GOWER - The East Buchanan football team leaned on its defense all game long, and the Bulldogs shut out Mid-Buchanan 21-0 in the Class 1 District 8 championship on a frigid Friday night in Gower.

The win is East Buchanan's 10th win in a row, it's their fourth straight shutout and now their third straight win over their rival Dragons.

Since beating Mid-Buchanan, 48-12, on October 14, East Buchanan has outscored its opposition a combined 180-0.

"We have about 16 guys who rotate in on that defense," East Buchanan head coach Dan Ritter said after. "All of those kids are doing a phenomenal job. That starting 11...they had a few short fields and (Mid-Buchanan) had a few first downs, but they couldn't get anything going. I was very proud of their effort."

Mid-Buchanan (10-2) punted four times, had two turnovers and turned the ball over on downs four times as well.

East Buchanan (11-1), who has now won three district titles since 2017, grabbed a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter after a six-play, 61-yard drive ended with a 25-yard touchdown run from junior Trevor Klein.

The score remained 7-0 at halftime, as East Buchanan had three second quarter punts themselves.&nbsp;

Mid-Buchanan got the ball to start the second half, and started that drive on the Bulldogs' 29-yard line, but the Dragons turned the ball over on downs after six plays, getting within nine yards of the end zone.

East Buchanan salted the game away with two long scoring drives in the second half. Taking over at their own 10-yard line with 6:27 left in the third, the Bulldogs marched 90 yards on six plays. Junior Aidan Hensley capped things off with a 35-yard touchdown run.

The Bulldogs now led 14-0 with 3:34 left in the third. Jack Archdekin intercepted Mid-Buchanan quarterback Xavier Arambula on the Dragons' ensuing possession.

Taking over at the Mid-Buch 29, East Buchanan turned the interception into points in just seven plays. Klein scored his second touchdown of the night, this one from eight yards out, to put the Bulldogs up 21-0 within the first minute of the fourth quarter.

Mid-Buchanan had two possessions in the fourth quarter, but both ended in turnover on downs. The Dragons were limited to 201 total yards unofficially and were shut out for the first time since October 2017.

East Buchanan moves onto the Class 1 state quarterfinals. The Bulldogs will travel to take on Class 1 District 7 champion Gallatin. Those Bulldogs (11-0) beat Putnam County Friday, 21-7.

"Mid-Buchanan is a good team," Ritter said. "Any time you beat them and get to do it in front of your home fans, even though it was cold, it was a whole lot of fun to do that. We'll just take it one game at a time. I know next week (the matchup) will be a good Gallatin team."

Saturday's game in Gallatin starts at 1 p.m. and will be carried on KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3).

You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666366654304.jpeg" alt="East Buchanan's Trevor Klein (20) had two rushing touchdowns Friday in the Bulldogs' 21-0 win over Mid-Buchanan in the Class 1 District 8 championship Friday. Stock photo by Harry Loomis." />
 <figcaption>East Buchanan's Trevor Klein (20) had two rushing touchdowns Friday in the Bulldogs' 21-0 win over Mid-Buchanan in the Class 1 District 8 championship Friday. Stock photo by Harry Loomis.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostGOWER - The East Buchanan football team leaned on its defense all game long, and the Bulldogs shut out Mid-Buchanan 21-0 in the Class 1 District 8 championship on a frigid Friday night in Gower.The win is East Buchanan's 10th win in a row, it's their fourth straight shutout and now their third straight win over their rival Dragons.Since beating Mid-Buchanan, 48-12, on October 14, East Buchanan has outscored its opposition a combined 180-0."We have about 16 guys who rotate in on that defense," East Buchanan head coach Dan Ritter said after. "All of those kids are doing a phenomenal job. That starting 11...they had a few short fields and (Mid-Buchanan) had a few first downs, but they couldn't get anything going. I was very proud of their effort."Mid-Buchanan (10-2) punted four times, had two turnovers and turned the ball over on downs four times as well.East Buchanan (11-1), who has now won three district titles since 2017, grabbed a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter after a six-play, 61-yard drive ended with a 25-yard touchdown run from junior Trevor Klein.The score remained 7-0 at halftime, as East Buchanan had three second quarter punts themselves.&nbsp;Mid-Buchanan got the ball to start the second half, and started that drive on the Bulldogs' 29-yard line, but the Dragons turned the ball over on downs after six plays, getting within nine yards of the end zone.East Buchanan salted the game away with two long scoring drives in the second half. Taking over at their own 10-yard line with 6:27 left in the third, the Bulldogs marched 90 yards on six plays. Junior Aidan Hensley capped things off with a 35-yard touchdown run.The Bulldogs now led 14-0 with 3:34 left in the third. Jack Archdekin intercepted Mid-Buchanan quarterback Xavier Arambula on the Dragons' ensuing possession.Taking over at the Mid-Buch 29, East Buchanan turned the interception into points in just seven plays. Klein scored his second touchdown of the night, this one from eight yards out, to put the Bulldogs up 21-0 within the first minute of the fourth quarter.Mid-Buchanan had two possessions in the fourth quarter, but both ended in turnover on downs. The Dragons were limited to 201 total yards unofficially and were shut out for the first time since October 2017.East Buchanan moves onto the Class 1 state quarterfinals. The Bulldogs will travel to take on Class 1 District 7 champion Gallatin. Those Bulldogs (11-0) beat Putnam County Friday, 21-7."Mid-Buchanan is a good team," Ritter said. "Any time you beat them and get to do it in front of your home fans, even though it was cold, it was a whole lot of fun to do that. We'll just take it one game at a time. I know next week (the matchup) will be a good Gallatin team."Saturday's game in Gallatin starts at 1 p.m. and will be carried on KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3).<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668232284274.jpeg" alt="East Buchanan football - 2022 Class 1 District 8 champions. Courtesy photo." />
 <figcaption>East Buchanan football - 2022 Class 1 District 8 champions. Courtesy photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

East Buchanan earns fourth straight shutout, wins district title over Mid-Buchanan Friday

Benton senior and multi-sport standout Peyton Anderson officially signed her letter of intent Thursday to play soccer at Northwest Missouri State.

Anderson had been verbally committed to the Bearcats since January. She calls the signing a relief, and she’s excited to join a Northwest program that’s made history in each of the last couple of seasons.

"It's a super big deal to me," Anderson said. "It really feels good to be a part of something bigger than myself. So, it feels good to go to a winning team."

Northwest, this year, tied a program record with 13 wins and the Bearcats are in the NCAA tournament for a second straight season after getting their first ever invite to the tournament last year.

Anderson has been among the leading goal scorers for Benton the last two seasons, helping the Cardinals go from seven wins in 2021 to a 12-10 record in 2022.

Anderson has scored 40 goals in her high school career so far. She says her visit to Maryville went very well, complimenting the welcome she got from Northwest coach Marc Gordon and the team.

"It's a really big deal to me to go somewhere where I'm welcomed and everyone is super nice."

Anderson has also been a key contributor on a Benton girls' basketball team that's appeared in the Class 4 Final Four each of the last two seasons.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668123602849.jpeg" alt="Benton senior and Northwest Missouri State women's soccer signee Peyton Anderson (center) with sister Hallie, father Nate and mother Dana" />
 <figcaption>Benton senior and Northwest Missouri State women's soccer signee Peyton Anderson (center) with sister Hallie, father Nate and mother Dana</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostBenton senior and multi-sport standout Peyton Anderson officially signed her letter of intent Thursday to play soccer at Northwest Missouri State.Anderson had been verbally committed to the Bearcats since January. She calls the signing a relief, and she’s excited to join a Northwest program that’s made history in each of the last couple of seasons."It's a super big deal to me," Anderson said. "It really feels good to be a part of something bigger than myself. So, it feels good to go to a winning team."Northwest, this year, tied a program record with 13 wins and the Bearcats are in the NCAA tournament for a second straight season after getting their first ever invite to the tournament last year.Anderson has been among the leading goal scorers for Benton the last two seasons, helping the Cardinals go from seven wins in 2021 to a 12-10 record in 2022.Anderson has scored 40 goals in her high school career so far. She says her visit to Maryville went very well, complimenting the welcome she got from Northwest coach Marc Gordon and the team."It's a really big deal to me to go somewhere where I'm welcomed and everyone is super nice."Anderson has also been a key contributor on a Benton girls' basketball team that's appeared in the Class 4 Final Four each of the last two seasons.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">SIGNING 📝 : <a href="https://twitter.com/soccer_benton?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@soccer_benton</a> senior Peyton Anderson puts pen to paper for <a href="https://twitter.com/NWBearcatSOC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NWBearcatSOC</a> - a team that has made the NCAA tournament each of the last two seasons. Story/photos to come on <a href="https://twitter.com/StJosephPost?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StJosephPost</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/680KFEQ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@680KFEQ</a> ⚽️ <a href="https://t.co/NRrdF9jcOk">pic.twitter.com/NRrdF9jcOk</a>&mdash; Tommy Rezac (@TommyKFEQ) <a href="https://twitter.com/TommyKFEQ/status/1590809697111580675?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668123642605.jpeg" alt="Peyton Anderson (9) in a 2021 match vs. Mid-Buchanan. Photo by Tommy Rezac." />
 <figcaption>Peyton Anderson (9) in a 2021 match vs. Mid-Buchanan. Photo by Tommy Rezac.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668123677857.jpeg" alt="Peyton Anderson in the 2022 Class 4 state basketball championship in Springfield. Photo by Tommy Rezac." />
 <figcaption>Peyton Anderson in the 2022 Class 4 state basketball championship in Springfield. Photo by Tommy Rezac.</figcaption>
 </figure>

Benton's Peyton Anderson signs to Northwest Missouri State soccer Thursday

The Missouri Western volleyball team had a lead in each set, but the No. 7 seed Griffons were swept by No. 2 seed and No. 12 ranked Nebraska-Kearney 3-0 on Thursday in the MIAA tournament at Civic Arena in St. Joseph.

