MANHATTAN, Kan. (WIBW) - Kansas State has responded to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wibw.com/2021/07/26/texas-oklahoma-take-step-toward-possibly-leaving-big-12/" target="_blank">Texas and Oklahoma’s announcement</a>&nbsp;they will not renew an agreement that binds the league’s members through 2025.

K-State Gene Taylor and President Richard Myers wrote: “With the recent announcement of two of our institutions electing to depart the conference following the 2024-25 season, Kansas State University and the additional seven members of the Big 12 Conference are eager to collaborate and position ourselves for continued success. We have terrific leadership at the conference, university and state board of regent levels, and our fans should know that every effort is being made to put Kansas State and the Big 12 Conference in the best position moving forward.”

The Longhorns and Sooners released the joint statement Monday as the schools reportedly prepare a departure from the Big 12 to the SEC.

“The universities intend to honor their existing grant of rights agreements,” the statement read. “However, both universities will continue to monitor the rapidly evolving collegiate athletics landscape as they consider how best to position their athletics programs for the future.

By WIBW TVBy Marleah CampbellMANHATTAN, Kan. (WIBW) - Kansas State has responded to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wibw.com/2021/07/26/texas-oklahoma-take-step-toward-possibly-leaving-big-12/" target="_blank">Texas and Oklahoma’s announcement</a>&nbsp;they will not renew an agreement that binds the league’s members through 2025.K-State Gene Taylor and President Richard Myers wrote: “With the recent announcement of two of our institutions electing to depart the conference following the 2024-25 season, Kansas State University and the additional seven members of the Big 12 Conference are eager to collaborate and position ourselves for continued success. We have terrific leadership at the conference, university and state board of regent levels, and our fans should know that every effort is being made to put Kansas State and the Big 12 Conference in the best position moving forward.”The Longhorns and Sooners released the joint statement Monday as the schools reportedly prepare a departure from the Big 12 to the SEC.“The universities intend to honor their existing grant of rights agreements,” the statement read. “However, both universities will continue to monitor the rapidly evolving collegiate athletics landscape as they consider how best to position their athletics programs for the future.

K-State officials respond to Texas and OU announcement

CINCINNATI (WIBW) - Kansas State and Shawnee Heights alum Wyatt Hubert will miss the 2021 NFL season with a torn pectoral muscle, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Ben_Baby/status/1419689331695001608?s=20" target="_blank">ESPN’s Ben Baby</a>.

The Cincinnati Bengals selected Hubert in this seventh round of this year’s NFL Draft.

The 6′3″ 270-pound Topeka-native wrapped up his career in Manhattan with 20 total sacks (8th in school history), including 34 tackles for loss.

He was named a two-time First-Team All-Big 12 Honoree (2019, 2020) and was a Freshman All-American in 2018.

By WIBW TVCINCINNATI (WIBW) - Kansas State and Shawnee Heights alum Wyatt Hubert will miss the 2021 NFL season with a torn pectoral muscle, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Ben_Baby/status/1419689331695001608?s=20" target="_blank">ESPN’s Ben Baby</a>.The Cincinnati Bengals selected Hubert in this seventh round of this year’s NFL Draft.The 6′3″ 270-pound Topeka-native wrapped up his career in Manhattan with 20 total sacks (8th in school history), including 34 tackles for loss.He was named a two-time First-Team All-Big 12 Honoree (2019, 2020) and was a Freshman All-American in 2018.

Wyatt Hubert will miss the NFL season

The universities of Oklahoma and Texas released a joint statement Monday, announcing their intentions to leave the Big 12 Conference upon the expiration of the grant of rights agreement in 2025.&nbsp;

The official statement leaves the remaining eight member schools in limbo for the remaining few years of the agreement. Rumors have begun to circulate surrounding the University of Kansas and the Big Ten, however, over the weekend those had been debunked as only rumors, for now. Outside of that, no other school in the league has a solid "fall back," option.

Now, the remaining time left in the grant of rights will create for a somewhat awkward few seasons around the conference, but fortunately, the notice allows the league and its member schools the luxury of time to figure out how to rebound from the change.

By Jackson SchneiderThe universities of Oklahoma and Texas released a joint statement Monday, announcing their intentions to leave the Big 12 Conference upon the expiration of the grant of rights agreement in 2025.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Oklahoma &amp; Texas make it official: they’re leaving conference &amp; expected to apply for SEC membership <a href="https://t.co/65h35M18OF">pic.twitter.com/65h35M18OF</a>&mdash; Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) <a href="https://twitter.com/Brett_McMurphy/status/1419663733828243457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The official statement leaves the remaining eight member schools in limbo for the remaining few years of the agreement. Rumors have begun to circulate surrounding the University of Kansas and the Big Ten, however, over the weekend those had been debunked as only rumors, for now. Outside of that, no other school in the league has a solid "fall back," option.Now, the remaining time left in the grant of rights will create for a somewhat awkward few seasons around the conference, but fortunately, the notice allows the league and its member schools the luxury of time to figure out how to rebound from the change.

Oklahoma, Texas notify Big 12 of intentions to leave

Garrett Redden hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the 10th inning to lift the Junction City Brigade past the Baldwin City Blues 7-5 Sunday evening at Rathert Field. The win sends the Brigade to the Cowdin Cup championship finals in the Mid Plains League postseason playoffs against the Midwest A's.

Redden's home run also scored teammate Jace Essig who had just doubled. Redden looked back at his big hit. "Just trying to fit a ball in play for my teammates so we could the run at second and it worked out pretty well." Redden said the home run came off a fast ball on the outer side of the plate.

The game had been tied 5-5 since the third inning when Junction City finally scored the winning runs in the tenth to capture their playoff series against Baldwin City two games to one.

Junction City will host the Midwest A's at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Rathert Field. Game two will be in Belton, Missouri Wednesday night, and if a game three is necessary it will be played at Rathert Field at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Garrett Redden hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the 10th inning to lift the Junction City Brigade past the Baldwin City Blues 7-5 Sunday evening at Rathert Field. The win sends the Brigade to the Cowdin Cup championship finals in the Mid Plains League postseason playoffs against the Midwest A's.Redden's home run also scored teammate Jace Essig who had just doubled. Redden looked back at his big hit. "Just trying to fit a ball in play for my teammates so we could the run at second and it worked out pretty well." Redden said the home run came off a fast ball on the outer side of the plate.The game had been tied 5-5 since the third inning when Junction City finally scored the winning runs in the tenth to capture their playoff series against Baldwin City two games to one.Junction City will host the Midwest A's at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Rathert Field. Game two will be in Belton, Missouri Wednesday night, and if a game three is necessary it will be played at Rathert Field at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Brigade advance to the championship series

Zach Ebert pitched seven strong innings to help lead the Junction City Brigade to a 13-3 win over the Baldwin City Blues at Rathert Field Saturday night. 

The victory evened the Mid Plains League postseason playoff series between the two teams at one win apiece. The deciding game three will be played at 7 p.m. Sunday at Rathert Field with the winner advancing to meet the Midwest A's in the championship series next week. Midwest swept their playoff series against Sabetha 2-0.

Ebert went seven innings on the mound and threw 99 pitches. He struck out nine and walked only two hitters. Baldwin City only scored one unearned during during the time they faced Ebert.

