By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
Cook comes back and helps Missouri score Homecoming win
#19 Missouri quarterback Brady Cook returned from a midgame trip to the hospital to have an MRI exam on his ailing ankle and led his team to two fourth-quarter touchdowns, including the go-ahead run by Jamal Roberts with 46 seconds remaining that gave the Tigers a 21-17 victory over Auburn on Saturday.
Cook was hurt on the opening series and did not return until late in the third quarter, after his hospital trip and a session in the nearby indoor practice facility, where Missouri coaches wanted to see whether his ankle could properly function.
Without Cook to lead the offense, it was slow to get going, but luckily it was the same for Auburn as the teams went to the halftime break tied at three, Mizzou getting a 51 yard field goal from Blake Craig, and Auburn kicker Towns McGough hitting a 33 yard field goal.
Auburn took advantage of the lack of offense from Mizzou in the second half, scoring 14 unanswered points before Craig knocked through a 38 yard field goal in the third quarter. At the end of the quarter though, it was a homecoming miracle for Mizzou, as Cook came back into the huddle to lead the offense down the field, connecting with Mookie Cooper on a 78 yard pass, before Marcus Carroll rushed the ball in from two yards out. Cook rushed in for a two point conversion to bring the Tigers within three points.
After both teams exchanged punts over the next five drives, Mizzou put together the longest drive of the game, using 17 plays to go 95 yards before Roberts scored the go ahead touchdown with 46 seconds left on the clock. With no timeouts, Auburn went four and out, allowing Cook to kneel out the remaining time.
Despite not playing most of the game, Cook was the leading passer going 11 of 22 through the air for 194 yards. Carroll was the leading rusher with eight runs for 40 yards. Cooper had two catches for 84 yards, while Theo Wease Jr had four catches for 56 yards.
Missouri returns to the road to face #7 Alabama on Saturday. Kickoff time has yet to be announced by the SEC.
Late UNK field goal spoils Homecoming for Missouri Western
Missouri Western football lost a back-and-forth battle with Nebraska-Kearney at Spratt Stadium on Saturday, as the Lopers rallied from a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter and stunned the Griffons, 24-23, on Missouri Western's Homecoming.
Nebraska-Kearney's Kyle Failing connected on a 33-yard field goal with two seconds remaining to give the Lopers a win. Nebraska-Kearney, down 23-21 with 2:32 remaining, drove 69 yards on 11 plays on the final drive to get within field goal range.
Saturday's game started out in topsy-turvy fashion. Nebraska-Kearney got the ball to start the game, but on the very first play from scrimmage, quarterback Reagan Jones was blindsided by Missouri Western's Grant Finley, which resulted in a fumble. The fumble was recovered by Brandon Johnson.
On the very next play, MWSU quarterback Branden Berwald completed a pass for 16 yards to Tyler Carey, who fumbled the ball at the goal line, but then recovered his own fumble in the endzone for a touchdown. The ensuing point-after attempt, however, missed off the upright.
That's how it got started. 6-0 Missouri Western in the first 17 seconds.
The Lopers took the lead back later in the quarter though, as former Missouri Western quarterback Reagan Jones rushed for a nine yard touchdown. The Griffons took the lead back in the second quarter on a rushing score of their own, a one yard rushing touchdown by Ison Robinson, and used Carey to score a two point conversion.
After Nebraska Kearney scored a touchdown to tie up the game, a 25 yard passing touchdown from Jones to Stephen Lewis, the Griffons took the lead near the end of the first half, a 37 yard field goal from Cody Watson giving Missouri Western a 17-14 halftime lead.
After neither team scored in the third quarter, the Griffons extended the lead in the fourth on another passing touchdown from Berwald to Carey, this time from six yards out, but again Watson missed the extra point as the Lopers blocked it.
After Jones got Nebraska Kearney within one point on just one play, a 7 yard passing touchdown to Reggie Anderson, the Griffons were unable to run enough clock, giving the Lopers one more possession, in which they drove all the way down the field to knock through a 33 yard field goal with only two seconds remaining for the win.
Berwald had another solid outing for Western at QB, completing 17-of-28 for for 214 yards and two touchdowns and an interception. Berwald also ran for 48 yards on 10 attempts. Jonas Bennett was again a top target, as he hauled in seven passes for 101 yards. Bennett has now finished with over 100 yards receiving in four consecutive games.
Carey caught four passes for 58 yards and two touchdowns, giving him eight TD grabs on the season. Defensively, Grant Finley finished with a career-high three solo sacks. Kienen Gaskin had a team-best seven tackles.
Missouri Western will have a bye week this coming Saturday, and then are back home to host Central Oklahoma in the Rogers Pharmacy Hall of Fame Game on Saturday, November 2. Kickoff in that game is set for 2pm.
Ravens score dominant Homecoming win over Missouri Baptist
The #8 Benedictine Ravens scored 31 unanswered first half points and dominated their way to a 48-14 Homecoming win over Missouri Baptist at Larry Wilcox Stadium in Atchison on Saturday.
