LAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;No. 4 Kansas (11-1) hosts Oklahoma State (8-4)&nbsp;on Saturday, Dec. 31, at 1 p.m. (Central)&nbsp;in the Big 12 opener for both teams. The contest from Allen Fieldhouse will be televised on CBS with Rich Waltz and Clark Kellogg calling the action.

Kansas will play its first conference road contest of the 2022-23 season at Texas Tech&nbsp;on Tuesday, Jan. 3.&nbsp;Tip from United Supermarkets Arena will be&nbsp;at 8 p.m. (Central)&nbsp;and the game will be televised on ESPN2.

Kansas leads the overall series with Texas Tech, 41-7, including a 31-7 record in Big 12 regular-season contests. KU is 12-4 in United Supermarkets Arena but the series is 2-2 in the last four meetings in the venue.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1672456866194.jpeg" alt="KU host OSU" />
 <figcaption>KU host OSU</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;No. 4 Kansas (11-1) hosts Oklahoma State (8-4)&nbsp;on Saturday, Dec. 31, at 1 p.m. (Central)&nbsp;in the Big 12 opener for both teams. The contest from Allen Fieldhouse will be televised on CBS with Rich Waltz and Clark Kellogg calling the action.TIPOFF<ul>
 <li>Kansas has a four-game winning streak after its 68-54 win against Harvard on Dec. 22. Oklahoma State has won two straight after its 81-58 win versus Texas A&amp;M-Corpus Christi on Dec. 20.</li><li>Last season, Kansas became the all-time winningest program in NCAA Division I, currently at 2,368 victories.</li><li>Kansas has won a mind-boggling 31-straight conference openers dating back to the 1991-92 season, with 12 of those at home in Allen Fieldhouse and 19 on the road. The last time Kansas lost a league opener was at Oklahoma, 88-82, on Jan. 8, 1991.</li><li>The Kansas-Oklahoma State series dates back to 1926 with KU holding a 121-60 all-time advantage. KU has won three straight and eight of the last nine versus OSU.</li><li>Kansas has appeared in the Associated Press top 10 in each of the last 27 polls dating back to the 2021-22 preseason poll. The 27 consecutive is the longest active streak in men’s college basketball.</li><li>Kansas is No. 5 in the NET rankings through games played on Dec. 27. Kansas is first among Big 12 teams with Texas at No. 9 and West Virginia at No. 11. KU’s four Quadrant 1 wins are tied for the most nationally.</li><li>Kansas is second in the conference in assists (18.2), which is 13th nationally, in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.47) and steals per game (9.8).</li><li>Redshirt-junior Jalen Wilson leads the conference in scoring at 21.1 ppg, which is 13th nationally. He also leads the Big 12 with six double-doubles, which is 10th nationally.</li><li>Redshirt-junior Dajuan Harris Jr. has 39 assists and nine turnovers in his last five games. He is second in the Big 12, sixth nationally, in assists per game at 6.6.</li><li>Redshirt-senior Kevin McCullar Jr. leads the Big 12 in steals (2.7), which is seventh nationally.</li>
 </ul>UP NEXTKansas will play its first conference road contest of the 2022-23 season at Texas Tech&nbsp;on Tuesday, Jan. 3.&nbsp;Tip from United Supermarkets Arena will be&nbsp;at 8 p.m. (Central)&nbsp;and the game will be televised on ESPN2.Kansas leads the overall series with Texas Tech, 41-7, including a 31-7 record in Big 12 regular-season contests. KU is 12-4 in United Supermarkets Arena but the series is 2-2 in the last four meetings in the venue.

🏀MBB: Jayhawks to host Cowboys in Big 12 opener Saturday

HUTCHINSON, Kan.:&nbsp;(Transcript from KWBW Sports)&nbsp;For BW Radio Sports, I'm Nick Gosnell.

The Wichita State Shocker Women open up a play on Friday night at the Roundhouse. It's a 6 p.m. tip against Cincinnati. They come into conference play at 10 and 3. On the women's side according to go shockers dot com. The shocker women hold teams to a 36.1% shooting percentage third in the AFC, their second in rebound margin at plus 9.6 and lead the conference by grabbing 75.2% of available defensive rebounds. The Shockers commit 12 or fewer turnovers. They did so in their last three games. They won two of those easily, including their record setting win over South Carolina State 105 to 38. The top eight team coming in on the women's side is considered the bulls from South Florida. They're number 35 in the net rankings and on wins over Alabama, Texas and Arkansas. Wichita State is number 111. 

And the Kansas City Chiefs have already clinched the AFC West for the seventh straight year and are tied with Buffalo for the best record in the conference. Then there's the Denver Broncos, their opponent on Sunday. They mortgaged their future to acquire struggling Russell Wilson from Seattle and just fired coach Nathaniel Hackett. With two games left in his first season. 67 year old Jerry Rosberg will guide the Broncos through the next couple of weeks. 

Kansas City has beaten the Broncos 14 straight times. Of course, every game is huge for Kansas City as the Chiefs are tied with the bills for the AFC's best record. But Buffalo would get the number one seed in the lone first round bye because of its head to head win in October in Kansas City. 

So not only the Chiefs need to beat Denver and probably Las Vegas next week, they need the Bengals or Patriots to beat the Bills down the stretch. 

The Chiefs expect to have Michael Hardman back after his abdominal injury in week nine. He should be playing on Sunday. 

Coverage begins at noon here on KWBW Hutchinson.  &nbsp; &nbsp;

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<div><iframe title="Eagle Media Sports for December 30th, 2022" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=dvgd2-134d5d4-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=7"></iframe></div>HUTCHINSON, Kan.:&nbsp;(Transcript from KWBW Sports)&nbsp;For BW Radio Sports, I'm Nick Gosnell. The Wichita State Shocker Women open up a play on Friday night at the Roundhouse. It's a 6 p.m. tip against Cincinnati. They come into conference play at 10 and 3. On the women's side according to go shockers dot com. The shocker women hold teams to a 36.1% shooting percentage third in the AFC, their second in rebound margin at plus 9.6 and lead the conference by grabbing 75.2% of available defensive rebounds. The Shockers commit 12 or fewer turnovers. They did so in their last three games. They won two of those easily, including their record setting win over South Carolina State 105 to 38. The top eight team coming in on the women's side is considered the bulls from South Florida. They're number 35 in the net rankings and on wins over Alabama, Texas and Arkansas. Wichita State is number 111. And the Kansas City Chiefs have already clinched the AFC West for the seventh straight year and are tied with Buffalo for the best record in the conference. Then there's the Denver Broncos, their opponent on Sunday. They mortgaged their future to acquire struggling Russell Wilson from Seattle and just fired coach Nathaniel Hackett. With two games left in his first season. 67 year old Jerry Rosberg will guide the Broncos through the next couple of weeks. Kansas City has beaten the Broncos 14 straight times. Of course, every game is huge for Kansas City as the Chiefs are tied with the bills for the AFC's best record. But Buffalo would get the number one seed in the lone first round bye because of its head to head win in October in Kansas City. So not only the Chiefs need to beat Denver and probably Las Vegas next week, they need the Bengals or Patriots to beat the Bills down the stretch. The Chiefs expect to have Michael Hardman back after his abdominal injury in week nine. He should be playing on Sunday. Coverage begins at noon here on KWBW Hutchinson. &nbsp; &nbsp;This has been BW radio sports. &nbsp;<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

🎙 📰 Eagle Media Sports for Friday Morning

Here is the latest Big 12 Conference sports news from The Associated Press

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Michigan's Sherrone Moore and TCU's Garrett Riley will arrive at the Fiesta Bowl for a College Football Playoff semifinal Saturday between No. 2 Michigan and No. 3 TCU as rising-star offensive coordinators. A couple of millennials with old souls, Moore and Riley seem to be on a fast-track to head coaching jobs —- eventually. Neither is in a rush to move up, but it's apparent bigger things lie ahead in their careers.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Quentin Johnston came to TCU because of its coaching stability. Now he's playing in the biggest football game of his career because of a coaching change. Johnston embraced first-year coach Sonny Dykes and is one of many reasons the Horned Frogs have flourished this season with a 12-1 record. They'll face Michigan on Saturday in the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Fiesta Bowl. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Johnston is expected to be a coveted prize in this spring's NFL draft. His size, speed and strong hands have some evaluators saying he'll be the first receiver drafted and a potential top 10 pick.

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Michael Penix, Jr. threw for 287 yards and two touchdowns and No. 12 Washington held off No. 21 Texas 27-20 on Thursday night in the Valero Alamo Bowl. Texas scored 10 late points, pulling within seven on Bert Auburn's 26-yard field goal with 1:40 remaining, but failed on an onside kick try. The Longhorns (8-5) stopped the Huskies (11-2) on the ensuing possession and took over on their own 16 with 32 seconds and got to the Washington 40 on the final play of the game. Penix finished the season with 4,641 yards passing to break the 20-year-old Washington season mark of 4,458 set by Cody Pickett.

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Jordan Travis threw for 418 yards and two touchdowns and No. 13 Florida State beat Oklahoma 35-32 on Thursday night in the Cheez-It Bowl. Johnny Wilson made a one-handed grab for a 58-yard gain to set up Ryan Fitzgerald's 32-yard field goal with 55 seconds left. The Seminoles (10-3) held on, sacking quarterback Dillon Gabriel on the Sooners' comeback bid. Jovante Barnes tied it at 32 for Oklahoma (6-7) with 3:37 left on a 12-yard run. That was after Travis fired a 17-yard pass to tight end Markeston Douglas in the end zone to put the Seminoles up 32-25 midway through the fourth. Florida State won its first bowl since the 2017 season, and its first under coach Mike Norvell.

HOUSTON (AP) — Texas Tech is denying claims by Mississippi coach Lane Kiffin that a Red Raiders player spit on one of his players and possibly used a racial slur in the Texas Bowl. There was pushing and shoving between players after a fumble. When asked to clarify if a Texas Tech player used a racial slur, Kiffin said he wasn't sure but he said there was a slur involved. Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire and Moore both issued statements saying the allegations are false. The Red Raiders beat Ole Miss, 42-25.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — In an age of opt outs in college football, top NFL prospects for Alabama and Kansas State are opting in at the Sugar Bowl. Alabama quarterback Bryce Young and edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. headline those players who could have skipped Saturday's game and the risk of injury. Same goes for K-State running back Deuce Vaughn and defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah. All decided to play. Anudike-Uzomah says he and Vaughn worked three years to get the Wildcats to a major bowl and that it's a "dream" to play against Alabama.

WACO, Texas (AP) — Matt Powledge is returning to Baylor as defensive coordinator after a season away at Oregon. Powledge replaces Ron Roberts, who was fired after the 6-6 regular season and has since become defensive coordinator at Auburn for new coach Hugh Freeze. Before spending this season as co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Oregon, Powledge had been on Aranda's original staff at Baylor. Powledge, a Texas native, was the Bears' safeties coach and special team's coordinator in 2020 and 2021.

Here is the latest Big 12 Conference sports news from The Associated PressSCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Michigan's Sherrone Moore and TCU's Garrett Riley will arrive at the Fiesta Bowl for a College Football Playoff semifinal Saturday between No. 2 Michigan and No. 3 TCU as rising-star offensive coordinators. A couple of millennials with old souls, Moore and Riley seem to be on a fast-track to head coaching jobs —- eventually. Neither is in a rush to move up, but it's apparent bigger things lie ahead in their careers.SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Quentin Johnston came to TCU because of its coaching stability. Now he's playing in the biggest football game of his career because of a coaching change. Johnston embraced first-year coach Sonny Dykes and is one of many reasons the Horned Frogs have flourished this season with a 12-1 record. They'll face Michigan on Saturday in the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Fiesta Bowl. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Johnston is expected to be a coveted prize in this spring's NFL draft. His size, speed and strong hands have some evaluators saying he'll be the first receiver drafted and a potential top 10 pick.SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Michael Penix, Jr. threw for 287 yards and two touchdowns and No. 12 Washington held off No. 21 Texas 27-20 on Thursday night in the Valero Alamo Bowl. Texas scored 10 late points, pulling within seven on Bert Auburn's 26-yard field goal with 1:40 remaining, but failed on an onside kick try. The Longhorns (8-5) stopped the Huskies (11-2) on the ensuing possession and took over on their own 16 with 32 seconds and got to the Washington 40 on the final play of the game. Penix finished the season with 4,641 yards passing to break the 20-year-old Washington season mark of 4,458 set by Cody Pickett.ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Jordan Travis threw for 418 yards and two touchdowns and No. 13 Florida State beat Oklahoma 35-32 on Thursday night in the Cheez-It Bowl. Johnny Wilson made a one-handed grab for a 58-yard gain to set up Ryan Fitzgerald's 32-yard field goal with 55 seconds left. The Seminoles (10-3) held on, sacking quarterback Dillon Gabriel on the Sooners' comeback bid. Jovante Barnes tied it at 32 for Oklahoma (6-7) with 3:37 left on a 12-yard run. That was after Travis fired a 17-yard pass to tight end Markeston Douglas in the end zone to put the Seminoles up 32-25 midway through the fourth. Florida State won its first bowl since the 2017 season, and its first under coach Mike Norvell.HOUSTON (AP) — Texas Tech is denying claims by Mississippi coach Lane Kiffin that a Red Raiders player spit on one of his players and possibly used a racial slur in the Texas Bowl. There was pushing and shoving between players after a fumble. When asked to clarify if a Texas Tech player used a racial slur, Kiffin said he wasn't sure but he said there was a slur involved. Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire and Moore both issued statements saying the allegations are false. The Red Raiders beat Ole Miss, 42-25.NEW ORLEANS (AP) — In an age of opt outs in college football, top NFL prospects for Alabama and Kansas State are opting in at the Sugar Bowl. Alabama quarterback Bryce Young and edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. headline those players who could have skipped Saturday's game and the risk of injury. Same goes for K-State running back Deuce Vaughn and defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah. All decided to play. Anudike-Uzomah says he and Vaughn worked three years to get the Wildcats to a major bowl and that it's a "dream" to play against Alabama.WACO, Texas (AP) — Matt Powledge is returning to Baylor as defensive coordinator after a season away at Oregon. Powledge replaces Ron Roberts, who was fired after the 6-6 regular season and has since become defensive coordinator at Auburn for new coach Hugh Freeze. Before spending this season as co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Oregon, Powledge had been on Aranda's original staff at Baylor. Powledge, a Texas native, was the Bears' safeties coach and special team's coordinator in 2020 and 2021.