The Griffons had eight blocks and 62 digs, but the Lopers blocked 14 shots themselves and benefitted from 19 Missouri Western errors.

"Defensively, I thought we did a fantastic job," Missouri Western coach Jessica Fey said. "Blocking wise, we did a great job. Our serve receive, we had a lot of options to swing, but their offense is a little bit stronger and more experienced than our offense, and that's where you saw a huge difference in the match."

The Lopers won the sets 25-18, 25-22 and 25-19. Missouri Western (11-18) got off to a 5-3 start in set one, but then UNK nabbed an 8-6 lead, prompting a Griffon timeout. Western never got the lead back in the first, and the Lopers (25-6) rolled to a 25-18 win in set one.

The Lopers had a blistering .400% hit rate in the first set.

After getting down 3-1 to open the second set, Missouri Western punched back and led 11-9, prompting a UNK timeout. The Griffons led 13-10 after a Hailey Crane kill, but the Lopers tied the set at 14-14.&nbsp;

Western, again, led 18-15, forcing the Lopers to call a second timeout. UNK scored two straight points out of that timeout, and benefited from a couple of Griffon errors, ending the second set on a 6-1 run and winning it 25-22.

"When they got (momentum), it was hard to get back," Fey said. "But, I think we did a good job of getting back and coming out in that third set."

Missouri Western showed fight early in the third, getting off to a 7-4 start and then an 11-7 lead. The Griffons led at 16-15, but UNK scored two straight to lead 17-16, leading to a Western timeout.

The Griffons would never lead in the match again. UNK ended the third set on an 8-3 run, and scored the final three points to slam the door in the third, 25-19.

Missouri Western was led by Danielle Moje, who had a team-high 12 kills in her final game as a Griffon. Sophomore Hailey Crane had nine kills, while freshman Emma Salker had eight.

"(UNK) is hard to score against, so I'm really proud of how aggressive those three were and how they played in this game."

Freshman libero and Plattsburg native Lia Graham had 14 digs. Sophomore setter Nessa Johnson had her fifth double-double of the season with 10 digs and 33 assists.&nbsp;

This closes the book on the first season for coach Fey - a year in which the Griffons ended the regular season on a three-game winning streak. Seven seniors have now played in their final match, but Fey looks to the future with high optimism - mostly because of how the team responded to what she asked of them in an up and down 2022 campaign.

"We might not have had a lot of wins in the win column and might not have had a winning record, but I think in the future it's all going to translate really great with what they've learned this year and have overcome."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668118654833.jpeg" alt="Missouri Western's Emma Salker (15) goes for a kill through the middle early in the Griffons' 3-0 loss to No. 2 seed Nebraska-Kearney in the MIAA tournament at Civic Arena in St. Joseph Thursday. Photo by Tommy Rezac." />
 <figcaption>Missouri Western's Emma Salker (15) goes for a kill through the middle early in the Griffons' 3-0 loss to No. 2 seed Nebraska-Kearney in the MIAA tournament at Civic Arena in St. Joseph Thursday. Photo by Tommy Rezac.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostThe Missouri Western volleyball team had a lead in each set, but the No. 7 seed Griffons were swept by No. 2 seed and No. 12 ranked Nebraska-Kearney 3-0 on Thursday in the MIAA tournament at Civic Arena in St. Joseph.The Griffons had eight blocks and 62 digs, but the Lopers blocked 14 shots themselves and benefitted from 19 Missouri Western errors."Defensively, I thought we did a fantastic job," Missouri Western coach Jessica Fey said. "Blocking wise, we did a great job. Our serve receive, we had a lot of options to swing, but their offense is a little bit stronger and more experienced than our offense, and that's where you saw a huge difference in the match."The Lopers won the sets 25-18, 25-22 and 25-19. Missouri Western (11-18) got off to a 5-3 start in set one, but then UNK nabbed an 8-6 lead, prompting a Griffon timeout. Western never got the lead back in the first, and the Lopers (25-6) rolled to a 25-18 win in set one.The Lopers had a blistering .400% hit rate in the first set.After getting down 3-1 to open the second set, Missouri Western punched back and led 11-9, prompting a UNK timeout. The Griffons led 13-10 after a Hailey Crane kill, but the Lopers tied the set at 14-14.&nbsp;Western, again, led 18-15, forcing the Lopers to call a second timeout. UNK scored two straight points out of that timeout, and benefited from a couple of Griffon errors, ending the second set on a 6-1 run and winning it 25-22."When they got (momentum), it was hard to get back," Fey said. "But, I think we did a good job of getting back and coming out in that third set."Missouri Western showed fight early in the third, getting off to a 7-4 start and then an 11-7 lead. The Griffons led at 16-15, but UNK scored two straight to lead 17-16, leading to a Western timeout.The Griffons would never lead in the match again. UNK ended the third set on an 8-3 run, and scored the final three points to slam the door in the third, 25-19.Missouri Western was led by Danielle Moje, who had a team-high 12 kills in her final game as a Griffon. Sophomore Hailey Crane had nine kills, while freshman Emma Salker had eight."(UNK) is hard to score against, so I'm really proud of how aggressive those three were and how they played in this game."Freshman libero and Plattsburg native Lia Graham had 14 digs. Sophomore setter Nessa Johnson had her fifth double-double of the season with 10 digs and 33 assists.&nbsp;This closes the book on the first season for coach Fey - a year in which the Griffons ended the regular season on a three-game winning streak. Seven seniors have now played in their final match, but Fey looks to the future with high optimism - mostly because of how the team responded to what she asked of them in an up and down 2022 campaign."We might not have had a lot of wins in the win column and might not have had a winning record, but I think in the future it's all going to translate really great with what they've learned this year and have overcome."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668118723297.jpeg" alt="The Griffons celebrate a point in the third set." />
 <figcaption>The Griffons celebrate a point in the third set.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668118745735.jpeg" alt="Nessa Johnson serves." />
 <figcaption>Nessa Johnson serves.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668118775546.jpeg" alt="Emma Salker and Hailey Crane try and throw a block." />
 <figcaption>Emma Salker and Hailey Crane try and throw a block.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668118793037.jpeg" alt="Lia Graham serves." />
 <figcaption>Lia Graham serves.</figcaption>
 </figure>You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Missouri Western swept by Nebraska-Kearney in MIAA tournament Thursday

Benton senior and basketball standout Kelsey Johnson is furthering her playing career after high school in black and gold.

Johnson verbally committed to Missouri Western women’s basketball in early fall and signed her NLI Wednesday afternoon.

Johnson, who has helped the Cardinals to back-to-back district titles and back-to-back Final Four appearances, says getting to play her favorite sport at the college level in her hometown is a dream come true.

"I was very impressed with all of the coaches and players," Johnson said of her visit to Missouri Western. "And I love the idea of being close to home. I'm just excited I'll get to play in front of a hometown crowd, too. I love St. Joe, and they always have a huge turnout at games."

Benton girls' basketball coach Chris Michaels, entering his third season with the Cardinals, says the Griffons are gaining a multi-faceted player and a person with a tremendous work ethic.

"She is a gym rat," Michaels said. "If you have a definition of gym rat, it's Kelsey Johnson. So, (MWSU coach Candi Whitaker) is getting a great worker. Somebody who will do whatever is asked. If you need someone to sweep the floor and you ask KJ to do it, she's going to do it. If someone needs a water, she's going to do that. If you need someone to score 40 points, she's going to go try and do that."

Johnson has also garnered all-city, district, conference and all-state honors each of the last two seasons, leading Benton in points per game the last two years.

She helped lead the Cardinals to a second place finish in <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/5613d178-947f-4b5c-9d4d-28871e706745">Class 4 this past spring</a>.

With her senior season just around the corner, Johnson is hopeful for another deep run this coming winter and spring.

"Yeah, I'm excited for my last year," she said. "Hopefully, we can make it back to state again and I'm excited to see what happens."