The Ravens got two rushing touchdowns from Dalton Witherspoon, rushes of three and six yards, and two passing touchdowns from Jackson Dooley, 14 yards to Joseph Lagafuaina and a big one play 46 yard pass to JaShawn Todd, during the first half. The scoring ended with a 45 yard field goal from Harry Balke near the end of the first half, giving Benedictine the 31-0 halftime lead.
The Spartans opened the scoring in the second half, finally getting on the board with a four yard run from Lionel Banks, but the extra point was missed. Balke added a 41 yard field goal and Dooley threw another touchdown pass to Todd, this time from seven yards out, before Missouri Baptist added another touchdown in the third quarter, a 21 yard touchdown pass from Jordan Simpson to Shane Becker, Zae Jones converting a pass for a two point conversion.
The Ravens got the final score of the game though, Todd scoring his third touchdown of the game, this time on the ground rushing for an eight yard touchdown.
Dooley was 23 of 36 through the air for 308 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. Witherspoon rushed 12 times for 26 yards with two scores, while Xavier Ugorji rushed two times for 49 yards. Todd had five catches for 94 yards with two touchdowns, also adding the one rushing touchdown.
The Ravens will be on the road, looking to spoil Homecoming for Missouri Valley in Marshall. Kickoff is scheduled for 2pm
Red zone miscues and big plays cost Northwest in Homecoming loss
A pair of red-zone turnovers and two explosive plays from the University of Central Missouri cost the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcat football team in a 35-30 loss to the Mules.
The Bearcats fumbled at the 6-yard line and tossed a 100-yard interception return for a pick-six touchdown to thwart two potential scoring drives. The Mules posted two touchdown passes of 73 and 63 yards to gain the upper-hand in an MIAA football matchup on Northwest's 100th Homecoming celebration.
Northwest forced UCM to punt on the first series of the game after five plays. The Bearcats marched 58 yards in seven plays, but a fumbled hand off between Ruhnke and Te'Shaun Porter resulted in a lost fumble at the 6-yard line.
After another UCM punt, Northwest got on the board with a 19-yard scoring strike from Chris Ruhnke to Jake Weber on a 3rd-and-8 with 4:08 left in the first quarter. UCM drew even at 7-7 on the first play of the second quarter on a five-yard run by Keyon Butler.
Northwest marched right back down the field and went up 14-7 on a 41-yard touchdown strike from Ruhnke to Eric Richardson with 12:24 left in the second quarter. UCM took eight plays and went 75 yards to level the game again at 14-14 with 9:07 remaining in the half.
UCM's Zach Zebroski was sacked and fumbled on a third-down play by Langden Kitchen, Carter Olesen recovered the loose ball at the 27-yard line and four plays later, Tank Young cashed in the turnover with a 3-yard rushing touchdown to give the Bearcats back the lead
Zebrowski connected with Zach Patterson on a 73-yard touchdown pass on the very next play to get the contest tied 21-21 which is where the matchup stood at the halftime break
Guastella booted a 20-yard field goal with 10:09 left in the third quarter to give Northwest it's fourth lead of the game at 24-21.
After a UCM punt, Northwest drove deep in Mules' territory and looked to make the contest a two-score game. After scrambling to the 7-yard line in a 3rd-and-15, Ruhnke was intercepted in the end zone by UCM's Isaac Montgomery and he returned the miscue 100 yards for a touchdown. The pick-six gave UCM it's first lead of the day at 28-24
Guastella drilled his second field goal of the day with a season-best 45-yard boot trimming the UCM lead to 28-27.
UCM turned to a flea-flicker to dent the scoreboard again. Zebrowski got the ball back in his hands and hit Patterson for a 63-yard touchdown. The Bearcats drove back into UCM territory on its next possession looking to even the score. However, the UCM defense slowed down the Bearcats at the 17-yard line and Guastella kicked his third field goal of the game - this one from 33 yards.
UCM converted three first downs and took the clock from 6:03 to :05 before turning the ball over on downs to Northwest at the Bearcat 31-yard line. Northwest's last desperate pass went incomplete short of the 50-yard line and the Mules walked away with a five-point victory.
Ruhnke posted his fourth 300-yard passing game of the season with a 321-yard performance going 31-of-46 passing and tossing two touchdowns. Young was the leading rusher with nine carries for 51 yards, while Weber caught six passes for 93 yards.
Northwest will have an open week before returning to Bearcat Stadium Nov. 2 to take on the Northeastern State Riverhawks with a 1:30 p.m. kick.
Daniels, Bryant lead Kansas past Houston for first Big 12 win
Jalon Daniels had three passing touchdowns, plus one on the ground, as Kansas broke a five-game losing streak with a 42-14 victory over Houston on Saturday at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
The game marked Kansas' 112th Homecoming, though it wasn't played in-state because of reconstruction of KU's home stadium.
Kansas scored touchdowns on its first four drives to assume control. The Jayhawks took the opening kickoff and marched on a 15-play drive that took nearly 9 minutes to take an early 7-0 lead. The Jayhawks converted a fourth-and-1 at the Houston 4-yard line before Daniels hit Jared Casey on a 2-yard touchdown pass.
On the first play following an interception by Bryant, Daniels hit Quentin Skinner with a 48-yard bomb to extend the lead. On its third drive, KU went 84 yards on six plays, capped by a 2-yard run by Neal.
