HAYSVILLE, Kan.—Hutch High travel to Campus to take on the Colts tonight in Football District play.

Join the Eagle Radio Sports Team with Glen Grunwald, Dan Naccarato and Eagle Sports Video photographer Matt Peterson for all the action beginning at 6pm with the Kansas Kickoff Show followed by the Salthawk Football Pregame at 6:30pm on KWBW Radio and Hutchpost.com.

Download the KWBW app or the Hutchpost.com app to tune in from Campus High.

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

HAYSVILLE, Kan.—Hutch High travel to Campus to take on the Colts tonight in Football District play.Join the Eagle Radio Sports Team with Glen Grunwald, Dan Naccarato and Eagle Sports Video photographer Matt Peterson for all the action beginning at 6pm with the Kansas Kickoff Show followed by the Salthawk Football Pregame at 6:30pm on KWBW Radio and Hutchpost.com.Download the KWBW app or the Hutchpost.com app to tune in from Campus High.<figure>
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 </figure><a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

LIVE VIDEO TV:  Hutch High Football at Campus

Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

UNDATED (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals have fired manager Mike Shildt over philosophical differences within the organization. The move came one week after St. Louis lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League wild-card game. Shildt was heading into the final year of his contract. Shildt replaced current Royals manager Mike Matheny on an interim basis in August 2018, then took over the permanent job the following season.&nbsp;

LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs and Washington head into their matchup this weekend with two of the worst defenses in the NFL. No teams have allowed more points this season and they're both coming off allowing 30-plus points last week. It's no wonder the game has the highest over/under point total of Week 6 at 55½. But Kansas City and Washington also have turnover-prone offenses. The Chiefs are tied for the most turnovers in the league after two fumbles and two interceptions last week. Washington's defense is perhaps in the most trouble facing Patrick Mahomes with the quarterback looking to atone for his recent mistakes.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Just when the Kansas City Chiefs finally got their ground game going, they watched as Clyde Edwards-Helaire was helped off the field with a knee injury. It wound up being a sprained knee ligament that landed Edwards-Helaire on the injured reserve list 48 hours later. Now, the trick for the Chiefs is to keep from reverting to an air-it-out approach that has sometimes caused their offense to go stagnant. They are at their best when they are able to get their ground game going. It will be up to Darrel Williams and Jerrick McKinnon to provide that much-needed balance Sunday in Washington.

UNDATED (AP) — Oklahoma State is 5-0 for the first time since 2015. Now, the 12th-ranked Cowboys will try to win three consecutives games over Top-25 teams for the first time in program history. They play at No. 25 Texas. Oklahoma State won its first two Big 12 games against ranked teams before last week's open date. No. 19 BYU gets an early Big 12 preview when it plays at Baylor. The Cougars accepted an invitation last month to join the Big 12. They will start conference play in 2023.&nbsp;

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz is trying to keep his team grounded after it achieved its highest ranking since 1985. The No. 2 Hawkeyes should have no problem staying focused when Purdue visits Kinnick Stadium on Saturday. The Boilermakers have won three of the last four meetings. Purdue has hurt Iowa with deep balls. Many have gone to star receiver David Bell. Iowa leads the nation with 16 interceptions, 20 takeaways and its plus-15 turnover margin. Iowa will be without injured cornerback Riley Moss. His four interceptions are tied for first nationally. He hurt his knee against Penn State last week.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Hints of that long-awaited breakthrough for Nebraska under coach Scott Frost have been apparent lately. Their record has yet to reflect the progress. Time to make this a feel-good season is running out. The next game at Minnesota is a must-have. The Huskers are 3-4. The Gophers are 3-2. Nebraska took one-score losses to Oklahoma, Michigan State and Michigan over the last four weeks. Those teams are all currently ranked in the top 10 of the Associated Press poll. Minnesota is trying to overcome another season-ending injury to a standout tailback after Trey Potts was sidelined by a serious injury.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Former Kansas football coach David Beaty is no longer part of an NCAA infractions case against the school. The independent organization that investigates such cases notified Beaty last week that an allegation against him had been withdrawn. In 2019, Kansas self reported violations in the football program. Beaty says he plans to get back to coaching now that the NCAA allegations are behind him. He hasn't worked in football since Kansas fired him in 2018.&nbsp; The two reached a $2.5 million settlement last year in a dispute over his buyout.

IRVING, Texas (AP) — Kansas has been tabbed the Big 12 preseason men's basketball favorite by the league's head coaches. The Jayhawks got eight of 10 first-place votes from coaches who couldn't vote for their own teams. Texas got the remaining two first-place votes. Defending national champion Baylor was picked to finish third. AP Big 12 player of the year Jared Butler is among three standouts guards no longer with the Bears. The coaches picked three Kansas players for the preseason All-Big 12 team. That includes preseason player of the year Remy Martin.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers have finally defeated the San Francisco Giants in a winner-take-all series.

The Dodgers are in the NLCS after rallying in the ninth inning to beat the Giants, 2-1. The Dodgers can finally celebrate a postseason series win over their bitter rivals after the Giants captured best-of-3 series in 1951 and 1962 to decide the National League pennant.

Cody Bellinger broke a 1-1 deadlock with an RBI single that scored Justin Turner, who started the rally by getting hit by a pitch with one out.

Neither team scored until Corey Seager singled home a run in the sixth inning. Darin Ruf quickly responded with a solo blast in the bottom half.

Ruf's blast came off Julio Urias, who gave up just two other hits over four innings of relief.

Kenley Jansen got the win with help from Max Scherzer's save.

Giants starter Logan Webb struck out seven and allowed a run and four hits over seven innings.

The Dodgers head to Atlanta for Game 1 on Saturday.

Cardinals fire Shildt over 'philosophical differences'

UNDATED (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals have fired manager Mike Shildt, one week after the team lost to the Dodgers in the NL wild-card game. 

Cardinals president John Mozeliak said the firing was "something that popped up recently," but he refused to expand on what he called "philosophical differences" between Shildt, the coaching staff and the front office.

The Redbirds went on a team-record, 17-game winning streak last month and made the postseason with 90 victories. They were 252-199 after Shildt took over for manager Mike Matheny during the 2018, winning the NL Central in 2019 and reaching the playoffs the last three seasons.

— The Braves are preparing to play without outfielder Jorge Soler (HOHR'-hay soh-LEHR') in the NL Championship Series as they await his clearance following his positive COVID-19 test. The Braves worked out Thursday at Truist Park without Soler, who was pulled from the lineup for Game 4 of the NL Division Series against Milwaukee on Tuesday. 

— White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson says he wants Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa to remain in the dugout next season. La Russa's future was a bit of a question mark after the White Sox were eliminated Tuesday by Houston in Game 4 of the AL Division Series. Chicago rolled to a 93-69 record and beat Cleveland by 13 games in AL Central for its first division championship in 13 years. 

Brady, Fournette provide 2 TDs each for Bucs

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are heading to their bye week with a 5-1 record after holding off the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Tom Brady and Leonard Fournette each accounted for two touchdowns as the Buccaneers topped the Eagles, 28-22. 

Brady tossed TD passes on Tampa Bay's first two drives while going 11 for 12 for 121 yards. He finished 34 of 42 for 297 yards and an interception.

Tampa increased its lead to 28-7 when Fournette walked in from the 1 in the third quarter. It was his second scoring run of the game.

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts ran for two touchdowns but had trouble passing the ball, completing just 12 of 26 for 155 yards.

UNDATED (AP) — The Florida Panthers have had good fortune when opening their NHL schedule at home.

The Panthers erased a late two-goal deficit and defeated the Penguins, 5-4 on Carter Verhaeghe's (vur-HAY'-geez) goal 97 seconds into overtime. The Pens were up 4-2 until Aaron Ekblad scored the two late goals to extend the game. Verhaeghe also finished with two goals and Sergei Bobrovsky (boh-BRAHF'-skee) made 43 saves for Florida, including a breakaway stop in OT.

The Panthers have won their last eight season-opening home games.

— The Kraken have earned their first franchise victory in two games by beating the Predators, 4-3. Brandon Tanev (TAN'-ehv) scored his second goal into an empty net with 1:21 left. Alex Wennberg and Jared McCann each had a goal and an assist for Seattle. 

— Ondrej Palat (AHN'-dray pah-LAHT') scored 2:43 into overtime to finish off the Lightning's comeback in a 7-6 triumph over the Red Wings. Tyler Bertuzzi scored a career-high four times, three coming in the second period as Detroit took a three-goal lead. Ross Colton, Nikita Kucherov (KOO'-cheh-rahv) and Alex Killorn (kih-LOHRN') scored in a four-minute span for Tampa Bay to make it 6-all.

— Andrei Svechnikov (SVEHCH'-nih-kahv) provided two goals and an assist in the Hurricanes' 6-3 downing of the Islanders. Teuvo Teravainen (TAY'-voh tehr-ah-VY'-nehn) added a goal and an assist to back Frederik Andersen, who stopped 25 shots in his Carolina debut. Mathew Barzal, Brock Nelson and Anders Lee each scored goals in the first of 13 straight road games for the Isles to open the season.

— The Stars pulled out a 3-2 win over the Rangers on Miro Heiskanen's (MEER'-oh HAYS'-kah-nehnz) goal at 1:38 of OT. Jacob Peterson and Radek Faksa (FAHK'-sah) scored early for Dallas, and Braden Holtby and Anton Khudobin (koo-DOH'-bihn) combined to make 31 saves. Adam Fox and Chris Kreider each had a goal for New York.

— Anze Kopitar (AHN'-zhahy KOH'-pih-tahr) and Drew Doughty (DOW'-tee) carried the Kings' offense on a 6-2 rout of the Golden Knights. Kopitar set a team record by scoring five points in a season opener, delivering three goals and two assists. Drew Doughty added a goal and three assists to the win.

— The Blue Jackets rolled to an 8-2 win over the Coyotes as Oliver Bjorkstrand (BYOHRK'-strand) had two goals and two assists. Max Domi (DOH'-mee) added a goal and two assists to help Brad Larsen win his first game as coach of Columbus. Elvis Merzlikins (murz-LEE'-kihnz) stopped 36 shots in his first opening-night start.

— Anton Forsberg made a career-high 46 saves and the Senators scored three times in the first period before holding off the Maple Leafs, 3-2. Tyler Ennis had a goal and an assist for Ottawa, which also received goals from Alex Formenton and Chris Tierney. Formenton scored on a slap shot with 0.6 seconds remaining in the opening period.

— The Sabres have followed a tumultuous summer with a stunning season-opening 5-1 win over the injury-depleted Canadiens. Victor Olofsson and Anders Bjork scored 2:01 apart in the second period. The Sabres converted three of six power-play opportunities, with Tage (tayj) Thompson pushing Buffalo's lead to 5-1 early in the third period.

