Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid Quotes

<a>OPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;</a>“As far as the injuries go really only Marquise (Hollywood Brown) is the only one not practicing today. I look forward to the challenge to play the Ravens, a good football team. (They have) good players and good coaches. (Ravens Head Coach) John (Harbaugh) does a phenomenal job there. Along with (Defensive Coordinator) Zach (Orr), (Offensive Coordinator) Todd (Monken), and (Special Teams Coordinator) Chris (Horton) and their spots with the offense, defense and special teams. We know they are well-coached (and) we know they have good players. So, we go through our preparation this week (and) today is the first main day of practice. We will start it off. With that, time’s yours.”

Q: What makes Travis Kelce so effective at his age?

REID:&nbsp;“He (Travis Kelce) keeps himself in good shape. I also think he’s a flexible guy, he’s not real stiff. From a physical standpoint, he’s not a stiff player, and he’s got good flexibility and good strength.”

Q: How do you prepare for a game like this? How much knowledge do you take away from an AFC title game?

REID:&nbsp;“They (the Ravens starters) didn’t play a whole lot in the preseason – their main guys but we know who they are. Again, (Defensive Coordinator Zach) Orr is coming in and he is familiar with the whole group. He is going to do what he does from a defensive standpoint. There will be some changes. I mean, there are going to be changes that take place. It happens early in the season, for the first few weeks, until he gets kind of settled on what they do best. So, you got to be flexible on your end, and we’ll just see how it goes but can definitely take away the primary scheme – or take away from the (AFC Championship) game the primary scheme.”

Q: What about Kingsley Suamataia tells you he is ready for what he is going to see Thursday night?

REID:&nbsp;“He had a good training camp. He had a good preseason, but this is going to be a learning experience for him here. This is a good defensive line, and he’s going to – I’m sure there will be some ups and downs as he goes like any young player has. He’s prepared himself, and it’s time to go play now.”

Q: Who are you using to mimic Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson?

REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, Bailey (Zappe) can do that. We’ve always mixed guys in there when we have a chance of playing (and) there are some other guys that can jump in. We have a little plan for it. Not that any of them are as good as him (laughter) – Chris (Oladokun) included. I mean, Chris did a nice job, but this kid (Lamar Jackson), he’s a special player. It’s very hard to mimic him.”

Q: What do you like about Bailey Zappe?

REID:&nbsp;“Good player – on the practice squad you're saying? We liked him (Bailey Zappe) in college (and) we liked what he showed us in the last game there, he did a nice job of that. We think down the road he’ll help us there.”

Q: Where do you think you’ve seen the most growth with Rashee Rice from the start of the offseason until now?

REID:&nbsp;“I think there was a couple of things. I think the conditioning part of it and how much you’ve got to play and how fast you have to play every play – that was one. I thought his feel for space was another. Just the experience part of playing, period. At the end of the season, he could roll now. He had a great feel for what Patrick (Mahomes) was looking for, what the coaches were looking for and he was able to execute that and play fast, with his skill set that he has been blessed with.”

Q: How much does someone like Justin Watson become when you don’t have Hollywood Brown for this first game?

REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, Justin’s (Watson) always kind of been a big part of it, silently. He doesn’t say much, and he doesn’t get a lot of pub (publicity), but he’s always been a pretty big part of what we do. That part won't change, he will be in there running around. Even when Hollywood (Brown) comes back, he will be in there running around. He’s a smart kid that is skilled, loves to play the game, (and) plays hard every snap (in) practice and games.”

Q: Do you still anticipate Samaje Perine being available on Thursday?

REID: “Yeah, I think so. I think we’ll be ok there.”

Q: Patrick Mahomes is on track to break a few of Len Dawson’s records but will do it quicker than Len did it. What does this say about the game today?

REID: “It’s a little bit different game now with the passing the way it is, but he has so much respect for (PFHOF QB) Len (Dawson) before Len passed. They had a relationship there, they talked. The game’s just – it’s a little different. There’s just a little bit more passing that goes on now. At the college – at all levels really. You start at the little kid’s level and on up through high school and college and the ball is being thrown more. It’s a compliment to Pat (Patrick Mahomes) because he does it the right way, he handles it the right way. As great as he is, he’s a humble guy and respects the things that happened before him, he gets it.”

Q: Besides ball security, what do you want to see from your team in this first game?

REID:&nbsp;“The obvious is execution. This is a team that’s a physical football team, so you have to add that element into it. They’re good, they’ve played together so they’re good. They’re going to test your ability to execute on both sides of the ball and special teams, so it’s important that we take care of business here these few days that we have to prepare and you’ve got to do that the right way. That would be it along with – part of execution is hanging on to the football.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Q:&nbsp;What excites you most about playing on this particular stage to start the NFL season?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“It’s just a great opportunity for the guys. To see what it’s like to be on the biggest stage. Obviously, you want to play in the Super Bowl at the end of the year, but this is a big stage as well. To be able to get that experience, play a great football team, I’m excited for these guys to get out there and the guys who haven’t been here see what it’s like to be on that type of stage.”

Q:&nbsp;How much appreciation do you have for Len Dawson and the way he played during his time?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think you’re saying it. The fact that he kind of pioneered the game to show that how the quarterback could really go out there and dictate how you play the position and how you play on the offensive side of the ball. Getting to meet (PFHOF QB) Len (Dawson) and how good of a person that he was, it truly is remarkable to be able to go out there and have a chance to break some of his records because the fact that he’s able to put those yards up and that record has stood for so long speaks to the player and person that he is.”

Q:&nbsp;What do you think about mentally going into this game?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I don’t think last year’s too much in your mind. You’re so focused on trying to get better, and we’re playing the best of the best Week 1. We’re going to see where we’re at. We’re going to have to go out there and play our best football early in the season. All we can do is go out there and be our best. It’s going to take that in order to get the win, and we’re going to have to learn from our mistakes and make adjustments on the sideline and go out there and find a way to beat a really good football team.”

Q:&nbsp;What else did you like about Xavier Worthy, besides his speed, before this year’s NFL draft?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think just route running (and) a guy that played physical too. For him (Xavier Worthy) to not weigh a ton, he plays hard, he plays through stuff, he goes out there and competes. The speed, obviously it opens up the field, but he’s not just a fast receiver, he’s a guy that can run routes. He plays hard, plays fast and you want those type of guys on your football team.”

Q:&nbsp;Are there things you’ve been able to do to kind of speed up the process?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think more than anything just he’s been able to pick up stuff fast. He’s learning from his mistakes. We’re really opening up the playbook to him, and he’s learning and it’s like he doesn’t get tired. He can take all the reps and he runs those deeps routes, gets back in and even if he doesn’t necessarily want to, we make him go out there and do it again and I think it’s going to be better for him as his career goes on.”

Q:&nbsp;How do you feel like you’ve adjusted to not having Hollywood Brown for Week 1?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“You have to adjust a little bit just because he’s (Hollywood Brown) such a vital part of our offense. He’s someone that can do a lot of different stuff. He can play a lot of different positions. I think what (Head) Coach (Andy) Reid and (General Manager Brett) Veach did this year is they brought in a lot of competition in that room. Guys have stepped up and taken over some of his role. It’s not going to be just one guy, its going to be multiple guys that kind of get in there and do the things that he does this week, and then the hope is that you have him back the next week. You just have to continue to push other guys to step up and that’s what football is.”

Q:&nbsp;What is it like to have JuJu Smith-Schuster back around?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“It’s super exciting. Just the person and then being in the locker room, being in the meeting rooms, he (JuJu Smith-Schuster) gets it, man. He gets how to be a pro, and then he works hard. He’s out here and he looks great. I’m excited for him to just continue to learn the little things that we changed in the year that he wasn’t there, but he’s picked up a lot of the stuff really fast and it’s good to have that type of guy in that receiver room.”

Q:&nbsp;What have you seen from Kingsley Suamataia that lets you know he’s prepared for Thursday night?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“He (Kingsley Suamataia) has the confidence. He’s going out there, and he’s enjoying the moment. He’s practicing hard. He’s learning from the guys beside him. This is, like we said, probably the best defense in the league other than ours, so it’s just going out there and competing against the best of the best Week 1. He’s going to get kind of introduced fast. I’m excited for him to accept the challenge and see where he’s at, but he did a great job in the preseason. He did a great job in training camp, and I’m excited for him to go out there and accept that next challenge.”

Q: You’ve played different variations of the Ravens defense over the past five or six years. Is there a common thing with all of those groups?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“The common thing is just physicality and speed. That’s who the Ravens are. They’re a team that’s going to play hard. They’re going to play physical, and you have to accept that challenge. If you don’t, they’re going to dominate the football game. Even though they’ve traded through defensive coordinators, they have those same principles. I think that’s more of the team (and) the culture they have, and I’m sure there will be wrinkles that we’ll have to adjust (to) out there. I mean, they have a great football team (and) a great defense. It’s going to be a great challenge for us.”

Q: What mentality or tempo are you guys trying to establish on offense in Week 1?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“You don’t want to get pushed around; I think that’s the biggest thing. Whenever you play teams like this, you want to make sure you match their physicality. We’re fast, and we’ve got guys that run around but we pride ourselves on being physical, as well, so it’s going to be a great challenge, man. We’re playing the best of the best football team Week 1. You can’t ask for anything better (than) to go out there and see where you’re at and to see how training camp and the offseason has paid off.”

Q: What do you admire most about Ravens QB Lamar Jackson when you watch him?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think more than the athletic ability and the ability to throw, (it’s) the way he (Ravens QB Lamar Jackson) competes. He’s a guy who competes every single week – you can tell he cares. You can tell he wants to go out there and win, and he wants to put it on his shoulders to take his team to where they can win as many games as possible. I think that’s something – that’s truly what it really takes to be a great quarterback in this league, it’s not always about talent. It’s about can you go out there and compete every single week and find the ways – whenever you don’t have your best stuff (or) your team doesn’t have your best stuff, you find a way to win football games that way.”

Q: When you go into the first game of the season, do you get more excited about unscouted looks?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“In a sense. It’s always a great challenge. I think more than anything, I just get more and more appreciative of having that opportunity to go out there. I joke around with Trav (Travis Kelce) – I’m older than Travis was when I got here, so it’s like it’s – you start appreciating playing in these games. You never know if you’re going to win another Super Bowl – I mean, that’s your hope but you don’t know if you’re going to be that opening night game. I remember my first year – I didn’t play but we go to the Patriots and play in that game. I remember how special that moment was for me, even though I didn’t step on that football field, so I just try to appreciate these moments because you never know if this is going to be your last one, but the hope is that it isn’t.”

Q: What do you think about Jaden Hicks?

REID: “Stud, absolute stud. Jaden Hicks, great player, humble, willing to learn and he’s going to help us this year. He’s going to be (in) some situations, he’s going to come in and make some plays.”

Q: You go against Travis in practice and training camp, what makes him so special – especially at his age?

REID: “You know what, there’s a quote from (NBA player) Lebron (James) that he talks about how Lebron now versus when he was younger, just the amount of experience and knowledge he has in the game. You know as time starts to go you start getting smarter and you start playing a little bit more fluid and (Travis) Kelce is just the epitome of that. It feels like he’s timeless because he’s so smart and knows the moves and him and Patrick (Mahomes) have so much chemistry that they’re able to just create on the fly and do things that nobody else in the league can do. He’s not slowing down anytime soon; I know that from practicing against him this last week that he’s still fired up and ready to go.”

Q: Mentally, what are you doing to prepare yourself for Week 1?

Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid QuotesSeptember 1, 2024<a>OPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;</a>“As far as the injuries go really only Marquise (Hollywood Brown) is the only one not practicing today. I look forward to the challenge to play the Ravens, a good football team. (They have) good players and good coaches. (Ravens Head Coach) John (Harbaugh) does a phenomenal job there. Along with (Defensive Coordinator) Zach (Orr), (Offensive Coordinator) Todd (Monken), and (Special Teams Coordinator) Chris (Horton) and their spots with the offense, defense and special teams. We know they are well-coached (and) we know they have good players. So, we go through our preparation this week (and) today is the first main day of practice. We will start it off. With that, time’s yours.”Q: What makes Travis Kelce so effective at his age?REID:&nbsp;“He (Travis Kelce) keeps himself in good shape. I also think he’s a flexible guy, he’s not real stiff. From a physical standpoint, he’s not a stiff player, and he’s got good flexibility and good strength.”Q: How do you prepare for a game like this? How much knowledge do you take away from an AFC title game?REID:&nbsp;“They (the Ravens starters) didn’t play a whole lot in the preseason – their main guys but we know who they are. Again, (Defensive Coordinator Zach) Orr is coming in and he is familiar with the whole group. He is going to do what he does from a defensive standpoint. There will be some changes. I mean, there are going to be changes that take place. It happens early in the season, for the first few weeks, until he gets kind of settled on what they do best. So, you got to be flexible on your end, and we’ll just see how it goes but can definitely take away the primary scheme – or take away from the (AFC Championship) game the primary scheme.”Q: What about Kingsley Suamataia tells you he is ready for what he is going to see Thursday night?REID:&nbsp;“He had a good training camp. He had a good preseason, but this is going to be a learning experience for him here. This is a good defensive line, and he’s going to – I’m sure there will be some ups and downs as he goes like any young player has. He’s prepared himself, and it’s time to go play now.”Q: Who are you using to mimic Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson?REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, Bailey (Zappe) can do that. We’ve always mixed guys in there when we have a chance of playing (and) there are some other guys that can jump in. We have a little plan for it. Not that any of them are as good as him (laughter) – Chris (Oladokun) included. I mean, Chris did a nice job, but this kid (Lamar Jackson), he’s a special player. It’s very hard to mimic him.”Q: What do you like about Bailey Zappe?REID:&nbsp;“Good player – on the practice squad you're saying? We liked him (Bailey Zappe) in college (and) we liked what he showed us in the last game there, he did a nice job of that. We think down the road he’ll help us there.”Q: Where do you think you’ve seen the most growth with Rashee Rice from the start of the offseason until now?REID:&nbsp;“I think there was a couple of things. I think the conditioning part of it and how much you’ve got to play and how fast you have to play every play – that was one. I thought his feel for space was another. Just the experience part of playing, period. At the end of the season, he could roll now. He had a great feel for what Patrick (Mahomes) was looking for, what the coaches were looking for and he was able to execute that and play fast, with his skill set that he has been blessed with.”Q: How much does someone like Justin Watson become when you don’t have Hollywood Brown for this first game?REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, Justin’s (Watson) always kind of been a big part of it, silently. He doesn’t say much, and he doesn’t get a lot of pub (publicity), but he’s always been a pretty big part of what we do. That part won't change, he will be in there running around. Even when Hollywood (Brown) comes back, he will be in there running around. He’s a smart kid that is skilled, loves to play the game, (and) plays hard every snap (in) practice and games.”Q: Do you still anticipate Samaje Perine being available on Thursday?REID: “Yeah, I think so. I think we’ll be ok there.”Q: Patrick Mahomes is on track to break a few of Len Dawson’s records but will do it quicker than Len did it. What does this say about the game today?REID: “It’s a little bit different game now with the passing the way it is, but he has so much respect for (PFHOF QB) Len (Dawson) before Len passed. They had a relationship there, they talked. The game’s just – it’s a little different. There’s just a little bit more passing that goes on now. At the college – at all levels really. You start at the little kid’s level and on up through high school and college and the ball is being thrown more. It’s a compliment to Pat (Patrick Mahomes) because he does it the right way, he handles it the right way. As great as he is, he’s a humble guy and respects the things that happened before him, he gets it.”Q: Besides ball security, what do you want to see from your team in this first game?REID:&nbsp;“The obvious is execution. This is a team that’s a physical football team, so you have to add that element into it. They’re good, they’ve played together so they’re good. They’re going to test your ability to execute on both sides of the ball and special teams, so it’s important that we take care of business here these few days that we have to prepare and you’ve got to do that the right way. That would be it along with – part of execution is hanging on to the football.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Chiefs Player QuotesSeptember 1, 2024QB PATRICK MAHOMESQ:&nbsp;What excites you most about playing on this particular stage to start the NFL season?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“It’s just a great opportunity for the guys. To see what it’s like to be on the biggest stage. Obviously, you want to play in the Super Bowl at the end of the year, but this is a big stage as well. To be able to get that experience, play a great football team, I’m excited for these guys to get out there and the guys who haven’t been here see what it’s like to be on that type of stage.”Q:&nbsp;How much appreciation do you have for Len Dawson and the way he played during his time?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think you’re saying it. The fact that he kind of pioneered the game to show that how the quarterback could really go out there and dictate how you play the position and how you play on the offensive side of the ball. Getting to meet (PFHOF QB) Len (Dawson) and how good of a person that he was, it truly is remarkable to be able to go out there and have a chance to break some of his records because the fact that he’s able to put those yards up and that record has stood for so long speaks to the player and person that he is.”Q:&nbsp;What do you think about mentally going into this game?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I don’t think last year’s too much in your mind. You’re so focused on trying to get better, and we’re playing the best of the best Week 1. We’re going to see where we’re at. We’re going to have to go out there and play our best football early in the season. All we can do is go out there and be our best. It’s going to take that in order to get the win, and we’re going to have to learn from our mistakes and make adjustments on the sideline and go out there and find a way to beat a really good football team.”Q:&nbsp;What else did you like about Xavier Worthy, besides his speed, before this year’s NFL draft?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think just route running (and) a guy that played physical too. For him (Xavier Worthy) to not weigh a ton, he plays hard, he plays through stuff, he goes out there and competes. The speed, obviously it opens up the field, but he’s not just a fast receiver, he’s a guy that can run routes. He plays hard, plays fast and you want those type of guys on your football team.”Q:&nbsp;Are there things you’ve been able to do to kind of speed up the process?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think more than anything just he’s been able to pick up stuff fast. He’s learning from his mistakes. We’re really opening up the playbook to him, and he’s learning and it’s like he doesn’t get tired. He can take all the reps and he runs those deeps routes, gets back in and even if he doesn’t necessarily want to, we make him go out there and do it again and I think it’s going to be better for him as his career goes on.”Q:&nbsp;How do you feel like you’ve adjusted to not having Hollywood Brown for Week 1?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“You have to adjust a little bit just because he’s (Hollywood Brown) such a vital part of our offense. He’s someone that can do a lot of different stuff. He can play a lot of different positions. I think what (Head) Coach (Andy) Reid and (General Manager Brett) Veach did this year is they brought in a lot of competition in that room. Guys have stepped up and taken over some of his role. It’s not going to be just one guy, its going to be multiple guys that kind of get in there and do the things that he does this week, and then the hope is that you have him back the next week. You just have to continue to push other guys to step up and that’s what football is.”Q:&nbsp;What is it like to have JuJu Smith-Schuster back around?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“It’s super exciting. Just the person and then being in the locker room, being in the meeting rooms, he (JuJu Smith-Schuster) gets it, man. He gets how to be a pro, and then he works hard. He’s out here and he looks great. I’m excited for him to just continue to learn the little things that we changed in the year that he wasn’t there, but he’s picked up a lot of the stuff really fast and it’s good to have that type of guy in that receiver room.”Q:&nbsp;What have you seen from Kingsley Suamataia that lets you know he’s prepared for Thursday night?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“He (Kingsley Suamataia) has the confidence. He’s going out there, and he’s enjoying the moment. He’s practicing hard. He’s learning from the guys beside him. This is, like we said, probably the best defense in the league other than ours, so it’s just going out there and competing against the best of the best Week 1. He’s going to get kind of introduced fast. I’m excited for him to accept the challenge and see where he’s at, but he did a great job in the preseason. He did a great job in training camp, and I’m excited for him to go out there and accept that next challenge.”Q: You’ve played different variations of the Ravens defense over the past five or six years. Is there a common thing with all of those groups?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“The common thing is just physicality and speed. That’s who the Ravens are. They’re a team that’s going to play hard. They’re going to play physical, and you have to accept that challenge. If you don’t, they’re going to dominate the football game. Even though they’ve traded through defensive coordinators, they have those same principles. I think that’s more of the team (and) the culture they have, and I’m sure there will be wrinkles that we’ll have to adjust (to) out there. I mean, they have a great football team (and) a great defense. It’s going to be a great challenge for us.”Q: What mentality or tempo are you guys trying to establish on offense in Week 1?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“You don’t want to get pushed around; I think that’s the biggest thing. Whenever you play teams like this, you want to make sure you match their physicality. We’re fast, and we’ve got guys that run around but we pride ourselves on being physical, as well, so it’s going to be a great challenge, man. We’re playing the best of the best football team Week 1. You can’t ask for anything better (than) to go out there and see where you’re at and to see how training camp and the offseason has paid off.”Q: What do you admire most about Ravens QB Lamar Jackson when you watch him?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think more than the athletic ability and the ability to throw, (it’s) the way he (Ravens QB Lamar Jackson) competes. He’s a guy who competes every single week – you can tell he cares. You can tell he wants to go out there and win, and he wants to put it on his shoulders to take his team to where they can win as many games as possible. I think that’s something – that’s truly what it really takes to be a great quarterback in this league, it’s not always about talent. It’s about can you go out there and compete every single week and find the ways – whenever you don’t have your best stuff (or) your team doesn’t have your best stuff, you find a way to win football games that way.”Q: When you go into the first game of the season, do you get more excited about unscouted looks?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“In a sense. It’s always a great challenge. I think more than anything, I just get more and more appreciative of having that opportunity to go out there. I joke around with Trav (Travis Kelce) – I’m older than Travis was when I got here, so it’s like it’s – you start appreciating playing in these games. You never know if you’re going to win another Super Bowl – I mean, that’s your hope but you don’t know if you’re going to be that opening night game. I remember my first year – I didn’t play but we go to the Patriots and play in that game. I remember how special that moment was for me, even though I didn’t step on that football field, so I just try to appreciate these moments because you never know if this is going to be your last one, but the hope is that it isn’t.”S JUSTIN REIDQ: What do you think about Jaden Hicks?REID: “Stud, absolute stud. Jaden Hicks, great player, humble, willing to learn and he’s going to help us this year. He’s going to be (in) some situations, he’s going to come in and make some plays.”Q: You go against Travis in practice and training camp, what makes him so special – especially at his age?REID: “You know what, there’s a quote from (NBA player) Lebron (James) that he talks about how Lebron now versus when he was younger, just the amount of experience and knowledge he has in the game. You know as time starts to go you start getting smarter and you start playing a little bit more fluid and (Travis) Kelce is just the epitome of that. It feels like he’s timeless because he’s so smart and knows the moves and him and Patrick (Mahomes) have so much chemistry that they’re able to just create on the fly and do things that nobody else in the league can do. He’s not slowing down anytime soon; I know that from practicing against him this last week that he’s still fired up and ready to go.”Q: Mentally, what are you doing to prepare yourself for Week 1?

Chiefs Quotes: 9-1-24

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals announced this morning that infielder&nbsp;Bobby Witt Jr.&nbsp;and right-handed pitcher&nbsp;Michael Wacha&nbsp;have been named Royals Player and Pitcher of the Month, respectively, for August. The awards are determined by a local media vote.

After being named American League Player of the Month for July, Witt Jr. put together another impressive campaign in August, slashing .310/.378/.673 (35-for-113) over 28 games. Of his 35 hits, 20 went for extra bases (57.1%), a mark that led the Majors, ahead of&nbsp;Jarren Duran’s&nbsp;19 extra-base hits. Witt Jr.’s 20 extra-base hits were the most ever by a Royal in the month of August, and were the most by a Royal in any month since&nbsp;Mike Sweeney&nbsp;recorded 20 extra-base hits in May 2001. His 35 hits last month tied for the 2nd most in the American League—behind&nbsp;Vladimir Guerrero Jr.&nbsp;(39)—his 10 home runs were tied for 3rd and he ranked 5th in the league with a 1.051 OPS. The shortstop hit safely in 23 of his 28 games—and the Royals went 15-8 in the games in which he recorded a hit—and he recorded at least 1 RBI in 14 of his 28 contests. In the Royals 8-4 win vs. Boston on Aug. 7, he went 3-for-4 with 4 RBI and 2 home runs, marking his 6th career multi-homer game and his 4th of the season. In hitting his 20th home run of the season on Aug. 1 in Detroit, he became the first Major Leaguer ever to record 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in each of his first three seasons. Yesterday in Houston, he opened the month of September with his 30th home run of the year, becoming the first player in Royals history to record back-to-back 30-homer seasons. This unanimous selection marks Witt Jr.’s third monthly honor of the season (also May and July) and the seventh of his career, which is already the 6th most by a Royals position player since the award was established in 1995.

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals announced this morning that infielder&nbsp;Bobby Witt Jr.&nbsp;and right-handed pitcher&nbsp;Michael Wacha&nbsp;have been named Royals Player and Pitcher of the Month, respectively, for August. The awards are determined by a local media vote.After being named American League Player of the Month for July, Witt Jr. put together another impressive campaign in August, slashing .310/.378/.673 (35-for-113) over 28 games. Of his 35 hits, 20 went for extra bases (57.1%), a mark that led the Majors, ahead of&nbsp;Jarren Duran’s&nbsp;19 extra-base hits. Witt Jr.’s 20 extra-base hits were the most ever by a Royal in the month of August, and were the most by a Royal in any month since&nbsp;Mike Sweeney&nbsp;recorded 20 extra-base hits in May 2001. His 35 hits last month tied for the 2nd most in the American League—behind&nbsp;Vladimir Guerrero Jr.&nbsp;(39)—his 10 home runs were tied for 3rd and he ranked 5th in the league with a 1.051 OPS. The shortstop hit safely in 23 of his 28 games—and the Royals went 15-8 in the games in which he recorded a hit—and he recorded at least 1 RBI in 14 of his 28 contests. In the Royals 8-4 win vs. Boston on Aug. 7, he went 3-for-4 with 4 RBI and 2 home runs, marking his 6th career multi-homer game and his 4th of the season. In hitting his 20th home run of the season on Aug. 1 in Detroit, he became the first Major Leaguer ever to record 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in each of his first three seasons. Yesterday in Houston, he opened the month of September with his 30th home run of the year, becoming the first player in Royals history to record back-to-back 30-homer seasons. This unanimous selection marks Witt Jr.’s third monthly honor of the season (also May and July) and the seventh of his career, which is already the 6th most by a Royals position player since the award was established in 1995.

