Kansas City Star: Sports

Rivals cooperate on touchdown for player with Down syndrome

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 22:15 CDT

An online video of a touchdown by a high school football player with Down syndrome has touched the hearts of many in the region.

Kansas City defeats Oakland, 16-10

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:35 CST

OAKLAND | The Chiefs seem to have their running back, and it doesn't matter that he's not perfect. Jamaal Charles was competent, reliable and occasionally dynamic. And now he's a winner as Kansas City's featured rusher.

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:52 CST

MANHATTAN -- For the second straight game, Kansas State meticulously blew out a mid-major nonconference opponent at Bramlage Coliseum.

K-State leads Western Illinois at the half

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:04 CST

MANHATTAN, Kan. | It's halftime at Bramlage Coliseum, and the Kansas State basketball team leads Western Illinois 31-20.

Highly ranked hoops recruit Mitchell confirms he has chosen MU

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:42 CST

Tony Mitchell, rated the No. 15 recruit in the nation for the 2010 college basketball class, has confirmed he'll play for Missouri.

Posnanski | Chiefs turn their back on LJ, who didn't carry team's respect

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

Priest Holmes, you probably know, was an odd guy when he was the running back for the Chiefs. His teammates did not understand him at all. He liked to be left alone. He liked to play games like chess and Scrabble in his spare time. He was proudly cheap; he would go to extreme lengths to save a dollar here or there. He would change his cell number every three weeks. He would walk off in the middle of conversations — not maliciously, but just because … well … just because that was Priest Holmes.

Bill Snyder is making it look too easy

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

Maybe this was all inevitable, Kansas State’s emergence as the only team capable of seizing control of the embarrassingly mediocre Big 12 North.

Finally, some North Division clarity

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

LAWRENCE | For all the underachievement and disappointment in the Big 12 North this season, at least the division will be spared a final indignity. There will be no confusion about the winner, no drilling into the conference tie-breaker rule book to unlock four 4-4 teams or some such season-ending pile-up of mediocrity.

Rockhurst is team no one wants to play

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

The most dangerous team in the state began this season with new faces in glamour positions while its best player — a pint-sized tough guy — walked around the practice field in street clothes. At that time, its head coach laughed at the thought that he might be a sadist for enjoying being around these guys so much. Then two games in, this team goes to Hutchinson and gets the blue and white kicked out of it. Those qualifications don’t exactly strike fear in opponents. And certainly not the beginning you would have expected from tradition-rich Rockhurst. But flash ahead to Friday night — the Hawklets look nothing like the team they were a couple of months ago. While blowing out Liberty 35-14 in a Class 6 sectional playoff game and setting up a classic Rockhurst-Blue Springs grudge match, the Hawklets looked like the team they grew to be: the most dangerous team in the state.

Starters and benchwarmers, week 10, fantasy football

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:06 CST

You don't need me advising you to start Drew Brees and Chris Johnson, or to bench JaMarcus Russell and Michael Clayton. So I'll focus instead on players typically on the bubble of most fantasy lineups. Here are my picks to roll, and get rolled, in Week 10.

Hidden points, trust are top factors for playoff push

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:02 CST

To win a championship, you need everything to fall in place because the best regular season team doesn't always come out on top in league playoffs. It takes more than sitting on a roster full of elite players, as some of these players could be resting when Super Bowls are played.

Missouri state swimming

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:01 CST

Nebraska 31, Kansas 17

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:59 CST

Missouri 38, Kansas State 12

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:03 CST

Missouri 83, Northwest Missouri State 60 men's basketball

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:51 CST

Missouri Mavericks beat Wichita Thunder 3-2 in front of sellout hockey crowd during home opener

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:30 CST

Nebraska runs past Kansas 31-17

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

LAWRENCE | At a time like this, excuses can seem pretty futile. So Kansas senior Justin Thornton wasn’t going to blame his personal-foul penalty in the fourth quarter on the stroke of bad luck that placed his hand on the other guy’s facemask during what was otherwise a pretty outstanding defensive play. “It’s not a matter of luck,” Thornton said. “It was the worst timing.”