Brady Tkachuk gets 7-year, $57.5 million deal with Senators

UNDATED (AP) — Brady Tkachuk (kuh-CHUK') and the Ottawa Senators have agreed to a seven-year, $57.5 million contract.

Tkachuk was a restricted free agent and had not played for the Senators during the preseason until a deal was reached. The contract has an average annual value of $8.214 million.

— Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock (POO'-lahk) says he's agreed to an eight-year extension. Newsday reports the deal is believed to be worth $49.2 million. Pulock and Adam Pelech (PEH'-lehk) make up the Isles' top blueline pairing. Pulock is in the final season of a two-year, $10 million package.

— Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog (LAN'-dehs-kahg) has been suspended for two games without pay by the NHL for boarding Blackhawks forward Kirby Dach (dahk). Landeskog was assessed a minor penalty for boarding with 3:38 left in Colorado's 4-2 home victory Wednesday night.

Panthers' McCaffrey doesn't practice because of hamstring

UNDATED (AP) — Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey did not practice Thursday, a sign that he could miss his third straight game while trying to rehab from a hamstring injury. 

The 2019 All-Pro running back had participated in four straight practices on a limited basis. Coach Matt Rhule (rool) told reporters on Wednesday that McCaffrey was "50-50" for the game and that his playing status would likely come down to a game-time decision. 

Carolina's 2017 first-round draft pick was injured in a Week 3 win against the Houston Texans. 

— Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson missed practice Thursday because of an illness. Jackson was listed on the team's injury report. He's missed practice time previously this season but hasn't missed any of Baltimore's five games.

— Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is making steady progress after sustaining a concussion in last Sunday's loss to the Cowboys and has a shot at playing Sunday against the Rams. Running back Saquon (SAY'-kwahn) Barkley and receiver Kenny Golladay haven't practiced this week. Barkley has almost no chance to play this weekend.

— The Bears have placed running back Damien Williams on the reserve/COVID-19 list, putting his status for their game against the Packers in question. Williams is second on the team with 137 yards and two touchdowns. 

— The Washington Football Team says it is retiring late safety Sean Taylor's number this weekend. The last-minute timing has sparked criticism while the organization is dealing with multiple off-field scandals. Taylor was murdered at his home during a botched robbery attempt in 2007, midway through his fourth NFL season. 

Pelicans' Williamson out at first week of regular season

UNDATED (AP) — Pelicans forward Zion Williamson is expected to miss at least the first week of the regular season.

Williamson's recovery from surgery to repair a right foot fracture is taking longer than anticipated, although Pelicans basketball operations chief David Griffin says nothing "has gone wrong." He says it's just taking longer for Williamson's bones to heal than the team had hoped when they initially forecast his return for the regular season opener.

Griffin now says doctors want to re-evaluate imaging of Williamson's foot in about two-and-a-half weeks. 

Robert Streb leads a day of low scoring in CJ Cup at Summit

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Robert Streb shot the finest round of his career in taking a one-stroke lead in first-round play at the CJ Cup at Summit in Las Vegas.

Streb had 10 birdies and an eagle in an 11-under 61, but it left him just one shot ahead of Keith Mitchell. When Streb walked off the par-5 sixth hole after a long two-putt for birdie, he already was 7-under par. 

Mitchell had more birdies than pars in matching his low round with a 62. Harry Higgs was at 64, while the group at 65 included Sergio Garcia and Viktor Hovland.

US Open finalist Fernandez to sit out Billie Jean King Cup

TORONTO (AP) — U.S. Open runner-up Leylah Fernandez won't be part of Canada's team for the Billie Jean King Cup finals next month. Tennis Canada confirmed that Fernandez pulled out of the team's roster for the Nov. 1-6 matches in Prague and is being replaced by Carol Zhao. 

The 19-year-old Fernandez turned in a breakthrough performance at the U.S. Open, making it all the way to the final before losing to another unseeded teenager, Emma Raducanu.

Female soccer players evacuated from Afghanistan to Qatar

UNDATED (AP) — Qatar says female soccer players have been evacuated from Afghanistan on a flight to Doha. Qatar's assistant foreign minister says there were around 100 footballers and their families including female players are on board. 

Qatar worked with FIFA to coordinate the evacuation of players, who were taken to a compound with other evacuees to undergo coronavirus testing. 

Concerns were raised for the safety of female athletes after the Afghan government fell much faster than publicly anticipated by the United States in August, allowing the Taliban to take back control of Kabul.

