KC Replay: Tigers roar past No. 1-ranked South Carolina. And how ‘bout those Chiefs?
All hail the Mizzou women. They’ve accomplished something never seen before in the history of the Tigers’ women’s basketball program.
Missouri took the court shorthanded Thursday night and pulled off a stunning upset of No. 1-ranked South Carolina at Mizzou Arena. It’s the first time the MU women’s hoops program has beaten a top-ranked opponent.
The Chiefs, meanwhile, ran their winning streak to eight games last Sunday with a thorough demolition of Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers. That they did so at blissed-out Arrowhead Stadium made it a truly special day.
More about all of these things, plus a couple of other big-news items from the final week of December, highlight this week’s KC Sports Replay.
Tigers tame Gamecocks
The Tigers did what few believed could be done, especially considering star guard Aijha Blackwell was forced to sit out because of COVID issues.
And she wasn’t the only Tiger sidelined Thursday: Multiple teammates and some of the MU coaching staff were also unavailable.
With just eight players left, MU (12-2) didn’t back down. In fact, the Tigers rose up, pushing unanimously top-ranked South Carolina to overtime and ultimately prevailing 70-69.
The win should go down as one of the greatest victories in the history of Mizzou athletics. And it’s time to start wondering, if you weren’t already, how far this team might advance in the NCAA Tournament.
Curtains for Steelers
The Chiefs ran their record to 11-4 last Sunday with a 36-10 victory over the Steelers.
For Patrick Mahomes, who threw two TDs to former K-State star Byron Pringle, it was a great way to finish a stellar December after a perplexing start to the season. He’d later in the week be honored as the AFC’s Offensive Player of the Month, too.
Multiple Chiefs were unavailable and yet Kansas City still won in a landslide. The good news continued in the days that followed as all Chiefs formerly on the COVID list — including tight end Travis Kelce, wno sat out against Pittsburgh — were cleared to play in this weekend’s game in Cincinnati against the Bengals.
Former Jayhawk injured
Former KU Jayhawks and Sunrise Christian Academy basketball player Gethro Muscadin and his girlfriend were injured in a one-car crash early Thursday morning along the Kansas Turnpike.
The crash occurred as Muscadin and the woman were driving south toward Wichita, the woman’s hometown. Their car went off the road and rolled multiple times, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol. Both 21-year-old occupants were hurt, Muscadin severely.
On Friday, KU coach Bill Self said he’s “praying for miracle” as Muscadin remained in the hospital in Topeka.
Hall of Fame finalists
Jared Allen and Dick Vermeil, the former Chiefs defensive lineman and head coach, respectively, could soon be enshrined in Canton.
Both men were on the short list unveiled this past week for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s final voting on Jan. 18.
Allen, a fourth-round draft pick for the Chiefs in 2004 who became a true star with the Minnesota Vikings, is one of 15 player/coach finalists, while Vermeil, who also coached the Rams and Eagles, is a finalist in the Coach, Contributor and Senior categories.