Pacquiao stops Cotto in the 12th to win title

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

LAS VEGAS | Manny Pacquiao put on yet another dominating performance Saturday night, knocking down Miguel Cotto twice and turning his face into a bloody mess before finally stopping him 55 seconds into the 12th round. Pacquiao used his blazing speed and power from both hands to win his seventh title in seven weight classes and cement his stature as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. Cotto took such a beating that his face was a river of red from the fury of Pacquiao’s punches.

Missouri thumps Kansas State 38-12

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

MANHATTAN, Kan. | Missouri won more than a football game on Saturday afternoon. Did more than end a 13-game losing skid to Bill Snyder-coached Kansas State teams and become, at 6-4, bowl eligible for a school-record fifth straight year.

Lack of execution costs K-State in 38-12 loss to Missouri

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

MANHATTAN, Kan. | All season, Kansas State won football games in typical Bill Snyder fashion. By limiting turnovers, running the ball hard and taking advantage of opponents’ mistakes, the Wildcats ascended to the top of the Big 12 North standings.

Gilberry a pleasant surprise for Chiefs

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

Three months ago, it wasn’t just an upset that Wallace Gilberry would be tied for the Chiefs’ lead in sacks at the season’s midway point. It was an upset that Gilberry, an undersized defensive end, would merely still be with the Chiefs. He joined the team last season only because a rash of injuries left them short of bodies at his position, one they fortified during the offseason when they drafted Tyson Jackson and Alex Magee and shifted Glenn Dorsey from tackle.

Iowa State beats Colorado 17-10 and Cyclones become bowl eligible

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

AMES, Iowa | For some programs, reaching bowl eligibility is little more than a footnote. It’s a much bigger deal for Iowa State. Picked to finish last in the Big 12 North, the Cyclones can at least dream of their first bowl bid since 2005 after beating Colorado 17-10 on Saturday for their sixth win.

Comparing Greinke's season to the AL's 10 best seasons for starting pitchers since the Deadball Era

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

Zack Greinke will find out Tuesday whether he’s the American League Cy Young winner, and although he’s already received three major national pitching awards, there’s still some fear that some voters may discount him because of a 16-8 win-loss record. Obviously, wins aren’t the best way to judge a pitcher, especially one who throws for the Royals. At some point this season, the how-good-is-Zack? question turned from whether he was the best pitcher in the American League to where he ranked historically.

Martin continues to go hard after Johnson

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

AVONDALE, Ariz. | Jimmie Johnson has such a stranglehold on the championship that it’s out of reach for every driver besides Mark Martin. And his only chance would likely require a major stumble by Johnson. So what incentive does that leave for the rest of the drivers over the final two races of the season?

UMKC shuts down Truman State in opener

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

Up big in the second half of their season opener, the UMKC Kangaroos could have taken their energy level down just a bit. Coach Matt Brown, on the other hand, wouldn’t let that happen.

Pledger helps Oklahoma roll to victory

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

NORMAN, Okla. | On an Oklahoma team featuring slick-shooting guard Willie Warren — who’s been his team’s top scorer at almost every level — Steven Pledger had no illusions of leading the Sooners in scoring in his first collegiate game. But, as Warren told him, “Keep shooting like that and you can be the high scorer every game.”

NBA-wide retirement of No. 23 seems unlikely

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

LeBron James may persuade NBA players to give up their No. 23s, but a leaguewide retirement of Michael Jordan’s number seems unlikely. James said on Thursday that he is considering switching his number next season and wants other players to do the same in honor of Jordan, the Hall of Famer who is often regarded as the league’s best player ever.

Woods trying to close out victory Down Under

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

Tiger Woods has been saying since he first showed up on the PGA Tour that he plays only to win. Lately, he has been making just as many headlines when he loses.

