By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post

On the heels of their first win of the season, the Sacred Heart Knights will host their first true home game this evening against the reigning district champs in Valley Heights.

Sacred Heart bulldozed Pleasanton 29-7 on Saturday, aiding them in improving to 1-2 on the season.

Valley Heights stumbled at Centralia to open their season, but bounced back in strong fashion, defeating Onaga 28-8 in week two, and Doniphan West 33-14 in week three.

The Mustangs have relied on a run-heavy offense, with their lead back, Aiden Unruh, averaging over 12 yards per carry.

Sacred Heart received a huge boost last week with the return of Dom Matteucci to their backfield and secondary.

Matteucci toted the rock 15 times for 61 yards and a score on Saturday, perfectly complimenting Elias Gordon in the ground game.

Tonight’s game will be streamed on Salina Post courtesy of Salina Surgical Hospital.

You can watch the full broadcast of this game below. Pregame coverage will begin at 6:40 with kickoff from JRI Stadium at 7.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina PostOn the heels of their first win of the season, the Sacred Heart Knights will host their first true home game this evening against the reigning district champs in Valley Heights.Sacred Heart bulldozed Pleasanton 29-7 on Saturday, aiding them in improving to 1-2 on the season.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746812152965.jpeg" alt="Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here." />
 <figcaption>Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here.</figcaption>
 </figure>Valley Heights stumbled at Centralia to open their season, but bounced back in strong fashion, defeating Onaga 28-8 in week two, and Doniphan West 33-14 in week three.The Mustangs have relied on a run-heavy offense, with their lead back, Aiden Unruh, averaging over 12 yards per carry.Sacred Heart received a huge boost last week with the return of Dom Matteucci to their backfield and secondary.Matteucci toted the rock 15 times for 61 yards and a score on Saturday, perfectly complimenting Elias Gordon in the ground game.Tonight’s game will be streamed on Salina Post courtesy of Salina Surgical Hospital.You can watch the full broadcast of this game below. Pregame coverage will begin at 6:40 with kickoff from JRI Stadium at 7.<figure>
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🏈 Sacred Heart hosts district champs to open home slate

The Abilene Cowboys will face the biggest test of their season to date on Friday night when they return home to host the fourth-ranked Rock Creek Mustangs.

Rock Creek has flown out of the gates to a 3-0 start, bookending an impressive 21-13 victory over 4A Wamego with 50+ point shutouts of Bishop Ward and Bonner Springs.

Abilene has developed a propensity for playing in close games, holding off Chapman 16-12 and coming back to defeat Concordia 27-23 en route to a 2-1 start.

The two sides have met just three times since the turn of the century, with the Mustangs leading the series 2-1 in that span, including a dominant 42-6 win in St. George last year.

For the Cowboys, having success tonight will hinge on two things: their ability to run the football and the quarterback play of dual-threat QB Taygen Funston.

Those feats will be easier said than done; the Mustang defense is allowing just three rushing yards a game through three weeks, and has allowed just one rushing touchdown in their last 11 regular-season games.

Rock Creek is led by a bruising rush attack of their own, with tailback Zion Bell averaging nearly seven yards per carry.

This game will be broadcast as part of our Salina Regional Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Game of the Week series and is presented by Abilene Termite and Pest Control.

You can watch the full broadcast of this game below, pregame coverage will begin at 6:40.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina PostThe Abilene Cowboys will face the biggest test of their season to date on Friday night when they return home to host the fourth-ranked Rock Creek Mustangs.Rock Creek has flown out of the gates to a 3-0 start, bookending an impressive 21-13 victory over 4A Wamego with 50+ point shutouts of Bishop Ward and Bonner Springs.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746812152965.jpeg" alt="Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here." />
 <figcaption>Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here.</figcaption>
 </figure>Abilene has developed a propensity for playing in close games, holding off Chapman 16-12 and coming back to defeat Concordia 27-23 en route to a 2-1 start.The two sides have met just three times since the turn of the century, with the Mustangs leading the series 2-1 in that span, including a dominant 42-6 win in St. George last year.For the Cowboys, having success tonight will hinge on two things: their ability to run the football and the quarterback play of dual-threat QB Taygen Funston.Those feats will be easier said than done; the Mustang defense is allowing just three rushing yards a game through three weeks, and has allowed just one rushing touchdown in their last 11 regular-season games.Rock Creek is led by a bruising rush attack of their own, with tailback Zion Bell averaging nearly seven yards per carry.This game will be broadcast as part of our Salina Regional Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Game of the Week series and is presented by Abilene Termite and Pest Control.You can watch the full broadcast of this game below, pregame coverage will begin at 6:40.<figure>
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🏈 Cowboys face big home test in Rock Creek on Friday night

<a>MANHATTAN, Kan.</a>&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kansas State senior offensive lineman&nbsp;Sam Hecht&nbsp;has been named a semifinalist for one of the most prestigious honors in major college football, the William V. Campbell Trophy, the National Football Foundation (NFF) has announced.

Hecht is one of 178 semifinalists from all NCAA divisions and the NAIA for the award that recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.

A native of Shawnee, Kansas, Hecht is the 12th Wildcat semifinalist for the award in as many years, joining Tyler Lockett (2014), Stanton Weber (2015), Will Davis (2016), Trent Tanking (2017), Dalton Risner (2018), Adam Holtorf (2019), Tyler Burns (2020), Landry Weber (2021), Adrian Martinez (2022), Cooper Beebe (2023) and Austin Moore (2024). Lockett, Risner, Holtorf, Martinez and Beebe were all named finalists for the award.

“This year’s 178 semifinalists represent the very best of what it means to play college football,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, whose sons Peyton (Campbell Trophy winner) and Eli were named NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. “They have excelled in the classroom, distinguished themselves on the field, and proven to be leaders in their communities. The Campbell Trophy stands as a reminder that football develops complete individuals, and these young men embody that tradition at the highest level.”

Hecht has started each of the last 17 games at center dating back to the 2024 season opener. On the watch list for this year’s Outland Trophy and Rimington Trophy, Hecht led an offensive line unit that helped the 2024 Wildcats set school records in rushing yards per carry (6.08) and offensive yards per play (6.57) as they finished second and 13th nationally in those two categories, respectively. The K-State offensive line also surrendered only 13 sacks on the season, its fewest since 2000, while the Wildcats’ 1.00 sacks allowed per game ranked 10th nationally. Additionally, he was penalized just twice over his team-high 840 offensive snaps last season.

A three-time Academic All-Big 12 honoree, Hecht was also named to the Academic All-District Team by College Sports Communicators. Away from the field, he has been involved in numerous community-service projects.

<a>MANHATTAN, Kan.</a>&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kansas State senior offensive lineman&nbsp;Sam Hecht&nbsp;has been named a semifinalist for one of the most prestigious honors in major college football, the William V. Campbell Trophy, the National Football Foundation (NFF) has announced.Hecht is one of 178 semifinalists from all NCAA divisions and the NAIA for the award that recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.A native of Shawnee, Kansas, Hecht is the 12th Wildcat semifinalist for the award in as many years, joining Tyler Lockett (2014), Stanton Weber (2015), Will Davis (2016), Trent Tanking (2017), Dalton Risner (2018), Adam Holtorf (2019), Tyler Burns (2020), Landry Weber (2021), Adrian Martinez (2022), Cooper Beebe (2023) and Austin Moore (2024). Lockett, Risner, Holtorf, Martinez and Beebe were all named finalists for the award.“This year’s 178 semifinalists represent the very best of what it means to play college football,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, whose sons Peyton (Campbell Trophy winner) and Eli were named NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. “They have excelled in the classroom, distinguished themselves on the field, and proven to be leaders in their communities. The Campbell Trophy stands as a reminder that football develops complete individuals, and these young men embody that tradition at the highest level.”Hecht has started each of the last 17 games at center dating back to the 2024 season opener. On the watch list for this year’s Outland Trophy and Rimington Trophy, Hecht led an offensive line unit that helped the 2024 Wildcats set school records in rushing yards per carry (6.08) and offensive yards per play (6.57) as they finished second and 13th nationally in those two categories, respectively. The K-State offensive line also surrendered only 13 sacks on the season, its fewest since 2000, while the Wildcats’ 1.00 sacks allowed per game ranked 10th nationally. Additionally, he was penalized just twice over his team-high 840 offensive snaps last season.A three-time Academic All-Big 12 honoree, Hecht was also named to the Academic All-District Team by College Sports Communicators. Away from the field, he has been involved in numerous community-service projects.

K-State’s Hecht Named Semifinalist for Campbell Trophy

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Vinnie Pasquantino homered and drove in three runs, Bobby Witt Jr. had four hits and the Kansas City Royals beat the Los Angeles Angels 9-4 on Thursday night.

Michael Lorenzen (7-11) gave up two earned runs and five hits with a season-high nine strikeouts and no walks in 5 2/3 innings for the Royals.

Jo Adell, Nolan Schanuel and Mike Trout each homered for the Angels. Trout’s two-run shot — his 23rd of the season and 401st of his career — cut Kansas City's lead to 5-4 in eighth.

However, the Royals scored four in the top of the ninth, a rally highlighted by Salvador Perez’s two-out, three-run double off Angels reliever Sam Bachman, to pull away.

Mitch Farris (1-3) gave up four earned runs and five hits in five innings, striking out five and walking two, for the Angels, who have lost 11 of 13 games.

Pasquantino’s team-leading 32nd homer, a two-run shot to right field in the first, gave him a team-high 110 RBIs on the season. Adell pulled the Angels to 2-1 in the second with his team-high 37th homer.

Pasquantino had a run-scoring fielder’s choice in the third and Witt had an RBI double in the fifth to push the lead to 5-1.

Schanuel’s solo shot in the sixth brought the Angels back within two, but Adam Frazier’s pinch-hit RBI single in the eight made it 5-2.

Bachman was one strike away from escaping a bases-loaded jam in the ninth, but Perez hit a drive off the base of the center-field wall for his game-breaking hit.

The Angels struck out 13 times, bringing their major league-leading total to 1,603 — tied for fourth-most in major league history. With three games left, the Angels are 51 shy of Minnesota’s single-season record of 1,654 strikeouts, set in 2023.

Angels RHP Kyle Hendricks (8-10, 4.79 ERA) will start against Astros RHP Jason Alexander (4-2, 4.83 ERA) at home on Friday.