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

<h2>Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press</h2>UNDATED (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals have fired manager Mike Shildt over philosophical differences within the organization. The move came one week after St. Louis lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League wild-card game. Shildt was heading into the final year of his contract. Shildt replaced current Royals manager Mike Matheny on an interim basis in August 2018, then took over the permanent job the following season.&nbsp;LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs and Washington head into their matchup this weekend with two of the worst defenses in the NFL. No teams have allowed more points this season and they're both coming off allowing 30-plus points last week. It's no wonder the game has the highest over/under point total of Week 6 at 55½. But Kansas City and Washington also have turnover-prone offenses. The Chiefs are tied for the most turnovers in the league after two fumbles and two interceptions last week. Washington's defense is perhaps in the most trouble facing Patrick Mahomes with the quarterback looking to atone for his recent mistakes.KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Just when the Kansas City Chiefs finally got their ground game going, they watched as Clyde Edwards-Helaire was helped off the field with a knee injury. It wound up being a sprained knee ligament that landed Edwards-Helaire on the injured reserve list 48 hours later. Now, the trick for the Chiefs is to keep from reverting to an air-it-out approach that has sometimes caused their offense to go stagnant. They are at their best when they are able to get their ground game going. It will be up to Darrel Williams and Jerrick McKinnon to provide that much-needed balance Sunday in Washington.UNDATED (AP) — Oklahoma State is 5-0 for the first time since 2015. Now, the 12th-ranked Cowboys will try to win three consecutives games over Top-25 teams for the first time in program history. They play at No. 25 Texas. Oklahoma State won its first two Big 12 games against ranked teams before last week's open date. No. 19 BYU gets an early Big 12 preview when it plays at Baylor. The Cougars accepted an invitation last month to join the Big 12. They will start conference play in 2023.&nbsp;IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz is trying to keep his team grounded after it achieved its highest ranking since 1985. The No. 2 Hawkeyes should have no problem staying focused when Purdue visits Kinnick Stadium on Saturday. The Boilermakers have won three of the last four meetings. Purdue has hurt Iowa with deep balls. Many have gone to star receiver David Bell. Iowa leads the nation with 16 interceptions, 20 takeaways and its plus-15 turnover margin. Iowa will be without injured cornerback Riley Moss. His four interceptions are tied for first nationally. He hurt his knee against Penn State last week.MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Hints of that long-awaited breakthrough for Nebraska under coach Scott Frost have been apparent lately. Their record has yet to reflect the progress. Time to make this a feel-good season is running out. The next game at Minnesota is a must-have. The Huskers are 3-4. The Gophers are 3-2. Nebraska took one-score losses to Oklahoma, Michigan State and Michigan over the last four weeks. Those teams are all currently ranked in the top 10 of the Associated Press poll. Minnesota is trying to overcome another season-ending injury to a standout tailback after Trey Potts was sidelined by a serious injury.LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Former Kansas football coach David Beaty is no longer part of an NCAA infractions case against the school. The independent organization that investigates such cases notified Beaty last week that an allegation against him had been withdrawn. In 2019, Kansas self reported violations in the football program. Beaty says he plans to get back to coaching now that the NCAA allegations are behind him. He hasn't worked in football since Kansas fired him in 2018.&nbsp; The two reached a $2.5 million settlement last year in a dispute over his buyout.IRVING, Texas (AP) — Kansas has been tabbed the Big 12 preseason men's basketball favorite by the league's head coaches. The Jayhawks got eight of 10 first-place votes from coaches who couldn't vote for their own teams. Texas got the remaining two first-place votes. Defending national champion Baylor was picked to finish third. AP Big 12 player of the year Jared Butler is among three standouts guards no longer with the Bears. The coaches picked three Kansas players for the preseason All-Big 12 team. That includes preseason player of the year Remy Martin.MLB-NLDS-DODGERS/GIANTSDodgers knock out GiantsSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers have finally defeated the San Francisco Giants in a winner-take-all series.The Dodgers are in the NLCS after rallying in the ninth inning to beat the Giants, 2-1. The Dodgers can finally celebrate a postseason series win over their bitter rivals after the Giants captured best-of-3 series in 1951 and 1962 to decide the National League pennant.Cody Bellinger broke a 1-1 deadlock with an RBI single that scored Justin Turner, who started the rally by getting hit by a pitch with one out.Neither team scored until Corey Seager singled home a run in the sixth inning. Darin Ruf quickly responded with a solo blast in the bottom half.Ruf's blast came off Julio Urias, who gave up just two other hits over four innings of relief.Kenley Jansen got the win with help from Max Scherzer's save.Giants starter Logan Webb struck out seven and allowed a run and four hits over seven innings.The Dodgers head to Atlanta for Game 1 on Saturday.MLB-NEWSCardinals fire Shildt over 'philosophical differences'UNDATED (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals have fired manager Mike Shildt, one week after the team lost to the Dodgers in the NL wild-card game. Cardinals president John Mozeliak said the firing was "something that popped up recently," but he refused to expand on what he called "philosophical differences" between Shildt, the coaching staff and the front office.The Redbirds went on a team-record, 17-game winning streak last month and made the postseason with 90 victories. They were 252-199 after Shildt took over for manager Mike Matheny during the 2018, winning the NL Central in 2019 and reaching the playoffs the last three seasons.In other MLB news:— The Braves are preparing to play without outfielder Jorge Soler (HOHR'-hay soh-LEHR') in the NL Championship Series as they await his clearance following his positive COVID-19 test. The Braves worked out Thursday at Truist Park without Soler, who was pulled from the lineup for Game 4 of the NL Division Series against Milwaukee on Tuesday. — White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson says he wants Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa to remain in the dugout next season. La Russa's future was a bit of a question mark after the White Sox were eliminated Tuesday by Houston in Game 4 of the AL Division Series. Chicago rolled to a 93-69 record and beat Cleveland by 13 games in AL Central for its first division championship in 13 years. NFL-BUCCANEERS/EAGLESBrady, Fournette provide 2 TDs each for BucsPHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are heading to their bye week with a 5-1 record after holding off the Philadelphia Eagles. Tom Brady and Leonard Fournette each accounted for two touchdowns as the Buccaneers topped the Eagles, 28-22. Brady tossed TD passes on Tampa Bay's first two drives while going 11 for 12 for 121 yards. He finished 34 of 42 for 297 yards and an interception.Tampa increased its lead to 28-7 when Fournette walked in from the 1 in the third quarter. It was his second scoring run of the game.Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts ran for two touchdowns but had trouble passing the ball, completing just 12 of 26 for 155 yards.Philadelphia is 2-4.NHL-SCHEDULECats rally past PensUNDATED (AP) — The Florida Panthers have had good fortune when opening their NHL schedule at home.The Panthers erased a late two-goal deficit and defeated the Penguins, 5-4 on Carter Verhaeghe's (vur-HAY'-geez) goal 97 seconds into overtime. The Pens were up 4-2 until Aaron Ekblad scored the two late goals to extend the game. Verhaeghe also finished with two goals and Sergei Bobrovsky (boh-BRAHF'-skee) made 43 saves for Florida, including a breakaway stop in OT.The Panthers have won their last eight season-opening home games.Elsewhere on NHL ice:— The Kraken have earned their first franchise victory in two games by beating the Predators, 4-3. Brandon Tanev (TAN'-ehv) scored his second goal into an empty net with 1:21 left. Alex Wennberg and Jared McCann each had a goal and an assist for Seattle. — Ondrej Palat (AHN'-dray pah-LAHT') scored 2:43 into overtime to finish off the Lightning's comeback in a 7-6 triumph over the Red Wings. Tyler Bertuzzi scored a career-high four times, three coming in the second period as Detroit took a three-goal lead. Ross Colton, Nikita Kucherov (KOO'-cheh-rahv) and Alex Killorn (kih-LOHRN') scored in a four-minute span for Tampa Bay to make it 6-all.— Andrei Svechnikov (SVEHCH'-nih-kahv) provided two goals and an assist in the Hurricanes' 6-3 downing of the Islanders. Teuvo Teravainen (TAY'-voh tehr-ah-VY'-nehn) added a goal and an assist to back Frederik Andersen, who stopped 25 shots in his Carolina debut. Mathew Barzal, Brock Nelson and Anders Lee each scored goals in the first of 13 straight road games for the Isles to open the season.— The Stars pulled out a 3-2 win over the Rangers on Miro Heiskanen's (MEER'-oh HAYS'-kah-nehnz) goal at 1:38 of OT. Jacob Peterson and Radek Faksa (FAHK'-sah) scored early for Dallas, and Braden Holtby and Anton Khudobin (koo-DOH'-bihn) combined to make 31 saves. Adam Fox and Chris Kreider each had a goal for New York.— Anze Kopitar (AHN'-zhahy KOH'-pih-tahr) and Drew Doughty (DOW'-tee) carried the Kings' offense on a 6-2 rout of the Golden Knights. Kopitar set a team record by scoring five points in a season opener, delivering three goals and two assists. Drew Doughty added a goal and three assists to the win.— The Blue Jackets rolled to an 8-2 win over the Coyotes as Oliver Bjorkstrand (BYOHRK'-strand) had two goals and two assists. Max Domi (DOH'-mee) added a goal and two assists to help Brad Larsen win his first game as coach of Columbus. Elvis Merzlikins (murz-LEE'-kihnz) stopped 36 shots in his first opening-night start.— Anton Forsberg made a career-high 46 saves and the Senators scored three times in the first period before holding off the Maple Leafs, 3-2. Tyler Ennis had a goal and an assist for Ottawa, which also received goals from Alex Formenton and Chris Tierney. Formenton scored on a slap shot with 0.6 seconds remaining in the opening period.— The Sabres have followed a tumultuous summer with a stunning season-opening 5-1 win over the injury-depleted Canadiens. Victor Olofsson and Anders Bjork scored 2:01 apart in the second period. The Sabres converted three of six power-play opportunities, with Tage (tayj) Thompson pushing Buffalo's lead to 5-1 early in the third period.NHL-NEWSBrady Tkachuk gets 7-year, $57.5 million deal with SenatorsUNDATED (AP) — Brady Tkachuk (kuh-CHUK') and the Ottawa Senators have agreed to a seven-year, $57.5 million contract.Tkachuk was a restricted free agent and had not played for the Senators during the preseason until a deal was reached. The contract has an average annual value of $8.214 million.Also in the NHL:— Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock (POO'-lahk) says he's agreed to an eight-year extension. Newsday reports the deal is believed to be worth $49.2 million. Pulock and Adam Pelech (PEH'-lehk) make up the Isles' top blueline pairing. Pulock is in the final season of a two-year, $10 million package.— Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog (LAN'-dehs-kahg) has been suspended for two games without pay by the NHL for boarding Blackhawks forward Kirby Dach (dahk). Landeskog was assessed a minor penalty for boarding with 3:38 left in Colorado's 4-2 home victory Wednesday night.NFL-NEWSPanthers' McCaffrey doesn't practice because of hamstringUNDATED (AP) — Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey did not practice Thursday, a sign that he could miss his third straight game while trying to rehab from a hamstring injury. The 2019 All-Pro running back had participated in four straight practices on a limited basis. Coach Matt Rhule (rool) told reporters on Wednesday that McCaffrey was "50-50" for the game and that his playing status would likely come down to a game-time decision. Carolina's 2017 first-round draft pick was injured in a Week 3 win against the Houston Texans. In other NFL news:— Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson missed practice Thursday because of an illness. Jackson was listed on the team's injury report. He's missed practice time previously this season but hasn't missed any of Baltimore's five games.— Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is making steady progress after sustaining a concussion in last Sunday's loss to the Cowboys and has a shot at playing Sunday against the Rams. Running back Saquon (SAY'-kwahn) Barkley and receiver Kenny Golladay haven't practiced this week. Barkley has almost no chance to play this weekend.— The Bears have placed running back Damien Williams on the reserve/COVID-19 list, putting his status for their game against the Packers in question. Williams is second on the team with 137 yards and two touchdowns. — The Washington Football Team says it is retiring late safety Sean Taylor's number this weekend. The last-minute timing has sparked criticism while the organization is dealing with multiple off-field scandals. Taylor was murdered at his home during a botched robbery attempt in 2007, midway through his fourth NFL season. NBA-NEWSPelicans' Williamson out at first week of regular seasonUNDATED (AP) — Pelicans forward Zion Williamson is expected to miss at least the first week of the regular season.Williamson's recovery from surgery to repair a right foot fracture is taking longer than anticipated, although Pelicans basketball operations chief David Griffin says nothing "has gone wrong." He says it's just taking longer for Williamson's bones to heal than the team had hoped when they initially forecast his return for the regular season opener.Griffin now says doctors want to re-evaluate imaging of Williamson's foot in about two-and-a-half weeks. GOLF-CJ CUPRobert Streb leads a day of low scoring in CJ Cup at SummitLAS VEGAS (AP) — Robert Streb shot the finest round of his career in taking a one-stroke lead in first-round play at the CJ Cup at Summit in Las Vegas.Streb had 10 birdies and an eagle in an 11-under 61, but it left him just one shot ahead of Keith Mitchell. When Streb walked off the par-5 sixth hole after a long two-putt for birdie, he already was 7-under par. Mitchell had more birdies than pars in matching his low round with a 62. Harry Higgs was at 64, while the group at 65 included Sergio Garcia and Viktor Hovland.TENNIS-BILLIE JEAN KING CUPUS Open finalist Fernandez to sit out Billie Jean King CupTORONTO (AP) — U.S. Open runner-up Leylah Fernandez won't be part of Canada's team for the Billie Jean King Cup finals next month. Tennis Canada confirmed that Fernandez pulled out of the team's roster for the Nov. 1-6 matches in Prague and is being replaced by Carol Zhao. The 19-year-old Fernandez turned in a breakthrough performance at the U.S. Open, making it all the way to the final before losing to another unseeded teenager, Emma Raducanu.AFGHAN SOCCER PLAYERS EVACUATEDFemale soccer players evacuated from Afghanistan to QatarUNDATED (AP) — Qatar says female soccer players have been evacuated from Afghanistan on a flight to Doha. Qatar's assistant foreign minister says there were around 100 footballers and their families including female players are on board. Qatar worked with FIFA to coordinate the evacuation of players, who were taken to a compound with other evacuees to undergo coronavirus testing. Concerns were raised for the safety of female athletes after the Afghan government fell much faster than publicly anticipated by the United States in August, allowing the Taliban to take back control of Kabul.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Sports Headlines for Friday

High school football previews, local teams in KVA rankings and KU picked to win Big 12 in basketball, plus more from Hutch Post.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592395252100.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>High school football previews, local teams in KVA rankings and KU picked to win Big 12 in basketball, plus more from Hutch Post.<div><iframe title="October 15, 2021 Morning Sports" 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=665xn-1105b40-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1&font-color=auto&btn-skin=7"></iframe></div><a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp;