Big 12 Conference News

MANHATTAN, Kan.—It’s game day. The high school athlete has her jersey on and prepares to go into action.&nbsp;&nbsp;All eyes are on her as she makes her move. But right now this athlete isn’t using a ball, she’s using a book.&nbsp;

On game days at Frankfort High School, the athletes don’t just perform on the court, they read to younger kids in the classroom. This is small-town athletics at its best.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Dean Dalinghaus is principal at Frankfort High School, home of the Wildcats. He went to high school at B&amp;B, graduated from K-State, and has been principal at Frankfort since 2006. He has observed the significance of hometown sports teams in rural communities.&nbsp;

“I think it brings the community together,” he said. “It creates a sense of pride. It’s the joy of seeing the kids put their heart and soul on the line, for the (town) name on the front of the jersey.”&nbsp;

Among the competitive athletes who recently came from his school is Emilee Ebert. In fact, her parents are directly involved with the school. Her father, Brian, is a teacher and was Emilee’s basketball coach at Frankfort. Her mother, Jennifer, is the school librarian.&nbsp;

Emilee Ebert had a standout athletic career at Frankfort. She set the school record with 1,648 career points in basketball. A four-time Kansas Basketball Coaches Association honoree, she earned first-team honors in 2018 and 2019. She completed her basketball career as a four-time All-Twin Valley League First Team recipient and a four-time All-Flint Hills First Team honoree by the&nbsp;Manhattan Mercury.&nbsp;

At the end of her senior season in 2018-19, Emilee was a McDonald’s All-American nominee and garnered top-15 All-Class honors as well as Class 1A All-State First Team honors from multiple sources. Not only was she selected to play in several all-star games, but she was also selected as the most valuable player at two of them.&nbsp;

Ebert was also an outstanding competitor in volleyball and track and field.&nbsp;

Emilee Ebert chose to come to K-State to play basketball for women’s coach Jeff Mittie.&nbsp;&nbsp;By her sophomore season, she was the only Wildcat to start all 27 games. That year, she finished among the Big 12’s best in assists, blocks per game, and assist-to-turnover ratio. Ebert set the school record for blocks by a guard in a season and was the only player in the Big 12 to appear in the top 15 in assists and blocks.&nbsp;

In her junior year, she played in a career-high 31 games with 24 starts. As this is being written—partway through her senior season—she has helped lead the Cats to a 9-2 record and a top 25 ranking. On Dec. 7, she led K-State in scoring in its win against Kansas City and has been consistently good from the free-throw line.&nbsp;

She is also an excellent example of a student-athlete. Ebert has made the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll twice, plus the Big 12 All-Rookie Academic Team, and the Academic All-Big 12 Team the following year.&nbsp;

Dalinghaus said he wants his students to appreciate academics as well. Frankfort has a K-12 attendance center, so all grades are in the same building. This creates an opportunity for interaction between older and younger students.&nbsp;

Three years ago, Dalinghaus created an initiative called Wildcat Readers. On game days, the athletes take turns reading a book to the elementary school children while wearing their jerseys or dress clothes, depending on the sport.&nbsp;

“It lets the little kids see the older kids as student-athletes, not just athletes,” Dalinghaus said. By modeling reading and encouraging the kids to read, it is a win-win for academics as well as athletics.&nbsp;

This type of interaction works especially well in a school in a rural community such as Frankfort, population 723 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;

All eyes are on the athlete as she makes her move—not to the basket, but to the book.&nbsp;&nbsp;We commend Dean Dalinghaus for making a difference with this initiative to connect learning and athletics, and we salute Emilee Ebert and all small-town athletes for representing their communities so well.

Ron Wilson is the director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University .

MANHATTAN, Kan.—It’s game day. The high school athlete has her jersey on and prepares to go into action.&nbsp;&nbsp;All eyes are on her as she makes her move. But right now this athlete isn’t using a ball, she’s using a book.&nbsp;On game days at Frankfort High School, the athletes don’t just perform on the court, they read to younger kids in the classroom. This is small-town athletics at its best.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dean Dalinghaus is principal at Frankfort High School, home of the Wildcats. He went to high school at B&amp;B, graduated from K-State, and has been principal at Frankfort since 2006. He has observed the significance of hometown sports teams in rural communities.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1672283436581.jpeg" alt="Emilee Ebert, K-State basketball. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Emilee Ebert, K-State basketball. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>“I think it brings the community together,” he said. “It creates a sense of pride. It’s the joy of seeing the kids put their heart and soul on the line, for the (town) name on the front of the jersey.”&nbsp;Among the competitive athletes who recently came from his school is Emilee Ebert. In fact, her parents are directly involved with the school. Her father, Brian, is a teacher and was Emilee’s basketball coach at Frankfort. Her mother, Jennifer, is the school librarian.&nbsp;Emilee Ebert had a standout athletic career at Frankfort. She set the school record with 1,648 career points in basketball. A four-time Kansas Basketball Coaches Association honoree, she earned first-team honors in 2018 and 2019. She completed her basketball career as a four-time All-Twin Valley League First Team recipient and a four-time All-Flint Hills First Team honoree by the&nbsp;Manhattan Mercury.&nbsp;At the end of her senior season in 2018-19, Emilee was a McDonald’s All-American nominee and garnered top-15 All-Class honors as well as Class 1A All-State First Team honors from multiple sources. Not only was she selected to play in several all-star games, but she was also selected as the most valuable player at two of them.&nbsp;Ebert was also an outstanding competitor in volleyball and track and field.&nbsp;Emilee Ebert chose to come to K-State to play basketball for women’s coach Jeff Mittie.&nbsp;&nbsp;By her sophomore season, she was the only Wildcat to start all 27 games. That year, she finished among the Big 12’s best in assists, blocks per game, and assist-to-turnover ratio. Ebert set the school record for blocks by a guard in a season and was the only player in the Big 12 to appear in the top 15 in assists and blocks.&nbsp;In her junior year, she played in a career-high 31 games with 24 starts. As this is being written—partway through her senior season—she has helped lead the Cats to a 9-2 record and a top 25 ranking. On Dec. 7, she led K-State in scoring in its win against Kansas City and has been consistently good from the free-throw line.&nbsp;She is also an excellent example of a student-athlete. Ebert has made the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll twice, plus the Big 12 All-Rookie Academic Team, and the Academic All-Big 12 Team the following year.&nbsp;Dalinghaus said he wants his students to appreciate academics as well. Frankfort has a K-12 attendance center, so all grades are in the same building. This creates an opportunity for interaction between older and younger students.&nbsp;Three years ago, Dalinghaus created an initiative called Wildcat Readers. On game days, the athletes take turns reading a book to the elementary school children while wearing their jerseys or dress clothes, depending on the sport.&nbsp;“It lets the little kids see the older kids as student-athletes, not just athletes,” Dalinghaus said. By modeling reading and encouraging the kids to read, it is a win-win for academics as well as athletics.&nbsp;This type of interaction works especially well in a school in a rural community such as Frankfort, population 723 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;All eyes are on the athlete as she makes her move—not to the basket, but to the book.&nbsp;&nbsp;We commend Dean Dalinghaus for making a difference with this initiative to connect learning and athletics, and we salute Emilee Ebert and all small-town athletes for representing their communities so well.Ron Wilson is the director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University .

🏀 WBB: Now That’s Rural: Dalinghaus, Frankfort High, Emilee Ebert, K-State basketball

