Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press
DENVER (AP) — Broncos quarterback Drew Lock has a sunny personality but he's embracing the bad guy image this weekend when his hometown Kansas City Chiefs visit Denver for a game likely in the snow. Lock compared himself to Darth Vader and said it's a role he's glad to handle as the Broncos try to snap a nine-game losing streak to the defending champs. Lock says he's not shy to wear Broncos gear when he's back in Kansas City. A victory over Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs this weekend would make it a whole lot easier for him to strut around town next offseason.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The regression was almost inevitable after Patrick Mahomes put up record-setting numbers during his first season as the Kansas City Chiefs' starting quarterback, highlighted by nearly 5,100 yards passing and 50 touchdown throws. At least, a regression in raw statistics. Much to the chagrin of fantasy football fans, though, games are not won and lost purely on numbers. And there are plenty of reasons to believe that Mahomes has actually progressed since his second year in the league, and taken an especially big jump since last season, when he merely led the Chiefs to their first Super Bowl championship in five decades.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos had enough to worry about in stopping Patrick Mahomes. Now they have to deal with a Kansas City ground game that includes rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire and will be adding veteran Le'Veon Bell to the mix. Don't forget about tight end Travis Kelce over the middle or speedy receiver Tyreek Hill deep. The defending Super Bowl champs are a challenge each and every snap. The Chiefs have beaten the Broncos nine straight times heading into their AFC West showdown this weekend.
UNDATED (AP) — College football Saturdays this season have mostly been over by around midnight Eastern. Maybe 12:30 a.m. West of Texas, the only FBS program that has been up and running is BYU in Provo, Utah. That comes to end this weekend with the kickoff of the Mountain West season, which has been overshadowed by the much-anticipated start of the Big Ten. The marquee matchups on opening weekend include Mountain West favorite and defending champion Boise State hosting Utah State. There is also a showdown in the Big 12 and another overlooked team that is playing its first game of the season.
UNDATED (AP) — Iowa State drew national attention by beating Oklahoma. The 17th-ranked Cyclones could take perhaps a bigger step when they visit Oklahoma State. With a win, it would be the first time Iowa State opens the season with four conference wins. For all the improvement under coach Matt Campbell, the Cyclones have yet to play in a Big 12 Championship Game. Iowa State and No. 6 Oklahoma State will enter their game as two of three unbeaten teams in the Big 12, so a victory would put the Cyclones in an unusual and enviable position in the conference race.
MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Kansas State coach Chris Klieman probably knows a little how Kansas counterpart Les Miles felt this week when Jayhawks running back Pooka Williams, undeniably their biggest offensive playmaker, decided to opt out for the remainder of the year. After all, the Wildcats are playing without quarterback Skylar Thompson the rest of the way. But when the No. 20 Wildcats face Kansas in the Sunflower Showdown on Saturday, the story of the game will be the players on the field. That includes their freshman quarterback, Will Howard, and Jayhawks running back Velton Gardner.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State receiver Chris Olave and quarterback Justin Fields have been itching to get back on the football field since a blown route ended a comeback bid by the Buckeyes in last December's national semifinal. No 5 Ohio State opens the pandemic-delayed Big Ten season Saturday against Nebraska and the atmosphere will be quite different. Cavernous Ohio Stadium will have about 1,600 people inside, mostly family and friends of the players and coaches. The Cornhuskers are struggling to return to relevance as coach Scott Frost begins his third season. Veteran quarterback Adrian Martinez will lead Nebraska.
UNDATED (AP) — Purdue offensive coordinator Brian Brohm went through his usual practice routine. He met with his older brother, Jeff, worked on scripts and prepared as best he could for Saturday's season opener against Iowa. It's game day that will be different. With Jeff Brohm isolating after two positive tests Sunday confirmed he had contracted COVID-19, it's the other Brohm who will move from the coaches' booth to field and try to make all the right calls against the Hawkeyes vaunted defense.
Update on the latest sports
NFL-GIANTS/EAGLES
Eagles overcome deficit to beat Giants
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Carson Wentz threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Boston Scott with 40 seconds remaining and the Philadelphia Eagles overcame an 11-point deficit in the final seven minutes to beat the New York Giants 22-21 on Thursday night.