Jace Essig had a home run and a double for the Brigade in the victory.

Zach Ebert pitched seven strong innings to help lead the Junction City Brigade to a 13-3 win over the Baldwin City Blues at Rathert Field Saturday night. The victory evened the Mid Plains League postseason playoff series between the two teams at one win apiece. The deciding game three will be played at 7 p.m. Sunday at Rathert Field with the winner advancing to meet the Midwest A's in the championship series next week. Midwest swept their playoff series against Sabetha 2-0.Ebert went seven innings on the mound and threw 99 pitches. He struck out nine and walked only two hitters. Baldwin City only scored one unearned during during the time they faced Ebert.Jace Essig had a home run and a double for the Brigade in the victory.

Brigade even playoff series with the Blues

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas coach Bill Self says he is in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19. Self, who is fully vaccinated, said in a statement Friday on the school's Twitter account that he was “feeling pretty good right now.” He will isolate at his home in Lawrence. Self was tested after feeling minor symptoms on Thursday as he was preparing to travel to watch recruits at various tournaments. He said two tests confirmed that he has the virus. Self said he believes he would be feeling much worse if he had not been vaccinated, and encouraged people to get the vaccine.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas coach Bill Self says he is in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19. Self, who is fully vaccinated, said in a statement Friday on the school's Twitter account that he was “feeling pretty good right now.” He will isolate at his home in Lawrence. Self was tested after feeling minor symptoms on Thursday as he was preparing to travel to watch recruits at various tournaments. He said two tests confirmed that he has the virus. Self said he believes he would be feeling much worse if he had not been vaccinated, and encouraged people to get the vaccine.

Bill Self tests positive for COVID-19

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas coach Bill Self says he is in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19. Self, who is fully vaccinated, said in a statement Friday on the school's Twitter account that he was “feeling pretty good right now.” He will isolate at his home in Lawrence.

Self was tested after feeling minor symptoms on Thursday as he was preparing to travel to watch recruits at various tournaments. 

He said two tests confirmed that he has the virus. Self said he believes he would be feeling much worse if he had not been vaccinated, and encouraged people to get the vaccine.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas coach Bill Self says he is in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19. Self, who is fully vaccinated, said in a statement Friday on the school's Twitter account that he was “feeling pretty good right now.” He will isolate at his home in Lawrence.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A statement from <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachBillSelf?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachBillSelf</a> <a href="https://t.co/2U0EOHyOz8">pic.twitter.com/2U0EOHyOz8</a>&mdash; Kansas Basketball (@KUHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/KUHoops/status/1418695211107168260?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 23, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Self was tested after feeling minor symptoms on Thursday as he was preparing to travel to watch recruits at various tournaments. He said two tests confirmed that he has the virus. Self said he believes he would be feeling much worse if he had not been vaccinated, and encouraged people to get the vaccine.

KU coach Bill Self in isolation after positive COVID-19 test

The Junction City Brigade fell to the Baldwin City Blues 6-4 in the opening game of their semifinal round Mid Plains League playoff series. Game two is set for 7 p.m. Saturday at Rathert Field in Junction City. If a game three is necessary in the best two-out-of-three series it will played at 7 p.m. Sunday at Rathert Field.

In the other semifinal round contest Friday night the Midwest A's defeated the Sabetha Bravos 10-4 to take a 1-0 lead in that series.

The Junction City Brigade fell to the Baldwin City Blues 6-4 in the opening game of their semifinal round Mid Plains League playoff series. Game two is set for 7 p.m. Saturday at Rathert Field in Junction City. If a game three is necessary in the best two-out-of-three series it will played at 7 p.m. Sunday at Rathert Field.In the other semifinal round contest Friday night the Midwest A's defeated the Sabetha Bravos 10-4 to take a 1-0 lead in that series.

Brigade lose in playoff opener

The Kansas City Chiefs have begun arriving at the Missouri Western campus in St. Joseph as training camp activities get underway this weekend.

Rookies and quarterbacks were the first to report Friday, and the team will hold three closed practices Saturday before practices open to the general public on Wednesday.

Patrick Mahomes, who's beginning his fifth season with the Chiefs, was among the first to arrive Friday.

After being confined to the Kansas City facilities for training camp last year due to COVID-19, Mahomes is thrilled to be back in St. Joseph, where camp has been held every year from 2010-2019.

He says it's an especially good time to get more familiar with the rookies on the team, particularly second-round draft pick Creed Humphrey out of Oklahoma, who will be vying for the starting center position behind Austin Blythe.

"Things like training camp in St. Joseph and all being together pretty much every single day, you keep building those relationships that have already been built a little bit," Mahomes said during a Zoom call with reporters Friday. "I think it'll bring us together throughout this month. Not only going out and practicing every single day, but also eating every single meal together and building those relationships."

As for Mahomes' health, he says he feels 100 percent going into camp after recovering from turf toe surgery in February following a 31-9 loss to Tampa Bay in Super Bowl 55.

"I've been training, running, throwing and doing everything I normally do," Mahomes said. "I think what was so good about going to (Organized Team Activities) and doing those things was, I tested it there and realized I was good. Then when I got back with Bobby (Stroupe) and started training in the offseason with him, I was able to do with him what I normally would do."

The Super Bowl loss is well in the rearview by this point, but Mahomes says the sting of that defeat stuck with him for at least a couple of weeks after. However, he views training camp as an opportunity to start fresh and build toward getting better this coming season.

"I think the best thing about getting to training camp is it all starts over," Mahomes said. "No matter how you ended the year before, you get to go in with the mindset of starting from scratch. So, we're excited to do that and are going to try and make another run at it."

Coach Andy Reid, who enters his ninth season with the Chiefs and 29th overall in the NFL, is also thrilled to come back to St. Joseph for camp. He praised Missouri Western personnel for their hospitality during nearly month-long event.

"We're glad to be back up here in St. Joe," he said. "We love the hospitality they give us up here at Missouri Western State University. From their president (Elizabeth Kennedy) on down, it's just all class and that's obviously why we have returned."

Reid says the best part of training camp is the constant focus on football, but also team comradery.

"There's this concentration of football that you take in here," he said. "You're sleeping and eating in the dorm. You're here and it's football kind of 24/7. That's how it works."

Reid said 30 players total will report to camp, which opens up to media and fans on July 28 and will conclude on August 18. All practices will be held at the Mosaic Training Fields. Nearly every practice will start at 9:15 a.m. A full training camp schedule and details <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/bb4a2c34-f5db-45d5-aed6-162b76ab285b">can be found here</a>.

Most Chiefs players, all Chiefs coaches are vaccinated

Coach Reid said 90 percent of the team and the entire Chiefs' coaching staff have been vaccinated against COVID-19. The NFL announced Thursday that teams could be forced to&nbsp;forfeit a game if there's a COVID-19 outbreak amongst unvaccinated players that would cause a game to be postponed.

"It's definitely a big deal with that news coming out," Mahomes said. "You don't want to forfeit games, but I think we have guys in the locker room who are vaccinated and guys who are unvaccinated who are going to be smart and not try to hurt the team in any way."