🎙 Eagle Radio Sports for Friday Morning

KANSAS VOLLEYBALL ASSOCIATION RANKINGS CLASS 6A

KANSAS VOLLEYBALL ASSOCIATION RANKINGS CLASS 6A<ol>
 <li>Washburn Rural, 27-0 (1)</li><li>Blue Valley North, 24-2 (2)</li><li>Blue Valley West, 23-7 (3)</li><li>Shawnee Mission Northwest, 27-7 (4)</li><li>Wichita Northwest, 35-1 (5)</li><li>Olathe Northwest, 17-8 (6)</li><li>Free State, 19-8 (7)</li><li>Hutchinson, 28-4 (8)</li><li>Blue Valley Northwest, 16-10 (9)</li><li>Derby, 22-11 (10)</li>
 </ol> CLASS 5A<ol>
 <li>St. Thomas Aquinas, 31-3 (1)</li><li>Lansing, 27-1 (2)</li><li>St. James Academy, 19-9 (3)</li><li>Mill Valley, 27-6 (4)</li><li>Maize South, 21-6 (5)</li><li>Seaman, 18-8 (6)</li><li>Spring Hill, 21-6 (7)</li><li>Eisenhower, 20-7 (10)</li><li>Basehor-Linwood, 21-8 (8)</li><li>Bishop Carroll, 20-10 (9)</li>
 </ol> CLASS 4A<ol>
 <li>Andale, 26-1 (1)</li><li>McPherson, 27-6 (2)</li><li>Circle, 23-5 (4)</li><li>Baldwin, 23-3 (3)</li><li>Clay Center, 21-5 (5)</li><li>Augusta, 22-4 (6)</li><li>Louisburg, 18-10 (8)</li><li>Bishop Miege, 9-19 (7)</li><li>Ottawa, 15-16 (10)</li><li>Labette County, 27-3 (NR)</li>
 </ol> CLASS 3A<ol>
 <li>Cheney, 26-1 (3)</li><li>Smoky Valley, 25-3 (1)</li><li>Olathe Heritage Christian, 26-2 (2)</li><li>Nemaha Central, 26-3 (4)</li><li>Hiawatha, 26-3 (5)</li><li>Goodland, 26-3 (9)</li><li>Riverton, 27-3 (6)</li><li>Eureka, 28-1 (7)</li><li>Silver Lake, 23-8 (NR)</li><li>TMP-Marian, 23-8 (8)</li>
 </ol> CLASS 2A<ol>
 <li>Smith Center, 28-2 (1)</li><li>Sedgwick, 27-3 (3)</li><li>Garden Plain, 20-6 (2)</li><li>Ellinwood, 24-4 (5)</li><li>Hillsboro, 21-7 (4)</li><li>Sterling, 25-7 (7)</li><li>Wabaunsee, 26-5 (6)</li><li>Meade/Fowler, 28-1 (8)</li><li>Inman, 24-8 (10)</li><li>Jefferson County North, 23-5 (9)</li>
 </ol> CLASS 1A DIVISION I<ol>
 <li>Centralia, 28-3 (3)</li><li>Little River, 25-3 (2)</li><li>Victoria, 21-3 (1)</li><li>Pretty Prairie, 26-4 (4)</li><li>Kiowa County, 25-5 (5)</li><li>Spearville, 25-6 (8)</li><li>St. Paul, 27-4 (7)</li><li>Burlingame, 17-6 (6)</li><li>Doniphan West, 20-9 (NR)</li><li>St. John, 15-9 (NR)</li>
 </ol> CLASS 1A DIVISION II<ol>
 <li>Hanover, 24-5 (1)</li><li>Lebo, 24-4 (2)</li><li>Attica, 24-2 (3)</li><li>Central Plains, 19-7 (5)</li><li>Linn, 20-8 (6)</li><li>Golden Plains, 24-4 (4)</li><li>Wheatland-Grinnell, 19-8 (7)</li><li>Hutchinson Central Christian, 17-7 (9)</li><li>Dighton, 18-6 (10)</li><li>Argonia, 17-5 (8)</li>
 </ol>

Area teams in latest KVA rankings

LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs and Washington head into their matchup this weekend with two of the worst defenses in the NFL. 

No teams have allowed more points this season and they're both coming off allowing 30-plus points last week. It's no wonder the game has the highest over/under point total of Week 6 at 55½. But Kansas City and Washington also have turnover-prone offenses. 

The Chiefs are tied for the most turnovers in the league after two fumbles and two interceptions last week. Washington's defense is perhaps in the most trouble facing Patrick Mahomes with the quarterback looking to atone for his recent mistakes.

LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs and Washington head into their matchup this weekend with two of the worst defenses in the NFL. No teams have allowed more points this season and they're both coming off allowing 30-plus points last week. It's no wonder the game has the highest over/under point total of Week 6 at 55½. But Kansas City and Washington also have turnover-prone offenses. The Chiefs are tied for the most turnovers in the league after two fumbles and two interceptions last week. Washington's defense is perhaps in the most trouble facing Patrick Mahomes with the quarterback looking to atone for his recent mistakes.

Scoreboard likely to get workout Sunday for Chiefs, Washington

IRVING, Texas (AP) — Kansas has been tabbed the Big 12 preseason men's basketball favorite by the league's head coaches. 

The Jayhawks got eight of 10 first-place votes from coaches who couldn't vote for their own teams. Texas got the remaining two first-place votes. Defending national champion Baylor was picked to finish third. 

AP Big 12 player of the year Jared Butler is among three standouts guards no longer with the Bears. The coaches picked three Kansas players for the preseason All-Big 12 team. That includes preseason player of the year Remy Martin.

IRVING, Texas (AP) — Kansas has been tabbed the Big 12 preseason men's basketball favorite by the league's head coaches. The Jayhawks got eight of 10 first-place votes from coaches who couldn't vote for their own teams. Texas got the remaining two first-place votes. Defending national champion Baylor was picked to finish third. AP Big 12 player of the year Jared Butler is among three standouts guards no longer with the Bears. The coaches picked three Kansas players for the preseason All-Big 12 team. That includes preseason player of the year Remy Martin.

KU is preseason men's basketball favorite

October 14, 2021 Afternoon Sports

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Missouri Sports Hall of Fame inducted Kansas City Chiefs pass rusher Tamba Hali on Wednesday.

Hali was among the best pass rushers in Kansas City Chiefs history, doing so years after escaping the war-torn West African country of Liberia at age 10 and making a new home in the United States. 

A first-round draft pick in 2006 out of Penn State University, he spent his entire National Football League career with the Chiefs, covering 12 seasons (2006-2017) and helping the team to six playoff berths. He is second only to the legendary Derrick Thomas (126.5) in career sacks (89.5) and ahead of Neil Smith’s 85.5 and Justin Houston’s 78.5. Thomas (MSHOF 2021) and Smith (MSHOF 2008) have been inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. A six-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time All-Pro, Hali also forced 33 fumbles, second only to Thomas’ 45 and four more than Smith’s 29. Additionally, Hali started at least 15 games every season from 2006 to 2014 and started 14 in 2015. 

At Penn State, Hali was a consensus NCAA All-American in 2005 and was part of the Orange Bowl team that beat Florida State 26-23 in three overtimes. In 2006, he earned his U.S. citizenship.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620667892123.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Missouri Sports Hall of Fame inducted Kansas City Chiefs pass rusher Tamba Hali on Wednesday.Hali was among the best pass rushers in Kansas City Chiefs history, doing so years after escaping the war-torn West African country of Liberia at age 10 and making a new home in the United States. A first-round draft pick in 2006 out of Penn State University, he spent his entire National Football League career with the Chiefs, covering 12 seasons (2006-2017) and helping the team to six playoff berths. He is second only to the legendary Derrick Thomas (126.5) in career sacks (89.5) and ahead of Neil Smith’s 85.5 and Justin Houston’s 78.5. Thomas (MSHOF 2021) and Smith (MSHOF 2008) have been inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. A six-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time All-Pro, Hali also forced 33 fumbles, second only to Thomas’ 45 and four more than Smith’s 29. Additionally, Hali started at least 15 games every season from 2006 to 2014 and started 14 in 2015. At Penn State, Hali was a consensus NCAA All-American in 2005 and was part of the Orange Bowl team that beat Florida State 26-23 in three overtimes. In 2006, he earned his U.S. citizenship.

Hali now member of Missouri Sports Hall of Fame

<div><iframe title="Eagle Radio Sports Reports for Thursday Morning - hutchpost.com" 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=6wnpa-1104437-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1&font-color=auto&btn-skin=7"></iframe></div><a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

🎙 Eagle Radio Sports for Thursday Morning

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs practiced without five key starters including wide receiver Tyreek Hill and pass rusher Chris Jones, adding a long list of physical ailments to their battered pride five games into the season. Hill was out with a bruised quad that he sustained in Sunday night's blowout loss to the Bills when the Chiefs also lost running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire to a sprained knee ligament. Jones continues to deal with a lingering wrist injury. Also out were linebacker Anthony Hitchens, defensive back Charvarius Ward and guard Joe Thuney.

UNDATED (AP) — With one Small kick and a rather sizable upset, Texas A&amp;M created a logjam in the Southeastern Conference Western Division.The Aggies' 41-38 upset of then-No. 1 Alabama on Seth Small's field goal opened the door for the Crimson Tide's division rivals. It's not just a parade of teams lining up neatly behind 'Bama any more. Though Alabama seems to remain the team to beat and a playoff contender, it won't be a weekly cakewalk for the Tide. Four SEC West teams have just one league loss.

Nylander breaks 3rd-period tie, Leafs beat Canadiens 2-1

TORONTO (AP) — William Nylander (NEE'-lan-dur) broke a tie at 1:06 of the third period and the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Montreal Canadiens 2-1 Wednesday night in the opener for both teams. 

Toronto won in front of over 18,000 masked and fully vaccinated fans in Scotiabank Arena's first regular-season crowd since March 10, 2020. Jack Campbell made 31 saves for Toronto, allowing only Jonathan Drouin's first-period goal. 

Pierre Engvall tied it on a power play midway through the second. Toronto star Auston Matthews, the NHL leader with 41 goals in 52 games last season, sat out because of a wrist injury that hasn't fully healed from surgery.

— Bowen Byram scored his first NHL goal and added an assist to lead the short-handed Colorado Avalanche to a 4-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Nazem Kadri and Gabriel Landeskog each had a goal and an assist for Colorado, which played without star center Nathan MacKinnon and head coach Jared Bednar. Both are in the COVID-19 protocol and away from the team. 

— Kyle Turris scored the shootout winner and the Edmonton Oilers beat the Vancouver Canucks 3-2 on Wednesday night in the season opener for both teams. Jesse Puljujarvi and Zach Hyman scored in regulation for the Oilers, who squandered a late lead. Edmonton also got a pair of assists from Connor McDavid. Mike Smith finished with 36 saves. Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Quinn Hughes scored for the Canucks. Thatcher Demko made 32 saves.

— Mason McTavish became the youngest player in Anaheim history to score a goal as the Ducks opened the season with a 4-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets. The 18-year-old McTavish — the third overall pick in this year's NHL draft — put in a loose puck 13:20 into the first period to give Anaheim a 2-0 lead. Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck made a pad save on a shot by Isac Lundestrom, but McTavish gathered in the rebound. Adam Henrique, Kevin Shattenkirk and Rickard Rakell also scored for Anaheim.

— The Washington Capitals made a season-opening 5-1 victory against the division-rival New York Rangers memorable Wednesday night for Alex Ovechkin's 731st and 732nd goals and Hendrix Lapierre's first. Ovechkin scored twice to pass Marcel Dionne for sole possession of fifth place on the NHL goals list, putting him a couple of steps closer to Wayne Gretzky's record that had long seemed unbreakable. Ovechkin, one game into a new five-year contract to chase the mark, needs 163 goals to pass Gretzky.

Predators sign Ekholm to 4-year, $25 million deal

UNDATED (AP) — The Nashville Predators have signed defenseman Mattias Ekholm to a four-year, $25 million extension, keeping him under contract through the 2025-26 season. 

The team announced the contract Wednesday at a news conference. General manager David Poile says they couldn't be happier to get this deal done before the season opener Thursday night against Seattle.

Ekholm was drafted by Nashville in 2009. He has played his entire career in Nashville.

— The New York Islanders will start the season with 13 straight road games. That's the second-longest road trip in NHL history and the longest to start a season. The NHL drew up the plan while construction of the team's new home at UBS Arena is completed. Playing a few more games at Nassau Coliseum was not an option, so instead the Islanders will crisscross the country. New York will play its first home game on Nov. 20 against Calgary, more than five weeks into the season.