WICHITA, Kan.—Wichita State (10-3, 0-0) vs. Cincinnati&nbsp;(7-6, 0-0) will host the Bearcasts on&nbsp;Friday, Dec. 30, 2022 |&nbsp;6:00 PM CT | Charles Koch Arena, ESPN+ | GoShockers.com/Listen&nbsp;| ShockerStats.com Friday's game will be: Frontline Worker Appreciation -&nbsp;Celebrate our frontline workers including&nbsp;Fire, EMS, Police and Healthcare. ON THE AIR Friday's game can be heard online at GoShockers.com/Listen with Steve Strain calling the action. Strain is in his ninth season as the radio voice for Wichita State women's basketball. The game will also be televised on ESPN+ and the ESPN app. LAST TIME OUT Wichita State broke a 41-year old school record in a 105-38 thrashing of South Carolina State Tuesday night. The 67-point win marked the largest in school history, besting the record of 64 set in 1981 vs. Phillips. The 105 points were two shy of a school record and the 28 assists were the most in the&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/keitha-adams/1047">Keitha Adams</a>&nbsp;era. Wichita State shot a season-high 60.3 percent from the field and held SC State to 21.3 percent.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/ambah-kowcun/7201">Ambah Kowcun</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jeniah-thompson/7223">Jeniah Thompson</a>&nbsp;both set season highs with 14 points apiece. Thompson also dished out a season-high five assists.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jane-asinde/7152">Jane Asinde</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/dj-mccarty/7157">DJ McCarty</a>&nbsp;chipped in 12 points each and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/trajata-colbert/7155">Trajata Colbert</a>&nbsp;added 10. SCOUTING THE BEARCATS Led by fifth year head coach Michelle Clark-Heard, Cincinnati enters Friday's matchup at 7-6 this season. The Bearcats are scoring just 66.8 points per game on 40.3 percent shooting. They are one of the league's top shooting teams from long range at 34.7 percent. Cincinnati ranks in the top 40 nationally in free throws made and attempted and offensive rebounds. Jillian Hayes does it all for the Bearcats, leading the team in scoring (15.0), rebounding (8.5), blocks (21) and steals (23). Mya Jackson has dished out a team-leading 43 assists to go with 13.4 points. THE SERIES VS. CINCINNATI Wichita State and Cincinnati have met seven times prior to Friday, but the series dates all the way back to the first meeting on Dec. 9, 1983. The Shockers have won back-to-back games in the series after dropping the first five. Wichita State is seeking its first-ever win vs. the Bearcats in Wichita. LAST MEETING Behind a big second quarter, Wichita State recorded a 76-66 win at Cincinnati on Jan. 13, 2022. Despite missing 15-of-16 attempts from beyond the arc and Cincinnati going 8-for-25, Wichita State was able to get to the free throw line 25 times.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jane-asinde/7152">Jane Asinde</a>&nbsp;scored a team-high 17 points to go with six rebounds and four steals.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/seraphine-bastin/5960">Seraphine Bastin</a>&nbsp;added 14 points and seven rebounds, while going 10-for-11 at the free throw line.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/dj-mccarty/7157">DJ McCarty</a>&nbsp;scored 13 points off the bench and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/asia-strong/5968">Asia Strong</a>&nbsp;chipped in 12. JANE GOT GAME Wichita State senior&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jane-asinde/7152">Jane Asinde</a>&nbsp;has been unstoppable for the Shockers. The Uganda native has double-doubles in five of the 11 games she's played in, including back-to-back 20-point double-doubles at the LMU Thanksgiving Classic. Asinde opened the LMU Thanksgiving Classic with a career-high 19 rebounds to go with 20 points against Montana and followed that with a career-high 22 points and 15 rebounds vs. Loyola Marymount. She also has double digit rebounds in six of the 11 games. GETTING DEFENSIVE Wichita State boasts a top 70 defense through the first 13 games of the season. They have held all but three opponents to less than 38 percent shooting, and only four teams have shot better than 30 percent from three-point range. Wichita State's field goal defense is holding teams to just 34.9 percent, good for 25th nationally. Opponents are connecting on only 28.4 percent of their attempts from long range. GLASS CLEANERS &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Wichita State is one of the top rebounding teams in the country once again this season. Through 13 games Wichita State ranks 21st nationally in rebound margin, 24th in defensive rebounds per game and 45th in total rebounds per game. The Shockers have outrebounded 11 of their 13 opponents. HUGE WIN In Wichita State's 105-38 win over South Carolina State on Dec. 27, the Shockers broke a 41-year old school record for largest margin of victory. Wichita State won by 67, besting the previous mark of 64 set in 1981 vs. Phillips. It also marked just the second 100-point game of the&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/keitha-adams/1047">Keitha Adams</a>&nbsp;era, two points shy of the school record for most points in a game. Wichita State's 28 assists were also the most of the Adams era. Wichita State's field goal percentage of 60.3 was the highest since Feb. 2018 when the Shockers shot a school record 70.0 percent vs. Temple in Charles Koch Arena. Wichita State did set Charles Koch Arena records for points (105), field goals made (38) and assists (28). COLBERT CASHING IN &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/trajata-colbert/7155">Trajata Colbert</a>&nbsp;has improved dramatically the last two years at the free throw line. The Georgia native began her career shooting 42.1 percent as a freshman, 61.1 percent as a sophomore and 50.9 percent as a COVID sophomore. In 2021-22 she shot a career-high 76.0 percent and so far through 13 games in 2022-23, she is 45-for-53 (84.9 percent). Colbert ranks second in the American in free throw percentage. EXTRA TIME NEEDED Wichita State needed overtime in two of its first five games of the season. The Shockers fell in overtime at Omaha on Nov. 12, but collected an overtime win vs. Montana on Nov. 25. Wichita State is 4-4 in overtime games under&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/keitha-adams/1047">Keitha Adams</a>. Wichita State is 21-24 all-time in overtime games. BEST START IN SCHOOL HISTORY Wichita State's 8-1 record to open the season marked the best start in program history. The Shockers got there behind a seven-game win streak. The seven-game win streak was the longest since 2015 when Wichita State won 12 in a row. STATISTICALLY SPEAKING Through 13 games Wichita State ranks in the top 70 nationally in the following categories: No. 21 in rebound margin (10.5), No. 24 in defensive rebounds (29.9), No. 25 in field goal defense (34.9), No. 28 in free throws made per game (15.3), No. 45 in rebounds per game (42.3), No. 54 in free throw attempts per game (20.5), No. 57 in fouls per game (14.8) and No. 63 in free throw percentage (74.8).&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jane-asinde/7152">Jane Asinde</a>&nbsp;ranks 14th nationally in defensive rebounds per game, No. 16 in rebounds per game, No. 26 in total rebounds and No. 30 in double-doubles. WANTED FOR THEFT Junior guard&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/dj-mccarty/7157">DJ McCarty</a>&nbsp;and senior forward&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jane-asinde/7152">Jane Asinde</a>&nbsp;have been a pest on defense for opposing offenses through 13 games. McCarty has recorded at least one steal in all but one game, and has multiple in seven of the 13 games. Her 24 steals are the most on the team and she ranks 8th in the American Athletic Conference. Asinde averages a team-high 2.0 steals a game and has multiple steals in six games this season. A SHOCKER WIN WOULD... ... make them 11-3 on the season ... make them 7-1 at home this season ... move them to 3-5 all-time vs. Cincinnati ... be their third straight win vs. the Bearcats ... bring&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/keitha-adams/1047">Keitha Adams</a>' record to 73-81 at Wichita State ... make Adams 357-290 at the Division I level ... run Adams' career coaching record to 484-327 ... make them 393-249 all-time in Charles Koch Arena ... make Wichita State 643-729 all-time A SHOCKER LOSS WOULD... ... make them 10-4 this the season ... drop them to 6-2 at home this season ... make them 2-6 all-time vs. Cincinnati ... bring&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/keitha-adams/1047">Keitha Adams</a>' record to 72-82 at Wichita State ... make Adams 356-291 at the Division I level ... lower Adams' career coaching record to 483-328 ... make them 392-250 all-time in Charles Koch Arena ... make Wichita State 642-730 all-time UP NEXT Wichita State hits the road for its conference opener on Wednesday, Jan. 4 at Tulsa.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1672402680156.jpeg" alt="WSU WBB to host Cincy.jpg" />
 <figcaption>WSU WBB to host Cincy.jpg</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan.—Wichita State (10-3, 0-0) vs. Cincinnati&nbsp;(7-6, 0-0) will host the Bearcasts on&nbsp;Friday, Dec. 30, 2022 |&nbsp;6:00 PM CT | Charles Koch Arena, ESPN+ | GoShockers.com/Listen&nbsp;| ShockerStats.com Friday's game will be: Frontline Worker Appreciation -&nbsp;Celebrate our frontline workers including&nbsp;Fire, EMS, Police and Healthcare. ON THE AIR Friday's game can be heard online at GoShockers.com/Listen with Steve Strain calling the action. Strain is in his ninth season as the radio voice for Wichita State women's basketball. The game will also be televised on ESPN+ and the ESPN app. LAST TIME OUT Wichita State broke a 41-year old school record in a 105-38 thrashing of South Carolina State Tuesday night. The 67-point win marked the largest in school history, besting the record of 64 set in 1981 vs. Phillips. The 105 points were two shy of a school record and the 28 assists were the most in the&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/keitha-adams/1047">Keitha Adams</a>&nbsp;era. Wichita State shot a season-high 60.3 percent from the field and held SC State to 21.3 percent.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/ambah-kowcun/7201">Ambah Kowcun</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jeniah-thompson/7223">Jeniah Thompson</a>&nbsp;both set season highs with 14 points apiece. Thompson also dished out a season-high five assists.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jane-asinde/7152">Jane Asinde</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/dj-mccarty/7157">DJ McCarty</a>&nbsp;chipped in 12 points each and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/trajata-colbert/7155">Trajata Colbert</a>&nbsp;added 10. SCOUTING THE BEARCATS Led by fifth year head coach Michelle Clark-Heard, Cincinnati enters Friday's matchup at 7-6 this season. The Bearcats are scoring just 66.8 points per game on 40.3 percent shooting. They are one of the league's top shooting teams from long range at 34.7 percent. Cincinnati ranks in the top 40 nationally in free throws made and attempted and offensive rebounds. Jillian Hayes does it all for the Bearcats, leading the team in scoring (15.0), rebounding (8.5), blocks (21) and steals (23). Mya Jackson has dished out a team-leading 43 assists to go with 13.4 points. THE SERIES VS. CINCINNATI Wichita State and Cincinnati have met seven times prior to Friday, but the series dates all the way back to the first meeting on Dec. 9, 1983. The Shockers have won back-to-back games in the series after dropping the first five. Wichita State is seeking its first-ever win vs. the Bearcats in Wichita. LAST MEETING Behind a big second quarter, Wichita State recorded a 76-66 win at Cincinnati on Jan. 13, 2022. Despite missing 15-of-16 attempts from beyond the arc and Cincinnati going 8-for-25, Wichita State was able to get to the free throw line 25 times.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jane-asinde/7152">Jane Asinde</a>&nbsp;scored a team-high 17 points to go with six rebounds and four steals.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/seraphine-bastin/5960">Seraphine Bastin</a>&nbsp;added 14 points and seven rebounds, while going 10-for-11 at the free throw line.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/dj-mccarty/7157">DJ McCarty</a>&nbsp;scored 13 points off the bench and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/asia-strong/5968">Asia Strong</a>&nbsp;chipped in 12. JANE GOT GAME Wichita State senior&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jane-asinde/7152">Jane Asinde</a>&nbsp;has been unstoppable for the Shockers. The Uganda native has double-doubles in five of the 11 games she's played in, including back-to-back 20-point double-doubles at the LMU Thanksgiving Classic. Asinde opened the LMU Thanksgiving Classic with a career-high 19 rebounds to go with 20 points against Montana and followed that with a career-high 22 points and 15 rebounds vs. Loyola Marymount. She also has double digit rebounds in six of the 11 games. GETTING DEFENSIVE Wichita State boasts a top 70 defense through the first 13 games of the season. They have held all but three opponents to less than 38 percent shooting, and only four teams have shot better than 30 percent from three-point range. Wichita State's field goal defense is holding teams to just 34.9 percent, good for 25th nationally. Opponents are connecting on only 28.4 percent of their attempts from long range. GLASS CLEANERS &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Wichita State is one of the top rebounding teams in the country once again this season. Through 13 games Wichita State ranks 21st nationally in rebound margin, 24th in defensive rebounds per game and 45th in total rebounds per game. The Shockers have outrebounded 11 of their 13 opponents. HUGE WIN In Wichita State's 105-38 win over South Carolina State on Dec. 27, the Shockers broke a 41-year old school record for largest margin of victory. Wichita State won by 67, besting the previous mark of 64 set in 1981 vs. Phillips. It also marked just the second 100-point game of the&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/keitha-adams/1047">Keitha Adams</a>&nbsp;era, two points shy of the school record for most points in a game. Wichita State's 28 assists were also the most of the Adams era. Wichita State's field goal percentage of 60.3 was the highest since Feb. 2018 when the Shockers shot a school record 70.0 percent vs. Temple in Charles Koch Arena. Wichita State did set Charles Koch Arena records for points (105), field goals made (38) and assists (28). COLBERT CASHING IN &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/trajata-colbert/7155">Trajata Colbert</a>&nbsp;has improved dramatically the last two years at the free throw line. The Georgia native began her career shooting 42.1 percent as a freshman, 61.1 percent as a sophomore and 50.9 percent as a COVID sophomore. In 2021-22 she shot a career-high 76.0 percent and so far through 13 games in 2022-23, she is 45-for-53 (84.9 percent). Colbert ranks second in the American in free throw percentage. EXTRA TIME NEEDED Wichita State needed overtime in two of its first five games of the season. The Shockers fell in overtime at Omaha on Nov. 12, but collected an overtime win vs. Montana on Nov. 25. Wichita State is 4-4 in overtime games under&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/keitha-adams/1047">Keitha Adams</a>. Wichita State is 21-24 all-time in overtime games. BEST START IN SCHOOL HISTORY Wichita State's 8-1 record to open the season marked the best start in program history. The Shockers got there behind a seven-game win streak. The seven-game win streak was the longest since 2015 when Wichita State won 12 in a row. STATISTICALLY SPEAKING Through 13 games Wichita State ranks in the top 70 nationally in the following categories: No. 21 in rebound margin (10.5), No. 24 in defensive rebounds (29.9), No. 25 in field goal defense (34.9), No. 28 in free throws made per game (15.3), No. 45 in rebounds per game (42.3), No. 54 in free throw attempts per game (20.5), No. 57 in fouls per game (14.8) and No. 63 in free throw percentage (74.8).&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jane-asinde/7152">Jane Asinde</a>&nbsp;ranks 14th nationally in defensive rebounds per game, No. 16 in rebounds per game, No. 26 in total rebounds and No. 30 in double-doubles. WANTED FOR THEFT Junior guard&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/dj-mccarty/7157">DJ McCarty</a>&nbsp;and senior forward&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jane-asinde/7152">Jane Asinde</a>&nbsp;have been a pest on defense for opposing offenses through 13 games. McCarty has recorded at least one steal in all but one game, and has multiple in seven of the 13 games. Her 24 steals are the most on the team and she ranks 8th in the American Athletic Conference. Asinde averages a team-high 2.0 steals a game and has multiple steals in six games this season. A SHOCKER WIN WOULD... ... make them 11-3 on the season ... make them 7-1 at home this season ... move them to 3-5 all-time vs. Cincinnati ... be their third straight win vs. the Bearcats ... bring&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/keitha-adams/1047">Keitha Adams</a>' record to 73-81 at Wichita State ... make Adams 357-290 at the Division I level ... run Adams' career coaching record to 484-327 ... make them 393-249 all-time in Charles Koch Arena ... make Wichita State 643-729 all-time A SHOCKER LOSS WOULD... ... make them 10-4 this the season ... drop them to 6-2 at home this season ... make them 2-6 all-time vs. Cincinnati ... bring&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/keitha-adams/1047">Keitha Adams</a>' record to 72-82 at Wichita State ... make Adams 356-291 at the Division I level ... lower Adams' career coaching record to 483-328 ... make them 392-250 all-time in Charles Koch Arena ... make Wichita State 642-730 all-time UP NEXT Wichita State hits the road for its conference opener on Wednesday, Jan. 4 at Tulsa.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 WBB: Wichita State hosts Cincinnati in AAC opener

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs are perhaps the most stable franchise in the NFL these days, led by a coach in Andy Reid who commands league-wide respect and a quarterback in Patrick Mahomes who is in the mix for a second MVP award.

So it's no surprise they have clinched the AFC West and are tied with Buffalo for the conference's best record.

Then there's the Denver Broncos (4-11), the Chiefs' opponent Sunday, who mortgaged much of their future to acquire struggling Russell Wilson from the Seahawks and just fired coach Nathaniel Hackett with two games left in his first year.

So it's also not surprising they'll be sitting out the playoffs for the seventh straight season.

“They played us tough this last one. They gave us everything that we could ask for,” said Mahomes, who nevertheless led the Chiefs (12-3) to a 34-28 victory in Denver three weeks ago. “We have to go out and play our best ball. If you look at the tape, you see the talent that they have and how hard they play.”

It will be up to 67-year-old Jerry Rosburg to finally get that talent playing at a high level.

The Broncos turned to the career assistant, who has 18 years of NFL coaching experience, to bridge the gap from Hackett's firing into next season. He was special teams coordinator in Baltimore for a decade with stops in Atlanta and Cleveland, and was hired by the Broncos in September to hire in-game management when Hackett struggled in his first two games.

“He actually worked for (Ravens coach) John Harbaugh for a number of years,” Reid said. “One of the top special teams coaches in the NFL and a good football coach, period. But a tremendous special teams coach. Good guy.”

“He’s a fine man. He’s been so gracious with my family over the years,” Rosburg said of Reid, who was Harbaugh's mentor in Philadelphia. “He’s a model for all coaches. We should all aspire to be like Andy Reid.”

While Wilson is suffering through the worst season of his career, Mahomes is on another tear for the Chiefs, putting himself in position to break the NFL record for yards passing in a season — albeit in a 17-game schedule rather than 16. And Rosburg has seen enough of Mahomes over the years that he's plenty impressed by him.

He's just not so excited about facing Mahomes in his first game running the show for Denver.

“I could list them, and you all know them,” Rosburg said of the Chiefs' playmakers. “Who would sign up for this? You get to coach in the National Football League? OK, here are the Kansas City Chiefs. Here I am, choose me.”

While the Chiefs are tied with the Bills for the AFC's best record, Buffalo would get the No. 1 seed and lone first-round bye because of its head-to-head win in October in Kansas City. So not only do the Chiefs need to beat Denver, and probably Las Vegas next week, they also need the Bengals or Patriots to beat the Bills down the stretch.

The Chiefs have won 14 straight against their longtime division rival, a franchise record for any opponent. It's the fifth-longest streak by any team against an opponent in NFL history, and one more would tie for the third longest. The last time the Broncos beat the Chiefs was a 31-24 victory on Sept. 17, 2015, in Kansas City.

The priority for the Broncos is fixing Wilson, who was brought in at a high cost (three players, four prime draft picks to Seattle) and signed to a five-year extension with about $165 million in guarantees. But this version of Wilson has been head-scratching: He’s on pace for career worsts in touchdowns, completion percentage and sacks.

“I believe in myself at the highest level,” Wilson said. “It’s not going to happen this year, but the mission is still the same and that’s to help bring Super Bowls to Denver. That’s the goal.”

Rosburg makes five different Broncos coaches for safety Justin Simmons since he was taken in the third-round of the 2016 draft. If owner and CEO Greg Penner wanted his opinion on, say, defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero getting a shot at the head coaching job, Simmons would gladly give it. Denver’s defense has been one of the best in the league until a clunker last weekend in a 51-14 loss to Baker Mayfield and the Los Angeles Rams.

“I just want to win,” Simmons said. “When stuff like this happens like with Coach Hackett, I think about what I could’ve done better to help keep his job stable. Whatever it is, whoever it is, I just want to win.”