Royals LHP Noah Cameron (9-7, 2.90 ERA) will start against Athletics RHP Luis Morales (4-2, 3.07) on Friday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758868468549.jpeg" alt="Photo Kansas City Royals" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas City Royals</figcaption>
 </figure>ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Vinnie Pasquantino homered and drove in three runs, Bobby Witt Jr. had four hits and the Kansas City Royals beat the Los Angeles Angels 9-4 on Thursday night.Michael Lorenzen (7-11) gave up two earned runs and five hits with a season-high nine strikeouts and no walks in 5 2/3 innings for the Royals.Jo Adell, Nolan Schanuel and Mike Trout each homered for the Angels. Trout’s two-run shot — his 23rd of the season and 401st of his career — cut Kansas City's lead to 5-4 in eighth.However, the Royals scored four in the top of the ninth, a rally highlighted by Salvador Perez’s two-out, three-run double off Angels reliever Sam Bachman, to pull away.Mitch Farris (1-3) gave up four earned runs and five hits in five innings, striking out five and walking two, for the Angels, who have lost 11 of 13 games.Pasquantino’s team-leading 32nd homer, a two-run shot to right field in the first, gave him a team-high 110 RBIs on the season. Adell pulled the Angels to 2-1 in the second with his team-high 37th homer.Pasquantino had a run-scoring fielder’s choice in the third and Witt had an RBI double in the fifth to push the lead to 5-1.Schanuel’s solo shot in the sixth brought the Angels back within two, but Adam Frazier’s pinch-hit RBI single in the eight made it 5-2.<h2>Key moment</h2>Bachman was one strike away from escaping a bases-loaded jam in the ninth, but Perez hit a drive off the base of the center-field wall for his game-breaking hit.<h2>Key stat</h2>The Angels struck out 13 times, bringing their major league-leading total to 1,603 — tied for fourth-most in major league history. With three games left, the Angels are 51 shy of Minnesota’s single-season record of 1,654 strikeouts, set in 2023.<h2>Up next</h2>Angels RHP Kyle Hendricks (8-10, 4.79 ERA) will start against Astros RHP Jason Alexander (4-2, 4.83 ERA) at home on Friday.Royals LHP Noah Cameron (9-7, 2.90 ERA) will start against Athletics RHP Luis Morales (4-2, 3.07) on Friday.

⚾ Pasquantino homers, Witt gets 4 hits as Royals beat Angels

Kansas Wesleyan Men's Soccer played its first Kansas Conference home game of the 2025 season on Wednesday night against the York University Panthers. KWU got a goal in each half to come away with the 2-1 win at JRI Hospitality Stadium at the Graves Family Sports Complex.

Both teams entered the match undefeated in conference play as KWU was 1-0-1 and York was 1-0.

The first half was evenly played with both teams having ample chances.

The Coyotes would get on the board first in the 45th minute as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/984eb7ed-4f22-437f-8711-133362d73820?elinkdata=29584">Brennen Lamont</a> sent a ball in from the right side to <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/0e124066-d940-4a0e-b0ab-18937553b00b?elinkdata=29584">Leonardo Palencia</a> at the far post who shot and scored.

In the 49th minute, the Coyotes extended the lead. After <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/53961ba6-6c8f-44fc-9a19-de7b42fda039?elinkdata=29584">Emilio Rodriguez's</a> shot was saved out of bounds, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/2fb1da59-1d56-41ca-ac93-0a2d115e6edc?elinkdata=29584">Seth Flores</a> took the subsequent corner kick and found the head of <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/d1cf5a1a-aac0-4651-8c21-572742e32f86?elinkdata=29584">Skyler Denny</a> for the goal.

York got a goal in the 61st minute from Asaph Achero.

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/8c129b0e-2a99-4185-a91e-b23e66358ad3?elinkdata=29584">Noel Zimbeva</a> had three shots for the Coyotes to help KWU to an 11-8 advantage on shots. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/aebe8494-3b92-4836-ba38-d738de2c9a6d?elinkdata=29584">Shae Wirt</a> had four saves in goal.

Kansas Wesleyan Men's Soccer played its first Kansas Conference home game of the 2025 season on Wednesday night against the York University Panthers. KWU got a goal in each half to come away with the 2-1 win at JRI Hospitality Stadium at the Graves Family Sports Complex.Both teams entered the match undefeated in conference play as KWU was 1-0-1 and York was 1-0.The first half was evenly played with both teams having ample chances.The Coyotes would get on the board first in the 45th minute as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/984eb7ed-4f22-437f-8711-133362d73820?elinkdata=29584">Brennen Lamont</a> sent a ball in from the right side to <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/0e124066-d940-4a0e-b0ab-18937553b00b?elinkdata=29584">Leonardo Palencia</a> at the far post who shot and scored.In the 49th minute, the Coyotes extended the lead. After <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/53961ba6-6c8f-44fc-9a19-de7b42fda039?elinkdata=29584">Emilio Rodriguez's</a> shot was saved out of bounds, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/2fb1da59-1d56-41ca-ac93-0a2d115e6edc?elinkdata=29584">Seth Flores</a> took the subsequent corner kick and found the head of <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/d1cf5a1a-aac0-4651-8c21-572742e32f86?elinkdata=29584">Skyler Denny</a> for the goal.York got a goal in the 61st minute from Asaph Achero.<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/8c129b0e-2a99-4185-a91e-b23e66358ad3?elinkdata=29584">Noel Zimbeva</a> had three shots for the Coyotes to help KWU to an 11-8 advantage on shots. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/aebe8494-3b92-4836-ba38-d738de2c9a6d?elinkdata=29584">Shae Wirt</a> had four saves in goal.

⚽️ KWU MSOC gets 2-1 win over York in home conference debut

Kansas Wesleyan Women's Soccer played its first KCAC home match of the 2025 season on Wednesday as the Coyotes came away with a 2-0 win over the York University Panthers at JRI Hospitality Stadium at the Graves Family Sports Complex.

The victory pushed KWU's record to 4-3-1 overall and 2-1 in the KCAC.

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/c42ffe9b-9bd3-4a30-9833-fa7209862c13?elinkdata=29551">Brooklyn Velotta</a> got Wesleyan's first goal in the 20th minute. She was able to outbattle a defender for the ball after a pass was sent by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a83d0e9f-b3e6-4c19-8165-9aab83527c84?elinkdata=29551">Adriyanna Botello</a>. Velotta's nofty work would end positively as she went high over the keeper's head for the goal.

Freshman <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/8d7858df-a288-48db-9c33-b762a9a5244d?elinkdata=29551">Abby Perez</a> got her first varsity collegiate goal in the 78th minute to extend the Coyote lead. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/6f356503-7cd1-410e-b6b4-6b97ecde8870?elinkdata=29551">Emma Bachman</a> sent a ball into the box on a shot that was initially saved, but the ball bounced right to Perez who sent it into the back of the net.

Velotta had four of KWU's 14 shots as the Coyotes held a 14-11 advantage in the category. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5003434f-83a8-4105-a921-e2e89a2e54ff?elinkdata=29551">Isabella Galvan</a> had four saves in goal while recording the clean sheet.

Kansas Wesleyan Women's Soccer played its first KCAC home match of the 2025 season on Wednesday as the Coyotes came away with a 2-0 win over the York University Panthers at JRI Hospitality Stadium at the Graves Family Sports Complex.The victory pushed KWU's record to 4-3-1 overall and 2-1 in the KCAC.<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/c42ffe9b-9bd3-4a30-9833-fa7209862c13?elinkdata=29551">Brooklyn Velotta</a> got Wesleyan's first goal in the 20th minute. She was able to outbattle a defender for the ball after a pass was sent by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a83d0e9f-b3e6-4c19-8165-9aab83527c84?elinkdata=29551">Adriyanna Botello</a>. Velotta's nofty work would end positively as she went high over the keeper's head for the goal.Freshman <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/8d7858df-a288-48db-9c33-b762a9a5244d?elinkdata=29551">Abby Perez</a> got her first varsity collegiate goal in the 78th minute to extend the Coyote lead. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/6f356503-7cd1-410e-b6b4-6b97ecde8870?elinkdata=29551">Emma Bachman</a> sent a ball into the box on a shot that was initially saved, but the ball bounced right to Perez who sent it into the back of the net.Velotta had four of KWU's 14 shots as the Coyotes held a 14-11 advantage in the category. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5003434f-83a8-4105-a921-e2e89a2e54ff?elinkdata=29551">Isabella Galvan</a> had four saves in goal while recording the clean sheet.

⚽️ Coyote WSOC gets 2-0 win over York in KCAC home debut

YORK, Neb. - Kansas Wesleyan Women's Volleyball ended a three-game skid on Wednesday night as the Coyotes swept the York University Panthers 25-17, 25-17, 25-22 inside the Freeman Center.

The first set was close with the Coyotes leading 7-6 when a kill by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/d52430b9-1422-4a72-ab09-df9f4d2e2c1a?elinkdata=29518">Madelyn Wolf</a> started a 4-0 run to push the lead out to 11-6. KWU led 17-12 when KWU scored four straight again to take a 21-12 lead. KWU had set point at 24-15 and had to hold off two challenges from the Panthers before <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5c0d6503-72b5-4728-8a44-22be100a2b72?elinkdata=29518">Kate Bebout's</a> kill closed out the set.

York raced out to a 4-0 lead to start the second set but KWU got things going on a 6-0 run that turned a 5-2 deficit into an 8-5 lead. It was 15-13 when the Coyotes got two straight points and later used a 4-0 spurt to take a 22-15 lead in the set. York got two points before the Coyotes closed out the set with three straight.

KWU led 9-3 in the third set, but a 6-0 York run tied things up at 9. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/45abaa75-b147-4156-9888-0e0a431f4b6b?elinkdata=29518">Kylee Harris</a> stopped the York run with a kill after a KWU timeout, but the Panthers would score two to take a 11-10 lead. The advantage went back and forth several times and the set was tied at 22 when the Coyotes turned to senior <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/dbcc7c84-973e-49dd-98a0-b64751a168b7?elinkdata=29518">Rylee Serpan</a> for three straight kills to end the match.

