PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Ranger Suárez says last year's World Series loss is on the minds of the Philadelphia Phillies.

“We want to complete what we didn’t complete last year, which was to win the World Series,” he said Wednesday about trying to give the Phillies a 3-0 NL Championship Series lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/philadelphia-phillies-arizona-diamondbacks-25ba501969887c62df3e743507c832a0">Philadelphia swept the first two games at home, winning 10-0</a>&nbsp;Tuesday night with another power display. Kyle Schwarber hit two of Philadelphia’s three solo homers off Merrill Kelly, Trea Turner also connected and J.T. Realmuto had two hits and three RBIs as Philadelphia improved to 7-1 in the playoffs, moving closer to a second straight World Series appearance. Aaron Nola tossed three-hit ball and struck out seven in six innings.

Game 3 is Thursday at Chase Field, with Suárez set to start for the Phillies against Brandon Pfaadt

Houston tries to even the AL Championship Series 2-2 when it plays at Texas on Thursday night. José Urquidy starts for the Astros and Andrew Heaney for the Rangers.

Cristian Javier held Texas to two runs and three hits over 5 2/3 innings in an 8-5 Game 3 win on Wednesday night. The Rangers lost for the first time this postseason after a 7-0 start.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rangers-astros-alcs-max-scherzer-08cc8a4a3ca8932c99492a10c51c9e43">Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer was gone after four innings</a>&nbsp;in his first outing in more than a month after recovering from a strained shoulder muscle.

The Rangers are the current betting favorites to win the World Series at +110, followed by the Phillies (+140), Astros (+750) and Diamondbacks (+800),&nbsp;<a href="https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/">according to FanDuel Sportsbook</a>.

The Astros are 40-45 at home this year, losing three of four in the playoffs. But they have won 17 of their last 20 road games, including both at Minnesota in the AL Division Series.

“It’s the strangest thing I’ve ever seen because usually you want to be .500 on the road and way over .500 at home,” Baker said. “I asked the team in spring training to be the best road team. Maybe I should have asked them to be the best road and home team. They usually give me what I ask for.”

Philadelphia has hit 19 homers and is averaging 5.75 runs per game during its 7-1 postseason start. The doesn't faze Arizona pitcher Brandon Pfaadt, who starts Game 3. The 25-year-old threw 4 1/3 scoreless innings in Game 3 of the NL Division Series, helping Arizona complete a sweep the 100-win Los Angeles Dodgers and a lineup that included former MVPs Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.

“We went through Milwaukee’s lineup. We went through the Dodgers’ lineup,” Pfaadt said. “I think we can hold our own. If we show that, coming into our ballpark, limiting damage, getting the momentum on our side, I think we can come out on the strong end.”

OLD BUT NOT JUST OLD-SCHOOL FACING THE PHILLIES

Baker and Texas' Bruce Bochy are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/baker-bochy-alcs-old-texas-houston-rangers-astros-0e30f4d7dc66d2a040227756d0488935">the two oldest managers</a>&nbsp;in the majors and are facing off in the ALCS.

Those around the 74-year-old Baker and 68-year-old Bochy say the key to their success isn’t just experience and old-school grit, but also their willingness to adapt in baseball’s analytics age.

Houston owner Jim Crane wasn’t turned off by the fact Baker was 71 when he interviewed to manage the team after A.J. Hinch was fired in the wake of the team’s sign-stealing scandal in 2020. In fact, he believed his reputation and decades in the game were just what the Astros needed to help repair their tattered reputation.

“His experience and the experience of dealing with pressure and players and a lot of different situations — that was very appealing,” Crane said. “He’s a smart guy. Once you visited with him a couple of times, you realized how bright he was, how well he knew the game. And he embraces the analytics, but he also goes old-school. So you’ve got a good blend.”

Rangers GM Chris Young said people asked him about hiring an “old-school manager” when he brought Bochy to Texas this offseason. He pushed back on the assertion that Bochy was old-school simply because he was old.

“I feel the exact opposite,” he said. “I think that if you’re stuck in your ways, you don’t last. And these old managers who have lasted last because they evolve and they’re open-minded and they grow. I think that’s an important attribute to recognize with Boch. He’s been wonderful. I absolutely love working with him."

Should the Phillies win the World Series,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/philadelphia-phillies-dancing-calum-scott-81d55860f195e1bf3022b4ca4ec9a04c">save a spot at the end of the Broad Street parade route for Calum Scott.</a>

The British singer with the pop hit about loneliness and heartbreak insists he’s coming to Philly and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/calumscott/status/1709253700596777276?s=20">wearing the jersey</a>&nbsp;the team sent him last season as a thank you for his part in making “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/phillies-philadelphia-bryce-harper-dancing-f43a604ac9b8a67a519ca0db6f19dbb6">Dancing On My Own</a>&nbsp;” a staple of the postseason soundtrack at Citizens Bank Park.

Scott is as amazed as anyone the song has improbably bloomed into a playoff anthem for the Phillies, who won the National League pennant last year before losing to Houston in the World Series.

“They win the World Series, I’m there, man,” Scott said. “I think at that point, you’ll have to hold me back.”

TBS is broadcasting the NLCS. Fox and FS1 are carrying the ALCS.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696427760993.png" alt="2023 MLB Postseason Logo" />
 <figcaption>2023 MLB Postseason Logo</figcaption>
 </figure>PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Ranger Suárez says last year's World Series loss is on the minds of the Philadelphia Phillies.“We want to complete what we didn’t complete last year, which was to win the World Series,” he said Wednesday about trying to give the Phillies a 3-0 NL Championship Series lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/philadelphia-phillies-arizona-diamondbacks-25ba501969887c62df3e743507c832a0">Philadelphia swept the first two games at home, winning 10-0</a>&nbsp;Tuesday night with another power display. Kyle Schwarber hit two of Philadelphia’s three solo homers off Merrill Kelly, Trea Turner also connected and J.T. Realmuto had two hits and three RBIs as Philadelphia improved to 7-1 in the playoffs, moving closer to a second straight World Series appearance. Aaron Nola tossed three-hit ball and struck out seven in six innings.Game 3 is Thursday at Chase Field, with Suárez set to start for the Phillies against Brandon PfaadtHouston tries to even the AL Championship Series 2-2 when it plays at Texas on Thursday night. José Urquidy starts for the Astros and Andrew Heaney for the Rangers.Cristian Javier held Texas to two runs and three hits over 5 2/3 innings in an 8-5 Game 3 win on Wednesday night. The Rangers lost for the first time this postseason after a 7-0 start.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rangers-astros-alcs-max-scherzer-08cc8a4a3ca8932c99492a10c51c9e43">Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer was gone after four innings</a>&nbsp;in his first outing in more than a month after recovering from a strained shoulder muscle.BETTING FAVORITESThe Rangers are the current betting favorites to win the World Series at +110, followed by the Phillies (+140), Astros (+750) and Diamondbacks (+800),&nbsp;<a href="https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/">according to FanDuel Sportsbook</a>.ROAD WARRIORSThe Astros are 40-45 at home this year, losing three of four in the playoffs. But they have won 17 of their last 20 road games, including both at Minnesota in the AL Division Series.“It’s the strangest thing I’ve ever seen because usually you want to be .500 on the road and way over .500 at home,” Baker said. “I asked the team in spring training to be the best road team. Maybe I should have asked them to be the best road and home team. They usually give me what I ask for.”FACING THE PHILLIESPhiladelphia has hit 19 homers and is averaging 5.75 runs per game during its 7-1 postseason start. The doesn't faze Arizona pitcher Brandon Pfaadt, who starts Game 3. The 25-year-old threw 4 1/3 scoreless innings in Game 3 of the NL Division Series, helping Arizona complete a sweep the 100-win Los Angeles Dodgers and a lineup that included former MVPs Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.“We went through Milwaukee’s lineup. We went through the Dodgers’ lineup,” Pfaadt said. “I think we can hold our own. If we show that, coming into our ballpark, limiting damage, getting the momentum on our side, I think we can come out on the strong end.”OLD BUT NOT JUST OLD-SCHOOL FACING THE PHILLIESBaker and Texas' Bruce Bochy are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/baker-bochy-alcs-old-texas-houston-rangers-astros-0e30f4d7dc66d2a040227756d0488935">the two oldest managers</a>&nbsp;in the majors and are facing off in the ALCS.Those around the 74-year-old Baker and 68-year-old Bochy say the key to their success isn’t just experience and old-school grit, but also their willingness to adapt in baseball’s analytics age.Houston owner Jim Crane wasn’t turned off by the fact Baker was 71 when he interviewed to manage the team after A.J. Hinch was fired in the wake of the team’s sign-stealing scandal in 2020. In fact, he believed his reputation and decades in the game were just what the Astros needed to help repair their tattered reputation.“His experience and the experience of dealing with pressure and players and a lot of different situations — that was very appealing,” Crane said. “He’s a smart guy. Once you visited with him a couple of times, you realized how bright he was, how well he knew the game. And he embraces the analytics, but he also goes old-school. So you’ve got a good blend.”Rangers GM Chris Young said people asked him about hiring an “old-school manager” when he brought Bochy to Texas this offseason. He pushed back on the assertion that Bochy was old-school simply because he was old.“I feel the exact opposite,” he said. “I think that if you’re stuck in your ways, you don’t last. And these old managers who have lasted last because they evolve and they’re open-minded and they grow. I think that’s an important attribute to recognize with Boch. He’s been wonderful. I absolutely love working with him."PHILLY SPECIALShould the Phillies win the World Series,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/philadelphia-phillies-dancing-calum-scott-81d55860f195e1bf3022b4ca4ec9a04c">save a spot at the end of the Broad Street parade route for Calum Scott.</a>The British singer with the pop hit about loneliness and heartbreak insists he’s coming to Philly and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/calumscott/status/1709253700596777276?s=20">wearing the jersey</a>&nbsp;the team sent him last season as a thank you for his part in making “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/phillies-philadelphia-bryce-harper-dancing-f43a604ac9b8a67a519ca0db6f19dbb6">Dancing On My Own</a>&nbsp;” a staple of the postseason soundtrack at Citizens Bank Park.Scott is as amazed as anyone the song has improbably bloomed into a playoff anthem for the Phillies, who won the National League pennant last year before losing to Houston in the World Series.“They win the World Series, I’m there, man,” Scott said. “I think at that point, you’ll have to hold me back.”HOW TO WATCHTBS is broadcasting the NLCS. Fox and FS1 are carrying the ALCS.POSTSEASON SCHEDULELeague Championship Series: Oct. 15-24World Series: Oct. 27-Nov. 4

⚾ MLB playoffs 2023: Suárez tries to give Phils 3-0 lead at D-Backs; Astros try to even ALCS at Texas

Altuve and Javier lead Astros to 8-5 win at Rangers as Houston closes to 2-1 in ALCS

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Jose Altuve homered, Cristian Javier worked into the sixth inning of another solid postseason start and the Houston Astros beat the Texas Rangers 8-5, closing to 2-1 in the AL Championship Series. Texas lost for the first time this postseason after a 7-0 start as three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer was gone after four innings in his first outing in more than a month after recovering from a strained shoulder muscle. Javier set a franchise record for the defending champion Astros by extending his postseason scoreless streak to 20 1/3 innings.

Las Vegas Aces become first repeat WNBA champs in 21 years, beating New York Liberty 70-69 in Game 4

NEW YORK (AP) — The Las Vegas Aces became the first team in 21 years to win back-to-back WNBA championships, getting 24 points and 16 rebounds from A'ja Wilson and a defensive stop in the closing seconds to beat the New York Liberty 70-69 in Game 4 of the Finals. The Aces joined the Los Angeles Sparks in 2001-02 and the Houston Comets from 1997-2000 as the only teams in league history to win consecutive titles. Las Vegas did it without starters Chelsea Gray and Kiah Stokes, who were both sidelined with foot injuries suffered in Game 3.

