Cedar Vale/Dexter Co-op 70, Yates Center 42

Doniphan West 52, Maranatha/Immaculata (FB) 0

Hutchinson Central Christian 56, South Haven 20

Lakeside 50, Glasco/Miltonvale-Southern Cloud 0

Maur Hill - Mount Academy 53, Atchison County 6

Friday's ScoresBy The Associated PressPREP FOOTBALL=Andale 66, Hesston 7Andover 14, Hutchinson 7Atchison 56, KC Turner 6Attica/Argonia 46, Pretty Prairie 6BV Northwest 42, BV Southwest 19Basehor-Linwood 47, Shawnee Heights 16Bennington 38, Solomon 20Blue Valley 37, BV West 7Bonner Springs 37, Ottawa 21Bucklin 66, Satanta 18Buhler 41, Augusta 21Burden Central 50, Udall 34Burlingame 48, Washington County 28Burrton 45, Deerfield 31Canadian, Texas 52, Hugoton 14Canton-Galva 56, Little River 38Cedar Vale/Dexter Co-op 70, Yates Center 42Central Heights 56, Horton 0Centralia 46, Jefferson North 6Chanute 53, Independence 14Chase County 46, Flinthills 0Cheney 42, Pratt 0Chetopa 46, Southern Coffey 26Cheylin 55, Greeley County 6Cimarron 36, Syracuse 6Clearwater 35, Halstead 18Clifton-Clyde 46, Valley Falls 0Columbus 42, Cherryvale 12Concordia 47, Clay Center 35DeSoto 41, McPherson 35Dodge City 35, Great Bend 14Doniphan West 52, Maranatha/Immaculata (FB) 0Elkhart 28, Sublette 16Ellsworth 27, Norton 20Fort Scott 14, Labette County 8Frankfort 36, Axtell 14Fredonia 35, Neodesha 20Frontenac 28, Burlington 12Galena 20, Caney Valley 0Garden Plain 37, Chaparral 0Goddard 31, Goddard-Eisenhower 10Goessel 62, Moundridge 48Hanover 54, Osborne 6Hartford 50, Rural Vista 0Hays-TMP-Marian 28, Ellis 21Hill City 46, Stockton 8Hillsboro 26, Haven 6Hodgeman County 30, Spearville 22Hoisington 27, Minneapolis 6Holcomb 43, Larned 13Holton 64, Royal Valley 6Hoxie 32, Oberlin-Decatur 0Hutchinson Central Christian 56, South Haven 20Hutchinson Trinity 41, Marion 0Ingalls 52, Dighton 28Inman 35, Plainville 7Jackson Heights 36, Troy 3Jefferson West 45, Hiawatha 14Kapaun Mount Carmel 49, Pittsburg 0Kingman 38, Douglass 6Kiowa County 45, St. John 0La Crosse 78, Macksville 28Lakeside 50, Glasco/Miltonvale-Southern Cloud 0Lakin 58, Southwestern Hts. 26Lebo 52, Wakefield 6Liberal 20, Garden City 6Lincoln 28, Herington 8Louisburg 14, Eudora 8Lyndon 56, Anderson County 6Madison/Hamilton Co-op 53, Oxford 8Maize 58, Salina South 13Maize South 30, Newton 10Marais des Cygnes Valley 58, Centre 8Marysville 58, Council Grove 0Maur Hill - Mount Academy 53, Atchison County 6Medicine Lodge 56, Fairfield 0Mill Valley 52, Lawrence Free State 0Mulvane 25, Coffeyville 20Nemaha Central 41, St. Mary's 8Northern Valley 71, Weskan 50Olathe North 28, Gardner-Edgerton 7Olathe Northwest 23, Olathe South 16Olathe West 62, SM West 7Olpe 62, Pleasanton 0Osage City 64, Jayhawk Linn 6Otis-Bison 58, Tescott 28Paola 48, Wamego 7Parsons 42, Baxter Springs 14Phillipsburg 49, Beloit 28Pleasant Ridge 54, McLouth 0Pratt Skyline 90, Kinsley 56Rawlins County 46, BV Randolph 0Remington 38, Stanton County 0Republic County 32, Riverside 12Riverton 64, Erie 28Rock Creek 35, Sabetha 21Rose Hill 28, Wellington 20Rossville 63, Oskaloosa 0SM East 37, SM South 28Salina Central 33, Arkansas City 27Salina Sacred Heart 24, Ellinwood 7Santa Fe Trail 55, KC Bishop Ward 42Scott City 20, Russell 0Sedan 48, Oswego 38Sedgwick 45, Ell-Saline 13Silver Lake 56, Mission Valley 14Smith Center 42, Oakley 14Smoky Valley 21, Goodland 20, OTSouth Barber 30, Peabody-Burns 14South Central 30, Minneola 14South Gray 30, Meade 12Southeast Saline 32, Colby 8St. John's Beloit-Tipton 41, Pike Valley 8St. Joseph Le Blond, Mo. 60, KC East Christian 44St. Paul 46, Altoona-Midway 0St. Thomas Aquinas 35, SM Northwest 34Stafford 44, Caldwell 38Sterling 62, Lyons 6Sylvan-Lucas 48, Norwich 46Thunder Ridge 54, Rock Hills 8Topeka 57, Highland Park 12Topeka Hayden 43, Osawatomie 6Topeka Seaman 35, Manhattan 21Triplains-Brewster 54, Quinter 8Ulysses 20, Borger, Texas 7Uniontown 41, Northern Heights 0Valley Center 14, Andover Central 12Valley Heights 58, Wabaunsee 0Victoria 28, Central Plains 14Washburn Rural 21, Emporia 14West Elk 58, Marmaton Valley 6West Franklin 39, Humboldt 20Wichita Collegiate 55, Wichita Trinity 14Wichita County 58, Ness City 8Wichita Northwest 92, Wichita North 0Wichita West 29, Wichita South 8Wilson 56, Chase 6POSTPONEMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS=Anderson County vs. Iola, ccd.Ashland vs. Cunningham, ccd.Baldwin vs. Perry-Lecompton, ccd.Chapman vs. Riley County, ccd.DeSoto vs. Spring Hill, ccd.Derby vs. Hutchinson, ccd.Girard vs. Prairie View, ccd.Golden Plains vs. Western Plains-Healy, ccd.Hays vs. Abilene, ccd.KC Harmon vs. Southeast, Mo., ccd.KC Schlagle vs. KC Sumner, ccd.Leavenworth vs. Lansing, ccd.McPherson vs. El Dorado, ccd.Moscow vs. Pawnee Heights, ccd.Nickerson vs. Hugoton, ccd.Southeast vs. Pittsburg Colgan, ccd.Tonganoxie vs. KC Piper, ccd.___Some high school football scores provided by Scorestream.com, https://scorestream.com/

🏈 Scores from Friday High School Football

October 2, 2020 KWBW Scoreboard Show

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson High School Salthawk football team (4-0) was scheduled to play Derby tonight, but that hame was cancelled. &nbsp;Instead, Hutchinson will travel to Andover to take on the 2-2 Trojans tonight as a fill-in game.

Tickets to the game are limited but can be purchased at <a href="https://events.ticketspicket.com/agency/06a5d2a4-4435-4640-af52-c123ad3b1df5/events/88e2388a-5a4e-408f-95d8-773a2acbed75">Ticketpicket.com</a>

Join the Eagle Broadcast Team comprised of Glen Grunwald - Play-By-Play, Dan Naccarato - Color Commentator, Sarah Peterson - Video Photographer and Joe Blake - Sideline Reporter.

The KWBW Broadcast can be heard locally on KWBW 1450am/98.5fm or download the new KWBW Radio app and hear the game worldwide. &nbsp;Also available on any Amazon Alexa device as well as on the Tune-in Radio app. &nbsp;Links are provided below to catch the game on Hutchpost.com.

The Salthawk football pregame show begins at 6:30 p.m. on KWBW Radio 1450 AM/98.5 FM and the video will be streamed here:

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/hutchsalthawksports/posts">Hutch High Salthawk Sports</a>&nbsp;Facebook Page

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=hutchpost">Hutchpost.com YouTube Channel</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1601601105966.jpeg" alt="Salthawk vs Andover.jpg" />
 <figcaption>Salthawk vs Andover.jpg</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson High School Salthawk football team (4-0) was scheduled to play Derby tonight, but that hame was cancelled. &nbsp;Instead, Hutchinson will travel to Andover to take on the 2-2 Trojans tonight as a fill-in game.Tickets to the game are limited but can be purchased at <a href="https://events.ticketspicket.com/agency/06a5d2a4-4435-4640-af52-c123ad3b1df5/events/88e2388a-5a4e-408f-95d8-773a2acbed75">Ticketpicket.com</a>Join the Eagle Broadcast Team comprised of Glen Grunwald - Play-By-Play, Dan Naccarato - Color Commentator, Sarah Peterson - Video Photographer and Joe Blake - Sideline Reporter.The KWBW Broadcast can be heard locally on KWBW 1450am/98.5fm or download the new KWBW Radio app and hear the game worldwide. &nbsp;Also available on any Amazon Alexa device as well as on the Tune-in Radio app. &nbsp;Links are provided below to catch the game on Hutchpost.com.The Salthawk football pregame show begins at 6:30 p.m. on KWBW Radio 1450 AM/98.5 FM and the video will be streamed here:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/hutchsalthawksports/posts">Hutch High Salthawk Sports</a>&nbsp;Facebook Page<a href="https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=hutchpost">Hutchpost.com YouTube Channel</a><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WlKNXjM_cEc" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

🎥 🏈 LIVE VIDEO:  Hutchinson Salthawk Football @ Andover tonight


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — The Hutchinson Invitational Girls Golf Tournament took place yesterday at Carey Park. 

Lauren Specht of Buhler won with a nine-over 80. Callie Cooper was 3rd at 11 over, Rylie Cannon 19th at 21 over, Marlie Cooper 36th at 30 over, Karlee Wiggins 38th at 31 over. Sarah Schwartz of Hutch was 35 over, Ella Burlie 42 over, Rylie Lusk 49 over, Jayci Moriasi fifty over and Kortland Brunton 53 over.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1601645417846.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — The Hutchinson Invitational Girls Golf Tournament took place yesterday at Carey Park. Lauren Specht of Buhler won with a nine-over 80. Callie Cooper was 3rd at 11 over, Rylie Cannon 19th at 21 over, Marlie Cooper 36th at 30 over, Karlee Wiggins 38th at 31 over. Sarah Schwartz of Hutch was 35 over, Ella Burlie 42 over, Rylie Lusk 49 over, Jayci Moriasi fifty over and Kortland Brunton 53 over.