Stanford stuns USC at Coliseum, 55-21

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

LOS ANGELES | While Stanford tailback Toby Gerhart rampaged through the Southern California defense in an awfully quiet Coliseum, he and his Cardinal teammates flattened a bunch of recent college football certainties as well. USC’s streaks of seven straight BCS bowls, 11-win seasons and top-four AP poll finishes? Those are all finished.

Jennings scores 55 as Bucks beat Warriors

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

MILWAUKEE | Rookie Brandon Jennings scored a career-high 55 points, including 29 in the third quarter, and led the Milwaukee Bucks to a come-from-behind 129-125 victory Saturday over the Golden State Warriors. Jennings scored 10 points in the final 2:15 to hold off the Warriors and become only the third Bucks player to score more than 50. The last player to do it was Michael Redd, who set the franchise record with 57 points vs. Utah on Nov. 11, 2006.

Jim Caldwell shows beginners' pluck as Colts head coach

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

It may surprise Indianapolis Colts coach Jim Caldwell to learn that he has as much in common with Potsy Clark, whose record he could surpass tonight, as he does Tony Dungy, the man Caldwell replaced. Caldwell, the handpicked successor to Dungy, has guided the Colts to an 8-0 start, and a win over New England in tonight’s showdown in Indianapolis would give him the best start in NFL history by a rookie coach, topping the 8-0 mark set by Clark in 1931 with the Portsmouth Spartans.

Hunters open Missouri deer season with a bang

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

EDWARDS, Mo. | For Henry Norris, Saturday was almost as big as Christmas. This, after all, was opening day of the Missouri deer season. And he was celebrating a long-standing tradition by returning to the rugged land where he has opened the season for the last 35 years.

College buddies come to Kansas to hunt pheasants

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

RUSH COUNTY, Kan. | College reunions are known to get a bit loud sometimes. Few can rival the one some Stephen F. Austin alums attended Saturday. Mixed amid the whoops, laughter and hollers were scores of gunshots in the pheasant fields around Great Bend.

Chiefs-Raiders scouting report

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

When the Chiefs run EDGE >> CHIEFS

North final set for Saturday

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

K-State at Nebraska,

Test may help in prevention of ACL injuries

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

When it comes to preventing ACL injuries, LESS may be more. The Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) has been by developed by Darin Padua, director of the Sports Medicine Research Laboratory at University of North Carolina, as a predictive tool in the prevention of ACL injuries.

K-State game report

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

Key play: John Houlik broke up a Missouri pass in the end zone with the back of his helmet on a third-down play. The Tigers had to settle for a field goal. Key stat: K-State stopped MU on two of its three third-down conversion attempts.

Missouri game report

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

Key play: Blaine Gabbert saw the field open before him and ran 25 yards to a first and goal at the Kansas State 10. Missouri didn’t get the touchdown, but did get a field goal on its first offensive series. Key stat: 6. Gabbert hit his first six passes for 52 yards before throwing an incompletion.

The Star's NFL predictions

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

2009

Randy Covitz' NFL Sunday Swami

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

3 who need big games •Lions OT Gosder Cherilus, who took a cheap shot at Vikings DE Jared Allen’s knees in a week two game, will feel the wrath of Allen, who has a sack in eight straight NFC North games (17 sacks).

The Buzz: Real Salt Lake moves on to MLS Cup final

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

Salt Lake makes MLS Cup final Real Salt Lake vanquished the Fire — now it’ll prepare for David Beckham.

This weekend's NFL games

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

Patriots at Colts (-3), 7:15, Ch. 41 This is the sixth time in the last seven years the two teams have met in a crucial game in November, and the Colts have won three of the five, though Tom Brady missed last year’s game. Two things to watch: How will the Colts’ rookie corners, Jerraud Powers and Jacob Lacey, hold up against Patriots WRs Randy Moss and Wes Welker? And how will the Patriots’ pass protection handle Indy DE Dwight Freeney, who can tie an NFL record with a sack in his 10th consecutive game?

