The Chapman Irish defeated Winfield 25-12, 25-15, but lost to Nickerson 25-22, 15-25, 25-21 in Class 3A Substate Volleyball Tournament competition on Saturday.

MANHATTAN, Kan. – K-State’s stadium erupted with cheers. Soon, its student section emptied onto the field to celebrate K-State’s 48-41 win against No. 5 Oklahoma (7-1, 4-1) on Saturday afternoon.

 

Most of them — the students and the players — were not alive the last time K-State (5-2, 2-2) topped Oklahoma at home in 1996. First-year head coach Chris Klieman was coaching defensive backs at Western Illinois at the time.

 

Fans had not rushed the field at Bill Snyder Family Stadium since clinching a Big 12 Championship at home against Texas in 2012. This time, the Wildcats knocked off the four-time defending Big 12 champion.

 

“It was crazy. It was a surreal moment,” said true freshman receiver Joshua Youngblood, who had three catches and his first career touchdown on a jet sweep. “It was great having them down there, talking to everybody, seeing people who were in my classes come to the game. It’s a great feeling.”

 

“That was a crazy moment,” added senior center Adam Holtorf. “That’s something that I’ll truly remember forever, being a senior and being able to beat a highly-ranked team at home the way we did. There’s so many things going through your head, but it’s something special.”

 

For a little more than three quarters, K-State’s execution was something special.

 

Behind it, the Wildcats overcame 10-0 and 17-7 deficits in the first quarter to take a 24-23 lead to halftime. They outscored Oklahoma 17-0 in the third quarter to build a 25-point lead and they held on in the fourth quarter for the victory.

 

K-State’s win was sealed when an onside kick recovery by Oklahoma with less than two minutes left was overturned by replay review, prompting a loud roar in the stadium and putting K-State’s offense into the victory formation.

 

“I don’t know if it has really fully hit me yet, to be honest. I’ve just been at a loss for words,” K-State quarterback Skylar Thompson said. “I was sitting at my locker kind of just thinking about what we just did and how we did it. It’s a special moment for me in my life, but I know for Kansas State and the history, it’ll go down as a game people will remember forever. Just the thought of me being a part of it, a small part of it, is something I’m truly grateful for.”

 

Thompson and K-State’s offense came together quickly after a three-and-out to start the game.

 

The Wildcats followed that series with three consecutive scoring drives of 10 or more plays that ate up a combined 15:45 of clock. K-State ended up with eight straight scoring drives between the first and fourth quarter — the most against a Big 12 opponent since recording eight in 2012 against West Virginia. K-State’s run of scores was capped by a 10-play, 73-yard touchdown drive to go up 48-23 early in the fourth quarter.

 

“What can you say about the resolve of our guys? I’m so proud of the players and the coaches. We told them before the game that we belong on this stage and told them to continue to believe,” Klieman said. “The guys continued to believe throughout the game. Even when we were down 10-0 and 17-7, I saw a sideline of guys who felt like they really had a chance to win the football game and stay in the football game against a great, great football team.”

 

The Wildcats used effective offense as a second defense, winning the time of possession by more than 16 minutes (38:08 to 21:52). They did so, in part, with a rejuvenated run game.

 

K-State rushed for 213 yards, led by James Gilbert’s 105 on 13 carries. Jordon Brown, in his first action since K-State’s Big 12 opener against Oklahoma State, added 63 yards on 12 carries. Thompson chipped in 39 yards and a career-high four scores on the ground. He also connected on 18-of-28 through the air for 213 yards, hooking up with nine different receivers.

 

“We were so confident going into this game,” senior left tackle Scott Frantz said. “(The coaches) had a great game plan and said, ‘Hey, just trust us. If you execute it, it’s going to work.’”

 

The Wildcats also forced and took advantage of a pair Oklahoma turnovers, turning them into 14 points.

 

“We talked about being able to create a huge turnover to change the momentum,” Klieman said. “We were able to create two.”

 

AJ Parker intercepted a pass off an Oklahoma trick play late in the first half. Thompson scored three plays later on a 14-yard draw on third-and-10.

 

Senior linebacker Eric Gallon made a pair of game-changing plays close together in the second half.

 

Gallon suffered a serious injury on his second crucial play, a forced fumble on a pooch kick about midway through the third quarter. Ross Elder recovered the fumble, which led to one of Thompson’s touchdown runs. The series before, Gallon, a senior, deflected a third-down pass to cap a three-and-out. It, too, opened the door to a short field and a quick K-State score.

