLEAGUE		Arizona	at	Chi White Sox	2:10 p.m.	(Postponed)Final	N.Y. Yankees	6	Arizona	4	___AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal	Houston	5	Seattle	1	Final	Texas	5	L.A. Angels	1	___NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal	San Francisco	2	San Diego	1	___NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PRESEASONFinal	Florida	5	Nashville	0	Final	Florida	5	Nashville	2	Final	New Jersey	6	Philadelphia	0	Final	New Jersey	4	Montreal	2	Final OT	Ottawa	4	Toronto	3	Final	Winnipeg	5	Edmonton	0	Final	Colorado	3	Vegas	2	Final	Seattle	5	Calgary	3	Final SO	Calgary	3	Seattle	2	___NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUEFinal	Philadelphia	25	Tampa Bay	11	Final	Cincinnati	19	L.A. Rams	16	___MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCERFinal tie	LA Galaxy	3	Austin FC	3	___TODAY'S SPORTS SCHEDULE___INTERLEAGUE		Cincinnati	at	Cleveland	6:10 p.m.			Washington	at	Baltimore	6:35 p.m.			Arizona	at	Chi White Sox	7:40 p.m.	___AMERICAN LEAGUE		Kansas City	at	Detroit	6:40 p.m.			N-Y Yankees	at	Toronto	7:07 p.m.			Tampa Bay	at	Boston	7:10 p.m.			Oakland	at	Minnesota	7:40 p.m.			Texas	at	L-A Angels	9:38 p.m.			Houston	at	Seattle	10:05 p.m.	___NATIONAL LEAGUE		L-A Dodgers	at	Colorado	3:10 p.m.			Pittsburgh	at	Philadelphia	6:40 p.m.			Miami	at	N-Y Mets	7:10 p.m.			Chi Cubs	at	Atlanta	7:20 p.m.			St. Louis	at	Milwaukee	7:40 p.m.			L-A Dodgers	at	Colorado	8:40 p.m.			San Diego	at	San Francisco	9:45 p.m.	___NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PRESEASON		Boston	at	Buffalo	7 p.m.			N-Y Islanders	at	N-Y Rangers	7 p.m.			Pittsburgh	at	Detroit	7 p.m.			Tampa Bay	at	Carolina	7 p.m.			Columbus	at	St. Louis	8 p.m.			Minnesota	at	Dallas	8 p.m.			Anaheim	at	San Jose	10 p.m.	___WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PLAYOFFS		Connecticut	at	New York	8 p.m.			Dallas	at	Las Vegas	10 p.m.

📢📰 Sports Headlines for Tuesday

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695824283101.jpeg" alt="Chiefs Kingdom Show for Monday, September 25th" />
 <figcaption>Chiefs Kingdom Show for Monday, September 25th</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="Chiefs Kingdom Show on KWBW for September 25th" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=nt5cc-14b705a-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=1b1b1b" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

🏈🎧 LISTEN: Chiefs Kingdom Show for September 25h

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🎧 LISTEN: Dragon Talk with Drew Dallas for Sept. 25

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– After a record-setting first season, head coach&nbsp;Jerome Tang&nbsp;has agreed to new 7-year contract through the 2029-30 season to continue his leadership of the Kansas State men’s basketball program, Director of Athletics&nbsp;Gene Taylor&nbsp;announced on Monday afternoon (September 25).

The new contract replaces his original 6-year deal that Tang agreed to become the 25th&nbsp;men’s basketball coach in school history on March 21, 2022. Tang now has 7 years left on his agreement that runs until April 30, 2030. The second-year head coach will be paid $3 million in 2023-24 and receive a $100,000 increase to his salary in each remaining contract year culminating in a $3.6 million base for the 2029-30 season. There are also four retention bonuses of $200,000 following the 2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons.

The new contract was unanimously approved by University leadership.

“What Coach Tang and his staff did in their first year here was phenomenal. The run to the Elite Eight was remarkable, but what separates Coach Tang is his pure love of his players and the relationships that he builds with everyone that he encounters. His ability to connect with players, staff, recruits, students and fans is special, and he is the perfect fit for Kansas State. The culture that he and his staff have built is extraordinary. We are delighted to have him, Rey, Seven and Aylyn as a vital part of the Wildcat family and for him to continue to lead our basketball team for a very long time.”

“My family and I could not be more excited about the future with this commitment from President (Richard) Linton and (athletics director) Gene (Taylor), as the staff and I continue to elevate this program to even greater heights. I say it all the time and I truly mean it, we’re fortunate every day to be at such a special place.

I’m a blessed individual with a wonderful family, and I’m in this position today due to the love, support and sacrifices of many people. I want to first thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for all the blessings in my life. I would not be where I’m right now if it wasn't for His faithfulness in my life and guidance.

“I have the best coaching staff in America, who work tirelessly to make our players the best they can be on-and-off the court. I’m blessed and honored that I get to live life with these incredible men and women every day. I want to thank our players – both past and present – for their hard work and commitment to this program as well as their families for their support and trust with their most important asset.

“I said before I didn’t come here to rebuild but to elevate and the work has already begun. Last year’s success was just the start. The staff and I are excited about what’s ahead for this team as we start practice. EMAW!”

With his relentless passion, energy and positivity, Tang reenergized a K-State program which had endured three consecutive losing seasons and was picked last in the preseason Big 12 poll by guiding the school to its third-highest win total (26) and a thrilling run to the Elite Eight in 2022-23. He became the 11th first-year head coach to direct his team to the Elite Eight since 1996-97, while joining North Carolina’s&nbsp;Bill Guthridge&nbsp;(K-State alum) in 1997-98 and&nbsp;Hubert Davis&nbsp;in 2021-22 and Kent State’s&nbsp;Stan Heath&nbsp;in 2001-02 as one of four first-time head coaches to accomplish the feat. Tang's win total was the second-most by a first-year Division I head coach in 2022-23, trailing Duke's&nbsp;Jon Scheyer&nbsp;(27-9).&nbsp;

Armed with just two returning players, the Wildcats posted a 26-10 overall record in Tang’s inaugural season, which included a tie for third place in the nation’s most difficult conference – the Big 12 – with an 11-7 mark and the school’s 13th appearance in the Elite Eight and the first since 2017-18. The 26 wins are the third-most in school history, trailing the school-record 29 in 2009-10 and the 27 in 2012-13, and just the eighth 25-win campaign. His 26 wins are the second-most by a first-year head coach in school history.