Amid K-State football revival, questions swirl about buyout

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

MANHATTAN, Kan. | This renaissance of Kansas State football should be the stuff of fairy tales. An unpopular head coach is fired, a legend returns from retirement, and 12 months later the program finds itself reconnecting with a spectacular past. The team lost to Missouri on Saturday, but it could capture the Big 12 North championship for the first time since 2003, a feat few thought possible entering the season.

K-State players expect better effort against Western Illinois

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

MANHATTAN, Kan. | Kansas State coach Frank Martin said his basketball team played below expectations in its season opener because of a horrible practice leading up to the game. For that, he said his players had no excuses.

Central Missouri starts MIAA season with confidence

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

Division II basketball begins a little later than Division I, but that didn’t prevent Central Missouri from making an early impression. The Mules collected an exhibition victory last week over Austin Peay, picked to finish third in the Division I Ohio Valley Conference by its coaches.

K-State women fall to Indiana State 77-73

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

This wasn’t the start Kansas State was looking for. Indiana State ruined the Wildcats’ season opener, edging K-State 77-73 Saturday at Bramlage Coliseum. The Sycamores’ Kelsey Luna scored a career-high 37 points and passed the 1,000-point milestone for her career. K-State’s Ashley Sweat and Kari Kincaid had 16 points.

KU notebook

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

KU limits Suh Entering this game, it felt like a foregone conclusion that Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh would dominate the Kansas offensive line.

KU-Nebraska game report

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

Key play: Nebraska quarterback Zac Lee fumbled at the KU 1, and running back Roy Helu recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown that gave the Huskers a 7-0 lead. Key stat: The Jayhawks had just 19 total yards.

End of career doesn't end Blake Lawrence's contributions at Nebraska

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

LAWRENCE | The occasion is sentimental for most, but Nebraska junior linebacker Blake Lawrence hardly remembers what turned out to be the final day of his football career. It was a practice on Oct. 19, two days after the Cornhuskers’ home loss to Texas Tech.

Parenteau gives Rangers shootout win

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

OTTAWA | Coach John Tortorella started looking down his bench as the New York Rangers began going deeper and deeper into a shootout standoff. Fresh from the minors, Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau was ready to step up. Parenteau scored the deciding goal in the seventh round of the shootout and gave New York a 2-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday.

Saturday's college football spotlight

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

For long-suffering conference rivals looking to throw some grief back at once-dominant Michigan, now’s the time. No. 21 Wisconsin became the latest Big Ten team to get the best of the reeling Wolverines and coach Rich Rodriguez, winning 45-24 Saturday in Madison, Wis., behind four touchdown passes and a TD sneak by quarterback Scott Tolzien.

OT kick puts Ohio State in Rose Bowl

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

COLUMBUS, Ohio | The oldest of the Buckeyes sent Ohio State to the Granddaddy of all bowls. Devin Barclay, a 26-year-old former pro soccer player, kicked a 39-yard field goal in overtime to give No. 10 Ohio State a 27-24 victory Saturday over No. 15 Iowa and send the Buckeyes to the Rose Bowl for the first time in 13 years.

K-State-Western Illinois basketball preview

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

•WHEN/WHERE: 3:05 p.m. today at Bramlage Coliseum, Manhattan, Kan. •TV/RADIO: Fox Sports KC; WHB (810 AM)

Alexander is great as MU crushes K-State

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:00 CST

MANHATTAN, Kan. | It took perhaps Danario Alexander's most exceptional catch-and-run of an exceptional season, but Missouri's second-half touchdown drought in Big 12 Conference play is over. And so -- with Missouri's 38-12 victory over Kansas State -- are a pair of Bill Snyder whammies over the Tigers.

Henry sets KU debut record for freshman with 27 points

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

LAWRENCE | In one distinct way, Xavier Henry is a lot like most college freshmen. He wants to fit in, to make friends and, overall, for everyone to have a good time. Of course, it is really, really hard for Henry to fit in — especially in Allen Fieldhouse. He is one of the most-anticipated recruits in Kansas history.