The Chiefs expect to have wide receiver Mecole Hardman back for the first time since an abdominal injury in Week 9 put him on injured reserve. He practiced the last couple of weeks, but has not been inactive for games. He was on a tear before getting hurt, too, scoring five touchdowns in his last three games.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs are perhaps the most stable franchise in the NFL these days, led by a coach in Andy Reid who commands league-wide respect and a quarterback in Patrick Mahomes who is in the mix for a second MVP award.So it's no surprise they have clinched the AFC West and are tied with Buffalo for the conference's best record.Then there's the Denver Broncos (4-11), the Chiefs' opponent Sunday, who mortgaged much of their future to acquire struggling Russell Wilson from the Seahawks and just fired coach Nathaniel Hackett with two games left in his first year.So it's also not surprising they'll be sitting out the playoffs for the seventh straight season.“They played us tough this last one. They gave us everything that we could ask for,” said Mahomes, who nevertheless led the Chiefs (12-3) to a 34-28 victory in Denver three weeks ago. “We have to go out and play our best ball. If you look at the tape, you see the talent that they have and how hard they play.”It will be up to 67-year-old Jerry Rosburg to finally get that talent playing at a high level.The Broncos turned to the career assistant, who has 18 years of NFL coaching experience, to bridge the gap from Hackett's firing into next season. He was special teams coordinator in Baltimore for a decade with stops in Atlanta and Cleveland, and was hired by the Broncos in September to hire in-game management when Hackett struggled in his first two games.“He actually worked for (Ravens coach) John Harbaugh for a number of years,” Reid said. “One of the top special teams coaches in the NFL and a good football coach, period. But a tremendous special teams coach. Good guy.”Turns out the affection goes both ways.“He’s a fine man. He’s been so gracious with my family over the years,” Rosburg said of Reid, who was Harbaugh's mentor in Philadelphia. “He’s a model for all coaches. We should all aspire to be like Andy Reid.”While Wilson is suffering through the worst season of his career, Mahomes is on another tear for the Chiefs, putting himself in position to break the NFL record for yards passing in a season — albeit in a 17-game schedule rather than 16. And Rosburg has seen enough of Mahomes over the years that he's plenty impressed by him.He's just not so excited about facing Mahomes in his first game running the show for Denver.“I could list them, and you all know them,” Rosburg said of the Chiefs' playmakers. “Who would sign up for this? You get to coach in the National Football League? OK, here are the Kansas City Chiefs. Here I am, choose me.”PLAYOFF POSITIONWhile the Chiefs are tied with the Bills for the AFC's best record, Buffalo would get the No. 1 seed and lone first-round bye because of its head-to-head win in October in Kansas City. So not only do the Chiefs need to beat Denver, and probably Las Vegas next week, they also need the Bengals or Patriots to beat the Bills down the stretch.DOMINANCE OF DENVERThe Chiefs have won 14 straight against their longtime division rival, a franchise record for any opponent. It's the fifth-longest streak by any team against an opponent in NFL history, and one more would tie for the third longest. The last time the Broncos beat the Chiefs was a 31-24 victory on Sept. 17, 2015, in Kansas City.FIXING WILSONThe priority for the Broncos is fixing Wilson, who was brought in at a high cost (three players, four prime draft picks to Seattle) and signed to a five-year extension with about $165 million in guarantees. But this version of Wilson has been head-scratching: He’s on pace for career worsts in touchdowns, completion percentage and sacks.“I believe in myself at the highest level,” Wilson said. “It’s not going to happen this year, but the mission is still the same and that’s to help bring Super Bowls to Denver. That’s the goal.”COACHING CAROUSELRosburg makes five different Broncos coaches for safety Justin Simmons since he was taken in the third-round of the 2016 draft. If owner and CEO Greg Penner wanted his opinion on, say, defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero getting a shot at the head coaching job, Simmons would gladly give it. Denver’s defense has been one of the best in the league until a clunker last weekend in a 51-14 loss to Baker Mayfield and the Los Angeles Rams.“I just want to win,” Simmons said. “When stuff like this happens like with Coach Hackett, I think about what I could’ve done better to help keep his job stable. Whatever it is, whoever it is, I just want to win.”WEAPON RETURNINGThe Chiefs expect to have wide receiver Mecole Hardman back for the first time since an abdominal injury in Week 9 put him on injured reserve. He practiced the last couple of weeks, but has not been inactive for games. He was on a tear before getting hurt, too, scoring five touchdowns in his last three games.

🏈 Broncos in midst of playoff push

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — In an age of opt outs in college football, the best NFL prospects for Alabama and Kansas State are opting in at the Sugar Bowl.

Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young and edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. have high-first-round draft grades and could have minimized exposure to injury by sitting out Saturday's game in the Superdome.

For Kansas State, standout players including running back Deuce Vaughn and defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah are risking their draft stock as well.

They say they have weighed the competing factors carefully and the benefits of playing won out.

“I love this program,” Young said. "I see how hard we work as a group, how much we pour into this and how much this means to us — how much it means to me. And it was easy.

“As a leader, I feel like it was important to me to make sure that we finish this year,” Young added. “With there being no opt-outs on both of the teams, I think that speaks to both of the programs.”

This season, as much as any other, opt-outs have been a common theme across games not tied into the four-team College Football Playoff, which this year are the Fiesta and Peach bowls.

Tennessee will be missin top receivers Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman and linebacker Jeremy Banks in Friday night's Orange Bowl against Clemson, which will be without top defensive end Myles Murphy.

Kentucky will play the Music City Bowl without quarterback Will Levis and running back Chris Rodriguez. Texas was without 1,580-yard rusher Bijan Robinson in Thursday night's Alamo Bowl against Washington. LSU will play the Citrus Bowl without edge rusher BJ Ojulari and receiver Kayshon Boutte.

All of those players have turned their attention to NFL draft preparations rather than exposing themselves to injury in one final college game.

Anudike-Uzomah said he and Vaughn never considered missing the Sugar Bowl, arguably the highest-profile postseason game for Kansas State in a decade.

“We worked so hard for this team, why would we just leave it, honestly? Just go finish it,” Anudike-Uzomah said. "It took us three years really to do this, me and Deuce. And it’s just been a dream come true.

“Growing up, I always looked at Alabama as the best program in college football history. So, it’s a dream come true and an honor the play them, honestly,” Anudike-Uzomah added. “I’m not going to lie; I never thought I would be in the Sugar Bowl.”

Anderson, along with fellow pro prospects on Alabama’s defense such as linebacker Henry To’oto’o and safety Jordan Battle, essentially said they would have felt like hypocrites had they opted out.

All season they had preached the importance of living up the “Alabama standard.” So, shortly after beating Auburn, seniors and other draft-eligible leaders made a pact that they would go out together in a bowl game.

“If you want to go out the right way and you want to be legendary, you want people to remember you by doing something good, this is how you do it,” Anderson said. He said he felt he was showing younger Alabama players “the right thing to do.”

In other words, the college team that, year-after-year, fields as many NFL caliber players as any is fostering an anti-opt-out culture. It's made an impression on younger Alabama players like sophomore defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry.

Anderson's decision to play “made me feel even more confident about the guy that I already thought he was,” McKinstry said. “I feel like I'll make the same decision” should he end up facing a similar choice.

Young has not yet declared for the next NFL draft but is widely expected to do so. He was watching the Sugar Bowl a year ago when Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral was helped off of the field after injuring his ankle.

After finishing seventh in voting for the 2021 Heisman Trophy, which Young won that season, Corral was largely seen as a second-round NFL prospect. Carolina selected him 94th overall, at the end of the third round.

“Everything that happens happens for a reason," said Young, emphasizing that his faith in God also influenced his decision to play. "I know what happened (to Corral). I understand what happened. But again, I walk by faith.”

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — In an age of opt outs in college football, the best NFL prospects for Alabama and Kansas State are opting in at the Sugar Bowl.Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young and edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. have high-first-round draft grades and could have minimized exposure to injury by sitting out Saturday's game in the Superdome.For Kansas State, standout players including running back Deuce Vaughn and defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah are risking their draft stock as well.They say they have weighed the competing factors carefully and the benefits of playing won out.“I love this program,” Young said. "I see how hard we work as a group, how much we pour into this and how much this means to us — how much it means to me. And it was easy.“As a leader, I feel like it was important to me to make sure that we finish this year,” Young added. “With there being no opt-outs on both of the teams, I think that speaks to both of the programs.”This season, as much as any other, opt-outs have been a common theme across games not tied into the four-team College Football Playoff, which this year are the Fiesta and Peach bowls.Tennessee will be missin top receivers Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman and linebacker Jeremy Banks in Friday night's Orange Bowl against Clemson, which will be without top defensive end Myles Murphy.Kentucky will play the Music City Bowl without quarterback Will Levis and running back Chris Rodriguez. Texas was without 1,580-yard rusher Bijan Robinson in Thursday night's Alamo Bowl against Washington. LSU will play the Citrus Bowl without edge rusher BJ Ojulari and receiver Kayshon Boutte.All of those players have turned their attention to NFL draft preparations rather than exposing themselves to injury in one final college game.Anudike-Uzomah said he and Vaughn never considered missing the Sugar Bowl, arguably the highest-profile postseason game for Kansas State in a decade.“We worked so hard for this team, why would we just leave it, honestly? Just go finish it,” Anudike-Uzomah said. "It took us three years really to do this, me and Deuce. And it’s just been a dream come true.“Growing up, I always looked at Alabama as the best program in college football history. So, it’s a dream come true and an honor the play them, honestly,” Anudike-Uzomah added. “I’m not going to lie; I never thought I would be in the Sugar Bowl.”Anderson, along with fellow pro prospects on Alabama’s defense such as linebacker Henry To’oto’o and safety Jordan Battle, essentially said they would have felt like hypocrites had they opted out.All season they had preached the importance of living up the “Alabama standard.” So, shortly after beating Auburn, seniors and other draft-eligible leaders made a pact that they would go out together in a bowl game.“If you want to go out the right way and you want to be legendary, you want people to remember you by doing something good, this is how you do it,” Anderson said. He said he felt he was showing younger Alabama players “the right thing to do.”In other words, the college team that, year-after-year, fields as many NFL caliber players as any is fostering an anti-opt-out culture. It's made an impression on younger Alabama players like sophomore defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry.Anderson's decision to play “made me feel even more confident about the guy that I already thought he was,” McKinstry said. “I feel like I'll make the same decision” should he end up facing a similar choice.Young has not yet declared for the next NFL draft but is widely expected to do so. He was watching the Sugar Bowl a year ago when Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral was helped off of the field after injuring his ankle.After finishing seventh in voting for the 2021 Heisman Trophy, which Young won that season, Corral was largely seen as a second-round NFL prospect. Carolina selected him 94th overall, at the end of the third round.“Everything that happens happens for a reason," said Young, emphasizing that his faith in God also influenced his decision to play. "I know what happened (to Corral). I understand what happened. But again, I walk by faith.”

🏈 Alabama, Kansas St extol virtues of opting in at Sugar Bowl

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs have already clinched the AFC West for the seventh straight year and are tied with Buffalo for the best record in the conference. Then there's the Denver Broncos who are their opponent Sunday. They mortgaged their future to acquire struggling Russell Wilson from Seattle and just fired coach Nathaniel Hackett with two games left in his first season. It will be up to 67-year-old Jerry Rosburg to guide the Broncos through the next couple of weeks as the interim coach. Kansas City has beaten the Broncos 14 straight times. A 15th win would tie the third longest streak by any team against any opponent in NFL history.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Dak Prescott threw for 282 yards and two touchdowns to Dalton Schultz as the Dallas Cowboys beat the banged-up and resting Tennessee Titans 27-13 for their sixth win in seven games. The Cowboys posted their first back-to-back 12-win seasons since 1994 and 1995, when Dallas won its last of the franchise’s five Super Bowl titles. Fans were chanting “Let’s go Cowboys!” throughout the game. The Titans lost their sixth straight hours after placing quarterback Ryan Tannehill on injured reserve. They gave Joshua Dobbs his first NFL start after signing him Dec. 21 off Detroit's practice squad.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — In an age of opt outs in college football, top NFL prospects for Alabama and Kansas State are opting in at the Sugar Bowl. Alabama quarterback Bryce Young and edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. headline those players who could have skipped Saturday's game and the risk of injury. Same goes for K-State running back Deuce Vaughn and defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah. All decided to play. Anudike-Uzomah says he and Vaughn worked three years to get the Wildcats to a major bowl and that it's a “dream” to play against Alabama.

ATLANTA (AP) — Only months after Georgia defensive linemen and Ohio State wide receivers combined to fill five first-round slots in the NFL draft, those positions again boast top talent for the teams preparing to meet in the College Football Playoff Peach Bowl semifinal. Despite important losses in this year's draft, Saturday night’s Peach Bowl will showcase evidence that No. 4 Ohio State and No. 1 Georgia reloaded with more star players. Wide receiver again is a strength for the Buckeyes with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka. Jalen Carter leads another strong defensive front for the Bulldogs.

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Michael Penix, Jr. threw for 287 yards and two touchdowns and No. 12 Washington held off No. 21 Texas 27-20 on Thursday night in the Valero Alamo Bowl. Texas scored 10 late points, pulling within seven on Bert Auburn’s 26-yard field goal with 1:40 remaining, but failed on an onside kick try. The Longhorns (8-5) stopped the Huskies (11-2) on the ensuing possession and took over on their own 16 with 32 seconds and got to the Washington 40 on the final play of the game. Penix finished the season with 4,641 yards passing to break the 20-year-old Washington season mark of 4,458 set by Cody Pickett.

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Jordan Travis threw for 418 yards and two touchdowns and No. 13 Florida State beat Oklahoma 35-32 on Thursday night in the Cheez-It Bowl. Johnny Wilson made a one-handed grab for a 58-yard gain to set up Ryan Fitzgerald’s 32-yard field goal with 55 seconds left. The Seminoles (10-3) held on, sacking quarterback Dillon Gabriel on the Sooners’ comeback bid. Jovante Barnes tied it at 32 for Oklahoma (6-7) with 3:37 left on a 12-yard run. That was after Travis fired a 17-yard pass to tight end Markeston Douglas in the end zone to put the Seminoles up 32-25 midway through the fourth. Florida State won its first bowl since the 2017 season, and its first under coach Mike Norvell.

NEW YORK (AP) — Mohamed Ibrahim rushed for 71 yards on 16 carries with a touchdown and became Minnesota’s all-time rushing leader in the Golden Gophers’ 28-20 win over Syracuse in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. Ibrahim broke the school record held by Darrell Thompson (1986-89) on a 10-yard gain with about 2 1/2 minutes left in the first half. Ibrahim finished with 71 yards on 16 carries before Trey Potts replaced him in the backfield. Daniel Jackson hauled in a pair of TD passes in the win.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Quentin Johnston came to TCU because of its coaching stability. Now he's playing in the biggest football game of his career because of a coaching change. Johnston embraced first-year coach Sonny Dykes and is one of many reasons the Horned Frogs have flourished this season with a 12-1 record. They'll face Michigan on Saturday in the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Fiesta Bowl. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Johnston is expected to be a coveted prize in this spring’s NFL draft. His size, speed and strong hands have some evaluators saying he’ll be the first receiver drafted and a potential top 10 pick.

HOUSTON (AP) — Texas Tech is denying claims by Mississippi coach Lane Kiffin that a Red Raiders player spit on one of his players and possibly used a racial slur in the Texas Bowl. There was pushing and shoving between players after a fumble. When asked to clarify if a Texas Tech player used a racial slur, Kiffin said he wasn’t sure but he said there was a slur involved. Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire and Moore both issued statements saying the allegations are false. The Red Raiders beat Ole Miss, 42-25.