Buhler's Specht wins Hutch Invitational

AUDIO: Eagle Radio Sports for Friday

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The previous time Eric Fisher can recall catching a touchdown pass was during his junior season at Stoney Creek High School in Rochester, Michigan, when his old coach would run a jumbo package at the goal line and he would line up at tight end.

That was about a dozen years, 100 pounds and a million miles from where Fisher found himself Monday night.

In perhaps the best example yet of the creativity of the Kansas City Chiefs’ offense, coach Andy Reid had drawn up a play that had Fisher — the high school linebacker-turned-Pro Bowl offensive tackle — lining up as eligible.

And when the ball was snapped to Patrick Mahomes, the 315-pounder managed to slip into the end zone completely undetected by the Baltimore Ravens defense, which could only watch aghast as Fisher clamped his big mitts around the touchdown pass.

“Coach Reid has quite the playbook,” Fisher said, “so when we say we practice something a lot, three or four reps is a lot. We have a lot to get through in a week. I think we probably ran that play three times, maybe.”

Fisher never thought it would get called when guard Andrew Wylie was sent to the hospital during warmups for a suspected case of appendicitis. The formation calls for a whole bunch of big bodies and they suddenly were a man down.

“It kind of surprised me, which was good,” he said. “I wasn’t thinking about it all game.”

The Ravens clearly weren’t thinking about him catching a pass, either.

Mahomes finished 31 of 42 for 385 yards with four touchdown passes and another on the ground, but what may have been most impressive about that stat line was the number of receivers that were involved in the game plan.

Five different players caught at least four passes, led by wide receiver Sammy Watkins with seven grabs and tight end Travis Kelce with six. Four different players caught the TD passes, including fullback Anthony Sherman, who grabbed what amounted to an underhanded shovel pass. Three other players had at least one catch and three more were targeted.

In all, Mahomes tried to connect with 11 different players during the 34-20 rout of the defending AFC North champions.

“I think he has a lot of trust in the guys,” Reid said, “and opportunities have called to where maybe it’s not the primary guy and he goes to a different receiver, and he’s been able to do it and see it and do it well.”

Besides the uncanny ability of their quarterback to spread the ball around, what makes it possible for the Chiefs to unleash so many targets on any given pass play is their selflessness. Kelce and Hill get most of the attention, and Watkins has been the focus of plenty of defenses, but none of them has a diva-like attitude where they demand the ball.

Watkins was so magnanimous in the offseason that he restructured his contract to help the Chiefs free up some cap space.

“I think they found a perfect match of having skill guys and speed and a quarterback that can, you know, keep plays alive, but also smart — keep his eyes downfield,” said Patriots safety Devin McCourty, who will be tasked with trying to slow them down Sunday. “They’re going to give us a lot of different issues that we’re going to have to rise up and play.”

This is the fourth straight year they have played the Chiefs, including their AFC title game won by New England in overtime two seasons ago. And when the Chiefs rolled into Foxborough last December and rolled out with a 23-16 win to avenge that defeat, it was in part because Mahomes managed to spread the ball to nine different receivers.

Despite not finding his big offensive tackle, as Mahomes did Monday night.

“Those gadget plays and those formations that are a little out of the ordinary, that will pop up from time to time,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said, “but they really win with good fundamentals, good execution and the core things that they do. But obviously they put things in there to mix it up and give the defenses a different look. Those are definitely coming in every game, a different one — ones that we haven’t practiced. So we’ll have to handle those situations when they come up.”

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The previous time Eric Fisher can recall catching a touchdown pass was during his junior season at Stoney Creek High School in Rochester, Michigan, when his old coach would run a jumbo package at the goal line and he would line up at tight end.That was about a dozen years, 100 pounds and a million miles from where Fisher found himself Monday night.In perhaps the best example yet of the creativity of the Kansas City Chiefs’ offense, coach Andy Reid had drawn up a play that had Fisher — the high school linebacker-turned-Pro Bowl offensive tackle — lining up as eligible.And when the ball was snapped to Patrick Mahomes, the 315-pounder managed to slip into the end zone completely undetected by the Baltimore Ravens defense, which could only watch aghast as Fisher clamped his big mitts around the touchdown pass.“Coach Reid has quite the playbook,” Fisher said, “so when we say we practice something a lot, three or four reps is a lot. We have a lot to get through in a week. I think we probably ran that play three times, maybe.”Fisher never thought it would get called when guard Andrew Wylie was sent to the hospital during warmups for a suspected case of appendicitis. The formation calls for a whole bunch of big bodies and they suddenly were a man down.“It kind of surprised me, which was good,” he said. “I wasn’t thinking about it all game.”The Ravens clearly weren’t thinking about him catching a pass, either.Mahomes finished 31 of 42 for 385 yards with four touchdown passes and another on the ground, but what may have been most impressive about that stat line was the number of receivers that were involved in the game plan.Five different players caught at least four passes, led by wide receiver Sammy Watkins with seven grabs and tight end Travis Kelce with six. Four different players caught the TD passes, including fullback Anthony Sherman, who grabbed what amounted to an underhanded shovel pass. Three other players had at least one catch and three more were targeted.In all, Mahomes tried to connect with 11 different players during the 34-20 rout of the defending AFC North champions.“I think he has a lot of trust in the guys,” Reid said, “and opportunities have called to where maybe it’s not the primary guy and he goes to a different receiver, and he’s been able to do it and see it and do it well.”Besides the uncanny ability of their quarterback to spread the ball around, what makes it possible for the Chiefs to unleash so many targets on any given pass play is their selflessness. Kelce and Hill get most of the attention, and Watkins has been the focus of plenty of defenses, but none of them has a diva-like attitude where they demand the ball.Watkins was so magnanimous in the offseason that he restructured his contract to help the Chiefs free up some cap space.“I think they found a perfect match of having skill guys and speed and a quarterback that can, you know, keep plays alive, but also smart — keep his eyes downfield,” said Patriots safety Devin McCourty, who will be tasked with trying to slow them down Sunday. “They’re going to give us a lot of different issues that we’re going to have to rise up and play.”The Patriots should know.This is the fourth straight year they have played the Chiefs, including their AFC title game won by New England in overtime two seasons ago. And when the Chiefs rolled into Foxborough last December and rolled out with a 23-16 win to avenge that defeat, it was in part because Mahomes managed to spread the ball to nine different receivers.Despite not finding his big offensive tackle, as Mahomes did Monday night.“Those gadget plays and those formations that are a little out of the ordinary, that will pop up from time to time,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said, “but they really win with good fundamentals, good execution and the core things that they do. But obviously they put things in there to mix it up and give the defenses a different look. Those are definitely coming in every game, a different one — ones that we haven’t practiced. So we’ll have to handle those situations when they come up.”

Chiefs’ high-octane offense has wide variety of playmakers

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

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Fernando Tatis Jr. and Wil Myers each hit two home runs and Manny Machado also connected for the San Diego Padres, who rallied to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 11-9 to force a deciding Game 3 in their NL wild-card series. San Diego's powerful offense finally burst to life after slumbering through a 7-4 loss in Game 1 and a listless first five innings Thursday night. Tatis and Myers are the second teammates in postseason history with multiple homers in the same game, joining Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig of the New York Yankees in Game 3 of the 1932 World Series — including Ruth's famed "called shot."

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs have struggled over the years to stop the run, regardless of who was directing their defense, but they showed in last week's win over the Baltimore Ravens that they could rise to the challenge. They have another big one this weekend. The New England Patriots roll into Arrowhead Stadium behind new quarterback Cam Newton, himself a threat to run, and a backfield that just went roughshod over the Las Vegas Raiders last weekend. Sony Michel needed just nine carries to pile up 117 yards, Rex Burkhead reached the end zone three times and the Patriots totaled 250 yards rushing in the win.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — One of the reasons the Kansas City Chiefs' offense is so difficult to stop is the sheer volume of options that Patrick Mahomes has at his disposal on any given play. Last week against Baltimore, he targeted a whopping 11 different players while finding four different ones for touchdowns. That included fullback Anthony Sherman and left tackle Eric Fisher, who had lined up as eligible on the goal line. Figuring out a way to deal with all those playmakers now falls on Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who has matched wits with Chiefs counterpart Andy Reid plenty of times in recent years.

UNDATED (AP) — Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley says it's too early to write off the 18th-ranked Sooners as they seek their fourth straight College Football Playoff appearance. The Sooners have overcome losses to make the playoff before. But their margin of error is slim as they head into Saturday night's game at Iowa State. The Cyclones have given OU fits since 2016. Other than Kansas State, which has beaten the Sooners two straight years, no Big 12 team has played them tougher the last four years. Iowa State is looking to beat Oklahoma in Ames for the first time since 1960.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Chuba Hubbard and the Oklahoma State offense will try to finally get on track Saturday when they visit Kansas. Hubbard fumbled twice last week and was briefly benched before returning to score the winning touchdown against West Virginia. Meanwhile, the Jayhawks have struggled to stop the run in consecutive losses to Coastal Carolina and Baylor to start the season. The school is allowing 10,000 fans into Memorial Stadium after COVID-19 forced them to play their home opener without any two weeks ago.

UNDATED (AP) — The Tennessee Volunteers showed they could pick up where they left off last season, and each victory just keeps building their confidence. The 21st-ranked Vols now have won seven consecutive games and trail only Air Force and Notre Dame, winners of eight straight, for the longest winning streak in the Football Bowl Subdivision. The streak includes five straight in the Southeastern Conference, a drastic change from a year ago when they started 1-4. Belief in third-year coach Jeremy Pruitt couldn't be higher following a win at South Carolina, and now the Vols host Missouri on Saturday in their home opener.&nbsp;

UNDATED (AP) — Kansas State went from a season-opening loss at home against Arkansas State to a come-from-behind road win over No. 3 Oklahoma. Now the Wildcats return home to face Texas Tech on Saturday. Both teams are 1-1. &nbsp;The Red Raiders are coming off a dramatic overtime loss to Texas after leading the game late. K-State hopes to force more turnovers, which proved key against the Sooners last weekend.&nbsp;

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — TCU's Max Duggan and Texas Tech's Alan Bowman have come back strong after different injuries. Duggan never had any symptoms or problems from a previously undetected lifelong heart issue discovered during enhanced COVID-19 protocols as part of preseason testing. Bowman's ailments were more evident He suffered a broken collarbone last year after twice dealing with a partially collapsed lung as a freshman in 2018. Bowman is the Big 12's top passer again, with 761 yards the first wo games. Duggan didn't start TCU's opener last week, but completed 16 of 19 passes for 241 yards and three TDs in the second half.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Well, somebody had to avoid a loss.