 

“Those were amazing plays. We love Eric. When he went down, we made the decision we had to go win it for him and for everything he’s worked for and everything he’s done,” Parker said. “Prayers out to EG. We used his plays to get the win and we’re forever thankful for him.”

 

K-State, one win away from bowl eligibility, will head to Lawrence next weekend to face Kansas for the Dillons Sunflower Showdown. It will kick at 2:30 p.m., on FS1.

 

 

 

 

——————

RYAN LACKEY

Director of Football Communications

 

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Senior guard Xavier Sneed poured in a game-high 18 points, while freshmen Antonio Gordon and Montavious Murphy added 16 and 10 points, respectively, as Kansas State opened exhibition play with an 86-49 victory over Emporia State on Friday night before 8,805 fans at Bramlage Coliseum.

The 86 points were the most in a home exhibition game in nearly eight years, as the Wildcats scored nearly half their points in the paint (40) while converting 23 Hornet turnovers into 34 points. The last time the team scored this many points in an exhibition came in a 90-60 win over Fort Hays State on November 6, 2011.

K-State has now 25 consecutive exhibition games at Bramlage Coliseum dating back to 2003.

In addition to the trio in double figures, seven other Wildcats registered at least two field goals on night, as K-State connected on 45.6 percent (36-of-79) from the field, including 35.5 percent (11-of-31) from 3-point range. The 11 made 3-point field goals were the most-ever in an exhibition game, surpassing the 10 against Washburn in 2010 and Pittsburg State in 2016. The team also held a 20-2 edge in fast-break points, thanks in part to 11 steals.

In all, the 36 made field goals came on 27 assists, including a game-high 7 from junior newcomer David Sloan.

Sneed scored his game-high 18 points on 7-of-11 field goals, including 3-of-6 from 3-point range to go with 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals in 24 minutes, while Gordon went 7-of-10 from the field, including 2-of-4 from long range, with 7 rebounds in a little over 20 minutes. Murphy collected a double-double with a game-high 11 rebounds to go with his 10 points.

ESU was led by junior transfer Brenden Van Dyke, who scored 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting in 21 minutes.

HOW IT HAPPENED

After a little erratic play to open the game, K-State settled down behind the play of seniors Xavier Sneed and Makol Mawien to rattle off 11 consecutive points to take a double-digit lead with just 14 minutes to play. Sneed and Mawien each had four points in the 11-0 run.

The Hornets would end the run with a bucket on the next possession, however, the Wildcats answered with 9 straight points to push the advantage to 23-7 with 10:52 to play in the half. During the stretch, freshman Antonio Gordon ignited the offensive attack with five points, including a 3-pointer.

A 5-0 run by ESU closed the gap to 23-12 with just under nine minutes to play, but K-State again answered with a 12-2 run, including 8 in a row from Gordon, to extend the advantage to 35-14 with 3:33 remaining. The lead stood at 23 points at the half, as the Wildcats headed into the locker room with a 42-19 advantage.

K-State connected on 43.9 percent (18-of-41), including 30.8 percent (4-of-13) from 3-point range, while holding ESU to 30 percent (6-of-20) shooting, including 28.6 percent (2-of-7) from long range. The Wildcats scored 18 points off 16 Hornet turnovers and scored 22 of their 42 points in the paint.

Nine different Wildcats scored in the opening half, including a game-high 14 points from Antonio Gordon on 6-of-9 shooting, including 2-of-4 from 3-point range. Sneed added 7 points, while freshman Montavious Murphy had a team-high 7 rebounds to go with 5 points.

K-State continued to push its lead in the second half, opening up a 53-26 advantage after a fast-break bucket by freshman guard DaJuan Gordon with 14:30 to play.

ESU was able to cut into the deficit with a 16-7 spurt over the next 4 minutes capped by a 3-pointer from redshirt freshman Justin Balcome to close to within 60-42 with just over 10 minutes remaining.

Much like the first half, the Wildcats responded with a run of their own, scoring 14 of the next 19 points to push the lead back to 27 points at 74-47 with 5:10 left on a fast-break bucket by junior Mike McGuirl. The lead would exceed 30 in the waning minutes, as the squad finished on a 12-0 run for the 86-49 victory.