Frank Clark will report to camp despite legal trouble

Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark is expected to report to training camp next week.&nbsp;

Clark has had multiple run-ins with police during the offseason in Los Angeles - first in March and again in June.

Los Angeles County prosecutors charged Clark earlier this month with felony illegal possession of a firearm in connection to the March arrest. That court case is ongoing. Clark has not been formally charged in connection to the incident in June.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627071930493.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostThe Kansas City Chiefs have begun arriving at the Missouri Western campus in St. Joseph as training camp activities get underway this weekend.Rookies and quarterbacks were the first to report Friday, and the team will hold three closed practices Saturday before practices open to the general public on Wednesday.Patrick Mahomes, who's beginning his fifth season with the Chiefs, was among the first to arrive Friday.After being confined to the Kansas City facilities for training camp last year due to COVID-19, Mahomes is thrilled to be back in St. Joseph, where camp has been held every year from 2010-2019.He says it's an especially good time to get more familiar with the rookies on the team, particularly second-round draft pick Creed Humphrey out of Oklahoma, who will be vying for the starting center position behind Austin Blythe."Things like training camp in St. Joseph and all being together pretty much every single day, you keep building those relationships that have already been built a little bit," Mahomes said during a Zoom call with reporters Friday. "I think it'll bring us together throughout this month. Not only going out and practicing every single day, but also eating every single meal together and building those relationships."As for Mahomes' health, he says he feels 100 percent going into camp after recovering from turf toe surgery in February following a 31-9 loss to Tampa Bay in Super Bowl 55."I've been training, running, throwing and doing everything I normally do," Mahomes said. "I think what was so good about going to (Organized Team Activities) and doing those things was, I tested it there and realized I was good. Then when I got back with Bobby (Stroupe) and started training in the offseason with him, I was able to do with him what I normally would do."The Super Bowl loss is well in the rearview by this point, but Mahomes says the sting of that defeat stuck with him for at least a couple of weeks after. However, he views training camp as an opportunity to start fresh and build toward getting better this coming season."I think the best thing about getting to training camp is it all starts over," Mahomes said. "No matter how you ended the year before, you get to go in with the mindset of starting from scratch. So, we're excited to do that and are going to try and make another run at it."Coach Andy Reid, who enters his ninth season with the Chiefs and 29th overall in the NFL, is also thrilled to come back to St. Joseph for camp. He praised Missouri Western personnel for their hospitality during nearly month-long event."We're glad to be back up here in St. Joe," he said. "We love the hospitality they give us up here at Missouri Western State University. From their president (Elizabeth Kennedy) on down, it's just all class and that's obviously why we have returned."Reid says the best part of training camp is the constant focus on football, but also team comradery."There's this concentration of football that you take in here," he said. "You're sleeping and eating in the dorm. You're here and it's football kind of 24/7. That's how it works."Reid said 30 players total will report to camp, which opens up to media and fans on July 28 and will conclude on August 18. All practices will be held at the Mosaic Training Fields. Nearly every practice will start at 9:15 a.m. A full training camp schedule and details <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/bb4a2c34-f5db-45d5-aed6-162b76ab285b">can be found here</a>.Most Chiefs players, all Chiefs coaches are vaccinatedCoach Reid said 90 percent of the team and the entire Chiefs' coaching staff have been vaccinated against COVID-19. The NFL announced Thursday that teams could be forced to&nbsp;forfeit a game if there's a COVID-19 outbreak amongst unvaccinated players that would cause a game to be postponed."It's definitely a big deal with that news coming out," Mahomes said. "You don't want to forfeit games, but I think we have guys in the locker room who are vaccinated and guys who are unvaccinated who are going to be smart and not try to hurt the team in any way."Frank Clark will report to camp despite legal troubleChiefs defensive end Frank Clark is expected to report to training camp next week.&nbsp;Clark has had multiple run-ins with police during the offseason in Los Angeles - first in March and again in June.Los Angeles County prosecutors charged Clark earlier this month with felony illegal possession of a firearm in connection to the March arrest. That court case is ongoing. Clark has not been formally charged in connection to the incident in June.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FKansasCityChiefs%2Fvideos%2F165787085618617%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>

Chiefs arrive in St. Joseph as training camp begins

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW TV) - Are the Jayhawks looking for a way out of the Big 12?

Former Bleacher Report/San Francisco Chronicles contributor and “KU Scoopsmeister” Mike Vernon tweeted on Friday that there are reports that the University of Kansas has a call set up with the Big Ten to discuss a potential membership.

He said with Texas and OU out of the conference, sticking around in the Big 12 remnants is not in the best interest of the Jayhawks. He said joining the Big Ten would be the best outcome for KU as teams look to realign as the Big 12 crumbles.

By WIBW TV's Sarah MotterTOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW TV) - Are the Jayhawks looking for a way out of the Big 12?Former Bleacher Report/San Francisco Chronicles contributor and “KU Scoopsmeister” Mike Vernon tweeted on Friday that there are reports that the University of Kansas has a call set up with the Big Ten to discuss a potential membership.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">KU REALIGNMENT HEARINGS: KU has a call set up with the Big Ten.&mdash; Mike Vernon (@M_Vernon) <a href="https://twitter.com/M_Vernon/status/1418591461411495943?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 23, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>He said with Texas and OU out of the conference, sticking around in the Big 12 remnants is not in the best interest of the Jayhawks. He said joining the Big Ten would be the best outcome for KU as teams look to realign as the Big 12 crumbles.

Jayhawks set up potential membership talks with Big Ten

CLEVELAND — Announced via Twitter Friday morning, the Major League Baseball team formerly known as the Cleveland Indians, will officially become the Cleveland Guardians.&nbsp;

The video, narrated by Tom Hanks highlights the City of Cleveland and its history and reveals the team's new logos in the end.

Cleveland first announced it would change its name in December, marking the first change for the franchise since 1905 according to ESPN. The decision to change came at the height of a recent national movement to remove the likeness of Native American cultures from being used as nicknames in sports for prejudicial reasons.

By Jackson SchneiderCLEVELAND — Announced via Twitter Friday morning, the Major League Baseball team formerly known as the Cleveland Indians, will officially become the Cleveland Guardians.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Together, we are all... <a href="https://t.co/R5FnT4kv1I">pic.twitter.com/R5FnT4kv1I</a>&mdash; Cleveland Indians (@Indians) <a href="https://twitter.com/Indians/status/1418565355472101378?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 23, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The video, narrated by Tom Hanks highlights the City of Cleveland and its history and reveals the team's new logos in the end.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The Cleveland Indians announce they are changing their name to the Guardians. <a href="https://t.co/1xP1FyMsbh">pic.twitter.com/1xP1FyMsbh</a>&mdash; Sporting News (@sportingnews) <a href="https://twitter.com/sportingnews/status/1418566954546302983?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 23, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Cleveland first announced it would change its name in December, marking the first change for the franchise since 1905 according to ESPN. The decision to change came at the height of a recent national movement to remove the likeness of Native American cultures from being used as nicknames in sports for prejudicial reasons.

Cleveland to change name to "Guardians"

Updated Mid Plains League Tournament bracket

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Barry Alvarez lived through the tidal wave of conference realignment that swept over college sports in the early 2010s as Wisconsin’s athletic director, watching the Big Ten grow to 14 teams from the Midwest to the East Coast.