For these efforts, Tang was named a finalist for several National Coach of the Year honors, winning the 2023 Werner Ladder Naismith Men’s College Coach of the Year from the Atlanta Tipoff Club. He was the runner-up for The Associated Press’ National Coach of the Year, finishing behind Marquette’s&nbsp;Shaka Smart. He was also selected as the consensus Big 12 Coach of the Year by the league coaches and AP.

During the team’s historic season, Tang coached a pair of All-Americans in 2023 Bob Cousy Award winner&nbsp;Markquis Nowell&nbsp;and small forward&nbsp;Keyontae Johnson, who were the only teammates nationally to earn All-America honors in 2022-23. Nowell was also selected as the winner of Cousy Award as the nation's top point guard by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, while he was chosen as the East Regional Most Outstanding Player during the Wildcats’ run to the Elite Eight. Johnson, who was the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, became the first Wildcat under Tang and the first since 2017 to be selected in the NBA Draft.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Tang helped reestablish the “Octagon of Doom” as one of the toughest places to play in college basketball, as the Wildcats played before eight sellouts while posting a 15-1 record at home with 5 wins over Top 25 opponents, including No. 2/2 Kansas, No. 9/10 Baylor, No. 17/19 TCU, No. 19/18 Iowa State and No. 24/24 West Virginia. The 15 wins were the most in nearly a decade (2014-15) and tied for the second-most in the arena’s 35-year history. The eight sellouts were the most since 2014-15, while the team ranked 23rd&nbsp;nationally in percentage capacity at 87.57 percent in the newly configured 11,000-seat arena.

The contract continues the momentum the program has generated since their Elite Eight run, as Tang and his coaching staff officially opened practice earlier today (September 25). The Wildcats bring back six players, including returning starters&nbsp;Nae’Qwan Tomlin,&nbsp;Cam Carter&nbsp;and&nbsp;David N’Guessan, along with one of the top transfer classes in the nation (graduate transfers&nbsp;Ques Glover&nbsp;and&nbsp;Tylor Perry&nbsp;and junior&nbsp;Arthur Kaluma) and a consensus top-30 freshmen class (Dai Dai Ames,&nbsp;R.J. Jones&nbsp;and&nbsp;Macaleab Rich).

<a>A limited number of season tickets for the 2023-24 season are still available by calling&nbsp;</a>(800) 221.CATS (2287) and/or online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/tickets" target="_blank">www.kstatesports.com/tickets</a>.&nbsp;Pricing for single-game tickets will be announced shortly. Ahearn Fund members will have the first opportunity to purchase single-game tickets starting Monday, Oct. 16. Remaining tickets will be available to the general public starting Wednesday, Oct. 18.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695677723048.jpeg" alt="(Courtesy Kansas State Athletics)" />
 <figcaption>(Courtesy Kansas State Athletics)</figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy of Kansas State AthleticsMANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– After a record-setting first season, head coach&nbsp;Jerome Tang&nbsp;has agreed to new 7-year contract through the 2029-30 season to continue his leadership of the Kansas State men’s basketball program, Director of Athletics&nbsp;Gene Taylor&nbsp;announced on Monday afternoon (September 25).The new contract replaces his original 6-year deal that Tang agreed to become the 25th&nbsp;men’s basketball coach in school history on March 21, 2022. Tang now has 7 years left on his agreement that runs until April 30, 2030. The second-year head coach will be paid $3 million in 2023-24 and receive a $100,000 increase to his salary in each remaining contract year culminating in a $3.6 million base for the 2029-30 season. There are also four retention bonuses of $200,000 following the 2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons.The new contract was unanimously approved by University leadership.Director of Athletics Gene Taylor“What Coach Tang and his staff did in their first year here was phenomenal. The run to the Elite Eight was remarkable, but what separates Coach Tang is his pure love of his players and the relationships that he builds with everyone that he encounters. His ability to connect with players, staff, recruits, students and fans is special, and he is the perfect fit for Kansas State. The culture that he and his staff have built is extraordinary. We are delighted to have him, Rey, Seven and Aylyn as a vital part of the Wildcat family and for him to continue to lead our basketball team for a very long time.”Head coach Jerome Tang“My family and I could not be more excited about the future with this commitment from President (Richard) Linton and (athletics director) Gene (Taylor), as the staff and I continue to elevate this program to even greater heights. I say it all the time and I truly mean it, we’re fortunate every day to be at such a special place.I’m a blessed individual with a wonderful family, and I’m in this position today due to the love, support and sacrifices of many people. I want to first thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for all the blessings in my life. I would not be where I’m right now if it wasn't for His faithfulness in my life and guidance.“I have the best coaching staff in America, who work tirelessly to make our players the best they can be on-and-off the court. I’m blessed and honored that I get to live life with these incredible men and women every day. I want to thank our players – both past and present – for their hard work and commitment to this program as well as their families for their support and trust with their most important asset.“I said before I didn’t come here to rebuild but to elevate and the work has already begun. Last year’s success was just the start. The staff and I are excited about what’s ahead for this team as we start practice. EMAW!”With his relentless passion, energy and positivity, Tang reenergized a K-State program which had endured three consecutive losing seasons and was picked last in the preseason Big 12 poll by guiding the school to its third-highest win total (26) and a thrilling run to the Elite Eight in 2022-23. He became the 11th first-year head coach to direct his team to the Elite Eight since 1996-97, while joining North Carolina’s&nbsp;Bill Guthridge&nbsp;(K-State alum) in 1997-98 and&nbsp;Hubert Davis&nbsp;in 2021-22 and Kent State’s&nbsp;Stan Heath&nbsp;in 2001-02 as one of four first-time head coaches to accomplish the feat. Tang's win total was the second-most by a first-year Division I head coach in 2022-23, trailing Duke's&nbsp;Jon Scheyer&nbsp;(27-9).&nbsp;Armed with just two returning players, the Wildcats posted a 26-10 overall record in Tang’s inaugural season, which included a tie for third place in the nation’s most difficult conference – the Big 12 – with an 11-7 mark and the school’s 13th appearance in the Elite Eight and the first since 2017-18. The 26 wins are the third-most in school history, trailing the school-record 29 in 2009-10 and the 27 in 2012-13, and just the eighth 25-win campaign. His 26 wins are the second-most by a first-year head coach in school history.For these efforts, Tang was named a finalist for several National Coach of the Year honors, winning the 2023 Werner Ladder Naismith Men’s College Coach of the Year from the Atlanta Tipoff Club. He was the runner-up for The Associated Press’ National Coach of the Year, finishing behind Marquette’s&nbsp;Shaka Smart. He was also selected as the consensus Big 12 Coach of the Year by the league coaches and AP.During the team’s historic season, Tang coached a pair of All-Americans in 2023 Bob Cousy Award winner&nbsp;Markquis Nowell&nbsp;and small forward&nbsp;Keyontae Johnson, who were the only teammates nationally to earn All-America honors in 2022-23. Nowell was also selected as the winner of Cousy Award as the nation's top point guard by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, while he was chosen as the East Regional Most Outstanding Player during the Wildcats’ run to the Elite Eight. Johnson, who was the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, became the first Wildcat under Tang and the first since 2017 to be selected in the NBA Draft.&nbsp;&nbsp;Tang helped reestablish the “Octagon of Doom” as one of the toughest places to play in college basketball, as the Wildcats played before eight sellouts while posting a 15-1 record at home with 5 wins over Top 25 opponents, including No. 2/2 Kansas, No. 9/10 Baylor, No. 17/19 TCU, No. 19/18 Iowa State and No. 24/24 West Virginia. The 15 wins were the most in nearly a decade (2014-15) and tied for the second-most in the arena’s 35-year history. The eight sellouts were the most since 2014-15, while the team ranked 23rd&nbsp;nationally in percentage capacity at 87.57 percent in the newly configured 11,000-seat arena.The contract continues the momentum the program has generated since their Elite Eight run, as Tang and his coaching staff officially opened practice earlier today (September 25). The Wildcats bring back six players, including returning starters&nbsp;Nae’Qwan Tomlin,&nbsp;Cam Carter&nbsp;and&nbsp;David N’Guessan, along with one of the top transfer classes in the nation (graduate transfers&nbsp;Ques Glover&nbsp;and&nbsp;Tylor Perry&nbsp;and junior&nbsp;Arthur Kaluma) and a consensus top-30 freshmen class (Dai Dai Ames,&nbsp;R.J. Jones&nbsp;and&nbsp;Macaleab Rich).<a>A limited number of season tickets for the 2023-24 season are still available by calling&nbsp;</a>(800) 221.CATS (2287) and/or online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/tickets" target="_blank">www.kstatesports.com/tickets</a>.&nbsp;Pricing for single-game tickets will be announced shortly. Ahearn Fund members will have the first opportunity to purchase single-game tickets starting Monday, Oct. 16. Remaining tickets will be available to the general public starting Wednesday, Oct. 18.