Daniel Jones shook off a stumble that prevented him from an 88-yard touchdown run and had the Giants leading 21-10 following a 2-yard pass to Sterling Shepard with 6:21 left.
But Wentz led a depleted offense missing eight starters back. His 3-yard pass to Greg Ward cut it to 21-16. After the 2-point conversion failed, the Eagles got the ball at their 29 with 2:02 to go. Wentz threw a perfect strike to Scott and the backup running back made an excellent catch to give Philadelphia the lead.
NFL-NEWS
Bucs-Raiders game moved from prime time after COVID-19 test
UNDATED (AP) — The NFL has shifted Sunday's Las Vegas game against Tampa Bay out of prime time after several Raiders players have been unable to practice this week because of contact tracing from the coronavirus.
The game in Las Vegas was originally scheduled to be played at 8:20 p.m. Eastern time Sunday in the national television window on NBC but now has been moved to 4:05 p.m. EDT in a regional window on Fox. The game between the Seahawks and Cardinals in Arizona has been moved into the prime-time window.
In other NFL news:
— The Las Vegas Raiders have placed four starting offensive linemen and safety Johnathan Abram on the reserve/COVID-19 list after they were determined to be close contacts with a teammate who had tested positive for the coronavirus. Abram, Kolton Miller, Denzelle Good, Rodney Hudson and Gabe Jackson were all placed on the list because of high-risk contact with right tackle Trent Brown. The league also moved the Raiders game this week against Tampa Bay from prime time to the afternoon.
—The Minnesota Vikings have traded defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (yah-NEEK' en-GAH'-kway) to the Baltimore Ravens for draft picks. The deal comes less than two months after the Vikings acquired the fifth-year pass rusher in a deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
— Bill Mathis, a versatile running back and an original member of the New York Jets franchise, has died. He was 81. Mathis had long been dealing with several health issues. Mathis played his entire career in New York. He joined the then-Titans in 1960 and helped the Jets win the Super Bowl in 1969 before retiring after the following season. He was selected an AFL All-Star in 1961 and '63.
— Former San Francisco 49er Dana Stubblefield has been sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for raping a developmentally disabled woman. The Mercury News reports the sentence was issued yesterday by a judge in San Jose. A jury in July found the 49-year-old Stubblefield guilty of raping the woman with the threat of a gun.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Holiday Bowl becomes 4th game to cancel due to pandemic
SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Holiday Bowl has become the fourth bowl game to be called off due to the coronavirus pandemic. Holiday Bowl officials say the board of directors voted unanimously to cancel what would have been the 43rd straight edition of the game. It would have been the first year of a six-year deal to match teams from the Pac-12 and ACC. Bowl officials had been seeking a suitable place to play after San Diego State announced it was closing SDCCU Stadium.
MLB-NEWS
MLB Players Choice award announced
UNDATED (AP) — — Minnesota Twins designated hitter Nelson Cruz has been voted Marvin Miller Man of the Year and Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman has been picked as Player of the Year in annual Players Choice award voting by the Major League Baseball Players Association.
Freeman was voted the National League's outstanding player, Cincinnati's Trevor Bauer outstanding pitcher, San Diego infielder Jake Cronenworth outstanding rookie and Colorado pitcher Daniel Bard comeback player. Chicago White Sox first baseman José Abreu (ah-BRAY'-oo) was voted the American League's outstanding player, Cleveland's Shane Bieber outstanding pitcher, Seattle outfielder Kyle Lewis outstanding rookie and Cleveland pitcher Carlos Carrasco comeback player.
In other baseball news:
— San Diego Padres right-hander Luis Perdomo has had reconstructive elbow surgery and left-hander Matt Strahm is scheduled to undergo patellar tendon repair in his right knee. Perdomo was 0-0 with a 5.71 ERA in 10 appearances, including one start, in his fifth season with the Padres. Strahm underwent a similar surgery on his left knee in 2017 while he was with Kansas City.
— The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms on a $1 million, one-year contract with utility man Josh Harrison. The 33-year-old returns to Washington after hitting .278 with two doubles, three home runs, 14 RBIs, six walks and 11 runs scored with the Nationals last season.