WACO, Texas (AP) — Matt Powledge is returning to Baylor as defensive coordinator after a season away at Oregon. Powledge replaces Ron Roberts, who was fired after the 6-6 regular season and has since become defensive coordinator at Auburn for new coach Hugh Freeze. Before spending this season as co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Oregon, Powledge had been on Aranda’s original staff at Baylor. Powledge, a Texas native, was the Bears’ safeties coach and special team’s coordinator in 2020 and 2021.

SAO PAULO (AP) — Pelé, Brazil’s mighty king of soccer, has died. He was 82. Since 2021, he had been undergoing treatment for colon cancer discovered during a routine medical exam. Pelé was one of the most commanding sports figures of the last century. He won a record three World Cups with Brazil and was the standard-bearer of “the beautiful game” with the national team and his club Santos. His exuberance and mesmerizing moves transfixed generations of fans around the globe. His flair personified his country’s samba-style elegance. Late in his career, he helped popularize soccer in North America by joining the New York Cosmos.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana’s Buddy Hield made the fastest 3-pointer on record when he hit just three seconds into the Pacers’ game against Cleveland. The opening tipoff was batted to Hield, who caught it behind the arc, turned and shot. The ball went through with 11:57 remaining in the first quarter, with Pacers center Myles Turner being credited with an assist. ESPN Stats &amp; Info said the previous fastest 3-pointer in an NBA game was by Pacers Hall of Famer Reggie Miller, who made one four seconds into a game against Golden State on March 5, 2000. Play-by-play has been recorded in the NBA since the 1996-97 season.

ALAMO: (12)Washington 27 (21)Texas 20

CHEEZE-IT:&nbsp;(13)Florida St. 35 Oklahoma 32

PINSTRIPE: Minnesota 28, Syracuse 20

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs have already clinched the AFC West for the seventh straight year and are tied with Buffalo for the best record in the conference. Then there's the Denver Broncos who are their opponent Sunday. They mortgaged their future to acquire struggling Russell Wilson from Seattle and just fired coach Nathaniel Hackett with two games left in his first season. It will be up to 67-year-old Jerry Rosburg to guide the Broncos through the next couple of weeks as the interim coach. Kansas City has beaten the Broncos 14 straight times. A 15th win would tie the third longest streak by any team against any opponent in NFL history.NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Dak Prescott threw for 282 yards and two touchdowns to Dalton Schultz as the Dallas Cowboys beat the banged-up and resting Tennessee Titans 27-13 for their sixth win in seven games. The Cowboys posted their first back-to-back 12-win seasons since 1994 and 1995, when Dallas won its last of the franchise’s five Super Bowl titles. Fans were chanting “Let’s go Cowboys!” throughout the game. The Titans lost their sixth straight hours after placing quarterback Ryan Tannehill on injured reserve. They gave Joshua Dobbs his first NFL start after signing him Dec. 21 off Detroit's practice squad.NEW ORLEANS (AP) — In an age of opt outs in college football, top NFL prospects for Alabama and Kansas State are opting in at the Sugar Bowl. Alabama quarterback Bryce Young and edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. headline those players who could have skipped Saturday's game and the risk of injury. Same goes for K-State running back Deuce Vaughn and defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah. All decided to play. Anudike-Uzomah says he and Vaughn worked three years to get the Wildcats to a major bowl and that it's a “dream” to play against Alabama.ATLANTA (AP) — Only months after Georgia defensive linemen and Ohio State wide receivers combined to fill five first-round slots in the NFL draft, those positions again boast top talent for the teams preparing to meet in the College Football Playoff Peach Bowl semifinal. Despite important losses in this year's draft, Saturday night’s Peach Bowl will showcase evidence that No. 4 Ohio State and No. 1 Georgia reloaded with more star players. Wide receiver again is a strength for the Buckeyes with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka. Jalen Carter leads another strong defensive front for the Bulldogs.SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Michael Penix, Jr. threw for 287 yards and two touchdowns and No. 12 Washington held off No. 21 Texas 27-20 on Thursday night in the Valero Alamo Bowl. Texas scored 10 late points, pulling within seven on Bert Auburn’s 26-yard field goal with 1:40 remaining, but failed on an onside kick try. The Longhorns (8-5) stopped the Huskies (11-2) on the ensuing possession and took over on their own 16 with 32 seconds and got to the Washington 40 on the final play of the game. Penix finished the season with 4,641 yards passing to break the 20-year-old Washington season mark of 4,458 set by Cody Pickett.ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Jordan Travis threw for 418 yards and two touchdowns and No. 13 Florida State beat Oklahoma 35-32 on Thursday night in the Cheez-It Bowl. Johnny Wilson made a one-handed grab for a 58-yard gain to set up Ryan Fitzgerald’s 32-yard field goal with 55 seconds left. The Seminoles (10-3) held on, sacking quarterback Dillon Gabriel on the Sooners’ comeback bid. Jovante Barnes tied it at 32 for Oklahoma (6-7) with 3:37 left on a 12-yard run. That was after Travis fired a 17-yard pass to tight end Markeston Douglas in the end zone to put the Seminoles up 32-25 midway through the fourth. Florida State won its first bowl since the 2017 season, and its first under coach Mike Norvell.NEW YORK (AP) — Mohamed Ibrahim rushed for 71 yards on 16 carries with a touchdown and became Minnesota’s all-time rushing leader in the Golden Gophers’ 28-20 win over Syracuse in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. Ibrahim broke the school record held by Darrell Thompson (1986-89) on a 10-yard gain with about 2 1/2 minutes left in the first half. Ibrahim finished with 71 yards on 16 carries before Trey Potts replaced him in the backfield. Daniel Jackson hauled in a pair of TD passes in the win.SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Quentin Johnston came to TCU because of its coaching stability. Now he's playing in the biggest football game of his career because of a coaching change. Johnston embraced first-year coach Sonny Dykes and is one of many reasons the Horned Frogs have flourished this season with a 12-1 record. They'll face Michigan on Saturday in the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Fiesta Bowl. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Johnston is expected to be a coveted prize in this spring’s NFL draft. His size, speed and strong hands have some evaluators saying he’ll be the first receiver drafted and a potential top 10 pick.HOUSTON (AP) — Texas Tech is denying claims by Mississippi coach Lane Kiffin that a Red Raiders player spit on one of his players and possibly used a racial slur in the Texas Bowl. There was pushing and shoving between players after a fumble. When asked to clarify if a Texas Tech player used a racial slur, Kiffin said he wasn’t sure but he said there was a slur involved. Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire and Moore both issued statements saying the allegations are false. The Red Raiders beat Ole Miss, 42-25.WACO, Texas (AP) — Matt Powledge is returning to Baylor as defensive coordinator after a season away at Oregon. Powledge replaces Ron Roberts, who was fired after the 6-6 regular season and has since become defensive coordinator at Auburn for new coach Hugh Freeze. Before spending this season as co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Oregon, Powledge had been on Aranda’s original staff at Baylor. Powledge, a Texas native, was the Bears’ safeties coach and special team’s coordinator in 2020 and 2021.SAO PAULO (AP) — Pelé, Brazil’s mighty king of soccer, has died. He was 82. Since 2021, he had been undergoing treatment for colon cancer discovered during a routine medical exam. Pelé was one of the most commanding sports figures of the last century. He won a record three World Cups with Brazil and was the standard-bearer of “the beautiful game” with the national team and his club Santos. His exuberance and mesmerizing moves transfixed generations of fans around the globe. His flair personified his country’s samba-style elegance. Late in his career, he helped popularize soccer in North America by joining the New York Cosmos.INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana’s Buddy Hield made the fastest 3-pointer on record when he hit just three seconds into the Pacers’ game against Cleveland. The opening tipoff was batted to Hield, who caught it behind the arc, turned and shot. The ball went through with 11:57 remaining in the first quarter, with Pacers center Myles Turner being credited with an assist. ESPN Stats &amp; Info said the previous fastest 3-pointer in an NBA game was by Pacers Hall of Famer Reggie Miller, who made one four seconds into a game against Golden State on March 5, 2000. Play-by-play has been recorded in the NBA since the 1996-97 season.THURSDAY SCORESNATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUEFinal Dallas 27 Tennessee 13COLLEGE FOOTBALLALAMO: (12)Washington 27 (21)Texas 20CHEEZE-IT:&nbsp;(13)Florida St. 35 Oklahoma 32PINSTRIPE: Minnesota 28, Syracuse 20TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALLFinal (1)Purdue 82 Florida A&amp;M 49NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATIONFinal Charlotte 121 Oklahoma City 113Final Indiana 135 Cleveland 126Final Boston 116 L.A. Clippers 110Final Memphis 119 Toronto 106Final San Antonio 122 New York 115Final Dallas 129 Houston 114NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUEFinal Buffalo 6 Detroit 3Final OT Ottawa 4 Washington 3Final Florida 7 Montreal 2Final SO Tampa Bay 2 N-Y Rangers 1Final N-Y Islanders 2 Columbus 1Final St. Louis 3 Chicago 1Final Winnipeg 4 Vancouver 2Final Dallas 4 Minnesota 1Final Arizona 6 Toronto 3Final SO Los Angeles 5 Colorado 4Final OT Philadelphia 4 San Jose 3

Sports Headlines for Friday

NEW YORK (AP) — Pelé was remembered for a life beyond the field, for transcending the sport of soccer and becoming perhaps the most well-known person on Earth. Pelé scored 12 goals in 14 World Cup matches and is the only three-time world champion. He won titles in 1958, 1962 and 1970. His death was especially impactful for generations of Brazilian players who idolized him. Ronaldo led Brazil to a fifth title in 2002. He descibed Pelé as "Unique. Genius. Skilled. Creative. Perfect. Unmatched." Tributes also came from other Brazilian players such as Neymar and Romario, from past heads of state and from rivals and administrators.

NEW YORK (AP) — Pelé was remembered for a life beyond the field, for transcending the sport of soccer and becoming perhaps the most well-known person on Earth.

"Before Pelé, '10' was just a number," current Brazil forward Neymar wrote following the soccer great's death Thursday at the age of 82. "That line, beautiful, is incomplete. I would say that before Pelé soccer was just a sport. Pelé changed everything. He transformed soccer into art, entertainment. He gave voice to the poor, to the Black and above all he gave Brazil visibility. Soccer and Brazil elevated their standing thanks to the King! He is gone, but his magic will endure."

Pelé scored 12 goals in 14 World Cup matches and is the only three-time world champion, winning titles in 1958, 1962 and 1970. His death was especially impactful for generations of Brazilian players who idolized him.

"Today Brazil waves goodbye to one of its most illustrious children," wrote Romario, a 1994 World Cup champion who used Pelé's full name in his post. "Edson Arantes do Nascimento made the world bow to his talent and took Brazilian soccer to the altar of gods. Throughout his life, Pelé inspired generations of athletes and deserves every tribute."

Ronaldo, who led Brazil to a fifth World Cup title in 2002, described Pelé as "Unique. Genius. Skilled. Creative. Perfect. Unmatched."

"What a privilege to come after you, my friend," Ronaldo wrote. "Your talent is a school through which every player should go. Your legacy transcends generations. And that is the way you will continue to live."

Pelé was a revered sports figure to a level probably not comparable to any athlete other than Muhammad Ali. As comfortable mingling with heads of states and celebrities as he was evading defenders, Pelé made an impact in capitals across continents.

"As one of the most recognizable athletes in the world, he understood the power of sports to bring people together," former U.S. President Barack Obama wrote.

President Joe Biden tweeted: "For a sport that brings the world together like no other, Pelé's rise from humble beginnings to soccer legend is a story of what is possible."

Pelé's greatest impact was in Brazil, a unifying figure celebrated during the 2014 World Cup.

"I saw Pelé play, live, at Pacaembu and Morumbi (stadiums)," former Brazil President and current President-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva wrote. "Play, no. I saw Pelé give a show. Because when he got the ball he always did something special, which often ended in a goal. ... Few Brazilians took the name of our country as far as he did. As different from Portuguese as one's language was, foreigners from the four corners of the planet soon found a way to pronounce the magic word: 'Pelé.'"

For a half-century, people who knew the name of only one soccer player knew Pelé.

"He made people dream and continued to do that with generations and generations of lovers of our sport," France coach Didier Deschamps said in a statement. "Who, as a child, didn't dream of being Pelé? ... Pelé was the alliance of beauty and efficiency. His talent and his list of achievements will stay engraved in our minds forever."

French soccer star Kylian Mbappé tied Pelé for sixth in career World Cup goals with a hat trick in this month's loss to Argentina in the final. Four years ago, Mbappé became only the second teenager — after Pelé — to score a goal in a World Cup final.

"The king of football has left us but his legacy will never be forgotten," Mbappé wrote.

"Pelé not only filled football stadiums with exhilaration but he filled hearts and homes with hope and the knowledge that adversity was surmountable," South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement Friday. "His endurance and impact on the field of play inspired the resilience with which Pelé worked for peace and justice globally."

When Pelé's condition worsened last month during the World Cup in Qatar, get well messages were flashed on the sides of buildings in Doha. The English Football Association lit Wembley Stadium's arch in Brazil's colors on Wednesday night. FIFA, soccer's governing body, changed its website's homepage to photos of Pelé with a black background.

"Pelé did things that no other player would even dream of," FIFA president Gianni Infantino wrote. "The sight of him punching the air in celebration is one of the most iconic in our sport, and is etched into our history. In fact, because televised football was still in his infancy at the time, we only saw small glimpses of what he was capable of."

When Pelé played for the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League from 1975-77, he helped spark soccer's rise in the United States, leading to the nation hosting the World Cup in 1994.

"Pele was truly a remarkable figure — on and off the field," said FIFA Council member Sunil Gulati, a former U.S. Soccer Federation president. "The world has lost a once in a lifetime sportsman who leaves an extraordinary legacy."