On the air

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

Today’s TV | radio COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Five-game planner

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

Chiefs

The Latest Line

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

NFL Today

Starting Times

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

Any area group sponsoring a recreational sports activity the public can participate in is invited to send information to The Kansas City Star Sports Department for Starting Times, published every Tuesday. Write to Jennifer Davis, The Kansas City Star Sports Department, 1729 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, Mo., 64108, fax (816) 234-4360 or e-mail jdavis@kcstar.com. New items will be printed weekly. Information should include: date of activity, starting time, name of activity, site or starting point, target age, entry fee, entry deadline and no more than two contact phone numbers or Web sites.

Chiefs lead Raiders at the half

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:40 CST

OAKLAND | Jamaal Charles broke a 44-yard run and, yes, reached the end zone on the ground for Kansas City's first rushing score of the season. The Chiefs were the last NFL team to score their first rushing TD, but now that streak is broken. Kansas City hopes an imperfect first half, in which the Chiefs hold a 13-10 lead, might be the start of their second victory of the season.

Handy hints: Tree stand safety

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:41 CST

Contrary to popular belief, the majority of hunting accidents are not gunshot wounds. Most people that are hurt during hunting season are injured falling from tree stands.

Cooking: Wild turkey tortilla soup

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:48 CST

Wildlife: Brown recluse

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:55 CST

Handy hints: Building a peanut feeder

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:43 CST

Believe it or not, birds love peanuts. So providing a peanut feeder is an easy way to attract birds to your yard.

BIG 12 Bowl Analysis

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 03:24 CST

“In my post a few days ago, I indicated that I would take KSU against the line. At that time the Cats were favored by 2.5 points. If I would give up the points and take K-State at 2.5, imagine how much more I would take them when MU is favored by 1. That’s 3.5 free points if you haven’t put your money down yet...”read more

What makes a cool factoid?

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 03:12 CST

Every day (or almost every day) I put the coolest factoids I can find (thanks mostly to ESPN) to the left of this page. Anytime I can find something that is related to Kansas City in some way, it will have a higher priority. Sometimes, they are just too long to fit into a single factoid, so I break them up into parts. Sometimes they are too long for that, so I can’t include them. This is one of those.read more

Hawks dismantle the Pride

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:11 CST

OvermatchedI assume everyone who reads my posts also watched the game. Because of that, I see no reason to replay it in English. However, if the word “Impressive” is in the dictionary, then that should cover the game analysis well enough. The 101-65 victory was KU’s 37th straight home opener win and their 42nd straight home victory – which leads the nation. There are a lot of good things to talk about, so let’s get going.read more

Kansas loses big fish

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:57 CST

Self comes up emptyHighly recruited Harrison Barnes (#2 by Rivals and #1 by ESPN) decided to become a Tar Heel this afternoon. Friday the 13th didn’t turn out too good for KU fans. Barnes is considered a freak athlete in that he has a wingspan of a 7 footer and plays like a guard. He’s 6-8”. Being from Iowa, he will join the likes of Hinrich, Collison and LaFrentz who left the state to play for Roy Williams.read more

Jayhawks vs Cornhuskers

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:00 CST

Kansas FootballMangino: “We’re not going to get down from losing games. We’re going to find a way to get better, that’s the way we do it here. We keep looking for solutions. Nobody is feeling bad for themselves, there is nobody pouting. If you go down the hallway to the coaches’ suites, people are working. Players are coming in and asking questions and getting DVDs to watch and things like that. It’s business as usual. We’ve had some kids on occasion or two who don’t handle diversity well. But you prepare them for both - talk about the highs of winning and the lows of losing and the pitfalls that come with losing and all the new things that come with winning.”read more