Another round of shuffling could be on the horizon, with Texas and Oklahoma initiating discussions with the Southeastern Conference about leaving the Big 12 and joining what is already college football’s strongest league.

Alvarez’s reaction when he heard the news: “Why?”

One day after word of the discussions surfaced, the ripple effects across the sport were clear as schools far from the Big 12 and SEC tried to sort out where this is going.

The Big 12 athletic directors and university presidents and chancellors held a call Thursday to be briefed on what’s going on with Texas and Oklahoma, a person familiar with the meeting told The Associated Press.

Texas and Oklahoma officials did not participate, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the Big 12 was not making its actions public.

Leaders from other conferences leaders were hesitant to speculate on what’s next, but some observers were concerned about the potential consequences.

“College football is filled with people operating in silos and what they fail to realize is that if they only look at and try to build their silo as big and as shiny as possible than the entirety of the sport is not going to be as strong as it needs to be,” said former Colorado quarterback Joel Klatt, the lead college football analyst for Fox, which holds television rights with the Big 12, Big Ten and Pac-12.

“I think a move like this would be to the detriment of the sport overall.”

Former Oklahoma quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield put it more starkly: “It would ruin the Big 12. It would be done,” Mayfield said during a break in shooting TV commercials in Cleveland.

The Big 12 was thought to be on life support about a decade ago after losing Nebraska, Colorado, Texas A&amp;M and Missouri. Managing to hold on to Texas and Oklahoma allowed the Big 12 to survive as a Power Five conference after it added TCU and West Virginia.

Back when that was playing out, conferences were reacting to one another. The Big Ten pushed over the first domino when it announced in 2009 it was going to explore expansion. Eventually, it lured Nebraska away from the Big 12.

“We often talk about how uncomfortable this time is,” new Nebraska AD Trev Alberts said. “It is. It’s a changing environment. There’s a lot of stress. Now’s the time you want to be part of some stability.”

That Big Ten expansion sparked a frenzy, with conferences and schools fending for themselves. Could a Texas/Oklahoma move to the SEC be the next fire starter?

Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren was asked about the talks and whether they could prompt the conference to look at expansion —- maybe even reaching out to the two Big 12 schools —- as he opened football media days at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Warren stayed away from speculating, calling the news just another example of the volatility sweeping through college sports at the moment.

“That’s the world that we live in right now,” he said. “From where we sit, we’re always constantly evaluating what’s in the best interest of the conference.”

Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner Jim Phillips, who took over earlier this year after being athletic director at Northwestern, took a similarly cautious approach.

“I think it’s critically important for all of us to always be paying attention to what’s happening in the landscape and understanding what’s happening across the country, whether you’re a conference commissioner, whether you’re an athletic director, whether you’re a president,” he said. “It’s just part of all of our responsibility. And this is the latest maybe conversation that we’re hearing about.”

Alvarez was at Lucas Oil Stadium because the Big Ten announced he would be taking a new role at the conference: special advisor for football. He retired after 18 years as Wisconsin AD earlier this year.

Alvarez, 74, is not one to shy away from giving his thoughts on a topic. But news of realignment ramping up again caught him off guard.

“It’s something you certainly have your antenna up for,” Alvarez said.

Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz said he had one question for the SEC if it did decide to add the Longhorns and their Horns Up hand sign to the conference?

“Is Horns Down going to be a be a 15-yard penalty in the SEC (as it can at times in the Big 12)?” Drinkwitz said. “I asked Commissioner Sankey and he said ‘no comment.’”

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Barry Alvarez lived through the tidal wave of conference realignment that swept over college sports in the early 2010s as Wisconsin’s athletic director, watching the Big Ten grow to 14 teams from the Midwest to the East Coast.Another round of shuffling could be on the horizon, with Texas and Oklahoma initiating discussions with the Southeastern Conference about leaving the Big 12 and joining what is already college football’s strongest league.Alvarez’s reaction when he heard the news: “Why?”One day after word of the discussions surfaced, the ripple effects across the sport were clear as schools far from the Big 12 and SEC tried to sort out where this is going.The Big 12 athletic directors and university presidents and chancellors held a call Thursday to be briefed on what’s going on with Texas and Oklahoma, a person familiar with the meeting told The Associated Press.Texas and Oklahoma officials did not participate, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the Big 12 was not making its actions public.Leaders from other conferences leaders were hesitant to speculate on what’s next, but some observers were concerned about the potential consequences.“College football is filled with people operating in silos and what they fail to realize is that if they only look at and try to build their silo as big and as shiny as possible than the entirety of the sport is not going to be as strong as it needs to be,” said former Colorado quarterback Joel Klatt, the lead college football analyst for Fox, which holds television rights with the Big 12, Big Ten and Pac-12.“I think a move like this would be to the detriment of the sport overall.”Former Oklahoma quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield put it more starkly: “It would ruin the Big 12. It would be done,” Mayfield said during a break in shooting TV commercials in Cleveland.The Big 12 was thought to be on life support about a decade ago after losing Nebraska, Colorado, Texas A&amp;M and Missouri. Managing to hold on to Texas and Oklahoma allowed the Big 12 to survive as a Power Five conference after it added TCU and West Virginia.Back when that was playing out, conferences were reacting to one another. The Big Ten pushed over the first domino when it announced in 2009 it was going to explore expansion. Eventually, it lured Nebraska away from the Big 12.“We often talk about how uncomfortable this time is,” new Nebraska AD Trev Alberts said. “It is. It’s a changing environment. There’s a lot of stress. Now’s the time you want to be part of some stability.”That Big Ten expansion sparked a frenzy, with conferences and schools fending for themselves. Could a Texas/Oklahoma move to the SEC be the next fire starter?Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren was asked about the talks and whether they could prompt the conference to look at expansion —- maybe even reaching out to the two Big 12 schools —- as he opened football media days at Lucas Oil Stadium.Warren stayed away from speculating, calling the news just another example of the volatility sweeping through college sports at the moment.“That’s the world that we live in right now,” he said. “From where we sit, we’re always constantly evaluating what’s in the best interest of the conference.”Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner Jim Phillips, who took over earlier this year after being athletic director at Northwestern, took a similarly cautious approach.“I think it’s critically important for all of us to always be paying attention to what’s happening in the landscape and understanding what’s happening across the country, whether you’re a conference commissioner, whether you’re an athletic director, whether you’re a president,” he said. “It’s just part of all of our responsibility. And this is the latest maybe conversation that we’re hearing about.”Alvarez was at Lucas Oil Stadium because the Big Ten announced he would be taking a new role at the conference: special advisor for football. He retired after 18 years as Wisconsin AD earlier this year.Alvarez, 74, is not one to shy away from giving his thoughts on a topic. But news of realignment ramping up again caught him off guard.“It’s something you certainly have your antenna up for,” Alvarez said.Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz said he had one question for the SEC if it did decide to add the Longhorns and their Horns Up hand sign to the conference?“Is Horns Down going to be a be a 15-yard penalty in the SEC (as it can at times in the Big 12)?” Drinkwitz said. “I asked Commissioner Sankey and he said ‘no comment.’”