With the return of other key players like Avery Morlock, Andrea Simmons and Peyton Anderson, Michaels says this year's version of Benton girls' basketball will look a lot like it has before, especially on defense, but they're working on new wrinkles to help them get back to the championship game.

"It'll be different and we'll look different," Michaels remarked. "The press (defense) is still going to be there. The press is coming and the defense is coming, but how our mentality is, is a tad bit different. That has started with our senior class and specifically, KJ."

After the city jamboree on November 18, Benton opens its season at St. Joseph Central on November 22.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668043969041.jpeg" alt="Benton's Kelsey Johnson (center) with her parents Shannon (left) and Stacie (right). Photo by Tommy Rezac." />
 <figcaption>Benton's Kelsey Johnson (center) with her parents Shannon (left) and Stacie (right). Photo by Tommy Rezac.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostBenton senior and basketball standout Kelsey Johnson is furthering her playing career after high school in black and gold.Johnson verbally committed to Missouri Western women’s basketball in early fall and signed her NLI Wednesday afternoon.Johnson, who has helped the Cardinals to back-to-back district titles and back-to-back Final Four appearances, says getting to play her favorite sport at the college level in her hometown is a dream come true."I was very impressed with all of the coaches and players," Johnson said of her visit to Missouri Western. "And I love the idea of being close to home. I'm just excited I'll get to play in front of a hometown crowd, too. I love St. Joe, and they always have a huge turnout at games." Benton girls' basketball coach Chris Michaels, entering his third season with the Cardinals, says the Griffons are gaining a multi-faceted player and a person with a tremendous work ethic."She is a gym rat," Michaels said. "If you have a definition of gym rat, it's Kelsey Johnson. So, (MWSU coach Candi Whitaker) is getting a great worker. Somebody who will do whatever is asked. If you need someone to sweep the floor and you ask KJ to do it, she's going to do it. If someone needs a water, she's going to do that. If you need someone to score 40 points, she's going to go try and do that."Johnson has also garnered all-city, district, conference and all-state honors each of the last two seasons, leading Benton in points per game the last two years.She helped lead the Cardinals to a second place finish in <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/5613d178-947f-4b5c-9d4d-28871e706745">Class 4 this past spring</a>.With her senior season just around the corner, Johnson is hopeful for another deep run this coming winter and spring."Yeah, I'm excited for my last year," she said. "Hopefully, we can make it back to state again and I'm excited to see what happens."With the return of other key players like Avery Morlock, Andrea Simmons and Peyton Anderson, Michaels says this year's version of Benton girls' basketball will look a lot like it has before, especially on defense, but they're working on new wrinkles to help them get back to the championship game."It'll be different and we'll look different," Michaels remarked. "The press (defense) is still going to be there. The press is coming and the defense is coming, but how our mentality is, is a tad bit different. That has started with our senior class and specifically, KJ."After the city jamboree on November 18, Benton opens its season at St. Joseph Central on November 22.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647741614801.jpeg" alt="Stock photo." />
 <figcaption>Stock photo.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1646102074972.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646365077344.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Benton's Kelsey Johnson signs with Missouri Western women's basketball

Once Caleb Bennett had gone through Lafayette, setting multiple boys' basketball program records along the way, a lot of eyes were on his younger brother, Camden, once he got to high school.

Once big brother Caleb came back home to St. Joseph to finish his college basketball career at Missouri Western, many people by then had seen for themselves - Camden was something special on the basketball court at Lafayette as well.

Garnering all-city, conference and district honors each of the last two seasons, Camden Bennett announced his verbal commitment to Missouri Western men's basketball in early September and officially put pen to paper Wednesday.

Bennett says head coach Will Martin's demeanor and overall enthusiasm made his choice to sign with the Griffons an easy one.

"He's always been there," Bennett said. "He's always checked up on me. I'm just excited to be able to play for him. He's a good dude, he's a great coach and everything about him is just amazing. It's going to be an amazing four years."

Lafayette boys' basketball coach Kevin Bristol commends Camden for handling the pressure of following in Caleb's footsteps so graciously.

"Knowing what (Caleb) did here and to come in knowing that and to be able to excel like he's done, it's an extraordinary task," Bristol said of Camden. "He just shows who he is. The impact he's had on this basketball program, it will last for awhile."

Bristol says if anything, coming in after Caleb was a great motivator for Camden.

"I think that drive, now that he's following Caleb to Western," Bristol continued, "that drive is something he's going to continue to use to be successful."

Camden says the relationship with his older brother goes far beyond basketball.

"He's always been just that father figure towards me," Camden said of Caleb. "He's always just been there and being able to follow in his footsteps and go to the same school, I mean that's just a blessing and, yeah I'm excited for it."

Bennett plans to study education at Missouri Western, with the hopes of one day getting into coaching himself. Getting to stay home in St. Joseph was another big factor driving his decision to wear black and gold.

"All my friends plan on going to MoWo, too," Bennett said. "It's a win-win. Just being able to stay with them and stay close to family, it's always just amazing."

Bennett has been a part of Irish teams that have won district titles in 2020 and again this past spring, when the Irish outlasted Benton in overtime for the <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/b7aeffe8-1192-492d-b9f3-29af1826dbe3">Class 4 District 16 crown</a>.

Starters Sam Ryan and Drake Davison have since graduated, but with so many other pieces back, Bennett is excited show everyone what the Irish can do, starting with the city jamboree on November 17.

"We can definitely make a push in the offseason this year," Bennett said, as Lafayette is coming off of its eighth district title since 2013. "Just from the early practices so far. I think we need to just keep building up and getting ready and when the jamboree hits, everyone will see it."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668024231186.jpeg" alt="Lafayette senior Camden Bennett (white and yellow shirt, middle) puts pen to paper Wednesday, signing his national letter of intent to play basketball at Missouri Western State University. Photo by Tommy Rezac." />
 <figcaption>Lafayette senior Camden Bennett (white and yellow shirt, middle) puts pen to paper Wednesday, signing his national letter of intent to play basketball at Missouri Western State University. Photo by Tommy Rezac.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostOnce Caleb Bennett had gone through Lafayette, setting multiple boys' basketball program records along the way, a lot of eyes were on his younger brother, Camden, once he got to high school.Once big brother Caleb came back home to St. Joseph to finish his college basketball career at Missouri Western, many people by then had seen for themselves - Camden was something special on the basketball court at Lafayette as well.Garnering all-city, conference and district honors each of the last two seasons, Camden Bennett announced his verbal commitment to Missouri Western men's basketball in early September and officially put pen to paper Wednesday.Bennett says head coach Will Martin's demeanor and overall enthusiasm made his choice to sign with the Griffons an easy one."He's always been there," Bennett said. "He's always checked up on me. I'm just excited to be able to play for him. He's a good dude, he's a great coach and everything about him is just amazing. It's going to be an amazing four years."Lafayette boys' basketball coach Kevin Bristol commends Camden for handling the pressure of following in Caleb's footsteps so graciously."Knowing what (Caleb) did here and to come in knowing that and to be able to excel like he's done, it's an extraordinary task," Bristol said of Camden. "He just shows who he is. The impact he's had on this basketball program, it will last for awhile."Bristol says if anything, coming in after Caleb was a great motivator for Camden."I think that drive, now that he's following Caleb to Western," Bristol continued, "that drive is something he's going to continue to use to be successful."Camden says the relationship with his older brother goes far beyond basketball."He's always been just that father figure towards me," Camden said of Caleb. "He's always just been there and being able to follow in his footsteps and go to the same school, I mean that's just a blessing and, yeah I'm excited for it."Bennett plans to study education at Missouri Western, with the hopes of one day getting into coaching himself. Getting to stay home in St. Joseph was another big factor driving his decision to wear black and gold."All my friends plan on going to MoWo, too," Bennett said. "It's a win-win. Just being able to stay with them and stay close to family, it's always just amazing."Bennett has been a part of Irish teams that have won district titles in 2020 and again this past spring, when the Irish outlasted Benton in overtime for the <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/b7aeffe8-1192-492d-b9f3-29af1826dbe3">Class 4 District 16 crown</a>.Starters Sam Ryan and Drake Davison have since graduated, but with so many other pieces back, Bennett is excited show everyone what the Irish can do, starting with the city jamboree on November 17."We can definitely make a push in the offseason this year," Bennett said, as Lafayette is coming off of its eighth district title since 2013. "Just from the early practices so far. I think we need to just keep building up and getting ready and when the jamboree hits, everyone will see it."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646454186615.jpeg" alt="Stock photo." />
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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668024366156.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🖊 SIGNING: Minutes ago, <a href="https://twitter.com/bballstjoe?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@bballstjoe</a> senior <a href="https://twitter.com/CamdenBennett8?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CamdenBennett8</a> signed his NLI for <a href="https://twitter.com/MWSUMBB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MWSUMBB</a>, following in brother <a href="https://twitter.com/cb_beballin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cb_beballin</a>’s footsteps. Camden looks to l help lead <a href="https://twitter.com/LHSIrish?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LHSIrish</a> back to a district title this season. Story to come <a href="https://twitter.com/StJosephPost?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StJosephPost</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/680KFEQ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@680KFEQ</a>. <a href="https://t.co/Qf0Kqeh8ZQ">pic.twitter.com/Qf0Kqeh8ZQ</a>&mdash; Tommy Rezac (@TommyKFEQ) <a href="https://twitter.com/TommyKFEQ/status/1590395381745324032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Lafayette's Camden Bennett follows in brother's footsteps, signs to MWSU MBB