Bobby Witt Jr, Michael Wacha, named Royals Player/Pitcher of the Month for August

SAN ANTONIO, Tex.- The Kansas Wesleyan Women's Volleyball continued their San Antonio tournament play Saturday afternoon against Rocky Mountain College (Mont.) followed by another match against Our Lady of the Lake University (Tex.) spitting the day 1-1.

The Coyotes started their Saturday off hot versus the Rocky Mountain College Battlin' Bears opening the day with a 3-0 sweep. (25-19, 25-23, 26-24). Kansas Wesleyan would then face Our Lady of the Lake University Saints in another close match that would leave the Coyotes swept by the Saints 3-0. (16-25, 20-25, 22-25).

Against Rocky Mountain, it was an intense fast paced match, where the Coyotes found themselves on top at the end of 3 quick sets. KWU started the first set of this match up 3-0 capped by an ace by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/76771f03-93f0-4b69-a589-9135812c49bd?elinkdata=11756">Kate Bebout</a>. KWU would maintain this small lead until RMC responded with a pair kills, an attack error from the Coyotes and then an ace by Madeline Gilder to tie it at 10-10. After trading runs of a handful of points KWU would force a RMC timeout after a kill by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/737b06ec-f7c3-40c1-9ea6-b15c2b19b12e?elinkdata=11756">Rylee Serpan</a> to stretch the lead to 23-16. The Coyotes would only give up one more point before winning the first set 25-17.

The second set was a story of runs as the Battlin' Bears and Coyotes continued to clash. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/ab2fa8d3-aa95-4f29-b09b-72acc4a59a77?elinkdata=11756">Kylee Harris</a> of KWU helped her squad as she had a string of kills set by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/1ec74697-fac3-4b99-99f3-756046b56df2?elinkdata=11756">Josie Deckinger</a>. RMC would call a time out after a -pair of these kills with a KWU lead at 12-9. KWU continued to pile on and make the score 20-13 until RMC would go on a run led by Mekenna Bushman set by Blythe Sealey. This 9-point run got the Battlin' Bears back in the fight and brought them the lead over the Coyotes at 20-22. KWU did not call timeout and did not flinch as they stopped the run with a kill by Serpan and would find two more points courtesy of <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/c23ee193-12ca-445a-94a5-fb97e20143d8?elinkdata=11756">Kate Bebout</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/6cfae6e5-31d1-4798-a314-cd63ae13fa6f?elinkdata=11756">Kylee Harris</a> to end the set at 25-23 Coyotes up.

Set number three would live to the hype of set one and two as it was also a back and forth battle. KWU continued to receive reliable sets by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5d79e543-b53d-4094-99c4-54ae88a9d54a?elinkdata=11756">Josie Deckinger</a> to give the Coyotes a 2-0 lead with Serpan kill and a <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/11870486-1796-44fb-b673-caf4b9b913f5?elinkdata=11756">Kylee Harris</a> kill. A long battle would find the two teams tied at 23-23 after a Coyote attack error that forced a timeout by Coach Biegert. The Coyotes kept their cool and kept getting reliable sets by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a1d306cf-3687-4a32-873c-c1cba08ef21c?elinkdata=11756">Josie Deckinger</a> to stay alive and sweep for the third set at a close 26-24 finish to take the match 3-0. (25-19, 25-23, 26-24)

After a short break the Coyotes would have to regroup and get back on the court verses the host team Our Lady of the Lake University in a eerily similar match up to RMC, Kansas Wesleyan would unfortunately fall to a closely fought match where OLLU found themselves on top of a 3-0 sweep. (16-25, 20-25, 22-25)

To start the first set OLLU Saints jumped in front of the Coyotes with a 3-0 run capped by a Mia Francis kill. The Saints would maintain at arm's length lead as the Coyotes tried to close the gap with a few back a fourth moments. KWU would be forced to call timeout after a Coyotes attack error found them trailing OLLU 9-15. The Saints continued to hold a comfortable lead as the first set ended at 16-25 OLLU on top.

After swapping sides for set two Coyotes scored the first point but would find themselves in a similar situation to set one after a kill by Mia Francis and a Coyotes attack error would leave KWU down 2-5 to the Saints. OLLU would keep this distance on the Coyotes all the way through the set. KWU called a timeout after another attack error would leave them down 17-23. Saints would not flinch and finished the second set with on top of the Coyotes at 20-25.

The third set would be a close battle where the Coyotes found themselves on the wrong side. KWU did not shy away this set as they forced a early timeout by OLLU after a sting of kills by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/caec2991-2ba4-4c7f-9917-c14d589c386f?elinkdata=11756">Gianna Adriaanse</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/05a93c0e-a5f5-415f-aae4-9be0ac585197?elinkdata=11756">Rylee Serpan</a> coupled by a Saints attack error put the Coyotes on top at 5-2. The Saints then put together a four point run followed by both teams trading point for point all the way till both squads had 20 a piece would force a KWU timeout. OLLU would compete the sweep after defeating KWU 22-25 in the third set of a hard fought match.

SAN ANTONIO, Tex.- The Kansas Wesleyan Women's Volleyball continued their San Antonio tournament play Saturday afternoon against Rocky Mountain College (Mont.) followed by another match against Our Lady of the Lake University (Tex.) spitting the day 1-1.The Coyotes started their Saturday off hot versus the Rocky Mountain College Battlin' Bears opening the day with a 3-0 sweep. (25-19, 25-23, 26-24). Kansas Wesleyan would then face Our Lady of the Lake University Saints in another close match that would leave the Coyotes swept by the Saints 3-0. (16-25, 20-25, 22-25).Against Rocky Mountain, it was an intense fast paced match, where the Coyotes found themselves on top at the end of 3 quick sets. KWU started the first set of this match up 3-0 capped by an ace by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/76771f03-93f0-4b69-a589-9135812c49bd?elinkdata=11756">Kate Bebout</a>. KWU would maintain this small lead until RMC responded with a pair kills, an attack error from the Coyotes and then an ace by Madeline Gilder to tie it at 10-10. After trading runs of a handful of points KWU would force a RMC timeout after a kill by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/737b06ec-f7c3-40c1-9ea6-b15c2b19b12e?elinkdata=11756">Rylee Serpan</a> to stretch the lead to 23-16. The Coyotes would only give up one more point before winning the first set 25-17.The second set was a story of runs as the Battlin' Bears and Coyotes continued to clash. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/ab2fa8d3-aa95-4f29-b09b-72acc4a59a77?elinkdata=11756">Kylee Harris</a> of KWU helped her squad as she had a string of kills set by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/1ec74697-fac3-4b99-99f3-756046b56df2?elinkdata=11756">Josie Deckinger</a>. RMC would call a time out after a -pair of these kills with a KWU lead at 12-9. KWU continued to pile on and make the score 20-13 until RMC would go on a run led by Mekenna Bushman set by Blythe Sealey. This 9-point run got the Battlin' Bears back in the fight and brought them the lead over the Coyotes at 20-22. KWU did not call timeout and did not flinch as they stopped the run with a kill by Serpan and would find two more points courtesy of <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/c23ee193-12ca-445a-94a5-fb97e20143d8?elinkdata=11756">Kate Bebout</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/6cfae6e5-31d1-4798-a314-cd63ae13fa6f?elinkdata=11756">Kylee Harris</a> to end the set at 25-23 Coyotes up.Set number three would live to the hype of set one and two as it was also a back and forth battle. KWU continued to receive reliable sets by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5d79e543-b53d-4094-99c4-54ae88a9d54a?elinkdata=11756">Josie Deckinger</a> to give the Coyotes a 2-0 lead with Serpan kill and a <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/11870486-1796-44fb-b673-caf4b9b913f5?elinkdata=11756">Kylee Harris</a> kill. A long battle would find the two teams tied at 23-23 after a Coyote attack error that forced a timeout by Coach Biegert. The Coyotes kept their cool and kept getting reliable sets by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a1d306cf-3687-4a32-873c-c1cba08ef21c?elinkdata=11756">Josie Deckinger</a> to stay alive and sweep for the third set at a close 26-24 finish to take the match 3-0. (25-19, 25-23, 26-24)After a short break the Coyotes would have to regroup and get back on the court verses the host team Our Lady of the Lake University in a eerily similar match up to RMC, Kansas Wesleyan would unfortunately fall to a closely fought match where OLLU found themselves on top of a 3-0 sweep. (16-25, 20-25, 22-25)To start the first set OLLU Saints jumped in front of the Coyotes with a 3-0 run capped by a Mia Francis kill. The Saints would maintain at arm's length lead as the Coyotes tried to close the gap with a few back a fourth moments. KWU would be forced to call timeout after a Coyotes attack error found them trailing OLLU 9-15. The Saints continued to hold a comfortable lead as the first set ended at 16-25 OLLU on top.After swapping sides for set two Coyotes scored the first point but would find themselves in a similar situation to set one after a kill by Mia Francis and a Coyotes attack error would leave KWU down 2-5 to the Saints. OLLU would keep this distance on the Coyotes all the way through the set. KWU called a timeout after another attack error would leave them down 17-23. Saints would not flinch and finished the second set with on top of the Coyotes at 20-25.The third set would be a close battle where the Coyotes found themselves on the wrong side. KWU did not shy away this set as they forced a early timeout by OLLU after a sting of kills by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/caec2991-2ba4-4c7f-9917-c14d589c386f?elinkdata=11756">Gianna Adriaanse</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/05a93c0e-a5f5-415f-aae4-9be0ac585197?elinkdata=11756">Rylee Serpan</a> coupled by a Saints attack error put the Coyotes on top at 5-2. The Saints then put together a four point run followed by both teams trading point for point all the way till both squads had 20 a piece would force a KWU timeout. OLLU would compete the sweep after defeating KWU 22-25 in the third set of a hard fought match.

Coyotes split day two of San Antonio ShinDig Touranment

HOUSTON (AP) — Yordan Alvarez homered twice and Jon Singleton added a two-run shot as the Houston Astros completed a four-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals with a 7-2 win Sunday.

It’s Houston’s fifth straight win overall and comes after the Royals swept a three-game series against the AL West leaders at home in April.

“They kicked our butts early in the season in Kansas City when we were not playing our best,” Houston manager Joe Espada said. “But that's why you play 162 and we are a different club. We're getting closer to our goal and we're playing with a different type of intensity and focus and we demonstrated that this series.”

Kansas City lost a season-high fifth straight game to fall into a tie with Minnesota for second in the AL Central, 3 1/2 games behind division-leading Cleveland. The losing streak comes after the Royals won the first of three games of a four-game set against the Guardians and moved into a tie for the division lead. Cleveland and the Royals open another three-game series in Kansas City on Monday.

“The whole series was frustrating,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “We didn’t come out of here with any wins. That’s what we play for, is to win every day. So that stinks.”

It’s the sixth multi-homer game for Alvarez this season and his second this week after the Cuban slugger tied a career high with three home runs in Wednesday’s 10-0 rout of the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies.

Alvarez connected off Alec Marsh (7-8) in the fourth inning before Singleton’s shot made it 3-0. Alvarez belted his 30th home run of the season off Sam Long to start the sixth. He joins Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell as the only players in franchise history with at least four consecutive seasons with at least 30 home runs.

He nearly had another three homer game Sunday, but Tommy Pham caught his fly ball in the eighth inning on the track, just in front of the bullpen.

Sunday was the first time since June 22 that Alvarez homered at Minute Maid Park.

“When I hit the ball, there was like a stress that just left me,” Alvarez said in Spanish through a translator. “Obviously, there had been a while where I hadn’t been hitting the ball for homers here. So I hit that one, then came the other one and then almost the third one came. So hopefully that bad streak is gone."

Houston starter Ronel Blanco (10-6) allowed three hits and struck out three in five innings for his first win since July 9.

Yuli Gurriel hit an RBI single for Kansas City in the sixth and Bobby Witt Jr. homered for a second straight game with a solo shot in the seventh. Gurriel made his debut with the Royals on Sunday after being acquired from Atlanta on Saturday for cash considerations.

The Astros led by three runs when MJ Melendez walked with one out in the sixth and Freddie Fermin singled. Gurriel then singled on a line drive to left field, scoring Melendez and cutting the lead to 3-1.

Witt collected his 30th home run of the season with one out in the seventh, when he connected off Héctor Neris for a second straight game. Witt, who leads the major leagues in hits, batting average and runs, was 0 for 11 in the series before his home run on Saturday.

The Astros padded the lead in the eighth when Yainer Diaz hit an RBI double and Jeremy Peña scored two more on a single to make it 7-2.

Marsh permitted four hits and three runs in five innings.