Scherzer roughed up by Astros in return from injury, leaving with Rangers down 5 in loss

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Max Scherzer was roughed up again by the Houston Astros, this time in Game 3 of the AL Championship Series. The three-time Cy Young Award winner lasted four innings in his first start in more than a month, leaving with a five-run deficit in an 8-5 loss to the Astros that cut the Texas Rangers' series lead to 2-1. Scherzer gave up three runs in the second on a wild pitch and Martín Maldonado's two-run single, then allowed Jose Altuve's leadoff homer in the third. Houston took a 5-0 lead on Mauricio Dubón's RBI single in the fourth.

D-backs rookie Brandon Pfaadt will try to slow the homer-happy Phillies in Game 3

PHOENIX (AP) — The Diamondbacks will turn to rookie right-hander Brandon Pfaadt in Game 3 of the NL Championship Series to try and slow the homer-happy Phillies offense. Philadelphia has a 2-0 lead in the series after a dominant two games at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies smashed six homers in the two wins, including three by Kyle Schwarber. Pfaadt has a tendency to give up homers in the regular season, but had one of his best games of the season against the Dodgers in the NL Division Series.

NBA's $300 million man, Jaylen Brown ready to step into leadership role for retooled Celtics

BOSTON (AP) — Jaylen Brown wasn't considered to be a surefire NBA superstar when the was drafted in 2016. As he prepares for his eighth season, his play has forced the narrative about him to be rewritten. Last season was a defining year for Brown, who garnered his second All-Star selection and second-team All-NBA nod while helping lead the Celtics to within a game of back-to-back NBA Finals appearances. This summer he cashed in signing a five-year, $304 million extension. The richest contract in NBA history and immediately thrust him onto a tier reserved for only the league's most elite stars. Now he says he's ready to provide the voice and leadership for a retooled Celtics roster with championship aspirations.

James Harden skips 76ers practice, leaving coach Nick Nurse unsure of what comes next

CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers coach Nick Nurse said he had no explanation for why James Harden skipped practice Wednesday but planned to proceed as if the disgruntled guard will play in the preseason finale. Harden said last week he could try to play in the Sixers' preseason finale on Friday against Atlanta. But once he skipped practice, the 76ers were left unsure of what comes next. Harden has yet to play in the preseason. He did attend training camp and continued to practice with the Sixers in the wake of his offseason trade demand. Harden said last week his fractured relationship with team president Daryl Morey couldn't be repaired.

Phil Mickelson claims more players want to jump to Saudi-backed LIV Golf

Phil Mickelson is sounding confident as ever that more players are willing to jump over to the Saudi-funded LIV Golf League. LIV is wrapping up its second season at Trump Doral outside Miami for its team championship. Mickelson says he knows players want to be part of it without mentioning who. None of the top players have indicated they are willing to leave the PGA Tour or European tour. The business agreement among Saudi Arabia's wealth fund and the tours included a clause to stop poaching players. That was removed in July at the request of the Justice Department.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says league still needs to hire more minority head coaches

NEW YORK (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league still needs to hire more minority head coaches. The latest rule change was aimed at increasing opportunities. Owners voted Tuesday to push in-person head coaching interviews back one more week until after all divisional playoff games have been completed to slow down the hiring process. NFL executive Dasha Smith said the league office and the 32 teams are 50% diverse. There are six minority head coaches, including three who are Black. The goal of pushing the in-person interviews back one week is to create more opportunities for candidates.

Colts QB Anthony Richardson opts for season-ending surgery on injured throwing shoulder

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson will have season-ending shoulder surgery. Colts coach Shane Steichen says the long-term health of the former Florida Gators star was the key factor in making the decision. The fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft, Richardson suffered a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder at the end of a short run against Tennessee on Oct. 8. With Richardson out, veteran Gardner Minshew will continue to start.

Messi out for Inter Miami's home finale, says he wants to play Saturday at Charlotte

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi says he will play in Inter Miami's season finale on Saturday, although the club hasn't confirmed that is the actual plan. Messi — who scored two goals for Argentina in its 2-0 World Cup qualifying win at Peru on Tuesday night — wasn't in the lineup for Inter Miami's final home game of its Major League Soccer season against Charlotte on Wednesday night. That was expected. This part was not: Messi told reporters in Peru that he wants to play once more for Inter Miami before his inaugural MLS season ends, which means he's intending to play in Charlotte on Saturday. Inter Miami rallied on Wednesday to tie Charlotte 2-2.

Here are the scores from yesterday's sports events:

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PRESEASON

WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PLAYOFFS

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688383699667.jpeg" alt="Sports Headlines for Thursday Morning, October 19th, 2023" />
 <figcaption>Sports Headlines for Thursday Morning, October 19th, 2023</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="October 19th, 2023 Eagle Media 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=qy8gt-14d5fae-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 October 19th.Altuve and Javier lead Astros to 8-5 win at Rangers as Houston closes to 2-1 in ALCSARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Jose Altuve homered, Cristian Javier worked into the sixth inning of another solid postseason start and the Houston Astros beat the Texas Rangers 8-5, closing to 2-1 in the AL Championship Series. Texas lost for the first time this postseason after a 7-0 start as three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer was gone after four innings in his first outing in more than a month after recovering from a strained shoulder muscle. Javier set a franchise record for the defending champion Astros by extending his postseason scoreless streak to 20 1/3 innings.Las Vegas Aces become first repeat WNBA champs in 21 years, beating New York Liberty 70-69 in Game 4NEW YORK (AP) — The Las Vegas Aces became the first team in 21 years to win back-to-back WNBA championships, getting 24 points and 16 rebounds from A'ja Wilson and a defensive stop in the closing seconds to beat the New York Liberty 70-69 in Game 4 of the Finals. The Aces joined the Los Angeles Sparks in 2001-02 and the Houston Comets from 1997-2000 as the only teams in league history to win consecutive titles. Las Vegas did it without starters Chelsea Gray and Kiah Stokes, who were both sidelined with foot injuries suffered in Game 3.Scherzer roughed up by Astros in return from injury, leaving with Rangers down 5 in lossARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Max Scherzer was roughed up again by the Houston Astros, this time in Game 3 of the AL Championship Series. The three-time Cy Young Award winner lasted four innings in his first start in more than a month, leaving with a five-run deficit in an 8-5 loss to the Astros that cut the Texas Rangers' series lead to 2-1. Scherzer gave up three runs in the second on a wild pitch and Martín Maldonado's two-run single, then allowed Jose Altuve's leadoff homer in the third. Houston took a 5-0 lead on Mauricio Dubón's RBI single in the fourth.D-backs rookie Brandon Pfaadt will try to slow the homer-happy Phillies in Game 3PHOENIX (AP) — The Diamondbacks will turn to rookie right-hander Brandon Pfaadt in Game 3 of the NL Championship Series to try and slow the homer-happy Phillies offense. Philadelphia has a 2-0 lead in the series after a dominant two games at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies smashed six homers in the two wins, including three by Kyle Schwarber. Pfaadt has a tendency to give up homers in the regular season, but had one of his best games of the season against the Dodgers in the NL Division Series.NBA's $300 million man, Jaylen Brown ready to step into leadership role for retooled CelticsBOSTON (AP) — Jaylen Brown wasn't considered to be a surefire NBA superstar when the was drafted in 2016. As he prepares for his eighth season, his play has forced the narrative about him to be rewritten. Last season was a defining year for Brown, who garnered his second All-Star selection and second-team All-NBA nod while helping lead the Celtics to within a game of back-to-back NBA Finals appearances. This summer he cashed in signing a five-year, $304 million extension. The richest contract in NBA history and immediately thrust him onto a tier reserved for only the league's most elite stars. Now he says he's ready to provide the voice and leadership for a retooled Celtics roster with championship aspirations.James Harden skips 76ers practice, leaving coach Nick Nurse unsure of what comes nextCAMDEN, N.J. (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers coach Nick Nurse said he had no explanation for why James Harden skipped practice Wednesday but planned to proceed as if the disgruntled guard will play in the preseason finale. Harden said last week he could try to play in the Sixers' preseason finale on Friday against Atlanta. But once he skipped practice, the 76ers were left unsure of what comes next. Harden has yet to play in the preseason. He did attend training camp and continued to practice with the Sixers in the wake of his offseason trade demand. Harden said last week his fractured relationship with team president Daryl Morey couldn't be repaired.Phil Mickelson claims more players want to jump to Saudi-backed LIV GolfPhil Mickelson is sounding confident as ever that more players are willing to jump over to the Saudi-funded LIV Golf League. LIV is wrapping up its second season at Trump Doral outside Miami for its team championship. Mickelson says he knows players want to be part of it without mentioning who. None of the top players have indicated they are willing to leave the PGA Tour or European tour. The business agreement among Saudi Arabia's wealth fund and the tours included a clause to stop poaching players. That was removed in July at the request of the Justice Department.NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says league still needs to hire more minority head coachesNEW YORK (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league still needs to hire more minority head coaches. The latest rule change was aimed at increasing opportunities. Owners voted Tuesday to push in-person head coaching interviews back one more week until after all divisional playoff games have been completed to slow down the hiring process. NFL executive Dasha Smith said the league office and the 32 teams are 50% diverse. There are six minority head coaches, including three who are Black. The goal of pushing the in-person interviews back one week is to create more opportunities for candidates.Colts QB Anthony Richardson opts for season-ending surgery on injured throwing shoulderINDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson will have season-ending shoulder surgery. Colts coach Shane Steichen says the long-term health of the former Florida Gators star was the key factor in making the decision. The fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft, Richardson suffered a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder at the end of a short run against Tennessee on Oct. 8. With Richardson out, veteran Gardner Minshew will continue to start.Messi out for Inter Miami's home finale, says he wants to play Saturday at CharlotteFORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi says he will play in Inter Miami's season finale on Saturday, although the club hasn't confirmed that is the actual plan. Messi — who scored two goals for Argentina in its 2-0 World Cup qualifying win at Peru on Tuesday night — wasn't in the lineup for Inter Miami's final home game of its Major League Soccer season against Charlotte on Wednesday night. That was expected. This part was not: Messi told reporters in Peru that he wants to play once more for Inter Miami before his inaugural MLS season ends, which means he's intending to play in Charlotte on Saturday. Inter Miami rallied on Wednesday to tie Charlotte 2-2.AP-ScorecardHere are the scores from yesterday's sports events:___AMERICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFSFinal	Houston	8	Texas	5	___NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PRESEASONFinal	Washington	131	New York	106	Final	Brooklyn	107	Miami	104	Final	San Antonio	117	Houston	103	Final	Golden State	116	Sacramento	115	___NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUEFinal	Ottawa	6	Washington	1	Final	Detroit	6	Pittsburgh	3	___WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PLAYOFFSFinal	Las Vegas	70	New York	69	___MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCERFinal tie	Charlotte FC	2	Miami	2	___TODAY'S SPORTS SCHEDULE___AMERICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS		Houston	at	Texas	8:03 p.m.	___NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAYOFFS		Philadelphia	at	Arizona	5:07 p.m.	___NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PRESEASON		Boston	at	Charlotte	7 p.m.			Detroit	at	Oklahoma City	8 p.m.			Minnesota	at	Chicago	8 p.m.			Denver	at	L.A. Clippers	10 p.m.			Phoenix	at	L.A. Lakers	10 p.m.			Utah	at	Sacramento	10 p.m.	___NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE		Calgary	at	Buffalo	7 p.m.			Nashville	at	N-Y Rangers	7 p.m.			Toronto	at	Florida	7 p.m.			Vancouver	at	Tampa Bay	7 p.m.			Edmonton	at	Philadelphia	7:30 p.m.			Arizona	at	St. Louis	8 p.m.			Los Angeles	at	Minnesota	8 p.m.			Vegas	at	Winnipeg	8 p.m.			Carolina	at	Seattle	10 p.m.			Dallas	at	Anaheim	10 p.m.			Boston	at	San Jose	10:30 p.m.			Chicago	at	Colorado	10:30 p.m.	___NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE		Jacksonville	at	New Orleans	8:15 p.m.	___

📢📰 Sports Headlines for Thursday

By DAN WASZAK Jr. AP Pro Football Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Jets are trading seldom-used wide receiver Mecole Hardman back to the Kansas City Chiefs, where he was part of two Super Bowl-winning teams, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The Jets also are sending a seventh-round pick in the 2025 draft to the Chiefs and getting a sixth-rounder that year in return, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the teams had not announced the trade, which was first reported by ESPN.