Could potential Texas/OU move tip realignment dominos?

New York (AP) - NFL teams have been warned they could forfeit a game due to a COVID-19 outbreak among non-vaccinated players, and players on both teams wouldn’t get paid that week.

“As we learned last year, we can play a full season if we maintain a firm commitment to adhering to our health and safety protocols and to making needed adjustments in response to changing conditions,” Commissioner Roger Goodell said Thursday in a memo sent to clubs that was obtained by The Associated Press.

Goodell says the league doesn’t anticipate adding a 19th week to accommodate games that can’t be rescheduled within 18-week regular season.

However, forfeits are among the consequences.

“If a game can’t be rescheduled and is canceled due to a COVID outbreak among non-vaccinated players on one of the competing teams, the team with the outbreak will forfeit and will be deemed to have played 16 games for purposes of draft, waiver priority, etc,” Goodell says in the memo.

For purposes of playoff seeding, the forfeiting team will be credited with a loss and the other team will be credited with a win.

The league says more than half its teams have COVID-19 vaccination rates greater than 80% of their players, and more than 75% of players are in the process of being vaccinated.

Nearly all clubs have vaccinated 100% of their Tier 1 and 2 staffs. Teams have appropriate protocols set up for staffers who have not been vaccinated, consistent with the guidance given last April.

— If a vaccinated person tests positive and is asymptomatic, he or she will be isolated and contact tracing will promptly occur. The positive individual will be permitted to return to duty after two negative tests at least 24 hours apart, and will thereafter be tested every two weeks or as directed by the medical staffs. Vaccinated individuals will not be subject to quarantine as a result of close contact with an infected person.

— If an unvaccinated person tests positive, the protocols from 2020 will remain in effect. The person will be isolated for a period of 10 days and will then be permitted to return to duty if asymptomatic. Unvaccinated individuals will continue to be subject to a five-day quarantine period if they have close contact with an infected individual.

— Anyone who had a previous COVID-19 infection will be considered fully vaccinated 14 days after they have had at least one dose of an approved vaccine.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1578051322956.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>New York (AP) - NFL teams have been warned they could forfeit a game due to a COVID-19 outbreak among non-vaccinated players, and players on both teams wouldn’t get paid that week.“As we learned last year, we can play a full season if we maintain a firm commitment to adhering to our health and safety protocols and to making needed adjustments in response to changing conditions,” Commissioner Roger Goodell said Thursday in a memo sent to clubs that was obtained by The Associated Press.Goodell says the league doesn’t anticipate adding a 19th week to accommodate games that can’t be rescheduled within 18-week regular season.However, forfeits are among the consequences.“If a game can’t be rescheduled and is canceled due to a COVID outbreak among non-vaccinated players on one of the competing teams, the team with the outbreak will forfeit and will be deemed to have played 16 games for purposes of draft, waiver priority, etc,” Goodell says in the memo.For purposes of playoff seeding, the forfeiting team will be credited with a loss and the other team will be credited with a win.The league says more than half its teams have COVID-19 vaccination rates greater than 80% of their players, and more than 75% of players are in the process of being vaccinated.Nearly all clubs have vaccinated 100% of their Tier 1 and 2 staffs. Teams have appropriate protocols set up for staffers who have not been vaccinated, consistent with the guidance given last April.Among the other key points in the memo:— If a vaccinated person tests positive and is asymptomatic, he or she will be isolated and contact tracing will promptly occur. The positive individual will be permitted to return to duty after two negative tests at least 24 hours apart, and will thereafter be tested every two weeks or as directed by the medical staffs. Vaccinated individuals will not be subject to quarantine as a result of close contact with an infected person.— If an unvaccinated person tests positive, the protocols from 2020 will remain in effect. The person will be isolated for a period of 10 days and will then be permitted to return to duty if asymptomatic. Unvaccinated individuals will continue to be subject to a five-day quarantine period if they have close contact with an infected individual.— Anyone who had a previous COVID-19 infection will be considered fully vaccinated 14 days after they have had at least one dose of an approved vaccine.

NFL warning teams with strict COVID vaccination rules

New York(AP) - NFL teams have been warned they could forfeit a game due to a COVID-19 outbreak among non-vaccinated players, and players on both teams wouldn’t get paid that week.

New York(AP) - NFL teams have been warned they could forfeit a game due to a COVID-19 outbreak among non-vaccinated players, and players on both teams wouldn’t get paid that week.“As we learned last year, we can play a full season if we maintain a firm commitment to adhering to our health and safety protocols and to making needed adjustments in response to changing conditions,” Commissioner Roger Goodell said Thursday in a memo sent to clubs that was obtained by The Associated Press.Goodell says the league doesn’t anticipate adding a 19th week to accommodate games that can’t be rescheduled within 18-week regular season.However, forfeits are among the consequences.“If a game can’t be rescheduled and is canceled due to a COVID outbreak among non-vaccinated players on one of the competing teams, the team with the outbreak will forfeit and will be deemed to have played 16 games for purposes of draft, waiver priority, etc,” Goodell says in the memo.For purposes of playoff seeding, the forfeiting team will be credited with a loss and the other team will be credited with a win.The league says more than half its teams have COVID-19 vaccination rates greater than 80% of their players, and more than 75% of players are in the process of being vaccinated.Nearly all clubs have vaccinated 100% of their Tier 1 and 2 staffs. Teams have appropriate protocols set up for staffers who have not been vaccinated, consistent with the guidance given last April.Among the other key points in the memo:— If a vaccinated person tests positive and is asymptomatic, he or she will be isolated and contact tracing will promptly occur. The positive individual will be permitted to return to duty after two negative tests at least 24 hours apart, and will thereafter be tested every two weeks or as directed by the medical staffs. Vaccinated individuals will not be subject to quarantine as a result of close contact with an infected person.— If an unvaccinated person tests positive, the protocols from 2020 will remain in effect. The person will be isolated for a period of 10 days and will then be permitted to return to duty if asymptomatic. Unvaccinated individuals will continue to be subject to a five-day quarantine period if they have close contact with an infected individual.— Anyone who had a previous COVID-19 infection will be considered fully vaccinated 14 days after they have had at least one dose of an approved vaccine.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The NFL just informed clubs that if a game cannot be rescheduled during the 18-week season in 2021 due to a COVID outbreak among unvaccinated players, the team with the outbreak will FORFEIT and be credited with a loss for playoff seeding, per sources. Massive implications.&mdash; Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1418256770305335299?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 22, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

NFL teams face potential forfeits for COVID-19 outbreaks

Slots are filling up for Fort Riley's one-of-a-king Bow Slinger 3-D Archery Tournament on Aug. 21 and 22. The event is the only tournament in the world where competitors can shoot from an M-1 tank. Archers of all ages, military or civilian, are invited to take on the nearly two-mile course , featuring three-dimensional targets, including the "Bigfoot of the Flint Hills."