Friday 11/11 StJosephPost.com - Class 1 District 8 football championship - Mid-Buchanan @ East Buchanan (6:30 pregame, 7 p.m. kick) - Link to listen:&nbsp;<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/SJPOST">https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/SJPOST</a> KFEQ 680, 95.3 - Missouri Western men's basketball home vs. Minnesota Crookston (7 p.m. pregame, 7:30 p.m. tip-off)

Saturday 11/12 KFEQ&nbsp;680, 95.3 - Missouri Western football home vs. Lincoln (Noon pregame, 1 p.m. kickoff)

KFEQ&nbsp;680, 95.3 - Missouri Western men's basketball home vs. Northern State (5:30 p.m. pregame, 6 p.m. tipoff)

Sunday 11/13 KFEQ&nbsp;680, 95.3 and Q Country 92.7 FM - Kansas City Chiefs vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (11 a.m. pregame, Noon kickoff)

Monday 11/14 JoeTown 107.5 FM, 1550 AM - Missouri Western Coaches' Luncheon (Noon - 1 p.m.)

KFEQ&nbsp;680, 95.3 - Chiefs Kingdom Radio Show (6 p.m. - 7 p.m.)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668020828034.jpeg" alt="Photo by Harry Loomis." />
 <figcaption>Photo by Harry Loomis.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostFriday 11/11 StJosephPost.com - Class 1 District 8 football championship - Mid-Buchanan @ East Buchanan (6:30 pregame, 7 p.m. kick) - Link to listen:&nbsp;<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/SJPOST">https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/SJPOST</a> KFEQ 680, 95.3 - Missouri Western men's basketball home vs. Minnesota Crookston (7 p.m. pregame, 7:30 p.m. tip-off)Saturday 11/12 KFEQ&nbsp;680, 95.3 - Missouri Western football home vs. Lincoln (Noon pregame, 1 p.m. kickoff)KFEQ&nbsp;680, 95.3 - Missouri Western men's basketball home vs. Northern State (5:30 p.m. pregame, 6 p.m. tipoff)Sunday 11/13 KFEQ&nbsp;680, 95.3 and Q Country 92.7 FM - Kansas City Chiefs vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (11 a.m. pregame, Noon kickoff)Monday 11/14 JoeTown 107.5 FM, 1550 AM - Missouri Western Coaches' Luncheon (Noon - 1 p.m.)KFEQ&nbsp;680, 95.3 - Chiefs Kingdom Radio Show (6 p.m. - 7 p.m.)

Eagle Radio broadcast schedule - November 11 - November 14, 2022

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes was probably having flashbacks Sunday night to his days at Texas Tech, when he would scramble around like a kid playing sandlot football while routinely throwing the ball 60-plus times in a game.

The Chiefs needed all of it — every run, every throw, every yard — to rally past the Tennessee Titans.

Mahomes finished 43 of 68 for 446 yards and a touchdown, and he ran for the tying score and 2-point conversion late in the fourth quarter, before Harrison Butker atoned for two earlier misses by drilling the go-ahead field goal in overtime and lifting the Chiefs to the 20-17 victory.

“I did not know I threw that many,” Mahomes said with a smile, “but yeah, Texas Tech, I threw a couple, so I'm able to do it.”

Chiefs coach Andy Reid improved to 21-3 coming off a bye by beating a franchise that has long been his nemesis. He was just 2-9 against the Titans — heck, Reid has three wins against the Chiefs — including a 27-3 loss in Nashville last year.

It was only the second win for Kansas City (6-2) in its last seven games against the Titans.

“You have to be able to win a game like that," Reid said, “where everything isn't just perfect, and your emotions are up and down and you have to fight through. We were so close on so many plays. Step up and let's go.”

Things were spiraling toward another disappointment the way Derrick Henry was chewing up yardage against the Kansas City defense, and the way the Titans (5-3) were shutting down Mahomes and Co. into the fourth quarter.

Indeed, the Chiefs were trailing 17-9 and time was running out when they took over at their own 7-yard line. But in vintage Mahomes fashion, he willed his team downfield. His 20-yard scramble on third-and-17 kept the drive going, and his third-and-9 touchdown scramble along with his 2-point conversion run knotted the game with 2:56 to go.

After the Chiefs won the overtime coin toss, the Titans nearly stopped them, only for Noah Gray to make a nifty third-down catch. Then, Mahomes hit JuJu Smith-Schuster on fourth down to keep the drive alive — and the clock moving.

Butker drilled his 28-yarder to give Kansas City the lead with 4:04 left in overtime.

The Chiefs proceeded to stuff Henry, then sacked Titans rookie Malik Willis on back-to-back plays, before batting down his fourth-down throw to end the game and send fireworks flying into the sky above Arrowhead Stadium.

“When you get to those end of the game situations,” Mahomes said, “you have to try to go out there and make it happen.”

Henry finished with 115 yards rushing and two touchdowns for the Titans. But he didn't get a whole lot of help from Willis, who got his second start in place of the injured Ryan Tannehill, and was just 5 of 16 for 80 yards.

The Chiefs figured the best way to shut down Henry, who had run for 219 yards and two touchdowns last week against Houston, was to keep him off the field. They opened the game with a 15-play march that took up 8 1/2 minutes and ended in a field goal, then forced a punt and went 79 yards with Mahomes finding Hardman for the touchdown.

All told, the Chiefs held the ball nearly 13 of the 15 minutes in the first quarter.

“It was a struggle,” Reid said. “We were up and down and the guys hung together.”

The Chiefs stay home to host Jacksonville this Sunday at noon. The game will be carried on KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3) and Q Country 92.7 FM in St. Joseph.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1664793977850.jpeg" alt="Stock photo." />
 <figcaption>Stock photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>St. Joseph PostKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes was probably having flashbacks Sunday night to his days at Texas Tech, when he would scramble around like a kid playing sandlot football while routinely throwing the ball 60-plus times in a game.The Chiefs needed all of it — every run, every throw, every yard — to rally past the Tennessee Titans.Mahomes finished 43 of 68 for 446 yards and a touchdown, and he ran for the tying score and 2-point conversion late in the fourth quarter, before Harrison Butker atoned for two earlier misses by drilling the go-ahead field goal in overtime and lifting the Chiefs to the 20-17 victory.“I did not know I threw that many,” Mahomes said with a smile, “but yeah, Texas Tech, I threw a couple, so I'm able to do it.”Chiefs coach Andy Reid improved to 21-3 coming off a bye by beating a franchise that has long been his nemesis. He was just 2-9 against the Titans — heck, Reid has three wins against the Chiefs — including a 27-3 loss in Nashville last year.It was only the second win for Kansas City (6-2) in its last seven games against the Titans.“You have to be able to win a game like that," Reid said, “where everything isn't just perfect, and your emotions are up and down and you have to fight through. We were so close on so many plays. Step up and let's go.”Things were spiraling toward another disappointment the way Derrick Henry was chewing up yardage against the Kansas City defense, and the way the Titans (5-3) were shutting down Mahomes and Co. into the fourth quarter.Indeed, the Chiefs were trailing 17-9 and time was running out when they took over at their own 7-yard line. But in vintage Mahomes fashion, he willed his team downfield. His 20-yard scramble on third-and-17 kept the drive going, and his third-and-9 touchdown scramble along with his 2-point conversion run knotted the game with 2:56 to go.After the Chiefs won the overtime coin toss, the Titans nearly stopped them, only for Noah Gray to make a nifty third-down catch. Then, Mahomes hit JuJu Smith-Schuster on fourth down to keep the drive alive — and the clock moving.Butker drilled his 28-yarder to give Kansas City the lead with 4:04 left in overtime.The Chiefs proceeded to stuff Henry, then sacked Titans rookie Malik Willis on back-to-back plays, before batting down his fourth-down throw to end the game and send fireworks flying into the sky above Arrowhead Stadium.“When you get to those end of the game situations,” Mahomes said, “you have to try to go out there and make it happen.”Henry finished with 115 yards rushing and two touchdowns for the Titans. But he didn't get a whole lot of help from Willis, who got his second start in place of the injured Ryan Tannehill, and was just 5 of 16 for 80 yards.The Chiefs figured the best way to shut down Henry, who had run for 219 yards and two touchdowns last week against Houston, was to keep him off the field. They opened the game with a 15-play march that took up 8 1/2 minutes and ended in a field goal, then forced a punt and went 79 yards with Mahomes finding Hardman for the touchdown.All told, the Chiefs held the ball nearly 13 of the 15 minutes in the first quarter.“It was a struggle,” Reid said. “We were up and down and the guys hung together.”The Chiefs stay home to host Jacksonville this Sunday at noon. The game will be carried on KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3) and Q Country 92.7 FM in St. Joseph.

