By MATT PIKE/AP
St. Joseph Post
Griffon offense dominates in shutout win over Northeastern State
Missouri Western recorded over 500 yards of offense on way to their first shutout win of Northeastern State since 2014. The Griffons won their seventh game of the season which marks their most wins in a season since 2019. Read our full recap HERE.
Northwest holds off second half Ichabod rally in win over Washburn
The Northwest Missouri State Bearcats posted a dominant first half, but had to hold off a Washburn rally in the second half on way to a 52-31 win on Saturday in Topeka, Kansas at Yager Stadium.
The Bearcats opened the scoring in the first quarter following an interception by Carter Olesen. Taking over in plus territory at the Washburn 28 yard line, quarterback Mike Hohensee would immediately find Zach Atkins on a 23 yard pass, two plays later running back Jay Harris would punch it in from one yard out for the score.
The Ichabods would take the lead back late in the quarter however, scoring first on a 31 yard field goal from Trenton Brehm with 4:34 left in the quarter, and then scoring again following an interception, this time with quarterback Sam Van Dyne finding Tyce Brown on a 19 yard pass with 1:49, pushing the Washburn lead to 10-7 at the end of the first.
Northwest's defense would step up in the second frame, helping the Bearcats post 28 unanswered points in the quarter.
Hohensee would throw two touchdowns in the quarter, both to Trevon Alexander, one of 34 yards and another from 15 yards away. Harris would score his second touchdown of the game in the quarter as well, rushing in again from one yard out.
The Bearcat special teams unit would score the final touchdown of the quarter. With nine seconds left in the first half, Tre'on Jones would block the Washburn punt and scoop it up to take it in from five yards out. Northwest led 35-10 at halftime.
Washburn would come out of the gates fighting in the second half trying to hold off an upset on their Homecoming. The Ichabods would use 10 plays to drive 91 yards down the field, narrowing the Bearcat lead to 35-17 as running back Percy Russell would punch it in from one yard out.
Mother nature would slow down that momentum though for Washburn. Following the score to open the second half, the game would enter a 38 minute lightning delay.
Following the delay, Northwest would extend their lead again, scoring their sixth touchdown of the day, this time with Hohensee finding running back Tank Young in the back of the endzone from six yards out, the Bearcat lead being pushed to 42-17 at the end of the third quarter.
Washburn would again dent the scoreboard and chip away at the Bearcats lead, Van Dyne connecting with Maury Sullivan on a 98 yard touchdown pass.
But again Northwest would deny the Ichabods momentum, an interception with 12:07 left in the game by Jianni Angulo put the Bearcats back in scoring position and Noah Guastella would knock through a 37 yard field goal, pushing the lead to 45-24.
With 6:31 left in the game Washburn would strike again with Van Dyne finding D.J Bell on a 20 yard touchdown pass. But then, with 1:54 left to play, Harris would put the game out of reach with a five yard rushing touchdown.
Hohensee was 14 of 24 through the air on the day throwing three touchdowns and two interceptions. Harris rushed for 123 yards and three touchdowns in the game, while Young added 109 yards. The leading receiver was Alexander with four catches for 61 yards and two scores.
Northwest is now 5-4 (4-4 MIAA) on the season. The Bearcats will stay on the road this week, heading to Tahlequah, Oklahoma for a matchup with Northeastern State. Kickoff is at 2pm.
Ravens win snowy ranked battle against Baker in Baldwin City, Kansas
In a battle of Top 25 teams the No. 14 Benedictine Ravens managed to hold No. 21 Baker University to its lowest passing yards of the season, on way to a 30-6 win on Saturday in Baldwin City, Kansas at Liston Stadium.
The Ravens special teams unit contributed to the first two scores of the game. A fumble recovery on the opening kickoff set up an opening score for Benedictine with quarterback Jackson Dooley rushing in from one yard out to give Benedictine the early lead.
The conditions would again be a factor on the ensuing kickoff as once again Baker's Jaleel Laffitte would fumble, setting the Ravens up at the Baker 15 yard line, but this time the Wildcats would hold Benedictine to a Harry Balke field goal from 28 yards away. Balke would hit another field goal from 27 yards late in the quarter, pushing the Raven lead to 13-0.