Pre-register by Aug. 20 at <a href="http://riley.armymwr.com">riley.armymwr.com</a>&nbsp;or in person at Fort Riley's Outdoor Adventure Park, 5202 Normandy Drive. Registration fees are $45 for active duty Soldiers, $35 for youth age $17 and under, and $45-$55 for all other adults depending on the category. Youth categories are ages 8-11, 12-14, and 15-17 years old. Youth will compete on Aug. 21 and adults will compete on Aug. 22.&nbsp;

Top five shooters from each category with 10 or more shooters will compete in a class shoot-off for cash prizes. Check-in begins at 7a.m. each day, with a mandatory meeting for all shooters at 8:30. The tournament slings into action at 9. Food will be available for purchase and the event should wrap up by 2p.m..&nbsp;

Archers without Department of Defense ID cards who wish to take on the challenge can get a day pass at the Visitor Control Center at the Marshall Army Airfield Gate located off I-70, exit 301. Pre-registered participants will not need to stop at the Visitor Control Center, but must use Henry Gate for access. More information about accessing Fort Riley can be found at <a href="http://home.army.mil/riley">home.army.mil/riley</a>&nbsp;or by calling 785-239-2982. The Visitor Control Center is open 5a.m. to 9p.m. weekdays, and 8a.m. to 4p.m. on weekends.&nbsp;

For more information about Fort Riley's one-of-a-kind archery tournament, call 785-239-5412.

Slots are filling up for Fort Riley's one-of-a-king Bow Slinger 3-D Archery Tournament on Aug. 21 and 22. The event is the only tournament in the world where competitors can shoot from an M-1 tank. Archers of all ages, military or civilian, are invited to take on the nearly two-mile course , featuring three-dimensional targets, including the "Bigfoot of the Flint Hills."Pre-register by Aug. 20 at <a href="http://riley.armymwr.com">riley.armymwr.com</a>&nbsp;or in person at Fort Riley's Outdoor Adventure Park, 5202 Normandy Drive. Registration fees are $45 for active duty Soldiers, $35 for youth age $17 and under, and $45-$55 for all other adults depending on the category. Youth categories are ages 8-11, 12-14, and 15-17 years old. Youth will compete on Aug. 21 and adults will compete on Aug. 22.&nbsp;Top five shooters from each category with 10 or more shooters will compete in a class shoot-off for cash prizes. Check-in begins at 7a.m. each day, with a mandatory meeting for all shooters at 8:30. The tournament slings into action at 9. Food will be available for purchase and the event should wrap up by 2p.m..&nbsp;Archers without Department of Defense ID cards who wish to take on the challenge can get a day pass at the Visitor Control Center at the Marshall Army Airfield Gate located off I-70, exit 301. Pre-registered participants will not need to stop at the Visitor Control Center, but must use Henry Gate for access. More information about accessing Fort Riley can be found at <a href="http://home.army.mil/riley">home.army.mil/riley</a>&nbsp;or by calling 785-239-2982. The Visitor Control Center is open 5a.m. to 9p.m. weekdays, and 8a.m. to 4p.m. on weekends.&nbsp;For more information about Fort Riley's one-of-a-kind archery tournament, call 785-239-5412.

Calling all archers; the Fort Riley Bow Slinger tournament is back!

Per multiple reports, both the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma are exploring multiple avenues to exit the Big 12 Conference, including potentially joining the Southeastern Conference.

Both teams are required to maintain their conference status until the current grant of rights agreement expires in 2025. When that happens, much like in 2010, conferences may shift in order to find larger monetary agreements with sports networks to televise thier events.&nbsp;

This is all purely based off anonymous sources currently, but no one with clout at either OU or Texas, nor in the SEC offices has actually denied that there is mutual interest between the parties.&nbsp;

If the two current Big 12 members were to end up into the SEC, it would create the nation's first 16-team "super conference," all while leaving the eight other current league members in rather uncertain spots.&nbsp;

Local schools like Kansas, Kansas State, and Iowa State would all of course have strong cases to potentially join other power conferences in the NCAA, but there would be nothing of certainty.&nbsp;

Many have already speculated that this will become a done deal in the coming weeks, but others are still cautiously optimistic in the Big 12 landscape.&nbsp;

By Jackson SchneiderPer multiple reports, both the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma are exploring multiple avenues to exit the Big 12 Conference, including potentially joining the Southeastern Conference.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BREAKING?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BREAKING</a>: Early next week, the <a href="https://twitter.com/TexasLonghorns?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TexasLonghorns</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/UofOklahoma?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UofOklahoma</a> will send a letter to the <a href="https://twitter.com/Big12Conference?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Big12Conference</a> stating that neither school will renew their media contracts when they expire in 2025. -more-&mdash; Jason Whitely (@JasonWhitely) <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonWhitely/status/1418041621820579841?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 22, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Both teams are required to maintain their conference status until the current grant of rights agreement expires in 2025. When that happens, much like in 2010, conferences may shift in order to find larger monetary agreements with sports networks to televise thier events.&nbsp;This is all purely based off anonymous sources currently, but no one with clout at either OU or Texas, nor in the SEC offices has actually denied that there is mutual interest between the parties.&nbsp;If the two current Big 12 members were to end up into the SEC, it would create the nation's first 16-team "super conference," all while leaving the eight other current league members in rather uncertain spots.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby just last week on conference realignment/expansion: &quot;...It doesn&#39;t appear to me that the motivation is there at this point in time. Not to say it couldn&#39;t happen but it&#39;s not one of the things that keeps me up at night&quot; <a href="https://t.co/HegDa5vKxx">pic.twitter.com/HegDa5vKxx</a>&mdash; Chris Lilly KAKE (@ChrisLillyKAKE) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisLillyKAKE/status/1417979715651096578?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Local schools like Kansas, Kansas State, and Iowa State would all of course have strong cases to potentially join other power conferences in the NCAA, but there would be nothing of certainty.&nbsp;Many have already speculated that this will become a done deal in the coming weeks, but others are still cautiously optimistic in the Big 12 landscape.&nbsp;

REPORT: Texas, OU to seek new conference at end of 2025

Junction City and the Baldwin City Blues will meet in the semifinal round of&nbsp; the Mid Plains League playoffs this weekend.&nbsp;

Baldwin City defeated the Topeka Golden Giants in a first round series while the Junction City Brigade received a bye.&nbsp;

Brigade General Manager Cecil Aska said that game one of the series between the Blues and the Brigade will be Friday night in Baldwin City. Game two will be at 7 p.m. Saturday at Rathert Field in Junction City. If a game three is necessary in the best two out of three series it will be played at Rathert Field Sunday evening.

Sabetha also received a first round bye in the playoffs and will await the winner of the series between the Midwest A's and the Lawrence Travelers.

Junction City and the Baldwin City Blues will meet in the semifinal round of&nbsp; the Mid Plains League playoffs this weekend.&nbsp;Baldwin City defeated the Topeka Golden Giants in a first round series while the Junction City Brigade received a bye.&nbsp;Brigade General Manager Cecil Aska said that game one of the series between the Blues and the Brigade will be Friday night in Baldwin City. Game two will be at 7 p.m. Saturday at Rathert Field in Junction City. If a game three is necessary in the best two out of three series it will be played at Rathert Field Sunday evening.Sabetha also received a first round bye in the playoffs and will await the winner of the series between the Midwest A's and the Lawrence Travelers.

Brigade will play Baldwin City in the playoffs

MILWAUKEE - The Kansas City Royals swept the Milwaukee Brewers in a brief, two-game series, winning Wednesday afternoon 6-3.