Mahomes rallies Chiefs past the Titans in overtime Sunday night

KANSAS CITY - The Missouri Western women's basketball team led by six points at halftime and led by as many as 10 points in the second half, but a 7-0, third quarter run by No. 23 Lubbock Christian helped the Chaparrals take their first lead and eventually force overtime on Sunday night in the final game of the D2-CCA women's basketball Tip-off Classic.

The Griffons got down by four points, once in the fourth quarter and again in overtime, but Missouri Western (1-1) took the lead back with 2:03 left in overtime after a basket and one by junior Mary Fultz. The Griffons never lost the lead again and held on for a 101-96 win at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City.

The Griffons had five players finish in double figures, led by junior Connie Clarke, who dumped in a career-high 34 points to go with 12 rebounds, five steals and four assists.

"You can't say enough about Connie Clarke," Missouri Western coach Candi Whitaker said. "I mean, my goodness. She was trying to get me to take her out in overtime, and I was just like, 'There is just no way that you're coming out of the game.' I think she had gotten hit pretty hard in the stomach, and I was like, 'No, you're not coming out.'"

The 34 points by Clarke tie for the sixth most by a Griffon in a single game in program history. The 101 points scored are the sixth most in a game in program history, and the second most ever scored against a Division II opponent.

"We just stayed positive toward each other," Clarke said of her team's effort. "We kept communicating on defense, knowing we had somebody tough to guard. So, we just kept our composure."

Freshman Cleao Murray had a career-high 15 points on a career-high four made three-pointers. Junior Brionna Budgets scored 12 points, fellow junior Trinity Knapp scored 11 and sophomore Abby Bala dropped in 10. Bala made two free throws with eight seconds left in overtime to ultimately seal a Griffon victory.

"We have shooters, we have everybody," Clarke said of the team's depth. "We just have to put it all together as one."

Missouri Western also scored 36 points off the bench compared to 14 by Lubbock Christian.

"It's the next group's turn," Whitaker said, as her team has now begun a new season without the contributions of now former players and veterans Corbyn Cunningham, Jaelyn Haggard and Mychaell Gray.

"The kids who have been in our program who maybe haven't had as big of a role, it's their turn to step up and do that. Just really pleased that we played so hard and didn't fold when we could have when things weren't going our way, particularly in overtime."

The Chaparrals were led in scoring by sophomore Grace Foster, who logged a game-high 36 points. Lubbock Christian kept themselves in the game by getting to the free throw line often. The Chaparrals made 29-of-33 free throw attempts, but the Griffons were a solid 20-of-26 from the charity stripe themselves.

The game was back-and-forth throughout, especially late. The lead changed hands 12 times and was tied 11 times. Missouri Western held a lead for all but 24 seconds of the first half.

Missouri Western will stay on the road this coming weekend as they head to Sioux Falls to play the University of Sioux Falls on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Augustana on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Both games will be at the Stewart Center.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667796871955.jpeg" alt="Missouri Western's Connie Clarke goes up for a shot in the Griffons' 101-96 overtime win over No. 23 Lubbock Christian at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City on Sunday night. Photo by Arianne Boma." />
 <figcaption>Missouri Western's Connie Clarke goes up for a shot in the Griffons' 101-96 overtime win over No. 23 Lubbock Christian at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City on Sunday night. Photo by Arianne Boma.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostKANSAS CITY - The Missouri Western women's basketball team led by six points at halftime and led by as many as 10 points in the second half, but a 7-0, third quarter run by No. 23 Lubbock Christian helped the Chaparrals take their first lead and eventually force overtime on Sunday night in the final game of the D2-CCA women's basketball Tip-off Classic.The Griffons got down by four points, once in the fourth quarter and again in overtime, but Missouri Western (1-1) took the lead back with 2:03 left in overtime after a basket and one by junior Mary Fultz. The Griffons never lost the lead again and held on for a 101-96 win at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City.The Griffons had five players finish in double figures, led by junior Connie Clarke, who dumped in a career-high 34 points to go with 12 rebounds, five steals and four assists."You can't say enough about Connie Clarke," Missouri Western coach Candi Whitaker said. "I mean, my goodness. She was trying to get me to take her out in overtime, and I was just like, 'There is just no way that you're coming out of the game.' I think she had gotten hit pretty hard in the stomach, and I was like, 'No, you're not coming out.'"The 34 points by Clarke tie for the sixth most by a Griffon in a single game in program history. The 101 points scored are the sixth most in a game in program history, and the second most ever scored against a Division II opponent."We just stayed positive toward each other," Clarke said of her team's effort. "We kept communicating on defense, knowing we had somebody tough to guard. So, we just kept our composure."Freshman Cleao Murray had a career-high 15 points on a career-high four made three-pointers. Junior Brionna Budgets scored 12 points, fellow junior Trinity Knapp scored 11 and sophomore Abby Bala dropped in 10. Bala made two free throws with eight seconds left in overtime to ultimately seal a Griffon victory."We have shooters, we have everybody," Clarke said of the team's depth. "We just have to put it all together as one."Missouri Western also scored 36 points off the bench compared to 14 by Lubbock Christian."It's the next group's turn," Whitaker said, as her team has now begun a new season without the contributions of now former players and veterans Corbyn Cunningham, Jaelyn Haggard and Mychaell Gray."The kids who have been in our program who maybe haven't had as big of a role, it's their turn to step up and do that. Just really pleased that we played so hard and didn't fold when we could have when things weren't going our way, particularly in overtime."The Chaparrals were led in scoring by sophomore Grace Foster, who logged a game-high 36 points. Lubbock Christian kept themselves in the game by getting to the free throw line often. The Chaparrals made 29-of-33 free throw attempts, but the Griffons were a solid 20-of-26 from the charity stripe themselves.The game was back-and-forth throughout, especially late. The lead changed hands 12 times and was tied 11 times. Missouri Western held a lead for all but 24 seconds of the first half.Missouri Western will stay on the road this coming weekend as they head to Sioux Falls to play the University of Sioux Falls on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Augustana on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Both games will be at the Stewart Center.<div><iframe src="https://anchor.fm/tommy-rezac/embed/episodes/Candi-Whitaker-Lubbock-Christian-postgame-e1qc1bd" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div><div><iframe src="https://anchor.fm/tommy-rezac/embed/episodes/Connie-Clarke-Lubbock-Christian-postgame-e1qc1d4" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Missouri Western tops No. 23 Lubbock Christian in OT Sunday, Clarke scores 34

Bearcats continue eyeing playoff berth with win over Lions

Northwest Missouri State University extended their Division II best home winning streak to 18 games and kept their playoff aspirations alive with a 27-5 win over Missouri Southern on Senior Day Saturday.

The Bearcats rushed for 201 yards and four touchdowns on the day against the Lions, marking the third time this season that Northwest has not allowed their opponent to score a touchdown.&nbsp;

The scoring did get started on the day by Missouri Southern, the Lions sacked quarterback Mike Hohensee in the endzone after two plays following a punt that ended Southern's opening drive.&nbsp; The two points were the only ones scored in the first quarter.

The scoring would start quickly for the Bearcats in the second quarter, as Hohensee would open the frame with a two yard rushing score, giving the Bearcats a 7-2 lead.&nbsp; Missouri Southern would answer though, thanks to a fumble from Kashan Griffin.

The Lions would recover the fumble at the 32 yard line, but the Northwest defense would stand strong, allowing only 10 yard on seven plays.&nbsp; That would force Southern to kick a 39 yard field goal, making the deficit two points as Northwest would lead 7-5.

There was no more scoring between the two teams before halftime, and when the second half whistle blew, it was all Northwest from there as the Bearcats scored 20 unanswered points.&nbsp;

Jadon Brady would make a 52 yard house call to start the scoring in the third quarter, and then late in the frame Jamar Moya would rush in from two yards out.&nbsp; The final score of the game would come late in the fourth quarter with Jay Harris rushing in from one yard out.&nbsp;

The Bearcats were led in rushing by the freshman Harris who carried the ball 15 times for 83 yards to go with his touchdown, his fifth score of the season. Moya tallied 24 yards on 13 carries while Brady rushed five times for 65 yards.&nbsp;

Northwest is now 8-2 on the season heading into the final week of the regular season.&nbsp; The Bearcats will travel to Emporia, Kansas for a matchup with the Emporia State University Hornets.&nbsp; Kickoff is set for 1pm.

Missouri Western falls in overtime to UCM in Warrensburg

Missouri Western would come back in the second half against the Mules, before falling in double overtime in Warrensburg.&nbsp; <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/0a6f8002-bfa0-4c9b-a3a0-e9c400d6ef40">Read our full recap of the game here</a>.