Snowy conditions affected both teams throughout the game, the only score of the second quarter coming from Baker midway through the frame as the Wildcats would send Seth Simpson out for a field goal of their own and converting it from 41 yards, narrowing the lead to 13-3, which is where it stood at halftime.
Receiving the kickoff to start the second half the Ravens would open up the half extending their lead. A six play drive would go 64 yards down the field, ending with a 22 yard touchdown run by Dalton Witherspoon, his first of two second half touchdowns.
The Wildcats would get their only other score of the game on the very next drive, Simpson knocking through a 31 yard field goal, putting the Ravens lead at 20-6. But Benedictine would answer later in the quarter, Balke putting up his third field goal of the day from 42 yards away.
The Ravens would not score again until the start of the fourth quarter, Witherspoon rushing for his second touchdown of the day, this time a 25 yard rushing score, putting the lead at 30-6, which is where it would stand until the end of regulation.
The running game was strong for the Ravens due to the conditions with Witherspoon rushing 24 times for 158 yards and two touchdowns. Dooley, who had the rushing score to open the game, was 9 of 21 through the air for 95 yards. Jacob Gathright led receivers with three catches for 48 yards.
Benedictine is now 7-2 (3-0 Heart South) on the season. They stay on the road Saturday, heading to St. Louis, Missouri to play Missouri Baptist. Kickoff is at 1pm
Goalposts come down after KU scores last minute TD to beat Oklahoma
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Devin Neal ran for 112 yards and the go-ahead touchdown for Kansas with 55 seconds left, Oklahoma's Dillon Gabriel threw incomplete to the end zone on the final play of the game, and the Jayhawks beat the sixth-ranked Sooners 38-33 on Saturday.
Kansas snapped an 18-game losing streak to the Sooners in their final matchup before they depart for the Big 12 for the Southeastern Conference, and they became the highest-ranked opponent the Jayhawks have beaten since a win over Virginia Tech in the 2008 Orange Bowl.
The Jayhawks (6-2, 3-2 Big 12) looked as if they'd given away an opportunity to win the game when Jason Bean was picked off with 2:29 to go. But their defense forced the Sooners (7-1, 4-1 Big 12) to punt, and after two long completions and a fourth-down throw that picked up 37 yards, Neal scampered in from 9 out to give Kansas the lead back — but Oklahoma's offense another shot with the ball.
The Sooners still had a chance to salvage their perfect record when Gabriel completed a 39-yard pass to Brenan Thompson to get to the Kansas 34 with 24 seconds left. But after a short throw to Jovantae Barnes and an incompletion, Gabriel — under heavy pressure — threw high to the end zone on the final play to touch off a field-storming celebration in Lawrence.
Bean threw for 218 yards and two interceptions, both in the fourth quarter, while running for 62 yards and a score. Daniel Hishaw also had two TD runs for the Jayhawks, who had not beaten Oklahoma since October 4, 1997.
Gabriel threw for 171 yards with three touchdown runs, and Tawee Walker ran for 146 yards and a score, as the Sooners were left to lament too many missed opportunities down the stretch to keep their perfect record intact.
Until the fourth quarter, it had been a dreary Homecoming for the Jayhawks.
The sellout crowd packed Memorial Stadium early to watch Fox's pregame show, then started getting wet when rain moved in after kickoff. Midway through the second quarter, lightning lit up the sky, causing a delay of about an hour. And when the game finally resumed, about half that crowd was left — and a big portion of that was chanting “Boomer Sooner.”
The Jayhawks had jumped to a 14-0 lead when Mello Dotson returned Gabriel's interception for a touchdown and, after a fourth-down stand, they promptly marched 79 yards in 10 plays with Hishaw reaching the end zone.
But the Oklahoma offense, which was struggling without injured running back Marcus Major, found its stride when Walker checked in. The junior running back led them downfield before Gabriel scored on a keeper early in the second quarter, and when the lightning delay ended, Walker capped another drive with a tying touchdown of his own.