Brad Keller tallied his seventh win of the season, pitching 6.2 innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits, six strikeouts, and two walks.&nbsp;

Brewers' pitcher Brent Suter took the loss, as he allowed Kansas City to score three runs, all unearned, on four hits.&nbsp;

The Royals managed six runs off the back of Nicky Lopez and Hunter Dozier, who each tallied two RBIs. Jorge Soler homered in his second consecutive game, for his ninth of the year.&nbsp;

Kansas City has now swept Milwaukee in the season series, winning all four matchups with the Brewers this year.&nbsp;

The Royals now improve to 39-55 on the season, 18.5 games back of the Chicago White Sox. KC will open a seven-game home stand Friday night with three contests against the Detroit Tigers and four against the first place White Sox.

MILWAUKEE - The Kansas City Royals swept the Milwaukee Brewers in a brief, two-game series, winning Wednesday afternoon 6-3.Brad Keller tallied his seventh win of the season, pitching 6.2 innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits, six strikeouts, and two walks.&nbsp;Brewers' pitcher Brent Suter took the loss, as he allowed Kansas City to score three runs, all unearned, on four hits.&nbsp;The Royals managed six runs off the back of Nicky Lopez and Hunter Dozier, who each tallied two RBIs. Jorge Soler homered in his second consecutive game, for his ninth of the year.&nbsp;Kansas City has now swept Milwaukee in the season series, winning all four matchups with the Brewers this year.&nbsp;The Royals now improve to 39-55 on the season, 18.5 games back of the Chicago White Sox. KC will open a seven-game home stand Friday night with three contests against the Detroit Tigers and four against the first place White Sox.

Royals sweep Brewers 

<a>MANHATTAN, Kan.</a>&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kansas State sophomore running back&nbsp;Deuce Vaughn&nbsp;earned his second honor this week as he was named to the watch list for the Doak Walker Award, the PwC SMU Athletic Forum announced Wednesday.

Vaughn, who was on the Maxwell Award watch list on Monday, is the first Wildcat to be named to the watch list for the Doak Walker Award – which goes to the nation’s top college running back – since Alex Barnes was a preseason candidate in 2018.

A product of Round Rock, Texas, Vaughn was one of only two players in the nation last season to have at least 600 rushing yards and 400 receiving yards – joining Clemson’s Travis Etienne and Alabama’s Najee Harris – as he led the team in both categories with 642 yards and 434 yards, respectively. Vaughn, who led all true freshmen in the nation with his 1,076 scrimmage yards, was named the 2020 True Freshman of the Year by 247Sports in addition to being an Honorable Mention All-American and a Freshman All-American by multiple outlets.

Heading into his sophomore campaign, Vaughn has earned numerous Preseason All-America honors and was on the Preseason All-Big 12 team.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1626877675416.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a>MANHATTAN, Kan.</a>&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kansas State sophomore running back&nbsp;Deuce Vaughn&nbsp;earned his second honor this week as he was named to the watch list for the Doak Walker Award, the PwC SMU Athletic Forum announced Wednesday.Vaughn, who was on the Maxwell Award watch list on Monday, is the first Wildcat to be named to the watch list for the Doak Walker Award – which goes to the nation’s top college running back – since Alex Barnes was a preseason candidate in 2018.A product of Round Rock, Texas, Vaughn was one of only two players in the nation last season to have at least 600 rushing yards and 400 receiving yards – joining Clemson’s Travis Etienne and Alabama’s Najee Harris – as he led the team in both categories with 642 yards and 434 yards, respectively. Vaughn, who led all true freshmen in the nation with his 1,076 scrimmage yards, was named the 2020 True Freshman of the Year by 247Sports in addition to being an Honorable Mention All-American and a Freshman All-American by multiple outlets.Heading into his sophomore campaign, Vaughn has earned numerous Preseason All-America honors and was on the Preseason All-Big 12 team.

K-State’s Vaughn Nabs Spot on Doak Walker Award Watch List

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WIBW TV) - Veteran defensive end Alex Okafor will return to Kansas City this season, according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Rapoport tweeted Tuesday the Chiefs have agreed to a one-year deal with the 30-year-old free agent.

Okafor joined the Chiefs in 2019 following two seasons with the Saints.

His time in Kansas City has been riddled with injuries. A torn pec in Week 15 forced him to miss the team’s Super Bowl LIV run. The following season, Okafor spent a stint on the injured reserve due to hamstring issues.

Okafor has recorded eight sacks in 19 games in his two seasons with the Chiefs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1626816290754.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By WIBW TV's Marleah CampbellKANSAS CITY, Mo. (WIBW TV) - Veteran defensive end Alex Okafor will return to Kansas City this season, according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.Rapoport tweeted Tuesday the Chiefs have agreed to a one-year deal with the 30-year-old free agent.Okafor joined the Chiefs in 2019 following two seasons with the Saints.His time in Kansas City has been riddled with injuries. A torn pec in Week 15 forced him to miss the team’s Super Bowl LIV run. The following season, Okafor spent a stint on the injured reserve due to hamstring issues.Okafor has recorded eight sacks in 19 games in his two seasons with the Chiefs.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Free agent pass-rusher Alex Okafor is signing back with the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Chiefs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Chiefs</a>, source said. He gets a 1-year deal and will return to KC, his home for the last two seasons.&mdash; Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1417535689353310208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

Report: Chiefs re-sign DE Alex Okafor

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs fans will have to get tickets in advance to visit the Super Bowl runner-up's training camp this year, and they won't be able to get autographs from players because of COVID-19.

Dr. Paul Schroeppel, the AFC champions' head orthopedic surgeon, said Monday that fans won't be allowed to interact with players under the NFL's protocols for preventing coronavirus outbreaks. He discussed the rules during a daily webcast by the University of Kansas Health System.

The Chiefs open their training camp in St. Joseph, Missouri, on July 28 with a special event for season ticket holders, with practices open to other fans July 29, with attendance limited.

Missouri has seen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-michael-brown-fc8de32279eb2a37d17a92bbb1912a94">a surge in new COVID-19 cases</a>&nbsp;because of the faster-spreading delta variant.

“The league has very strict protocols,” Schroeppel said. “I think they've done everything they can to control transmission in those situations. Of course, when you get a crowd together, it's going to be very difficult, particularly for those unvaccinated.”

He said the Chiefs are “doing quite well” among NFL teams with players voluntarily getting vaccinated.

Schroeppel said the team plans to allow full attendance at Arrowhead Stadium during the season, but that could change based on COVID-19 case numbers.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs fans will have to get tickets in advance to visit the Super Bowl runner-up's training camp this year, and they won't be able to get autographs from players because of COVID-19.Dr. Paul Schroeppel, the AFC champions' head orthopedic surgeon, said Monday that fans won't be allowed to interact with players under the NFL's protocols for preventing coronavirus outbreaks. He discussed the rules during a daily webcast by the University of Kansas Health System.The Chiefs open their training camp in St. Joseph, Missouri, on July 28 with a special event for season ticket holders, with practices open to other fans July 29, with attendance limited.Missouri has seen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-michael-brown-fc8de32279eb2a37d17a92bbb1912a94">a surge in new COVID-19 cases</a>&nbsp;because of the faster-spreading delta variant.“The league has very strict protocols,” Schroeppel said. “I think they've done everything they can to control transmission in those situations. Of course, when you get a crowd together, it's going to be very difficult, particularly for those unvaccinated.”He said the Chiefs are “doing quite well” among NFL teams with players voluntarily getting vaccinated.Schroeppel said the team plans to allow full attendance at Arrowhead Stadium during the season, but that could change based on COVID-19 case numbers.