Serpan led Coyotes with 13 kills and hit .556 in the match. The Coyotes hit an impressive .411 as a team. Wolf had 10 kills and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/d7ecf95e-e0da-4d66-b3fd-3df19c68ba77?elinkdata=29518">Joey Pennington</a> added 10 as well. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/fe82583c-74dd-4d84-bb34-61515b0e813c?elinkdata=29518">Sara Bebout</a> had 27 assists and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/23bf17a7-ce85-450a-95e1-15665a904526?elinkdata=29518">Blair Pennington</a> had 16. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/1c10e18f-4ff9-4154-b08f-7983d50091f0?elinkdata=29518">Kori Arnold</a> had 16 digs and three service aces.

YORK, Neb. - Kansas Wesleyan Women's Volleyball ended a three-game skid on Wednesday night as the Coyotes swept the York University Panthers 25-17, 25-17, 25-22 inside the Freeman Center.The first set was close with the Coyotes leading 7-6 when a kill by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/d52430b9-1422-4a72-ab09-df9f4d2e2c1a?elinkdata=29518">Madelyn Wolf</a> started a 4-0 run to push the lead out to 11-6. KWU led 17-12 when KWU scored four straight again to take a 21-12 lead. KWU had set point at 24-15 and had to hold off two challenges from the Panthers before <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5c0d6503-72b5-4728-8a44-22be100a2b72?elinkdata=29518">Kate Bebout's</a> kill closed out the set.York raced out to a 4-0 lead to start the second set but KWU got things going on a 6-0 run that turned a 5-2 deficit into an 8-5 lead. It was 15-13 when the Coyotes got two straight points and later used a 4-0 spurt to take a 22-15 lead in the set. York got two points before the Coyotes closed out the set with three straight.KWU led 9-3 in the third set, but a 6-0 York run tied things up at 9. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/45abaa75-b147-4156-9888-0e0a431f4b6b?elinkdata=29518">Kylee Harris</a> stopped the York run with a kill after a KWU timeout, but the Panthers would score two to take a 11-10 lead. The advantage went back and forth several times and the set was tied at 22 when the Coyotes turned to senior <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/dbcc7c84-973e-49dd-98a0-b64751a168b7?elinkdata=29518">Rylee Serpan</a> for three straight kills to end the match.Serpan led Coyotes with 13 kills and hit .556 in the match. The Coyotes hit an impressive .411 as a team. Wolf had 10 kills and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/d7ecf95e-e0da-4d66-b3fd-3df19c68ba77?elinkdata=29518">Joey Pennington</a> added 10 as well. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/fe82583c-74dd-4d84-bb34-61515b0e813c?elinkdata=29518">Sara Bebout</a> had 27 assists and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/23bf17a7-ce85-450a-95e1-15665a904526?elinkdata=29518">Blair Pennington</a> had 16. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/1c10e18f-4ff9-4154-b08f-7983d50091f0?elinkdata=29518">Kori Arnold</a> had 16 digs and three service aces.

🏐 KWU WVB sweeps York

Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid Quotes

OPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“Alright, I don’t have any injuries for you. Everybody’s going to practice today, so that’s a positive. Look forward to the challenge of playing the Ravens. (They’re a) good football team, we’ve played them the last couple of years. We think they know us, and we know them, pretty much, so it should be heck of a battle. Look forward to that challenge and look forward to coming back here to (GEHA Field at) Arrowhead (Stadium) and playing. Anyways, with that time is yours.”

Q: On the play Isiah Pacheo was running lateral.

REID:&nbsp;“It was just the release on it. We weren’t trying – not once or twice. We don’t want that. He (Isiah Pacheco) was trying to chip on the tackle and got caught up in there and it bumped him out too wide. We’ll fix that.”

Q: Has optimism grown for the potential return of Xavier Worthy this week?

Q: How important is it to see Xavier Worthy in practice?

REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, I mean we will just evaluate him (Xavier Worthy) and take it day by day. But he feels good, so we’ll see.”

Q: How have you guys’ adjusted week in and week out with rotations in the wide receiver room?

REID:&nbsp;“I think one of the great things is that Pat (Mahomes) has been able to get some game time with a couple of guys he didn’t have a lot of game time with between Hollywood (Brown) and 80 (Tyquan Thornton). I think it’s a positive thing and then when the other guys come in, then he’s got experience with them. I look at the production of the other two guys, Hollywood and Thornton, and it’s been – I think that’s a real positive for the team going down the road here.”

Q: On Patrick Mahomes throwing deeper this season.

REID:&nbsp;“We practiced it. You’ve got to practice that. The percentages go down on long balls anyways compared to the short intermediate gains the further you go down the field. So, you’ve got to put in the time there and practice it and as coaches we got to make sure we give them an opportunity to do that before game time. We spent a little bit more time with that, so it would be a part of the offense. And then he (Patrick Mahomes) could get used to these guys doing the routes.”

Q: After halftime did you guys come out more confident offensively?

REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, I thought it was better the second half for sure. It ended on a good note that way, but you’ve got to build on that, when you’re going against a good defense. So, you got to make sure we take care of business this week. Make sure we detail our work.”

<a>Q</a>: What do you see from the Ravens defensively?

REID:&nbsp;“Well (Defensive Coordinator Zach) Orr, he’s a good one – defensive coordinator. He brings guys from all over when needed and at the same time they play good sound defense on top of that. They’ve got good players. I’m sure he will have some change ups from what he did with us last time. We’ll just have to adjust to it. But he does a nice job with that defense (and) he has a lot of flexibility there of what he can do and with the players.”

Q: What do you expect from the Ravens?

REID:&nbsp;“They’re a tough football team. It should be a good tough football game, and that’s the way you prepare yourself, sure.”

Q: On Jawaan Taylor and penalties.

REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, when he doesn’t have the penalties, his percentage has been good. You can argue (he is) one of the better tackles in his pass protection game. So, I’m conscious of that, and then I’ll take care of it from there.”

Q: Are you surprised that the offensive line hasn’t been more effective with the running game?

REID:&nbsp;“I thought that this past week was one of their better games. I thought they came together there and did some good things (with the) run game and pass (game).”

Q: What does JuJu Smith-Schuster bring to the wide receiver room?

REID:&nbsp;“He’s (JuJu Smith-Schuster) great in the room as a leader, a good man, works hard and does things the right way. He’s not afraid to speak up when he sees something, which is great for the young guys here. Then he’s a good football player, he understands space and big bodies. He’s not afraid to go anywhere on the football field or anybody. So, that’s his benefit there.”

Q:&nbsp;On taking more shots down the field.

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think just with the guys that we have, I’ve kind of put it on myself to give guys chances down the field and even though we haven’t performed offensively as a whole, I think the entire year so far, as far as efficient and scoring points the way we want to, we’ve made an emphasis to give guys chances down the field to make plays and guys have made those plays. That started in training camp (and) that started in OTAs. I told guys to hold me accountable, and I wanted to hold myself accountable that I give the guys chances to make plays and they’re proving that they can make them.”

Q:&nbsp;How does it feel to wind-up on your throws?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“It’s still something that I have to continue to get better and better at. I think that there’s more opportunities to make these plays in the games and these first few weeks. I think it just gives me the confidence when guys like Tyquan (Thornton) come down with the catch that he did. That I can keep forcing the ball down the field and let them make plays. We’ll continue to get better and better at that as well as the rest of the offense, but it’s always super exciting when you get a chance to throw the ball down the field.”

Q:&nbsp;How have you been able to maintain each receiver that steps into a new role to stay within the system?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“Obviously, there’s things here and there that you have to work on, but I think more than anything the guys are putting in the work during the week. I think for us at the end of the day whenever we start getting these guys back like Xavier (Worthy) and Rashee (Rice) when he gets back it’s going to make us even better because guys had to step up and they have, and they’ve stepped up and made plays and you’ve seen Hollywood (Brown), you’ve seen JuJu (Smith-Schuster) (and) you’ve seen Tyquan (Thornton) all step up into their roles and have even bigger roles within the offense. We’ll continue to get better and better as the season goes, but it’ll be an important week this week.”

Q:&nbsp;What does JuJu Smith-Schuster mean to the wide receiver room?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“He’s (JuJu Smith-Schuster) kinda like the leader of those guys. He’s someone who has been there and done it. He’s won the Super Bowl, he’s had big 1,000 yard receiving seasons (and) he’s been in all different types of offenses, so he can be that guy that they lean on and ask questions to and then I think he does a great job when his number gets called in the game to make the plays happen and being available whenever I need someone to throw to. (He) has a good feel for the defenses and what the defenses are presenting so he’s someone that is super important to that room in general, but he’s stepped up whenever we needed him to these first few weeks and made plays happen.”

Q:&nbsp;What signs did you see in the second half that show the offense is getting closer?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think just the execution. We cleaned up our execution. I got the ball out, made the right decisions and the right throws. I think that’s the most important thing, just making the throws (and) making the throws whenever they are there. Getting the ball out of my hand and letting guys make plays happen. I did that in the second half, and the only drive that we didn’t score was when I missed Tyquan (Thornton). It just proves that if you make the throws that the offense can be productive and can have the progress that we want, I just gotta go out and make the plays happen.”

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think you see that we’re able to throw the ball down the field a little bit more now because of that. It’s just a product of the teams that we played and them testing our young offensive linemen. I think our offensive line has done a great job at picking up those blitzes and giving me opportunities. That’s why you’ve been able to see some of these deep shots down the field and you gotta be able to execute and showcase that you can hit those throws and if you do that, they’ll adjust then we have to adjust as well. That’s what’s beautiful about the NFL is that you have to be able to adjust on the fly and make things happen.”

Q:&nbsp;How much input do you have on the plays that go into the playbook for the game?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“(Head) Coach (Andy) Reid gives me free roam that if I don’t like a play to just tell him and he’ll take them out of there. We do a good job; they communicate with me throughout the week. It starts yesterday or even the day before on Monday of just kinda just talking about stuff that they’re thinking about, and I communicate what I’m seeing, and I trust in Coach Reid that he’s going to make the game plan the way that he has done for a long time now and he always makes great ones. I think more than anything is trusting in him and telling him whenever I’m not feeling the play that I’m not feeling.”

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“Stuff evolves for sure just because I’ve seen more and more defenses and know the team more and more and know what we’re trying to do. I think more than anything the trust that he (Head Coach Andy Reid) has with me has gotten even more and more just throughout the years and a lot of those times, especially when I go to the sideline there before a timeout or a review with the Tyquan (Thornton) play and then we talk about it and I tell him a play that I like (and) he’ll call it. He has that trust in me that I’m seeing it right out on the football field and he gives me a chance to go out there and make it happen.”