The Chiefs selected the 25-year-old Hardman in the second round of the 2019 draft, and he made the Pro Bowl as a rookie as a return specialist. Hardman gradually became a bigger part of the Kansas City offense, taking advantage of prolific passer Patrick Mahomes, and wound up making 151 catches for 2,088 yards and 16 touchdowns over four seasons with the Chiefs.

He became a free agent last offseason and signed a $4 million contract with the Jets, who hoped that he could incorporate his speed and versatility into their offense. The deal included a $2.5 million signing bonus and $3.6 million in guarantees.

Hardman had a quiet training camp, and undrafted rookie Xavier Gipson eventually surpassed him on the depth chart as a returner and wide receiver. Gipson had the winning punt return in overtime in New York’s season-opening win over Buffalo and has become more involved in the offense, including running the ball out of the backfield on reverses and end-arounds.

Meanwhile, Hardman played only 28 snaps on offense — with one 6-yard catch — and two snaps on special teams. He was a healthy inactive in Week 5 at Denver when the Jets instead elevated wide receiver Irvin Charles from the practice squad because of his special teams skills.

Hardman acknowledged last week that his lack of playing time has been “hard sometimes mentally,” but said he was focused on contributing however he could.

“As of now, I guess there’s just maybe better options,” he said. “Or they just haven’t called my number yet.”

Trade speculation centering around Hardman began circulating during the past few weeks.

“I just want to play,” Hardman said. “Whether it’s here or somewhere else, I don’t make that call.”

When asked if he’d welcome a trade, Hardman said: “It depends. If it works out for both sides, I guess, I don’t know. I’ve never been part of this, so I don’t know.”

Kansas City became a natural fit given his background with the Chiefs and their own problems at wide receiver.

They allowed Hardman and veteran JuJu Smith-Schuster to sign elsewhere in free agency, and they were confident that a young and untested group of wide receivers would be able to step up. But while rookie Rashee Rice has started to make more plays, the Chiefs have still gotten little from second-year pro Skyy Moore or oft-injured Kadarius Toney.

Wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who is making more than the rest of their receivers combined, has failed to make an impact, and the Chiefs lost Justin Watson for the short term after he bruised an elbow last week against Denver.

Watson did not practice Wednesday and is unlikely to play Sunday against the Chargers.

The Chiefs have won five straight heading into their AFC West matchup with Los Angeles, while the Jets handed the Eagles their first loss last week and are carrying back-to-back wins into their off week.

Hardman should immediately help a Chiefs offense in need of playmakers around Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce.

In his four seasons in Kansas City, Hardman ran the ball 20 times for 125 yards and two scores. He also regularly served as the Chiefs' primary returner and scored a touchdown on a kickoff return and a punt.

Last year, Hardman was the first wide receiver in the Super Bowl era to score on two runs and have a TD catch in the same game. He missed several games with an abdominal injury and returned for the AFC championship game before he reinjured himself and couldn’t play in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl win over Philadelphia.

By DAN WASZAK Jr. AP Pro Football WriterNEW YORK (AP) — The New York Jets are trading seldom-used wide receiver Mecole Hardman back to the Kansas City Chiefs, where he was part of two Super Bowl-winning teams, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Wednesday.The Jets also are sending a seventh-round pick in the 2025 draft to the Chiefs and getting a sixth-rounder that year in return, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the teams had not announced the trade, which was first reported by ESPN.The Chiefs selected the 25-year-old Hardman in the second round of the 2019 draft, and he made the Pro Bowl as a rookie as a return specialist. Hardman gradually became a bigger part of the Kansas City offense, taking advantage of prolific passer Patrick Mahomes, and wound up making 151 catches for 2,088 yards and 16 touchdowns over four seasons with the Chiefs.He became a free agent last offseason and signed a $4 million contract with the Jets, who hoped that he could incorporate his speed and versatility into their offense. The deal included a $2.5 million signing bonus and $3.6 million in guarantees.Hardman had a quiet training camp, and undrafted rookie Xavier Gipson eventually surpassed him on the depth chart as a returner and wide receiver. Gipson had the winning punt return in overtime in New York’s season-opening win over Buffalo and has become more involved in the offense, including running the ball out of the backfield on reverses and end-arounds.Meanwhile, Hardman played only 28 snaps on offense — with one 6-yard catch — and two snaps on special teams. He was a healthy inactive in Week 5 at Denver when the Jets instead elevated wide receiver Irvin Charles from the practice squad because of his special teams skills.Hardman acknowledged last week that his lack of playing time has been “hard sometimes mentally,” but said he was focused on contributing however he could.“As of now, I guess there’s just maybe better options,” he said. “Or they just haven’t called my number yet.”Trade speculation centering around Hardman began circulating during the past few weeks.“I just want to play,” Hardman said. “Whether it’s here or somewhere else, I don’t make that call.”When asked if he’d welcome a trade, Hardman said: “It depends. If it works out for both sides, I guess, I don’t know. I’ve never been part of this, so I don’t know.”Kansas City became a natural fit given his background with the Chiefs and their own problems at wide receiver.They allowed Hardman and veteran JuJu Smith-Schuster to sign elsewhere in free agency, and they were confident that a young and untested group of wide receivers would be able to step up. But while rookie Rashee Rice has started to make more plays, the Chiefs have still gotten little from second-year pro Skyy Moore or oft-injured Kadarius Toney.Wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who is making more than the rest of their receivers combined, has failed to make an impact, and the Chiefs lost Justin Watson for the short term after he bruised an elbow last week against Denver.Watson did not practice Wednesday and is unlikely to play Sunday against the Chargers.The Chiefs have won five straight heading into their AFC West matchup with Los Angeles, while the Jets handed the Eagles their first loss last week and are carrying back-to-back wins into their off week.Hardman should immediately help a Chiefs offense in need of playmakers around Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce.In his four seasons in Kansas City, Hardman ran the ball 20 times for 125 yards and two scores. He also regularly served as the Chiefs' primary returner and scored a touchdown on a kickoff return and a punt.Last year, Hardman was the first wide receiver in the Super Bowl era to score on two runs and have a TD catch in the same game. He missed several games with an abdominal injury and returned for the AFC championship game before he reinjured himself and couldn’t play in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl win over Philadelphia.

🏈 Jets trading Mecole Hardman back to the Chiefs for draft picks

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695207978292.png" alt="Chris Klieman Radio Show - 10-18-23.png" />
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 </figure><div><iframe title="K-State FB Coach Chris Klieman Radio Show for October 18th, 2023" 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=rk7hz-14d760a-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: K-State Head Football Coach Chris Klieman Radio Show for October 18th

WICHITA, Kan. — The Buhler High School and McPherson High School football game will be played at Riverfront Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. in downtown Wichita.

The <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/f658ae79-4aa3-4c74-877d-b610cc566280">announcement of the game being played in the Air Capital came in July</a>, but now three months later and the two rivals are set to square off under the lights tomorrow night.

"You know I think it provides a really cool opportunity for our kids, our coaches and our community," Buhler athletic director Justin Seuser said. "Obviously the Buhler and McPherson game is great regardless of where it is played, but I think this will be a pretty cool opportunity and memory that our kids will be able to hold onto and remember for a long long time."

Buhler head coach Steve Warner gives a lot of credit for the possibility to play at Riverfront Stadium to McPherson athletic director Shane Backus and head football coach Jace Pavlovich.

"I thought that was pretty special to be asked to play there," Warner said. "A bitter rivalry with talented communities that really are always competing, it's pretty special to be invited by McPherson to play there.

The game also means a lot to Warner and his team.

"The opportunity to play there for our kids, I think will be a memory that will last a lifetime," Warner said. "It's a beautiful setting, the jumbotron, the locker rooms are amazing, the facilities are amazing, I think it'll be a great experience for us."

When the two rivals get going under the lights at 7 p.m., there will be a lot to play for.

"The league title is on the line and we want to play well," Warner said. "They're very very aggressive on defense. They're not very big, they have kids going every direction. Our kids have got to be ready and basically do the things we love to do. If we have good fundamentals that will take care of a lot of things that they want to do."

Buhler comes into the regular season finale with a 6-1 record and ranked No. 5 in class 4A. The Crusaders have won six straight games after dropping its season opener to Andover Central, 20-14. Since then the Crusaders are averaging 41.5 points per game, while holding opponents to 14.6 points.

The Crusaders have the seventh highest scoring offense in class 4A going into the final game, while the scoring defense ranks seventh best, as well.&nbsp;

Buhler has gotten a majority of their offense done on the ground, rushing for 277.5 yards per game, fifth best in class 4A.

Crusaders quarterback Jeffrey Neill has thrown for over 650 yards and five touchdowns, while also rushing for 315 yards and seven scores. Sophomore Ben Clouse has been the workhorse out of the backfield, going for 805 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Defensively, junior Brady Gotti has a team-high 41 tackles, junior Mitchel McDaniel and Brayden Gentry each have two interceptions.

The Crusaders rank ninth in total defense, allowing 259.3 yards per game, while holding opponents to just 102.3 yards on the ground, third best in 4A.

McPherson is 4-3 on the year entering the final regular season game. The Bullpups come into Thursdays game following a 28-10 win at Mulvane last Friday. The Pups found themselves down 10-0 in the first quarter before reeling off 28 unanswered points.

The longest winning streak of the season for McPherson this season has been two games with a week four and week five win over Towanda-Circle and Winfield.

The McPherson passing game runs through senior quarterback Owen Fetsch, while the ground game goes through juniors Carlos German and Isaac Barnett. The two juniors ran the ball 30 times last week for 141 and two touchdowns in the win over Mulvane.

McPherson offensively is tied for 18th in 4A with 24.7 points per game, while defensively allowing 18.6 points, 11th best in 4A. The Bullpups offense averages 280.4 yards per game, 19th in 4A, while the defense allows 250.1 yards, seventh in the class.

The Bullpups won last years meeting in Buhler, 49-6. The last win for the Crusaders came in 2021, a 42-30 win in Buhler, as well. McPherson has dominated the series since 2013, going 8-4, including two wins in the 2017 and 2020 seasons. The win in 2021 for the Crusaders ended a six-game Bullpup win streak.