The Denver Broncos have their first victory following a 37-28 decision over the winless New York Jets at the Meadowlands. Brandon McManus put Denver ahead to stay by drilling a 53-yard field goal with 3:08 remaining following a facemask call that prolonged the drive. 

Melvin Gordon put the game out of reach with a 43-yard TD burst on Denver's next offensive series. Gordon ran for 107 yards and two scores.

Broncos quarterback Brett Rypien (RIH'-pehn) had some good moments his first NFL start, completing 19 of 31 passes for 242 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. He hit rookie Jerry Jeudy for a 48-yard TD and tossed a seven-yarder to Tim Patrick. His two major hiccups were a pair of fourth-quarter picks that led two nine points for the Jets, including an interception return. 

Jets QB Sam Darnold ran had a team-high 84 yards on six carries, including a 46-yard TD run to open the scoring. It was the longest touchdown run of the season by an NFL quarterback, but it couldn't stop New York from dropping to 0-4.

Titans in waiting mode after NFL postpones game vs. Steelers

UNDATED (AP) — The Tennessee Titans find themselves back in a waiting mode, hoping the NFL allows them back inside their headquarters by Tuesday. Their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers that was scheduled for Sunday in Nashville is now postponed until later in the season after one additional Titans player and one personnel member tested positive for COVID-19. 

The Titans have now had confirmed cases in five players and seven members of the organization over the past five days in the NFL's first outbreak.

The announcement Thursday morning came a day after the league said it hoped to play the game either Monday or Tuesday. The NFL said a new game date will be announced "shortly."

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings have reopened their headquarters for team activities. Their resumption of practice followed another morning of zero positive COVID-19 test results four days after playing the Titans. Minnesota plays at Houston on Sunday.

UNDATED (AP) — The Atlanta Braves and Oakland Athletics have ended long postseason droughts, thanks in part to the watered-down, best-of-3 Wild Card Series. The Braves picked up their first postseason series victory since 2001, and the A's picked up a series win for the first time in 14 years.

Rookie Ian Anderson was sharp in his postseason debut before the Braves completed their second straight shutout of the Reds, 5-0. Anderson struck out nine while holding Cincinnati to two hits over six innings.

Ronald Acuña Jr. had three hits for the NL East champions, including a run-scoring double in the fifth. The Braves eventually broke it open in the eighth with two-run homers by Marcell Ozuna and Adam Duvall.

Reds starting pitchers allowed just one run over 13 innings in the two-game sweep by the Braves, but Cincinnati failed to score in 22 innings.

The A's were staring at a 3-0 deficit and another opening-round elimination before scoring four times in the fourth inning of a 6-4 victory against the Chicago White Sox in Game 3. Mark Canha (KAN'-ah) and Matt Olson walked with the bases loaded to put the Athletics ahead after Sean Murphy smacked a two-run homer earlier in the fourth. Chad Pinder snapped a 4-4 deadlock with a two-run single in the fifth.

Oakland will take on AL West rival Houston in the Division Series. 

The Dodgers also finished up their Wild Card Series.

Clayton Kershaw struck out 13 while allowing three hits over eight innings of the Dodgers' 3-0 shutout of the Brewers. Kershaw's strikeouts were a playoff career high and the most by a Dodgers pitcher in the postseason since his mentor Sandy Koufax had 15 in Game 1 of the 1963 World Series against the Yankees. 

Each run came in the fifth inning. Austin Barnes broke up the scoreless tie with an RBI single and scored on a two-run double by Mookie Betts, chasing losing pitcher Brandon Woodruff.

Also on the major league wild card schedule:

— The Padres have forced a Game 3 in their NL series by slamming five home runs in an 11-9 comeback over St. Louis. The Cardinals led 6-2 until Fernando Tatis (tah-TEES') crushed the first of his two home runs, a three-run blast in the sixth inning. Manny Machado went deep one batter later and Wil Myers homered in both the seventh and eighth innings to give the Padres breathing room. Tatis collected five RBIs, Myers drove in four and Tommy Pham provided four of San Diego's 15 hits.

— Game 2 of the Cubs-Marlins game in Chicago was postponed to Friday due to the threat of rain. Miami took the opener, 5-1 on Wednesday.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia 76ers have reached an agreement with Doc Rivers to become their head coach. A person with direct knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press that Rivers completed the deal Thursday to become the latest coach to try and lead the franchise to its first NBA championship since 1983. 

Rivers takes over for Brett Brown, who was fired after the Sixers were swept in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Rivers was fired about two weeks after the Los Angeles Clippers wasted a 3-1 series lead and lost to Denver in the Western Conference semifinals. 

UNDATED (AP) — Appalachian (ap-ah-LA'-chihn) State has postponed next week's football game against Louisiana-Lafayette due to positive COVID-19 tests and contact tracing. 

The school announced the move six days before the teams were set to meet in Sun Belt Conference play in Boone, North Carolina. The game will be rescheduled for either Dec. 4 or 5. 

— Stanford cornerback Paulson Adebo is opting out of the 2020 season to prepare for next year's NFL draft. Adebo was projected as one of the top cornerbacks in the country after leading the nation with 38 passes defensed to go along with eight interceptions his past two seasons for the Cardinal. 

PARIS (AP) — It was a good day for Sofia Kenin, and good-bye for fellow American Sloane Stephens at the French Open.

The fourth-seeded Kenin reached the third round by beating Ana Bogdan 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. The Australian Open champ failed to convert three match points with Bogdan serving at 5-1 in the final set. She then saved three break points in the next game and held on to win. 

Stephens lost in the second round, her earliest exit at Roland Garros since a first-round defeat on her debut in 2011. The 29th-seeded Stephens lost, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 to Spaniard Paula Badosa. 

Former champion Jelena Ostapenko pulled off a second-round stunner by ousting No. 2 seed Pliskova (PLIHSH'-koh-vah), 6-4, 6-2.

Other winners on the women's side Thursday included seventh seed Petra Kvitova (kuh-VIH'-toh-vah), eighth seed Aryna Sabalenka, No. 11 Garbine Muguruza (GAHR'-bihn moo-gah-ROO'-thuh) and No. 13 Petra Martic.

In the men's bracket, No. 1-ranked Novak Djokovic (NOH'-vak JOH'-kuh-vich) dispatched Ricardas Berankis 6-1, 6-2, 6-2. Djokovic has dropped just 10 games on his way to the third round.

Fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, seventh seed Matteo Berrettini ,No. 10 Roberto Bautista Agut (ah-GOO') and No. 13 Andrey Rublev also won their second-round matches. Ninth seed Denis Shapovalov lost to Roberto Carbelles Baena in five sets.

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Jimmy Walker is part of a four-way tie for the first round lead at the Sanderson Farms Championship in Mississipppi. 

Walker played bogey-free on the fast greens at the Country Club of Jackson for an 8-under 64. It was the best start in more than two years for the former PGA champion.

Charley Hoffman made nine birdies to grab a piece of the lead with Walker, Kevin Chappell and defending champion Sebastián Muñoz.

Michael Gligic and MJ Daffue are one off the pace.

GALLOWAY, N.J. (AP) — Lauren Stephenson eagled the par-4 14th in an 8-under 63 that gives her a share of the Shoprite LPGA Classic lead with Mi Hyang Lee. 

Stephenson birdied four of the first five holes and finished the morning round on Seaview's Bay Course with eight birdies and two bogeys. 

Lee birdied the final two holes in a bogey-free afternoon round, putting her one stroke ahead of Ryann O'Toole and Nasa Hataoka.

Bill to reform USOPC, protect athletes approved by Congress

WASHINGTON (AP) — A bill that would give Congress the power to dissolve the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee's board of directors and would more than double the federation's funding for the U.S. Center for SafeSport is headed to President Donald Trump for his signature after passing the House unanimously on Thursday.

The bill was written in response to the sex abuse scandal involving Larry Nassar, the longtime team doctor for USA Gymnastics and the Michigan State athletic program who abused more than 300 athletes, according to a congressional report. Nassar is serving decades in prison after being convicted on charges related to his abuse of athletes under the guise of treatment.