🏀 MBB: K-State's Jerome Tang agrees to contract extension

TOPEKA – The Kansas State High School Activities Association
released classifications Monday afternoon.&nbsp;

TMP-Marian will move from Class 2A to Class 1A in football only beginning next season.

SCHOOLS CHANGING CLASSES (Last year's classification is shown in parenthesis)

4A - Concordia (3A), Scott Community (3A)

3A - Iola (4A), Leon-Bluestem (2A), St. Marys (2), Topeka Hayden (4A)

2A - Atchison-Maur Hill-Mt. Academy&nbsp; (3A), Eureka (3A), Lincoln (1), Oxford (1A), Wichita-Classical School (1)

1A - Allen-Northern Heights (2A), Atwood-Rawlins County (2A), Elkhart (2A), Weskan (NEW)

<a href="http://chrome-extension//efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.kshsaa.org/Public/PDF/Classifications23.pdf">Full Release</a>

SCHOOLS CHANGING CLASSES (FOOTBALL ONLY 2024-2025) (Current classification is shown in parenthesis)

5A - Basehor-Linwood (4A), Lenexa-St. James Academy (4A), OP-Blue Valley (6A), OP-St. Thomas Aquinas (4A)

4A - Kansas City-Sumner Academy (5A), Lansing (5A), Wichita-Kapaun Mt. Carmel (5A)

3A - Anthony-Harper-Chaparral (2A), Neodesha (2A)

2A - Belle Plaine (1A), Galena (3A), Hoyt-Royal Valley (3A), Leon-Bluestem (1A), Oskaloosa (1A), Richmond-Central Heights (1A), St. Marys (1A)

1A - Atchison-Maur Hill-Mt. Academy (2A), Bennington (8-Player), Easton-Pleasant Ridge (2A), Hays-Thomas More Prep Marian (2A), Herington (8-Player), Highland-Doniphan West (8-Player), Horton (2A), Shawnee-Marantha Academy (8-Player), Rossville (2A), Moundridge (8-Player), South Sumner (Caldwell/South Haven)(8-Player), Topeka-Cair Paravel (8-Player)

8-Player Div. I - Allen-Northern Heights (1A)      Arma-Northeast (1A)      Canton-Galva (DII)      Claflin-Central Plains (DII)      Coldwater-South Central (DII)      Downs-Lakeside (DII)      Ellis (1A)      Kinsley (DII)      St. Francis (DII)      Sylvan-Lucas Unified (DII)

8-Player Div. II -&nbsp;Ashland (6-Player)      Attica/Argonia (DI)      Burlingame (DI)      Deerfield (6-Player)      Lost Springs-Centre (6-Player)      Macksville (DI)      Osborne (DI)      Pretty Prairie (DI)      Tribune-Greeley County (6-Player)      Waverly (6-Player)

6-Player -&nbsp;Kiowa-South Barber (8-Player)      Melvern-Marais Des Cygnes Valley            (8-Player)      Otis-Bison (8-Player)      Weskan (NEW) 

<a href="http://chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.kshsaa.org/Public/Football/PDF/FootballClassifications-2023.pdf">Full Release</a>