Fourth quarter summary: Chiefs 16, Raiders 10

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:30 CST

KC _ FG Succop 31; 8 plays, 34 yards, 4:55 drive time, 6:17 remaining Higgins let Colquitt’s punt bounce early in the period, costing Oakland several yards of field position. Oakland took over at its 17 . . . Fargas ran for 15 yards on a third down and 2 to the Oakland 40. On third down from the 47, Mike Brown intercepted a deflected pass, giving the Chiefs the ball at the Oakland 47 . . . The Chiefs immediately went backward on a false start penalty by Rudy Niswanger and a 2-yard sack. Nnamdi Asomugha gave the Chiefs a first down at the Oakland 29 with a pass interference penalty on third down. Two Charles carries brought the Chiefs to the 14. On third and seven from the 11, Cassel’s quarterback draw lost two yards and the Chiefs had to settle for another field goal . . . Alex Magee ended Oakland's possession after three plays with a nine-yard sack, the first QB takedown of his career . . . Charles got the Chiefs' drive started with a nine-yard run to the KC 38. He converted with a five-yard gain to the Chiefs' 43. One play later, a Leonard Pope holding call pushed the Chiefs back to their 36. The Chiefs eventually punted with Oakland taking over at its 20 with 1:53 remaining . . . Two quick Gradkowski passes gained 23 yards and moved Oakland to the 43 with 1:27 remaining. A Gradkowski scramble and a Darren McFadden left Oakland facing a third and one from the KC 48 with 44 seconds left. Gradkowski appeared to hit Heyward-Bey for 22 yards to the 26 with 38 seconds left. Heyward-Bey juggled a pass on the next play and Brown intercepted again with 30 seconds left. read more

Third quarter summary: Chiefs 13, Raiders 10

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:46 CST

Charles returned the kickoff 40 yards to the KC 38 and Cassel moved the Chiefs past midfield with a 13-yard pass to Bowe. Charles ran 12 yards to the Oakland 37 but the drive soon stalled and Succop was wide left on a 52-yard field goal, giving the Raiders the ball at their 43 . . . Five straight runs by Bush to open the possession pushed the Raiders past midfield and to the KC 22. Two plays later, still from the 22, the Raiders lost a 15-yard pass to Miller when they had a lineman downfield and were penalized. Brandon Flowers dropped an easy interception but it didn’t cost the Chiefs when Janikowski was wide left on a 46-yard field goal attempt. It was Janikowski’s first miss of the season . . . The Chiefs retained possession after a Bowe fumble. Both teams had a shot at the ball before Brian Waters recovered for a 35-yard gain to the Oakland 22. On third and 10, a pass to Charles left the Chiefs a yard short of the first down. Instead of taking the field goal, Cassel’s fourth down pass was incomplete . . . . The Raiders ran three plays and punted from deep in their territory. The Chiefs gained possession at the Oakland 48 . . . A handoff between Cassel and Charles went awry on Kansas City’s first play, giving Oakland the ball at the Chiefs’ 48. The Raiders yanked Russell, who was 8 of 23 for 64 yards and replaced him with Bruce Gradkowski. Andy Studebaker, playing for the injured Mike Vrabel, batted down a pass on third down and Oakland punted with the Chiefs taking over late in the period at their 13 . . . Charles was injured on the first play after the punt but left the field without help. read more

Second quarter summary: Chiefs 13, Raiders 10

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:52 CST

KC _ Jamaal Charles 44 run (Succop kick); 6 plays, 66 yards, 1:42 drive time, 12:25 remaining. KC _ FG Succop 25; 7 plays, 67 yards, 2;52 drive time, 6:48 remaining. Charles’ touchdown, the Chiefs’ first rushing TD of the season, came on fourth down and one . . . The Raiders lost a pair of big gains on back to back plays. First Darius Heyward-Bey dropped a deep pass at the KC 2. Then a 53-yard Russell to Louis Murphy pass was called back because of Robert Gallery’s tripping penalty . . . Cassel threw 41 yards to Dwayne Bowe on the Chiefs’ first play to the Oakland 33. One play later, a 24-yard pass to Chambers took the Chiefs to the Oakland 7. Three plays gained nothing and the Chiefs took another field goal . . . Savage went to the locker room with an ankle injury shortly before the half . . . Oakland took over at its 16 with 1:15 left. Russell suddenly found his accuracy. He passed 15 yards to Johnnie Lee Higgins on the first play and nine to Zach Miller on the second. His next two passes were broken up, leaving Oakland with a fourth and one at its 40 with 52 seconds left. Oakland punted, putting the Chiefs at their 11 with 44 seconds left. They were unable to score and took a three-point lead to the locker room. read more