<h2>Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press</h2>SAN DIEGO (AP) — Fernando Tatis Jr. and Wil Myers each hit two home runs and Manny Machado also connected for the San Diego Padres, who rallied to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 11-9 to force a deciding Game 3 in their NL wild-card series. San Diego's powerful offense finally burst to life after slumbering through a 7-4 loss in Game 1 and a listless first five innings Thursday night. Tatis and Myers are the second teammates in postseason history with multiple homers in the same game, joining Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig of the New York Yankees in Game 3 of the 1932 World Series — including Ruth's famed "called shot."KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs have struggled over the years to stop the run, regardless of who was directing their defense, but they showed in last week's win over the Baltimore Ravens that they could rise to the challenge. They have another big one this weekend. The New England Patriots roll into Arrowhead Stadium behind new quarterback Cam Newton, himself a threat to run, and a backfield that just went roughshod over the Las Vegas Raiders last weekend. Sony Michel needed just nine carries to pile up 117 yards, Rex Burkhead reached the end zone three times and the Patriots totaled 250 yards rushing in the win.KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — One of the reasons the Kansas City Chiefs' offense is so difficult to stop is the sheer volume of options that Patrick Mahomes has at his disposal on any given play. Last week against Baltimore, he targeted a whopping 11 different players while finding four different ones for touchdowns. That included fullback Anthony Sherman and left tackle Eric Fisher, who had lined up as eligible on the goal line. Figuring out a way to deal with all those playmakers now falls on Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who has matched wits with Chiefs counterpart Andy Reid plenty of times in recent years.UNDATED (AP) — Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley says it's too early to write off the 18th-ranked Sooners as they seek their fourth straight College Football Playoff appearance. The Sooners have overcome losses to make the playoff before. But their margin of error is slim as they head into Saturday night's game at Iowa State. The Cyclones have given OU fits since 2016. Other than Kansas State, which has beaten the Sooners two straight years, no Big 12 team has played them tougher the last four years. Iowa State is looking to beat Oklahoma in Ames for the first time since 1960.LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Chuba Hubbard and the Oklahoma State offense will try to finally get on track Saturday when they visit Kansas. Hubbard fumbled twice last week and was briefly benched before returning to score the winning touchdown against West Virginia. Meanwhile, the Jayhawks have struggled to stop the run in consecutive losses to Coastal Carolina and Baylor to start the season. The school is allowing 10,000 fans into Memorial Stadium after COVID-19 forced them to play their home opener without any two weeks ago.UNDATED (AP) — The Tennessee Volunteers showed they could pick up where they left off last season, and each victory just keeps building their confidence. The 21st-ranked Vols now have won seven consecutive games and trail only Air Force and Notre Dame, winners of eight straight, for the longest winning streak in the Football Bowl Subdivision. The streak includes five straight in the Southeastern Conference, a drastic change from a year ago when they started 1-4. Belief in third-year coach Jeremy Pruitt couldn't be higher following a win at South Carolina, and now the Vols host Missouri on Saturday in their home opener.&nbsp;UNDATED (AP) — Kansas State went from a season-opening loss at home against Arkansas State to a come-from-behind road win over No. 3 Oklahoma. Now the Wildcats return home to face Texas Tech on Saturday. Both teams are 1-1. &nbsp;The Red Raiders are coming off a dramatic overtime loss to Texas after leading the game late. K-State hopes to force more turnovers, which proved key against the Sooners last weekend.&nbsp;FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — TCU's Max Duggan and Texas Tech's Alan Bowman have come back strong after different injuries. Duggan never had any symptoms or problems from a previously undetected lifelong heart issue discovered during enhanced COVID-19 protocols as part of preseason testing. Bowman's ailments were more evident He suffered a broken collarbone last year after twice dealing with a partially collapsed lung as a freshman in 2018. Bowman is the Big 12's top passer again, with 761 yards the first wo games. Duggan didn't start TCU's opener last week, but completed 16 of 19 passes for 241 yards and three TDs in the second half.<h2>Update on the latest sports</h2>NFL-BRONCOS/JETSBroncos get into win columnEAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Well, somebody had to avoid a loss.The Denver Broncos have their first victory following a 37-28 decision over the winless New York Jets at the Meadowlands. Brandon McManus put Denver ahead to stay by drilling a 53-yard field goal with 3:08 remaining following a facemask call that prolonged the drive. Melvin Gordon put the game out of reach with a 43-yard TD burst on Denver's next offensive series. Gordon ran for 107 yards and two scores.Broncos quarterback Brett Rypien (RIH'-pehn) had some good moments his first NFL start, completing 19 of 31 passes for 242 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. He hit rookie Jerry Jeudy for a 48-yard TD and tossed a seven-yarder to Tim Patrick. His two major hiccups were a pair of fourth-quarter picks that led two nine points for the Jets, including an interception return. Jets QB Sam Darnold ran had a team-high 84 yards on six carries, including a 46-yard TD run to open the scoring. It was the longest touchdown run of the season by an NFL quarterback, but it couldn't stop New York from dropping to 0-4.VIRUS OUTBREAK-NFLTitans in waiting mode after NFL postpones game vs. SteelersUNDATED (AP) — The Tennessee Titans find themselves back in a waiting mode, hoping the NFL allows them back inside their headquarters by Tuesday. Their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers that was scheduled for Sunday in Nashville is now postponed until later in the season after one additional Titans player and one personnel member tested positive for COVID-19. The Titans have now had confirmed cases in five players and seven members of the organization over the past five days in the NFL's first outbreak.The announcement Thursday morning came a day after the league said it hoped to play the game either Monday or Tuesday. The NFL said a new game date will be announced "shortly."Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings have reopened their headquarters for team activities. Their resumption of practice followed another morning of zero positive COVID-19 test results four days after playing the Titans. Minnesota plays at Houston on Sunday.MLB PLAYOFFSBraves, A's finally advanceUNDATED (AP) — The Atlanta Braves and Oakland Athletics have ended long postseason droughts, thanks in part to the watered-down, best-of-3 Wild Card Series. The Braves picked up their first postseason series victory since 2001, and the A's picked up a series win for the first time in 14 years.Rookie Ian Anderson was sharp in his postseason debut before the Braves completed their second straight shutout of the Reds, 5-0. Anderson struck out nine while holding Cincinnati to two hits over six innings.Ronald Acuña Jr. had three hits for the NL East champions, including a run-scoring double in the fifth. The Braves eventually broke it open in the eighth with two-run homers by Marcell Ozuna and Adam Duvall.Reds starting pitchers allowed just one run over 13 innings in the two-game sweep by the Braves, but Cincinnati failed to score in 22 innings.The A's were staring at a 3-0 deficit and another opening-round elimination before scoring four times in the fourth inning of a 6-4 victory against the Chicago White Sox in Game 3. Mark Canha (KAN'-ah) and Matt Olson walked with the bases loaded to put the Athletics ahead after Sean Murphy smacked a two-run homer earlier in the fourth. Chad Pinder snapped a 4-4 deadlock with a two-run single in the fifth.Oakland will take on AL West rival Houston in the Division Series. The Dodgers also finished up their Wild Card Series.Clayton Kershaw struck out 13 while allowing three hits over eight innings of the Dodgers' 3-0 shutout of the Brewers. Kershaw's strikeouts were a playoff career high and the most by a Dodgers pitcher in the postseason since his mentor Sandy Koufax had 15 in Game 1 of the 1963 World Series against the Yankees. Each run came in the fifth inning. Austin Barnes broke up the scoreless tie with an RBI single and scored on a two-run double by Mookie Betts, chasing losing pitcher Brandon Woodruff.Also on the major league wild card schedule:— The Padres have forced a Game 3 in their NL series by slamming five home runs in an 11-9 comeback over St. Louis. The Cardinals led 6-2 until Fernando Tatis (tah-TEES') crushed the first of his two home runs, a three-run blast in the sixth inning. Manny Machado went deep one batter later and Wil Myers homered in both the seventh and eighth innings to give the Padres breathing room. Tatis collected five RBIs, Myers drove in four and Tommy Pham provided four of San Diego's 15 hits.— Game 2 of the Cubs-Marlins game in Chicago was postponed to Friday due to the threat of rain. Miami took the opener, 5-1 on Wednesday.NBA-NEWS-RIVERS76ers pick Rivers to replace BrownPHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia 76ers have reached an agreement with Doc Rivers to become their head coach. A person with direct knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press that Rivers completed the deal Thursday to become the latest coach to try and lead the franchise to its first NBA championship since 1983. Rivers takes over for Brett Brown, who was fired after the Sixers were swept in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Rivers was fired about two weeks after the Los Angeles Clippers wasted a 3-1 series lead and lost to Denver in the Western Conference semifinals. COLLEGE FOOTBALL-NEWSMore postponements or cancellationsUNDATED (AP) — Appalachian (ap-ah-LA'-chihn) State has postponed next week's football game against Louisiana-Lafayette due to positive COVID-19 tests and contact tracing. The school announced the move six days before the teams were set to meet in Sun Belt Conference play in Boone, North Carolina. The game will be rescheduled for either Dec. 4 or 5. In other college football news:— Stanford cornerback Paulson Adebo is opting out of the 2020 season to prepare for next year's NFL draft. Adebo was projected as one of the top cornerbacks in the country after leading the nation with 38 passes defensed to go along with eight interceptions his past two seasons for the Cardinal. TENNIS-FRENCH OPENKenin advances, Stephens out at ParisPARIS (AP) — It was a good day for Sofia Kenin, and good-bye for fellow American Sloane Stephens at the French Open.The fourth-seeded Kenin reached the third round by beating Ana Bogdan 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. The Australian Open champ failed to convert three match points with Bogdan serving at 5-1 in the final set. She then saved three break points in the next game and held on to win. Stephens lost in the second round, her earliest exit at Roland Garros since a first-round defeat on her debut in 2011. The 29th-seeded Stephens lost, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 to Spaniard Paula Badosa. Former champion Jelena Ostapenko pulled off a second-round stunner by ousting No. 2 seed Pliskova (PLIHSH'-koh-vah), 6-4, 6-2.Other winners on the women's side Thursday included seventh seed Petra Kvitova (kuh-VIH'-toh-vah), eighth seed Aryna Sabalenka, No. 11 Garbine Muguruza (GAHR'-bihn moo-gah-ROO'-thuh) and No. 13 Petra Martic.In the men's bracket, No. 1-ranked Novak Djokovic (NOH'-vak JOH'-kuh-vich) dispatched Ricardas Berankis 6-1, 6-2, 6-2. Djokovic has dropped just 10 games on his way to the third round.Fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, seventh seed Matteo Berrettini ,No. 10 Roberto Bautista Agut (ah-GOO') and No. 13 Andrey Rublev also won their second-round matches. Ninth seed Denis Shapovalov lost to Roberto Carbelles Baena in five sets.PGA-SANDERSON FARMSFour-way tie for lead in Miss.JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Jimmy Walker is part of a four-way tie for the first round lead at the Sanderson Farms Championship in Mississipppi. Walker played bogey-free on the fast greens at the Country Club of Jackson for an 8-under 64. It was the best start in more than two years for the former PGA champion.Charley Hoffman made nine birdies to grab a piece of the lead with Walker, Kevin Chappell and defending champion Sebastián Muñoz.Michael Gligic and MJ Daffue are one off the pace.LPGA-SHOPRITE CLASSICStephenson, Lee share lead through 18GALLOWAY, N.J. (AP) — Lauren Stephenson eagled the par-4 14th in an 8-under 63 that gives her a share of the Shoprite LPGA Classic lead with Mi Hyang Lee. Stephenson birdied four of the first five holes and finished the morning round on Seaview's Bay Course with eight birdies and two bogeys. Lee birdied the final two holes in a bogey-free afternoon round, putting her one stroke ahead of Ryann O'Toole and Nasa Hataoka.OSOPC-CONGRESSBill to reform USOPC, protect athletes approved by CongressWASHINGTON (AP) — A bill that would give Congress the power to dissolve the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee's board of directors and would more than double the federation's funding for the U.S. Center for SafeSport is headed to President Donald Trump for his signature after passing the House unanimously on Thursday.The bill was written in response to the sex abuse scandal involving Larry Nassar, the longtime team doctor for USA Gymnastics and the Michigan State athletic program who abused more than 300 athletes, according to a congressional report. Nassar is serving decades in prison after being convicted on charges related to his abuse of athletes under the guise of treatment.