Hays PostTOPEKA – The Kansas State High School Activities Association
released classifications Monday afternoon.&nbsp;TMP-Marian will move from Class 2A to Class 1A in football only beginning next season.SCHOOLS CHANGING CLASSES (Last year's classification is shown in parenthesis)6A -&nbsp;Maize (5A)5A - Kansas City-JC Harmon (6A)&nbsp;4A - Concordia (3A), Scott Community (3A)3A - Iola (4A), Leon-Bluestem (2A), St. Marys (2), Topeka Hayden (4A)2A - Atchison-Maur Hill-Mt. Academy&nbsp; (3A), Eureka (3A), Lincoln (1), Oxford (1A), Wichita-Classical School (1)1A - Allen-Northern Heights (2A), Atwood-Rawlins County (2A), Elkhart (2A), Weskan (NEW)<a href="http://chrome-extension//efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.kshsaa.org/Public/PDF/Classifications23.pdf">Full Release</a>SCHOOLS CHANGING CLASSES (FOOTBALL ONLY 2024-2025) (Current classification is shown in parenthesis)6A - Maize (5A), Wichita-West (5A)5A - Basehor-Linwood (4A), Lenexa-St. James Academy (4A), OP-Blue Valley (6A), OP-St. Thomas Aquinas (4A)4A - Kansas City-Sumner Academy (5A), Lansing (5A), Wichita-Kapaun Mt. Carmel (5A)3A - Anthony-Harper-Chaparral (2A), Neodesha (2A)2A - Belle Plaine (1A), Galena (3A), Hoyt-Royal Valley (3A), Leon-Bluestem (1A), Oskaloosa (1A), Richmond-Central Heights (1A), St. Marys (1A)1A - Atchison-Maur Hill-Mt. Academy (2A), Bennington (8-Player), Easton-Pleasant Ridge (2A), Hays-Thomas More Prep Marian (2A), Herington (8-Player), Highland-Doniphan West (8-Player), Horton (2A), Shawnee-Marantha Academy (8-Player), Rossville (2A), Moundridge (8-Player), South Sumner (Caldwell/South Haven)(8-Player), Topeka-Cair Paravel (8-Player)8-Player Div. I - Allen-Northern Heights (1A) Arma-Northeast (1A) Canton-Galva (DII) Claflin-Central Plains (DII) Coldwater-South Central (DII) Downs-Lakeside (DII) Ellis (1A) Kinsley (DII) St. Francis (DII) Sylvan-Lucas Unified (DII)8-Player Div. II -&nbsp;Ashland (6-Player) Attica/Argonia (DI) Burlingame (DI) Deerfield (6-Player) Lost Springs-Centre (6-Player) Macksville (DI) Osborne (DI) Pretty Prairie (DI) Tribune-Greeley County (6-Player) Waverly (6-Player)6-Player -&nbsp;Kiowa-South Barber (8-Player) Melvern-Marais Des Cygnes Valley (8-Player) Otis-Bison (8-Player) Weskan (NEW) <a href="http://chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.kshsaa.org/Public/Football/PDF/FootballClassifications-2023.pdf">Full Release</a>

KSHSAA releases new classifications, TMP-Marian to 1A in football in 2024

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Following a historic performance on Saturday in Kansas State's 44-31 victory over UCF, sophomore running back&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/dj-giddens/11102">DJ Giddens</a>&nbsp;has been named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week, the conference office announced Monday.

It is the first weekly conference honors in Giddens' career and the first by a Wildcat this season.

A product of Junction City, Kansas, Giddens rushed for 207 yards and four touchdowns, the first time in school history a player had at least 200 rushing yards and four rushing scores in a game. The 22nd instance in Big 12 history and just the second since 2015, it was also the 16th 200-yard rushing game in school history and the first since Alex Barnes went for 250 yards at Baylor in 2018. His four rushing touchdowns tied for third in school history and were the most by a K-State running back since Barnes had four against Oklahoma State in 2018. Giddens did his damage on 30 carries, the most by a Wildcat since Barnes rushed 32 times against Texas Tech in 2017.

In addition to his 207 rushing yards, he hauled in eight passes for 86 yards as his 293 total yards from scrimmage were the third most in school history behind a pair of performances by Darren Sproles, who put up 323 yards in the 2003 Big 12 Championship Game victory over No. 1 Oklahoma and 298 yards against Louisiana the next season.

Giddens enters K-State's bye week ranking 11th nationally and second in the Big 12 in rushing yards per game (105.8), while he is fourth in the conference in rushing touchdowns (4).Kansas State is off this week prior to playing at Oklahoma State next Friday, October 6. The game, which kicks off at 6:30 p.m., will be televised by ESPN.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695668903073.jpeg" alt="(Courtesy Kansas State Athletics)" />
 <figcaption>(Courtesy Kansas State Athletics)</figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy of Kansas State Athletics&nbsp;MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Following a historic performance on Saturday in Kansas State's 44-31 victory over UCF, sophomore running back&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/dj-giddens/11102">DJ Giddens</a>&nbsp;has been named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week, the conference office announced Monday. It is the first weekly conference honors in Giddens' career and the first by a Wildcat this season.A product of Junction City, Kansas, Giddens rushed for 207 yards and four touchdowns, the first time in school history a player had at least 200 rushing yards and four rushing scores in a game. The 22nd instance in Big 12 history and just the second since 2015, it was also the 16th 200-yard rushing game in school history and the first since Alex Barnes went for 250 yards at Baylor in 2018. His four rushing touchdowns tied for third in school history and were the most by a K-State running back since Barnes had four against Oklahoma State in 2018. Giddens did his damage on 30 carries, the most by a Wildcat since Barnes rushed 32 times against Texas Tech in 2017.In addition to his 207 rushing yards, he hauled in eight passes for 86 yards as his 293 total yards from scrimmage were the third most in school history behind a pair of performances by Darren Sproles, who put up 323 yards in the 2003 Big 12 Championship Game victory over No. 1 Oklahoma and 298 yards against Louisiana the next season.Giddens enters K-State's bye week ranking 11th nationally and second in the Big 12 in rushing yards per game (105.8), while he is fourth in the conference in rushing touchdowns (4).Kansas State is off this week prior to playing at Oklahoma State next Friday, October 6. The game, which kicks off at 6:30 p.m., will be televised by ESPN.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏈 K-State's Giddens named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week

LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;For the second time in his career, Kansas cornerback Cobee Bryant has been named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week, the conference announced Monday.

Bryant set the tone for the Kansas defense against BYU, forcing a fumble on the Cougars’ second offensive play of the game and then recovering and returning it 22 yards for a touchdown. It was the fourth career touchdown for Bryant, who has also returned two interceptions for a touchdown (at Texas, 2021; at West Virginia, 2022) and returned a blocked field goal for a score in 2021 versus Tennessee Tech.

Later in the game, Bryant hauled in his second interception of the season as he picked off BYU’s Kedon Slovis to end a Cougar drive in the third quarter. For the game, Bryant finished with three solo tackles, including one for a loss,&nbsp;and became the first Jayhawk since 2010 to record a fumble recovery for a touchdown and an interception in the same game.