Admission will cost adults $8 and $4 for students. General admission tickets are on sale now through the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/wichita/tickets">Wichita Wind Surge ticket office</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697659402441.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SEAN BOSTON Hutch PostWICHITA, Kan. — The Buhler High School and McPherson High School football game will be played at Riverfront Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. in downtown Wichita.The <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/f658ae79-4aa3-4c74-877d-b610cc566280">announcement of the game being played in the Air Capital came in July</a>, but now three months later and the two rivals are set to square off under the lights tomorrow night."You know I think it provides a really cool opportunity for our kids, our coaches and our community," Buhler athletic director Justin Seuser said. "Obviously the Buhler and McPherson game is great regardless of where it is played, but I think this will be a pretty cool opportunity and memory that our kids will be able to hold onto and remember for a long long time."Buhler head coach Steve Warner gives a lot of credit for the possibility to play at Riverfront Stadium to McPherson athletic director Shane Backus and head football coach Jace Pavlovich."I thought that was pretty special to be asked to play there," Warner said. "A bitter rivalry with talented communities that really are always competing, it's pretty special to be invited by McPherson to play there.The game also means a lot to Warner and his team."The opportunity to play there for our kids, I think will be a memory that will last a lifetime," Warner said. "It's a beautiful setting, the jumbotron, the locker rooms are amazing, the facilities are amazing, I think it'll be a great experience for us."When the two rivals get going under the lights at 7 p.m., there will be a lot to play for."The league title is on the line and we want to play well," Warner said. "They're very very aggressive on defense. They're not very big, they have kids going every direction. Our kids have got to be ready and basically do the things we love to do. If we have good fundamentals that will take care of a lot of things that they want to do."Buhler comes into the regular season finale with a 6-1 record and ranked No. 5 in class 4A. The Crusaders have won six straight games after dropping its season opener to Andover Central, 20-14. Since then the Crusaders are averaging 41.5 points per game, while holding opponents to 14.6 points.The Crusaders have the seventh highest scoring offense in class 4A going into the final game, while the scoring defense ranks seventh best, as well.&nbsp;Buhler has gotten a majority of their offense done on the ground, rushing for 277.5 yards per game, fifth best in class 4A.Crusaders quarterback Jeffrey Neill has thrown for over 650 yards and five touchdowns, while also rushing for 315 yards and seven scores. Sophomore Ben Clouse has been the workhorse out of the backfield, going for 805 yards and 14 touchdowns.Defensively, junior Brady Gotti has a team-high 41 tackles, junior Mitchel McDaniel and Brayden Gentry each have two interceptions.The Crusaders rank ninth in total defense, allowing 259.3 yards per game, while holding opponents to just 102.3 yards on the ground, third best in 4A.McPherson is 4-3 on the year entering the final regular season game. The Bullpups come into Thursdays game following a 28-10 win at Mulvane last Friday. The Pups found themselves down 10-0 in the first quarter before reeling off 28 unanswered points.The longest winning streak of the season for McPherson this season has been two games with a week four and week five win over Towanda-Circle and Winfield.The McPherson passing game runs through senior quarterback Owen Fetsch, while the ground game goes through juniors Carlos German and Isaac Barnett. The two juniors ran the ball 30 times last week for 141 and two touchdowns in the win over Mulvane.McPherson offensively is tied for 18th in 4A with 24.7 points per game, while defensively allowing 18.6 points, 11th best in 4A. The Bullpups offense averages 280.4 yards per game, 19th in 4A, while the defense allows 250.1 yards, seventh in the class.The Bullpups won last years meeting in Buhler, 49-6. The last win for the Crusaders came in 2021, a 42-30 win in Buhler, as well. McPherson has dominated the series since 2013, going 8-4, including two wins in the 2017 and 2020 seasons. The win in 2021 for the Crusaders ended a six-game Bullpup win streak.Admission will cost adults $8 and $4 for students. General admission tickets are on sale now through the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/wichita/tickets">Wichita Wind Surge ticket office</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏈 Buhler and McPherson to play at Riverfront Stadium in Wichita on Thursday

🎧 LISTEN: Audio from Big 12 MBB Media Day, Chiefs reunion, ALCS resumes tonight

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697662242045.png" alt="(Courtesy of ESPN+ &amp; Big 12 Conference)" />
 <figcaption>(Courtesy of ESPN+ &amp; Big 12 Conference)</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="Big 12 MBB Media Day: KU head coach Bill Self" 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=y64mw-14d539d-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: KU MBB coach Bill Self at Big 12 Media Day

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697640788848.png" alt="(Courtesy ESPN+ &amp; the Big 12 Conference)" />
 <figcaption>(Courtesy ESPN+ &amp; the Big 12 Conference)</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="Big 12 MBB Media Day: K-State head coach Jerome Tang" 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=medr6-14d4c3d-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: K-State MBB coach Jerome Tang at Big 12 Media Day

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686545907116.jpeg" alt="Eagle Media Sports for Wednesday Morning, October 18th" />
 <figcaption>Eagle Media Sports for Wednesday Morning, October 18th</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="October 18th, 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=9579n-14d4975-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: MLB Playoffs Philly Slams Diamond Backs, Jayhawk Conference Basketball, Chris Klieman's statement on QB controversy

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas State coach Chris Klieman plans to use both veteran Will Howard and freshman Avery Johnson at quarterback going forward. He announced that decision Tuesday after watching Johnson come on against Texas Tech and lead the Wildcats from a third-quarter deficit to a 38-21 win. Johnson matched a school record with five touchdown runs, and he remains the only player in the Football Bowl Subdivision with that many in a game this season. Howard led the Wildcats to the Big 12 title last season. Kansas State plays TCU on Saturday in a rematch of the conference championship game.

UNDATED (AP) — The four newcomers in the Big 12 are off to a bad start. BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF are a combined 2-10 in league games. It's a far cry from their recent histories. Cincinnati went to the College Football Playoff in 2021. BYU won 10 games twice in the past three years. Houston is two years removed from a 12-win season. And UCF had at least nine victories in five of the last six years. So far, UCF and Cincinnati are winless in Big 12 play and the Bearcats have lost four straight.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Big 12 is preparing to play a 20-game conference schedule in men’s basketball, and an 18-game women’s schedule, when the league loses Texas and Oklahoma but welcomes four additions from the Pac-12 beginning next season. The arrival of Arizona, Arizona State and Utah along with former Big 12 member Colorado from the latest round of conference realignment has created new challenges in scheduling. The league will stretch across all four time zones and result in some long and time-consuming road trips. But Yormark said the league will prioritize geography along with competitive balance, historic matchups and rivalries when it is determining future schedules.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Big 12 women's basketball tournament will be played at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City the week before the men's event beginning this season. The women for years have played at Municipal Auditorium, a building built during the 1930s with a much smaller capacity and far fewer amenities. That was so that the two tourneys could run concurrently, and traveling fans could see both of their teams on the same trip. Now, the women's tournament will be held the week before the men in March. Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark says the women deserve to be in a better venue.

UNDATED (AP) — During a Senate hearing, NCAA President Charlie Baker shifted the focus of college sports’ need for federal legislation away from regulating how athletes can be compensated for their fame to the looming possibility of the players being deemed employees of their schools. Baker, Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti and Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick were among the witnesses appearing in front of the House Judiciary Committee. This was the 10th hearing on college sports to be held on Capitol Hill since 2020. Baker said in his opening statement that college sports are “overdue for change.”

UNDATED (AP) — Halfway through the 2023 season, the national championship race feels more wide open than it has been in years. Seems like a great time for a 12-team College Football Playoff but that will have to until 2024. For now, the playoff is still a four-team bracket. At midseason, No. 16 Duke is the most pleasant surprise and Clemson isthe biggest disappointment, according to AP College Football Writer Ralph Russo. He also likes LSU's Jayden Daniels for the Heisman Trophy and Utah's Kyle Whittingham as the top coach so far.

NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL is looking to eliminate the hip-drop tackle and will again discuss the “tush push” in the offseason. League executive Jeff Miller said Tuesday the hip-drop tackle increases risk of injury by 25 times the rate of a standard tackle. Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith briefly left a game against the Giants in Week 4 after getting hurt by a hip-drop tackle. The league made the horse-collar tackle illegal several years ago because a defender’s body weight ends up on the legs of the ball carrier, enhancing risk of injury. Rich McKay, the chairman of the NFL’s competition committee, called the hip-drop tackle a “cousin” of the horse collar.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Kyle Schwarber hit two of Philadelphia’s three solo homers off Merrill Kelly, and the sweet-swinging Phillies pounded the Arizona Diamondbacks 10-0 for a 2-0 lead in the NL Championship Series. Trea Turner also connected and J.T. Realmuto had two hits and three RBIs as Philadelphia improved to 7-1 in the playoffs, moving closer to a second straight World Series appearance. Aaron Nola tossed three-hit ball and struck out seven in six innings. Game 3 is Thursday at Chase Field.

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Max Scherzer is getting back on the mound for the Texas Rangers with a chance to put them up 3-0 in the AL Championship Series against the Houston Astros. Scherzer has been out a month because of a muscle strain in his shoulder. The three-time Cy Young Award winner made only one more start after allowing seven runs on three homers in three innings against Houston on September 6. That was the end of a three-game series in Arlington when the Astros hit 16 homers and outscored them 39-10. Cristian Javier starts for the Astros. The Rangers have won all seven of their playoff games. This will be only their second one at home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688383699667.jpeg" alt="Sports Headlines for Wednesday Morning, October 18th, 2023" />
 <figcaption>Sports Headlines for Wednesday Morning, October 18th, 2023</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="October 18th, 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=9579n-14d4975-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) — Kansas State coach Chris Klieman plans to use both veteran Will Howard and freshman Avery Johnson at quarterback going forward. He announced that decision Tuesday after watching Johnson come on against Texas Tech and lead the Wildcats from a third-quarter deficit to a 38-21 win. Johnson matched a school record with five touchdown runs, and he remains the only player in the Football Bowl Subdivision with that many in a game this season. Howard led the Wildcats to the Big 12 title last season. Kansas State plays TCU on Saturday in a rematch of the conference championship game.UNDATED (AP) — The four newcomers in the Big 12 are off to a bad start. BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF are a combined 2-10 in league games. It's a far cry from their recent histories. Cincinnati went to the College Football Playoff in 2021. BYU won 10 games twice in the past three years. Houston is two years removed from a 12-win season. And UCF had at least nine victories in five of the last six years. So far, UCF and Cincinnati are winless in Big 12 play and the Bearcats have lost four straight.KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Big 12 is preparing to play a 20-game conference schedule in men’s basketball, and an 18-game women’s schedule, when the league loses Texas and Oklahoma but welcomes four additions from the Pac-12 beginning next season. The arrival of Arizona, Arizona State and Utah along with former Big 12 member Colorado from the latest round of conference realignment has created new challenges in scheduling. The league will stretch across all four time zones and result in some long and time-consuming road trips. But Yormark said the league will prioritize geography along with competitive balance, historic matchups and rivalries when it is determining future schedules.KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Big 12 women's basketball tournament will be played at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City the week before the men's event beginning this season. The women for years have played at Municipal Auditorium, a building built during the 1930s with a much smaller capacity and far fewer amenities. That was so that the two tourneys could run concurrently, and traveling fans could see both of their teams on the same trip. Now, the women's tournament will be held the week before the men in March. Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark says the women deserve to be in a better venue.UNDATED (AP) — During a Senate hearing, NCAA President Charlie Baker shifted the focus of college sports’ need for federal legislation away from regulating how athletes can be compensated for their fame to the looming possibility of the players being deemed employees of their schools. Baker, Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti and Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick were among the witnesses appearing in front of the House Judiciary Committee. This was the 10th hearing on college sports to be held on Capitol Hill since 2020. Baker said in his opening statement that college sports are “overdue for change.”UNDATED (AP) — Halfway through the 2023 season, the national championship race feels more wide open than it has been in years. Seems like a great time for a 12-team College Football Playoff but that will have to until 2024. For now, the playoff is still a four-team bracket. At midseason, No. 16 Duke is the most pleasant surprise and Clemson isthe biggest disappointment, according to AP College Football Writer Ralph Russo. He also likes LSU's Jayden Daniels for the Heisman Trophy and Utah's Kyle Whittingham as the top coach so far.NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL is looking to eliminate the hip-drop tackle and will again discuss the “tush push” in the offseason. League executive Jeff Miller said Tuesday the hip-drop tackle increases risk of injury by 25 times the rate of a standard tackle. Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith briefly left a game against the Giants in Week 4 after getting hurt by a hip-drop tackle. The league made the horse-collar tackle illegal several years ago because a defender’s body weight ends up on the legs of the ball carrier, enhancing risk of injury. Rich McKay, the chairman of the NFL’s competition committee, called the hip-drop tackle a “cousin” of the horse collar.PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Kyle Schwarber hit two of Philadelphia’s three solo homers off Merrill Kelly, and the sweet-swinging Phillies pounded the Arizona Diamondbacks 10-0 for a 2-0 lead in the NL Championship Series. Trea Turner also connected and J.T. Realmuto had two hits and three RBIs as Philadelphia improved to 7-1 in the playoffs, moving closer to a second straight World Series appearance. Aaron Nola tossed three-hit ball and struck out seven in six innings. Game 3 is Thursday at Chase Field.ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Max Scherzer is getting back on the mound for the Texas Rangers with a chance to put them up 3-0 in the AL Championship Series against the Houston Astros. Scherzer has been out a month because of a muscle strain in his shoulder. The three-time Cy Young Award winner made only one more start after allowing seven runs on three homers in three innings against Houston on September 6. That was the end of a three-game series in Arlington when the Astros hit 16 homers and outscored them 39-10. Cristian Javier starts for the Astros. The Rangers have won all seven of their playoff games. This will be only their second one at home.TUESDAY SCORESNATIONAL LEAGUE PLAYOFFSFinal Philadelphia 10 Arizona 0NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUEFinal Philadelphia 2 Vancouver 0Final Minnesota 5 Montreal 2Final N-Y Islanders 1 Arizona 0Final OT Buffalo 3 Tampa Bay 2Final Los Angeles 5 Winnipeg 1Final Edmonton 6 Nashville 1Final Colorado 4 Seattle 1Final Carolina 6 San Jose 3