Sports Headlines for Friday

Some high school football scores provided by Scorestream.com, https://scorestream.com/

<h2>Thursday's Scores</h2>By The Associated PressPREP FOOTBALL=Junction City 63, Topeka West 13Olathe East 28, SM North 6___Some high school football scores provided by Scorestream.com, https://scorestream.com/

Scores from Thursday High School Football

Here are the scores from yesterday's sports events:

		Miami	at	Chi Cubs	2:08 p.m.	(Postponed)

WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PLAYOFFS

AP-Scorecard<h2>Here are the scores from yesterday's sports events:</h2>___AMERICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFSFinal	Oakland	6	Chicago White Sox	4	___NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAYOFFS		Miami	at	Chi Cubs	2:08 p.m.	(Postponed)Final	Atlanta	5	Cincinnati	0	Final	San Diego	11	St. Louis	9	Final	L.A. Dodgers	3	Milwaukee	0	___NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUEFinal	Denver	37	N-Y Jets	28	___TODAY'S SPORTS SCHEDULE___NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAYOFFS		Miami	at	Chi Cubs	2:08 p.m.			St. Louis	at	San Diego	7:08 p.m.	___TOP-25 COLLEGE FOOTBALL		Louisiana Tech	at	(22)BYU	9 p.m.	___WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PLAYOFFS		Seattle	at	Las Vegas	7 p.m.	___

Sports Scores from Thursday

The last time North Carolina went this long between games during a football season was in 1952, when a polio outbreak on campus forced the Tar Heels to cancel two games.

For No. 25 Memphis, 28 days will separate its season-opener from Saturday’s game at SMU because of a COVID-19 outbreak that shut down its football facility.

One way or another, the coronavirus has caused the postponement or cancellation of 24 games involving major college football teams since Aug. 26. The latest came Thursday, when&nbsp;<a href="https://appstatesports.com/news/2020/10/1/app-state-louisiana-football-game-postponed.aspx" target="_blank">Appalachian State postponed next week’s game</a>&nbsp;against against Sun Belt rival Louisiana-Lafayette. The Mountaineers’ next game is scheduled for Oct. 14, while the Ragin’ Cajuns are idle until Oct. 17.

The delays and disruptions have created long layoffs, unusual practice schedules and short-handed rosters, leaving coaches wracking their brains for ways to keep players engaged mentally and physically.

“Does it still hold true that you improve the most between your first and second game if there’s two weeks between them, really three weeks between them?” North Carolina coach Mack Brown asked. “I think probably not. We’re starting over.”

No. 12 North Carolina got its opener in on Sept. 12, beating Syracuse. The next week a nonconference game against Charlotte was postponed a couple of days before it was supposed to be played because the 49ers could not play.

North Carolina had an open date the following week, but couldn’t find a game. The Tar Heels will play at Boston College on Saturday, three weeks after the opener without having had an outbreak of their own.

North Carolina could conduct practices as usual, but Brown dialed it back. The staff suggested holding a scrimmage on what would have been game day, but Brown wasn’t keen on that.

“I was concerned that if we had a scrimmage on Saturday and they were distracted and disappointed that they didn’t play that we might get somebody hurt because they’re just not as into it,” he said.

North Carolina did hold a scrimmage last Thursday for players who generally don’t get into games. Quarterback Sam Howell called the plays and players at the top of the depth chart got to root on their teammates.

“I’m not sure I’ve seen this group have that much fun since the bowl game,” Brown said.

Virginia Tech had its opener on Sept. 12 delayed because of COVID-19 problems with North Carolina State, then had its own virus issues force another postponement the next week against Virginia.

Hokies coach Justin Fuente said he needed to cut back on the number and length of practices because the team was depleted between infected players in isolation and those quarantined after contact tracing. Keeping spirts up was challenging.

“It’s hard to do something fun together to take your mind off of it when half the guys can’t even come,” Fuente said. The Hokies finally opened their season last week, pounding N.C. State despite being down 23 players.

Baylor was supposed to start its season on Sept. 12, but Louisiana Tech was forced to pull out four days before. Bears coach Dave Aranda tried to alleviate some of the disappointment by holding a socially distanced, Thursday night NFL watch party for the team using the video board in McLane Stadium.

Baylor managed to get a game with Houston for the next Saturday, but then had to cancel on short notice because COVID-19 left the Bears below the Big 12′s required number of players in a position group. Aranda cut the team and coaching staff loose for a couple days.

“I think guys on that one just wanted a break,” he said.

For players who were quarantined as close contacts to someone who tested positive, Baylor set up two 30-minute drills/conditioning sessions with coaches — and with masks, once in the morning and again in the afternoon.

“There’s a connection there and there’s a purpose,” he said. “Guys are looking forward to that time.”

Baylor is one of three teams to bail on Houston, which is scheduled to play its first game on Oct. 8 against Tulane.

“Can we just play one game man,” Houston receiver Keith Corbin tweeted.

Memphis was the first team to call off a game against Houston this month after a substantial COVID-19 outbreak among the Tigers that occurred after their victory against Arkansas State on Sept. 5. Memphis had to postpone two games.

Coach Ryan Silverfield said practices were halted for 11 days.

“I mean, that’s unthinkable during a college football season,” Silverfield said.

It felt like late spring/early summer all over again, Silverfield said. As was the case at the start of the pandemic, players had to figure out ways to work out on their own and most of the contact coaches had with them was through Zoom meetings and FaceTime calls.

When practices resumed, Silverfield scaled back the workload and time on the field.

“So we felt like we kind of went back to square one,” Silverfield said.

No. 5 Notre Dame is in the second week of managing an outbreak that postponed one game and left the Fighting Irish unable to make it up during their scheduled open week. Notre Dame head athletic trainer Rob Hunt said a total of 29 players were in isolation or quarantine Thursday and 14 were expected to be released in the next two days.

At Notre Dame, after a player is in strict quarantine for seven days, they can go to a modified quarantine that allows for some physical activity, coach Brian Kelly said.

The last time Notre Dame played was Sept. 19. Kelly said the Fighting Irish planned to have a normal game-week leading into the Oct. 10 home game against Florida State.

“Yeah, there’ll be some challenges, but I think once the game gets going, this group has played a lot of football, I’m pretty confident we’ll be able to get up to snuff pretty quickly,” he said.

The last time North Carolina went this long between games during a football season was in 1952, when a polio outbreak on campus forced the Tar Heels to cancel two games.For No. 25 Memphis, 28 days will separate its season-opener from Saturday’s game at SMU because of a COVID-19 outbreak that shut down its football facility.One way or another, the coronavirus has caused the postponement or cancellation of 24 games involving major college football teams since Aug. 26. The latest came Thursday, when&nbsp;<a href="https://appstatesports.com/news/2020/10/1/app-state-louisiana-football-game-postponed.aspx" target="_blank">Appalachian State postponed next week’s game</a>&nbsp;against against Sun Belt rival Louisiana-Lafayette. The Mountaineers’ next game is scheduled for Oct. 14, while the Ragin’ Cajuns are idle until Oct. 17.The delays and disruptions have created long layoffs, unusual practice schedules and short-handed rosters, leaving coaches wracking their brains for ways to keep players engaged mentally and physically.“Does it still hold true that you improve the most between your first and second game if there’s two weeks between them, really three weeks between them?” North Carolina coach Mack Brown asked. “I think probably not. We’re starting over.”No. 12 North Carolina got its opener in on Sept. 12, beating Syracuse. The next week a nonconference game against Charlotte was postponed a couple of days before it was supposed to be played because the 49ers could not play.North Carolina had an open date the following week, but couldn’t find a game. The Tar Heels will play at Boston College on Saturday, three weeks after the opener without having had an outbreak of their own.North Carolina could conduct practices as usual, but Brown dialed it back. The staff suggested holding a scrimmage on what would have been game day, but Brown wasn’t keen on that.“I was concerned that if we had a scrimmage on Saturday and they were distracted and disappointed that they didn’t play that we might get somebody hurt because they’re just not as into it,” he said.North Carolina did hold a scrimmage last Thursday for players who generally don’t get into games. Quarterback Sam Howell called the plays and players at the top of the depth chart got to root on their teammates.“I’m not sure I’ve seen this group have that much fun since the bowl game,” Brown said.Virginia Tech had its opener on Sept. 12 delayed because of COVID-19 problems with North Carolina State, then had its own virus issues force another postponement the next week against Virginia.Hokies coach Justin Fuente said he needed to cut back on the number and length of practices because the team was depleted between infected players in isolation and those quarantined after contact tracing. Keeping spirts up was challenging.“It’s hard to do something fun together to take your mind off of it when half the guys can’t even come,” Fuente said. The Hokies finally opened their season last week, pounding N.C. State despite being down 23 players.Baylor was supposed to start its season on Sept. 12, but Louisiana Tech was forced to pull out four days before. Bears coach Dave Aranda tried to alleviate some of the disappointment by holding a socially distanced, Thursday night NFL watch party for the team using the video board in McLane Stadium.Baylor managed to get a game with Houston for the next Saturday, but then had to cancel on short notice because COVID-19 left the Bears below the Big 12′s required number of players in a position group. Aranda cut the team and coaching staff loose for a couple days.“I think guys on that one just wanted a break,” he said.For players who were quarantined as close contacts to someone who tested positive, Baylor set up two 30-minute drills/conditioning sessions with coaches — and with masks, once in the morning and again in the afternoon.“There’s a connection there and there’s a purpose,” he said. “Guys are looking forward to that time.”Baylor is one of three teams to bail on Houston, which is scheduled to play its first game on Oct. 8 against Tulane.“Can we just play one game man,” Houston receiver Keith Corbin tweeted.Memphis was the first team to call off a game against Houston this month after a substantial COVID-19 outbreak among the Tigers that occurred after their victory against Arkansas State on Sept. 5. Memphis had to postpone two games.Coach Ryan Silverfield said practices were halted for 11 days.“I mean, that’s unthinkable during a college football season,” Silverfield said.It felt like late spring/early summer all over again, Silverfield said. As was the case at the start of the pandemic, players had to figure out ways to work out on their own and most of the contact coaches had with them was through Zoom meetings and FaceTime calls.When practices resumed, Silverfield scaled back the workload and time on the field.“So we felt like we kind of went back to square one,” Silverfield said.No. 5 Notre Dame is in the second week of managing an outbreak that postponed one game and left the Fighting Irish unable to make it up during their scheduled open week. Notre Dame head athletic trainer Rob Hunt said a total of 29 players were in isolation or quarantine Thursday and 14 were expected to be released in the next two days.At Notre Dame, after a player is in strict quarantine for seven days, they can go to a modified quarantine that allows for some physical activity, coach Brian Kelly said.The last time Notre Dame played was Sept. 19. Kelly said the Fighting Irish planned to have a normal game-week leading into the Oct. 10 home game against Florida State.“Yeah, there’ll be some challenges, but I think once the game gets going, this group has played a lot of football, I’m pretty confident we’ll be able to get up to snuff pretty quickly,” he said.