Astros: OF Kyle Tucker, who has been out since fouling a ball off his shin June 3, continues to improve and could return next week. … 3B Alex Bregman missed a third straight game with elbow inflammation Sunday. But manager Joe Espada said the swelling is almost gone and he should return to the lineup Monday.

Gurriel, who spent his first seven MLB seasons with the Astros, was given a big ovation when he was introduced before the game. Houston fans also cheered loudly for him each time he came to the plate.

The 40-year-old helped the Astros to two World Series titles and won a Gold Glove Award and the AL batting title in 2021.

Gurriel played his first game in the majors this season on Sunday after spending the year in Atlanta’s minor league system.

Royals: RHP Michael Wacha (11-6, 3.50 ERA) opposes Cleveland RHP Gavin Williams (2-7, 4.99) when Kansas City opens a three-game series against the Cleveland Guardians on Monday.

Astros: RHP Justin Verlander (3-4, 4.16) will start the opener of a three-game series at Cincinnati on Monday. The Reds haven’t released their rotation for the series.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725236998008.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Royals left fielder MJ Melendez catches a line drive hit by Houston Astros' Jose Altuve during the third inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Royals left fielder MJ Melendez catches a line drive hit by Houston Astros' Jose Altuve during the third inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)</figcaption>
 </figure>HOUSTON (AP) — Yordan Alvarez homered twice and Jon Singleton added a two-run shot as the Houston Astros completed a four-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals with a 7-2 win Sunday.It’s Houston’s fifth straight win overall and comes after the Royals swept a three-game series against the AL West leaders at home in April.“They kicked our butts early in the season in Kansas City when we were not playing our best,” Houston manager Joe Espada said. “But that's why you play 162 and we are a different club. We're getting closer to our goal and we're playing with a different type of intensity and focus and we demonstrated that this series.”Kansas City lost a season-high fifth straight game to fall into a tie with Minnesota for second in the AL Central, 3 1/2 games behind division-leading Cleveland. The losing streak comes after the Royals won the first of three games of a four-game set against the Guardians and moved into a tie for the division lead. Cleveland and the Royals open another three-game series in Kansas City on Monday.“The whole series was frustrating,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “We didn’t come out of here with any wins. That’s what we play for, is to win every day. So that stinks.”It’s the sixth multi-homer game for Alvarez this season and his second this week after the Cuban slugger tied a career high with three home runs in Wednesday’s 10-0 rout of the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies.Alvarez connected off Alec Marsh (7-8) in the fourth inning before Singleton’s shot made it 3-0. Alvarez belted his 30th home run of the season off Sam Long to start the sixth. He joins Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell as the only players in franchise history with at least four consecutive seasons with at least 30 home runs.He nearly had another three homer game Sunday, but Tommy Pham caught his fly ball in the eighth inning on the track, just in front of the bullpen.Sunday was the first time since June 22 that Alvarez homered at Minute Maid Park.“When I hit the ball, there was like a stress that just left me,” Alvarez said in Spanish through a translator. “Obviously, there had been a while where I hadn’t been hitting the ball for homers here. So I hit that one, then came the other one and then almost the third one came. So hopefully that bad streak is gone."Houston starter Ronel Blanco (10-6) allowed three hits and struck out three in five innings for his first win since July 9.Yuli Gurriel hit an RBI single for Kansas City in the sixth and Bobby Witt Jr. homered for a second straight game with a solo shot in the seventh. Gurriel made his debut with the Royals on Sunday after being acquired from Atlanta on Saturday for cash considerations.The Astros led by three runs when MJ Melendez walked with one out in the sixth and Freddie Fermin singled. Gurriel then singled on a line drive to left field, scoring Melendez and cutting the lead to 3-1.Witt collected his 30th home run of the season with one out in the seventh, when he connected off Héctor Neris for a second straight game. Witt, who leads the major leagues in hits, batting average and runs, was 0 for 11 in the series before his home run on Saturday.The Astros padded the lead in the eighth when Yainer Diaz hit an RBI double and Jeremy Peña scored two more on a single to make it 7-2.Marsh permitted four hits and three runs in five innings.TRAINER'S ROOMAstros: OF Kyle Tucker, who has been out since fouling a ball off his shin June 3, continues to improve and could return next week. … 3B Alex Bregman missed a third straight game with elbow inflammation Sunday. But manager Joe Espada said the swelling is almost gone and he should return to the lineup Monday.WELCOME BACKGurriel, who spent his first seven MLB seasons with the Astros, was given a big ovation when he was introduced before the game. Houston fans also cheered loudly for him each time he came to the plate.The 40-year-old helped the Astros to two World Series titles and won a Gold Glove Award and the AL batting title in 2021.Gurriel played his first game in the majors this season on Sunday after spending the year in Atlanta’s minor league system.UP NEXTRoyals: RHP Michael Wacha (11-6, 3.50 ERA) opposes Cleveland RHP Gavin Williams (2-7, 4.99) when Kansas City opens a three-game series against the Cleveland Guardians on Monday.Astros: RHP Justin Verlander (3-4, 4.16) will start the opener of a three-game series at Cincinnati on Monday. The Reds haven’t released their rotation for the series.___

⚾ Alvarez homers twice as Astros complete 4-game sweep of Royals 

Kansas Wesleyan went toe-to-toe with the No. 14-ranked team in the NAIA for three quarters Saturday night.

A difficult third quarter proved to the Coyotes undoing, though, in a 35-24 Kansas Conference loss to Evangel in the season opener at JRI Stadium and the Graves Family Sports Complex.

The Valor, which went 11-0 during the regular season in 2023, erased KWU's 17-14 halftime lead with three touchdowns in a span of just over 13 minutes and led 35-24 entering the final 15 minutes.

"That's a really good football team, they're really similar to last year," KWU coach <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/0a1e1dd7-d2db-447f-963b-26061a29b4a4?elinkdata=11712">Matt Myers</a> said.

Wesleyan took a 17-7 lead on <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/659ea779-21a1-4679-a71c-075b6191e436?elinkdata=11712">Byron McNair's</a> 9-yard touchdown pass to <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/21f90a81-d647-45fe-bf95-2e8535568e64?elinkdata=11712">Earl Gray</a> with 2:22 left in the first half, the play capping an eight-play, 70-yard drive.

The Valor, though, made it 17-14 on Cameron Harris' 8-yard run just 26 seconds before intermission. The 12-play covered 75 yards.

A 57-yard pass from Reid Potts to Broc Lyle on the third play of the third quarter gave Evangel its first lead, 21-17 lead. The Coyotes were forced to punt on their next possession but it was blocked by Kyle Cummings, the Valor recovering the ball at the KWU 30. Two plays later Potts found Lyle again for a 28-yard touchdown making it 28-17.

Lyle had seven catches for 157 yards on the night; he also caught a 54-yard touchdown pass from Potts in the second quarter. Potts was 17 of 25 passing for 257 yards and three TDs.

"We've got to cap the defense," Myers said. "We were chasing guys on digs and under routes with our middle of the field guy and that's what's going to happen. If you leave the field open, they're going to throw it there and score touchdowns. We fix two of those touchdowns and it's a different ballgame.

Wesleyan battled back marching 71 yards on nine plays on its next possession - <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/80f2ea0a-8a19-4cb2-beac-fc8d5f3d017c?elinkdata=11712">D'Heaven Domena</a> scoring from the 1 that cut the deficit to 28-24 with 6:50 left in the quarter.

Evangel answered right back with an 11-play, 70-yard drive, Potts scoring from the 1 with 16 seconds remaining in the quarter for the game's final points.

Evangel had 427 total yards to the Coyotes' 305 that included 180 rushing on 43 attempts (4.2 per carry). <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/4951d133-fe67-4c13-910d-5c08a5430cdc?elinkdata=11712">Zarek Fewell</a> had 86 yards on 16 carries and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/cfb4a557-9ddf-4e19-bcb3-96f1bc43f2ca?elinkdata=11712">Luke Armstrong</a> 63 on nine attempts and a touchdown - an 11-yard run in the opening quarter for the game's first points.

Fewell also caught two passes for 32 yards while <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/2894f3c3-1a4a-497c-b3f1-4bb19fa2d74c?elinkdata=11712">Darrias Pearsall</a> had four catches for 25 yards and Gray three for 22 yards.

McNair, who started the final six games of 2023 in his freshman year, was 15 of 23 passing for 125 yards, no interceptions and the touchdown toss to Gray.

"We need to make sure we stretch the defense vertically going forward," Myers said. "Taking some calculated (deep) shots in the passing game and forcing them to cover us vertically."

KWU placekicker <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/8350d725-2f94-4c99-baa1-cf5fd40affa8?elinkdata=11712">Cole Segraves</a>, a transfer from Hutchinson Community College, kicked a 49-yard field goal that easily cleared with the crossbar and gave the Coyotes a 10-0 lead midway through the second quarter. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/2d77e564-cd7f-4225-becc-b4bcf02c8eb9?elinkdata=11712">Talon Cope</a> converted all three point-after attempts.

Kansas Wesleyan went toe-to-toe with the No. 14-ranked team in the NAIA for three quarters Saturday night.A difficult third quarter proved to the Coyotes undoing, though, in a 35-24 Kansas Conference loss to Evangel in the season opener at JRI Stadium and the Graves Family Sports Complex.The Valor, which went 11-0 during the regular season in 2023, erased KWU's 17-14 halftime lead with three touchdowns in a span of just over 13 minutes and led 35-24 entering the final 15 minutes."That's a really good football team, they're really similar to last year," KWU coach <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/0a1e1dd7-d2db-447f-963b-26061a29b4a4?elinkdata=11712">Matt Myers</a> said.Wesleyan took a 17-7 lead on <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/659ea779-21a1-4679-a71c-075b6191e436?elinkdata=11712">Byron McNair's</a> 9-yard touchdown pass to <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/21f90a81-d647-45fe-bf95-2e8535568e64?elinkdata=11712">Earl Gray</a> with 2:22 left in the first half, the play capping an eight-play, 70-yard drive.The Valor, though, made it 17-14 on Cameron Harris' 8-yard run just 26 seconds before intermission. The 12-play covered 75 yards.A 57-yard pass from Reid Potts to Broc Lyle on the third play of the third quarter gave Evangel its first lead, 21-17 lead. The Coyotes were forced to punt on their next possession but it was blocked by Kyle Cummings, the Valor recovering the ball at the KWU 30. Two plays later Potts found Lyle again for a 28-yard touchdown making it 28-17.Lyle had seven catches for 157 yards on the night; he also caught a 54-yard touchdown pass from Potts in the second quarter. Potts was 17 of 25 passing for 257 yards and three TDs."We've got to cap the defense," Myers said. "We were chasing guys on digs and under routes with our middle of the field guy and that's what's going to happen. If you leave the field open, they're going to throw it there and score touchdowns. We fix two of those touchdowns and it's a different ballgame.Wesleyan battled back marching 71 yards on nine plays on its next possession - <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/80f2ea0a-8a19-4cb2-beac-fc8d5f3d017c?elinkdata=11712">D'Heaven Domena</a> scoring from the 1 that cut the deficit to 28-24 with 6:50 left in the quarter.Evangel answered right back with an 11-play, 70-yard drive, Potts scoring from the 1 with 16 seconds remaining in the quarter for the game's final points.Evangel had 427 total yards to the Coyotes' 305 that included 180 rushing on 43 attempts (4.2 per carry). <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/4951d133-fe67-4c13-910d-5c08a5430cdc?elinkdata=11712">Zarek Fewell</a> had 86 yards on 16 carries and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/cfb4a557-9ddf-4e19-bcb3-96f1bc43f2ca?elinkdata=11712">Luke Armstrong</a> 63 on nine attempts and a touchdown - an 11-yard run in the opening quarter for the game's first points.Fewell also caught two passes for 32 yards while <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/2894f3c3-1a4a-497c-b3f1-4bb19fa2d74c?elinkdata=11712">Darrias Pearsall</a> had four catches for 25 yards and Gray three for 22 yards.McNair, who started the final six games of 2023 in his freshman year, was 15 of 23 passing for 125 yards, no interceptions and the touchdown toss to Gray."We need to make sure we stretch the defense vertically going forward," Myers said. "Taking some calculated (deep) shots in the passing game and forcing them to cover us vertically."KWU placekicker <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/8350d725-2f94-4c99-baa1-cf5fd40affa8?elinkdata=11712">Cole Segraves</a>, a transfer from Hutchinson Community College, kicked a 49-yard field goal that easily cleared with the crossbar and gave the Coyotes a 10-0 lead midway through the second quarter. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/2d77e564-cd7f-4225-becc-b4bcf02c8eb9?elinkdata=11712">Talon Cope</a> converted all three point-after attempts.

Coyotes fall in opener to No. 14 Evangel 35-24

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Avery Johnson threw two touchdown passes and Kansas State got contributions from all three phases of the game to lead the No. 18 Wildcats to a season-opening 41-6 win over UT Martin on Saturday night.