Sneed scored 11 of his game-high 18 points in the second half on 4-of-5 field goals, including 2-of-3 from 3-point range, while Sloan scored 6 of his 8 points and 4 of his game-high 7 assists after halftime. The Wildcats connected on 47.4 percent (18-of-38), including 38.9 percent (7-of-18) from 3-point range, in the second half.

PLAYER(S) OF THE GAME

Senior Xavier Sneed led all scorers with 18 points on 7-of-11 field goals, including 3-of-6 from 3-point range, while a pair of freshmen – Antonio Gordon and Montavious Murphy – had double-digit scoring efforts. Murphy led all players with 11 rebounds to go with his 10 points, while Gordon’s 16 points came on 7-of-10 shooting.

STAT OF THE GAME

34 – K-State scored 34 points off of 23 Emporia State turnovers, collecting 11 steals on night.

Friday’s Scores

By The Associated Press

PREP FOOTBALL=
Abilene 48, Ulysses 6
Andale 29, Cheney 22
Atchison 35, KC Sumner 7
Augusta 10, El Dorado 6
Axtell 50, Doniphan West 0
BV North 17, St. James Academy 14
Basehor-Linwood 27, KC Schlagle 24
Belle Plaine 21, Douglass 0
Beloit 47, Russell 0
Bennington 56, Goessel 54, OT
Blue Valley 10, BV West 7
Bonner Springs 40, KC Piper 6
Buhler 26, Winfield 10
Burlington 42, Anderson County 12
Caldwell 48, Medicine Lodge 34
Caney Valley 43, Baxter Springs 0
Canton-Galva 70, Herington 0
Central Heights 22, West Franklin 18
Centralia 38, Valley Heights 20
Centre 56, Marais des Cygnes Valley 6
Chanute 20, Labette County 8
Chaparral 21, Hutchinson Trinity 20
Chase 40, Burrton 28
Cherryvale 40, Eureka 31
Cheylin 89, Weskan 44
Christ Preparatory Academy 33, Coffeyville 13
Cimarron 60, Ellinwood 0
Clearwater 35, Wichita Collegiate 14
Clifton-Clyde 70, Lincoln 0
Colby 56, Goodland 7
DeSoto 28, Pittsburg 14
Derby 55, Maize 7
Destiny Christian, Okla. 44, Wichita Life Prep 12
Dodge City 45, Liberal 6
Drexel, Mo. 67, KC East Christian 0
Ellis 32, La Crosse 14
Emporia 14, Junction City 13
Erie 32, Northeast-Arma 0
Eudora 21, Fort Scott 12
Fredonia 43, Neodesha 7
Frontenac 23, Columbus 0
Galena 38, Parsons 0
Garden Plain 32, Conway Springs 21
Gardner-Edgerton 49, SM West 23
Girard 56, Osawatomie 22
Goddard 17, Andover 13
Goddard-Eisenhower 28, Valley Center 6
Golden Plains 53, Western Plains-Healy 0
Great Bend 27, Garden City 7
Halstead 54, Chapman 14
Hanover 52, Frankfort 34
Hartford 90, Rural Vista 60
Haven 36, Wichita Trinity 0
Hesston 28, Clay Center 27
Hill City 62, Washington County 12
Hodgeman County 52, Ness City 26
Hoisington 38, Norton 7
Holton 41, Wamego 14
Hugoton 22, Holcomb 0
Humboldt 50, Southeast 18
Hutchinson Central Christian 61, South Haven 0
Jackson Heights 33, Lyndon 14
Jefferson North 20, Troy 8
Jefferson West 45, Santa Fe Trail 6
KC Washington 55, KC Turner 0
KC Wyandotte 35, KC Harmon 0
Kapaun Mount Carmel 42, Wichita Heights 40, 3OT
Kingman 16, Larned 3
Kiowa County 52, Kinsley 0
Lakeside 54, BV Randolph 28
Lakin 42, Lyons 14
Lawrence Free State 31, Lawrence 30
Leavenworth 52, SM North 24
Lebo 54, Burlingame 20
Little River 54, Moundridge 0
Macksville 68, Central Plains 22
Madison/Hamilton Co-op 62, Chase County 18
Maize South 56, Wichita North 13
Marion 46, Bluestem 6
Marmaton Valley 58, Chetopa 8
Marysville 68, Hiawatha 20
McPherson 49, Circle 0
Meade 53, Sublette 12
Mill Valley 56, BV Southwest 14
Minneapolis 25, Phillipsburg 0
Minneola 46, Bucklin 20
Mission Valley 61, Rossville 18
Moscow 85, Fowler 33
Mulvane 23, Wellington 7
Natoma 73, Cunningham 28
Nemaha Central 26, Maur Hill – Mount Academy 20
Nickerson 29, Pratt 21
Northern Heights 54, Wabaunsee 32
Norwich 66, Fairfield 0
Olathe East 32, Olathe South 21
Olathe North 52, Olathe Northwest 7
Olpe 55, Hillsboro 21
Onaga 58, Wetmore 13
Osage City 32, McLouth 0
Osborne 40, Thunder Ridge 34
Oswego 60, Flinthills 12
Otis-Bison 44, Ingalls 6
Oxford 46, Udall 22
Paola 16, Louisburg 8
Pawnee Heights 73, Rolla 37
Perry-Lecompton 57, KC Bishop Ward 6
Pike Valley def. Linn, forfeit
Pittsburg Colgan 41, Uniontown 7
Plainville 59, Oakley 14
Pleasanton 1, Yates Center 0
Prairie View 41, Iola 0
Pratt Skyline def. St. John, forfeit
Quinter def. Greeley County, forfeit
Republic County 62, Salina Sacred Heart 14
Riverside 42, Pleasant Ridge 7
Riverton 49, Jayhawk Linn 16
Rose Hill 45, Independence 0
Sabetha 56, Royal Valley 21
Salina Central 35, Hays 3
Salina South 47, Newton 24
Scott City 31, Concordia 0
Sedgwick 42, Inman 7
Shawnee Heights 35, Lansing 17
Silver Lake 61, Oskaloosa 8
Smith Center 34, Ell-Saline 0
Smoky Valley 42, Rock Creek 21
Solomon 36, Peabody-Burns 26
South Barber 50, Pretty Prairie 0
South Central 17, Attica/Argonia 0
South Gray 50, Spearville 22
Southeast Saline 41, Council Grove 21
Spring Hill 31, Baldwin 0
St. Francis 46, Rawlins County 0
St. John’s Beloit-Tipton 42, Rock Hills 20
St. Paul 64, Southern Coffey 14
Stafford 66, Satanta 28
Sterling 28, Southwestern Hts. 22
Sylvan-Lucas 56, Wilson 8
Syracuse 10, Stanton County 8
Tescott 18, Glasco/Miltonvale-Southern Cloud 8
Topeka 60, Topeka West 13
Topeka Hayden 50, Wellsville 6
Trego 44, Hoxie 20
Triplains-Brewster 42, Wallace County 0
Victoria 68, Stockton 19
Washburn Rural 35, Topeka Seaman 10
Waverly 42, Wakefield 6
West Elk 30, Sedan 26
Wheatland-Grinnell def. Dighton, forfeit
Wichita Bishop Carroll 38, Wichita South 8, OT
Wichita Campus 38, Hutchinson 21
Wichita West 28, Wichita East 14
___
Some high school football scores provided by Scorestream.com, https://scorestream.com/