COVID-19 delays create challenges for college football teams

With the way the Chiefs toyed with the Ravens in prime time in a matchup of the two best teams in the AFC — and possibly the entire NFL — it’s hardly surprising that Kansas City is being anointed months before the Super Bowl.

Oh yes, the defending champions look unstoppable on offense and vastly improved on defense. Their confidence level has soared higher than the upper stands at Arrowhead Stadium. Stands, by the way, that will have fans in the seats on Sunday when another formidable foe, the Patriots (2-1), pay a visit.

“We understand that you get people’s best shot,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid says. “When you play the Patriots, you’re always going to get their best shot. That’s how we’re looking at it and we have looked at it throughout the weeks here.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-kansas-city-football-andy-reid-eric-fisher-a950494e48a7a330b259d003efd8324e">The Chiefs (3-0)</a>&nbsp;have won a franchise-record 12 straight games. They beat the Patriots at New England 23-16 last December as part of that streak.

New England has displayed a strong running game and is likely to try that approach to keep Patrick Mahomes and cohorts off the field.

The action began Thursday night with Denver’s 37-28 road victory over the New York Jets. Melvin Gordon sealed the Broncos’ first victory with a 43-yard touchdown run with 1:48 left, and the defense made just enough plays in the fourth quarter to beat the winless Jets.

Tennessee’s home game with Pittsburgh was postponed when the Titans had a coronavirus outbreak.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-football-josh-allen-buffalo-bills-buffalo-211a85cb94cd0fa9cb0649ddf616f853">Buffalo (3-0)</a>&nbsp;at Las Vegas (2-1)

Should the Bills win — a long shot considering the history of this original AFL rivalry — they would invoke some positive history.

The Bills are 1-11 in their past 12 road games against the Raiders, with the only win in the past 54 seasons coming in 1991 in Los Angeles. But Buffalo is seeking back-to-back 4-0 starts for the third time in franchise history. The Bills did it in 1991 and 1992 on the way to AFC titles, and in 1964-65 when they won AFL championships.

Some Raiders history, carrying over from Oakland and LA, of course: They seek their fifth 3-1 record in the past 25 seasons. They made the playoffs the previous four times and missed them every other season.

OK, OK. Everyone in America seems to know that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-brian-flores-super-bowl-seattle-seahawks-new-england-patriots-c4d0ff4153035bf47c788b4fa6a6ad8d">Russell Wilson</a>&nbsp;is the best NFL quarterback to not receive an MVP vote in his career. His numbers so far are very MVP-like, of course.

Wilson is the first player to have at least four touchdown passes in each of his first three games in a season. He leads the league with 14, the most after three games in NFL history. Wilson has 24 games with a passer rating of at least 130, the most in the league since 2012.

And now he faces a porous Miami secondary. The Dolphins are allowing 8.8 yards per pass, worst in the NFL.

“He causes a lot of issues,” Dolphins coach Brian Flores says of Wilson. “Most guys scramble to run. Some guys scramble to throw. He’s really a true dual-threat who can extend plays and create big plays or stand in the pocket and fire throws down the field. So it’s a big challenge and he’s a great player. I can’t say enough good things about him.”

Who Dat going to beat the Saints? Well, the Raiders and Packers the past two weeks while New Orleans was minus 2019 Offensive Player of the Year Michael Thomas (ankle). The star receiver, probably the NFL’s most valuable performer who is not a quarterback, hopes to be back against the Lions.

The Saints have lost consecutive games for the first time in three years. The most recent time they lost three in a row was when starting 0-3 in 2016.

The Lions ended an 11-game slide with their upset victory at Arizona.

Los Angeles Chargers (1-2) at Tampa Bay (2-1)

Rookie Justin Herbert is the third quarterback in NFL history to throw for 300 yards in his first two games. But if Tyrod Taylor is recovered from a medical mishap, he could start.

Bucs WR Mike Evans has four TD receptions, one of three players with a TD catch in each of the first three games. But Tampa Bay’s other top wideout, Chris Godwin, is hobbled with a hamstring issue.

That should be a ticked-off group of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-tennessee-titans-football-lamar-jackson-baltimore-ravens-ebd9167e926a207dcc9f87ec02c3b377">Ravens</a>&nbsp;traveling down I-95 to take on their “neighbors.” Kansas City exposed the Baltimore offense when it falls out of Lamar Jackson’s comfort zone, though the Ravens did show some spunk in the second half in the loss.

Their defense is not likely to be stressed by Washington, which also needs to rekindle the pass rush that lifted it to an opening victory against Philadelphia before two losses.

The Ravens have won seven consecutive on the road since a defeat at Kansas City in September 2019, the longest current streak in the NFL. Baltimore averaged 34 points in those seven games and scored five defensive TDs.

Each team comes off unexpected results. The Panthers went out to LA and beat the Chargers handily. The Cardinals, one of the league’s most impressive starters in 2020, fell to the previously winless Lions. The Panthers have won four straight games against the Cardinals and 11 of the past 14.

Coincidentally, new Panthers coach Matt Rhule and Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury met twice as college coaches. Rhule’s Baylor Bears and Kingbury’s Texas Tech Red Raiders split the matchups.

If the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-chicago-bears-football-archive-indianapolis-colts-dd20b2982ba30a51c4b782b133a33096">Nick Foles&nbsp;</a>era is beginning in Chicago, well, we know he is capable of doing big things, as he proved in 2017 with the Eagles. The Bears finally tired of Mitchell Trubisky’s inconsistency, and Foles brought them back to beat Atlanta.

“I feel really comfortable,” Foles says. “And I think that going in this week, there have been a lot of great conversations. Even last game, I felt more of myself when I stepped into that situation just playing and getting to just do things that I like to do in a chaotic situation.”

The Colts’ opponents have been the Jaguars (1-2, beating Indy), Vikings and Jets (both winless entering this week). This is their first real test.

New York Giants (0-3) at Los Angeles Rams (2-1)

Traveling cross country seeking a first victory isn’t the best route, and the Giants were only surpassed by their MetLife Stadium compadres, the Jets, for inept performances through three weeks. They are banged-up everywhere.

The Rams flew back from Buffalo believing they should be 3-0, though they tried to shrug off some officiating gaffes that might have cost them late against the Bills. Their offense is in high gear, and New York has trouble covering everybody.

Atlanta (0-3) at Green Bay (3-0), Monday night

Could two teams look more opposite? The Falcons have blown big leads the past two weeks in dramatic fashion, putting an already under-fire coaching staff even closer to the flames. Atlanta’s defense has been a sieve and its offense has disappeared in fourth quarters.

As for the Packers, well, they went 13-3 last season and look even better right now. Even without his only reliable wideout, Davante Adams, Aaron Rodgers easily handled the Saints in New Orleans.

“Other than Davante ... I don’t think many teams look at us and think we have a number of stars that they’re really worried about,” A-Rod says. “Obviously (running back) Aaron Jones is a such a talented guy and you try and take him away, but you never know really whose day it’s going to be.”

We never know which Browns or Cowboys team will show up each game. Cleveland was awful in its opener against Baltimore, then beat up on Cincinnati and Washington. That means the Browns lost to a good opponent and defeated two tail-enders.

Which of those the Cowboys might be is undetermined. They were handed their only victory by hapless Atlanta, and the two road losses were at the Rams and Seahawks. Again, quality opposition.

New Browns coach Kevin Stefanski seems to have had more effect on his club than Cowboys new man Mike McCarthy has so far in Big D.

Philadelphia (0-2-1) at San Francisco (2-1)

Here’s the scary part for banged-up Philadelphia: The easier portion of the early schedule just concluded.

At least the Eagles, who need Carson Wentz to settle down and protect the ball and for his line and receivers to step up, get an undermanned 49ers.

“We’re coaching like we’re playing against Carson Wentz who is one of the better quarterbacks in this league. He was the best player in the league the year they won the Super Bowl,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan says.

No team has been hit harder by injuries, missing a half-dozen key starters. But Niners 2019 All-Pro tight end George Kittle should return.

The fact that Joe Burrow and his teammates were crushed by tying at Philadelphia says a lot about the new mindset in Cincinnati. The top overall draft pick has been solid so far, finding a favorite target in Tyler Boyd, who has 21 receptions.

After an opening upset win over Indianapolis and tight defeat at Tennessee, the Jags spit the bit at home against Miami. They got extra time after that Thursday night flop to mend — and to watch tape of how awful they were.

A pair of 2019 division winners with nothing to show this season. The Texans have fallen to the Chiefs, Ravens and Steelers, total record 8-1. Their defense has been unimpressive and they sorely miss WR DeAndre Hopkins, who is going wild in Arizona.

In come the Vikings, who played Tennessee last Sunday and thus had to make adjustments according to NFL/NFLPA protocols after the Titans had some positive coronavirus tests. Minnesota isn’t getting much of a pass rush, a strength in previous years, but at least the offense woke up in the loss to Tennessee.