By RONALD BLUM AP Sports WriterNEW YORK (AP) — Pelé was remembered for a life beyond the field, for transcending the sport of soccer and becoming perhaps the most well-known person on Earth. Pelé scored 12 goals in 14 World Cup matches and is the only three-time world champion. He won titles in 1958, 1962 and 1970. His death was especially impactful for generations of Brazilian players who idolized him. Ronaldo led Brazil to a fifth title in 2002. He descibed Pelé as "Unique. Genius. Skilled. Creative. Perfect. Unmatched." Tributes also came from other Brazilian players such as Neymar and Romario, from past heads of state and from rivals and administrators.NEW YORK (AP) — Pelé was remembered for a life beyond the field, for transcending the sport of soccer and becoming perhaps the most well-known person on Earth."Before Pelé, '10' was just a number," current Brazil forward Neymar wrote following the soccer great's death Thursday at the age of 82. "That line, beautiful, is incomplete. I would say that before Pelé soccer was just a sport. Pelé changed everything. He transformed soccer into art, entertainment. He gave voice to the poor, to the Black and above all he gave Brazil visibility. Soccer and Brazil elevated their standing thanks to the King! He is gone, but his magic will endure."Pelé scored 12 goals in 14 World Cup matches and is the only three-time world champion, winning titles in 1958, 1962 and 1970. His death was especially impactful for generations of Brazilian players who idolized him."Today Brazil waves goodbye to one of its most illustrious children," wrote Romario, a 1994 World Cup champion who used Pelé's full name in his post. "Edson Arantes do Nascimento made the world bow to his talent and took Brazilian soccer to the altar of gods. Throughout his life, Pelé inspired generations of athletes and deserves every tribute."Ronaldo, who led Brazil to a fifth World Cup title in 2002, described Pelé as "Unique. Genius. Skilled. Creative. Perfect. Unmatched.""What a privilege to come after you, my friend," Ronaldo wrote. "Your talent is a school through which every player should go. Your legacy transcends generations. And that is the way you will continue to live."Pelé was a revered sports figure to a level probably not comparable to any athlete other than Muhammad Ali. As comfortable mingling with heads of states and celebrities as he was evading defenders, Pelé made an impact in capitals across continents."As one of the most recognizable athletes in the world, he understood the power of sports to bring people together," former U.S. President Barack Obama wrote.President Joe Biden tweeted: "For a sport that brings the world together like no other, Pelé's rise from humble beginnings to soccer legend is a story of what is possible."Pelé's greatest impact was in Brazil, a unifying figure celebrated during the 2014 World Cup."I saw Pelé play, live, at Pacaembu and Morumbi (stadiums)," former Brazil President and current President-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva wrote. "Play, no. I saw Pelé give a show. Because when he got the ball he always did something special, which often ended in a goal. ... Few Brazilians took the name of our country as far as he did. As different from Portuguese as one's language was, foreigners from the four corners of the planet soon found a way to pronounce the magic word: 'Pelé.'"For a half-century, people who knew the name of only one soccer player knew Pelé."He made people dream and continued to do that with generations and generations of lovers of our sport," France coach Didier Deschamps said in a statement. "Who, as a child, didn't dream of being Pelé? ... Pelé was the alliance of beauty and efficiency. His talent and his list of achievements will stay engraved in our minds forever."French soccer star Kylian Mbappé tied Pelé for sixth in career World Cup goals with a hat trick in this month's loss to Argentina in the final. Four years ago, Mbappé became only the second teenager — after Pelé — to score a goal in a World Cup final."The king of football has left us but his legacy will never be forgotten," Mbappé wrote."Pelé not only filled football stadiums with exhilaration but he filled hearts and homes with hope and the knowledge that adversity was surmountable," South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement Friday. "His endurance and impact on the field of play inspired the resilience with which Pelé worked for peace and justice globally."When Pelé's condition worsened last month during the World Cup in Qatar, get well messages were flashed on the sides of buildings in Doha. The English Football Association lit Wembley Stadium's arch in Brazil's colors on Wednesday night. FIFA, soccer's governing body, changed its website's homepage to photos of Pelé with a black background."Pelé did things that no other player would even dream of," FIFA president Gianni Infantino wrote. "The sight of him punching the air in celebration is one of the most iconic in our sport, and is etched into our history. In fact, because televised football was still in his infancy at the time, we only saw small glimpses of what he was capable of."When Pelé played for the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League from 1975-77, he helped spark soccer's rise in the United States, leading to the nation hosting the World Cup in 1994."Pele was truly a remarkable figure — on and off the field," said FIFA Council member Sunil Gulati, a former U.S. Soccer Federation president. "The world has lost a once in a lifetime sportsman who leaves an extraordinary legacy."___

⚽ Pelé remembered for transcending soccer around world

HUTCHINSON, Kan.:&nbsp;(Transcript from KWBW Sports)&nbsp;For BW Radio Sports, I'm Nick Gosnell,&nbsp; &nbsp;KU came back from a 25 point deficit to force overtime in the 64th AutoZone Liberty Bowl, but came up short in three overtimes, falling 55-53 to Arkansas.

In a thriller, Kansas quarterback Jalen Daniels set a bunch of single game in KU records, leading the Jayhawks back from that deficit to force overtime. It was 38-13 with 8:43 to play in the third before the Jayhawks forced a turnover. Recovered an onside kick and scored two touchdowns in the final 1:05 of regulation to tie the game at 38. 

Daniels became the first Kansas quarterback to ever top the 500 yard mark in both passing yards and total offense set the Liberty Bowl record for touchdown passes in matching the second most in school history for a single game with five. 

A reminder that after the first two overtimes, then it becomes everybody goes for two and either gets it or doesn't. Arkansas getting their third overtime, two point conversion to make it 55-53. KU then missed their third overtime, two point conversion for the two point loss.&nbsp; They dropped to 6 and 7 to close out the season. Arkansas ends at 7 and 6. 

Wichita State opened up conference play at UCF last night and really never got it going, losing 52 to 45.&nbsp; Walk-on Melvin Flannigan had the top night for the Shockers with just 11 points. 

Wichita State is 7 and 6 on the year after Craig Porter Jr was unable to play Wichita State shooting just 35% from the field. But they did guard pretty well and held their sixth straight opponent to under the 40% mark. Jaren Pierre Junior as three pointer got it to 46-45 at the 4:50 mark of the second half but they never could get the lead. UCF closed it out with six straight points to win 52-45. Wichita State's back in Wichita on Saturday. 

<div><iframe title="Eagle Media Sports for Thursday, December 29th, 2022" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=fkekg-134c18d-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=7"></iframe></div>HUTCHINSON, Kan.:&nbsp;(Transcript from KWBW Sports)&nbsp;For BW Radio Sports, I'm Nick Gosnell,&nbsp; &nbsp;KU came back from a 25 point deficit to force overtime in the 64th AutoZone Liberty Bowl, but came up short in three overtimes, falling 55-53 to Arkansas. In a thriller, Kansas quarterback Jalen Daniels set a bunch of single game in KU records, leading the Jayhawks back from that deficit to force overtime. It was 38-13 with 8:43 to play in the third before the Jayhawks forced a turnover. Recovered an onside kick and scored two touchdowns in the final 1:05 of regulation to tie the game at 38. Daniels became the first Kansas quarterback to ever top the 500 yard mark in both passing yards and total offense set the Liberty Bowl record for touchdown passes in matching the second most in school history for a single game with five. A reminder that after the first two overtimes, then it becomes everybody goes for two and either gets it or doesn't. Arkansas getting their third overtime, two point conversion to make it 55-53. KU then missed their third overtime, two point conversion for the two point loss.&nbsp; They dropped to 6 and 7 to close out the season. Arkansas ends at 7 and 6. Wichita State opened up conference play at UCF last night and really never got it going, losing 52 to 45.&nbsp; Walk-on Melvin Flannigan had the top night for the Shockers with just 11 points. Wichita State is 7 and 6 on the year after Craig Porter Jr was unable to play Wichita State shooting just 35% from the field. But they did guard pretty well and held their sixth straight opponent to under the 40% mark. Jaren Pierre Junior as three pointer got it to 46-45 at the 4:50 mark of the second half but they never could get the lead. UCF closed it out with six straight points to win 52-45. Wichita State's back in Wichita on Saturday. This has been BW radio sports. &nbsp;<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

🎙 📰 Eagle Media Sports for Thursday Morning

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — KJ Jefferson passed to Rashod Dubinion for a 2-point conversion in the third overtime and Arkansas held off a furious second-half rally by Kansas for a 55-53 win the Liberty Bowl. The Jayhawks had rallied from 25 points down in the second half to force overtime, but a failed on a 2-point conversion pass from Jason Bean to Lawrence Arnold ended a four-and-a-half hour bowl marathon. Jefferson passed for 287 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 130 yards and two more scores to lead the Razorbacks. Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels passed for 544 yards and five touchdowns. He set Liberty Bowl records for passing yards, touchdown passes, completions (37) and total TDs scored (6).

HOUSTON (AP) — Tyler Shough threw for 242 yards and accounted for three touchdowns as Texas Tech took advantage of three early turnovers to build a big lead and held on for a 42-25 win over Ole Miss in the Texas Bowl. Shough, who finished with a career-high 111 yards rushing, ran for two scores and threw for a third in the first two quarters to help the Red Raiders (8-5) to a 26-7 halftime lead. Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart had 361 yards passing with two TD throws and a scoring run, but he threw two of his three interceptions and lost a fumble in the first half to put the Rebels in a huge hole.

HOUSTON (AP) — Mississippi coach Lane Kiffin said a Texas Tech player spit on one of his players and possibly used a racial slur Wednesday night in the Texas Bowl. A scrum between the teams came after Dayton Wade fumbled early in the fourth quarter and Texas Tech recovered. There was pushing and shoving between players and Ole Miss’ Jordan Watkins was given a personal foul penalty. After the game, which Ole Miss lost 42-25, Kiffin said that the penalty should have actually been on Texas Tech’s Dimitri Moore, who is No. 11 for the Red Raiders, instead of Watkins, who wears No. 11 for Ole Miss. When asked to clarify if a Texas Tech player used a racial slur, Kiffin said he wasn’t sure.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Riley Leonard threw for 173 yards and ran for two touchdowns, and Duke wrapped up an impressive first season under Mike Elko with a 30-13 victory over UCF in the Military Bowl. The Blue Devils have won four consecutive bowl games, although this was their first appearance in one since 2018. Jordan Moore ran for a touchdown in the first quarter, and then Duke took control in the second. UCF lost three of its final four games this season. John Rhys Plumlee managed only 28 yards passing in the first half and 182 for the game.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Bo Nix threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Chase Cota on fourth down with 19 seconds left and Camden Lewis’ PAT bounced off the left upright and went through to give No. 15 Oregon a wild 28-27 victory against North Carolina in the Holiday Bowl at Petco Park. Cota caught the ball at about the 1 and got it across the goal line as he was being tackled by Don Chapman. The play was upheld on review. Lewis then banked in the PAT. Drake Maye’s desperation heave into the end zone fell incomplete as time ran out.

UNDATED (AP) — Max Duggan has had a wild, four-year ride as TCU's quarterback. He needed unexpected heart surgery before his sophomore year and played most of last season with a broken bone in his foot. He then went from losing his starting job going into this season with a new coaching staff to being the Heisman Trophy runner-up. The fourth-year senior makes his 42nd career start Saturday for the 12-1 Horned Frogs in the College Football Playoff semifinal Fiesta Bowl against Michigan. Duggan has thrown for 3,321 yards with 30 touchdowns, and run for 404 yards with six more scores.

UNDATED (AP) — Florida State plays Oklahoma in the Cheez-It Bowl in Orlando, Florida, on Thursday. Florida State finished the regular season with its best record since 2019. It will look to cap a successful season with its first bowl win under coach Mike Norvell. The Seminoles haven't won a bowl game since Jimbo Fisher left the program after the 2019 season. Florida State led the ACC in rushing with 2,614 yards and 31 touchdowns. Oklahoma is hoping that a disappointing season doesn't end in a sub-.500 record as the Sooners make their 24th straight bowl appearance.

UNDATED (AP) — Dino Babers and P.J. Fleck got to know each other as up-and-coming coaches in the Mid-American Conference. They split matchups in 2014 and 2015 before Babers left Bowling Green for Syracuse and Fleck departed Western Michigan for Minnesota. Their encounters have continued over various offseason trips and again this year at the Pinstripe Bowl in New York. The athletic director who hired Babers and Fleck was Mark Coyle. He left Syracuse for Minnesota in 2016. The Gophers are 8-4 this season. They're 3-0 in bowls under Fleck. The Orange are 7-5 and in their first bowl game in four years.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs expect to have wide receiver Mecole Hardman on the field for the first time in nearly two months on Sunday when the play the Denver Broncos in the penultimate game of the regular season. Hardman has been out since Nov. 6 with an abdominal injury that landed him on injured reserve. He returned to practice a couple of weeks ago, but the ailment caused the already slight Hardman to lose weight that he’s had to put back on. The time off also diminished the endurance that players build up over the course of a season. His return would boost an offense that leads the league in yards per game and trails only the Eagles in scoring.

HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Las Vegas Raiders coach Josh McDaniels said on Wednesday that Jarrett Stidham will start the final two games at quarterback in place of Derek Carr. McDaniels cited the struggles of the offense over the past month as the reason for the switch. McDaniels also said defensive lineman Chandler Jones and linebacker Denzel Perryman were placed on season-ending injured reserve. Jones has an elbow injury and Perryman a shoulder injury. The Raiders host the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sustained his second concussion of the season in last week’s loss to Green Bay, Miami coach Mike McDaniel confirmed Wednesday. Tagovailoa’s status for the rest of the season isn’t known, and the Dolphins are preparing for Sunday’s pivotal game at New England with Teddy Bridgewater as their starter. The NFL and the players association have launched a joint review of the application of the concussion protocol.

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Emanuel Miller had 20 points with 10 rebounds, and No. 18 TCU extended its win streak to nine games with a 103-57 victory over Central Arkansas. Mike Miles Jr. added 21 points as the 11-1 Horned Frogs hit triple digits in scoring for the first time since a 100-63 win over Tennessee Tech on Nov. 13, 2017. Damion Baugh had 13 points. TCU outscored the Bears 40-0 on fast-break points. Eddy Kayouloud had 14 points and Carl Daugherty 10 for 5-8 Central Arkansas, which shot a season-low 29% and lost its fourth game in a row.

WACO, Texas (AP) — Keyonte George scored 21 points, and No. 12 Baylor pulled away from Nicholls State in the second half of an 85-56 victory. George and Adam Flagler both made four 3-pointers for the Bears, who never trailed in their final game before opening Big 12 play. Flagler had 20 points and Langston Love finished with 17 on 5-of-6 shooting. Latrell Jones scored 18 points for Nicholls. Caleb Huffman had 11 points and eight rebounds.