Ravens secure a share of Heart South title with win over Evangel

The #6 Benedictine Ravens dominated time of possession and outscored Evangel 23-0 before allowing a touchdown, on way to a 30-7 Senior Day win Saturday.

The win for the Ravens secures at least a share of the Heart South title, with a chance to win the title outright in their final game of the season this week.

Both the Benedictine and Evangel scored no points in the first quarter, but the Ravens held the ball for almost 10 minutes compared to just over three minutes of possession for the Valor.&nbsp; The first and only points of the first half would come early in the second quarter, an eight yard rushing score from quarterback Garrett Kettle.&nbsp;

Kettle would also score the first points of the second half, extending the Ravens lead to 14-0 with a one yard rushing touchdown that ended an eight play 40 yard drive.&nbsp; Following a Valor three and out, the Ravens would drive 53 yards on just four plays, ending the drive with a Harry Balke 20 yard field goal, going up 17-0.&nbsp;

Following a blocked punt late in the third, the Ravens would add one more on just one play, a Rayshon Mills one yard rushing touchdown, making the score at the end of the third 23-0.&nbsp;

Evangel would score early in the fourth following a seven play, 68 yard drive, ending with a three yard rushing score by RJ Wakely, ending the run of unanswered points by Benedictine.&nbsp; But that would be all for them, as the only other score of the fourth quarter would be another rushing score from Kettle.&nbsp;

Kettle was not only the leading passer, but also the leading rusher, running a whopping 17 times for 66 yards to go with his three scores, while passing for 200 yards on 20-of-35 passing.&nbsp; Mills also rushed 17 times for just 36 yards.&nbsp;

Benedictine will now go for an outright Heart South title when they matchup this Saturday with MidAmerica Nazarene in Olathe, Kansas for their regular season finale.&nbsp; Kickoff is set for 1pm

Jayhawks going bowling for first time since 2008

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Devin Neal ran for 224 yards and a touchdown and had 110 receiving yards, leading Kansas past No. 18 Oklahoma State 37-16 on Saturday.

The Jayhawks (6-3, 3-3 Big 12 Conference) are bowl eligible for the first time since 2008 when they beat Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl.

“I'm really proud of our guys and our staff,” Kansas coach Lance Leipold said. “To be able to do something like this is pretty special.”

Kansas’ ground game led the way with 351 yards as a team with Neal setting career highs in both rushing and receiving yards against the Cowboys (6-3, 3-3 Big 12).

“That's what makes it more special,” Neal said about growing up in Lawrence just a few miles away from the stadium. “When I did commit there was a lot of people that asked me why I would waste my career there.

"Looking back now, to be able to do what we've done it's pretty special. It just means a lot more to me especially just because I grew up here just two miles way from campus.”

Jason Bean was efficient in the air, too. He went 18-for-23 passing for 203 yards with two touchdowns while rushing for a 72-yard touchdown.

Neal and Bean combined for 237 yards on the ground in the first half with two touchdowns. Bean gained 93 yards on four carries while Neal had six catches.

“The performance of Devin Neal was just outstanding,” Leipold said. "We had talked about how we needed him to have one of those games, and he answered that. "

Kansas benefited from Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders not playing, with freshman Garrett Rangel throwing interceptions on the Cowboys' first two drives. Rangel went 27 of 40 for 304 yards and two touchdowns.

The takeaway for Kansas?&nbsp;Now being bowl eligible, the pressure is off this team that won their first five games. If the Jayhawks win out and get some help, they could find themselves in the Big 12 Championship game.

Next up the Jayhawks will travel to Lubbock, Texas for a matchup with Texas Tech on Saturday.&nbsp; Kickoff is set for 6pm

Kentucky holds off comeback attempt from Tigers in win

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Amid a contest in which the defenses for Kentucky and Missouri flexed their muscles most of the afternoon, it was a botched punt snap that proved the difference for the Wildcats in escaping with a 21-17 victory over the Tigers on Saturday.

Incredibly, it was the Wildcats (6-3, 3-3 SEC) who benefitted from their own special team’s misfire, staking claim to a win making them bowl-eligible.

Lining up for a punt on fourth-and-4 from their own 41-yard line with 2:34 left, Kentucky long snapper Drew Perry sailed the snap over the head of punter Colin Goodfellow, who chased the loose ball down at the 4-yard line. Goodfellow managed to turn back upfield and boot the ball away just as he was tackled by Missouri linebacker Will Norris.

A flag immediately came out and after a discussion the officials penalized Norris for roughing the punter, determining that Goodfellow had remained within the tackle box and by resuming a punting motion had maintained the protection of a punter. Goodfellow was injured on the play and was carted off the field.

The play enabled Kentucky to run all but 38 seconds off the clock.

“It was just a remarkable play by him,” said Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops. “At first I was like, ‘Well, I wish he would have taken the safety.’ But he made a remarkable play.”

Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz didn’t agree with the explanation he received from the officials but said the play wasn’t ultimately what doomed the Tigers (4-5, 2-4 SEC).

“How a guy can still be a protected punter 50 yards down the field and how are guys supposed to know that he can’t tackle him is beyond me,” Drinkwitz said, “But I’m sure I’ll get an explanation and I’m sure it will defend them, and we’ll go from there. It doesn’t change the fact that we were 2 of 13 on third downs.”

All four of Missouri’s losses in SEC play have come within a one-score margin. Drinkwitz feels both optimism and frustration in those results.

“It’s frustrating because we haven’t found the way or play to win but it’s obviously a sign of progress that we’re in the fight,” he said. “Now we got to find a way to win that fight.”

The path doesn't get much easier for Missouri this week as they will head to Knoxville and face a Tennessee team that is coming off a loss of their own to Georgia.&nbsp; Kickoff is set for 11am.

Kansas State struggles to slow down running game in loss to Texas

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Two weeks ago, Texas let a game against Oklahoma State slip away in the fourth quarter.

The Longhorns weren't about to let it happen again.

After riding Bijan Robinson to a 31-10 halftime lead at Kansas State, then watching the No. 13 Wildcats come roaring back down the stretch, the Longhorns' defense stepped up one last time. Keondre Coburn stripped Adrian Martinez near midfield with 34 seconds to go, Jaylan Ford pounced on the loose ball and Texas escaped with a 34-27 victory Saturday night.

“We just understood that we're not going to lose again on the road. That's when the fight came out,” said Robinson, who ran for 209 yards and a score. “The defense came up clutch. They understood that they had to put the game on their backs and they had to stop them and execute and that's what they did.”

Quinn Ewers threw for 197 yards with two TD passes to Xavier Worthy, and Roschon Johnson added a TD run for the Longhorns (6-3, 4-2 Big 12), who control their own destiny in the race for the Big 12 title game.

They begin a three-game finishing gauntlet against No. 7 TCU next week before games against Kansas and Baylor.

Martinez threw for 329 yards and two TDs, but he also threw an interception that turned into a Texas touchdown and had the fumble the clinched the game. Deuce Vaughn had 73 yards rushing along with 86 yards and a touchdown receiving.

"The guys stayed in the fight," said Wildcats coach Chris Klieman, whose team hasn't beaten Texas since 2016. “When you are down that big at halftime, a lot of things can go wrong. It's a credit to the character and leadership in that room.”

The momentum swung to Texas on the fourth play of the game, when Kansas State's Julius Brents earned a questionable targeting penalty, taking the Wildcats' best cover cornerback off the field for the rest of the game.

The Longhorns proceeded to reel off three straight touchdown drives, all going eight plays and 75 yards. Robinson capped the first with a 36-yard run, Johnson finished the second from nine yards out, and Worthy capitalized on Brents' absence by hauling in the first of his two TDs to give the Longhorns a 21-10 lead.

The only time Kansas State (6-3, 4-2 Big 12) got off the field came when Johnson fumbled at the end of a 37-yard gain. But the Wildcats promptly punted away, Texas added a field goal, and then Martinez was picked off in the closing minutes to set up Worthy's second touchdown reception and extend the lead to 31-10 at the break.

The Longhorns had 352 yards of offense by that point against a Kansas State defense that limited Oklahoma State to 217 total in a 48-0 win last week. Robinson had bullied his way for 161 on the ground, the best half of his career.

“Bijan Robinson, period,” Klieman said. “I think he's one of the best running backs in college football for a reason.”

Kansas State mounted a second-half comeback, and it was that struggling defense that jump-started it. Josh Hayes popped another fumble loose and, after a series of penalties, Martinez scored from a yard out to make it 31-17.

Martinez then hit Kade Warner from 25 yards out on the first play of the fourth quarter to make it a touchdown game.

Texas and Kansas State promptly traded field goals, but the Wildcats' kick came after a time-consuming drive that drained more than 6 minutes off the clock. It got them within 34-27 but with just 4:26 left in the game.