Q:&nbsp;On having Rashee Rice back in the facility.

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“It’s huge. Just having a guy that you work with every single week all training camp (and) all offseason and then having him (Rashee Rice) back in the building, he always has a smile on his face and you can tell the guys (that) they like him and kinda like JuJu (Smith-Schuster)&nbsp; he’s kinda been one of those guys that has been here and he’s won a Super Bowl and even though he’s young, he can be a leader for those guys in the room of how we work and how we get after things. Obviously, he can’t practice but he can be in the meetings listening to stuff that we’re working on. (He) definitely gives a boost to the whole receiving room and the whole offense.”

Q:&nbsp;What are your conversations like with the referees in the game?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“More than anything, they’re just communicating different things that they’re seeing, and you might ask alignment stuff or the motion type things and the timings and stuff like that just to make sure that we’re doing everything the right way and everything the way that we’re supposed to. That’s stuff that we have to continue to get better and better at. But just keeping an open dialogue because those guys are trying to make the game go as smoothly as possible and want us to go out there and let the players dictate the game and so we try and have that open communication with them and I think that is kinda like every QB in the league, you have those communications like that.”

Q:&nbsp;Do you feel like the running game has momentum?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“Yeah, we want to be balanced. Every team in the NFL does and I thought that this last week we did a better job at running the ball and I thought the offensive line did a good job of doing the run blocking together and the chemistry building between them and I know that you saw Monday night at the Ravens, but they’re a prideful group. I don’t think they’re gonna be very happy with the film, and they’re going to come out with the mentality of stopping the run, so it’ll be a great test for us. To be able to go up there and to run the football and then to be able to pass off of it will be important to us. Stay balanced and go up against a team that is going to be as hungry as we are. It’ll be a great football game this weekend.”

Q:&nbsp;Is your trust increasing the offensive line over the first three weeks?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“100%. I think that’s been huge. This last defensive line that we played had all type of first rounders (and) all type of talent and our offensive line did a great job at giving me time to throw the ball down the field and my feet you can tell are a little more calm because I understand that these guys can protect and they can get me time to make these throws and I’ll continue to get better and better at that and try and make some of these throws more accurate down the field and instead of hitting one to two a game, making that three to four and then five to six and then defenses will back up and it will help us out with other stuff within the offense. I’m just excited for where this offense is going, I know it hasn’t been a perfect product that we put out there so far but there’s a lot of good too.”

Q:&nbsp;How do you approach this week from an execution and mentality standpoint?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“For us, we got to start faster. Every game we’ve kind of said that, and we haven’t really got to do that. We were moving the ball early in the game last week, but we were settling with field goals and when you play teams that are really good and have dynamic quarterbacks like the Ravens do, you got to turn those into touchdowns. That will not only put pressure on them, but it unleashes (Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo) Spags to be able to do what he wants to do, and you always see when we get leads, he’s a great finisher. He’s a great closer of being able to give you different looks and stuff like that. We gotta take pressure off our defense and put pressure onto them by starting faster, and we can be better at that this week.”

Q:&nbsp;On what was going through his head when he threw backwards to Isiah Pacheco.

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I just got to see where I’m throwing before I throw it. We called a play, and you don’t want those short completions in that two-minute type tempo. We say ‘take the incompletion,’ and so I kind of had went to burn it at his feet and then seeing him as I was throwing it, obviously he was backwards and&nbsp; that’s why I knew immediately when I threw it. You’ve got to see the guy before you throw it there. I’m obviously trying to throw it out to him in the flat and everything like that. But I got to see where he is at. He was trying to chip and give me some time to throw down the field. Luckily, I was able to get the ball back and the defense was able to get us a huge stop for us there at the end of the half. But I have to be better at not just throwing it blindly, just knowing where those guys are before I throw it at their feet.”

Q:&nbsp;Are there any passes you wanted back versus just a matter of communication.

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“The one that I for sure wanted back was the post one before the half. I knew that once Tyquan (Thornton) won I knew that the backside guy had gotten held by the route we had, the backside safety. I could probably put that ball out further, I threw it more across the field but with the leverage that the corner had I wish I would have thrown it further and just let Tyquan run underneath it, it probably (would’ve been) a touchdown if I did that. Then the one that was on the third and short was more of a miss communication. If I had more time, I could’ve sold it a little more but it was a run play, so I didn’t want linemen down field so I wanted Tyquan’s eyes back a little bit earlier but he sees the open space and so that is just communication stuff that we can work on. He’s in a bigger role and stuff that he’s never done before, so that will be important. Obviously, we missed a touchdown and still win the game, and he’ll learn from that, and we will hit it next time we get the opportunity.”

Q:&nbsp;On Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and what he does for the defense.

KARLAFTIS:&nbsp;“Yeah, he’s (Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo) such a master at what he does. In game planning, knowing what the opponents (are) going to do and the game theory side of it. ‘I think that he thinks I’m going to do this’, type thing. He’s really really good at that. He’s incredible at game planning, putting guys in positions to make plays, and playing to our strengths. Just awesome at what he does, and we’ve had a lot of success because of him.”

Q:&nbsp;What does it take to play against Lamar Jackson?

KARLAFTIS: “It takes all 11 I can tell you that (laughs). We got so much respect for the dude, not just him but their whole offense, really their whole team. They’re tough; they do stuff the right way. Lamar specifically is so athletic, but he’s such an accurate quarterback. I don’t think he gets enough respect for that. He really can do it all, and I’ve talked about this before, he’s one of those elite quarterbacks that really can do it all, he’s MVP and all this stuff. Definitely a lot of respect for him, and it’s going to take everything we got to stop him.”

Q:&nbsp;How’s the preparation for RB Derrick Henry?

KARLAFTIS:&nbsp;“When you play against a guy like that (Ravens RB Derrick Henry) you can’t make any mistakes. If one guy is out of your gap, he’s gone. It’s all about being detailed in the run game, being detailed and executing your assignment (and) trusting the scheme of the coach and your responsibility and executing. Just like I said he’s a beast, he can make all the plays, he can make everything happen. Big runs, we want to avoid that obviously and executing our scheme and playing to the best of our abilities.”

Q:&nbsp;How much have you enjoyed the opportunity to play?

THORNTON:&nbsp;“Man, it’s fun man. Going out there and fighting with my guys. Going out there and competing (and) playing the game, I enjoy it a lot.”

Q:&nbsp;How much are you still learning?

THORNTON:&nbsp;“I’m learning a lot. I learn every day. I learn a little bit from my teammates – taking the little things from some of the veteran players on how I can be better at the little things and going out there each and every day on the practice field and challenging myself.”

Q:&nbsp;What’s different about tracking and adjusting to Patrick Mahomes’ deep ball?

Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid QuotesSeptember 24, 2025HEAD COACH ANDY REIDOPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“Alright, I don’t have any injuries for you. Everybody’s going to practice today, so that’s a positive. Look forward to the challenge of playing the Ravens. (They’re a) good football team, we’ve played them the last couple of years. We think they know us, and we know them, pretty much, so it should be heck of a battle. Look forward to that challenge and look forward to coming back here to (GEHA Field at) Arrowhead (Stadium) and playing. Anyways, with that time is yours.”Q: On the play Isiah Pacheo was running lateral.REID:&nbsp;“It was just the release on it. We weren’t trying – not once or twice. We don’t want that. He (Isiah Pacheco) was trying to chip on the tackle and got caught up in there and it bumped him out too wide. We’ll fix that.”Q: Has optimism grown for the potential return of Xavier Worthy this week?REID:&nbsp;“Yeah.”Q: How important is it to see Xavier Worthy in practice?REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, I mean we will just evaluate him (Xavier Worthy) and take it day by day. But he feels good, so we’ll see.”Q: How have you guys’ adjusted week in and week out with rotations in the wide receiver room?REID:&nbsp;“I think one of the great things is that Pat (Mahomes) has been able to get some game time with a couple of guys he didn’t have a lot of game time with between Hollywood (Brown) and 80 (Tyquan Thornton). I think it’s a positive thing and then when the other guys come in, then he’s got experience with them. I look at the production of the other two guys, Hollywood and Thornton, and it’s been – I think that’s a real positive for the team going down the road here.”Q: On Patrick Mahomes throwing deeper this season.REID:&nbsp;“We practiced it. You’ve got to practice that. The percentages go down on long balls anyways compared to the short intermediate gains the further you go down the field. So, you’ve got to put in the time there and practice it and as coaches we got to make sure we give them an opportunity to do that before game time. We spent a little bit more time with that, so it would be a part of the offense. And then he (Patrick Mahomes) could get used to these guys doing the routes.”Q: After halftime did you guys come out more confident offensively?REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, I thought it was better the second half for sure. It ended on a good note that way, but you’ve got to build on that, when you’re going against a good defense. So, you got to make sure we take care of business this week. Make sure we detail our work.”<a>Q</a>: What do you see from the Ravens defensively?REID:&nbsp;“Well (Defensive Coordinator Zach) Orr, he’s a good one – defensive coordinator. He brings guys from all over when needed and at the same time they play good sound defense on top of that. They’ve got good players. I’m sure he will have some change ups from what he did with us last time. We’ll just have to adjust to it. But he does a nice job with that defense (and) he has a lot of flexibility there of what he can do and with the players.”Q: What do you expect from the Ravens?REID:&nbsp;“They’re a tough football team. It should be a good tough football game, and that’s the way you prepare yourself, sure.”Q: On Jawaan Taylor and penalties.REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, when he doesn’t have the penalties, his percentage has been good. You can argue (he is) one of the better tackles in his pass protection game. So, I’m conscious of that, and then I’ll take care of it from there.”Q: Are you surprised that the offensive line hasn’t been more effective with the running game?REID:&nbsp;“I thought that this past week was one of their better games. I thought they came together there and did some good things (with the) run game and pass (game).”Q: What does JuJu Smith-Schuster bring to the wide receiver room?REID:&nbsp;“He’s (JuJu Smith-Schuster) great in the room as a leader, a good man, works hard and does things the right way. He’s not afraid to speak up when he sees something, which is great for the young guys here. Then he’s a good football player, he understands space and big bodies. He’s not afraid to go anywhere on the football field or anybody. So, that’s his benefit there.”Chiefs Player QuotesSeptember 24, 2025<a>QB PATRICK MAHOMES</a>Q:&nbsp;On taking more shots down the field.MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think just with the guys that we have, I’ve kind of put it on myself to give guys chances down the field and even though we haven’t performed offensively as a whole, I think the entire year so far, as far as efficient and scoring points the way we want to, we’ve made an emphasis to give guys chances down the field to make plays and guys have made those plays. That started in training camp (and) that started in OTAs. I told guys to hold me accountable, and I wanted to hold myself accountable that I give the guys chances to make plays and they’re proving that they can make them.”Q:&nbsp;How does it feel to wind-up on your throws?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“It’s still something that I have to continue to get better and better at. I think that there’s more opportunities to make these plays in the games and these first few weeks. I think it just gives me the confidence when guys like Tyquan (Thornton) come down with the catch that he did. That I can keep forcing the ball down the field and let them make plays. We’ll continue to get better and better at that as well as the rest of the offense, but it’s always super exciting when you get a chance to throw the ball down the field.”Q:&nbsp;How have you been able to maintain each receiver that steps into a new role to stay within the system?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“Obviously, there’s things here and there that you have to work on, but I think more than anything the guys are putting in the work during the week. I think for us at the end of the day whenever we start getting these guys back like Xavier (Worthy) and Rashee (Rice) when he gets back it’s going to make us even better because guys had to step up and they have, and they’ve stepped up and made plays and you’ve seen Hollywood (Brown), you’ve seen JuJu (Smith-Schuster) (and) you’ve seen Tyquan (Thornton) all step up into their roles and have even bigger roles within the offense. We’ll continue to get better and better as the season goes, but it’ll be an important week this week.”Q:&nbsp;What does JuJu Smith-Schuster mean to the wide receiver room?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“He’s (JuJu Smith-Schuster) kinda like the leader of those guys. He’s someone who has been there and done it. He’s won the Super Bowl, he’s had big 1,000 yard receiving seasons (and) he’s been in all different types of offenses, so he can be that guy that they lean on and ask questions to and then I think he does a great job when his number gets called in the game to make the plays happen and being available whenever I need someone to throw to. (He) has a good feel for the defenses and what the defenses are presenting so he’s someone that is super important to that room in general, but he’s stepped up whenever we needed him to these first few weeks and made plays happen.”Q:&nbsp;What signs did you see in the second half that show the offense is getting closer?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think just the execution. We cleaned up our execution. I got the ball out, made the right decisions and the right throws. I think that’s the most important thing, just making the throws (and) making the throws whenever they are there. Getting the ball out of my hand and letting guys make plays happen. I did that in the second half, and the only drive that we didn’t score was when I missed Tyquan (Thornton). It just proves that if you make the throws that the offense can be productive and can have the progress that we want, I just gotta go out and make the plays happen.”Q:&nbsp;On being blitzed more.MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think you see that we’re able to throw the ball down the field a little bit more now because of that. It’s just a product of the teams that we played and them testing our young offensive linemen. I think our offensive line has done a great job at picking up those blitzes and giving me opportunities. That’s why you’ve been able to see some of these deep shots down the field and you gotta be able to execute and showcase that you can hit those throws and if you do that, they’ll adjust then we have to adjust as well. That’s what’s beautiful about the NFL is that you have to be able to adjust on the fly and make things happen.”Q:&nbsp;How much input do you have on the plays that go into the playbook for the game?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“(Head) Coach (Andy) Reid gives me free roam that if I don’t like a play to just tell him and he’ll take them out of there. We do a good job; they communicate with me throughout the week. It starts yesterday or even the day before on Monday of just kinda just talking about stuff that they’re thinking about, and I communicate what I’m seeing, and I trust in Coach Reid that he’s going to make the game plan the way that he has done for a long time now and he always makes great ones. I think more than anything is trusting in him and telling him whenever I’m not feeling the play that I’m not feeling.”Q:&nbsp;Has it evolved over time?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“Stuff evolves for sure just because I’ve seen more and more defenses and know the team more and more and know what we’re trying to do. I think more than anything the trust that he (Head Coach Andy Reid) has with me has gotten even more and more just throughout the years and a lot of those times, especially when I go to the sideline there before a timeout or a review with the Tyquan (Thornton) play and then we talk about it and I tell him a play that I like (and) he’ll call it. He has that trust in me that I’m seeing it right out on the football field and he gives me a chance to go out there and make it happen.”Q:&nbsp;On having Rashee Rice back in the facility.MAHOMES:&nbsp;“It’s huge. Just having a guy that you work with every single week all training camp (and) all offseason and then having him (Rashee Rice) back in the building, he always has a smile on his face and you can tell the guys (that) they like him and kinda like JuJu (Smith-Schuster)&nbsp; he’s kinda been one of those guys that has been here and he’s won a Super Bowl and even though he’s young, he can be a leader for those guys in the room of how we work and how we get after things. Obviously, he can’t practice but he can be in the meetings listening to stuff that we’re working on. (He) definitely gives a boost to the whole receiving room and the whole offense.”Q:&nbsp;What are your conversations like with the referees in the game?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“More than anything, they’re just communicating different things that they’re seeing, and you might ask alignment stuff or the motion type things and the timings and stuff like that just to make sure that we’re doing everything the right way and everything the way that we’re supposed to. That’s stuff that we have to continue to get better and better at. But just keeping an open dialogue because those guys are trying to make the game go as smoothly as possible and want us to go out there and let the players dictate the game and so we try and have that open communication with them and I think that is kinda like every QB in the league, you have those communications like that.”Q:&nbsp;Do you feel like the running game has momentum?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“Yeah, we want to be balanced. Every team in the NFL does and I thought that this last week we did a better job at running the ball and I thought the offensive line did a good job of doing the run blocking together and the chemistry building between them and I know that you saw Monday night at the Ravens, but they’re a prideful group. I don’t think they’re gonna be very happy with the film, and they’re going to come out with the mentality of stopping the run, so it’ll be a great test for us. To be able to go up there and to run the football and then to be able to pass off of it will be important to us. Stay balanced and go up against a team that is going to be as hungry as we are. It’ll be a great football game this weekend.”Q:&nbsp;Is your trust increasing the offensive line over the first three weeks?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“100%. I think that’s been huge. This last defensive line that we played had all type of first rounders (and) all type of talent and our offensive line did a great job at giving me time to throw the ball down the field and my feet you can tell are a little more calm because I understand that these guys can protect and they can get me time to make these throws and I’ll continue to get better and better at that and try and make some of these throws more accurate down the field and instead of hitting one to two a game, making that three to four and then five to six and then defenses will back up and it will help us out with other stuff within the offense. I’m just excited for where this offense is going, I know it hasn’t been a perfect product that we put out there so far but there’s a lot of good too.”Q:&nbsp;How do you approach this week from an execution and mentality standpoint?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“For us, we got to start faster. Every game we’ve kind of said that, and we haven’t really got to do that. We were moving the ball early in the game last week, but we were settling with field goals and when you play teams that are really good and have dynamic quarterbacks like the Ravens do, you got to turn those into touchdowns. That will not only put pressure on them, but it unleashes (Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo) Spags to be able to do what he wants to do, and you always see when we get leads, he’s a great finisher. He’s a great closer of being able to give you different looks and stuff like that. We gotta take pressure off our defense and put pressure onto them by starting faster, and we can be better at that this week.”Q:&nbsp;On what was going through his head when he threw backwards to Isiah Pacheco.MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I just got to see where I’m throwing before I throw it. We called a play, and you don’t want those short completions in that two-minute type tempo. We say ‘take the incompletion,’ and so I kind of had went to burn it at his feet and then seeing him as I was throwing it, obviously he was backwards and&nbsp; that’s why I knew immediately when I threw it. You’ve got to see the guy before you throw it there. I’m obviously trying to throw it out to him in the flat and everything like that. But I got to see where he is at. He was trying to chip and give me some time to throw down the field. Luckily, I was able to get the ball back and the defense was able to get us a huge stop for us there at the end of the half. But I have to be better at not just throwing it blindly, just knowing where those guys are before I throw it at their feet.”Q:&nbsp;Are there any passes you wanted back versus just a matter of communication.MAHOMES:&nbsp;“The one that I for sure wanted back was the post one before the half. I knew that once Tyquan (Thornton) won I knew that the backside guy had gotten held by the route we had, the backside safety. I could probably put that ball out further, I threw it more across the field but with the leverage that the corner had I wish I would have thrown it further and just let Tyquan run underneath it, it probably (would’ve been) a touchdown if I did that. Then the one that was on the third and short was more of a miss communication. If I had more time, I could’ve sold it a little more but it was a run play, so I didn’t want linemen down field so I wanted Tyquan’s eyes back a little bit earlier but he sees the open space and so that is just communication stuff that we can work on. He’s in a bigger role and stuff that he’s never done before, so that will be important. Obviously, we missed a touchdown and still win the game, and he’ll learn from that, and we will hit it next time we get the opportunity.”DE GEORGE KARLAFTISQ:&nbsp;On Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and what he does for the defense.KARLAFTIS:&nbsp;“Yeah, he’s (Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo) such a master at what he does. In game planning, knowing what the opponents (are) going to do and the game theory side of it. ‘I think that he thinks I’m going to do this’, type thing. He’s really really good at that. He’s incredible at game planning, putting guys in positions to make plays, and playing to our strengths. Just awesome at what he does, and we’ve had a lot of success because of him.”Q:&nbsp;What does it take to play against Lamar Jackson?KARLAFTIS: “It takes all 11 I can tell you that (laughs). We got so much respect for the dude, not just him but their whole offense, really their whole team. They’re tough; they do stuff the right way. Lamar specifically is so athletic, but he’s such an accurate quarterback. I don’t think he gets enough respect for that. He really can do it all, and I’ve talked about this before, he’s one of those elite quarterbacks that really can do it all, he’s MVP and all this stuff. Definitely a lot of respect for him, and it’s going to take everything we got to stop him.”Q:&nbsp;How’s the preparation for RB Derrick Henry?KARLAFTIS:&nbsp;“When you play against a guy like that (Ravens RB Derrick Henry) you can’t make any mistakes. If one guy is out of your gap, he’s gone. It’s all about being detailed in the run game, being detailed and executing your assignment (and) trusting the scheme of the coach and your responsibility and executing. Just like I said he’s a beast, he can make all the plays, he can make everything happen. Big runs, we want to avoid that obviously and executing our scheme and playing to the best of our abilities.”WR TYQUAN THORNTONQ:&nbsp;How much have you enjoyed the opportunity to play?THORNTON:&nbsp;“Man, it’s fun man. Going out there and fighting with my guys. Going out there and competing (and) playing the game, I enjoy it a lot.”Q:&nbsp;How much are you still learning?THORNTON:&nbsp;“I’m learning a lot. I learn every day. I learn a little bit from my teammates – taking the little things from some of the veteran players on how I can be better at the little things and going out there each and every day on the practice field and challenging myself.”Q:&nbsp;What’s different about tracking and adjusting to Patrick Mahomes’ deep ball?