First quarter summary: Raiders 10, Chiefs 3

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:59 CST

Oak _ Justin Fargas 1 run (Sebastian Janikowski kick); 4 plays, 70 yards, 2:18 drive time, 12:42 remaining. KC _ FG Ryan Succop 50; 5 plays, 36 yards, 1:27 drive time, 4:49 remaining. Oak _ FG Janikowski 50; 4 plays, 5 yards, 1:36 drive time, 2:10 remaining. It took the offensively challenged Raiders two plays to make the defensively challenged Chiefs look bad. Michael Bush ran 60 yards through the Chiefs to the KC 4 and Fargas scored two plays later . . . Oakland took possession on Chris Johnson’s interception at the Raiders’ 33. Matt Cassel was looking deep for Chris Chambers deep but Johnson went up and over Chambers to make the catch . . . The Chiefs forced Oakland to punt but the Chiefs for the second time were unable to gain a first down. Dustin Colquitt punted from the KC 10 and Oakland after a penalty on the return took possession at its 37 . . . The Chiefs again held and took possession with decent field position (their 32) for the first time . . . Johnson had great coverage on Chambers down the right sideline, but Chambers made a great catch for a 29-yard gain to the Oakland 39. Dantrell Savage dropped a pass in the flat on third and 3 and the Chiefs had to settle for the field goal . . . JaMarcus Russell threw a couple of off-target passes to open receivers on Oakland’s possession and the Raiders punted. Savage fumbled and Oakland recovered at the KC 37. Oakland gained just 5 yards in three plays but managed the field goal . . . Cassel’s 22-yard pass to Mark Bradley couldn’t quite dig the Chiefs out of a third down and 23 hole and the Chiefs punted. read more

Postgame: Mizzou 38, K-State 12

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:11 CST

Kansas State had no answer for Danario Alexander, couldn't get its running game going and fell victim to the mistakes it has been so good about avoiding all season. For those reasons, the Missouri Tigers easily defeated the Wildcats 38-12. There's not much more to be analyzed from yesterday's game. K-State players said they had already moved on from it in the interview room afterward. With a winner-take-all battle in Lincoln up next there isn't anywhere to look but forward. read more

Harris poll vote, Nov. 15

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:54 CST

Here's my Harris poll vote: 1. Florida. 2. Texas. 3. Alabama. 4. TCU. 5. Cincinnati. 6. Boise State. 7. Georgia Tech. 8. Pittsburgh. 9. LSU. 10. Ohio State. 11. Oregon. 12. Oklahoma State. 13. Iowa. 14. Penn State. 15. Nebraska. 16. North Carolina. 17. Virginia Tech. 18. Stanford. 19. Utah. 20. Southern California. 21. Wisconsin. 22. Clemson. 23. Brigham Young. 24. Miami, Fla., 25. Oregon State.

Top 15-rated Mitchell Commits to Mizzou Hoops

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:27 CST

Tony Mitchell, rated the No. 15 recruit in the nation for the 2010 college basketball class, has confirmed he'll play for Missouri. Mitchell - 6-6 small forward out of Dallas Pinkston High School - confirmed his decision to Rivals.com. On Friday, while attending Missouri's exhibition victory over Northwest Missouri State in Columbia, Mitchell told PowerMizzou.com: "Just the family atmosphere. It wasn't even about basketball so much. It was about my future. And the fans were crazy." read more

KU-Texas at 7 p.m.