Prior to last season, Kansas had not had a Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week since 2018. Lonnie Phelps Jr., and Bryant won the award in consecutive weeks to open the 2022 season. Bryant becomes the first Jayhawk since Joe Dineen (2014-15, 2017-18) with multiple Defensive Player of the Week honors for his career. He was previously named the Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 12, 2022, following his game-clinching interception returned for a touchdown at West Virginia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695668821642.png" alt="(Courtesy Kansas Athletics)" />
 <figcaption>(Courtesy Kansas Athletics)</figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy of Kansas AthleticsLAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;For the second time in his career, Kansas cornerback Cobee Bryant has been named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week, the conference announced Monday.Bryant set the tone for the Kansas defense against BYU, forcing a fumble on the Cougars’ second offensive play of the game and then recovering and returning it 22 yards for a touchdown. It was the fourth career touchdown for Bryant, who has also returned two interceptions for a touchdown (at Texas, 2021; at West Virginia, 2022) and returned a blocked field goal for a score in 2021 versus Tennessee Tech.Later in the game, Bryant hauled in his second interception of the season as he picked off BYU’s Kedon Slovis to end a Cougar drive in the third quarter. For the game, Bryant finished with three solo tackles, including one for a loss,&nbsp;and became the first Jayhawk since 2010 to record a fumble recovery for a touchdown and an interception in the same game.Prior to last season, Kansas had not had a Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week since 2018. Lonnie Phelps Jr., and Bryant won the award in consecutive weeks to open the 2022 season. Bryant becomes the first Jayhawk since Joe Dineen (2014-15, 2017-18) with multiple Defensive Player of the Week honors for his career. He was previously named the Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 12, 2022, following his game-clinching interception returned for a touchdown at West Virginia.

🏈 KU's Cobee Bryant named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week

Kpreps.com released its week 5 high school football rankings on Monday morning. There were a total of ten ranked teams from last week that fell in Week 4.

CLASS 6A 1) Gardner-Edgerton (4-0) 2) Olathe North (4-0) 3) Washburn Rural (4-0) 4) Wichita NW (3-1) 5) Manhattan (3-1)

CLASS 5A 1) Kapaun Mt. Carmel (3-1) 2) Mill Valley (3-1)&nbsp; 3) Blue Valley SW (3-1) 4) Goddard Eisenhower (4-0) 5) De Soto (3-1)

CLASS 4A 1) Bishop Miege (3-1) 2) St. Thomas Aquinas (4-0) 3) Louisburg (4-0) 4) Tonganoxie (3-1) 5) Wamego (3-1)

CLASS 3A 1) Andale (4-0) 2) Cheney (4-0) 3) Topeka Hayden (4-0) 4) Wichita Collegiate (4-0) 5) Clay Center (4-0)

CLASS 2A 1) Nemaha Central (4-0) 2) Sabetha (4-0) 3) Hoisington (4-0) 4) Southeast of Saline (4-0) 5) Ellsworth (4-0)

CLASS 1A 1) St. Mary's Colgan (4-0) 2) Centralia (4-0) 3) Jefferson County North (4-0) 4) Marion (4-0) 5) Smith Center (3-1)

8-MAN DIVISION I 1) Leoti-Wichita County (4-0) 2) Lyndon (4-0) 3) Meade (4-0) 4) Moundridge (4-0) 5) Central Burden (4-0)

8-MAN DIVISION II 1) Axtell (4-0) 2) Kinsley (4-0) 3) Victoria (3-1) 4) Canton-Galva (3-1) 5) Minneola (4-0)

6-MAN 1) Cheylin (4-0) 2) Ashland (3-1) 3) Cunningham (3-1) 4) Waverly (4-0) 5) Northern Valley (3-1)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693413418452.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Kpreps.com released its week 5 high school football rankings on Monday morning. There were a total of ten ranked teams from last week that fell in Week 4.CLASS 6A 1) Gardner-Edgerton (4-0) 2) Olathe North (4-0) 3) Washburn Rural (4-0) 4) Wichita NW (3-1) 5) Manhattan (3-1)CLASS 5A 1) Kapaun Mt. Carmel (3-1) 2) Mill Valley (3-1)&nbsp; 3) Blue Valley SW (3-1) 4) Goddard Eisenhower (4-0) 5) De Soto (3-1)CLASS 4A 1) Bishop Miege (3-1) 2) St. Thomas Aquinas (4-0) 3) Louisburg (4-0) 4) Tonganoxie (3-1) 5) Wamego (3-1)CLASS 3A 1) Andale (4-0) 2) Cheney (4-0) 3) Topeka Hayden (4-0) 4) Wichita Collegiate (4-0) 5) Clay Center (4-0)CLASS 2A 1) Nemaha Central (4-0) 2) Sabetha (4-0) 3) Hoisington (4-0) 4) Southeast of Saline (4-0) 5) Ellsworth (4-0)CLASS 1A 1) St. Mary's Colgan (4-0) 2) Centralia (4-0) 3) Jefferson County North (4-0) 4) Marion (4-0) 5) Smith Center (3-1)8-MAN DIVISION I 1) Leoti-Wichita County (4-0) 2) Lyndon (4-0) 3) Meade (4-0) 4) Moundridge (4-0) 5) Central Burden (4-0)8-MAN DIVISION II 1) Axtell (4-0) 2) Kinsley (4-0) 3) Victoria (3-1) 4) Canton-Galva (3-1) 5) Minneola (4-0)6-MAN 1) Cheylin (4-0) 2) Ashland (3-1) 3) Cunningham (3-1) 4) Waverly (4-0) 5) Northern Valley (3-1)

🏈 Week 5 Kpreps high school rankings

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686627047967.jpeg" alt="Eagle Media Sports for Monday Morning, September 25th, 2023" />
 <figcaption>Eagle Media Sports for Monday Morning, September 25th, 2023</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="September 25th, 2023 Early Morning Sports" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=aar4t-14b3c15-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=1b1b1b" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

🎧 LISTEN: Morning sports for Monday, Sept. 25

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes threw three touchdown passes, two of them to Jerick McKinnon, and the Kansas City Chiefs routed the Chicago Bears 41-10. Travis Kelce also had a TD catch for the Chiefs, much to the delight of 12-time Grammy winner Taylor Swift, who watched the game from an Arrowhead Stadium suite after getting an invitation from the All-Pro tight end. The Bears lost their 13th consecutive game dating to last season. Justin Fields was just 11 of 22 for 99 yards with a TD and an interception.