When the Jayhawks fumbled the ensuing kickoff, Gabriel needed just four plays to get the Sooners in the end zone again.
The game turned into a seesaw affair over the final 30 minutes.
Kansas drew within 21-20 on field goals on each side of halftime, then took the lead back in third quarter. Jalil Farooq fumbled the ball away in Oklahoma territory, and Bean ran 38 yards untouched on the very next play for the score.
The Sooners answered with a 75-yard touchdown march to take a 27-26 lead, only for the Jayhawks to take advantage of three personal fouls — including one on the Oklahoma bench for arguing about the first — to regain a 32-27 lead.
Kansas nearly made it a two-possession game after the Sooners muffed the kickoff, but a holding penalty brought back Hishaw's 20-yard touchdown run and Seth Keller missed a 42-yard field-goal attempt.
Oklahoma took advantage of the missed opportunity. After it was forced to punt, the Sooners' defense got a hand on Bean's third-down pass and Billy Bowman picked it off at the Kansas 14. Gabriel scored less than 2 minutes, barreling into the end zone from a yard out, and the Sooners had a 33-32 lead with 5:22 to go.
The Jayhawks had one more touchdown in them.
UP NEXT:
Kansas heads to Iowa State on Saturday. Kickoff time and where the game will be aired is to be determined.
Kansas State defense shines in shutout win over Houston
MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Will Howard was 15-of-17 passing for 164 yards with two touchdowns as Kansas State defeated Houston 41-0 Saturday.
It was the K-State defense, which has gone nine quarters without allowing a touchdown, that shined the brightest. K-State has outscored its opponents 103-3 since falling behind Texas Tech 21-17 on Oct. 14 before winning 38-21.
“I feel like our confidence level is really high right now and it's coming at a good time,” Howard said. “The defense makes my job really easy. Those are two really good offenses (TCU and Houston) they just held to three points combined. When you have your defense playing like that, it's hard not to win games.”
The Wildcats (6-2, 4-1 Big 12) held the Cougars (3-5, 1-4 Big 12) to just 208 yards. The Cougars came into the game second in the Big 12 with 291 passing yards per game but managed just 95 against K-State.
Houston's Donovan Smith had trouble finding open receivers. He finished the day 13 of 28 for 88 yards.
“We're playing at an elite level,” defensive end Nate Matlack said. “That's what we've been trying to replicate the whole season. It feels really good to be playing at this level, shutting guys out or holding them to one score. That's our goal for the rest of the season.”
K-State head coach Chris Klieman had trouble finding a unit to single out in his postgame praise.
“It was a dominant performance,” Klieman said. "We didn't want to be a roller-coaster team. We want to get better every week. Houston is a good team. Our guys really played focused, physical football.
"I can't say enough about our defense. We're playing really well at all three levels of defense, which I'm excited about.
“Will Howard has played a lot of really good football here, but I told him I thought he played his best game today.”
The Wildcats rushed for 174 yards, led by DJ Giddens, who had 96 yards and two of the three rushing touchdowns. His 13-yard run late in the third quarter extended the lead to 35-0.
Avery Johnson threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Seth Porter in the fourth quarter.
It was total domination by the Wildcats.
“We knew it would be challenging. It’s Big 12 football,” Houston coach Dana Holgorsen said. “I don’t think that’s who we are as a football team. Our opponent had a lot to do with that.
“That’s what Big 12 championship football looks like.”
K-State continued an impressive streak with a 12-play, 75-yard touchdown drive on its opening possession. Through eight games, the Wildcats have scored six touchdowns and had one field goal the first time it touched the ball. Howard passed to Garrett Oakley for a 12-yard score.
Howard then found Phillip Brooks on a 21-yard touchdown to put the Wildcats up 14-0 early in the second quarter, capping a 15-play, 89-yard drive.
Treshaun Ward punched it in from the 1-yard line to give K-State a 21-0 lead. After another three-and-out, Giddens scored on a 9-yard run to put the Wildcats up 28-0 late in the half.
In the first half, the Wildcats held a 277-83 advantage in total yards. Howard was 13 of 14 for 155 yards and two scores.