Chiefs Quotes: 9-24-25

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Taylor Ward homered, Kenley Jansen earned his 475th career save and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Kansas City Royals 3-2 on Wednesday night to avoid a series sweep.

Yusei Kikuchi (7-11) gave up just one hit while striking out six over five innings. He was removed with a left forearm cramp before the sixth. Jansen struck out two in the ninth for his 28th save of the season.

Luis Rengifo doubled and scored on Oswald Peraza's groundout in the second inning for a 1-0 lead. Ward added a 320-foot solo home run in the third to became one of just three MLB players this season with at least 35 homers, 100 RBIs and 30 doubles.

Royals' starter Stephen Kolek (5-7) went six innings, giving up three runs on five hits while striking out two. In the fourth, Kolek tried to cut down Peraza at second, but his throw sailed wide of second baseman Jonathan India, allowing Peraza to score for a 3-0 lead.

Randal Grichuk's homer in the fifth was the only hit given up Kikuchi.

Carter Jensen scored to bring the Royals within a run of Los Angeles in the seventh inning.

The Angels entered the night with the worst save percentage (51%) in the majors and the highest bullpen ERA in the AL at 4.87. Los Angeles won for just the second time in its last 12 games.

Second baseman Christian Moore laid out for a diving stop, then fired to first for the third out of the seventh, preserving the Angels’ 3–2 lead.

The Royals came into the night averaging the third-fewest team errors per game in the majors (0.37), but gave up three against Los Angeles.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Taylor Ward homered, Kenley Jansen earned his 475th career save and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Kansas City Royals 3-2 on Wednesday night to avoid a series sweep.Yusei Kikuchi (7-11) gave up just one hit while striking out six over five innings. He was removed with a left forearm cramp before the sixth. Jansen struck out two in the ninth for his 28th save of the season.Luis Rengifo doubled and scored on Oswald Peraza's groundout in the second inning for a 1-0 lead. Ward added a 320-foot solo home run in the third to became one of just three MLB players this season with at least 35 homers, 100 RBIs and 30 doubles.Royals' starter Stephen Kolek (5-7) went six innings, giving up three runs on five hits while striking out two. In the fourth, Kolek tried to cut down Peraza at second, but his throw sailed wide of second baseman Jonathan India, allowing Peraza to score for a 3-0 lead.Randal Grichuk's homer in the fifth was the only hit given up Kikuchi.Carter Jensen scored to bring the Royals within a run of Los Angeles in the seventh inning.The Angels entered the night with the worst save percentage (51%) in the majors and the highest bullpen ERA in the AL at 4.87. Los Angeles won for just the second time in its last 12 games.<h2>Key moment</h2>Second baseman Christian Moore laid out for a diving stop, then fired to first for the third out of the seventh, preserving the Angels’ 3–2 lead.<h2>Key stat</h2>The Royals came into the night averaging the third-fewest team errors per game in the majors (0.37), but gave up three against Los Angeles.<h2>Up next</h2>

⚾ Ward homers, Jansen earns 475th save as Angels  beat the Royals

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. and Adam Frazier each drove in two runs, Salvador Perez moved into second place on Kansas City's career RBI list and the Royals beat the Los Angeles Angels 8-4 on Tuesday night, shortly after being eliminated from postseason contention.

The Royals (79-78) were knocked out of the race for an AL wild card with five games remaining in their regular season. Kansas City, which reached the playoffs last season, has failed to qualify for the postseason in nine of the last 10 seasons.

Perez singled to center in the first inning to score Witt. It was the 35-year-old catcher's 97th RBI of the season and 1,013th of his career, moving him past Hal McRae. The Royals' all-time RBI leader is George Brett with 1,596.

Maikel Garcia went 3 for 4 with two doubles. It was Garcia's second career game with three hits and three runs scored, and his 11th three-hit game of the season.

Royals starter Cole Ragans (3-3) allowed two runs on three hits and struck out 10 over five innings in his second start since returning from the injured list with a left rotator cuff strain.

Bryce Teodosio hit his first career homer for the Angels in the fifth inning, in his 45th MLB game this season. Taylor Ward added his 35th homer, a career high, in the ninth inning for Los Angeles, which has lost 10 of its last 11 games.

Mike Trout was honored before his first at-bat for hitting his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trout-angels-home-run-821f396e4f35f7cdb9352779b4437f0c">400th career home run</a>&nbsp;against the Rockies in Colorado on Saturday.

The Royals’ batters recorded 15 hits, and the pitchers recorded 13 strikeouts.

The Royals Stephen Kolek (5-6, 3.54 ERA) faces the Angels Yusei Kikuchi (6-11, 4.05) on Wednesday night.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758707372628.png" alt="Photo Kansas City Royals" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas City Royals</figcaption>
 </figure>ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. and Adam Frazier each drove in two runs, Salvador Perez moved into second place on Kansas City's career RBI list and the Royals beat the Los Angeles Angels 8-4 on Tuesday night, shortly after being eliminated from postseason contention.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Career RBI No. 1,013! <a href="https://t.co/Ih2RmcE1vc">https://t.co/Ih2RmcE1vc</a> <a href="https://t.co/ORPz0FLhMy">pic.twitter.com/ORPz0FLhMy</a>&mdash; Kansas City Royals (@Royals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Royals/status/1970670072944611738?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Royals (79-78) were knocked out of the race for an AL wild card with five games remaining in their regular season. Kansas City, which reached the playoffs last season, has failed to qualify for the postseason in nine of the last 10 seasons.Perez singled to center in the first inning to score Witt. It was the 35-year-old catcher's 97th RBI of the season and 1,013th of his career, moving him past Hal McRae. The Royals' all-time RBI leader is George Brett with 1,596.Maikel Garcia went 3 for 4 with two doubles. It was Garcia's second career game with three hits and three runs scored, and his 11th three-hit game of the season.Royals starter Cole Ragans (3-3) allowed two runs on three hits and struck out 10 over five innings in his second start since returning from the injured list with a left rotator cuff strain.Bryce Teodosio hit his first career homer for the Angels in the fifth inning, in his 45th MLB game this season. Taylor Ward added his 35th homer, a career high, in the ninth inning for Los Angeles, which has lost 10 of its last 11 games.<h2>Key moment</h2>Mike Trout was honored before his first at-bat for hitting his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trout-angels-home-run-821f396e4f35f7cdb9352779b4437f0c">400th career home run</a>&nbsp;against the Rockies in Colorado on Saturday.<h2>Key stat</h2>The Royals’ batters recorded 15 hits, and the pitchers recorded 13 strikeouts.<h2>Up next</h2>The Royals Stephen Kolek (5-6, 3.54 ERA) faces the Angels Yusei Kikuchi (6-11, 4.05) on Wednesday night.___

⚾ Witt, Frazier and Perez power Royals to win over the Angels

<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/2015/6/12/mbbtickets">Buy Season Tickets Today</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp; <a href="https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sidearm.nextgen.sites/kstate.sidearmsports.com/documents/2025/9/19/25-26_MBB_Schedule.pdf?timestamp=20250919040158">View 2025-26 Schedule (.pdf)</a>

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Weekend home dates with BYU, Kansas, Iowa State and TCU highlight Kansas State’s Big 12 Conference-only schedule, which was released by the league office on Tuesday afternoon (Sept. 23).

The 2026 Big 12 schedule marks a return to an 18-game format after using a 20-game slate in 2025 with the additions of Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah. The league used an 18-game schedule from 2012-24. The conference-only schedule will run from the first week of January to the second week of March with each team playing nine games at home and on the road.

K-State will play every Big 12 member at least once with home-and-home matchups with Kansas, TCU and West Virginia.

Game times and television information will be released at a later date.

K-State will open the Big 12 schedule against expected top-25 opponent BYU on Saturday, Jan. 3 before hosting Kansas in the Dillons Sunflower Showdown on Saturday, Jan. 24, along with weekend matchups with Iowa State on Sunday, Feb. 1 and TCU on Saturday, Feb. 28.

Other home games include UCF on Wednesday, Jan. 14, Utah on Tuesday, Jan. 20, Cincinnati on Wednesday, Feb. 11, Baylor on Tuesday, Feb. 17 and West Virginia on Tuesday, March 3.

The road portion of the Big 12 schedule starts with back-to-back trips to Arizona (Wednesday, Jan. 7) and Arizona State (Saturday, Jan. 10). The Wildcats also have consecutive road trips on one other occasion with visits to Texas Tech on Saturday, Feb. 21 and Colorado on Wednesday, Feb. 25.

Other road trips include Oklahoma State on Saturday, Jan. 17, West Virginia on Tuesday, Jan. 27, TCU on Saturday, Feb. 7, Houston on Saturday, Feb. 14 and Kansas on Saturday, March 7.

The expanded Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship will run Tuesday-Saturday, March 10-14 at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City and will coincide with the women’s championship, which runs Thursday-Monday, March 5-9, also at T-Mobile.

Tickets for the 2025-26 season are currently on sale with a variety of options and packages. Fans can purchase tickets by calling toll free at (800) 221.CATS (2287) and/or online at <a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/tickets">www.kstatesports.com/tickets</a>.

Fourteen of the 16 Big 12 teams won at least 16 games in 2024-25 with eight winning at least 20 games, including 35 wins by league champion and national runner-up Houston. Thirteen teams made the postseason a season ago, including NCAA Tournament appearances by Arizona, Baylor, BYU, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas and Texas Tech.

K-State finished the 2024-25 season with a 16-17 record, including a tie for ninth in the Big 12 with a 9-11 mark. Among the Wildcats’ 16 victories were five over Top 25 teams, including No. 3 Iowa State on the road. The team has won 61 games in head coach Jerome Tang’s tenure, including two postseason appearances.