The Wildcats stuffed Robinson on third down to get the ball back, and Martinez quickly moved them to midfield. But after converting fourth down with a pass to Vaughn with 34 seconds to go, the senior quarterback — getting the start over Will Howard, who had been dynamic last week against the Cowboys — fumbled the ball away.

“We had a chance to win it in the fourth quarter,” Klieman said. “We just made too many mistakes.”

Kansas State will look to right the ship once again when they travel to Waco, Texas on Saturday night to face the Baylor Bears.&nbsp; Kickoff is set for 6pm and is airing on FS1.&nbsp;

Minnesota rallies in second half to take down Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Mohamed Ibrahim rushed for 128 yards and two second-half touchdowns, and backup quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis brought Minnesota back from a 10-point halftime deficit in the Gophers' 20-13 victory over Nebraska on Saturday.

The Gophers (6-3, 3-3 Big Ten) beat the Cornhuskers for a fourth straight year and became bowl-eligible for the fourth time in coach P.J. Fleck's six seasons. Nebraska (3-6, 2-4 Big Ten) lost its third straight game.

“That’s a gutsy win by a really good football team — ours,” Gophers coach P.J. Fleck said. “It was a great test of character, and I thought we passed the test.”

Kaliakmanis, who took over at the start of the third quarter after Tanner Morgan was injured on the final play of the first half, led the Gophers to scores on four of his first five possessions.

Both of Ibrahim's touchdowns were on 3-yard runs, the first tying the game at 10 and the second making it 20-10.

The Huskers got a field goal to pull within a touchdown, but they turned over the ball on downs near midfield on their final possession and the Gophers ran out the clock.

“We had to grit, grind, fight, scratch, claw, especially when a lot of things weren't going our way," Fleck said. “I'm just really proud of the result of our team, the courage of our team and the heart of our team. I think it showed we didn’t play our best football in the first half. We responded in the second half. That’s a huge win for us.”

Ibrahim, held to 18 yards on eight carries in the first half, went over 100 yards for a Bowl Subdivision-best 17th straight game. He finished with 32 carries, his third straight game with at least 30, and had no runs longer than 11 yards.

“I came out slow, and I'll be the first one to admit that,” said Ibrahim, who met with running backs coach Kenni Burns at halftime. “He had a heart-to-heart with me, and that's really all I needed. He knew that I felt that I let my team down. So it was just take it one play at a time; I'm not looking for the home run.”

Purdy made his first start in place of Casey Thompson, who was held out after injuring a nerve in his right (throwing) elbow against Illinois last week.

The Huskers scored on their first two possessions to lead 10-0. They punted on their next six series, five of which were three-and-outs. Purdy began alternating with Logan Smothers early in the third quarter.