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins scored the most points in a game by an NFL team since 1966, overwhelming the Denver Broncos 70-20 behind rookie speedster De’Von Achane’s 203 yards rushing and Tua Tagovailoa’s no-look shovel-pass TD. The Dolphins set a franchise record for scoring and finished two points shy of the NFL’s regular-season record — set in 1966 when Washinton scored 72 points against the Giants. They are the fourth team in NFL history to score at least 70 points in a regular-season or playoff game. Many of their starters, including Tagovailoa and star receiver Tyreek Hill, were pulled early in the fourth quarter.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Jordan Love rallied Green Bay from a 17-point, fourth-quarter deficit in his first career home start as the Packers won 18-17 over the New Orleans Saints. The Saints were leading 17-0 before losing quarterback Derek Carr to a shoulder injury in the third quarter. The Packers scored 18 unanswered points in the last 11 minutes of the game. They took their first lead on Love’s 8-yard pass to Romeo Doubs in the right corner of the end zone with 2:56 left. New Orleans' Blake Grupe missed a 46-yard field goal with just over a minute left.

UNDATED (AP) — Colorado fell out of The Associated Press college football poll after a resounding loss in one of the weekend’s showcase games and the teams toward the top of the rankings were shuffled and tightened. Six teams received first-place votes. Georgia is still where it started at No. 1 but down to 55 first-place votes. Michigan remained No. 2 and got a first-place vote. Texas stayed at No. 3 with two first-place votes. Ohio State moved up two spots to No. 4 and got a first-place vote after beating Notre Dame. Colorado went from 19th to out after losing 42-7 to Oregon.

HOUSTON (AP) — Nelson Velázquez hit two home runs and Salvador Perez and Matt Duffy also homered as the Kansas City Royals built a big lead early and held on for a 6-5 win over the slumping Houston Astros Sunday. The victory completed a three-game sweep and left Houston two games behind the Texas Rangers and tied with the Seattle Mariners in the AL West. Houston finished 39-42 at Minute Maid Park, its first losing record at home since 2014. Kansas City (54-102) has won six straight games and 10 of 11.

UNDATED (AP) — Mike Trout’s season ended because of a wrist injury that limited him to one game after July 3. The Los Angeles Angels moved the three-time AL MVP to the 60-day injured list because their series finale against the Minnesota Twins. Trout, a 32-year-old center fielder, fractured the hamate bone in his left wrist on July 3, returned Aug. 22 and went 1 for 4 against Cincinnati. Trout said he felt pain when he fouled off pitches, and he went back on the IL. An 11-time All-Star, Trout hit .263 with 18 homers, 44 RBIs and an .858 OPS.

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — William Byron took the lead for the first time after the final restart with six laps left to win in Texas. He advances to the round of eight in the NASCAR playoffs while giving Hendrick Motorsports its 300th victory. Byron was able to get underneath Bubba Wallace and Chase Briscoe when they were battling for the lead ahead of him. Wallace led a career-high 111 laps to start the second round, but wound up third behind Byron and Ross Chastain, another playoff contender. Wallace moved up three spots to ninth in the standings, still one below the cutoff line when this round is done. It was Byron's sixth win this season.

GUIDONIA MONTECELIO, Italy (AP) — First came the castle. Then the golf course. The nearly 300,000 fans due to descend on the Marco Simone club for the Ryder Cup this week will be able to see the 11th-century castle with the same name from various points of the course. It’s wedged between the sixth and eighth holes. But they won’t be able to visit it. That’s because it’s the private residence of fashion designer and golf club owner Lavinia Biagiotti Cigna. Biagiotti Cigna says in a recent interview with The Associated Press inside the castle walls that she doesn't really feel she owns the castle but is rather just “taking care” of it.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688383699667.jpeg" alt="Sports Headlines for Monday Morning, September 25th, 2023" />
 <figcaption>Sports Headlines for Monday Morning, September 25th, 2023</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="September 25th, 2023 Early Morning Sports" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=aar4t-14b3c15-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=1b1b1b" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes threw three touchdown passes, two of them to Jerick McKinnon, and the Kansas City Chiefs routed the Chicago Bears 41-10. Travis Kelce also had a TD catch for the Chiefs, much to the delight of 12-time Grammy winner Taylor Swift, who watched the game from an Arrowhead Stadium suite after getting an invitation from the All-Pro tight end. The Bears lost their 13th consecutive game dating to last season. Justin Fields was just 11 of 22 for 99 yards with a TD and an interception.MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins scored the most points in a game by an NFL team since 1966, overwhelming the Denver Broncos 70-20 behind rookie speedster De’Von Achane’s 203 yards rushing and Tua Tagovailoa’s no-look shovel-pass TD. The Dolphins set a franchise record for scoring and finished two points shy of the NFL’s regular-season record — set in 1966 when Washinton scored 72 points against the Giants. They are the fourth team in NFL history to score at least 70 points in a regular-season or playoff game. Many of their starters, including Tagovailoa and star receiver Tyreek Hill, were pulled early in the fourth quarter.GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Jordan Love rallied Green Bay from a 17-point, fourth-quarter deficit in his first career home start as the Packers won 18-17 over the New Orleans Saints. The Saints were leading 17-0 before losing quarterback Derek Carr to a shoulder injury in the third quarter. The Packers scored 18 unanswered points in the last 11 minutes of the game. They took their first lead on Love’s 8-yard pass to Romeo Doubs in the right corner of the end zone with 2:56 left. New Orleans' Blake Grupe missed a 46-yard field goal with just over a minute left.UNDATED (AP) — Colorado fell out of The Associated Press college football poll after a resounding loss in one of the weekend’s showcase games and the teams toward the top of the rankings were shuffled and tightened. Six teams received first-place votes. Georgia is still where it started at No. 1 but down to 55 first-place votes. Michigan remained No. 2 and got a first-place vote. Texas stayed at No. 3 with two first-place votes. Ohio State moved up two spots to No. 4 and got a first-place vote after beating Notre Dame. Colorado went from 19th to out after losing 42-7 to Oregon.HOUSTON (AP) — Nelson Velázquez hit two home runs and Salvador Perez and Matt Duffy also homered as the Kansas City Royals built a big lead early and held on for a 6-5 win over the slumping Houston Astros Sunday. The victory completed a three-game sweep and left Houston two games behind the Texas Rangers and tied with the Seattle Mariners in the AL West. Houston finished 39-42 at Minute Maid Park, its first losing record at home since 2014. Kansas City (54-102) has won six straight games and 10 of 11.UNDATED (AP) — Mike Trout’s season ended because of a wrist injury that limited him to one game after July 3. The Los Angeles Angels moved the three-time AL MVP to the 60-day injured list because their series finale against the Minnesota Twins. Trout, a 32-year-old center fielder, fractured the hamate bone in his left wrist on July 3, returned Aug. 22 and went 1 for 4 against Cincinnati. Trout said he felt pain when he fouled off pitches, and he went back on the IL. An 11-time All-Star, Trout hit .263 with 18 homers, 44 RBIs and an .858 OPS.FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — William Byron took the lead for the first time after the final restart with six laps left to win in Texas. He advances to the round of eight in the NASCAR playoffs while giving Hendrick Motorsports its 300th victory. Byron was able to get underneath Bubba Wallace and Chase Briscoe when they were battling for the lead ahead of him. Wallace led a career-high 111 laps to start the second round, but wound up third behind Byron and Ross Chastain, another playoff contender. Wallace moved up three spots to ninth in the standings, still one below the cutoff line when this round is done. It was Byron's sixth win this season.GUIDONIA MONTECELIO, Italy (AP) — First came the castle. Then the golf course. The nearly 300,000 fans due to descend on the Marco Simone club for the Ryder Cup this week will be able to see the 11th-century castle with the same name from various points of the course. It’s wedged between the sixth and eighth holes. But they won’t be able to visit it. That’s because it’s the private residence of fashion designer and golf club owner Lavinia Biagiotti Cigna. Biagiotti Cigna says in a recent interview with The Associated Press inside the castle walls that she doesn't really feel she owns the castle but is rather just “taking care” of it.SUNDAY SCORESNATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUEFinal Buffalo 37 Washington 3Final Cleveland 27 Tennessee 3Final Detroit 20 Atlanta 6Final Green Bay 18 New Orleans 17Final Houston 37 Jacksonville 17Final OT Indianapolis 22 Baltimore 19Final L.A. Chargers 28 Minnesota 24Final Miami 70 Denver 20Final New England 15 N-Y Jets 10Final Seattle 37 Carolina 27Final Arizona 28 Dallas 16Final Kansas City 41 Chicago 10Final Pittsburgh 23 Las Vegas 18INTERLEAGUEFinal Arizona 7 N.Y. Yankees 1AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal Chicago White Sox 3 Boston 2Final Toronto 9 Tampa Bay 5Final Baltimore 5 Cleveland 1Final Minnesota 9 L.A. Angels 3Final Kansas City 6 Houston 5Final Texas 9 Seattle 8Final Detroit 2 Oakland 0NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal Washington 3 Atlanta 2Final Cincinnati 4 Pittsburgh 2Final Miami 6 Milwaukee 1Final Chicago Cubs 4 Colorado 3Final San Diego 12 St. Louis 2Final Philadelphia 5 N.Y. Mets 2Final Atlanta 8 Washington 5