With the way the Chiefs toyed with the Ravens in prime time in a matchup of the two best teams in the AFC — and possibly the entire NFL — it’s hardly surprising that Kansas City is being anointed months before the Super Bowl.Oh yes, the defending champions look unstoppable on offense and vastly improved on defense. Their confidence level has soared higher than the upper stands at Arrowhead Stadium. Stands, by the way, that will have fans in the seats on Sunday when another formidable foe, the Patriots (2-1), pay a visit.“We understand that you get people’s best shot,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid says. “When you play the Patriots, you’re always going to get their best shot. That’s how we’re looking at it and we have looked at it throughout the weeks here.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-kansas-city-football-andy-reid-eric-fisher-a950494e48a7a330b259d003efd8324e">The Chiefs (3-0)</a>&nbsp;have won a franchise-record 12 straight games. They beat the Patriots at New England 23-16 last December as part of that streak.New England has displayed a strong running game and is likely to try that approach to keep Patrick Mahomes and cohorts off the field.The action began Thursday night with Denver’s 37-28 road victory over the New York Jets. Melvin Gordon sealed the Broncos’ first victory with a 43-yard touchdown run with 1:48 left, and the defense made just enough plays in the fourth quarter to beat the winless Jets.Tennessee’s home game with Pittsburgh was postponed when the Titans had a coronavirus outbreak.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-football-josh-allen-buffalo-bills-buffalo-211a85cb94cd0fa9cb0649ddf616f853">Buffalo (3-0)</a>&nbsp;at Las Vegas (2-1)Should the Bills win — a long shot considering the history of this original AFL rivalry — they would invoke some positive history.The Bills are 1-11 in their past 12 road games against the Raiders, with the only win in the past 54 seasons coming in 1991 in Los Angeles. But Buffalo is seeking back-to-back 4-0 starts for the third time in franchise history. The Bills did it in 1991 and 1992 on the way to AFC titles, and in 1964-65 when they won AFL championships.Some Raiders history, carrying over from Oakland and LA, of course: They seek their fifth 3-1 record in the past 25 seasons. They made the playoffs the previous four times and missed them every other season.Seattle (3-0) at Miami (1-2)OK, OK. Everyone in America seems to know that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-brian-flores-super-bowl-seattle-seahawks-new-england-patriots-c4d0ff4153035bf47c788b4fa6a6ad8d">Russell Wilson</a>&nbsp;is the best NFL quarterback to not receive an MVP vote in his career. His numbers so far are very MVP-like, of course.Wilson is the first player to have at least four touchdown passes in each of his first three games in a season. He leads the league with 14, the most after three games in NFL history. Wilson has 24 games with a passer rating of at least 130, the most in the league since 2012.And now he faces a porous Miami secondary. The Dolphins are allowing 8.8 yards per pass, worst in the NFL.“He causes a lot of issues,” Dolphins coach Brian Flores says of Wilson. “Most guys scramble to run. Some guys scramble to throw. He’s really a true dual-threat who can extend plays and create big plays or stand in the pocket and fire throws down the field. So it’s a big challenge and he’s a great player. I can’t say enough good things about him.”New Orleans (1-2) at Detroit (1-2)Who Dat going to beat the Saints? Well, the Raiders and Packers the past two weeks while New Orleans was minus 2019 Offensive Player of the Year Michael Thomas (ankle). The star receiver, probably the NFL’s most valuable performer who is not a quarterback, hopes to be back against the Lions.The Saints have lost consecutive games for the first time in three years. The most recent time they lost three in a row was when starting 0-3 in 2016.The Lions ended an 11-game slide with their upset victory at Arizona.Los Angeles Chargers (1-2) at Tampa Bay (2-1)Rookie Justin Herbert is the third quarterback in NFL history to throw for 300 yards in his first two games. But if Tyrod Taylor is recovered from a medical mishap, he could start.Bucs WR Mike Evans has four TD receptions, one of three players with a TD catch in each of the first three games. But Tampa Bay’s other top wideout, Chris Godwin, is hobbled with a hamstring issue.Baltimore (2-1) at Washington (1-2)That should be a ticked-off group of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-tennessee-titans-football-lamar-jackson-baltimore-ravens-ebd9167e926a207dcc9f87ec02c3b377">Ravens</a>&nbsp;traveling down I-95 to take on their “neighbors.” Kansas City exposed the Baltimore offense when it falls out of Lamar Jackson’s comfort zone, though the Ravens did show some spunk in the second half in the loss.Their defense is not likely to be stressed by Washington, which also needs to rekindle the pass rush that lifted it to an opening victory against Philadelphia before two losses.The Ravens have won seven consecutive on the road since a defeat at Kansas City in September 2019, the longest current streak in the NFL. Baltimore averaged 34 points in those seven games and scored five defensive TDs.Arizona (2-1) at Carolina (1-2)Each team comes off unexpected results. The Panthers went out to LA and beat the Chargers handily. The Cardinals, one of the league’s most impressive starters in 2020, fell to the previously winless Lions. The Panthers have won four straight games against the Cardinals and 11 of the past 14.Coincidentally, new Panthers coach Matt Rhule and Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury met twice as college coaches. Rhule’s Baylor Bears and Kingbury’s Texas Tech Red Raiders split the matchups.Indianapolis (2-1) at Chicago (3-0)If the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-chicago-bears-football-archive-indianapolis-colts-dd20b2982ba30a51c4b782b133a33096">Nick Foles&nbsp;</a>era is beginning in Chicago, well, we know he is capable of doing big things, as he proved in 2017 with the Eagles. The Bears finally tired of Mitchell Trubisky’s inconsistency, and Foles brought them back to beat Atlanta.“I feel really comfortable,” Foles says. “And I think that going in this week, there have been a lot of great conversations. Even last game, I felt more of myself when I stepped into that situation just playing and getting to just do things that I like to do in a chaotic situation.”The Colts’ opponents have been the Jaguars (1-2, beating Indy), Vikings and Jets (both winless entering this week). This is their first real test.New York Giants (0-3) at Los Angeles Rams (2-1)Traveling cross country seeking a first victory isn’t the best route, and the Giants were only surpassed by their MetLife Stadium compadres, the Jets, for inept performances through three weeks. They are banged-up everywhere.The Rams flew back from Buffalo believing they should be 3-0, though they tried to shrug off some officiating gaffes that might have cost them late against the Bills. Their offense is in high gear, and New York has trouble covering everybody.Atlanta (0-3) at Green Bay (3-0), Monday nightCould two teams look more opposite? The Falcons have blown big leads the past two weeks in dramatic fashion, putting an already under-fire coaching staff even closer to the flames. Atlanta’s defense has been a sieve and its offense has disappeared in fourth quarters.As for the Packers, well, they went 13-3 last season and look even better right now. Even without his only reliable wideout, Davante Adams, Aaron Rodgers easily handled the Saints in New Orleans.“Other than Davante ... I don’t think many teams look at us and think we have a number of stars that they’re really worried about,” A-Rod says. “Obviously (running back) Aaron Jones is a such a talented guy and you try and take him away, but you never know really whose day it’s going to be.”Cleveland (2-1) at Dallas (1-2)We never know which Browns or Cowboys team will show up each game. Cleveland was awful in its opener against Baltimore, then beat up on Cincinnati and Washington. That means the Browns lost to a good opponent and defeated two tail-enders.Which of those the Cowboys might be is undetermined. They were handed their only victory by hapless Atlanta, and the two road losses were at the Rams and Seahawks. Again, quality opposition.New Browns coach Kevin Stefanski seems to have had more effect on his club than Cowboys new man Mike McCarthy has so far in Big D.Philadelphia (0-2-1) at San Francisco (2-1)Here’s the scary part for banged-up Philadelphia: The easier portion of the early schedule just concluded.At least the Eagles, who need Carson Wentz to settle down and protect the ball and for his line and receivers to step up, get an undermanned 49ers.“We’re coaching like we’re playing against Carson Wentz who is one of the better quarterbacks in this league. He was the best player in the league the year they won the Super Bowl,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan says.No team has been hit harder by injuries, missing a half-dozen key starters. But Niners 2019 All-Pro tight end George Kittle should return.Jacksonville (1-2) at Cincinnati (0-2-1)The fact that Joe Burrow and his teammates were crushed by tying at Philadelphia says a lot about the new mindset in Cincinnati. The top overall draft pick has been solid so far, finding a favorite target in Tyler Boyd, who has 21 receptions.After an opening upset win over Indianapolis and tight defeat at Tennessee, the Jags spit the bit at home against Miami. They got extra time after that Thursday night flop to mend — and to watch tape of how awful they were.Minnesota (0-3) at Houston (0-3)A pair of 2019 division winners with nothing to show this season. The Texans have fallen to the Chiefs, Ravens and Steelers, total record 8-1. Their defense has been unimpressive and they sorely miss WR DeAndre Hopkins, who is going wild in Arizona.In come the Vikings, who played Tennessee last Sunday and thus had to make adjustments according to NFL/NFLPA protocols after the Titans had some positive coronavirus tests. Minnesota isn’t getting much of a pass rush, a strength in previous years, but at least the offense woke up in the loss to Tennessee.

NFL Update: Maybe Patriots-Chiefs will be classic Chiefs-Ravens wasn’t

The Cubs and Marlins resume their series a day after poor weather caused a postponement at Wrigley Field. Miami leads the best-of-three 1-0 but may be without outfielder Starling Marte, who was hit by a fastball during Wednesday’s 5-1 victory and has a nondisplaced fracture of the bone running between his left pinky and wrist. He wasn’t in the starting lineup for Thursday’s postponed game, but manager Don Mattingly had not ruled out using him. Meanwhile, the Astros are preparing for an AL Division Series against West champion Oakland and pitcher Mike Fiers, who last November revealed details of Houston's sign-stealing scam.

The Cubs and Marlins resume their series a day after poor weather caused a postponement at Wrigley Field. Miami leads the best-of-three 1-0 but may be without outfielder Starling Marte, who was hit by a fastball during Wednesday’s 5-1 victory and has a nondisplaced fracture of the bone running between his left pinky and wrist. He wasn’t in the starting lineup for Thursday’s postponed game, but manager Don Mattingly had not ruled out using him. Meanwhile, the Astros are preparing for an AL Division Series against West champion Oakland and pitcher Mike Fiers, who last November revealed details of Houston's sign-stealing scam.