📢📰 Sports Headlines for Wednesday

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678363413755.jpeg" alt="Big 12 Basketball Media Days" />
 <figcaption>Big 12 Basketball Media Days</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/As5iD0AGET8?si=np082j0mbuJwgBV9" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><div><iframe title="2023 Big 12 Women’s Tip Off Day with KU Coach Schneider, Emily Ryan and K-State Coach Mitten" 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=wmsij-14d44fa-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 and WATCH: Big 12 Women's Media Day interviews with KU, K-State Coaches, Claflin's Emily Ryan

🎧 LISTEN: KJCCC preseason hoops polls, audio from Big 12 WBB Media Day

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas State coach Chris Klieman plans to use both veteran Will Howard and Avery Johnson at quarterback going forward after the freshman standout came on against Texas Tech last weekend and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/avery-johnson-xavier-watts-college-football-9e3f435cc037caae33f6c19b0a996a30">matched a school record</a>&nbsp;with five touchdown runs.

The Wildcats were struggling to move the ball&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-state-texas-tech-college-football-f65bd758f60040e9c28ffd20d115bbaa">against the Red Raiders</a>&nbsp;with Howard, who replaced the injured Adrian Martinez last season and led them to the Big 12 championship. But when Johnson entered the game, the dual-threat quarterback energized Kansas State, which wound up overcoming a third-quarter deficit for a 38-21 victory.

“What we learned from this past Saturday is that we've seen Will play at a really high level and be successful, and then we saw Avery play at a high level and be successful,” Klieman said Tuesday. “So we feel comfortable with both guys.”

Howard, who has started the first six games for the Wildcats (4-2, 2-1 Big 12), has struggled at times this season. He has thrown for 1,310 yards with nine touchdown passes and seven interceptions. That includes three picks two weeks ago at Oklahoma State, when the senior quarterback was just 15 of 34 for 152 yards and a touchdown in the 29-21 loss.

That defeat, coupled with a loss to Missouri in which Howard also struggled, left the Wildcats in a tough position in the Big 12 race. They face TCU on Saturday night in a rematch of last year's conference title game, then play conference newcomer Houston before a showdown with third-ranked Texas that could help decide who plays in this year's championship game.

Kansas State listed both Howard and Johnson as the starter for the Horned Frogs (4-3, 2-2), but Klieman said there will be no decision on the amount of playing time each will receive until the game plan is finalized later in the week.

“If you thought it would be a 60-40, 50-50 or a 90-10 split, we have no idea,” Klieman said. “We're going to go through the game plan and see who, where and what gives us the best opportunity.”

Johnson is known for his blazing speed — some say he's the fastest on the roster — and that showed last Saturday, when he carried 13 times for 90 yards and those five scores. But he also was 8 of 9 for 77 yards through the air against the Red Raiders, and he is 11 of 13 for 132 yards when figuring some playing time against Southeast Missouri State and Missouri.

“We saw the speed instantly, out there running in the summer. ‘This kid can roll.’ And we got into fall camp and it was like, ‘OK, he can throw too,'" Kansas State wide receiver Jadon Jackson said. “He's something special.”

Johnson got a jump on his college career last fall, when he helped lead Maize High School to a second straight Kansas state title before graduating early. That allowed him to enroll at Kansas State at the semester and take place in spring ball.

“First two months he was a little quiet and things like that,” Wildcats running back Treshaun Ward said. “As he got comfortable for us, he started talking more. He's on the right track to be a leader, and he'll be an incredible leader, too.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697477192270.jpeg" alt="Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson (5) runs the ball against Texas Tech in an NCAA football game in Lubbock, Texas, Saturday, October 15, 2023. (Courtesy Kansas State Athletics)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson (5) runs the ball against Texas Tech in an NCAA football game in Lubbock, Texas, Saturday, October 15, 2023. (Courtesy Kansas State Athletics)</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports WriterKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas State coach Chris Klieman plans to use both veteran Will Howard and Avery Johnson at quarterback going forward after the freshman standout came on against Texas Tech last weekend and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/avery-johnson-xavier-watts-college-football-9e3f435cc037caae33f6c19b0a996a30">matched a school record</a>&nbsp;with five touchdown runs.The Wildcats were struggling to move the ball&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-state-texas-tech-college-football-f65bd758f60040e9c28ffd20d115bbaa">against the Red Raiders</a>&nbsp;with Howard, who replaced the injured Adrian Martinez last season and led them to the Big 12 championship. But when Johnson entered the game, the dual-threat quarterback energized Kansas State, which wound up overcoming a third-quarter deficit for a 38-21 victory.“What we learned from this past Saturday is that we've seen Will play at a really high level and be successful, and then we saw Avery play at a high level and be successful,” Klieman said Tuesday. “So we feel comfortable with both guys.”Howard, who has started the first six games for the Wildcats (4-2, 2-1 Big 12), has struggled at times this season. He has thrown for 1,310 yards with nine touchdown passes and seven interceptions. That includes three picks two weeks ago at Oklahoma State, when the senior quarterback was just 15 of 34 for 152 yards and a touchdown in the 29-21 loss.That defeat, coupled with a loss to Missouri in which Howard also struggled, left the Wildcats in a tough position in the Big 12 race. They face TCU on Saturday night in a rematch of last year's conference title game, then play conference newcomer Houston before a showdown with third-ranked Texas that could help decide who plays in this year's championship game.Kansas State listed both Howard and Johnson as the starter for the Horned Frogs (4-3, 2-2), but Klieman said there will be no decision on the amount of playing time each will receive until the game plan is finalized later in the week.“If you thought it would be a 60-40, 50-50 or a 90-10 split, we have no idea,” Klieman said. “We're going to go through the game plan and see who, where and what gives us the best opportunity.”Johnson is known for his blazing speed — some say he's the fastest on the roster — and that showed last Saturday, when he carried 13 times for 90 yards and those five scores. But he also was 8 of 9 for 77 yards through the air against the Red Raiders, and he is 11 of 13 for 132 yards when figuring some playing time against Southeast Missouri State and Missouri.“We saw the speed instantly, out there running in the summer. ‘This kid can roll.’ And we got into fall camp and it was like, ‘OK, he can throw too,'" Kansas State wide receiver Jadon Jackson said. “He's something special.”Johnson got a jump on his college career last fall, when he helped lead Maize High School to a second straight Kansas state title before graduating early. That allowed him to enroll at Kansas State at the semester and take place in spring ball.“First two months he was a little quiet and things like that,” Wildcats running back Treshaun Ward said. “As he got comfortable for us, he started talking more. He's on the right track to be a leader, and he'll be an incredible leader, too.”

🏈 K-State plans to use Howard and Johnson at QB

The Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference released its preseason men's and women's basketball polls on Tuesday afternoon.

KJCCC DI WOMEN'S PRESEASON POLL 1) Butler 2) Hutchinson 3) Barton 4) Dodge City 5) Coffeyville 6) Garden City 7) Seward County 8) Cowley 9) Cloud County 10) Independence 11) Pratt 12) Northwest Tech 13) Colby

KJCCC DI MEN'S PRESEASON POLL 1) Butler 2) Barton 3) Garden City 4) Dodge City 5) Coffeyville 6) Hutchinson 7) Cloud County 8) Cowley 9) Seward County 10) Pratt 11) Northwest Tech 12) Colby 13) Independence

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633603608131.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference released its preseason men's and women's basketball polls on Tuesday afternoon.KJCCC DI WOMEN'S PRESEASON POLL 1) Butler 2) Hutchinson 3) Barton 4) Dodge City 5) Coffeyville 6) Garden City 7) Seward County 8) Cowley 9) Cloud County 10) Independence 11) Pratt 12) Northwest Tech 13) ColbyKJCCC DI MEN'S PRESEASON POLL 1) Butler 2) Barton 3) Garden City 4) Dodge City 5) Coffeyville 6) Hutchinson 7) Cloud County 8) Cowley 9) Seward County 10) Pratt 11) Northwest Tech 12) Colby 13) Independence

🏀 Blue Dragon women 2nd, men 6th in KJCCC preseason polls

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686545907116.jpeg" alt="Eagle Media Sports for Tuesday Morning, October 17th, 2023" />
 <figcaption>Eagle Media Sports for Tuesday Morning, October 17th, 2023</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="October 17th, 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=rzxs6-14d314c-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: MLB Playoffs, Rangers go up 2-0 on Houston in ALCS, KU Basketball pre-season ranked No. 1

Dak Prescott, Cowboys rally in fourth quarter for a 20-17 victory over the Chargers

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Dak Prescott threw for 272 yards and a touchdown, and the Dallas Cowboys rebounded from a rout a week ago, beating the Los Angeles Chargers 20-17 Monday night. Prescott completed 21 of 30 passes and also had a rushing TD. He connected with Brandin Cooks for a 2-yard score with 11:19 remaining in the game to give the Cowboys a 17-10 lead. Los Angeles tied it at 17 with 7:11 remaining when Gerald Everett caught a 1-yard touchdown pass from Justin Herbert. After Brandon Aubrey gave the Cowboys a 20-17 lead with a 39-yard field goal, the Chargers had one last chance to send it into overtime. But Stephon Gilmore picked off Herbert at the LA 33-yard line with 1:22 remaining to seal the victory.