“He's not seeing the coverage, he's not seeing the progression he needs to get to,” Huskers interim coach Mickey Joseph said of Purdy. “We have kids running open and he has to find them, he has to hit them.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667759522366.jpeg" alt="Northwest earned a 27-5 win over Missouri Southern Saturday, continuing to keep their playoff hopes alive/ Photo by Alexis Starks, Northwest Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Northwest earned a 27-5 win over Missouri Southern Saturday, continuing to keep their playoff hopes alive/ Photo by Alexis Starks, Northwest Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostBearcats continue eyeing playoff berth with win over LionsNorthwest Missouri State University extended their Division II best home winning streak to 18 games and kept their playoff aspirations alive with a 27-5 win over Missouri Southern on Senior Day Saturday.The Bearcats rushed for 201 yards and four touchdowns on the day against the Lions, marking the third time this season that Northwest has not allowed their opponent to score a touchdown.&nbsp;The scoring did get started on the day by Missouri Southern, the Lions sacked quarterback Mike Hohensee in the endzone after two plays following a punt that ended Southern's opening drive.&nbsp; The two points were the only ones scored in the first quarter.The scoring would start quickly for the Bearcats in the second quarter, as Hohensee would open the frame with a two yard rushing score, giving the Bearcats a 7-2 lead.&nbsp; Missouri Southern would answer though, thanks to a fumble from Kashan Griffin.The Lions would recover the fumble at the 32 yard line, but the Northwest defense would stand strong, allowing only 10 yard on seven plays.&nbsp; That would force Southern to kick a 39 yard field goal, making the deficit two points as Northwest would lead 7-5.There was no more scoring between the two teams before halftime, and when the second half whistle blew, it was all Northwest from there as the Bearcats scored 20 unanswered points.&nbsp;Jadon Brady would make a 52 yard house call to start the scoring in the third quarter, and then late in the frame Jamar Moya would rush in from two yards out.&nbsp; The final score of the game would come late in the fourth quarter with Jay Harris rushing in from one yard out.&nbsp;The Bearcats were led in rushing by the freshman Harris who carried the ball 15 times for 83 yards to go with his touchdown, his fifth score of the season. Moya tallied 24 yards on 13 carries while Brady rushed five times for 65 yards.&nbsp;Northwest is now 8-2 on the season heading into the final week of the regular season.&nbsp; The Bearcats will travel to Emporia, Kansas for a matchup with the Emporia State University Hornets.&nbsp; Kickoff is set for 1pm.Missouri Western falls in overtime to UCM in WarrensburgMissouri Western would come back in the second half against the Mules, before falling in double overtime in Warrensburg.&nbsp; <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/0a6f8002-bfa0-4c9b-a3a0-e9c400d6ef40">Read our full recap of the game here</a>.Ravens secure a share of Heart South title with win over EvangelThe #6 Benedictine Ravens dominated time of possession and outscored Evangel 23-0 before allowing a touchdown, on way to a 30-7 Senior Day win Saturday.The win for the Ravens secures at least a share of the Heart South title, with a chance to win the title outright in their final game of the season this week.Both the Benedictine and Evangel scored no points in the first quarter, but the Ravens held the ball for almost 10 minutes compared to just over three minutes of possession for the Valor.&nbsp; The first and only points of the first half would come early in the second quarter, an eight yard rushing score from quarterback Garrett Kettle.&nbsp;Kettle would also score the first points of the second half, extending the Ravens lead to 14-0 with a one yard rushing touchdown that ended an eight play 40 yard drive.&nbsp; Following a Valor three and out, the Ravens would drive 53 yards on just four plays, ending the drive with a Harry Balke 20 yard field goal, going up 17-0.&nbsp;Following a blocked punt late in the third, the Ravens would add one more on just one play, a Rayshon Mills one yard rushing touchdown, making the score at the end of the third 23-0.&nbsp;Evangel would score early in the fourth following a seven play, 68 yard drive, ending with a three yard rushing score by RJ Wakely, ending the run of unanswered points by Benedictine.&nbsp; But that would be all for them, as the only other score of the fourth quarter would be another rushing score from Kettle.&nbsp;Kettle was not only the leading passer, but also the leading rusher, running a whopping 17 times for 66 yards to go with his three scores, while passing for 200 yards on 20-of-35 passing.&nbsp; Mills also rushed 17 times for just 36 yards.&nbsp;Benedictine will now go for an outright Heart South title when they matchup this Saturday with MidAmerica Nazarene in Olathe, Kansas for their regular season finale.&nbsp; Kickoff is set for 1pmJayhawks going bowling for first time since 2008LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Devin Neal ran for 224 yards and a touchdown and had 110 receiving yards, leading Kansas past No. 18 Oklahoma State 37-16 on Saturday.The Jayhawks (6-3, 3-3 Big 12 Conference) are bowl eligible for the first time since 2008 when they beat Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl.“I'm really proud of our guys and our staff,” Kansas coach Lance Leipold said. “To be able to do something like this is pretty special.”Kansas’ ground game led the way with 351 yards as a team with Neal setting career highs in both rushing and receiving yards against the Cowboys (6-3, 3-3 Big 12).“That's what makes it more special,” Neal said about growing up in Lawrence just a few miles away from the stadium. “When I did commit there was a lot of people that asked me why I would waste my career there."Looking back now, to be able to do what we've done it's pretty special. It just means a lot more to me especially just because I grew up here just two miles way from campus.”Jason Bean was efficient in the air, too. He went 18-for-23 passing for 203 yards with two touchdowns while rushing for a 72-yard touchdown.Neal and Bean combined for 237 yards on the ground in the first half with two touchdowns. Bean gained 93 yards on four carries while Neal had six catches.“The performance of Devin Neal was just outstanding,” Leipold said. "We had talked about how we needed him to have one of those games, and he answered that. "Kansas benefited from Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders not playing, with freshman Garrett Rangel throwing interceptions on the Cowboys' first two drives. Rangel went 27 of 40 for 304 yards and two touchdowns.The takeaway for Kansas?&nbsp;Now being bowl eligible, the pressure is off this team that won their first five games. If the Jayhawks win out and get some help, they could find themselves in the Big 12 Championship game.Next up the Jayhawks will travel to Lubbock, Texas for a matchup with Texas Tech on Saturday.&nbsp; Kickoff is set for 6pmKentucky holds off comeback attempt from Tigers in winCOLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Amid a contest in which the defenses for Kentucky and Missouri flexed their muscles most of the afternoon, it was a botched punt snap that proved the difference for the Wildcats in escaping with a 21-17 victory over the Tigers on Saturday.Incredibly, it was the Wildcats (6-3, 3-3 SEC) who benefitted from their own special team’s misfire, staking claim to a win making them bowl-eligible.Lining up for a punt on fourth-and-4 from their own 41-yard line with 2:34 left, Kentucky long snapper Drew Perry sailed the snap over the head of punter Colin Goodfellow, who chased the loose ball down at the 4-yard line. Goodfellow managed to turn back upfield and boot the ball away just as he was tackled by Missouri linebacker Will Norris.A flag immediately came out and after a discussion the officials penalized Norris for roughing the punter, determining that Goodfellow had remained within the tackle box and by resuming a punting motion had maintained the protection of a punter. Goodfellow was injured on the play and was carted off the field.The play enabled Kentucky to run all but 38 seconds off the clock.“It was just a remarkable play by him,” said Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops. “At first I was like, ‘Well, I wish he would have taken the safety.’ But he made a remarkable play.”Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz didn’t agree with the explanation he received from the officials but said the play wasn’t ultimately what doomed the Tigers (4-5, 2-4 SEC).“How a guy can still be a protected punter 50 yards down the field and how are guys supposed to know that he can’t tackle him is beyond me,” Drinkwitz said, “But I’m sure I’ll get an explanation and I’m sure it will defend them, and we’ll go from there. It doesn’t change the fact that we were 2 of 13 on third downs.”All four of Missouri’s losses in SEC play have come within a one-score margin. Drinkwitz feels both optimism and frustration in those results.“It’s frustrating because we haven’t found the way or play to win but it’s obviously a sign of progress that we’re in the fight,” he said. “Now we got to find a way to win that fight.”The path doesn't get much easier for Missouri this week as they will head to Knoxville and face a Tennessee team that is coming off a loss of their own to Georgia.&nbsp; Kickoff is set for 11am.Kansas State struggles to slow down running game in loss to TexasMANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Two weeks ago, Texas let a game against Oklahoma State slip away in the fourth quarter.The Longhorns weren't about to let it happen again.After riding Bijan Robinson to a 31-10 halftime lead at Kansas State, then watching the No. 13 Wildcats come roaring back down the stretch, the Longhorns' defense stepped up one last time. Keondre Coburn stripped Adrian Martinez near midfield with 34 seconds to go, Jaylan Ford pounced on the loose ball and Texas escaped with a 34-27 victory Saturday night.“We just understood that we're not going to lose again on the road. That's when the fight came out,” said Robinson, who ran for 209 yards and a score. “The defense came up clutch. They understood that they had to put the game on their backs and they had to stop them and execute and that's what they did.”Quinn Ewers threw for 197 yards with two TD passes to Xavier Worthy, and Roschon Johnson added a TD run for the Longhorns (6-3, 4-2 Big 12), who control their own destiny in the race for the Big 12 title game.They begin a three-game finishing gauntlet against No. 7 TCU next week before games against Kansas and Baylor.Martinez threw for 329 yards and two TDs, but he also threw an interception that turned into a Texas touchdown and had the fumble the clinched the game. Deuce Vaughn had 73 yards rushing along with 86 yards and a touchdown receiving."The guys stayed in the fight," said Wildcats coach Chris Klieman, whose team hasn't beaten Texas since 2016. “When you are down that big at halftime, a lot of things can go wrong. It's a credit to the character and leadership in that room.”The momentum swung to Texas on the fourth play of the game, when Kansas State's Julius Brents earned a questionable targeting penalty, taking the Wildcats' best cover cornerback off the field for the rest of the game.The Longhorns proceeded to reel off three straight touchdown drives, all going eight plays and 75 yards. Robinson capped the first with a 36-yard run, Johnson finished the second from nine yards out, and Worthy capitalized on Brents' absence by hauling in the first of his two TDs to give the Longhorns a 21-10 lead.The only time Kansas State (6-3, 4-2 Big 12) got off the field came when Johnson fumbled at the end of a 37-yard gain. But the Wildcats promptly punted away, Texas added a field goal, and then Martinez was picked off in the closing minutes to set up Worthy's second touchdown reception and extend the lead to 31-10 at the break.The Longhorns had 352 yards of offense by that point against a Kansas State defense that limited Oklahoma State to 217 total in a 48-0 win last week. Robinson had bullied his way for 161 on the ground, the best half of his career.“Bijan Robinson, period,” Klieman said. “I think he's one of the best running backs in college football for a reason.”Kansas State mounted a second-half comeback, and it was that struggling defense that jump-started it. Josh Hayes popped another fumble loose and, after a series of penalties, Martinez scored from a yard out to make it 31-17.Martinez then hit Kade Warner from 25 yards out on the first play of the fourth quarter to make it a touchdown game.Texas and Kansas State promptly traded field goals, but the Wildcats' kick came after a time-consuming drive that drained more than 6 minutes off the clock. It got them within 34-27 but with just 4:26 left in the game.The Wildcats stuffed Robinson on third down to get the ball back, and Martinez quickly moved them to midfield. But after converting fourth down with a pass to Vaughn with 34 seconds to go, the senior quarterback — getting the start over Will Howard, who had been dynamic last week against the Cowboys — fumbled the ball away.“We had a chance to win it in the fourth quarter,” Klieman said. “We just made too many mistakes.”Kansas State will look to right the ship once again when they travel to Waco, Texas on Saturday night to face the Baylor Bears.&nbsp; Kickoff is set for 6pm and is airing on FS1.&nbsp;Minnesota rallies in second half to take down NebraskaLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Mohamed Ibrahim rushed for 128 yards and two second-half touchdowns, and backup quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis brought Minnesota back from a 10-point halftime deficit in the Gophers' 20-13 victory over Nebraska on Saturday.The Gophers (6-3, 3-3 Big Ten) beat the Cornhuskers for a fourth straight year and became bowl-eligible for the fourth time in coach P.J. Fleck's six seasons. Nebraska (3-6, 2-4 Big Ten) lost its third straight game.“That’s a gutsy win by a really good football team — ours,” Gophers coach P.J. Fleck said. “It was a great test of character, and I thought we passed the test.”Kaliakmanis, who took over at the start of the third quarter after Tanner Morgan was injured on the final play of the first half, led the Gophers to scores on four of his first five possessions.Both of Ibrahim's touchdowns were on 3-yard runs, the first tying the game at 10 and the second making it 20-10.The Huskers got a field goal to pull within a touchdown, but they turned over the ball on downs near midfield on their final possession and the Gophers ran out the clock.“We had to grit, grind, fight, scratch, claw, especially when a lot of things weren't going our way," Fleck said. “I'm just really proud of the result of our team, the courage of our team and the heart of our team. I think it showed we didn’t play our best football in the first half. We responded in the second half. That’s a huge win for us.”Ibrahim, held to 18 yards on eight carries in the first half, went over 100 yards for a Bowl Subdivision-best 17th straight game. He finished with 32 carries, his third straight game with at least 30, and had no runs longer than 11 yards.“I came out slow, and I'll be the first one to admit that,” said Ibrahim, who met with running backs coach Kenni Burns at halftime. “He had a heart-to-heart with me, and that's really all I needed. He knew that I felt that I let my team down. So it was just take it one play at a time; I'm not looking for the home run.”Purdy made his first start in place of Casey Thompson, who was held out after injuring a nerve in his right (throwing) elbow against Illinois last week.The Huskers scored on their first two possessions to lead 10-0. They punted on their next six series, five of which were three-and-outs. Purdy began alternating with Logan Smothers early in the third quarter.“He's not seeing the coverage, he's not seeing the progression he needs to get to,” Huskers interim coach Mickey Joseph said of Purdy. “We have kids running open and he has to find them, he has to hit them.”The Huskers, who came in with the Big Ten's worst defense, held the Gophers to their fewest rushing yards (minus-7 yards) and total yards (31) in a half under Fleck. They also recorded three sacks against a Minnesota offense that had given up a Big Ten-low seven through eight games.Morgan was injured when sacked by Ty Robinson. He had been knocked out of the Oct. 15 game at Illinois with a concussion and didn't return until last week against Rutgers.Fleck said Morgan has an upper-body injury and gave no details. Kaliakmanis got his most snaps since playing the entire game in a 45-17 loss at Penn State on Oct. 22.“I said this back at Penn State, the Whiteout wasn’t going to be too big for him and neither was Lincoln, Nebraska,” Fleck said. “With all due respect, he's not rattled by those things. I thought he played outstanding, and he led our football team to victory.”The Huskers will travel to Ann Arbor, Michigan on Saturday, looking to snap their three game losing streak, for a tough match #5 Michigan.&nbsp; Kickoff is set for 2:30pm and will be aired on ABC

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