— The World Series has drawn a record-low audience of television viewers for the second straight night. Tampa Bay's 6-4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 was seen by an average of 8,950,000 viewers on Fox. Los Angeles' opening 8-3 victory in Game 1 was seen by an average of 9,195,000 viewers on Fox. The low for any game before this year came the only other time the Rays were in the World Series in Game 3 against Philadelphia in 2008.
NHL-EVENTS CANCELED
NHL cancels 2021 Minnesota Winter Classic, All-Star Weekend
UNDATED (AP) — The NHL has canceled the 2021 Winter Classic and All-Star Weekend but still hopes to start the season on or around Jan. 1.
The Winter Classic was scheduled to be played New Year's Day outdoors at Target Field in Minneapolis between the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues. The Florida Panthers were set to host All-Star festivities in Sunrise in late January. The league hopes to reschedule those events in those cities in future years.
In other ice news:
— The Dallas Stars have re-signed Denis Gurianov to a $5.1 million, two-year contract that counts as $2.55 million each season through 2021-22. The 23-year-old Russian right winger ranked second on the team with nine postseason goals.
— The New Jersey Devils have added experience to their defense, signing Russian Dmitry Kulikov to a one-year, $1.15 million contract. The 29-year-old Kulikov had two goals and eight assists in 51 games with Winnipeg last season.
GOLF-ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP
Munoz in the lead and Woods with his worst score at Sherwood
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) — Sebastian Munoz and Tiger Woods had unusual scorecards in the Zozo Championship at Sherwood. That was only good news for Munoz.
The Colombian holed out two eagles. He made eight birdies. He hit a wild tee shot for a double bogey. He only had five pars. But it added to an 8-under 64 for a one-shot lead.
Woods made bogey or worse on three par 5s, the first time he has done in a single round in his 1,277 rounds played as a pro on the PGA Tour. Woods shot a 76, his highest score in 49 rounds at Sherwood.
GOLF-LPGA TOUR
Kang, Song share lead in LPGA Drive On Championship
GREENSBORO, Ga. (AP) Danielle Kang leads the Race to CME Globe and, at No. 5 in the world, is the top-ranked player in the LPGA Drive On Championship-Lake Reynolds Oconee.
Kang shot a 7-under 65 for a share of the first-round lead with Jennifer Song. The event is the second tournament added to the schedule because of the COVID-19 pandemic that shut down women's golf for five months.
NASCAR-HAMLIN-JORDAN
Slam Dunk: Jordan picks 23 for car number of new NASCAR team
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Michael Jordan has selected 23 as the car number for his new NASCAR team in 2021.
Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 champion Denny Hamlin had already announced they are forming a NASCAR team with Bubba Wallace as the driver. The name of the team is 23XI Racing. That stands for 23 and 11 in honor of Jordan's retired uniform number with the Chicago Bulls and Hamlin's car number for Joe Gibbs Racing.
Bubba Wallace, the only Black driver at NASCAR's top level, will drive the No. 23 car.
TENNIS-BECKER-BANKRUPTCY
Becker accused of failing to surrender Wimbledon trophies
LONDON (AP) — Tennis great Boris Becker appeared in a London court on Thursday, accused of failing to surrender two of his Wimbledon trophies to be sold to settle his debts.
The 52-year-old Becker, who was declared bankrupt in 2017, has also failed to turn over his two Australian Open trophies, according to a new 28-count indictment that claims he hasn't complied with orders to disclose information. The German pleaded not guilty to all counts. Becker has allegedly concealed property holdings and more than 1 million pounds, or $1.3 million, held in bank accounts.
The indictment lists Becker's Wimbledon trophies from 1985, when at age 17 he became the youngest men's singles champion at the All England Club, and 1989. Becker also won the tournament in 1986. He won the Australian Open in 1991 and 1996.
Becker, who lives in London, faces several years in jail if convicted. He remains free on
RACETRACK WORKER CHARGED
Charges: Fired Belmont worker's retaliation led horse to die
ELMONT, N.Y. (AP) — Prosecutors say a backstretch worker at New York's Belmont Park caused the death of a $200,000 racehorse by releasing the filly onto blacktop where she fell and broke her leg.
The Nassau County district attorney says worker Ramzan Antooa released the 2-year-old filly named Pasta from her stall on July 30 in retaliation for being fired.
The worker was arraigned Thursday on charges including grand larceny, burglary and criminal mischief. He was released on his own recognizance and is due back in court on November 19.