Houston finally got on the scoreboard midway through the second quarter when Smith hit Stacy Sneed on a screen and Sneed ran untouched for a 23-yard score.
Daniels' third touchdown pass was a 3-yard strike to Casey to give Kansas a 28-7 lead. Smith hit Mekhi Mews on a 52-yard catch-and-run score right before halftime.
After a scoreless third quarter, Daniels' 8-yard touchdown put Kansas up 35-14 early in the fourth. Neal scored his second touchdown for Kansas' final points.
Daniels was 16-of-21 passing for 247 yards with three touchdowns, he also rushed seven times for 58 yards and a touchdown. Neal was the leading rusher with 17 carries for 108 yards and two scores. Lawrence Arnold was the leading receiver with four catches for 80 yards. Cobee Bryant tied a Kansas record, set by Bill Crank in 1958, with three interceptions.
The Jayhawks will next be in action in the Sunflower Showdown as they travel to Manhattan for a matchup with Kansas State on Saturday. Kickoff has yet to be determined by the Big 12.
Johnson thrives as WVU shuts down Giddens in 45-18 road win
No. 17 Kansas State knew that West Virginia would try to shut down Big 12 rushing leader DJ Giddens, and that enabled quarterback Avery Johnson to put together a career game.
Johnson threw three touchdown passes in the Wildcats' 45-18 win over West Virginia on Saturday night, and Kansas State is off to its best start since 2014.
After both teams exchanged field goals to open the scoring, Kansas State's Chris Tennant and West Virgina's Michael Hayes II both hitting 44 yard field goals, Johnson threw his first touchdown of the day near the end of the first quarter, a 60 yard pass to Jadon Jackson.
The Wildcats defense extended the lead in the second quarter, a 43 yard pick six from Marques Sigle. But the Mountaineers cut into the lead before halftime, a seven yard passing touchdown from Garrett Greene to Hudson Clement, leaving Kansas State with a 17-10 halftime lead.
Johnson slipped from the grasp of West Virginia defensive lineman Sean Martin and threw an 11-yard pass to Ty Bowman on fourth down to keep a third-quarter drive alive that ended with Johnson finding Garrett Oakley for a 16-yard score.
On Kansas Stateβs next series, Johnson and Giddens combined on a 53-yard pass play to the West Virginia 1, and Johnson hit tight end Will Anciaux in the end zone for a 31-10 lead, sending Mountaineer fans streaming for the exits.
Giddens scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, a one yard rush and an 18 yard rushing score. West Virginia's final score of the game came between those two touchdowns, a 12 yard passing touchdown from Nicco Marchio to Traylon Ray. Marchio converted a pass to Kole Taylor for a two point conversion.
Johnson picked apart West Virginiaβs injury-depleted secondary, finishing 19 of 29 for a career-high 298 yards throwing three touchdowns.Giddens was held to a season-low 57 yards, 74 below his average. Jackson was the leading receiver with two catches for 84 yards and a score
Kansas State will next host rival Kansas for the Sunflower Showdown in Manhattan. Kickoff has yet to be determined by the Big 12.
#16 Indiana routs Nebraska continuing best start since 1967
Justice Ellison ran for 105 yards and two first-half touchdowns and No. 16 Indiana continued its best start in 57 years with a 56-7 rout of Nebraska on Saturday, matching the Hoosiers' most lopsided Big Ten win in program history.
The Hoosiers have yet to trail this season and each victory has been by double digits. The 49-point margin of victory was the biggest in conference play since a 49-0 win at Minnesota in 1945. The last time Indiana started with seven consecutive wins was 1967, when it opened 8-0.
Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti is the first coach in program history to win his first seven games. He's never had a losing season in 14 years as a head coach.
The Cornhuskers were supposed to be the stiffest opposition to date for Indiana. But the only defense in the country to not allow a rushing touchdown surrendered five, including Ellison's 5-yard TD on the opening possession
The Hoosiers scored again early in the second quarter, a seven yard passing touchdown from Kurtis Rourke to Myles Price. The lone Nebraska touchdown came in the same quarter, Jacory Barney Jr rushing seven yards for a touchdown.
Indiana continued pouring on the scoring through the remainder of the quarter, adding two rushing touchdowns, a one yard score from Ty Son Lawton and a 31 yard romp by Ellison, giving the Hoosiers a 28-7 lead at the halftime break.
Rourke injured his right (throwing) hand and was on the sideline in street clothes in the second half. Tayven Jackson replaced him for the rest of the game.
Jackson threw two touchdowns in the third quarter, two yards to Miles Cross and a 15 yard strike to Elijah Sarratt, before adding two more rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter, 10 yards by Kaelon Black and one yard from Elijah Green.
Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola completed 28 of 44 passes for 234 yards with three interceptions and a lost fumble. Quarterback Heinrich Haarberg was the leading rusher with five carries for 32 yards. Thomas Fidone II had six catches for 91 yards.
Nebraska will hope to turn things around as they stay on the road this week, with another tough test against #4 Ohio State. Kickoff will be at 11am with the game being televised on Fox.