— The Toronto Maple Leafs sported TikTok decals on their helmets for the season opener against the Montreal Canadiens. The social media platform's logo to appear on players' helmets throughout the season. The NHL added helmet advertisements last season and the board of governors has unanimously approved sponsor patches on jerseys beginning next season. 

Undefeated Cardinals down at least 2 starters vs. Browns

UNDATED (AP) — The Arizona Cardinals will be without two starters and probably a third as they try to stay unbeaten in a road game Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. 

Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury has confirmed that tight end Maxx Williams is out for the season because of a right knee injury he suffered last week in the team's 17-10 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. He also said three-time Pro Bowl center Rodney Hudson will miss the game in Cleveland with an injury to his ribs while linebacker Chandler Jones is doubtful after testing positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, NFL sacks leader Myles Garrett and star running back Nick Chubb are two of several key Browns players not practicing because of injuries. Garrett, who has seven sacks and been dominant all season, is dealing with knee and ankle issues. The 2020 All-Pro defensive end sat out two practices last week but played in Sunday's 47-42 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

— The Kansas City Chiefs practiced without five key starters including wide receiver Tyreek Hill and pass rusher Chris Jones. Hill was out with a bruised quad that he sustained in Sunday night's loss to the Bills, when the Chiefs also lost running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire to a sprained knee ligament. Jones continues to deal with a lingering wrist injury. Also out Wednesday were linebacker Anthony Hitchens, defensive back Charvarius Ward and guard Joe Thuney.

— Daniel Jones has made some progress since suffering a concussion last weekend and there's a chance the Giants quarterback will play against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. Coach Joe Judge said Wednesday that Jones remains in the NFL's concussion protocol. It is unlikely he'll practice Thursday since the next step in the protocol would be either increased physical activity followed by a non-contact practice.

— Panthers coach Matt Rhule said running back Christian McCaffrey is 50-50 for Carolina's game against the Minnesota Vikings. McCaffrey has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury. Rhule thinks the decision will come right up until the game. 

— Indianapolis Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton was back on the practice field for Wednesday's light workout. If all goes well over the next few days, he might be playing Sunday against Houston. The four-time Pro Bowler has been designated for return from injured reserve after having neck surgery in August and coach Frank Reich is optimistic Hilton will be cleared to play this weekend.

— It has not been a good start to the week for the Los Angeles Chargers offensive line. The Chargers found out on Monday that right guard Oday Aboushi would miss the rest of the season after tearing the ACL in his left knee during Sunday's 47-42 win over Cleveland. On Wednesday, the team announced that right tackle Bryan Bulaga will miss more time after having core muscle surgery. Michael Schofield stepped in after Aboushi was injured and will remain the starter. With Storm Norton filling in at right tackle, center Corey Linsley said that he expects everyone to continue to step up.

— Houston Texans quarterback Tyrod Taylor won't come off injured reserve this week, and left tackle Laremy Tunsil will have thumb surgery and is expected to be out at least a month. Taylor injured his hamstring Sept. 19 against the Browns and was placed on injured reserve the following week. He is eligible to return this week, but coach David Culley said he still needs more time. Tunsil injured his left thumb in a loss to the Patriots on Sunday.

— The Tennessee Titans have brought back linebacker Avery Williamson, signing the veteran off Denver's practice squad. Williamson was a fifth-round draft pick by the Titans in 2014 out of Kentucky. He spent his first four seasons with Tennessee before signing a three-year deal in 2018 with the New York Jets. Williamson missed the 2019 season with a torn ACL and was traded to Pittsburgh during last season. The Titans also announced that safety Amani Hooker has been cleared to return to practice even as he remains on injured reserve. 

— Cornerback Tre Flowers has been released by the Seattle Seahawks as they struggle to find the right combination at the position. Flowers started the first three games but was benched in favor of Sidney Jones after Minnesota dissected Seattle's secondary in Week 3. Coach Pete Carroll raved about Flowers' performance in earning the starting job during training camp but didn't have many answers on why his standing changed so quickly. The entire cornerback situation remains unsettled five weeks into the regular season.

— Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell says center Frank Ragnow feels guilty about having season-ending toe surgery. Campbell said that the surgery went well, and that Ragnow does not need to feel bad about doing the right thing for his long-term future. Ragnow was hurt earlier this month at Chicago and went on injured reserve last week. 

CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) — Ben Simmons has reported to the Philadelphia 76ers but the disgruntled All-Star guard still may not play for the franchise. 

Coach Doc Rivers says he doesn't know if Simmons has backed off his trade demand. Rivers said Simmons was scheduled to return to the practice facility late Wednesday for an individual workout and that he won't practice with the team until he clears NBA health and safety protocols. 

Rivers said he hasn't ruled out Simmons traveling with the team to Detroit for their last preseason game Friday.

— The New Orleans Pelicans exercised options on four former first-round draft choices including star forward Zion Williamson and also added undrafted rookie guard John Petty Jr. to their roster. The Pelicans picked up fourth-year options on 2019 first-round draft choices Williamson, center Jaxson Hayes and guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker, keeping them under contract through next season. New Orleans also exercised a third-year option on 2020 top draft choice Kira Lewis Jr., keeping him under contract through the 2022-23 season as well. The signing of Petty gives the Pelicans three ex-Alabama players including Lewis and 2021 second-round pick Herbert Jones.

— The Western Conference has the best regular season team from last year in Utah. The West champion Phoenix Suns are primed for another run. But the team to catch might be the Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron James and Anthony Davis now have tons of proven players alongside them like Carmelo Anthony and Russell Westbrook. James says he knows a popular narrative is that the Lakers are too old to win. He says he's looking forward to disproving that.

Dimitrov downs top-seeded Medvedev in 3 sets at Indian Wells

INDIA N WELLS, Calif.(AP) — Grigor Dimitrov beat top-seeded Daniil Medvedev 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open, extending the parade of upsets that has knocked out several top players. Medvedev's defeat left the combined ATP and WTA tournament without its top two men's and women's seeds. 

Karolina Pliskova lost in the third round as did No. 2 Iga Swiatek. 

Former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka beat American Jessica Pegula 6-4, 6-2.

Mercury even WNBA Finals with 91-86 overtime win over Sky

PHOENIX (AP) — Brittney Griner dunked while scoring 29 points, Diana Taurasi had eight of her 20 points in overtime and Phoenix Mercury evened the WNBA Finals with a 91-86 win over the Chicago Sky. 

Griner kept the Mercury within reach of Chicago during a sluggish start and brought the Phoenix Suns players sitting courtside to their feet with her second career playoff dunk in the first quarter. She scored on a turnaround jump to help give Phoenix a late four-point lead in regulation, but just missed blocking Courtney Vandersloot's tying layup with 4.4 seconds left. 

Taurasi opened overtime with a four-point play and added a 3-pointer that put Phoenix up 89-86 with 1:24 left. Skylar Diggins-Smith, who had 13 points and 12 assists, sealed it on a layup with 12.8 seconds left.

Golf Australia cancels men's and women's Opens amid pandemic

SYDNEY (AP) — The men's Australian Open golf tournament and Australian Women's Open scheduled for next year have been canceled because of COVID-19-related travel and quarantine restrictions. Golf Australia chief executive James Sutherland says "we believe it to be the right outcome under the current circumstances." 

The men's Australian Open was originally scheduled for next month at The Australian Golf Club in Sydney but had already been re-scheduled for a date in early 2022. 

ESPN secures rights to Monday night wild-card game

NEW YORK (AP) — ESPN has signed a five-year agreement with the NFL to broadcast the Monday night game during the first weekend of the playoffs, beginning this season. The announcement was made by ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro at the CAA World Congress of Sport. 

The NFL announced last month that it was moving the Saturday early afternoon game on wild-card weekend to Monday night. 

Ray Fosse, barreled by Rose at '70 All-Star Game, dies at 74

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Ray Fosse, the strong-armed catcher whose career was upended when he was bowled over by Pete Rose at the 1970 All-Star Game, has died. He was 74. Carol Fosse, his wife of 51 years, said in a statement online that Fosse died Wednesday after a 16-year bout with cancer. 

Fosse was a budding talent for Cleveland when he made his first All-Star team as a 23-year-old in 1970, the same year he hit .307 with a career-high 18 homers and won the first of two Gold Gloves. 

Rose barreled over him to score the winning run in the 12th inning of the exhibition at Cincinnati's Riverfront Stadium. 

Fosse fractured and separated his left shoulder, and he told The Associated Press in 2015 his body still ached 45 years later.