Harper, Schwarber, Castellanos power Phillies past Diamondbacks 5-3 in Game 1 of NLCS

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos homered to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 5-3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 1 of the NL Championship Series. Zack Wheeler struck out eight in six innings to help the defending National League champions win their seventh Game 1 of the last two postseasons. Arizona was handed its first loss of the postseason after ripping off five straight wins against the Brewers and Dodgers. Game 2 in the best-of-seven playoff is Tuesday night.

Rangers build big early lead off Valdez, hold on for 5-4 win over Astros to take 2-0 lead in ALCS

HOUSTON (AP) — Jonah Heim homered, Nathan Eovaldi pitched six effective innings and the Texas Rangers beat Framber Valdez and Houston Astros 5-4 for a 2-0 lead in the AL Championship Series. Adolis García, Mitch Garver and Nathaniel Lowe each hit an RBI single during Texas' four-run first inning against Valdez, and José Leclerc closed it out for the Rangers after Yordan Alvarez powered an Astros rally. Eovaldi struck out nine, including two in a row after Houston loaded the bases with none out in the fifth. He was charged with three runs and five hits in his third win this postseason. The Rangers improved to 7-0 in the playoffs, including six wins on the road.

Soccer match between Belgium and Sweden suspended after a gunman kills 2 Swedes in Brussels

BRUSSELS (AP) — Thousands of soccer fans were kept inside Belgium's national stadium for about 2 1/2 hours after a game between Belgium and Sweden was suspended at halftime following the fatal shooting of two Swedes in Brussels before kickoff. The European Championship qualifier on Monday was being played 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the shooting in the Belgian capital. More than 35,000 fans attended the match. With the suspected shooter still at large, Belgian authorities kept fans inside the venue for security reasons before they started the evacuation around midnight local time. Fans chanted "All together, All together" inside the King Baudouin Stadium after the match was halted. Thousands of supporters from both sides shouted "Sweden, Sweden!"

Phillies slugger Bryce Harper wants big leaguers to play baseball at 2028 LA Olympics

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bryce Harper wants to take a swing at the Olympics. The Philadelphia Phillies slugger said it would be a dream to play for Team USA when baseball returns for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Harper has long been an advocate of MLB taking a break during the season to let major leaguers play in the Olympics. Harper turned 31 on Monday. Harper spoke of his Olympics dreams ahead of Game 1 of the NL Championship Series against Arizona.

For 4 rising NBA stars, about $1 billion in extensions leads to rising expectations

Indiana's Tyrese Haliburton got questions about the same topic more often than he could remember this summer: The money, the money, the money. As NBA salaries grow, so too does the spotlight for those who get the biggest paychecks. That's a club that players like Haliburton, Minnesota's Anthony Edwards, Charlotte's LaMelo Ball and Memphis' Desmond Bane will soon be entering for the first time. Those four players all signed extensions this summer that will kick in next year and could be worth around $1 billion combined.

Kansas is No. 1 in the preseason men's AP Top 25; Duke, Purdue next as 5 teams get first-place votes

Kansas is the preseason No. 1 in the AP men's college basketball poll. The Jayhawks received 46 of 63 first-place votes to outdistance second-place Duke and third-place Purdue. It's the third time since coach Bill Self's arrival in 2003 that his team will start the season on top. The Blue Devils received 11 first-place votes and the Boilermakers earned three. Michigan State was fourth with one first-place vote while Marquette rounded out the top five. Defending national champion UConn was sixth and runner-up San Diego State was No. 17. The season begins Nov. 6.

Analysis: Eagles, 49ers beat themselves, leaving NFL with no undefeated teams

The NFL's last two undefeated teams beat themselves. The San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles struggled on the road against inferior opponents with backup quarterbacks and tough defenses. That allowed Larry Csonka and his teammates from the 1972 Miami Dolphins to pop the champagne bottles in October. They'll remain the only perfect team in league history for at least another year. The Buffalo Bills, the NFL's biggest favorite so far this season, also had problems facing a losing team and a backup quarterback but they held on at the 1-yard line for a 14-9 win over the New York Giants.

Raiders receive encouraging news on QB Jimmy Garoppolo's back injury

HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — The Las Vegas Raiders received encouraging news on Jimmy Garoppolo's injured back. But coach Josh McDaniels said Monday he didn't know if the quarterback would be healthy enough to play at Chicago on Sunday. Garoppolo was injured in Sunday's 21-17 victory over the New England Patriots. McDaniels said Garoppolo was examined to see if "there was an internal issue." If Garoppolo doesn't play against the Bears, McDaniels can turn to Brian Hoyer or Aidan O'Connell.

Bears QB Justin Fields has dislocated thumb and is doubtful to play against Raiders

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields will likely miss at least one game because of a dislocated right thumb. Coach Matt Eberflus says it's "doubtful" Fields plays this week when the Bears host the Las Vegas Raiders after he was injured in Sunday's 19-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Rookie Tyson Bagent figures to start in his place. Eberflus also says the Bears hired former Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Phil Snow as a defensive analyst. He fills a position created after former defensive coordinator Alan Williams resigned last month. Fields was hurt on Chicago's first possession of the third quarter against Minnesota. He seemed to land awkwardly on his hand trying to throw the ball away while getting sacked by Danielle Hunter.

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PRESEASON 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688383699667.jpeg" alt="Sports Headlines for Tuesday Morning, October 17th, 2023" />
 <figcaption>Sports Headlines for Tuesday Morning, October 17th, 2023</figcaption>
 </figure>AP Sports Summary for October 17th.Dak Prescott, Cowboys rally in fourth quarter for a 20-17 victory over the ChargersINGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Dak Prescott threw for 272 yards and a touchdown, and the Dallas Cowboys rebounded from a rout a week ago, beating the Los Angeles Chargers 20-17 Monday night. Prescott completed 21 of 30 passes and also had a rushing TD. He connected with Brandin Cooks for a 2-yard score with 11:19 remaining in the game to give the Cowboys a 17-10 lead. Los Angeles tied it at 17 with 7:11 remaining when Gerald Everett caught a 1-yard touchdown pass from Justin Herbert. After Brandon Aubrey gave the Cowboys a 20-17 lead with a 39-yard field goal, the Chargers had one last chance to send it into overtime. But Stephon Gilmore picked off Herbert at the LA 33-yard line with 1:22 remaining to seal the victory.Harper, Schwarber, Castellanos power Phillies past Diamondbacks 5-3 in Game 1 of NLCSPHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos homered to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 5-3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 1 of the NL Championship Series. Zack Wheeler struck out eight in six innings to help the defending National League champions win their seventh Game 1 of the last two postseasons. Arizona was handed its first loss of the postseason after ripping off five straight wins against the Brewers and Dodgers. Game 2 in the best-of-seven playoff is Tuesday night.Rangers build big early lead off Valdez, hold on for 5-4 win over Astros to take 2-0 lead in ALCSHOUSTON (AP) — Jonah Heim homered, Nathan Eovaldi pitched six effective innings and the Texas Rangers beat Framber Valdez and Houston Astros 5-4 for a 2-0 lead in the AL Championship Series. Adolis García, Mitch Garver and Nathaniel Lowe each hit an RBI single during Texas' four-run first inning against Valdez, and José Leclerc closed it out for the Rangers after Yordan Alvarez powered an Astros rally. Eovaldi struck out nine, including two in a row after Houston loaded the bases with none out in the fifth. He was charged with three runs and five hits in his third win this postseason. The Rangers improved to 7-0 in the playoffs, including six wins on the road.Soccer match between Belgium and Sweden suspended after a gunman kills 2 Swedes in BrusselsBRUSSELS (AP) — Thousands of soccer fans were kept inside Belgium's national stadium for about 2 1/2 hours after a game between Belgium and Sweden was suspended at halftime following the fatal shooting of two Swedes in Brussels before kickoff. The European Championship qualifier on Monday was being played 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the shooting in the Belgian capital. More than 35,000 fans attended the match. With the suspected shooter still at large, Belgian authorities kept fans inside the venue for security reasons before they started the evacuation around midnight local time. Fans chanted "All together, All together" inside the King Baudouin Stadium after the match was halted. Thousands of supporters from both sides shouted "Sweden, Sweden!"Phillies slugger Bryce Harper wants big leaguers to play baseball at 2028 LA OlympicsPHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bryce Harper wants to take a swing at the Olympics. The Philadelphia Phillies slugger said it would be a dream to play for Team USA when baseball returns for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Harper has long been an advocate of MLB taking a break during the season to let major leaguers play in the Olympics. Harper turned 31 on Monday. Harper spoke of his Olympics dreams ahead of Game 1 of the NL Championship Series against Arizona.For 4 rising NBA stars, about $1 billion in extensions leads to rising expectationsIndiana's Tyrese Haliburton got questions about the same topic more often than he could remember this summer: The money, the money, the money. As NBA salaries grow, so too does the spotlight for those who get the biggest paychecks. That's a club that players like Haliburton, Minnesota's Anthony Edwards, Charlotte's LaMelo Ball and Memphis' Desmond Bane will soon be entering for the first time. Those four players all signed extensions this summer that will kick in next year and could be worth around $1 billion combined.Kansas is No. 1 in the preseason men's AP Top 25; Duke, Purdue next as 5 teams get first-place votesKansas is the preseason No. 1 in the AP men's college basketball poll. The Jayhawks received 46 of 63 first-place votes to outdistance second-place Duke and third-place Purdue. It's the third time since coach Bill Self's arrival in 2003 that his team will start the season on top. The Blue Devils received 11 first-place votes and the Boilermakers earned three. Michigan State was fourth with one first-place vote while Marquette rounded out the top five. Defending national champion UConn was sixth and runner-up San Diego State was No. 17. The season begins Nov. 6.Analysis: Eagles, 49ers beat themselves, leaving NFL with no undefeated teamsThe NFL's last two undefeated teams beat themselves. The San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles struggled on the road against inferior opponents with backup quarterbacks and tough defenses. That allowed Larry Csonka and his teammates from the 1972 Miami Dolphins to pop the champagne bottles in October. They'll remain the only perfect team in league history for at least another year. The Buffalo Bills, the NFL's biggest favorite so far this season, also had problems facing a losing team and a backup quarterback but they held on at the 1-yard line for a 14-9 win over the New York Giants.Raiders receive encouraging news on QB Jimmy Garoppolo's back injuryHENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — The Las Vegas Raiders received encouraging news on Jimmy Garoppolo's injured back. But coach Josh McDaniels said Monday he didn't know if the quarterback would be healthy enough to play at Chicago on Sunday. Garoppolo was injured in Sunday's 21-17 victory over the New England Patriots. McDaniels said Garoppolo was examined to see if "there was an internal issue." If Garoppolo doesn't play against the Bears, McDaniels can turn to Brian Hoyer or Aidan O'Connell.Bears QB Justin Fields has dislocated thumb and is doubtful to play against RaidersLAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields will likely miss at least one game because of a dislocated right thumb. Coach Matt Eberflus says it's "doubtful" Fields plays this week when the Bears host the Las Vegas Raiders after he was injured in Sunday's 19-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Rookie Tyson Bagent figures to start in his place. Eberflus also says the Bears hired former Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Phil Snow as a defensive analyst. He fills a position created after former defensive coordinator Alan Williams resigned last month. Fields was hurt on Chicago's first possession of the third quarter against Minnesota. He seemed to land awkwardly on his hand trying to throw the ball away while getting sacked by Danielle Hunter.AP-ScorecardHere are the scores from yesterday's sports events:___AMERICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS Final	Texas	5	Houston	4	___NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAYOFFS Final	Philadelphia	5	Arizona	3	___NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PRESEASON Final	Cleveland	120	Maccabi Ra'anana	89	Final	Indiana	116	Atlanta	112	Final	Philadelphia	127	Brooklyn	119	Final	Houston	99	San Antonio	89	Final	Utah	114	New Zealand	94	Final	Phoenix	117	Portland	106	___NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Final	Detroit	4	Columbus	0	Final	Florida	4	New Jersey	3	Final	N-Y Rangers	2	Arizona	1	Final	Chicago	4	Toronto	1	Final SO	Washington	3	Calgary	2	___NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE Final	Dallas	20	L.A. Chargers	17	___TODAY'S SPORTS SCHEDULE___NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAYOFFS Arizona	at	Philadelphia	8:07 p.m.	___NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PRESEASON New Orleans	at	Orlando	7 p.m.	New York	at	Boston	7:30 p.m.	Maccabi Ra'anana	at	Minnesota	8 p.m.	Milwaukee	at	Oklahoma City	8 p.m.	Toronto	at	Chicago	8 p.m.	Denver	at	L.A. Clippers	10:30 p.m.	___NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Vancouver	at	Philadelphia	6 p.m.	Minnesota	at	Montreal	7 p.m.	Arizona	at	N-Y Islanders	7:30 p.m.	Tampa Bay	at	Buffalo	7:30 p.m.	Edmonton	at	Nashville	8 p.m.	Los Angeles	at	Winnipeg	8 p.m.	Colorado	at	Seattle	10 p.m.	Carolina	at	San Jose	10:30 p.m.	Dallas	at	Vegas	10:30 p.m.	___

📢📰 Sports Headlines for Tuesday

The Kansas State High School Activities Association girls state golf championships teed off this morning at four sites across the state on Monday morning.