The Wildcats’ defense dominated early and often, allowing the Wildcats’ offense to find its footing. Kansas State limited the Skyhawks to 134 total yards (2.4 yards per play).

K-State also befuddled UT Martin's passing attack by sacking Kinkead Dent three times. The Wildcats finished with four sacks, led by sophomore defensive end Tobi Osunsanmi’s 1 1/2.

Meanwhile, the Wildcats’ offense had its moments behind Johnson, a sophomore who became K-State’s second-youngest quarterback to start a season opener.

He made his mark in the first quarter when he connected with tight end Brayden Loftin for a 23-yard touchdown to cap a seven-play, 80-yard drive that gave K-State an early 7-0 lead.

Johnson finished 14 of 21 for 153 yards and two TDs with an interception. He also ran for 37 yards on three carries.

DJ Giddens gouged UT Martin’s defense with a team-high 124 yards on 13 carries, averaging 9.5 yards per attempt. As a team, the Wildcats totaled 283 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries.

K-State’s special teams took center stage in the first half when the Skyhawks were forced to punt deep in their own territory. Ty Bowman burst through the right side of the line of scrimmage at the snap and blocked UT Martin’s Jaren Van Winkle’s punt. Colby McCalister scooped the loose ball at the 2-yard line and took it into the end zone to give the Wildcats a 14-0 lead.

Dent got the Skyhawks moving on their fifth possession. He took advantage of a missed sack opportunity by the K-State defense on the drive. Facing a third-and-19 situation, Dent slipped a tackle attempt and rolled to his left before throwing across his body to an open Trevonte Rucker, who got behind the Wildcats defense for a 45-yard gain.

The Wildcats stiffened, however, and the Skyhawks settled for Van Winkle’s 34-yard field goal. Van Winkle added a 31-yarder in the third quarter.

But outside of the 45-yard gain, the Wildcats limited UT Martin’s big plays and kept the Skyhawks out of the end zone en route to the win.

Young’s interception came on a play during which he stared down his intended receiver — Giddens — down the middle of the field. Young’s pass resulted in Chris Martin easily picking off the ball to end a Wildcats drive in Skyhawks territory.

UT Martin had no semblance of a run game. A total of nine Skyhawks rushers combined for 36 yards on 38 carries, averaging a paltry 0.9 yards per attempt.

K-State’s season is off to a good start with a win against a team they should beat. The victory, however, isn’t likely to see the Wildcats make a move up the polls.

K-State: On the road on Sept. 7 to play Tulane.

UT Martin: Travels to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, on Sept. 7 to take on Southeast Missouri State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1725157501496.png" alt="Photo K-State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo K-State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Avery Johnson threw two touchdown passes and Kansas State got contributions from all three phases of the game to lead the No. 18 Wildcats to a season-opening 41-6 win over UT Martin on Saturday night.The Wildcats’ defense dominated early and often, allowing the Wildcats’ offense to find its footing. Kansas State limited the Skyhawks to 134 total yards (2.4 yards per play).K-State also befuddled UT Martin's passing attack by sacking Kinkead Dent three times. The Wildcats finished with four sacks, led by sophomore defensive end Tobi Osunsanmi’s 1 1/2.Meanwhile, the Wildcats’ offense had its moments behind Johnson, a sophomore who became K-State’s second-youngest quarterback to start a season opener.He made his mark in the first quarter when he connected with tight end Brayden Loftin for a 23-yard touchdown to cap a seven-play, 80-yard drive that gave K-State an early 7-0 lead.Johnson finished 14 of 21 for 153 yards and two TDs with an interception. He also ran for 37 yards on three carries.DJ Giddens gouged UT Martin’s defense with a team-high 124 yards on 13 carries, averaging 9.5 yards per attempt. As a team, the Wildcats totaled 283 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries.K-State’s special teams took center stage in the first half when the Skyhawks were forced to punt deep in their own territory. Ty Bowman burst through the right side of the line of scrimmage at the snap and blocked UT Martin’s Jaren Van Winkle’s punt. Colby McCalister scooped the loose ball at the 2-yard line and took it into the end zone to give the Wildcats a 14-0 lead.Dent got the Skyhawks moving on their fifth possession. He took advantage of a missed sack opportunity by the K-State defense on the drive. Facing a third-and-19 situation, Dent slipped a tackle attempt and rolled to his left before throwing across his body to an open Trevonte Rucker, who got behind the Wildcats defense for a 45-yard gain.The Wildcats stiffened, however, and the Skyhawks settled for Van Winkle’s 34-yard field goal. Van Winkle added a 31-yarder in the third quarter.But outside of the 45-yard gain, the Wildcats limited UT Martin’s big plays and kept the Skyhawks out of the end zone en route to the win.THE TAKEAWAYYoung’s interception came on a play during which he stared down his intended receiver — Giddens — down the middle of the field. Young’s pass resulted in Chris Martin easily picking off the ball to end a Wildcats drive in Skyhawks territory.UT Martin had no semblance of a run game. A total of nine Skyhawks rushers combined for 36 yards on 38 carries, averaging a paltry 0.9 yards per attempt.POLL IMPLICATIONSK-State’s season is off to a good start with a win against a team they should beat. The victory, however, isn’t likely to see the Wildcats make a move up the polls.UP NEXTK-State: On the road on Sept. 7 to play Tulane.UT Martin: Travels to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, on Sept. 7 to take on Southeast Missouri State University.

🏈 No. 18 Kansas State cruises to win over UT Martin

HOUSTON (AP) — Yusei Kikuchi struck out 12 in seven innings to lead the Houston Astros to a 5-2 win over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday night.

Kikuchi (7-9) improved to 3-0 with a 2.57 ERA since he was acquired by Houston a day before the trade deadline. He gave up five hits, only allowing Kansas City a run on a fielder’s choice grounder that followed two singles in the seventh. He threw 101 pitches, including 75 for strikes and walked none.

“He was really, really, really good,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “He had all his pitches working, both sides of the plate. Our starting pitching has been phenomenal for a while, and Kikuchi just adds another level of quality of starts that we’ve been getting from these guys.”

Kikuchi pumped his fist following his 12th strikeout to end the seventh.

“The last couple of games, the starters have been doing really well so I wanted to do my part,” Kikuchi said. “The defensive plays behind me, especially (Ben) Gamel there in right, that was a huge play. Just watching that, I got pumped up today.”

Ryan Pressly pitched a scoreless ninth for his third save of the season.

Kikuchi had no run support until the Astros chased Royals starter Cole Ragans (10-9) in a five-run sixth inning. Yainer Diaz hit a two-run single, and Jeremy Peña hit a two-run triple during the inning, before Peña scored on a wild pitch.

Ragans looked dominant for much of the first five innings, allowing just one hit and matching a Royals franchise record with eight consecutive strikeouts. The record was set by Blake Stein in 2001 at Milwaukee.

“I was good for five and terrible for one,” Ragans said. “I mean, the record’s cool, but all I want to do is win. That’s all I want to do. Obviously, I didn’t get that done tonight, and I feel like I let the guys down."

Ragans finished with 10 strikeouts, pushing his season total to 197, which is the most by a Royals lefty in a single season.

“He was extremely sharp early,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “Then, in the fifth, it was an 0-2 hit, a hit batter, a tough walk, and then things just kind of unraveled.”

Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. hit his 29th home run of the season in the eighth inning off reliever Hector Neris, who the Astros signed on Aug. 24 after he was released by the Cubs on Aug. 20.

Witt, who leads the major leagues in hits, batting average and runs, had previously had a rough time in Houston, going 0 for 11 this series. He entered Saturday 0 for 19 in his home state of Texas.

“You just wake up tomorrow and move on,” Witt said. “We can’t really do anything now so we just learn what we did and prepare for tomorrow.”

Later in the eighth, Royals right fielder Garrett Hampson robbed Alvarez of what would have been his 29th homer of the season. Hampson leaped at the wall and had to fully extend his left arm well above the yellow home run line to bring it back.

Kansas City claimed a pair of veteran outfielders off waivers on Saturday in Robbie Grossman, 35, and Tommy Pham, 36. Grossman was claimed from Texas, where he won the World Series last year, while Pham was claimed from St. Louis. The Royals also acquired former Astros 1B Yuli Gurriel from Atlanta on a minor league deal for cash considerations.

Astros: 3B Alex Bregman is “still sore” but was “much better” as he missed Saturday’s game with elbow soreness that has sidelined him for several games in recent weeks.

Royals RHP Alec Marsh (7-7, 4.67 ERA) will start against Astros RHP Ronel Blanco (9-6, 3.14) as Houston goes for a four-game sweep on Sunday.

HOUSTON (AP) — Yusei Kikuchi struck out 12 in seven innings to lead the Houston Astros to a 5-2 win over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday night.Kikuchi (7-9) improved to 3-0 with a 2.57 ERA since he was acquired by Houston a day before the trade deadline. He gave up five hits, only allowing Kansas City a run on a fielder’s choice grounder that followed two singles in the seventh. He threw 101 pitches, including 75 for strikes and walked none.“He was really, really, really good,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “He had all his pitches working, both sides of the plate. Our starting pitching has been phenomenal for a while, and Kikuchi just adds another level of quality of starts that we’ve been getting from these guys.”Kikuchi pumped his fist following his 12th strikeout to end the seventh.“The last couple of games, the starters have been doing really well so I wanted to do my part,” Kikuchi said. “The defensive plays behind me, especially (Ben) Gamel there in right, that was a huge play. Just watching that, I got pumped up today.”Ryan Pressly pitched a scoreless ninth for his third save of the season.Kikuchi had no run support until the Astros chased Royals starter Cole Ragans (10-9) in a five-run sixth inning. Yainer Diaz hit a two-run single, and Jeremy Peña hit a two-run triple during the inning, before Peña scored on a wild pitch.Ragans looked dominant for much of the first five innings, allowing just one hit and matching a Royals franchise record with eight consecutive strikeouts. The record was set by Blake Stein in 2001 at Milwaukee.“I was good for five and terrible for one,” Ragans said. “I mean, the record’s cool, but all I want to do is win. That’s all I want to do. Obviously, I didn’t get that done tonight, and I feel like I let the guys down."Ragans finished with 10 strikeouts, pushing his season total to 197, which is the most by a Royals lefty in a single season.“He was extremely sharp early,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “Then, in the fifth, it was an 0-2 hit, a hit batter, a tough walk, and then things just kind of unraveled.”Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. hit his 29th home run of the season in the eighth inning off reliever Hector Neris, who the Astros signed on Aug. 24 after he was released by the Cubs on Aug. 20.Witt, who leads the major leagues in hits, batting average and runs, had previously had a rough time in Houston, going 0 for 11 this series. He entered Saturday 0 for 19 in his home state of Texas.“You just wake up tomorrow and move on,” Witt said. “We can’t really do anything now so we just learn what we did and prepare for tomorrow.”Later in the eighth, Royals right fielder Garrett Hampson robbed Alvarez of what would have been his 29th homer of the season. Hampson leaped at the wall and had to fully extend his left arm well above the yellow home run line to bring it back.ROYALS’ NEW ADDITIONSKansas City claimed a pair of veteran outfielders off waivers on Saturday in Robbie Grossman, 35, and Tommy Pham, 36. Grossman was claimed from Texas, where he won the World Series last year, while Pham was claimed from St. Louis. The Royals also acquired former Astros 1B Yuli Gurriel from Atlanta on a minor league deal for cash considerations.TRAINER’S ROOMAstros: 3B Alex Bregman is “still sore” but was “much better” as he missed Saturday’s game with elbow soreness that has sidelined him for several games in recent weeks.UP NEXTRoyals RHP Alec Marsh (7-7, 4.67 ERA) will start against Astros RHP Ronel Blanco (9-6, 3.14) as Houston goes for a four-game sweep on Sunday.___

⚾ Kikuchi strikes out 12 in 7 innings as Astros beat Royals

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Kansas Wesleyan Women's Volleyball opened play in the San Antonio Shindig, hosted by Our Lady of the Lake University, on Friday with a pair of victories to improve to 4-1 on the season.

The Coyotes defeated John Brown University in four sets (26-28, 25-14, 25-22, 25-22) and capped the day with a straight set win over Huston-Tillotson University (25-22, 25-18, 25-17).

Against John Brown, it was back and forth in the opening set as the Coyotes held a 8-6 lead after a kill by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/cf007569-23ab-4102-b03d-1aec54a3b837?elinkdata=11690">Kylee Harris</a>, but the Golden Eagles came back and took a 10-8 lead. JBU jumped out to a 15-9 lead before another Harris kill got things going for the Coyotes as KWU closed the gap to 18-17 on a Kyle Moore kill.

JBU built a 21-17 lead prompting a timeout by the Coyotes and KWU came out of the break scoring nine of the next 13 points to take a 26-25 lead, but JBU scored the final three points of the set to take the opener 28-26.

Wesleyan powered into the second set jumping out to a 12-4 lead and extended the lead to 15-5. The difference was too much for the Eagles to bounce back as the Coyotes scored the last three points of the set to take it 25-14.