<h2>Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press</h2>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs practiced without five key starters including wide receiver Tyreek Hill and pass rusher Chris Jones, adding a long list of physical ailments to their battered pride five games into the season. Hill was out with a bruised quad that he sustained in Sunday night's blowout loss to the Bills when the Chiefs also lost running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire to a sprained knee ligament. Jones continues to deal with a lingering wrist injury. Also out were linebacker Anthony Hitchens, defensive back Charvarius Ward and guard Joe Thuney.UNDATED (AP) — With one Small kick and a rather sizable upset, Texas A&amp;M created a logjam in the Southeastern Conference Western Division.The Aggies' 41-38 upset of then-No. 1 Alabama on Seth Small's field goal opened the door for the Crimson Tide's division rivals. It's not just a parade of teams lining up neatly behind 'Bama any more. Though Alabama seems to remain the team to beat and a playoff contender, it won't be a weekly cakewalk for the Tide. Four SEC West teams have just one league loss.NHL-NEWSNylander breaks 3rd-period tie, Leafs beat Canadiens 2-1TORONTO (AP) — William Nylander (NEE'-lan-dur) broke a tie at 1:06 of the third period and the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Montreal Canadiens 2-1 Wednesday night in the opener for both teams. Toronto won in front of over 18,000 masked and fully vaccinated fans in Scotiabank Arena's first regular-season crowd since March 10, 2020. Jack Campbell made 31 saves for Toronto, allowing only Jonathan Drouin's first-period goal. Pierre Engvall tied it on a power play midway through the second. Toronto star Auston Matthews, the NHL leader with 41 goals in 52 games last season, sat out because of a wrist injury that hasn't fully healed from surgery.In other ice action:— Bowen Byram scored his first NHL goal and added an assist to lead the short-handed Colorado Avalanche to a 4-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Nazem Kadri and Gabriel Landeskog each had a goal and an assist for Colorado, which played without star center Nathan MacKinnon and head coach Jared Bednar. Both are in the COVID-19 protocol and away from the team. — Kyle Turris scored the shootout winner and the Edmonton Oilers beat the Vancouver Canucks 3-2 on Wednesday night in the season opener for both teams. Jesse Puljujarvi and Zach Hyman scored in regulation for the Oilers, who squandered a late lead. Edmonton also got a pair of assists from Connor McDavid. Mike Smith finished with 36 saves. Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Quinn Hughes scored for the Canucks. Thatcher Demko made 32 saves.— Mason McTavish became the youngest player in Anaheim history to score a goal as the Ducks opened the season with a 4-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets. The 18-year-old McTavish — the third overall pick in this year's NHL draft — put in a loose puck 13:20 into the first period to give Anaheim a 2-0 lead. Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck made a pad save on a shot by Isac Lundestrom, but McTavish gathered in the rebound. Adam Henrique, Kevin Shattenkirk and Rickard Rakell also scored for Anaheim.— The Washington Capitals made a season-opening 5-1 victory against the division-rival New York Rangers memorable Wednesday night for Alex Ovechkin's 731st and 732nd goals and Hendrix Lapierre's first. Ovechkin scored twice to pass Marcel Dionne for sole possession of fifth place on the NHL goals list, putting him a couple of steps closer to Wayne Gretzky's record that had long seemed unbreakable. Ovechkin, one game into a new five-year contract to chase the mark, needs 163 goals to pass Gretzky.NHL-NEWSPredators sign Ekholm to 4-year, $25 million dealUNDATED (AP) — The Nashville Predators have signed defenseman Mattias Ekholm to a four-year, $25 million extension, keeping him under contract through the 2025-26 season. The team announced the contract Wednesday at a news conference. General manager David Poile says they couldn't be happier to get this deal done before the season opener Thursday night against Seattle.Ekholm was drafted by Nashville in 2009. He has played his entire career in Nashville.In other NHL news:— The New York Islanders will start the season with 13 straight road games. That's the second-longest road trip in NHL history and the longest to start a season. The NHL drew up the plan while construction of the team's new home at UBS Arena is completed. Playing a few more games at Nassau Coliseum was not an option, so instead the Islanders will crisscross the country. New York will play its first home game on Nov. 20 against Calgary, more than five weeks into the season.— The Toronto Maple Leafs sported TikTok decals on their helmets for the season opener against the Montreal Canadiens. The social media platform's logo to appear on players' helmets throughout the season. The NHL added helmet advertisements last season and the board of governors has unanimously approved sponsor patches on jerseys beginning next season. NFL-NEWSUndefeated Cardinals down at least 2 starters vs. BrownsUNDATED (AP) — The Arizona Cardinals will be without two starters and probably a third as they try to stay unbeaten in a road game Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury has confirmed that tight end Maxx Williams is out for the season because of a right knee injury he suffered last week in the team's 17-10 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. He also said three-time Pro Bowl center Rodney Hudson will miss the game in Cleveland with an injury to his ribs while linebacker Chandler Jones is doubtful after testing positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday.Meanwhile, NFL sacks leader Myles Garrett and star running back Nick Chubb are two of several key Browns players not practicing because of injuries. Garrett, who has seven sacks and been dominant all season, is dealing with knee and ankle issues. The 2020 All-Pro defensive end sat out two practices last week but played in Sunday's 47-42 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.In other NFL news:— The Kansas City Chiefs practiced without five key starters including wide receiver Tyreek Hill and pass rusher Chris Jones. Hill was out with a bruised quad that he sustained in Sunday night's loss to the Bills, when the Chiefs also lost running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire to a sprained knee ligament. Jones continues to deal with a lingering wrist injury. Also out Wednesday were linebacker Anthony Hitchens, defensive back Charvarius Ward and guard Joe Thuney.— Daniel Jones has made some progress since suffering a concussion last weekend and there's a chance the Giants quarterback will play against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. Coach Joe Judge said Wednesday that Jones remains in the NFL's concussion protocol. It is unlikely he'll practice Thursday since the next step in the protocol would be either increased physical activity followed by a non-contact practice.— Panthers coach Matt Rhule said running back Christian McCaffrey is 50-50 for Carolina's game against the Minnesota Vikings. McCaffrey has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury. Rhule thinks the decision will come right up until the game. — Indianapolis Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton was back on the practice field for Wednesday's light workout. If all goes well over the next few days, he might be playing Sunday against Houston. The four-time Pro Bowler has been designated for return from injured reserve after having neck surgery in August and coach Frank Reich is optimistic Hilton will be cleared to play this weekend.— It has not been a good start to the week for the Los Angeles Chargers offensive line. The Chargers found out on Monday that right guard Oday Aboushi would miss the rest of the season after tearing the ACL in his left knee during Sunday's 47-42 win over Cleveland. On Wednesday, the team announced that right tackle Bryan Bulaga will miss more time after having core muscle surgery. Michael Schofield stepped in after Aboushi was injured and will remain the starter. With Storm Norton filling in at right tackle, center Corey Linsley said that he expects everyone to continue to step up.— Houston Texans quarterback Tyrod Taylor won't come off injured reserve this week, and left tackle Laremy Tunsil will have thumb surgery and is expected to be out at least a month. Taylor injured his hamstring Sept. 19 against the Browns and was placed on injured reserve the following week. He is eligible to return this week, but coach David Culley said he still needs more time. Tunsil injured his left thumb in a loss to the Patriots on Sunday.— The Tennessee Titans have brought back linebacker Avery Williamson, signing the veteran off Denver's practice squad. Williamson was a fifth-round draft pick by the Titans in 2014 out of Kentucky. He spent his first four seasons with Tennessee before signing a three-year deal in 2018 with the New York Jets. Williamson missed the 2019 season with a torn ACL and was traded to Pittsburgh during last season. The Titans also announced that safety Amani Hooker has been cleared to return to practice even as he remains on injured reserve. — Cornerback Tre Flowers has been released by the Seattle Seahawks as they struggle to find the right combination at the position. Flowers started the first three games but was benched in favor of Sidney Jones after Minnesota dissected Seattle's secondary in Week 3. Coach Pete Carroll raved about Flowers' performance in earning the starting job during training camp but didn't have many answers on why his standing changed so quickly. The entire cornerback situation remains unsettled five weeks into the regular season.— Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell says center Frank Ragnow feels guilty about having season-ending toe surgery. Campbell said that the surgery went well, and that Ragnow does not need to feel bad about doing the right thing for his long-term future. Ragnow was hurt earlier this month at Chicago and went on injured reserve last week. NBA-76ERS-SIMMONSSimmons drama drags on for 76ersCAMDEN, N.J. (AP) — Ben Simmons has reported to the Philadelphia 76ers but the disgruntled All-Star guard still may not play for the franchise. Coach Doc Rivers says he doesn't know if Simmons has backed off his trade demand. Rivers said Simmons was scheduled to return to the practice facility late Wednesday for an individual workout and that he won't practice with the team until he clears NBA health and safety protocols. Rivers said he hasn't ruled out Simmons traveling with the team to Detroit for their last preseason game Friday.Elsewhere around the NBA:— The New Orleans Pelicans exercised options on four former first-round draft choices including star forward Zion Williamson and also added undrafted rookie guard John Petty Jr. to their roster. The Pelicans picked up fourth-year options on 2019 first-round draft choices Williamson, center Jaxson Hayes and guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker, keeping them under contract through next season. New Orleans also exercised a third-year option on 2020 top draft choice Kira Lewis Jr., keeping him under contract through the 2022-23 season as well. The signing of Petty gives the Pelicans three ex-Alabama players including Lewis and 2021 second-round pick Herbert Jones.— The Western Conference has the best regular season team from last year in Utah. The West champion Phoenix Suns are primed for another run. But the team to catch might be the Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron James and Anthony Davis now have tons of proven players alongside them like Carmelo Anthony and Russell Westbrook. James says he knows a popular narrative is that the Lakers are too old to win. He says he's looking forward to disproving that.TENNIS-INDIAN WELLSDimitrov downs top-seeded Medvedev in 3 sets at Indian WellsINDIA N WELLS, Calif.(AP) — Grigor Dimitrov beat top-seeded Daniil Medvedev 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open, extending the parade of upsets that has knocked out several top players. Medvedev's defeat left the combined ATP and WTA tournament without its top two men's and women's seeds. Karolina Pliskova lost in the third round as did No. 2 Iga Swiatek. Former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka beat American Jessica Pegula 6-4, 6-2.WNBA FINALSMercury even WNBA Finals with 91-86 overtime win over SkyPHOENIX (AP) — Brittney Griner dunked while scoring 29 points, Diana Taurasi had eight of her 20 points in overtime and Phoenix Mercury evened the WNBA Finals with a 91-86 win over the Chicago Sky. Griner kept the Mercury within reach of Chicago during a sluggish start and brought the Phoenix Suns players sitting courtside to their feet with her second career playoff dunk in the first quarter. She scored on a turnaround jump to help give Phoenix a late four-point lead in regulation, but just missed blocking Courtney Vandersloot's tying layup with 4.4 seconds left. Taurasi opened overtime with a four-point play and added a 3-pointer that put Phoenix up 89-86 with 1:24 left. Skylar Diggins-Smith, who had 13 points and 12 assists, sealed it on a layup with 12.8 seconds left.GOLF-AUSTRALIA-TOURNEMENTS CANCELEDGolf Australia cancels men's and women's Opens amid pandemicSYDNEY (AP) — The men's Australian Open golf tournament and Australian Women's Open scheduled for next year have been canceled because of COVID-19-related travel and quarantine restrictions. Golf Australia chief executive James Sutherland says "we believe it to be the right outcome under the current circumstances." The men's Australian Open was originally scheduled for next month at The Australian Golf Club in Sydney but had already been re-scheduled for a date in early 2022. ESPN-WILD-CARD WEEKENDESPN secures rights to Monday night wild-card gameNEW YORK (AP) — ESPN has signed a five-year agreement with the NFL to broadcast the Monday night game during the first weekend of the playoffs, beginning this season. The announcement was made by ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro at the CAA World Congress of Sport. The NFL announced last month that it was moving the Saturday early afternoon game on wild-card weekend to Monday night. OBIT-RAY FOSSERay Fosse, barreled by Rose at '70 All-Star Game, dies at 74OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Ray Fosse, the strong-armed catcher whose career was upended when he was bowled over by Pete Rose at the 1970 All-Star Game, has died. He was 74. Carol Fosse, his wife of 51 years, said in a statement online that Fosse died Wednesday after a 16-year bout with cancer. Fosse was a budding talent for Cleveland when he made his first All-Star team as a 23-year-old in 1970, the same year he hit .307 with a career-high 18 homers and won the first of two Gold Gloves. Rose barreled over him to score the winning run in the 12th inning of the exhibition at Cincinnati's Riverfront Stadium. Fosse fractured and separated his left shoulder, and he told The Associated Press in 2015 his body still ached 45 years later.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Sports Headlines for Thursday

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs practiced without five key starters including wide receiver Tyreek Hill and pass rusher Chris Jones, adding a long list of physical ailments to their battered pride five games into the season. 