THE TAKEAWAY
There is no quarterback controversy in Manhattan, and not because Johnson isn't capable. Howard has firm control of the offense, and he can run and pass with efficiency.
UP NEXT
The Wildcats play at No. 7 Texas on Saturday. Kickoff time and where the game will be aired is to be determined.
Win over Purdue gives Huskers first three game win streak since 2016
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Matt Rhule was heading into the tunnel at the end of a 31-14 win over Purdue on Saturday when a fan yelled, “Coach, just one more. Just one more."
Presumably, the fan was referencing the one more win Nebraska needs to become bowl-eligible for the first time in seven years.
Rhule, the Cornhuskers' first-year coach, has his sights set higher.
“I don't want just one more. You want just one more?” he said. “I want to win every game we play. I say that humbly. I want to come out every week and compete. I'm still mad about some of the games we lost. I'm excited about the opportunities that are ahead.”
The Huskers (5-3, 3-2) are in a four-way tie for first place in the Big Ten West after having won five of six and three in a row for the first time since 2016.
“He's got all of us buying into his process, going 1-0 every week and not letting the picture get too big,” defensive lineman Ty Robinson said. “At this point we've got four games left, and that’s it for some of us, and coach Rhule told us to make the four games count.”
Heinrich Haarberg threw two touchdown passes, Quinton Newsome ran back a blocked field goal 68 yards for a score and the Huskers were able to survive late turnovers after building a 24-0 lead.
The Huskers' defense stood out once again on a cloudy, 37-degree afternoon with a feels-like temperature of 25. Nebraska allowed just 195 total yards, including 99 passing. It was Purdue's fewest total yards in four seasons and fewest through the air since 2014.
“You can’t win ball games doing that,” Purdue coach Ryan Walters said.
Nebraska needed that kind of defensive performance after losing four of five fumbles. Purdue (2-6, 1-4) converted two of them into touchdowns.
The Huskers scored two touchdowns in less than two minutes in the second quarter to take control. Haarberg led a 15-play drive he ended with a 1-yard pass to Thomas Fidone. Tommi Hill had the first of his two interceptions of Hudson Card on Purdue's next possession, and Haarberg hit Jaylen Lloyd in stride on first down for a 73-yard touchdown.
Haarberg fumbled twice inside his 25-yard line in the second half.
The first time, Dillon Thieneman stripped Haarberg and Cole Brevard recovered at the 13. Jimari Butler and MJ Sherman combined to sack Card on third down, so Ben Freehill came on to attempt a 37-yard field goal. Elijah Jeudy broke through to block the kick and Newsome picked up the ball with a clear path down the left sideline.
Haarberg's second fumble came at his own 24, with Brevard recovering it again. The Boilermakers converted this time, with Card taking a sack before finding Jayden Dixon-Veal for a 29-yard touchdown.
Jeff Sims played Nebraska's next series and fumbled, and Kydran Jenkins ran it back 55 yards for a TD.
“Hats off to Nebraska," Card said. "They were able to capitalize on opportunities when they were presented and we weren’t. To me that was the difference in the game.”
THE TAKEAWAY
The Huskers finished their first undefeated October since 2001 and are riding a wave of momentum.
EARLY CELEBRATION
Newsome and Hill began celebrating the blocked field-goal return early. As Hill ran alongside Newsome, they high-fived as they reached the 10-yard line. It was the Huskers’ first return of a blocked field goal for a touchdown since 2014 against Minnesota.
Rhule said he didn't know about the high-fiving until after the game and that he didn't condone showboating.
“That's a thing we dreamed about since we were young,” Newsome said, “and it was a great feeling.”
UP NEXT
Nebraska visits Michigan State on Saturday. Kickoff is at 11am and the game will be aired on FS1
Bye Week Notes
After a 34-12 win over South Carolina, the Missouri Tigers saw themselves jump four spots in the AP Top 25 during their bye week from No. 20 to No. 16. The Tigers will look to jump even more this week but face down a tough matchup against No. 1 Georgia. Kickoff is at 2:30pm and the game will be aired on CBS