Holiday Bowl - (15)Oregon 28 North Carolina 27

Texas Bowl - Texas Tech 42, Mississippi 25

Final (8)Alabama 78 (21)Mississippi St. 67

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — KJ Jefferson passed to Rashod Dubinion for a 2-point conversion in the third overtime and Arkansas held off a furious second-half rally by Kansas for a 55-53 win the Liberty Bowl. The Jayhawks had rallied from 25 points down in the second half to force overtime, but a failed on a 2-point conversion pass from Jason Bean to Lawrence Arnold ended a four-and-a-half hour bowl marathon. Jefferson passed for 287 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 130 yards and two more scores to lead the Razorbacks. Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels passed for 544 yards and five touchdowns. He set Liberty Bowl records for passing yards, touchdown passes, completions (37) and total TDs scored (6).HOUSTON (AP) — Tyler Shough threw for 242 yards and accounted for three touchdowns as Texas Tech took advantage of three early turnovers to build a big lead and held on for a 42-25 win over Ole Miss in the Texas Bowl. Shough, who finished with a career-high 111 yards rushing, ran for two scores and threw for a third in the first two quarters to help the Red Raiders (8-5) to a 26-7 halftime lead. Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart had 361 yards passing with two TD throws and a scoring run, but he threw two of his three interceptions and lost a fumble in the first half to put the Rebels in a huge hole.HOUSTON (AP) — Mississippi coach Lane Kiffin said a Texas Tech player spit on one of his players and possibly used a racial slur Wednesday night in the Texas Bowl. A scrum between the teams came after Dayton Wade fumbled early in the fourth quarter and Texas Tech recovered. There was pushing and shoving between players and Ole Miss’ Jordan Watkins was given a personal foul penalty. After the game, which Ole Miss lost 42-25, Kiffin said that the penalty should have actually been on Texas Tech’s Dimitri Moore, who is No. 11 for the Red Raiders, instead of Watkins, who wears No. 11 for Ole Miss. When asked to clarify if a Texas Tech player used a racial slur, Kiffin said he wasn’t sure.ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Riley Leonard threw for 173 yards and ran for two touchdowns, and Duke wrapped up an impressive first season under Mike Elko with a 30-13 victory over UCF in the Military Bowl. The Blue Devils have won four consecutive bowl games, although this was their first appearance in one since 2018. Jordan Moore ran for a touchdown in the first quarter, and then Duke took control in the second. UCF lost three of its final four games this season. John Rhys Plumlee managed only 28 yards passing in the first half and 182 for the game.SAN DIEGO (AP) — Bo Nix threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Chase Cota on fourth down with 19 seconds left and Camden Lewis’ PAT bounced off the left upright and went through to give No. 15 Oregon a wild 28-27 victory against North Carolina in the Holiday Bowl at Petco Park. Cota caught the ball at about the 1 and got it across the goal line as he was being tackled by Don Chapman. The play was upheld on review. Lewis then banked in the PAT. Drake Maye’s desperation heave into the end zone fell incomplete as time ran out.UNDATED (AP) — Max Duggan has had a wild, four-year ride as TCU's quarterback. He needed unexpected heart surgery before his sophomore year and played most of last season with a broken bone in his foot. He then went from losing his starting job going into this season with a new coaching staff to being the Heisman Trophy runner-up. The fourth-year senior makes his 42nd career start Saturday for the 12-1 Horned Frogs in the College Football Playoff semifinal Fiesta Bowl against Michigan. Duggan has thrown for 3,321 yards with 30 touchdowns, and run for 404 yards with six more scores.UNDATED (AP) — Florida State plays Oklahoma in the Cheez-It Bowl in Orlando, Florida, on Thursday. Florida State finished the regular season with its best record since 2019. It will look to cap a successful season with its first bowl win under coach Mike Norvell. The Seminoles haven't won a bowl game since Jimbo Fisher left the program after the 2019 season. Florida State led the ACC in rushing with 2,614 yards and 31 touchdowns. Oklahoma is hoping that a disappointing season doesn't end in a sub-.500 record as the Sooners make their 24th straight bowl appearance.UNDATED (AP) — Dino Babers and P.J. Fleck got to know each other as up-and-coming coaches in the Mid-American Conference. They split matchups in 2014 and 2015 before Babers left Bowling Green for Syracuse and Fleck departed Western Michigan for Minnesota. Their encounters have continued over various offseason trips and again this year at the Pinstripe Bowl in New York. The athletic director who hired Babers and Fleck was Mark Coyle. He left Syracuse for Minnesota in 2016. The Gophers are 8-4 this season. They're 3-0 in bowls under Fleck. The Orange are 7-5 and in their first bowl game in four years.KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs expect to have wide receiver Mecole Hardman on the field for the first time in nearly two months on Sunday when the play the Denver Broncos in the penultimate game of the regular season. Hardman has been out since Nov. 6 with an abdominal injury that landed him on injured reserve. He returned to practice a couple of weeks ago, but the ailment caused the already slight Hardman to lose weight that he’s had to put back on. The time off also diminished the endurance that players build up over the course of a season. His return would boost an offense that leads the league in yards per game and trails only the Eagles in scoring.HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Las Vegas Raiders coach Josh McDaniels said on Wednesday that Jarrett Stidham will start the final two games at quarterback in place of Derek Carr. McDaniels cited the struggles of the offense over the past month as the reason for the switch. McDaniels also said defensive lineman Chandler Jones and linebacker Denzel Perryman were placed on season-ending injured reserve. Jones has an elbow injury and Perryman a shoulder injury. The Raiders host the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sustained his second concussion of the season in last week’s loss to Green Bay, Miami coach Mike McDaniel confirmed Wednesday. Tagovailoa’s status for the rest of the season isn’t known, and the Dolphins are preparing for Sunday’s pivotal game at New England with Teddy Bridgewater as their starter. The NFL and the players association have launched a joint review of the application of the concussion protocol.FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Emanuel Miller had 20 points with 10 rebounds, and No. 18 TCU extended its win streak to nine games with a 103-57 victory over Central Arkansas. Mike Miles Jr. added 21 points as the 11-1 Horned Frogs hit triple digits in scoring for the first time since a 100-63 win over Tennessee Tech on Nov. 13, 2017. Damion Baugh had 13 points. TCU outscored the Bears 40-0 on fast-break points. Eddy Kayouloud had 14 points and Carl Daugherty 10 for 5-8 Central Arkansas, which shot a season-low 29% and lost its fourth game in a row.WACO, Texas (AP) — Keyonte George scored 21 points, and No. 12 Baylor pulled away from Nicholls State in the second half of an 85-56 victory. George and Adam Flagler both made four 3-pointers for the Bears, who never trailed in their final game before opening Big 12 play. Flagler had 20 points and Langston Love finished with 17 on 5-of-6 shooting. Latrell Jones scored 18 points for Nicholls. Caleb Huffman had 11 points and eight rebounds.WEDNESDAY SCORESCOLLEGE FOOTBALLHoliday Bowl - (15)Oregon 28 North Carolina 27Military Bowl - Duke 30, UCF 13Texas Bowl - Texas Tech 42, Mississippi 25Liberty Bowl – Arkansas 55, Kansas 53TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALLVermont at (14)Miami 8 p.m. (Canceled)Final (2)UConn 74 Villanova 66Final (3)Houston 89 Tulsa 50Final (7)Tennessee 63 Mississippi 59Final (8)Alabama 78 (21)Mississippi St. 67Final LSU 60 (9)Arkansas 57Final (10)Gonzaga 120 E. Oregon 42Final (12)Baylor 85 Nicholls 56Final (13)Virginia 66 Albany (NY) 46Final (18)TCU 103 Cent. Arkansas 57Final Missouri 89 (19)Kentucky 75Final (20)Auburn 61 Florida 58Final (22)New Mexico 88 Colorado St. 69Final (22)Xavier 84 St. John's 79NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATIONFinal Washington 127 Phoenix 102Final Detroit 121 Orlando 101Final Brooklyn 108 Atlanta 107Final Miami 112 L.A. Lakers 98Final New Orleans 119 Minnesota 118Final OT Chicago 119 Milwaukee 113Final Sacramento 127 Denver 126Final Golden State 112 Utah 107NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUEFinal Tampa Bay 4 Montreal 1Final Boston 3 New Jersey 1Final OT Detroit 5 Pittsburgh 4Final SO Anaheim 3 Vegas 2Final Calgary 3 Seattle 2

Sports Headlines for Thursday

&nbsp; ORLANDO, Fla. --&nbsp;Minus its go-to guy, Wichita State never quite got it going offensively in a 52-45 loss to UCF at Addition Financial Arena. Walk-on&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/melvion-flanagan/7218">Melvion Flanagan</a>&nbsp;scored a team-high 11 points for WSU (7-6, 0-1 American) which was without starting point guard&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/craig-porter-jr-/7213">Craig Porter Jr.</a>&nbsp;(ankle). WSU shot 35.0% from the field but hung around with another gritty defensive effort, holding its sixth straight opponent under the 40% mark. <a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/jaron-pierre-jr-/7215">Jaron Pierre Jr.</a>'s three-pointer pulled the Shockers to within a point, 46-45, at the 4:50-mark of the second half, but they came up empty on each of their last seven offensive possessions to finish the game. The Knights (10-3, 1-0) overcame their own offensive struggles. They went the final 8:16 without a field goal, but&nbsp;Darius Johnson&nbsp;(game-high 15 points) made all six of his free throw attempts in the last two minutes to secure the victory. UCF finished at 35.8% but won the rebounding (34-27) and turnover (15-9) battles. The Knights outscored the Shockers 17-8 off turnovers and 15-5 on fast breaks. UCF jumped to an 18-11 lead and never trailed. The Shockers scored the last five points of the first half to pull within 26-23 and narrowed the margin to a single point on three different occasions in the second half. NOTABLE: A low-tempo game featured just 53 possessions. Per KenPom, that's the fewest in a WSU game since Jan. 25, 2015 when the Shockers defeated Loyola Chicago, 58-47, on 53 possessions. With back-to-back wins, UCF narrowed the Shockers all-time series lead to 8-2. The teams meet again Feb. 8 in Wichita. WSU logged assists on nine of its 14 baskets.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/kenny-pohto/7214">Kenny Pohto</a>&nbsp;led the way with a career-high three dimes. 43 points marked WSU lowest offensive output since a 76-43 loss at No. 25 Houston on Feb. 9, 2020. UP NEXT: WSU opens the home portion of its American Athletic Conference calendar this Saturday against East Carolina (3 p.m. CT, ESPN+). Visit goshockers.com/tickets to purchase seats.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1672296941890.jpeg" alt="WSU drops road game to UCF" />
 <figcaption>WSU drops road game to UCF</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp; ORLANDO, Fla. --&nbsp;Minus its go-to guy, Wichita State never quite got it going offensively in a 52-45 loss to UCF at Addition Financial Arena. Walk-on&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/melvion-flanagan/7218">Melvion Flanagan</a>&nbsp;scored a team-high 11 points for WSU (7-6, 0-1 American) which was without starting point guard&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/craig-porter-jr-/7213">Craig Porter Jr.</a>&nbsp;(ankle). WSU shot 35.0% from the field but hung around with another gritty defensive effort, holding its sixth straight opponent under the 40% mark. <a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/jaron-pierre-jr-/7215">Jaron Pierre Jr.</a>'s three-pointer pulled the Shockers to within a point, 46-45, at the 4:50-mark of the second half, but they came up empty on each of their last seven offensive possessions to finish the game. The Knights (10-3, 1-0) overcame their own offensive struggles. They went the final 8:16 without a field goal, but&nbsp;Darius Johnson&nbsp;(game-high 15 points) made all six of his free throw attempts in the last two minutes to secure the victory. UCF finished at 35.8% but won the rebounding (34-27) and turnover (15-9) battles. The Knights outscored the Shockers 17-8 off turnovers and 15-5 on fast breaks. UCF jumped to an 18-11 lead and never trailed. The Shockers scored the last five points of the first half to pull within 26-23 and narrowed the margin to a single point on three different occasions in the second half. NOTABLE: A low-tempo game featured just 53 possessions. Per KenPom, that's the fewest in a WSU game since Jan. 25, 2015 when the Shockers defeated Loyola Chicago, 58-47, on 53 possessions. With back-to-back wins, UCF narrowed the Shockers all-time series lead to 8-2. The teams meet again Feb. 8 in Wichita. WSU logged assists on nine of its 14 baskets.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/kenny-pohto/7214">Kenny Pohto</a>&nbsp;led the way with a career-high three dimes. 43 points marked WSU lowest offensive output since a 76-43 loss at No. 25 Houston on Feb. 9, 2020. UP NEXT: WSU opens the home portion of its American Athletic Conference calendar this Saturday against East Carolina (3 p.m. CT, ESPN+). Visit goshockers.com/tickets to purchase seats.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 MBB: UCF wins 52-45 against Wichita State

<a href="https://kuathletics.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/32436.pdf">BOXSCORE&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/22_PostgameNotes_Arkansas-1.pdf">POSTGAME NOTES</a>

MEMPHIS, Tenn.&nbsp;– Kansas came back from a 25-point deficit to force overtime in the 64th AutoZone Liberty Bowl, but came up short in three overtimes, falling 55-53 to Arkansas in a thriller.

Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels set a plethora of single-game and KU bowl records, leading the Jayhawks back from a 25-point deficit to force overtime. Kansas scored the last 25 points of regulation, including an 18-0 advantage in the fourth quarter to force overtime after trailing 38-13 with 8:43 to play in the third quarter. The Jayhawks forced a turnover, recovered an onside kick and scored two touchdowns in the final 1:05 to tie the game at 38-all.&nbsp;

Daniels, who became the first Kansas quarterback to ever top the 500-yard mark, set the Kansas single-game school record for passing yards (544) and yards of total offense (565), setting new AutoZone Liberty Bowl records for both as well. Daniels also set the Liberty Bowl record for touchdown passes with five, which is a KU bowl record and matches the second-most in school history for a single game. Daniels finished the game 37-for-55 for 544 yards and five touchdowns while adding 21 yards and a touchdown on 14 rushing attempts.