Hill was out with a bruised quad that he sustained in Sunday night’s blowout loss to the Bills when the Chiefs also lost running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire to a sprained knee ligament. Jones continues to deal with a lingering wrist injury. Also out were linebacker Anthony Hitchens, defensive back Charvarius Ward and guard Joe Thuney.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs practiced without five key starters including wide receiver Tyreek Hill and pass rusher Chris Jones, adding a long list of physical ailments to their battered pride five games into the season. Hill was out with a bruised quad that he sustained in Sunday night’s blowout loss to the Bills when the Chiefs also lost running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire to a sprained knee ligament. Jones continues to deal with a lingering wrist injury. Also out were linebacker Anthony Hitchens, defensive back Charvarius Ward and guard Joe Thuney.

Chiefs walking wounded after five games

WICHITA — 
The American Athletic Conference coaches voted Wichita State's Tyson Etienne preseason player of the year and forecasted a fourth-place finish for the Shockers in their annual October poll, released Wednesday morning ahead of the league's virtual media day festivities.

Etienne – a super sophomore from Englewood, N.J. -- shared co-player of the year honors last March after leading the Shockers to The American's regular season title. The 6-foot-2 guard averaged 16.3 points and a school-record 2.95 three pointers on 39.2 percent accuracy.

Etienne was one of just two unanimous selections to the first team, along with SMU's Kendric Davis. He's the first Shocker to make the preseason first team since Landry Shamet in 2017.

Each of the 11 coaches cast a ballot. They were not allowed to vote for their own teams or players.

Fresh off a Final Four appearance, Houston finished atop the preseason poll, earning eight of the 11 first-place votes and 98 total points.

Talent-laden Memphis took second-place with 92 points and earned the other three first-place votes. The Tigers accounted for four of the 10 players on the preseason first and second teams.

SMU (77) edged out Wichita State (76) for third-place by a single point.

Fifth-through-eighth spots went to UCF (66), Cincinnati (52), Tulsa (43), Temple (37). South Florida and Tulane tied for ninth-place with 25 points, followed by East Carolina (14).

The Shockers (16-6, 11-2) return four of the top-five scorers from last season's NCAA tournament qualifier. In addition to Etienne, returning starters Dexter Dennis and Morris Udeze are back for their fourth seasons. Ricky Council IV made the league's all-freshman team.

Wichita State opens with a Nov. 1 exhibition against Missouri Southern State (6 p.m. CT) and tips off the regular season Tuesday, Nov. 9 against Jacksonville State (7 p.m.).

WICHITA — 
The American Athletic Conference coaches voted Wichita State's Tyson Etienne preseason player of the year and forecasted a fourth-place finish for the Shockers in their annual October poll, released Wednesday morning ahead of the league's virtual media day festivities.Etienne – a super sophomore from Englewood, N.J. -- shared co-player of the year honors last March after leading the Shockers to The American's regular season title. The 6-foot-2 guard averaged 16.3 points and a school-record 2.95 three pointers on 39.2 percent accuracy.Etienne was one of just two unanimous selections to the first team, along with SMU's Kendric Davis. He's the first Shocker to make the preseason first team since Landry Shamet in 2017.Each of the 11 coaches cast a ballot. They were not allowed to vote for their own teams or players.Fresh off a Final Four appearance, Houston finished atop the preseason poll, earning eight of the 11 first-place votes and 98 total points.Talent-laden Memphis took second-place with 92 points and earned the other three first-place votes. The Tigers accounted for four of the 10 players on the preseason first and second teams.SMU (77) edged out Wichita State (76) for third-place by a single point.Fifth-through-eighth spots went to UCF (66), Cincinnati (52), Tulsa (43), Temple (37). South Florida and Tulane tied for ninth-place with 25 points, followed by East Carolina (14).The Shockers (16-6, 11-2) return four of the top-five scorers from last season's NCAA tournament qualifier. In addition to Etienne, returning starters Dexter Dennis and Morris Udeze are back for their fourth seasons. Ricky Council IV made the league's all-freshman team.Wichita State opens with a Nov. 1 exhibition against Missouri Southern State (6 p.m. CT) and tips off the regular season Tuesday, Nov. 9 against Jacksonville State (7 p.m.).

Etienne Named AAC Preseason Player of the Year

<div><iframe title="Eagle Radio Sports Report for Wednesday Morning" 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=78wc3-1102df8-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1&font-color=auto&btn-skin=7"></iframe></div><a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp;

🎙 Eagle Radio Sports for Wednesday Morning

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa's Tory Taylor is selling a T-shirt for charity. It reads Punting Is Winning. It's a good motto for the No. 2 Hawkeyes. They've taken advantage of the field position Taylor has provided them all season and turned it into a 6-0 record. Taylor has punted 40 times this season with 12 going at least 50 yards. Twenty of his punts have landed inside the opponents' 20-yard line. Taylor was at his best in the win over Penn State last week. Six of his punts were down inside the Nittany Lions' 13-yard line with three inside the 3.

UNDATED (AP) — Dontay Demus and Ronnie Bell, two of the top receivers in the Big Ten, are out for the season after getting injured on special teams. Bell was hurt in Michigan's season opener returning a punt, and Maryland lost Demus while he was running back a kickoff in a game earlier this month. As much as teams want to have their most dynamic players return kicks, there is obviously some risk. Still, many teams put top playmakers in return roles. Desmond Howard and Charles Woodson did it for Michigan in the past. Jayden Reed has been a big part of Michigan State's resurgence this year, both at receiver and as a punt returner.

UNDATED (AP) — Solid Big 12 defenses are making a comeback. In a league with a long history of high-scoring football games, several teams are making their marks on the other side of the ball. Kansas State, Oklahoma, Iowa State and Oklahoma State rank in the top 12 nationally in rushing defense. The Cyclones are third nationally in total defense and lead the conference in many other categories. TCU coach Gary Patterson says that while offenses held an advantage over the years, defenses are catching up. Baylor's Dave Aranda was the defensive coordinator on LSU's 2019 national championship team. He says the variety of defenses used in the Big 12 are unmatched. &nbsp;

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs have plenty of problems right now and most were on display in Sunday night's 38-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills. But one on defense has been compounded by its partner problem on offense: turnovers. The Chiefs gave away the ball four times against the Bills with Patrick Mahomes throwing two interceptions, one of which was returned for a score. And the defense failed to generate a single turnover of their own. That dropped the Chiefs to minus-7 in turnover differential, better only than lowly Jacksonville in the entire NFL. It's a big reason why the Chiefs are 2-3 and last in the AFC West.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska offensive lineman Teddy Prochazka will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. He was hurt in the 32-29 loss to Michigan on Saturday. The game marked his second start at left tackle. Coach Scott Frost says Prochazka would have surgery next week and return for spring practice. Turner Corcoran will take over for Prochazka at left tackle and Bryce Benhart will move into Corcoran's spot at right tackle for the game at Minnesota this Saturday.

GRINNELL, Iowa (AP) — Football is back at Grinnell College in Iowa. The Division III Pioneers have a new coach along with lots of new players and a new look. Grinnell didn't play in 2020 because of the pandemic. It drew national attention in 2019 when players voted to shut down the season after three games. The 38-man roster had shrunk to 28 because of a run of injuries. Players believed it was unsafe to continue but they also wanted to send a message that they needed more support from the administration. Changes were made and now the Pioneers have two wins.

UNDATED (AP) — Three down, one to go in baseball's Division Series. The Astros have moved on to the AL Championship Series against the Boston Red Sox, and the Atlanta Braves have earned a spot in the NLCS.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers have forced a fifth and deciding game in their NL Division Series by whipping the Giants.

Jose Altuve (al-TOO'-vay) belted a three-run homer, scored four times and stole a base as the Astros eliminated the White Sox in Game 4 of the Division Series, 10-1. The rout puts the Astros in the ALCS for a fifth straight season. 

Carlos Correa and Alex Bregman each hit a two-run double as Houston bounced back from Sunday night's 12-6 loss. The Astros earned their three victories by a combined 19 runs.

The Astros' bullpen fired two-hit ball over five innings after Lance McCullers Jr. held Chicago to a run on five hits and three walks over four innings.

The White Sox didn't score after Gavin Sheets hit a solo homer in the second to give them a brief lead.

Michael Brantley had three hits and two RBIs for Houston, which will host Game 1 of the ALCS on Friday.

The Braves beat the Brewers, 5-4 on Freddie Freeman's solo homer off Josh Hader in the eighth inning.

Atlanta trailed 2-0 in the fourth and 4-2 in the fifth before beating Milwaukee for the third straight game since a series-opening loss. Eddie Rosario tied it the first time with a two-run single. Travis d'Arnaud (dahr-NOH') made it 4-4 with an RBI single.

Rowdy Tellez (teh-LEHZ') belted a two-run homer for the Brewers, who scored just six times in the series.

Tyler Matsek worked a scoreless eighth to get the win. Will Smith put the potential tying run on base in the ninth before fanning Christian Yelich (YEH'-lihch) to end the series.

In Los Angeles, the Dodgers stayed alive with a 7-2 win over the Giants. 

Mookie Betts was 2-for-4 with three RBIs, including a two-run homer that put the Dodgers ahead, 4-0 in the fourth inning. Will Smith capped the scoring with a two-run blast in the eighth.

Six LA pitchers combined on a seven-hitter and blanked the Giants until the fifth. Walker Buehler was reached for three hits over 4 1/3 innings and left with a 4-0 lead.

Giants starter Anthony DeSclafani (dee-skla-FAH'-nee) was chased in the second inning, charged with two runs and five hits.

Game 5 is Thursday in San Francisco. The Giants and Dodgers split the first two games in the Bay Area.

Nets won't play Irving until he meets vaccine requirement

UNDATED (AP) — The Brooklyn Nets have announced that All-Star guard Kyrie Irving will not play or practice with the team until he can be a full participant, ending the idea that he would play in only road games. 