📢📰 Sports Headlines for Monday

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes threw for 272 yards and three touchdowns, Travis Kelce hauled in one of them to the delight of Taylor Swift, and the Kansas City Chiefs blew out the inept Chicago Bears 41-10 on Sunday.

Jerick McKinnon had a pair of touchdown catches and Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire added touchdown runs, helping the Super Bowl champion Chiefs (2-1) deal the Bears (0-3) their 13th consecutive loss dating to last season.

Kelce finished with seven catches for 69 yards and the 3-yard score, which made it 41-0 early in the second half. The All-Pro tight end celebrated by revving the engine of an imaginary motorcycle while Swift, whom Kelce had invited&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-kelce-chiefs-891e7df84295f5b35cfa97a5ec427721">amid rumors of their budding relationship</a>, joyfully pounded the glass of her Arrowhead Stadium suite and his mother, Donna Kelce, cheered alongside.

The game was so lopsided by the third quarter that Mahomes and most of the Chiefs' starters got the rest of the day off.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/justin-fields-chicago-bears-nfl-b28d8307fff74f48c81346719f322cba">Embattled Bears quarterback Justin Fields</a>&nbsp;was 11 of 22 for 99 yards with an interception and a meaningless touchdown in the final minutes. He also led the Bears with 47 yards rushing, a good chunk of that coming on a 17-yard scramble, as the league's 27th-ranked offense finished with just 203 yards against one of the NFL's fast-improving defenses.

It was a brutal end to a dismal week of distractions for Chicago.

In the span of a few hours Wednesday, defensive coordinator&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alan-williams-bears-defensive-coordinator-d3f16da381b8d1fe38f3935f5b86803a">Alan Williams abruptly resigned</a>, citing the need “to take care of my health and family,” and Fields had to walk back some comments he made blaming his “robotic” play through the first two weeks on the way he had been coached.

Bears coach Matt Eberflus was left to call defensive plays Sunday, just as he did in last weekend's loss to Tampa Bay, and Chiefs coach Andy Reid proceeded to make the former Indianapolis Colts coordinator look utterly lost.

The Chiefs began their assault with the first of Mahomes' two TD passes to McKinnon, then Edwards-Helaire scored from a yard out to make it 14-0 early in the second quarter. When the Bears punted a third consecutive time, Mahomes hit McKinnon again to extend the lead, and Kansas City proceeded to score on its next four possessions.

As for Fields, well, the QB was not just robotic but inaccurate. When one of the league's most porous offensive lines wasn't allowing the Chiefs to pressure him, Fields was consistently missing open targets down field.

He was picked off by Mike Edwards late in the first half, leading to Pacheco's touchdown run. And when Harrison Butker added the second of his two field goals, the Chiefs were able to take a 34-0 lead into the break.

The Bears have not won in Kansas City since Week 5 of the 2015 season. ... Reid won his 271st game, moving him past Hall of Fame coach Tom Landry into fourth place on the career list. ... Mahomes went over 25,000 yards passing for his career. He did it in 83 games, the fastest in NFL history. ... Mahomes had his 22nd game with three TD passes and no interceptions, tying Aaron Rodgers for the most by a QB before turning 30. Mahomes turned 28 last Sunday. ... Kelce needs three more TD catches to pass Tony Gonzalez (76) for second in Chiefs history.

Bears: Starting safety Eddie Jackson was inactive with a foot injury and cornerback Josh Blackwell was dealing with a hamstring injury, all before cornerback Tyrique Stevenson had to be evaluated for a concussion; he later was deemed to have an illness and did not return. Defensive backs Jaquan Brisker and Jaylon Johnson also were hobbled during the game.

Bears: Host the Denver Broncos next Sunday.

Chiefs: Visit the New York Jets next Sunday night.