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 11:54 CST

The Kansas at Texas game on Saturday will kick off at 7 p.m. and be televised by ABC, the Big 12 announced. Here’s this week’s TV lineup for Big 12 games: Thursday Colorado at Oklahoma State, 6:30 p.m., ESPN Saturday Oklahoma at Texas Tech, 11:30 a.m., FSN Iowa State at Missouri, 1 p.m. Baylor at Texas A&M, 2:30 p.m. Kansas State at Nebraska, 6:45 p.m., ESPN Kansas at Texas, 7 p.m., ABC

New York celebrates, then gets hungry, makes sandwich

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:18 CST

The $200 million Yankees screamed and hugged and waved championship flags on the field of the $1.5 billion Yankee Stadium, the celebration spilling out to the streets, and this is going to sound weird, but it's the absolute truth: The whole thing was a little unimpressive. I don't mean the Yankees, who made their case as one of the very best teams in a generation, or the new stadium, which is amazing, but the celebration, which was, eh. read more

NY vs Philly and wow

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:12 CDT

So, close readers of this blog may remember my occasional point about Kansas City having a bit of an inferiority complex in relation to St. Louis and, well, lots of other stuff. It bugs me at times. Kansas City is a terrific place, for a lot of reasons, and sometimes I wish we as a whole were just a little more secure about that. But I do have to point out that I hope we never swing the other way, and develop a jaw-dropping superiority complex. read more

This is gonna hurt, but the Royals should at least look at trading Joakim Soria

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:51 CDT

Aside from a barstool, there may be no more emotional position in baseball than closer. This is certainly true for Jonathan Papelbon and K-Rod, but more, it's true for the people watching. So long as it doesn't get watered down from blowouts, the best moment at Kauffman Stadium is when the video boards set fire and Slash starts playing "Welcome to the Jungle" and Joakim Soria comes out from the bullpen to throw fastballs at the knees and 67-mph curveballs through bats. read more

Smoke, fire, trade rumors and the Royals

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:34 CDT

Maybe you heard about the unfortunate post on the usually unreliable Bleacher Report website over the weekend. The writer had a "rumor" that had the Brewers considering sending J.J. Hardy, Manny Parra and two prospects to the Royals for -- wait for it -- Zack Greinke. If this is the first you heard of it, I'll wait while you cycle through the normal emotions. "WHAT?!?" (shakes head in disgust) read more

Meteorologist Joe Girardi and Kansas City

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:21 CDT

Joe Girardi is the manager of a team that won 103 games, so that's what matters, and who is this little blog to challenge that? Except that Girardi is apparently set to go with a three-man rotation in the ALCS, despite evidence that suggests modern big league pitchers just aren't effective on three days rest. We should pause for a quick moment here and point out that Girardi knows his team, um, better than some idiot newspaper guy wearing sweats at his kitchen table. The Yankees are paying CC Sabathia $160 million, so, you know, get your money's worth. read more

The Worst Football Game Ever

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:49 CST

There are, officially, six rivalries in the NFL. I realize that some people would suggest that one clueless fool with Internet access cannot make “official” proclamations … but they are wrong. We can. And we do. All the time. You can go all over the Internet and see!

Yes, there are six rivalries in the NFL. [...]

My new screen saver

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:32 CST

Primer’s Baseball Photo of the Day from Fallujah. Happy Veteran’s Day and thank you.

My Desktop Background*

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:32 CST

Primer’s Baseball Photo of the Day from Fallujah. Happy Veteran’s Day and thank you. *I originally put screen saver. I meant to say desktop background.

This Year's Gold Glove Ripoff

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:40 CST

There is little doubt that you are expecting me to follow up that headline by writing about Derek Jeter. But … no.*

*As you might imagine, I have received about two billion jillion shmillion emails the last few days about the Yankees payroll screed I wrote a few days ago — even though I specifically suggested [...]

Hall of Fame Thoughts

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:11 CST

Hall of Fame time already? Well, no. But to beat the rush, here are a few thoughts about four interesting new candidates …

Question: Who is the best eligible hitter who is not in the Hall of Fame? I think this is an interesting question. It’s interesting because the way it is framed we don’t have [...]