The third set went back and forth again. Trailing 10-9, the Coyotes cored the next two to take an 11-10 lead and later extended the advantage to 14-11. KWU had set point at 24-19, but the Golden Eagles scored the next three points before getting the final point to take the set 25-22.

KWU trailed 8-4 in the fourth set, but scored six of the next seven points to take a 10-9 lead in the set on a kill by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/c2989321-0315-4eff-bcab-bae4fa6a432c?elinkdata=11690">Kylee Harris</a>. JBU had a 11-10 lead before KWU scored the next four to take a 14-11 lead. KWU again had set and match point at 24-19 before JBU scored the next three before a kill by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a84f6501-acef-42e2-8484-04f1adcad067?elinkdata=11690">Gianna Adriaanse</a> closed it out.

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/87e3abb5-3215-45bc-9b15-a15b50b0a7f8?elinkdata=11690">Rylee Serpan</a> led the Coyotes with 20 kills while hitting .357 for the match. Harris added 10 kills. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/253d5d7c-c75b-482b-bcd6-0ba22c44c0f5?elinkdata=11690">Josie Deckinger</a> handed out 40 assists and had eight digs. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/3ba38b12-5445-4891-9b24-42faab389a59?elinkdata=11690">Kori Arnold</a> had 26 digs and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/d295a1fa-0d94-4d5a-bc3a-7138d28cf05b?elinkdata=11690">Ella Schmid</a> had 15. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/28ce26de-9c48-40f9-8eab-26bd99827ad1?elinkdata=11690">Kyla Moore</a> was credited with five solo blocks.

Against Huston-Tillotson, the Coyotes won in straight sets. HTU jumped out to a 6-2 lead to start the match and led 13-9 when KWU made its move. A kill by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/96864809-bea2-4c5e-84e4-e20b37f39432?elinkdata=11690">Josie Deckinger</a> tied the set at 14 and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/706cb574-dd43-4c96-94ea-cb85dd904857?elinkdata=11690">Ella Schmid's</a> service ace game KWU the lead as the Coyotes took a 17-14 lead. HTU got within a point at 23-22, but the Coyotes got the final two the last on a block by Adriaanse to end it.

Riding the momentum of the strong finish in the first set, the Coyotes jumped out to a 9-4 lead in the second. HTU got back within a point at 10-9, but a 7-1 run from the Coyotes capped by a Harris block made it 17-10. KWU led 19-18 when KWU finished the set on a 6-0 run to take the set 25-18.

The third set was tied 5-5 when the Coyotes score seven of the next eight to take a 12-6 lead. After two HTU points, the Coyotes scored four in a row to take a 16-8 lead. It was 22-17 Coyotes when KWU closed the match with three straight points.

Wesleyan had a much more balanced attack as Adriaanse led the way with eight kills, and Harris and Serpan had seven each. The Coyotes capitalized on 41 errors in hitting, serving and receiving by Huston-Tillotson. Deckinger had 21 assists. Arnold had 17 digs and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/8c39dbfe-80ca-480f-817e-dd275da88a67?elinkdata=11690">Kate Bebout</a> had 16.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Kansas Wesleyan Women's Volleyball opened play in the San Antonio Shindig, hosted by Our Lady of the Lake University, on Friday with a pair of victories to improve to 4-1 on the season.The Coyotes defeated John Brown University in four sets (26-28, 25-14, 25-22, 25-22) and capped the day with a straight set win over Huston-Tillotson University (25-22, 25-18, 25-17).Against John Brown, it was back and forth in the opening set as the Coyotes held a 8-6 lead after a kill by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/cf007569-23ab-4102-b03d-1aec54a3b837?elinkdata=11690">Kylee Harris</a>, but the Golden Eagles came back and took a 10-8 lead. JBU jumped out to a 15-9 lead before another Harris kill got things going for the Coyotes as KWU closed the gap to 18-17 on a Kyle Moore kill.JBU built a 21-17 lead prompting a timeout by the Coyotes and KWU came out of the break scoring nine of the next 13 points to take a 26-25 lead, but JBU scored the final three points of the set to take the opener 28-26.Wesleyan powered into the second set jumping out to a 12-4 lead and extended the lead to 15-5. The difference was too much for the Eagles to bounce back as the Coyotes scored the last three points of the set to take it 25-14.The third set went back and forth again. Trailing 10-9, the Coyotes cored the next two to take an 11-10 lead and later extended the advantage to 14-11. KWU had set point at 24-19, but the Golden Eagles scored the next three points before getting the final point to take the set 25-22.KWU trailed 8-4 in the fourth set, but scored six of the next seven points to take a 10-9 lead in the set on a kill by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/c2989321-0315-4eff-bcab-bae4fa6a432c?elinkdata=11690">Kylee Harris</a>. JBU had a 11-10 lead before KWU scored the next four to take a 14-11 lead. KWU again had set and match point at 24-19 before JBU scored the next three before a kill by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a84f6501-acef-42e2-8484-04f1adcad067?elinkdata=11690">Gianna Adriaanse</a> closed it out.<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/87e3abb5-3215-45bc-9b15-a15b50b0a7f8?elinkdata=11690">Rylee Serpan</a> led the Coyotes with 20 kills while hitting .357 for the match. Harris added 10 kills. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/253d5d7c-c75b-482b-bcd6-0ba22c44c0f5?elinkdata=11690">Josie Deckinger</a> handed out 40 assists and had eight digs. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/3ba38b12-5445-4891-9b24-42faab389a59?elinkdata=11690">Kori Arnold</a> had 26 digs and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/d295a1fa-0d94-4d5a-bc3a-7138d28cf05b?elinkdata=11690">Ella Schmid</a> had 15. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/28ce26de-9c48-40f9-8eab-26bd99827ad1?elinkdata=11690">Kyla Moore</a> was credited with five solo blocks.Against Huston-Tillotson, the Coyotes won in straight sets. HTU jumped out to a 6-2 lead to start the match and led 13-9 when KWU made its move. A kill by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/96864809-bea2-4c5e-84e4-e20b37f39432?elinkdata=11690">Josie Deckinger</a> tied the set at 14 and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/706cb574-dd43-4c96-94ea-cb85dd904857?elinkdata=11690">Ella Schmid's</a> service ace game KWU the lead as the Coyotes took a 17-14 lead. HTU got within a point at 23-22, but the Coyotes got the final two the last on a block by Adriaanse to end it.Riding the momentum of the strong finish in the first set, the Coyotes jumped out to a 9-4 lead in the second. HTU got back within a point at 10-9, but a 7-1 run from the Coyotes capped by a Harris block made it 17-10. KWU led 19-18 when KWU finished the set on a 6-0 run to take the set 25-18.The third set was tied 5-5 when the Coyotes score seven of the next eight to take a 12-6 lead. After two HTU points, the Coyotes scored four in a row to take a 16-8 lead. It was 22-17 Coyotes when KWU closed the match with three straight points.Wesleyan had a much more balanced attack as Adriaanse led the way with eight kills, and Harris and Serpan had seven each. The Coyotes capitalized on 41 errors in hitting, serving and receiving by Huston-Tillotson. Deckinger had 21 assists. Arnold had 17 digs and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/8c39dbfe-80ca-480f-817e-dd275da88a67?elinkdata=11690">Kate Bebout</a> had 16.

KWU WVB opens San Antonio Shindig with two wins

LEAVENWORTH -&nbsp;No. 14 Kansas Wesleyan Men's Cross Country posted a second place finish at the season opening Saint Mary Sunset Showdown on Friday night on the USM Cross Country course.

The Coyotes scored 48 points in the meet, not far off the pace of No. 2 ranked University of Saint Mary.

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/1621a9c6-a8bc-4d19-bd52-245f720585d1?elinkdata=11668" target="_blank">Austin Hess</a>&nbsp;led the Coyote finishers with a fourth place finish, covering the 8K course in 25:17.96.&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/3a78937d-00dd-4f60-9883-5f209830e9ca?elinkdata=11668" target="_blank">Damion Jackson</a>&nbsp;was fifth right behind Hess with a time of 25:18.07.<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/b3fd8a04-fafb-4869-844a-d44afa6c96f1?elinkdata=11668" target="_blank">Julian Avila</a>&nbsp;was 13th in 26:05.46, Giovanni Rio was 18th in 26:17.74,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a9174e90-fa0f-4fb5-b097-146c99d21fe8?elinkdata=11668" target="_blank">Jake Cruz</a>&nbsp;was 20th in 26:20.04, Austin Schaffer was 24th in 26:26.83,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/4f382e0a-b52f-4a30-acdc-864a20786c58?elinkdata=11668" target="_blank">Ty Davidson</a>&nbsp;was 28th in 26:43.66,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e9df63d0-b206-4055-9514-df05920fb1d1?elinkdata=11668" target="_blank">Tytus Reed</a>&nbsp;was 31st in 26:51.61,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/aa4cb3d2-e268-468c-9556-8d04930f495e?elinkdata=11668" target="_blank">Tim Parish</a>&nbsp;was 34th in 26:59.12,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/c3e6f0cb-3338-4d46-965f-53b870f4833d?elinkdata=11668" target="_blank">Cisco Alvarez</a>&nbsp;was 41st in 27:27.43,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/b327b6b0-4889-44cb-84ee-c569836b4726?elinkdata=11668" target="_blank">Nicolas Martinez</a>&nbsp;was 43rd in 27:33.95,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/46a83241-d66f-4874-a348-1a95ee39ed62?elinkdata=11668" target="_blank">Nate Chavez</a>&nbsp;was 47th in 27:44.12,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/9abeded6-ac8c-4cbe-b71b-c5bc311f9fd5?elinkdata=11668" target="_blank">Landon Steeger</a>&nbsp;was 49th in 27:56.00,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/ca1b01c2-9c39-4b4d-99d1-d848faac3a1c?elinkdata=11668" target="_blank">Brenden Ellis</a>&nbsp;was 52nd in 28:10.97,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/2318df65-e077-4b15-b3b7-df8e090d2ee2?elinkdata=11668" target="_blank">Evan Pearce</a>&nbsp;was 56th in 28:16.81, Will Griffith was 62nd in 28:43.82,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/09652187-c90b-45a0-a283-ff79c41bd0f9?elinkdata=11668" target="_blank">Ian Doss</a>&nbsp;was 65th in 28:46.80,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/71ea2755-4364-40d0-93d9-55eee3bf021e?elinkdata=11668" target="_blank">Triston Cottone</a>&nbsp;was 68th in 28:49.52,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/6277f51f-1103-4ff6-b7a8-562d663606d1?elinkdata=11668" target="_blank">Roman Mai</a>&nbsp;was 80th in 29:50.41,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/80152615-dad6-4d3a-af86-629cf0ef398e?elinkdata=11668" target="_blank">Brodie Bradshaw</a>&nbsp;was 81st in 29:56.93,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/52497282-47c4-4a46-b883-050861ec1493?elinkdata=11668" target="_blank">Will Childers</a>&nbsp;was 88th in 30:50.73, and Barron Talbott was 104th in 36:39.68.

Saint Mary was the meet winner, finishing with 25 points. Unattached runner Robbie Schmidt won the meet in 24:34.52. Saint Mary's Dominick Beine was the top team-affiliated finisher with a time of 25:06.72.

The Coyotes now prepare for the Woody Greeno / Jay Dirksen Invitational on September 21 in Lincoln, Nebraska.