Below are results from how Hutchinson and Reno County area golfers performed.

Class 5A Hutchinson: Lily Rodriguez (T68, +33)

Class 4A Buhler: Marlie Cooper (T19, +17); Brynlee Frank (26, +20); Macy Miller (T35, +25); Harlie Terrell (T61, +34); Delaney Hartnett (T68, +36); Sloane Adkins (T71, +37)

Class 3-2-1A&nbsp; Hesston: Meg Werner (T14, +20); Maci Kramer (T49, +33); Elizabeth Hosford (T57, +34); Wendy Roth (T63, +39); Hannah Vogt (T66, +40); Regan Eilert (87, +62)&nbsp;

CLASS 6A (Emporia Municipal Golf Course, Emporia) Top 5 Team Scores 1) Olathe NW, +28 2) Manhattan, +33 3) Shawnee Mission East, +39 4) Olathe East, +57 5) Blue Valley, +60

Top 5 Individual Scores 1) Ella Slicker, Shawnee Mission East, -1 2) Kinslea Jones, Maize, Even T3) Hadley Neese, Blue Valley, +1 T3) Maddie Myers, Manhattan, +1 5) Ingrid Blacketer, Shawnee Mission East, +3

CLASS 5A (Carey Park, Hutchinson) Top 5 Team Scores 1) Kapaun Mt. Carmel, +43 T2) Hays, +61 T2) Bishop Carroll, +61 4) St. Thomas Aquinas, +68 5) Blue Valley SW, +70 Top 5 Individual Scores T1) Bella Jones, Bishop Carroll, -1 T1) Regan Dusenberry, Andover, -1 T1) Ximena Sariana, Kapaun, -1 4) Naomi Koontz, Newton, +4 T5) Elise Eckert, Emporia, +11 T5) Madison Durr, Salina South, +11

CLASS 4A (Salina Municipal Golf Course, Salina) Top 5 Team Scores 1) Topeka Hayden, +55 2) Wamego, +68 3) Wellington, +76 4) Winfield, +77 5) Pratt, +85

Top 5 Individual Scores 1) Addison Douglass, Wamego, +3 2) Avery Blasi, Pratt, +5 3) Carley Littell, Winfield, +7 T4) Braegan Buessing, Santa Fe Trail, +8 T4) Lilli Sympson, Winfield, +8 T4) Peyton Wright, Baldwin, +8

CLASS 3-2-1A (Hesston Golf Course, Hesston) Top 5 Team Scores 1) Silver Lake, +72 2) Colby, +80 3) Jefferson West, +82 4) St. Mary's Colgan, +83 5) Caney Valley, +103

Top 5 Individual Scores 1) Margaret Ulrich, St. Mary's Colgan, +2 2) Klara Kleinig, Silver Lake, +9 3) Anna Starbuck, Colby, +11 T4) Amelia Bowles, Atwood-Rawlins County, +12 T4) Taylor Zordel, Silver Lake, +12

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697125242487.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas State High School Activities Association girls state golf championships teed off this morning at four sites across the state on Monday morning.Below are results from how Hutchinson and Reno County area golfers performed.Class 5A Hutchinson: Lily Rodriguez (T68, +33)Class 4A Buhler: Marlie Cooper (T19, +17); Brynlee Frank (26, +20); Macy Miller (T35, +25); Harlie Terrell (T61, +34); Delaney Hartnett (T68, +36); Sloane Adkins (T71, +37)Class 3-2-1A&nbsp; Hesston: Meg Werner (T14, +20); Maci Kramer (T49, +33); Elizabeth Hosford (T57, +34); Wendy Roth (T63, +39); Hannah Vogt (T66, +40); Regan Eilert (87, +62)&nbsp;CLASS 6A (Emporia Municipal Golf Course, Emporia) Top 5 Team Scores 1) Olathe NW, +28 2) Manhattan, +33 3) Shawnee Mission East, +39 4) Olathe East, +57 5) Blue Valley, +60Top 5 Individual Scores 1) Ella Slicker, Shawnee Mission East, -1 2) Kinslea Jones, Maize, Even T3) Hadley Neese, Blue Valley, +1 T3) Maddie Myers, Manhattan, +1 5) Ingrid Blacketer, Shawnee Mission East, +3CLASS 5A (Carey Park, Hutchinson) Top 5 Team Scores 1) Kapaun Mt. Carmel, +43 T2) Hays, +61 T2) Bishop Carroll, +61 4) St. Thomas Aquinas, +68 5) Blue Valley SW, +70 Top 5 Individual Scores T1) Bella Jones, Bishop Carroll, -1 T1) Regan Dusenberry, Andover, -1 T1) Ximena Sariana, Kapaun, -1 4) Naomi Koontz, Newton, +4 T5) Elise Eckert, Emporia, +11 T5) Madison Durr, Salina South, +11CLASS 4A (Salina Municipal Golf Course, Salina) Top 5 Team Scores 1) Topeka Hayden, +55 2) Wamego, +68 3) Wellington, +76 4) Winfield, +77 5) Pratt, +85Top 5 Individual Scores 1) Addison Douglass, Wamego, +3 2) Avery Blasi, Pratt, +5 3) Carley Littell, Winfield, +7 T4) Braegan Buessing, Santa Fe Trail, +8 T4) Lilli Sympson, Winfield, +8 T4) Peyton Wright, Baldwin, +8CLASS 3-2-1A (Hesston Golf Course, Hesston) Top 5 Team Scores 1) Silver Lake, +72 2) Colby, +80 3) Jefferson West, +82 4) St. Mary's Colgan, +83 5) Caney Valley, +103Top 5 Individual Scores 1) Margaret Ulrich, St. Mary's Colgan, +2 2) Klara Kleinig, Silver Lake, +9 3) Anna Starbuck, Colby, +11 T4) Amelia Bowles, Atwood-Rawlins County, +12 T4) Taylor Zordel, Silver Lake, +12

🏌️‍♀️ KSHSAA state golf day 1 area recap

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile 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;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695824283101.jpeg" alt="Chiefs Kingdom Show for October 16th" />
 <figcaption>Chiefs Kingdom Show for October 16th</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="Chiefs Kingdom Radio Show for October 16th, 2023" 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=sznai-14d2dcb-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><a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile 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;

🎧LISTEN: Chiefs Kingdom Show for October 16th with Mitch Holthus and Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker

Courtesy of Wichita State Athletics&nbsp;

Wichita State Media Day | Head Coach&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/paul-mills/1128">Paul Mills</a>&nbsp;Quotables

On the team's intrasquad scrimmage Sunday… "We're getting better. We've made a lot of strides. Intrasquads are kind of hard because 'was that good offense or was that bad defense?' When we show film, it's going to be correcting on defense, but was that just a good offensive play? I've mentioned this before, I do think we'll be a good rebounding team. We'll continue to make strides there. I think we've gotten better in defensive rebounding over the course of the past two weeks. I will tell you in what we're trying to do, we've made some strides."

On if there are any similarities between his first season at Wichita State and when he took over the Oral Roberts job… "The Oral Roberts team only won six Division I games the year before I got there, and so that was different. You walked into a situation where it was not a very good basketball team. Wichita State isn't that. They won 17 a year ago. Even walking in at Baylor the first year we were there, Wichita State is a much different situation than other situations I've been a part of. Similarities in the context of you're always trying to be really clear about the standard. Guys need to understand what it is they need to level up to. As I shared with the guys, the standard isn't compromising. The standard is the standard. Here are the things we need to do in order to get there. Here's film which is showing that we're not there yet and here's film showing we need to reinforce it. We were really clear about the expectations about what we're supposed to do. In my mind, winning is a byproduct. That standard of doing certain things is what we're asking you to do, and we'll win on account of doing those certain things. It's a work in progress every day."

On what he thinks it will take to be successful in the AAC this season… "It's a great question because three of the six teams coming in were the final six teams playing (last season). Obviously, Florida Atlantic in the Final Four, and then UAB and North Texas the final two in the NIT. Those are three really quality teams coming in. I don't get caught up so much in…I've been extremely upset after a win because I realized that the guys did not do things that eventually will pay off, and I've been happy after a loss because I realize 'you know what we did everything we possibly could. The guys really fought and gave their effort and did it the right way.' I'm more concerned with are we doing things in a manner, in such a way, that will allow us to win. If we're casual about the approach, we're not relentless, if we're not fighting and not caring about teammates, those are the things I pay attention to more. Again in my mind, winning is a byproduct of those things."&nbsp;

On if&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/kenny-pohto/7584">Kenny Pohto</a>&nbsp;has stepped into a leadership role…&nbsp;&nbsp; "He's very receptive. He's extremely coachable. He's a joy to be around. His care factor's through the roof. Eventually you've got to hand the reigns over to your players. Your job is to teach them what the standard is, lead them in a way that these are the expectations and then eventually hand them the reigns. I'm not willing to hand him the reigns right now, but I will tell you that they're trying to figure out what's the next right thing to do."

On how they hold players accountable to the standard they want… "We place a care factor sheet at the end of every practice. It has nothing to do with your ability to make shots. It's simply your response after a turnover. Let's say you do turn it over, is your first indication or inclination just to drop your head and mope? Is it to throw your shoulders up or is it 'Man, what's the next right thing I need to do?' We gauge all of that. Can you get across half court within three seconds after a miss? Can you do it five seconds after a make? Are you finding the corners within four (seconds)? Did you win a loose ball? Did you take a charge? We ask our players to do 80 percent of their job from an offensive rebounding standpoint or a get-back standpoint. Did you pursue the ball? Did I get back? Everybody's job is to defensive rebound. Did I do that? They get gauged on all those, they get a number at the end of the day. If they don't do their job, you run a 17, which is a pretty difficult thing to do… sideline to sideline you have to get 17 touches within a minute. It's not easy. They know every day who's doing rebounding running and care factor running. We've seen the numbers increase day by day."