Daniels was named KU’s Outstanding Offensive Player, while OJ Burroughs, with eight tackles and an interception, earned the Outstanding Defensive Player honor.&nbsp;

Arkansas scored midway through the third quarter to go up 38-13, but momentum swung the way of the Jayhawks after that. KU covered 86 yards in just five plays on its next drive, using long receptions from wide receiver Luke Grimm and Mason Fairchild to get into position for running back Ky Thomas to score on a two-yard touchdown run. The touchdown from Thomas, his second score of the game and second rushing touchdown of the season, put the Jayhawks down 38-20 at the end of the third quarter.&nbsp;

Kansas had possession near the Arkansas red zone at the start of the fourth quarter and ended the drive with a 37-yard field goal from Owen Piepergerdes, which made it 38-23 with 14:07 to play. Things appeared bleak for the Jayhawks after they turned it over on downs with 3:52 to play, but the defense came up&nbsp; big with a turnover to again swing momentum. Marvin Grant forced a fumble that was recovered by Cobee Bryant and returned 37 yards, giving the Jayhawks new life with 2:43 to play.&nbsp;

Daniels led the Jayhawks down the field in seven plays and found Douglas Emilien for a 10-yard touchdown to make it 38-30 with 1:05 to play. On the ensuing kickoff, safety Kenny Logan made the onside recovery for the Jayhawks, giving KU a chance to tie the game in the final minute. That’s exactly what happened as Daniels again led his team right down the field and scored on a 21-yard touchdown pass to Grimm with 41 seconds to play. Needing a two-point conversion to tie the game, the Jayhawks went for it and Daniels found Lawrence Arnold for the conversion to complete the comeback.

Arkansas had time for five plays, but they only crossed midfield on the final play as time ran out in regulation.&nbsp;

In overtime, Kansas got the ball first and scored on fourth and goal from the two-yard line as Daniels found Jared Casey to give the Jayhawks a 45-38 lead, KU’s first lead since 7-3 in the first quarter. Arkansas needed just two plays to tie the game at 45-all, sending the game into a second overtime.

The Razorbacks got the ball first in double overtime and again scored in two plays, taking a 53-45 lead after a successful two-point conversion. Daniels scored on a two-yard touchdown run, setting up for a crucial two-point play to tie the game. On KU’s attempt, Daniels again rushed the ball and was stopped short, but Arkansas was flagged for targeting, giving the Jayhawks a second chance. KU made the most of it as Daniels again found Casey in the flat to tie the game at 53-53.&nbsp;

Triple overtime meant two-point attempts only, with Arkansas going first. The Razorbacks were successful on their attempt, while Kansas’ fell incomplete to end the Jayhawks longest bowl game in history.

Kansas set new bowl game records for first downs (32), pass attempts (56), pass completions (37), touchdown passes (5), total offense plays (90), and total offense yards (603).

Daniels led the way offensively with a single-game school record 544 passing yards and five passing touchdowns, breaking the previous record of 498 yards by Todd Reesing against Missouri on Nov. 28, 2009. He also set a new single-game school record with 565 yards of total offense, surpassing the mark of 509 set by Mike Norseth against Vanderbilt on Sept. 9, 1985.

Kansas had two receivers over the century mark as Grimm had career-highs of 10 receptions and 167 yards and a touchdown, while Lawrence Arnold had eight receptions for 119 yards. Fairchild, Thomas, Casey and Emilien each had touchdown receptions as 11 different Jayhawks caught a pass from Daniels in the win.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1672296297356.png" alt="Liberty Bowl 12-28-22" />
 <figcaption>Liberty Bowl 12-28-22</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://kuathletics.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/32436.pdf">BOXSCORE&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/22_PostgameNotes_Arkansas-1.pdf">POSTGAME NOTES</a>MEMPHIS, Tenn.&nbsp;– Kansas came back from a 25-point deficit to force overtime in the 64th AutoZone Liberty Bowl, but came up short in three overtimes, falling 55-53 to Arkansas in a thriller.Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels set a plethora of single-game and KU bowl records, leading the Jayhawks back from a 25-point deficit to force overtime. Kansas scored the last 25 points of regulation, including an 18-0 advantage in the fourth quarter to force overtime after trailing 38-13 with 8:43 to play in the third quarter. The Jayhawks forced a turnover, recovered an onside kick and scored two touchdowns in the final 1:05 to tie the game at 38-all.&nbsp;Daniels, who became the first Kansas quarterback to ever top the 500-yard mark, set the Kansas single-game school record for passing yards (544) and yards of total offense (565), setting new AutoZone Liberty Bowl records for both as well. Daniels also set the Liberty Bowl record for touchdown passes with five, which is a KU bowl record and matches the second-most in school history for a single game. Daniels finished the game 37-for-55 for 544 yards and five touchdowns while adding 21 yards and a touchdown on 14 rushing attempts.Daniels was named KU’s Outstanding Offensive Player, while OJ Burroughs, with eight tackles and an interception, earned the Outstanding Defensive Player honor.&nbsp;Arkansas scored midway through the third quarter to go up 38-13, but momentum swung the way of the Jayhawks after that. KU covered 86 yards in just five plays on its next drive, using long receptions from wide receiver Luke Grimm and Mason Fairchild to get into position for running back Ky Thomas to score on a two-yard touchdown run. The touchdown from Thomas, his second score of the game and second rushing touchdown of the season, put the Jayhawks down 38-20 at the end of the third quarter.&nbsp;Kansas had possession near the Arkansas red zone at the start of the fourth quarter and ended the drive with a 37-yard field goal from Owen Piepergerdes, which made it 38-23 with 14:07 to play. Things appeared bleak for the Jayhawks after they turned it over on downs with 3:52 to play, but the defense came up&nbsp; big with a turnover to again swing momentum. Marvin Grant forced a fumble that was recovered by Cobee Bryant and returned 37 yards, giving the Jayhawks new life with 2:43 to play.&nbsp;Daniels led the Jayhawks down the field in seven plays and found Douglas Emilien for a 10-yard touchdown to make it 38-30 with 1:05 to play. On the ensuing kickoff, safety Kenny Logan made the onside recovery for the Jayhawks, giving KU a chance to tie the game in the final minute. That’s exactly what happened as Daniels again led his team right down the field and scored on a 21-yard touchdown pass to Grimm with 41 seconds to play. Needing a two-point conversion to tie the game, the Jayhawks went for it and Daniels found Lawrence Arnold for the conversion to complete the comeback.Arkansas had time for five plays, but they only crossed midfield on the final play as time ran out in regulation.&nbsp;In overtime, Kansas got the ball first and scored on fourth and goal from the two-yard line as Daniels found Jared Casey to give the Jayhawks a 45-38 lead, KU’s first lead since 7-3 in the first quarter. Arkansas needed just two plays to tie the game at 45-all, sending the game into a second overtime.The Razorbacks got the ball first in double overtime and again scored in two plays, taking a 53-45 lead after a successful two-point conversion. Daniels scored on a two-yard touchdown run, setting up for a crucial two-point play to tie the game. On KU’s attempt, Daniels again rushed the ball and was stopped short, but Arkansas was flagged for targeting, giving the Jayhawks a second chance. KU made the most of it as Daniels again found Casey in the flat to tie the game at 53-53.&nbsp;Triple overtime meant two-point attempts only, with Arkansas going first. The Razorbacks were successful on their attempt, while Kansas’ fell incomplete to end the Jayhawks longest bowl game in history.Kansas set new bowl game records for first downs (32), pass attempts (56), pass completions (37), touchdown passes (5), total offense plays (90), and total offense yards (603).Daniels led the way offensively with a single-game school record 544 passing yards and five passing touchdowns, breaking the previous record of 498 yards by Todd Reesing against Missouri on Nov. 28, 2009. He also set a new single-game school record with 565 yards of total offense, surpassing the mark of 509 set by Mike Norseth against Vanderbilt on Sept. 9, 1985.Kansas had two receivers over the century mark as Grimm had career-highs of 10 receptions and 167 yards and a touchdown, while Lawrence Arnold had eight receptions for 119 yards. Fairchild, Thomas, Casey and Emilien each had touchdown receptions as 11 different Jayhawks caught a pass from Daniels in the win.

🏈 Arkansas outlasts Kansas in Triple Overtime at AutoZone Liberty Bowl

Military Bowl:&nbsp;Duke 30, UCF 13&nbsp; Liberty Bowl:&nbsp;Arkansas 55, Kansas 53 (3OT)&nbsp; Holiday Bowl:&nbsp;No. 15 Oregon 28, North Carolina 27&nbsp; Texas Bowl:&nbsp;Texas Tech 42, Ole Miss 25&nbsp;

Military Bowl:&nbsp;Duke 30, UCF 13&nbsp; Liberty Bowl:&nbsp;Arkansas 55, Kansas 53 (3OT)&nbsp; Holiday Bowl:&nbsp;No. 15 Oregon 28, North Carolina 27&nbsp; Texas Bowl:&nbsp;Texas Tech 42, Ole Miss 25&nbsp;

🏈 Bowl games: College football scores

By CHARLES ODUM Associated Press

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia coach Kirby Smart’s plan for a deep running back corps was based on more than making it through a 12-game regular season.

Smart wanted his backs to be fresh for the College Football Playoff. The No. 1 Bulldogs will take a group of four running backs, led by Kenny McIntosh, into the Peach Bowl semifinal against No. 4 Ohio State on Saturday.

McIntosh has started 12 games for Georgia (13-0) and leads the Bulldogs with 709 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. At times, however, it’s difficult to distinguish the senior’s hold on the No. 1 role because Daijun Edwards is a close second, with 681 yards and eight touchdowns.

Kendall Milton and Branson Robinson have combined for more than 800 rushing yards and eight scores. That depth gives the defending national champion Bulldogs a strong running complement to quarterback Stetson Bennett’s passing game.

The depth and balance at running back and other skill positions is Georgia’s answer to Ohio State’s high-scoring offense led by quarterback C.J. Stroud.

Smart says his plan at running back is about “health and necessity” and is based on an examination of Southeastern Conference offenses.

“Throughout our conference we’ve done studies, and very few backs have made it through the entire year with a large burden,” Smart said. “They tend to get injured. ... We try to build it where three to four backs can contribute and play.”

Georgia’s best chance at making a run for another national title may be provided by its depth at running back and other skill positions.

“We don’t want to get into this part of the season and not have depth,” Smart said. “That’s what the rotation provides us.”

Ohio State linebacker Tommy Eichenberg said the Georgia running backs boast similar skills and strengths.

“Some are faster than others, but I’d say overall they’re all great running backs,” Eichenberg said.

Georgia has taken a similar approach at other skill positions.

Starters also are bracketed with “OR” designations on Georgia’s depth chart at wide receiver and even at tight end, where starter Brock Bowers was the John Mackey Award winner as the nation’s top player at the position. Massive Darnell Washington (6-7, 265) and freshman Oscar Delp provide good reason to consider two-tight end sets.

“Kind of a friendly competition,” Bowers said when asked about the depth at the position.

“I don’t know about friendly, but it’s a mutual competition between everyone competing for spots,” he said. “Extra competition just makes everyone better. It definitely helps out on the practice field, too.”

Ohio State coach Ryan Day says Georgia’s depth, especially after losing a record 15 NFL draft picks from last year’s national championship team, is proof that Smart and his staff “have done a great job recruiting.”

“There’s guys who roll in the front, there’s guys who roll in the back end, multiple running backs, multiple wide receivers,” Day said. “So when you’re playing against a really good team who plays with a lot of depth and has recruited really well, that’s one of the things you have to prepare for. What does that mean? Well, you just have to know that you’re not going to just hone in on one or two guys. You’ve got to be aware of more than one of those guys, and that’s the sign of a good team.”

Ohio State also has utilized a committee approach at running back.

“Most of it’s been by originally by design, but then with the injuries that we’ve had a couple times with those guys, they’ve all practiced well,” offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said.

The Buckeyes lost their second-leading rusher, TreVeyon Henderson, to foot surgery. Leading rusher Miyan Williams has been slowed by a leg injury, but “had a really good go” in Monday’s practice, Wilson said.

By CHARLES ODUM Associated PressATLANTA (AP) — Georgia coach Kirby Smart’s plan for a deep running back corps was based on more than making it through a 12-game regular season.Smart wanted his backs to be fresh for the College Football Playoff. The No. 1 Bulldogs will take a group of four running backs, led by Kenny McIntosh, into the Peach Bowl semifinal against No. 4 Ohio State on Saturday.McIntosh has started 12 games for Georgia (13-0) and leads the Bulldogs with 709 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. At times, however, it’s difficult to distinguish the senior’s hold on the No. 1 role because Daijun Edwards is a close second, with 681 yards and eight touchdowns.Kendall Milton and Branson Robinson have combined for more than 800 rushing yards and eight scores. That depth gives the defending national champion Bulldogs a strong running complement to quarterback Stetson Bennett’s passing game.The depth and balance at running back and other skill positions is Georgia’s answer to Ohio State’s high-scoring offense led by quarterback C.J. Stroud.Smart says his plan at running back is about “health and necessity” and is based on an examination of Southeastern Conference offenses.“Throughout our conference we’ve done studies, and very few backs have made it through the entire year with a large burden,” Smart said. “They tend to get injured. ... We try to build it where three to four backs can contribute and play.”Georgia’s best chance at making a run for another national title may be provided by its depth at running back and other skill positions.“We don’t want to get into this part of the season and not have depth,” Smart said. “That’s what the rotation provides us.”Ohio State linebacker Tommy Eichenberg said the Georgia running backs boast similar skills and strengths.“Some are faster than others, but I’d say overall they’re all great running backs,” Eichenberg said.Georgia has taken a similar approach at other skill positions.Starters also are bracketed with “OR” designations on Georgia’s depth chart at wide receiver and even at tight end, where starter Brock Bowers was the John Mackey Award winner as the nation’s top player at the position. Massive Darnell Washington (6-7, 265) and freshman Oscar Delp provide good reason to consider two-tight end sets.“Kind of a friendly competition,” Bowers said when asked about the depth at the position.Bowers then paused.“I don’t know about friendly, but it’s a mutual competition between everyone competing for spots,” he said. “Extra competition just makes everyone better. It definitely helps out on the practice field, too.”Ohio State coach Ryan Day says Georgia’s depth, especially after losing a record 15 NFL draft picks from last year’s national championship team, is proof that Smart and his staff “have done a great job recruiting.”“There’s guys who roll in the front, there’s guys who roll in the back end, multiple running backs, multiple wide receivers,” Day said. “So when you’re playing against a really good team who plays with a lot of depth and has recruited really well, that’s one of the things you have to prepare for. What does that mean? Well, you just have to know that you’re not going to just hone in on one or two guys. You’ve got to be aware of more than one of those guys, and that’s the sign of a good team.”Ohio State also has utilized a committee approach at running back.“Most of it’s been by originally by design, but then with the injuries that we’ve had a couple times with those guys, they’ve all practiced well,” offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said.The Buckeyes lost their second-leading rusher, TreVeyon Henderson, to foot surgery. Leading rusher Miyan Williams has been slowed by a leg injury, but “had a really good go” in Monday’s practice, Wilson said.