LEAVENWORTH -&nbsp;No. 14 Kansas Wesleyan Men's Cross Country posted a second place finish at the season opening Saint Mary Sunset Showdown on Friday night on the USM Cross Country course.The Coyotes scored 48 points in the meet, not far off the pace of No. 2 ranked University of Saint Mary.<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/1621a9c6-a8bc-4d19-bd52-245f720585d1?elinkdata=11668" target="_blank">Austin Hess</a>&nbsp;led the Coyote finishers with a fourth place finish, covering the 8K course in 25:17.96.&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/3a78937d-00dd-4f60-9883-5f209830e9ca?elinkdata=11668" target="_blank">Damion Jackson</a>&nbsp;was fifth right behind Hess with a time of 25:18.07.<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/b3fd8a04-fafb-4869-844a-d44afa6c96f1?elinkdata=11668" target="_blank">Julian Avila</a>&nbsp;was 13th in 26:05.46, Giovanni Rio was 18th in 26:17.74,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a9174e90-fa0f-4fb5-b097-146c99d21fe8?elinkdata=11668" target="_blank">Jake Cruz</a>&nbsp;was 20th in 26:20.04, Austin Schaffer was 24th in 26:26.83,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/4f382e0a-b52f-4a30-acdc-864a20786c58?elinkdata=11668" target="_blank">Ty Davidson</a>&nbsp;was 28th in 26:43.66,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e9df63d0-b206-4055-9514-df05920fb1d1?elinkdata=11668" target="_blank">Tytus Reed</a>&nbsp;was 31st in 26:51.61,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/aa4cb3d2-e268-468c-9556-8d04930f495e?elinkdata=11668" target="_blank">Tim Parish</a>&nbsp;was 34th in 26:59.12,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/c3e6f0cb-3338-4d46-965f-53b870f4833d?elinkdata=11668" target="_blank">Cisco Alvarez</a>&nbsp;was 41st in 27:27.43,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/b327b6b0-4889-44cb-84ee-c569836b4726?elinkdata=11668" target="_blank">Nicolas Martinez</a>&nbsp;was 43rd in 27:33.95,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/46a83241-d66f-4874-a348-1a95ee39ed62?elinkdata=11668" target="_blank">Nate Chavez</a>&nbsp;was 47th in 27:44.12,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/9abeded6-ac8c-4cbe-b71b-c5bc311f9fd5?elinkdata=11668" target="_blank">Landon Steeger</a>&nbsp;was 49th in 27:56.00,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/ca1b01c2-9c39-4b4d-99d1-d848faac3a1c?elinkdata=11668" target="_blank">Brenden Ellis</a>&nbsp;was 52nd in 28:10.97,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/2318df65-e077-4b15-b3b7-df8e090d2ee2?elinkdata=11668" target="_blank">Evan Pearce</a>&nbsp;was 56th in 28:16.81, Will Griffith was 62nd in 28:43.82,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/09652187-c90b-45a0-a283-ff79c41bd0f9?elinkdata=11668" target="_blank">Ian Doss</a>&nbsp;was 65th in 28:46.80,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/71ea2755-4364-40d0-93d9-55eee3bf021e?elinkdata=11668" target="_blank">Triston Cottone</a>&nbsp;was 68th in 28:49.52,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/6277f51f-1103-4ff6-b7a8-562d663606d1?elinkdata=11668" target="_blank">Roman Mai</a>&nbsp;was 80th in 29:50.41,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/80152615-dad6-4d3a-af86-629cf0ef398e?elinkdata=11668" target="_blank">Brodie Bradshaw</a>&nbsp;was 81st in 29:56.93,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/52497282-47c4-4a46-b883-050861ec1493?elinkdata=11668" target="_blank">Will Childers</a>&nbsp;was 88th in 30:50.73, and Barron Talbott was 104th in 36:39.68.Saint Mary was the meet winner, finishing with 25 points. Unattached runner Robbie Schmidt won the meet in 24:34.52. Saint Mary's Dominick Beine was the top team-affiliated finisher with a time of 25:06.72.The Coyotes now prepare for the Woody Greeno / Jay Dirksen Invitational on September 21 in Lincoln, Nebraska.

#14 Coyotes post second place finish in season opener at USM Sunset Showdown

The 24th-ranked Coyotes open the 2024 season Saturday against Kansas Conference foe and No. 14-ranked Evangel. Kickoff is 7 p.m. on Gene Bissell Field at JRI Hospitality Stadium and the Graves Family Sports Complex.LIVE COVERAGE

GAME INFORMATIONTICKETSTickets are on sale now at&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f43834f2-065a-4359-9f62-5e9a08db9c43?elinkdata=11624" target="_blank">www.kwucoyotes.com/tickets</a>. Tickets are also available at the doorVery few spots remain in the Premium Tailgate lot. Reserve a remaining spot now at&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/8ebb2dec-11dc-483f-9d84-867efd5e675e?elinkdata=11624" target="_blank">www.kwucoyotes.com/tickets</a>GAME DAY SPONSORSSaturday's official game day sponsors are&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/7a6f3cf4-87b8-4130-b009-b3243ddb505f?elinkdata=11624" target="_blank">Ryan Roofing</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/8f1ed277-35d4-4356-944b-5d6746711d7a?elinkdata=11624" target="_blank">A-Plus Architecture and Construction Services</a>&nbsp;of SalinaKWU would also like to thank&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5534b1bf-301a-415a-a689-c89b589106da?elinkdata=11624" target="_blank">Little Caesar's</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/3c0e54e2-d7f9-46ca-8990-88d1667024dc?elinkdata=11624" target="_blank">Chick-Fil-A&nbsp;</a>for providing team and game day staff mealsPROMOTIONS

The 24th-ranked Coyotes open the 2024 season Saturday against Kansas Conference foe and No. 14-ranked Evangel. Kickoff is 7 p.m. on Gene Bissell Field at JRI Hospitality Stadium and the Graves Family Sports Complex.LIVE COVERAGE<ul>
 <li>The video stream of the game will be available online through the Coyote Sports Network at&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/23c23630-572c-4bdc-afcc-e42d2135290c?elinkdata=11624" target="_blank">www.kcacnetwork.com/kansaswesleyan</a>. The Coyote Sports Network will have Coyote Game Day live at JRI Stadium from 6 to 6:30, hosted by student broadcasters, previewing Saturday's match-up. At 6:30, pregame switches to the Eagle Radio Pregame Show.</li><li>Live Stats will be available at&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/9a87ba29-f69c-466b-bd9c-2b24a5425ab6?elinkdata=11624" target="_blank">https://kwucoyotes.com/sidearmstats/football/summary</a></li><li>Radio coverage will be on the Coyote Radio Network. The online stream is available at&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/0f022512-8ff9-402c-ba7c-03ce93dfdb54?elinkdata=11624" target="_blank">https://radio.securenetsystems.net/ce/kina2</a>.Tyler Henry will have the call with pregame starting at 6 p.m.</li>
 </ul>GAME INFORMATIONTICKETSTickets are on sale now at&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f43834f2-065a-4359-9f62-5e9a08db9c43?elinkdata=11624" target="_blank">www.kwucoyotes.com/tickets</a>. Tickets are also available at the doorVery few spots remain in the Premium Tailgate lot. Reserve a remaining spot now at&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/8ebb2dec-11dc-483f-9d84-867efd5e675e?elinkdata=11624" target="_blank">www.kwucoyotes.com/tickets</a>GAME DAY SPONSORSSaturday's official game day sponsors are&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/7a6f3cf4-87b8-4130-b009-b3243ddb505f?elinkdata=11624" target="_blank">Ryan Roofing</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/8f1ed277-35d4-4356-944b-5d6746711d7a?elinkdata=11624" target="_blank">A-Plus Architecture and Construction Services</a>&nbsp;of SalinaKWU would also like to thank&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5534b1bf-301a-415a-a689-c89b589106da?elinkdata=11624" target="_blank">Little Caesar's</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/3c0e54e2-d7f9-46ca-8990-88d1667024dc?elinkdata=11624" target="_blank">Chick-Fil-A&nbsp;</a>for providing team and game day staff mealsPROMOTIONS<ul>
 <li>It's Faculty/Staff Appreciation Day, all staff and faculty and families will be admitted free, and recognized between the first and second quarters</li><li>A special gathering area for faculty and staff will be in the President's Pavilion</li><li><a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/4aee63c6-08c0-4d2a-8142-9f1f8a5664ce?elinkdata=11624" target="_blank">Yotee's Spirit Store</a>&nbsp;will be open in the Student Activities Center AND on the concourse level at JRI Stadium.</li><li>The Mounted Patrol out of Fort Riley will present the game ball</li><li>Wesleyan Chorale will perform the National Anthem</li><li>Coyote Dance Team will perform at half time</li><li>Check out the latest vehicles from our transportation partners Marshall Motor and Long McArthur</li>
 </ul>RECORDS<ul>
 <li>Kansas Wesleyan 0-0</li><li>Evangel 0-0</li>
 </ul>THE SERIES<ul>
 <li>Evangel leads the series 2-1. The Valor won last year's game 17-7 in the season opener in Nixa, Missouri. It was their first game as a member of the KCAC. KWU won 38-28 in 2013 in Salina and Evangel 48-0 in 2001 in Springfield, Missouri in the first round of the NAIA playoffs.</li>
 </ul>KANSAS WESLEYAN AT A GLANCE<ul>
 <li>The game features two of the KCAC's top teams. KWU is the co-favorite with Ottawa in the Gene Bissell Division preseason poll while Evangel is the co-favorite with Friends in the Ted Kessinger Division poll.</li><li>The Coyotes committed five turnovers and were 0 for 4 on fourth down in their loss to Evangel last season. KWU scored in the first quarter and finished 148 total yards compared to Evangel's 399.</li><li>Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/d3f0b318-1045-4b85-ada7-51fb39a1590b?elinkdata=11624" target="_blank">Byron McNair</a>, who started the final six games last season, will open at quarterback Saturday. He'll be joined by running backs&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5a029c8b-cc6c-45ce-83f4-e23f7a4455de?elinkdata=11624" target="_blank">Zarek Fewell</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f87e98cd-e602-426e-b0c0-a5f97af51add?elinkdata=11624" target="_blank">Luke Armstrong</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/62bc7dd6-184e-46a9-9c7c-fa8388523ac6?elinkdata=11624" target="_blank">D'Heaven Domena</a>.&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/9ed3696c-b2af-4dd1-bb5a-b35338b6098d?elinkdata=11624" target="_blank">Earl Gray</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/6dc7e5c2-870a-412b-af62-f9a5c3be203a?elinkdata=11624" target="_blank">Rhadarious Lomax-Spivey</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/7f9084d2-7bcc-4000-9c81-c143281c4f36?elinkdata=11624" target="_blank">Kajuan Casey</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/b6a53244-5243-485b-a00a-bd948132fd7a?elinkdata=11624" target="_blank">Latavion Staples</a>&nbsp;will be the primary wide receivers.</li><li>Linebacker&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/78774a47-4633-4739-bfa6-29471f7f9771?elinkdata=11624" target="_blank">Ricardo Garcia</a>, end&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/ee4c2f58-660d-4b68-93b1-ba1da08bda08?elinkdata=11624" target="_blank">Josh King-Bradley</a>, safety&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/b9c26711-ceea-4a9b-a76a-807158ad03e9?elinkdata=11624" target="_blank">Quatama Massaquoi</a>&nbsp;and cornerback&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/498a914d-d344-48af-a2b1-432c73d37c23?elinkdata=11624" target="_blank">James Preston</a>&nbsp;lead the defense.</li><li>Eight Coyotes were named to the Bissell Division Preseason Team - Fewell, Armstrong, offensive linemen&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5f4b1632-4b2e-4f44-a31e-d9857af893c4?elinkdata=11624" target="_blank">Aiden Kendall</a>&nbsp;and Casimere Jontrell, fullback&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/ecfacbeb-1efc-4f7a-9a1a-65be9748d5dd?elinkdata=11624" target="_blank">Artaveon Shavers</a>, defensive backs&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/85c9024f-518b-403f-b5f7-f14fe0b7b109?elinkdata=11624" target="_blank">Julian Urioste</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/741c3364-3de1-4f77-9c30-af94c6e43bed?elinkdata=11624" target="_blank">Jordan Dupre</a>, and placekicker&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/edc0ca75-b7cc-4fc4-ac3b-a83a69787853?elinkdata=11624" target="_blank">Talon Cope</a>.</li>
 </ul>EVANGEL AT A GLANCE<ul>
 <li>The Valor were 11-0 during the 2023 regular season - their first in the KCAC - before losing to Bethel (Tennessee) in the first round of the NAIA playoffs.</li><li>Coach Chuck Hepola enters his 10th season as Evangel's coach and has a 53-31 overall record.</li><li>Reid Potts, a transfer from Missouri State, is expected to start at quarterback. He replaces R.J. Wakely, who threw for 2,761 yards and 28 touchdowns last season. Running back Sammy Robinson, who rushed for 155 yards last year against KWU, has also departed along with receiver Dillon Hester, who had 12 catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns. Eric Williams, the Valor's top rusher a year ago, returns along with Third Team All-America lineman Chris Anoa'i.</li><li>Defense is the Valor's strength and is led by First Team All-American linebacker Bradley Myers who had 151 tackles in 2023. His brother Zach anchors the interior line while cornerback Nate Swofford leads the secondary.</li>
 </ul>

#24 Coyote football opens 2024 campaign Saturday, hosting #14 Evangel

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. -&nbsp;Kansas Wesleyan Women's Cross Country opened its 2024 season on Friday evening in the University of Saint Mary Sunset Showdown contested on the USM campus cross country course.

The Coyotes, receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25 poll, finished with 63 points, behind Saint Mary who was ranked No. 1 in the NAIA in the preseason poll.