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports WriterKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes threw for 272 yards and three touchdowns, Travis Kelce hauled in one of them to the delight of Taylor Swift, and the Kansas City Chiefs blew out the inept Chicago Bears 41-10 on Sunday.Jerick McKinnon had a pair of touchdown catches and Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire added touchdown runs, helping the Super Bowl champion Chiefs (2-1) deal the Bears (0-3) their 13th consecutive loss dating to last season.Kelce finished with seven catches for 69 yards and the 3-yard score, which made it 41-0 early in the second half. The All-Pro tight end celebrated by revving the engine of an imaginary motorcycle while Swift, whom Kelce had invited&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-kelce-chiefs-891e7df84295f5b35cfa97a5ec427721">amid rumors of their budding relationship</a>, joyfully pounded the glass of her Arrowhead Stadium suite and his mother, Donna Kelce, cheered alongside.The game was so lopsided by the third quarter that Mahomes and most of the Chiefs' starters got the rest of the day off.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/justin-fields-chicago-bears-nfl-b28d8307fff74f48c81346719f322cba">Embattled Bears quarterback Justin Fields</a>&nbsp;was 11 of 22 for 99 yards with an interception and a meaningless touchdown in the final minutes. He also led the Bears with 47 yards rushing, a good chunk of that coming on a 17-yard scramble, as the league's 27th-ranked offense finished with just 203 yards against one of the NFL's fast-improving defenses.It was a brutal end to a dismal week of distractions for Chicago.In the span of a few hours Wednesday, defensive coordinator&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alan-williams-bears-defensive-coordinator-d3f16da381b8d1fe38f3935f5b86803a">Alan Williams abruptly resigned</a>, citing the need “to take care of my health and family,” and Fields had to walk back some comments he made blaming his “robotic” play through the first two weeks on the way he had been coached.Bears coach Matt Eberflus was left to call defensive plays Sunday, just as he did in last weekend's loss to Tampa Bay, and Chiefs coach Andy Reid proceeded to make the former Indianapolis Colts coordinator look utterly lost.The Chiefs began their assault with the first of Mahomes' two TD passes to McKinnon, then Edwards-Helaire scored from a yard out to make it 14-0 early in the second quarter. When the Bears punted a third consecutive time, Mahomes hit McKinnon again to extend the lead, and Kansas City proceeded to score on its next four possessions.As for Fields, well, the QB was not just robotic but inaccurate. When one of the league's most porous offensive lines wasn't allowing the Chiefs to pressure him, Fields was consistently missing open targets down field.He was picked off by Mike Edwards late in the first half, leading to Pacheco's touchdown run. And when Harrison Butker added the second of his two field goals, the Chiefs were able to take a 34-0 lead into the break.STATS AND STREAKSThe Bears have not won in Kansas City since Week 5 of the 2015 season. ... Reid won his 271st game, moving him past Hall of Fame coach Tom Landry into fourth place on the career list. ... Mahomes went over 25,000 yards passing for his career. He did it in 83 games, the fastest in NFL history. ... Mahomes had his 22nd game with three TD passes and no interceptions, tying Aaron Rodgers for the most by a QB before turning 30. Mahomes turned 28 last Sunday. ... Kelce needs three more TD catches to pass Tony Gonzalez (76) for second in Chiefs history.INJURIESBears: Starting safety Eddie Jackson was inactive with a foot injury and cornerback Josh Blackwell was dealing with a hamstring injury, all before cornerback Tyrique Stevenson had to be evaluated for a concussion; he later was deemed to have an illness and did not return. Defensive backs Jaquan Brisker and Jaylon Johnson also were hobbled during the game.UP NEXTBears: Host the Denver Broncos next Sunday.Chiefs: Visit the New York Jets next Sunday night.

🏈 Patrick Mahomes throws 3 TD passes, Chiefs rout Bears

By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer

By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports WriterHOUSTON (AP) — Nelson Velázquez hit two home runs and Salvador Perez and Matt Duffy also homered as the Kansas City Royals built a big lead early and held on for a 6-5 win over the slumping Houston Astros Sunday.The victory completed a three-game sweep and left Houston two games behind the Texas Rangers and tied with the Seattle Mariners in the AL West. Texas and Seattle were playing each other Sunday afternoon.Houston finished 39-42 at Minute Maid Park, its first losing record at home since 2014.Kansas City (54-102) has won six straight games and 10 of 11. The Royals raced to a 6-2 lead after tagging rookie Hunter Brown (11-13) for all four homers in just three innings.Yordan Alvarez hit a solo homer to cut the lead to one run in the fifth. But the defending World Series champions couldn’t do anything after that on a day they went 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position and lost for the fifth time in six games.Chas McCormick doubled with one out in the eighth inning, but Carlos Hernandez retired the next two batters to leave him stranded.James McArthur gave up a single to Jose Altuve with one out in the ninth, but he retired Alex Bregman and Alvarez to end it and get his third save.Steven Cruz opened the game for the Royals and allowed three hits and run in an inning before Alec Marsh (3-8) took over. He allowed three hits and four runs — three earned — with six strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings for the win.It’s the fifth win in a row for the 102-loss Royals, who took five of six from the Astros this season.Altuve hit a leadoff single and moved to third on a one-out single by Alvarez. The Astros took a 1-0 lead when Altuve scored on a single by Jose Abreu with two outs.The Royals tied it on a homer to right field by Velazquez to start the second. Nick Loftin singled before Duffy put Kansas City up 3-1 with his shot to the seats in left field with one out in the inning.Yainer Diaz and Mauricio Dubón hit back-to-back singles with no outs in the second. Jeremy Peña moved them both over one with a sacrifice bunt. Houston cut the lead to 3-2 when Diaz scored on a groundout by Altuve.Bobby Witt Jr. walked to open the third inning before Perez homered on a soaring shot that bounced off the wall in left field to make it 5-2. Five pitches later, Velazquez connected on his second home run of the game to push the lead to 6-2.Marsh plunked Alvarez with not outs in the third before Kyle Tucker reached on catcher’s interference. Abreu walked to load the bases before Alvarez scored when McCormick grounded into a force out that left Abreu out at second.The Astros cut the lead to two runs when Tucker scored on a groundout by Diaz before Dubón grounded out to end the inning.TRAINER’S ROOMRoyals: Perez was activated from the injured list after sitting out since sustaining a mild concussion Sept. 16. … C Tyler Cropley was optioned to Triple-A Omaha to make room for him on the roster.Astros: OF Michael Brantley missed a sixth straight game Sunday with right shoulder soreness. But he took batting practice on the field before the game and could return as soon as Monday.UP NEXTRoyals: Kansas City is off Monday before opening a three-game series at Detroit Tuesday night when RHP Zack Greinke (1-15, 5.37 ERA) opposes RHP Reese Olson (5-7, 4.13).Astros: RHP Justin Verlander (11-8, 3.44) opposes Seattle RHP Luis Castillo (14-7, 3.06) in the opener of a three-game series against the Mariners Monday night.