<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/2015/6/12/mbbtickets">Buy Season Tickets Today</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp; <a href="https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sidearm.nextgen.sites/kstate.sidearmsports.com/documents/2025/9/19/25-26_MBB_Schedule.pdf?timestamp=20250919040158">View 2025-26 Schedule (.pdf)</a>MANHATTAN, Kan. – Weekend home dates with BYU, Kansas, Iowa State and TCU highlight Kansas State’s Big 12 Conference-only schedule, which was released by the league office on Tuesday afternoon (Sept. 23).<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758661603046.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>The 2026 Big 12 schedule marks a return to an 18-game format after using a 20-game slate in 2025 with the additions of Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah. The league used an 18-game schedule from 2012-24. The conference-only schedule will run from the first week of January to the second week of March with each team playing nine games at home and on the road.K-State will play every Big 12 member at least once with home-and-home matchups with Kansas, TCU and West Virginia.Game times and television information will be released at a later date.K-State will open the Big 12 schedule against expected top-25 opponent BYU on Saturday, Jan. 3 before hosting Kansas in the Dillons Sunflower Showdown on Saturday, Jan. 24, along with weekend matchups with Iowa State on Sunday, Feb. 1 and TCU on Saturday, Feb. 28.Other home games include UCF on Wednesday, Jan. 14, Utah on Tuesday, Jan. 20, Cincinnati on Wednesday, Feb. 11, Baylor on Tuesday, Feb. 17 and West Virginia on Tuesday, March 3.The road portion of the Big 12 schedule starts with back-to-back trips to Arizona (Wednesday, Jan. 7) and Arizona State (Saturday, Jan. 10). The Wildcats also have consecutive road trips on one other occasion with visits to Texas Tech on Saturday, Feb. 21 and Colorado on Wednesday, Feb. 25.Other road trips include Oklahoma State on Saturday, Jan. 17, West Virginia on Tuesday, Jan. 27, TCU on Saturday, Feb. 7, Houston on Saturday, Feb. 14 and Kansas on Saturday, March 7.The expanded Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship will run Tuesday-Saturday, March 10-14 at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City and will coincide with the women’s championship, which runs Thursday-Monday, March 5-9, also at T-Mobile.Tickets for the 2025-26 season are currently on sale with a variety of options and packages. Fans can purchase tickets by calling toll free at (800) 221.CATS (2287) and/or online at <a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/tickets">www.kstatesports.com/tickets</a>.Fourteen of the 16 Big 12 teams won at least 16 games in 2024-25 with eight winning at least 20 games, including 35 wins by league champion and national runner-up Houston. Thirteen teams made the postseason a season ago, including NCAA Tournament appearances by Arizona, Baylor, BYU, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas and Texas Tech.K-State finished the 2024-25 season with a 16-17 record, including a tie for ninth in the Big 12 with a 9-11 mark. Among the Wildcats’ 16 victories were five over Top 25 teams, including No. 3 Iowa State on the road. The team has won 61 games in head coach Jerome Tang’s tenure, including two postseason appearances.SCHEDULE NOTES<ul>
 <li>The Big 12 will return to an 18-game league schedule in 2025-26, playing nine at home and nine on the road... It is a return to a format they instituted from 2012-24 before moving to a 20-game schedule in 2024-25.</li><li>K-State will open Big 12 against BYU for the first time in series history… The Wildcats have won their 2 all-time home meetings (1973, 2024) with the Cougars.</li><li>K-State will play at Arizona for the first time as conference foes and the first time overall since 1999… The two schools played 5 home-and-home series between 1951-81.</li><li>K-State will play at Arizona State for the second consecutive season after rallying for a 71-70 win in Tempe on Feb. 4… The Wildcats are 2-2 all-time at Desert Financial Arena.</li><li>K-State will host UCF for the third time, including the second time in Big 12 play, with wins in 2003 and 2024.</li><li>K-State will face Oklahoma State just once on Jan. 17 at Gallagher-Iba Arena after having met twice every year since 2012.</li><li>K-State will host Utah for the first time at Bramlage Coliseum on Jan. 20… The Utes have not played in Manhattan since an 87-82 win on Dec. 1, 1973.</li><li>K-State and Kansas will renew their rivalry in Manhattan on Jan. 24 before ending the season in Lawrence on March 7…. The schools have played a home-and-home series every year since 1912 and have played at least once every year since 1907... It is the sixth-most played rivalry (303) in Division I men’s basketball.</li><li>The first of 2 meetings with West Virginia will come on the road on Jan. 27 with K-State winning 81-67 in the last matchup on Jan. 9, 2024… The return game at Bramlage Coliseum will come on Senior Day on March 3 with the Wildcats winning the last 4 meetings at home.</li><li>K-State and Iowa State will play just once on Sunday, Feb. 1 after meeting home-and-away every year since 1918 in a series dating to 1909.</li><li>K-State and TCU will play twice in the regular season for the first time since 2023, starting in Fort Worth on Feb. 7 before the matchup in Manhattan on Feb. 28… The Horned Frogs have won the 3 meetings in the series, including 63-62 at home last season.</li><li>K-State will host Cincinnati for the second straight season on Feb. 11… The Wildcats snapped an 8-game losing streak in the series with a sweep of a home-and-home series.</li><li>K-State’s lone matchups with Houston (Feb. 14), Baylor (Feb. 17), Texas Tech (Feb. 21) and Colorado (Feb. 25) will come in a row from Feb. 14-25.</li><li>The Wildcats will visit Boulder for the first time since 2011 on Feb. 25.</li>
 </ul>

Four Weekend Home Games Highlight 2025-26 Big 12 Schedule

STILLWATER –&nbsp;Oklahoma State and&nbsp;<a href="https://okstate.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/mike-gundy/3562">Mike Gundy</a>&nbsp;have parted ways, effective immediately, according to a media release from OSU Athletics.

Including his time as a player and coach, Gundy spent more than 30 years at Oklahoma State."Cowboy Football reached an unprecedented level of success and national prominence under Coach Gundy's leadership," OSU Athletic Director&nbsp;<a href="https://okstate.com/staff-directory/chad-weiberg/369">Chad Weiberg</a>&nbsp;said.

"I believe I speak for OSU fans everywhere when I say that we are grateful for all he did to raise the standard and show us all what is possible for Oklahoma State football."From 1986-89, Gundy quarterbacked some of OSU's most explosive offenses. 

He finished his playing career as the Big Eight Conference career passing leader. As head coach, he led the Cowboys to the best era of sustained success in program history, highlighted by a Big 12 championship in 2011, five New Year's Six bowl appearances and eight 10-win seasons. His 170 career coaching victories are 108 more than any other coach in school history."College football has changed drastically in the last few years, and the investment needed to compete at the highest level has never been more important," Weiberg said. 

"As we search for the next head coach of Cowboy Football, we are looking for someone who can lead our program in this new era. It is also important that we continue to support our student-athletes, our staff and our university through the season, and I hope that our fans continue to show that support in Boone Pickens Stadium this fall.

"Moving forward, it is critical for our fans, alumni and donors to align behind Cowboy Football," Weiberg said. "This is a pivotal moment, the stakes have never been higher and we need everyone on board."

"This is a decision about what's best for our football program, our student-athletes and Oklahoma State University and it reflects our unwavering commitment to championship-level football and competing for national success," said OSU President Jim Hess. 

"Coach Gundy dedicated decades of his life to OSU, achieving significant success and positively impacting hundreds of young men who wore the OSU uniform. His contributions to our university, both as a player and coach, deserve our profound respect and will not be forgotten. We are grateful for his service and wish him and his family the very best."

STILLWATER –&nbsp;Oklahoma State and&nbsp;<a href="https://okstate.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/mike-gundy/3562">Mike Gundy</a>&nbsp;have parted ways, effective immediately, according to a media release from OSU Athletics.Including his time as a player and coach, Gundy spent more than 30 years at Oklahoma State."Cowboy Football reached an unprecedented level of success and national prominence under Coach Gundy's leadership," OSU Athletic Director&nbsp;<a href="https://okstate.com/staff-directory/chad-weiberg/369">Chad Weiberg</a>&nbsp;said.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Oklahoma State, Gundy part ways <a href="https://t.co/T2hVZdxEJX">https://t.co/T2hVZdxEJX</a> <a href="https://t.co/1mIPb6RHZN">pic.twitter.com/1mIPb6RHZN</a>&mdash; OSU Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) <a href="https://twitter.com/CowboyFB/status/1970543676490158546?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>"I believe I speak for OSU fans everywhere when I say that we are grateful for all he did to raise the standard and show us all what is possible for Oklahoma State football."From 1986-89, Gundy quarterbacked some of OSU's most explosive offenses. He finished his playing career as the Big Eight Conference career passing leader. As head coach, he led the Cowboys to the best era of sustained success in program history, highlighted by a Big 12 championship in 2011, five New Year's Six bowl appearances and eight 10-win seasons. His 170 career coaching victories are 108 more than any other coach in school history."College football has changed drastically in the last few years, and the investment needed to compete at the highest level has never been more important," Weiberg said. "As we search for the next head coach of Cowboy Football, we are looking for someone who can lead our program in this new era. It is also important that we continue to support our student-athletes, our staff and our university through the season, and I hope that our fans continue to show that support in Boone Pickens Stadium this fall."Moving forward, it is critical for our fans, alumni and donors to align behind Cowboy Football," Weiberg said. "This is a pivotal moment, the stakes have never been higher and we need everyone on board.""This is a decision about what's best for our football program, our student-athletes and Oklahoma State University and it reflects our unwavering commitment to championship-level football and competing for national success," said OSU President Jim Hess. "Coach Gundy dedicated decades of his life to OSU, achieving significant success and positively impacting hundreds of young men who wore the OSU uniform. His contributions to our university, both as a player and coach, deserve our profound respect and will not be forgotten. We are grateful for his service and wish him and his family the very best."