Junior standout&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/ff7cf20d-ba5e-4dd8-a2e0-3d8d9d5a452f?elinkdata=11646" target="_blank">Madisyn Ehrlich</a>&nbsp;paced the Coyote finishers with a seventh place finish covering the 5K course in 19:11.66.&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5482c62e-89ad-42ca-81d6-c1f417119bd9?elinkdata=11646" target="_blank">Kierra Jensen</a>&nbsp;was 11th in 19:41.63,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/c3306b80-9b0e-4ea5-928c-47191160434f?elinkdata=11646" target="_blank">Alayna Behrman</a>&nbsp;was 13th in 19:51.41,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e4ea798d-a377-4a0d-b9ae-873da439f002?elinkdata=11646" target="_blank">Charlee Lind</a>&nbsp;was 16th in 19:59.83,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/c2b78eb1-9f28-48f9-9796-1251f55154cd?elinkdata=11646" target="_blank">Josie Koppes</a>&nbsp;was 18th in 20:02.67,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/05636fa6-0516-4757-9c01-d366e8219d3c?elinkdata=11646" target="_blank">Kirstin Hackney</a>&nbsp;was 19th in 20:04.61,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/7a8baae2-2092-492f-bebb-c853d547d0e6?elinkdata=11646" target="_blank">Shelby Lingle</a>&nbsp;was 24th in 20:17.90,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/41629581-6be8-4e90-b0de-404c68d52862?elinkdata=11646" target="_blank">Micah Dickens</a>&nbsp;was 26th in 20:23.12,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/b893c9f6-e6bd-449e-be59-87a0b0c0a613?elinkdata=11646" target="_blank">Emma McAlister</a>&nbsp;was 35th in 21:13.95,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a5ebd3b3-8c16-4016-be80-49e8fbff9206?elinkdata=11646" target="_blank">Hailey Nordhus</a>&nbsp;was 36th in 21:18.28,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/b3159ea0-7a39-4b04-845b-68e7242c8f1a?elinkdata=11646" target="_blank">Mya Schweitzer</a>&nbsp;was 37th in 21:21.29,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/482f88a3-d840-4d58-8a0d-361d6a582f9a?elinkdata=11646" target="_blank">Allyson Taylor</a>&nbsp;was 47th in 22:00.91,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/2dfcf60a-5375-4323-bcce-740dda9c0492?elinkdata=11646" target="_blank">Joni Schroeder</a>&nbsp;was 58th in 23:08.05, and&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/0b6996a4-27b8-4e14-881a-b8945afc7f3e?elinkdata=11646" target="_blank">Lily Heinen</a>&nbsp;was 69th in 25:09.28.Saint Mary was the meet champion scoring 17 points and had the Top 3 finishers in the meet led by Reagan Hiebert winning the meet with a time of 18:29.13.

William Woods was third, Benedictine was fourth, Tabor was fifth and MidAmerica Nazarene was sixth in the team standings.

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. -&nbsp;Kansas Wesleyan Women's Cross Country opened its 2024 season on Friday evening in the University of Saint Mary Sunset Showdown contested on the USM campus cross country course.The Coyotes, receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25 poll, finished with 63 points, behind Saint Mary who was ranked No. 1 in the NAIA in the preseason poll.Junior standout&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/ff7cf20d-ba5e-4dd8-a2e0-3d8d9d5a452f?elinkdata=11646" target="_blank">Madisyn Ehrlich</a>&nbsp;paced the Coyote finishers with a seventh place finish covering the 5K course in 19:11.66.&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5482c62e-89ad-42ca-81d6-c1f417119bd9?elinkdata=11646" target="_blank">Kierra Jensen</a>&nbsp;was 11th in 19:41.63,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/c3306b80-9b0e-4ea5-928c-47191160434f?elinkdata=11646" target="_blank">Alayna Behrman</a>&nbsp;was 13th in 19:51.41,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e4ea798d-a377-4a0d-b9ae-873da439f002?elinkdata=11646" target="_blank">Charlee Lind</a>&nbsp;was 16th in 19:59.83,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/c2b78eb1-9f28-48f9-9796-1251f55154cd?elinkdata=11646" target="_blank">Josie Koppes</a>&nbsp;was 18th in 20:02.67,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/05636fa6-0516-4757-9c01-d366e8219d3c?elinkdata=11646" target="_blank">Kirstin Hackney</a>&nbsp;was 19th in 20:04.61,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/7a8baae2-2092-492f-bebb-c853d547d0e6?elinkdata=11646" target="_blank">Shelby Lingle</a>&nbsp;was 24th in 20:17.90,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/41629581-6be8-4e90-b0de-404c68d52862?elinkdata=11646" target="_blank">Micah Dickens</a>&nbsp;was 26th in 20:23.12,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/b893c9f6-e6bd-449e-be59-87a0b0c0a613?elinkdata=11646" target="_blank">Emma McAlister</a>&nbsp;was 35th in 21:13.95,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a5ebd3b3-8c16-4016-be80-49e8fbff9206?elinkdata=11646" target="_blank">Hailey Nordhus</a>&nbsp;was 36th in 21:18.28,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/b3159ea0-7a39-4b04-845b-68e7242c8f1a?elinkdata=11646" target="_blank">Mya Schweitzer</a>&nbsp;was 37th in 21:21.29,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/482f88a3-d840-4d58-8a0d-361d6a582f9a?elinkdata=11646" target="_blank">Allyson Taylor</a>&nbsp;was 47th in 22:00.91,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/2dfcf60a-5375-4323-bcce-740dda9c0492?elinkdata=11646" target="_blank">Joni Schroeder</a>&nbsp;was 58th in 23:08.05, and&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/0b6996a4-27b8-4e14-881a-b8945afc7f3e?elinkdata=11646" target="_blank">Lily Heinen</a>&nbsp;was 69th in 25:09.28.Saint Mary was the meet champion scoring 17 points and had the Top 3 finishers in the meet led by Reagan Hiebert winning the meet with a time of 18:29.13.William Woods was third, Benedictine was fourth, Tabor was fifth and MidAmerica Nazarene was sixth in the team standings.The Coyotes now prepare for the Woody Greeno / Jay Dirksen Invitational on September 21 in Lincoln, Nebraska.

KWU Women's Cross Country opens season finishing second at USM Sunset Showdown

HOUSTON (AP) — Framber Valdez pitched seven no-hit innings and Jose Altuve hit a game-ending RBI double in the ninth to lift the Houston Astros to a 3-2 win over the Kansas City Royals on Friday night.

The game was tied at 2-all when Jake Meyers singled off James McArthur (5-6) with one out in the ninth. There were two outs when Altuve bounced his double off the wall in left field to send Meyers home and set off a wild celebration.

“He always finds a way to wow us and that’s another big swing by Jose Altuve,” manager Joe Espada said.

The Royals trailed 2-0 and had just one hit when Bobby Witt Jr. reached on an error by shortstop Jeremy Peña to start the ninth. With one out, Paul DeJong sent a slider from Josh Hader (7-7) into the Crawford Boxes in left field to tie it.

Valdez was pulled after throwing 98 pitches, 60 for strikes, with seven strikeouts, three walks and a hit batter. He wasn't upset that Espada removed him from the game with the no-hitter intact.

“He made the decision that I was done there and I agreed,” Valdez said through an interpreter. “The most important thing was that we won the game.”

Espada raved about his starter's performance.

“That curveball, the sinker kept that all-righty lineup off-balance,” Espada said. “His stuff is so good. Efficient, composed, going after hitters, getting big outs.”

Bryan Abreu took over to start the eighth and retired Michael Massey on a fly ball before pinch-hitter MJ Melendez grounded out. Pinch-hitter Kyle Isbel then grounded a single to left field for the Royals' first hit.

The 30-year-old Valdez threw a no-hitter against Cleveland on Aug. 1, 2023. He nearly had a second one earlier this month before Corey Seager homered with two outs in the ninth inning of a 4-2 win over Texas on Aug. 6.

It was the second time this week the Astros took a no-hit bid into the eighth inning. Spencer Arrighetti allowed his first hit to start the eighth in a 10-0 win over the NL East-leading Phillies on Wednesday.

Valdez sailed through the first four innings but needed some help from his defense in the fifth. Freddy Fermin hit a sharp grounder to Peña, who fielded it and made a leaping throw that bounced to Victor Caratini at first just before Fermin’s foot hit the bag.

Valdez smiled and pointed at Peña after the play. Nick Loftin grounded out to end the inning.

Valdez hit Perez with a pitch with one out in the seventh before striking out DeJong. Fermin walked, prompting a visit from pitching coach Josh Miller. Valdez then struck out Loftin to end his night.

Espada said it was a tough decision to remove Valdez but that he thought it was best because of how hard he had to work in the seventh inning.

Ben Gamel led off Houston’s third with his first home run this season, a shot to center field.

Yainer Diaz singled with one out in the eighth before a double by Caratini. The Astros made it 2-0 when Diaz scored on a sacrifice fly by Peña.

Seth Lugo permitted six hits and a run with nine strikeouts in six innings.

“He had it all working,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “Seven innings of one-run baseball against that team is a phenomenal effort.”

Royals: 1B Vinnie Pasquantino will miss the rest of the regular season after breaking his right thumb while trying to make a play Thursday night. The injury will require surgery and the expected recovery time is 6-to-8 weeks, meaning Pasquantino could potentially return if the Royals make a playoff run. ... Reliever Lucas Erceg was injured on the same play when he tried to barehand a comebacker. His hand was bruised and swollen Friday but Quatraro said the injury wasn’t serious.

Astros: 3B Alex Bregman was out of the lineup Friday with elbow soreness. ... RF Kyle Tucker (right shin bruise) took live batting practice Friday for the first time since fouling a ball off his leg June 3. Tucker said he’s feeling good and believes he can return soon. He added that he hopes not to go on a minor league rehabilitation assignment and instead prepare for his return by doing more live BP and possibly simulated games.

Houston LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 4.39 ERA) opposes LHP Cole Ragans (10-8, 3.28) when the series continues Saturday night.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1725072957125.jpeg" alt="Houston Astros' Jose Altuve (27) is mobbed by his teammates after hitting a walk-off RBI double during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)" />
 <figcaption>Houston Astros' Jose Altuve (27) is mobbed by his teammates after hitting a walk-off RBI double during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)</figcaption>
 </figure>HOUSTON (AP) — Framber Valdez pitched seven no-hit innings and Jose Altuve hit a game-ending RBI double in the ninth to lift the Houston Astros to a 3-2 win over the Kansas City Royals on Friday night.The game was tied at 2-all when Jake Meyers singled off James McArthur (5-6) with one out in the ninth. There were two outs when Altuve bounced his double off the wall in left field to send Meyers home and set off a wild celebration.“He always finds a way to wow us and that’s another big swing by Jose Altuve,” manager Joe Espada said.The Royals trailed 2-0 and had just one hit when Bobby Witt Jr. reached on an error by shortstop Jeremy Peña to start the ninth. With one out, Paul DeJong sent a slider from Josh Hader (7-7) into the Crawford Boxes in left field to tie it.Valdez was pulled after throwing 98 pitches, 60 for strikes, with seven strikeouts, three walks and a hit batter. He wasn't upset that Espada removed him from the game with the no-hitter intact.“He made the decision that I was done there and I agreed,” Valdez said through an interpreter. “The most important thing was that we won the game.”Espada raved about his starter's performance.“That curveball, the sinker kept that all-righty lineup off-balance,” Espada said. “His stuff is so good. Efficient, composed, going after hitters, getting big outs.”Bryan Abreu took over to start the eighth and retired Michael Massey on a fly ball before pinch-hitter MJ Melendez grounded out. Pinch-hitter Kyle Isbel then grounded a single to left field for the Royals' first hit.The 30-year-old Valdez threw a no-hitter against Cleveland on Aug. 1, 2023. He nearly had a second one earlier this month before Corey Seager homered with two outs in the ninth inning of a 4-2 win over Texas on Aug. 6.It was the second time this week the Astros took a no-hit bid into the eighth inning. Spencer Arrighetti allowed his first hit to start the eighth in a 10-0 win over the NL East-leading Phillies on Wednesday.Valdez sailed through the first four innings but needed some help from his defense in the fifth. Freddy Fermin hit a sharp grounder to Peña, who fielded it and made a leaping throw that bounced to Victor Caratini at first just before Fermin’s foot hit the bag.Valdez smiled and pointed at Peña after the play. Nick Loftin grounded out to end the inning.Valdez hit Perez with a pitch with one out in the seventh before striking out DeJong. Fermin walked, prompting a visit from pitching coach Josh Miller. Valdez then struck out Loftin to end his night.Espada said it was a tough decision to remove Valdez but that he thought it was best because of how hard he had to work in the seventh inning.Ben Gamel led off Houston’s third with his first home run this season, a shot to center field.Yainer Diaz singled with one out in the eighth before a double by Caratini. The Astros made it 2-0 when Diaz scored on a sacrifice fly by Peña.Seth Lugo permitted six hits and a run with nine strikeouts in six innings.“He had it all working,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “Seven innings of one-run baseball against that team is a phenomenal effort.”TRAINER'S ROOMRoyals: 1B Vinnie Pasquantino will miss the rest of the regular season after breaking his right thumb while trying to make a play Thursday night. The injury will require surgery and the expected recovery time is 6-to-8 weeks, meaning Pasquantino could potentially return if the Royals make a playoff run. ... Reliever Lucas Erceg was injured on the same play when he tried to barehand a comebacker. His hand was bruised and swollen Friday but Quatraro said the injury wasn’t serious.Astros: 3B Alex Bregman was out of the lineup Friday with elbow soreness. ... RF Kyle Tucker (right shin bruise) took live batting practice Friday for the first time since fouling a ball off his leg June 3. Tucker said he’s feeling good and believes he can return soon. He added that he hopes not to go on a minor league rehabilitation assignment and instead prepare for his return by doing more live BP and possibly simulated games.UP NEXTHouston LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 4.39 ERA) opposes LHP Cole Ragans (10-8, 3.28) when the series continues Saturday night.