PREP FOOTBALL=

Andover Central 21, Arkansas City 13

Bishop Miege 58, BV Northwest 15

Hays-TMP-Marian 31, Ellsworth 20

Manhattan 68, Highland Park 0

Olathe West 34, SM East 18

SM Northwest 21, SM South 0

Wichita Northwest 55, Wichita Southeast 0

Friday night high school football games include:

–Junction City at Emporia

–Topeka High vs. Topeka West

–Washburn Rural at Seaman

–Concordia travels to Scott City

–Chapman hosts Halstead

–Rock Creek travels to Smoky Valley

–Wamego at Holton

–Hayden hosts Wellsville

–Riley County hosts St. Marys

–Abilene goes to Ulysses

–Blue Valley Randolph plays at Lakeside-Downs

–Solomon at Peabody-Burns

–Wakefield hosts Waverly

 

The Fort Riley Middle School wrestling team began practice Monday. Coach Bob Shefelton said there will be approximately 25 wrestlers on the team, but only one that is returning from last year. Almost all weight classes will be filled, which is different from previous seasons.

The Troopers compete in the NCKL with Abilene, Clay Center, Chapman, Marysville, Wamego and Concordia. The first wrestling match will be in Clay Center on Nov. 5. The Troopers will host the Don Stevens Wrestling Invitational on Dec. 6.