Cubs' Darvish tries to save season vs Marlins

KANSAS CITY, Mo. —After back-to-back road trips, the Kansas City Chiefs will return to Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 4 to host the New England Patriots.

Fans can find important information and reminders regarding Sunday's game below.

The Chiefs will take part in the NFL's annual Crucial Catch: Intercept Cancer campaign this weekend at Arrowhead Stadium. The league's Crucial Catch campaign is designed to raise early cancer detection awareness and promote healthy living habits.

Chiefs and Patriots players and coaches, along with game officials, will wear special gear with the Crucial Catch emblem and color scheme. Arrowhead Stadium will also feature Crucial Catch signage, end zone stencils and banners. Much of the apparel worn by players and coaches at the game, along with brand new Crucial Catch game items, will be auctioned off through the league's official NFL Auction website,&nbsp;<a href="https://nflauction.nfl.com/">nflauction.nfl.com/</a>, with proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society.

A special "I Cheer For" moment will occur during the first quarter break in observance and recognition of this week's Crucial Catch game. A packet containing the "I Cheer For" sign and a marker will be placed in every fan's seat to be filled out when they arrive at their seating pod. Fans who are not attending Sunday's game but who wish to participate in the "I Cheer For" moment can visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.chiefs.com/chiefsvscancer">chiefs.com/chiefsvscancer</a>&nbsp;to download their own "I Cheer For" cards and can share them socially using #ChiefsVsCancer.

The Missouri State Park Rangers Color Guard will present the nation's colors while two C-130 Hercules from the 139th Airlift Wing out of Rosecrans Air National Guard Base in St. Joseph, Missouri, will conduct a flyover at the end of the national anthem, weather permitting. National recording artist and winner of season nine of "The Voice" Jordan Smith will perform the national anthem virtually.

In 2020, the Chiefs have elected to use the pregame Drum Ceremony to recognize a different Season Ticket Member at each home game. Sunday's Drum Honoree is Brian Stewart, an 18-year Season Ticket Member who lives in Springfield, Missouri, with his wife Karen. Stewart regularly travels to away games each season to cheer on the Chiefs and one of his most prized possessions is his Chiefs-themed Corvette.

Ke'Von Black, a 16-year old cancer survivor who was diagnosed with a rhabdoid tumor at the age of five, will be the DiPardo Spirit Leader prior to the start of the fourth quarter. Black, who has aspirations of being a sportscaster, was identified through Braden's Hope For Childhood Cancer, a long-time community partner of the Chiefs.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. —After back-to-back road trips, the Kansas City Chiefs will return to Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 4 to host the New England Patriots.Fans can find important information and reminders regarding Sunday's game below.Crucial CatchThe Chiefs will take part in the NFL's annual Crucial Catch: Intercept Cancer campaign this weekend at Arrowhead Stadium. The league's Crucial Catch campaign is designed to raise early cancer detection awareness and promote healthy living habits.Chiefs and Patriots players and coaches, along with game officials, will wear special gear with the Crucial Catch emblem and color scheme. Arrowhead Stadium will also feature Crucial Catch signage, end zone stencils and banners. Much of the apparel worn by players and coaches at the game, along with brand new Crucial Catch game items, will be auctioned off through the league's official NFL Auction website,&nbsp;<a href="https://nflauction.nfl.com/">nflauction.nfl.com/</a>, with proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society.A special "I Cheer For" moment will occur during the first quarter break in observance and recognition of this week's Crucial Catch game. A packet containing the "I Cheer For" sign and a marker will be placed in every fan's seat to be filled out when they arrive at their seating pod. Fans who are not attending Sunday's game but who wish to participate in the "I Cheer For" moment can visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.chiefs.com/chiefsvscancer">chiefs.com/chiefsvscancer</a>&nbsp;to download their own "I Cheer For" cards and can share them socially using #ChiefsVsCancer.The Missouri State Park Rangers Color Guard will present the nation's colors while two C-130 Hercules from the 139th Airlift Wing out of Rosecrans Air National Guard Base in St. Joseph, Missouri, will conduct a flyover at the end of the national anthem, weather permitting. National recording artist and winner of season nine of "The Voice" Jordan Smith will perform the national anthem virtually.GEHA Drum DeckIn 2020, the Chiefs have elected to use the pregame Drum Ceremony to recognize a different Season Ticket Member at each home game. Sunday's Drum Honoree is Brian Stewart, an 18-year Season Ticket Member who lives in Springfield, Missouri, with his wife Karen. Stewart regularly travels to away games each season to cheer on the Chiefs and one of his most prized possessions is his Chiefs-themed Corvette.Ke'Von Black, a 16-year old cancer survivor who was diagnosed with a rhabdoid tumor at the age of five, will be the DiPardo Spirit Leader prior to the start of the fourth quarter. Black, who has aspirations of being a sportscaster, was identified through Braden's Hope For Childhood Cancer, a long-time community partner of the Chiefs.How to Tune InFans who are unable to attend Sunday's game can tune into WDAF-FM (106.5 The Wolf), the Home of the Chiefs Radio Network, as "Voice of the Chiefs" Mitch Holthus, former Chiefs WR Danan Hughes and sideline reporter Josh Klingler call the action. Tico Sports will produce a Spanish broadcast on Real Country 1030 AM (KCWJ) featuring Enrique Morales, Oscar Monterroso and sideline reporter Hannah Bassham. Both radio broadcasts are also available streaming on the Chiefs Mobile app within a 50-mile radius of the Kansas City metro area. Sunday's game will air on CBS (KCTV), with the crew of Jim Nantz, Tony Romo and Tracy Wolfson on the call.Chiefs Reporter Matt McMullen and former Chiefs LB Shawn Barber provide fans with last-minute Chiefs updates on Field Pass, which streams live on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and the Chiefs Mobile app approximately 45 minutes prior to kickoff of every Chiefs home and away game. After the game, fans can tune into Chiefs Rewind on all Chiefs social channels to get live postgame reaction, exclusive interviews and live press conferences.Stadium Health and Safety PoliciesIn response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the team remains committed to prioritizing the safety of its fans, staff and players. Under guidelines established by the National Football League, and with the approval of local government and public health officials, the team has a comprehensive COVID-19 health and safety plan for all fans attending games at Arrowhead Stadium this season.Fans should visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.chiefs.com/stadium/covid/">chiefs.com/stadium/covid/</a>&nbsp;for a complete list of COVID-19 protocols to see what steps the club is taking, how the fan experience will be impacted, and ways fans can protect themselves and others. Notable changes and policies ticketed guests need to be aware of:<ol>
 <li>Know your zone, based on your seating location and found on your ticket, and have a game plan to enter through the assigned parking and stadium gates. Circumnavigation of the stadium is not permitted in order to minimize contact with other guests.</li><li>Wear your masks at all times, even when seated. Fans must wear masks into the stadium, but each fan will receive a free mask with The University of Kansas Health System branding at their seat.</li><li>Maintain social distancing along your entire journey and wait for aisles to clear before exiting your seats.</li><li>Fans should stay home if they are sick or are feeling ill.</li><li>Have patience and know that everyone is in this together. Be a good teammate and help us protect the Kingdom.</li>
 </ol>Parking Gates and TailgatingParking lots for Sunday's game open at 11:30 a.m. All parking must be purchased in advance as payments will not be accepted at the parking tollgates. All fans will have a designated parking entrance based on their seat location that will put them in close proximity to their designated entry zone. Fans can track traffic through the KC Scout cameras at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kcscout.com/">kcscout.com/</a>&nbsp;or can get real-time traffic updates on the WAZE app.All parking for the 2020 season will be general (red) parking and is only open to ticket holders. Tailgating is permitted, but vehicles will be parked in an every-other-spot pattern to accommodate social distancing. Tailgating is limited to the individuals who have tickets in the same pod.To purchase parking passes, view parking zone maps and review all tailgating guidelines, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.chiefs.com/stadium/parking/">chiefs.com/stadium/parking/</a>. &nbsp;Stadium GatesAll Arrowhead Stadium gates, including gates for the CommunityAmerica Club Level, will open at 1:30 p.m. for the 3:25 p.m. kickoff.Hunt Family Foundation 50/50 RaffleThis week's Hunt Family Foundation 50/50 Raffle will benefit The University of Kansas Health System. Tickets are three for $5 and 10 for $10, with an afternoon game special of 80 tickets for $20.Fans who are not at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday can also participate in the Hunt Family Foundation 50/50 Raffle by visiting&nbsp;<a href="http://www.chiefs.com/fans/5050raffle">chiefs.com/fans/5050raffle</a>. Online sales are currently live, but fans must be located in the states of Missouri or Kansas at the time they purchase a ticket online. In-person raffle tickets will remain on sale through the end of the third quarter. The winning ticket will be announced in-stadium and posted online during the fourth quarter of the game and winners do not need to be present to win. Credit cards will be the only form of payment accepted at 50/50 Raffle kiosks.Safety and SecurityDue to COVID-19 restrictions, no bags – including previously approved clear bags, small clutch bags and wallets that can't fit in pockets – will be permitted inside the stadium. Guests should only bring items that can fit into their pockets. For guests with medical- or childcare-related items such as diapers, wipes, formula, bottles or breast pumps, those items must be brought in a clear plastic bag and guests should present their bag to staff during the screening process. Fans can visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.chiefs.com/stadium/prohibitedpermitteditems">chiefs.com/stadium/prohibitedpermitteditems</a>&nbsp;for a complete list of permitted and prohibited items.If fans have any issues or need assistance, Fan Experience can be reached at (816) 920-4237 or by email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:fanexperience@chiefs.com">fanexperience@chiefs.com</a>. Beginning four hours prior to kickoff, fans can text "CHIEFS"&nbsp;YOUR LOCATION AND ISSUE to 69050 for assistance.Timeline for Sunday, Oct. 4, 202011:30 a.m.&nbsp;– Parking Gates Open1:30 p.m.&nbsp;– All Stadium Gates Open2:25 p.m.&nbsp;– Team Warm-Ups Begin3:14 p.m.&nbsp;– Patriots Team Introduction3:15 p.m.&nbsp;– Chiefs Team Introduction3:19 p.m.&nbsp;– National Anthem3:21 p.m.&nbsp;– Flyover (weather permitting)3:23 p.m.&nbsp;– Coin Toss3:25 p.m.&nbsp;– Kickoff