🏈 Oklahoma State fires coach Mike Gundy after 21 seasons

OPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“I don’t have any injury updates for you. I think we came out of the game pretty clean in that area. (There will) be some good things we can learn from this game. It was great to obviously get the win, but there are some things we can take out of this that will help us down the road. I like the effort from the guys, in particular on the offensive side from the second half was more productive that way. I thought defensively we played another very solid football game, and the turnovers were beautiful. We need to keep that coming, that’s a real plus when you can get those. Offensively, I thought just that the second quarter was not very good football, and we’ve got to make sure that we correct that as coaches and players in that area. We (have) got to make sure we are putting them in the right position to make plays, and then when given an opportunity that we’ve got to make sure we do the right thing. But we came out the second half and put some things together. I like the way guys stuck together and worked hard. I think the question came up yesterday about Travis (Kelce) and the intensity and all of that. Is he frustrated or not frustrated? Well, he’s seen how the offense works, and so when things aren’t going the right way that’s – he’s very aware of that. He’s a pretty smart guy, and he’s been doing it longer than anybody else on this team who’s been doing it. He wants to make sure that he gets that point across to the guys and so he does that. I’m okay with that part. He knows also, like the coaches know, where we can go with this too and the growth we can have here, and we need to take care of business in that area. Then special teams wise we can do – (Harrison) Butker had a couple, he was off on a couple, but he’ll get all that corrected. And then (Matt) Ariaza had another pretty good day. And with that time is yours.”

Q: What is Xavier Worthy’s outlook week to week regarding his injury?

REID:&nbsp;“He was real positive coming in and he was mentally. He was saying I’m going to play in the game and you kind of have to take that approach with that type of an injury and he did. He came out and practiced and did the best that he could. But it just wasn’t right. Between Xavier and the doctors, we thought it was best if he didn’t play.”

Q: On getting Rashee Rice in the facility this week and the decision not to play Jalen Royals against the Giants.

REID:&nbsp;“Well Jalen (Royals) just came back, so I had him there as kind of an emergency just in case we absolutely needed him. His first week of practice in a month was last week, and he’s a rookie and so on. So, this was really his first game of suiting up and you can figure out the rest of it. He’ll continue to work in there. It’s great to have him back. We do get four (Rashee Rice) back, and I know the guys will be fired up about that to see him. He can’t practice. He can’t be on the field, but he can do the other stuff. Just having him around, he’s a good positive energy to have around.”

Q: What are your thoughts on the teams running game against the New York Giants?

REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, Soren (Petro), first of all, that defensive line is special. That’s a good group. They started against the Cowboys doing their penny front, which is they put five d-linemen in there and so they started off doing that with us and for our guys to be able to run the ball – normally running against that set is a tough haul but our guys did a pretty good job with it. I was proud of Pop (Isiah Pacheco) and Kareem (Hunt), they put together a good day. We didn’t have the big explosive runs, but we had that five-yard run and a couple seven-yard runs that were positive. It was our best rushing day against a good d-line, so I liked the way we matched up with them and I thought the big guys played well up front for the most part of the run and the pass game. That can help us down the road, but to answer your question, the run was better. Did we leave something on the field with it? Well, could I have called more? I probably could’ve called more if that’s what that means.”

Q: How much do you think the Giants spied on Patrick Mahomes and do you think that is something you will see more of moving forward?

REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, they did a little bit with 51 (Giants LB Abdul Carter). They had a little thing with him there. He’s a heck of a player, by the way. He’s going to be tremendous for this league. Yeah, they can do that. That’s ok. He’s one of their better pass rushers, so I wouldn’t spy him too much.”

Q: At the end of the game against the Giants Jaylon Moore subbed in for Josh Simmons. Was that due to injury or just to get him more reps?

REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, just to get him in there and get him some reps there.”

Q: On the defensive execution against the Giants by using split safeties.

Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid QuotesSeptember 22, 2025OPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“I don’t have any injury updates for you. I think we came out of the game pretty clean in that area. (There will) be some good things we can learn from this game. It was great to obviously get the win, but there are some things we can take out of this that will help us down the road. I like the effort from the guys, in particular on the offensive side from the second half was more productive that way. I thought defensively we played another very solid football game, and the turnovers were beautiful. We need to keep that coming, that’s a real plus when you can get those. Offensively, I thought just that the second quarter was not very good football, and we’ve got to make sure that we correct that as coaches and players in that area. We (have) got to make sure we are putting them in the right position to make plays, and then when given an opportunity that we’ve got to make sure we do the right thing. But we came out the second half and put some things together. I like the way guys stuck together and worked hard. I think the question came up yesterday about Travis (Kelce) and the intensity and all of that. Is he frustrated or not frustrated? Well, he’s seen how the offense works, and so when things aren’t going the right way that’s – he’s very aware of that. He’s a pretty smart guy, and he’s been doing it longer than anybody else on this team who’s been doing it. He wants to make sure that he gets that point across to the guys and so he does that. I’m okay with that part. He knows also, like the coaches know, where we can go with this too and the growth we can have here, and we need to take care of business in that area. Then special teams wise we can do – (Harrison) Butker had a couple, he was off on a couple, but he’ll get all that corrected. And then (Matt) Ariaza had another pretty good day. And with that time is yours.”Q: What is Xavier Worthy’s outlook week to week regarding his injury?REID:&nbsp;“He was real positive coming in and he was mentally. He was saying I’m going to play in the game and you kind of have to take that approach with that type of an injury and he did. He came out and practiced and did the best that he could. But it just wasn’t right. Between Xavier and the doctors, we thought it was best if he didn’t play.”Q: On getting Rashee Rice in the facility this week and the decision not to play Jalen Royals against the Giants.REID:&nbsp;“Well Jalen (Royals) just came back, so I had him there as kind of an emergency just in case we absolutely needed him. His first week of practice in a month was last week, and he’s a rookie and so on. So, this was really his first game of suiting up and you can figure out the rest of it. He’ll continue to work in there. It’s great to have him back. We do get four (Rashee Rice) back, and I know the guys will be fired up about that to see him. He can’t practice. He can’t be on the field, but he can do the other stuff. Just having him around, he’s a good positive energy to have around.”Q: What are your thoughts on the teams running game against the New York Giants?REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, Soren (Petro), first of all, that defensive line is special. That’s a good group. They started against the Cowboys doing their penny front, which is they put five d-linemen in there and so they started off doing that with us and for our guys to be able to run the ball – normally running against that set is a tough haul but our guys did a pretty good job with it. I was proud of Pop (Isiah Pacheco) and Kareem (Hunt), they put together a good day. We didn’t have the big explosive runs, but we had that five-yard run and a couple seven-yard runs that were positive. It was our best rushing day against a good d-line, so I liked the way we matched up with them and I thought the big guys played well up front for the most part of the run and the pass game. That can help us down the road, but to answer your question, the run was better. Did we leave something on the field with it? Well, could I have called more? I probably could’ve called more if that’s what that means.”Q: How much do you think the Giants spied on Patrick Mahomes and do you think that is something you will see more of moving forward?REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, they did a little bit with 51 (Giants LB Abdul Carter). They had a little thing with him there. He’s a heck of a player, by the way. He’s going to be tremendous for this league. Yeah, they can do that. That’s ok. He’s one of their better pass rushers, so I wouldn’t spy him too much.”Q: At the end of the game against the Giants Jaylon Moore subbed in for Josh Simmons. Was that due to injury or just to get him more reps?REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, just to get him in there and get him some reps there.”Q: On the defensive execution against the Giants by using split safeties.

Chiefs Quotes: 9-22-24

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas kick returner and wide receiver <a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/emmanuel-henderson-jr-/16265">Emmanuel Henderson Jr.</a> was named Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week, the conference office announced Monday.

Henderson returned the opening kickoff of the second half for a 94-yard touchdown, Kansas' first kick return touchdown since 2020. The last time Kansas took a game or half-opening kickoff back for a touchdown was Greg Heaggans on September 14, 2002, against Southwest Missouri State. He did so on the game-opening kickoff.

Henderson also had a second kickoff return of 43 yards to finish the game with 137 yards on kick returns. In addition, Henderson recorded a team-high six catches for 38 yards. He became the first Big 12 player to have a kickoff return touchdown of at least 90 yards and at least six catches in the same game since Texas Tech's Jakeem Grant had two such games during the 2015 season.

This season, Henderson leads Kansas with 214 kick return yards on six kickoff returns and 221 receiving yards on 18 receptions.

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas kick returner and wide receiver <a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/emmanuel-henderson-jr-/16265">Emmanuel Henderson Jr.</a> was named Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week, the conference office announced Monday.Henderson returned the opening kickoff of the second half for a 94-yard touchdown, Kansas' first kick return touchdown since 2020. The last time Kansas took a game or half-opening kickoff back for a touchdown was Greg Heaggans on September 14, 2002, against Southwest Missouri State. He did so on the game-opening kickoff.Henderson also had a second kickoff return of 43 yards to finish the game with 137 yards on kick returns. In addition, Henderson recorded a team-high six catches for 38 yards. He became the first Big 12 player to have a kickoff return touchdown of at least 90 yards and at least six catches in the same game since Texas Tech's Jakeem Grant had two such games during the 2015 season.This season, Henderson leads Kansas with 214 kick return yards on six kickoff returns and 221 receiving yards on 18 receptions.

🏈 Emmanuel Henderson Jr. Named Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week

LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;The Kansas Jayhawks will hit the road for its first Big 12 Conference road test on Saturday, Oct. 4 with kickoff slated for 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN2, the conference announced on Monday.

The game will be Kansas' second road game and third Big 12 Conference game overall. It will be the second meeting between Kansas and UCF all-time and the first game played in Orlando between the two teams. Kansas won the inaugural matchup 51-22 on Oct. 7, 2023.

The 6:30 p.m. kickoff will be the fourth game of the season that Kansas has played after 5 p.m. local time.&nbsp;This will be Kansas' second game on ESPN2 this season, following the Jayhawks playing at Missouri on Sept. 6.

LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;The Kansas Jayhawks will hit the road for its first Big 12 Conference road test on Saturday, Oct. 4 with kickoff slated for 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN2, the conference announced on Monday.The game will be Kansas' second road game and third Big 12 Conference game overall. It will be the second meeting between Kansas and UCF all-time and the first game played in Orlando between the two teams. Kansas won the inaugural matchup 51-22 on Oct. 7, 2023.The 6:30 p.m. kickoff will be the fourth game of the season that Kansas has played after 5 p.m. local time.&nbsp;This will be Kansas' second game on ESPN2 this season, following the Jayhawks playing at Missouri on Sept. 6.Prior to its matchup with UCF, Kansas will host Cincinnati to David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on TNT/TruTV/MAX.