<h2>Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press</h2>IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa's Tory Taylor is selling a T-shirt for charity. It reads Punting Is Winning. It's a good motto for the No. 2 Hawkeyes. They've taken advantage of the field position Taylor has provided them all season and turned it into a 6-0 record. Taylor has punted 40 times this season with 12 going at least 50 yards. Twenty of his punts have landed inside the opponents' 20-yard line. Taylor was at his best in the win over Penn State last week. Six of his punts were down inside the Nittany Lions' 13-yard line with three inside the 3.UNDATED (AP) — Dontay Demus and Ronnie Bell, two of the top receivers in the Big Ten, are out for the season after getting injured on special teams. Bell was hurt in Michigan's season opener returning a punt, and Maryland lost Demus while he was running back a kickoff in a game earlier this month. As much as teams want to have their most dynamic players return kicks, there is obviously some risk. Still, many teams put top playmakers in return roles. Desmond Howard and Charles Woodson did it for Michigan in the past. Jayden Reed has been a big part of Michigan State's resurgence this year, both at receiver and as a punt returner.UNDATED (AP) — Solid Big 12 defenses are making a comeback. In a league with a long history of high-scoring football games, several teams are making their marks on the other side of the ball. Kansas State, Oklahoma, Iowa State and Oklahoma State rank in the top 12 nationally in rushing defense. The Cyclones are third nationally in total defense and lead the conference in many other categories. TCU coach Gary Patterson says that while offenses held an advantage over the years, defenses are catching up. Baylor's Dave Aranda was the defensive coordinator on LSU's 2019 national championship team. He says the variety of defenses used in the Big 12 are unmatched. &nbsp;KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs have plenty of problems right now and most were on display in Sunday night's 38-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills. But one on defense has been compounded by its partner problem on offense: turnovers. The Chiefs gave away the ball four times against the Bills with Patrick Mahomes throwing two interceptions, one of which was returned for a score. And the defense failed to generate a single turnover of their own. That dropped the Chiefs to minus-7 in turnover differential, better only than lowly Jacksonville in the entire NFL. It's a big reason why the Chiefs are 2-3 and last in the AFC West.LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska offensive lineman Teddy Prochazka will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. He was hurt in the 32-29 loss to Michigan on Saturday. The game marked his second start at left tackle. Coach Scott Frost says Prochazka would have surgery next week and return for spring practice. Turner Corcoran will take over for Prochazka at left tackle and Bryce Benhart will move into Corcoran's spot at right tackle for the game at Minnesota this Saturday.GRINNELL, Iowa (AP) — Football is back at Grinnell College in Iowa. The Division III Pioneers have a new coach along with lots of new players and a new look. Grinnell didn't play in 2020 because of the pandemic. It drew national attention in 2019 when players voted to shut down the season after three games. The 38-man roster had shrunk to 28 because of a run of injuries. Players believed it was unsafe to continue but they also wanted to send a message that they needed more support from the administration. Changes were made and now the Pioneers have two wins.MLB-LDS-SCHEDULEAstros, Braves advanceUNDATED (AP) — Three down, one to go in baseball's Division Series. The Astros have moved on to the AL Championship Series against the Boston Red Sox, and the Atlanta Braves have earned a spot in the NLCS.Meanwhile, the Dodgers have forced a fifth and deciding game in their NL Division Series by whipping the Giants.Jose Altuve (al-TOO'-vay) belted a three-run homer, scored four times and stole a base as the Astros eliminated the White Sox in Game 4 of the Division Series, 10-1. The rout puts the Astros in the ALCS for a fifth straight season. Carlos Correa and Alex Bregman each hit a two-run double as Houston bounced back from Sunday night's 12-6 loss. The Astros earned their three victories by a combined 19 runs.The Astros' bullpen fired two-hit ball over five innings after Lance McCullers Jr. held Chicago to a run on five hits and three walks over four innings.The White Sox didn't score after Gavin Sheets hit a solo homer in the second to give them a brief lead.Michael Brantley had three hits and two RBIs for Houston, which will host Game 1 of the ALCS on Friday.The Braves beat the Brewers, 5-4 on Freddie Freeman's solo homer off Josh Hader in the eighth inning.Atlanta trailed 2-0 in the fourth and 4-2 in the fifth before beating Milwaukee for the third straight game since a series-opening loss. Eddie Rosario tied it the first time with a two-run single. Travis d'Arnaud (dahr-NOH') made it 4-4 with an RBI single.Rowdy Tellez (teh-LEHZ') belted a two-run homer for the Brewers, who scored just six times in the series.Tyler Matsek worked a scoreless eighth to get the win. Will Smith put the potential tying run on base in the ninth before fanning Christian Yelich (YEH'-lihch) to end the series.In Los Angeles, the Dodgers stayed alive with a 7-2 win over the Giants. Mookie Betts was 2-for-4 with three RBIs, including a two-run homer that put the Dodgers ahead, 4-0 in the fourth inning. Will Smith capped the scoring with a two-run blast in the eighth.Six LA pitchers combined on a seven-hitter and blanked the Giants until the fifth. Walker Buehler was reached for three hits over 4 1/3 innings and left with a 4-0 lead.Giants starter Anthony DeSclafani (dee-skla-FAH'-nee) was chased in the second inning, charged with two runs and five hits.Game 5 is Thursday in San Francisco. The Giants and Dodgers split the first two games in the Bay Area.NBA-NEWSNets won't play Irving until he meets vaccine requirementUNDATED (AP) — The Brooklyn Nets have announced that All-Star guard Kyrie Irving will not play or practice with the team until he can be a full participant, ending the idea that he would play in only road games. Under a New York mandate, professional athletes playing for a team in the city have to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to play or practice in public venues. Asked if Irving was vaccinated, Marks said: "If he was vaccinated, we wouldn't be having this discussion. I think that's probably pretty clear."Irving had rarely been with the team in New York. He wasn't even eligible to practice with the Nets in New York until Friday, when the city told the team that its training facility was considered a private venue. In other NBA news:— The Celtics say center Al Horford has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently is in isolation. Horford didn't travel with the team for its two-game exhibition road trip to Florida. He is the second Celtics player to test positive this month, joining Jaylen Brown.— Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks will miss the start of the season to ensure he fully recovers from a broken left hand. Brooks is slated to receive additional treatment and will be re-evaluated in two to three weeks.NHL-SCHEDULEPens ruin Bolts' partyUNDATED (AP) — The Pittsburgh Penguins are the first winners of the NHL season, having spoiled the Tampa Bay Lightning's banner-raising night. It was also a night of firsts in Las Vegas as the Seattle Kraken lost their NHL debut.Eleven Penguins collected at least one point in a 6-2 win over the Bolts. Danton Heinen and Brian Boyle scored early second-period goals for the short-handed Penguins, who added four more in the third. Three of the late goals were empty-netters.The Pens won easily without injured stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Tristan Jarry turned back 26 shots and Kris Letang (leh-TANG') set up two goals. Jarry was perfect until Anthony Cirelli beat him with about 5 1/2 minutes remaining.Andrei Vasilevskiy (va-sih-LEHV'-skee) stopped 29 of 32 shots for the Lightning.The Kraken clawed back from a 3-0 deficit in their NHL debut, only to lose, 4-3 to the Golden Knights on Chandler Stephenson's goal with 11:27 remaining.Ryan Donato has the distinction of scoring Seattle's first-ever goal, beating Robin Lehner (LEH'-nur) midway through the second period. Jared McCann tallied 72 seconds later and Morgan Geekie (GEE'-kee) tied it 35 seconds before Stephenson put the Knights ahead to stay.Max Pacioretty (pach-ah-REH'-tee) delivered two goals and an assist for Vegas.NHL-NEWSCanadiens' Suzuki gets 8-year, $63 million dealUNDATED (AP) — The Montreal Canadiens have signed center Nick Suzuki to an eight-year, $63 million contract extension. The deal will pay Suzuki an average annual salary of $7.875 million.The 22-year-old led the Canadiens in playoff scoring last season with 16 points on seven goals and nine assists in 22 games to help the team reach the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1993.Suzuki had 15 goals and 41 points in 56 regular-season games. In other NHL news:— Avalanche star Nathan McKinnon will miss the season opener against the Blackhawks on Wednesday night after testing positive for a breakthrough infection of COVID-19. Colorado general manager Joe Sakic (SAK'-ihk) said Tuesday that MacKinnon's positive test surfaced Monday and that the center is "asymptomatic and feeling good."— The Wild have placed rookie left wing Matt Boldy on the injured non-roster list with a broken ankle. Boldy as hurt in a preseason game last week to spoil a strong training camp for the first-round pick in the 2019 draft. He's expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks. — Alex Ovechkin is questionable to play in the Capitals season opener against the Rangers on Wednesday. Ovechkin took part in an optional practice Tuesday after skating several laps around the ice to test out his unspecified lower-body injury. The 36-year-old Russian star is listed as day to day.— NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said the league had only four unvaccinated players as it opened the 2021-22 season. Bettman said NHL officials and all the personnel that come into contact with the players are vaccinated.NFL-NEWSShoulder injury ends season for Steelers WR Smith-SchusterUNDATED (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is done for the season. Coach Mike Tomlin says Smith-Schuster will have surgery to repair an injured right shoulder and is heading to injured reserve. Smith-Schuster sustained the injury in the second quarter of a victory over Denver last weekend. The Steelers will turn to James Washington among others to fill the void left by Smith-Schuster's absence. In other NFL news:— The Browns have placed versatile offensive lineman Chris Hubbard, safety M.J. Stewart and fullback Andy Janovich on injured reserve, keeping them out of action for at least three games. Stewart and Janovich sustained hamstring injuries against the Chargers while Hubbard recently underwent season-ending surgery on his triceps. — Tom Brady says his heavily wrapped throwing hand is sore, but he expects to play when the Buccaneers visit the Eagles on Thursday. Brady injured his right hand in the first half of Tampa Bay's 45-17 win over Miami on Sunday. — The Buccaneers have removed Super Bowl-winning coach Jon Gruden from the team's Ring of Honor at Raymond James Stadium. Gruden resigned as coach of the Raiders Monday night following the discovery of emails he sent containing racist, homophobic and misogynistic comments. He led the Bucs from 2002 through 2008 and is the winningest coach in team history.— A federal judge has denied a request by Cowboys offensive lineman La'el Collins for an injunction that would have halted his five-game suspension with one game remaining. U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant suggested in his ruling that the NFL suspended Collins in violation of the league's collective bargaining agreement with the players' union. However, Mazzant ruled the arbitrator's decision in Collins' appeal was based on a "reasonable construction of the parties' agreements."— The league has selected the cities Düsseldorf, Frankfurt and Munich to enter a final bidding stage to host a regular-season game in Germany. Next season is the target for Germany to host its first game though it could also debut in 2023 because of potential scheduling conflicts with soccer's World Cup in Qatar. TRACK AND FIELD-NIKE/SALAZAR SUITDistance runner sues Salazar, NikePORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Distance runner Mary Cain has filed a $20 million lawsuit against her former coach, Alberto Salazar, and their employer, Nike.The Oregonian/OregonLive reports that Cain accuses Salazar of emotionally abusing her when she joined the team in 2012 at age 16, The lawsuit portrays Salazar as an angry control freak who was obsessed with Cain's weight and publicly humiliated her about it.Cain's career fizzled after what she has called four miserable years at the Nike Oregon Project.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;