On adding&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/dalen-ridgnal/8757">Dalen Ridgnal</a>&nbsp;right before leaving for Greece and his impact… &nbsp;"That was one of the weirder recruiting stories that I'll be able to tell in my 28 years right now of coaching. I had a Zoom with him Sunday at 6 and he committed Sunday at 9 p.m. after talking it over with his family. I asked him if he wanted to go to Greece, we were leaving Tuesday morning at 9. We spent all day Monday getting him eligible, getting transcripts and finishing up things at his previous institution. I told him, 'Dalen, thank you for coming on the trip, but you're not going to play much, I need you to know that because other guys have practiced. You haven't practiced a second.' He played 10 minutes in the first game and I think he had eight rebounds and I said 'never mind you'll play a lot more in game two.' He finished with 34 rebounds and 33 points. You've seen guys get more rebounds than points, but it's usually 11 rebounds and eight points over a course (of a game), so to be in the 30's on both of those through three games is pretty impressive. He has a motor, extremely coachable. The Orlando Magic called me the other day and was asking me about some of the guys on the team. Standard question with NBA teams is who's the last one to leave the gym? I told them there hasn't been a day that's gone by and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/dalen-ridgnal/8757">Dalen Ridgnal</a>&nbsp;is not the last person out of here. He works. He has a motor. He is a phenomenal young man. We lucked into that one. Tom Crean is a good friend and he was at Georgia and Tom Crean told me, 'Paul you have to take him. He will find a way.' I can't wait for Shocker fans to see him."&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

On what he thinks a successful season will look like… "I don't know that answer. As a I tell the players, we're just trying to go 1-0. Let's go 1-0 today. Let's figure out how to get better today. My message to the players right now is let's leave it better than you found it. When we leave here today, let's be better than when we walked in. If we're not, let's be better in our recovery, so we can be better tomorrow. I'm really only concerned right now about how do we go 1-0 today. Whatever game we play, we'll try to go 1-0 that game. We need to go 1-0 in our film session. We need to go 1-0 in our practice and 1-0 in training table and in recovery. I'm really just concerned right now with how do focus on today and get the most out of it."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697486081271.jpeg" alt="(Courtesy Wichita State Athletics)" />
 <figcaption>(Courtesy Wichita State Athletics)</figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy of Wichita State Athletics&nbsp;Wichita State Media Day | Head Coach&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/paul-mills/1128">Paul Mills</a>&nbsp;QuotablesOn the team's intrasquad scrimmage Sunday… "We're getting better. We've made a lot of strides. Intrasquads are kind of hard because 'was that good offense or was that bad defense?' When we show film, it's going to be correcting on defense, but was that just a good offensive play? I've mentioned this before, I do think we'll be a good rebounding team. We'll continue to make strides there. I think we've gotten better in defensive rebounding over the course of the past two weeks. I will tell you in what we're trying to do, we've made some strides."On if there are any similarities between his first season at Wichita State and when he took over the Oral Roberts job… "The Oral Roberts team only won six Division I games the year before I got there, and so that was different. You walked into a situation where it was not a very good basketball team. Wichita State isn't that. They won 17 a year ago. Even walking in at Baylor the first year we were there, Wichita State is a much different situation than other situations I've been a part of. Similarities in the context of you're always trying to be really clear about the standard. Guys need to understand what it is they need to level up to. As I shared with the guys, the standard isn't compromising. The standard is the standard. Here are the things we need to do in order to get there. Here's film which is showing that we're not there yet and here's film showing we need to reinforce it. We were really clear about the expectations about what we're supposed to do. In my mind, winning is a byproduct. That standard of doing certain things is what we're asking you to do, and we'll win on account of doing those certain things. It's a work in progress every day."On what he thinks it will take to be successful in the AAC this season… "It's a great question because three of the six teams coming in were the final six teams playing (last season). Obviously, Florida Atlantic in the Final Four, and then UAB and North Texas the final two in the NIT. Those are three really quality teams coming in. I don't get caught up so much in…I've been extremely upset after a win because I realized that the guys did not do things that eventually will pay off, and I've been happy after a loss because I realize 'you know what we did everything we possibly could. The guys really fought and gave their effort and did it the right way.' I'm more concerned with are we doing things in a manner, in such a way, that will allow us to win. If we're casual about the approach, we're not relentless, if we're not fighting and not caring about teammates, those are the things I pay attention to more. Again in my mind, winning is a byproduct of those things."&nbsp; On if&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/kenny-pohto/7584">Kenny Pohto</a>&nbsp;has stepped into a leadership role…&nbsp;&nbsp; "He's very receptive. He's extremely coachable. He's a joy to be around. His care factor's through the roof. Eventually you've got to hand the reigns over to your players. Your job is to teach them what the standard is, lead them in a way that these are the expectations and then eventually hand them the reigns. I'm not willing to hand him the reigns right now, but I will tell you that they're trying to figure out what's the next right thing to do." On how they hold players accountable to the standard they want… "We place a care factor sheet at the end of every practice. It has nothing to do with your ability to make shots. It's simply your response after a turnover. Let's say you do turn it over, is your first indication or inclination just to drop your head and mope? Is it to throw your shoulders up or is it 'Man, what's the next right thing I need to do?' We gauge all of that. Can you get across half court within three seconds after a miss? Can you do it five seconds after a make? Are you finding the corners within four (seconds)? Did you win a loose ball? Did you take a charge? We ask our players to do 80 percent of their job from an offensive rebounding standpoint or a get-back standpoint. Did you pursue the ball? Did I get back? Everybody's job is to defensive rebound. Did I do that? They get gauged on all those, they get a number at the end of the day. If they don't do their job, you run a 17, which is a pretty difficult thing to do… sideline to sideline you have to get 17 touches within a minute. It's not easy. They know every day who's doing rebounding running and care factor running. We've seen the numbers increase day by day."On adding&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/dalen-ridgnal/8757">Dalen Ridgnal</a>&nbsp;right before leaving for Greece and his impact… &nbsp;"That was one of the weirder recruiting stories that I'll be able to tell in my 28 years right now of coaching. I had a Zoom with him Sunday at 6 and he committed Sunday at 9 p.m. after talking it over with his family. I asked him if he wanted to go to Greece, we were leaving Tuesday morning at 9. We spent all day Monday getting him eligible, getting transcripts and finishing up things at his previous institution. I told him, 'Dalen, thank you for coming on the trip, but you're not going to play much, I need you to know that because other guys have practiced. You haven't practiced a second.' He played 10 minutes in the first game and I think he had eight rebounds and I said 'never mind you'll play a lot more in game two.' He finished with 34 rebounds and 33 points. You've seen guys get more rebounds than points, but it's usually 11 rebounds and eight points over a course (of a game), so to be in the 30's on both of those through three games is pretty impressive. He has a motor, extremely coachable. The Orlando Magic called me the other day and was asking me about some of the guys on the team. Standard question with NBA teams is who's the last one to leave the gym? I told them there hasn't been a day that's gone by and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/dalen-ridgnal/8757">Dalen Ridgnal</a>&nbsp;is not the last person out of here. He works. He has a motor. He is a phenomenal young man. We lucked into that one. Tom Crean is a good friend and he was at Georgia and Tom Crean told me, 'Paul you have to take him. He will find a way.' I can't wait for Shocker fans to see him."&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; On what he thinks a successful season will look like… "I don't know that answer. As a I tell the players, we're just trying to go 1-0. Let's go 1-0 today. Let's figure out how to get better today. My message to the players right now is let's leave it better than you found it. When we leave here today, let's be better than when we walked in. If we're not, let's be better in our recovery, so we can be better tomorrow. I'm really only concerned right now about how do we go 1-0 today. Whatever game we play, we'll try to go 1-0 that game. We need to go 1-0 in our film session. We need to go 1-0 in our practice and 1-0 in training table and in recovery. I'm really just concerned right now with how do focus on today and get the most out of it."

🏀 MBB: Shockers hold Media Day on Monday

LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Kansas football returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 28, hosting Oklahoma at 11 a.m. CT on FOX for its Homecoming game, the Big 12 announced Monday.

This will be the 114th all-time meeting between Kansas and Oklahoma, and the final matchup between the two programs as members of the Big 12 Conference. OU leads the all-time series 80-27-6, which includes a 37-14-3 record in games played in Lawrence.&nbsp;

It will be Kansas’ second game on FOX this season after defeating UCF, 51-22, on FOX on Oct. 7. It will also be Kansas’ first 11 a.m. game of the season.

Kansas will enter the game with a 5-2 (2-2 Big 12) record following a 39-32 defeat at Oklahoma State on Saturday. The Jayhawks are one win away from securing bowl eligibility for the second-consecutive season and KU has been ranked twice during the 2023 season. Since the start of the 2022 season, Kansas has a record of 8-2 at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, which includes playing in front of four sold out crowds in that time.

Oklahoma is currently 6-0 on the year following a 34-30 victory over Texas on Oct. 7. The Sooners, who are currently ranked No. 6 in the AP Top 25, will host UCF on Oct. 21 before coming to Lawrence.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697485889583.png" alt="(Courtesy Kansas Athletics)" />
 <figcaption>(Courtesy Kansas Athletics)</figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy of Kansas AthleticsLAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Kansas football returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 28, hosting Oklahoma at 11 a.m. CT on FOX for its Homecoming game, the Big 12 announced Monday.This will be the 114th all-time meeting between Kansas and Oklahoma, and the final matchup between the two programs as members of the Big 12 Conference. OU leads the all-time series 80-27-6, which includes a 37-14-3 record in games played in Lawrence.&nbsp;It will be Kansas’ second game on FOX this season after defeating UCF, 51-22, on FOX on Oct. 7. It will also be Kansas’ first 11 a.m. game of the season.Kansas will enter the game with a 5-2 (2-2 Big 12) record following a 39-32 defeat at Oklahoma State on Saturday. The Jayhawks are one win away from securing bowl eligibility for the second-consecutive season and KU has been ranked twice during the 2023 season. Since the start of the 2022 season, Kansas has a record of 8-2 at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, which includes playing in front of four sold out crowds in that time.Oklahoma is currently 6-0 on the year following a 34-30 victory over Texas on Oct. 7. The Sooners, who are currently ranked No. 6 in the AP Top 25, will host UCF on Oct. 21 before coming to Lawrence.

🏈 KU homecoming game on Oct. 28 set for morning kick on FOX

Courtesy of Kansas State Athletics

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697485411746.jpeg" alt="(Courtesy Kansas State Athletics)" />
 <figcaption>(Courtesy Kansas State Athletics)</figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy of Kansas State AthleticsMANHATTAN, Kan. – The Big 12 Conference and ESPN announced Monday that Kansas State's Homecoming game against Houston on October 28 will kick at 11 a.m., and will be televised by ESPN2. Next week will be the first-ever meeting between the Wildcats and Cougars.Kansas State hosts TCU this Saturday in a 6 p.m., contest that will also be televised by ESPN2. The game is sold out, but K-State fans looking to purchase tickets through the secondary market are encouraged to do so through SeatGeek, K-State's official secondary ticket partner. Fraudulent tickets are often seen on gamedays, and K-State Athletics can only verify secondary market tickets and assist fans with issues on gamedays with tickets that are purchased directly from SeatGeek.Big 12 TV Selections for Saturday, October 28 Houston at K-State	11 a.m.	ESPN2 Oklahoma at Kansas	11 a.m.	FOX West Virginia at UCF	11 a.m.	FS1 BYU at Texas	2:30 p.m.	ABC or ESPN Iowa State at Baylor	2:30 p.m.	Big 12 Now on ESPN+ Cincinnati at Oklahoma State	7 p.m.	ESPN2