Chiefs to bar fan interaction with players at training camp

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Season tickets for the upcoming 2021-22 men’s basketball season will go on-sale at 8:30 a.m., CT on Wednesday, July 21, athletic department officials announced on Monday (July 19).

The upcoming 2021-22 season will mark a return to full capacity at Bramlage Coliseum, as the Wildcats’ home schedule will feature 18 home games, beginning with an exhibition against Pittsburg State on Thursday, November 4. Overall, the squad will host nine non-conference games, including a marquee matchup with Marquette in the Big East/Big 12 Battle on Wednesday, December 8, to go along with its usual nine Big 12 opponents.

Fans have a variety of ticket prices and locations from which to choose from, with bench season tickets starting at just $250 each. With the Wildcat 4-Pack, fans can purchase four season tickets in the bench or Cat Cushion areas starting at $752, depending on location, for a savings of $62 per ticket.

New full season-ticket requests will be able to select their seat during the ordering process from any seat location available from the 2019-20 season.&nbsp;An Ahearn Fund contribution is required for all premium, chairback and cushioned seating. Specific required giving levels by section are listed at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ahearnfund.com/" target="_blank">www.AhearnFund.com</a>.

Fans who order season tickets by the Incentive Deadline of Monday, August 23, will have the $10 processing fee waived, and a three-month payment plan option.

Also, fans who order before the Priority Deadline of Friday, September 24, will receive a concessions discount card for $1 off popcorn, hot dogs and water all season as well as access to the season ticket exchange program and a two-month payment plan option.

In addition to the home schedule, season ticket holders will have the first opportunity to pre-order tickets for the Hall of Fame Classic at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, November 22-23, and the game at INTRUST Bank Arena against Wichita State on December 5.

Fans can purchase season tickets in a variety of ways, including toll free at (800) 221.CATS (2287) and online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/tickets" target="_blank">www.kstatesports.com/tickets</a>.

<a>Non-Conference Schedule Set</a>

Eight home games at Bramlage Coliseum, including a marquee matchup with Marquette, the Hall of Fame Classic at T-Mobile Center and road contests against regional foes Wichita State and Nebraska highlight the 2021-22 non-conference schedule that was released on July 1.

K-State will open the season with four of its first six games at home, including back-to-back contests to open the season against Florida A&amp;M on Wednesday, November 10 and Omaha on Wednesday, November 17.

After a trip to Kansas City for the Hall of Fame Classic, the Wildcats will return home for games against North Dakota on Sunday, November 28 and Albany on Wednesday, December 1.

Other non-conference home games include a rematch with Marquette in the BIG EAST/Big 12 Battle on Wednesday, December 8 to go with matchups against Green Bay on Sunday, December 12, McNeese State on Tuesday, December 21 and Morgan State on Wednesday, December 29.

In all, the Wildcats will play 18 home games in 2021-22, including the nine-game Big 12 schedule with visits from reigning national champion Baylor and NCAA Tournament participants Kansas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas Tech and West Virginia.

The complete conference schedule is expected to be released early in the fall.

Matchups at Hall of Fame Classic, Wichita State

In addition to the home schedule, K-State will play regional games at the aforementioned Hall of Fame Classic at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City on Monday-Tuesday, November 22-23 as well as a matchup with Wichita State at INTRUST Bank Arena on Sunday, December 5.

The Wildcats will meet Arkansas in the semifinals of the Hall of Fame Classic at 8 p.m., CT on November 22 before playing either Cincinnati or Illinois on November 23 at either 6 or 8:30 p.m., CT. It will be the first meeting with the Razorbacks in nearly 30 years and the third such meeting in Kansas City.

K-State and Wichita State will meet for the first time since 2003 in the first-ever meeting at INTRUST Bank Arena in downtown Wichita on December 5. The contest is the first of a 4-game series with the Shockers that will be followed by a home game at Bramlage Coliseum in 2022.

<a>K-State is set to return four of its top-5 scorers, including super senior&nbsp;Mike McGuirl&nbsp;and rising sophomores&nbsp;Davion Bradford,&nbsp;Selton Miguel&nbsp;and&nbsp;Nijel Pack, for the 2021-22 season. In all, the team will return nine lettermen, including juniors&nbsp;Kaosi Ezeagu&nbsp;and&nbsp;Carlton Linguard, Jr., sophomore&nbsp;Luke Kasubke&nbsp;and&nbsp;Seryee Lewis.</a>

The only Wildcat senior in 2020-21, McGuirl led the team in assists (3.6 apg.) and steals (1.0 spg.) and was second in scoring (11.8 ppg.) while starting all 29 games. The freshman trio of Bradford, Miguel and Pack combined to average 25.4 points, 10.4 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 2.0 steals in 2020-21, as Pack (12.7 ppg.) became the first true freshman to lead the team in scoring since 2013-14.

Three transfers – senior&nbsp;Mark Smith&nbsp;(Missouri), junior&nbsp;Markquis Nowell&nbsp;(Little Rock) and sophomore&nbsp;Ismael Massoud&nbsp;(Wake Forest) – have been added to the roster to go along with a pair of incoming freshmen in&nbsp;Maximus Edwards&nbsp;and&nbsp;Logan Landers.

How to follow the ‘Cats:&nbsp;For complete information on K-State men’s basketball, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/" target="_blank">www.kstatesports.com</a>&nbsp;and follow the team’s social media channels on&nbsp;<a href="mailto:@KStateMBB" target="_blank">Twitter</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/kstatembb/?hl=en" target="_blank">Instagram</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/kstatembb/" target="_blank">Facebook</a>.

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Season tickets for the upcoming 2021-22 men’s basketball season will go on-sale at 8:30 a.m., CT on Wednesday, July 21, athletic department officials announced on Monday (July 19).The upcoming 2021-22 season will mark a return to full capacity at Bramlage Coliseum, as the Wildcats’ home schedule will feature 18 home games, beginning with an exhibition against Pittsburg State on Thursday, November 4. Overall, the squad will host nine non-conference games, including a marquee matchup with Marquette in the Big East/Big 12 Battle on Wednesday, December 8, to go along with its usual nine Big 12 opponents.Fans have a variety of ticket prices and locations from which to choose from, with bench season tickets starting at just $250 each. With the Wildcat 4-Pack, fans can purchase four season tickets in the bench or Cat Cushion areas starting at $752, depending on location, for a savings of $62 per ticket.New full season-ticket requests will be able to select their seat during the ordering process from any seat location available from the 2019-20 season.&nbsp;An Ahearn Fund contribution is required for all premium, chairback and cushioned seating. Specific required giving levels by section are listed at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ahearnfund.com/" target="_blank">www.AhearnFund.com</a>.Fans who order season tickets by the Incentive Deadline of Monday, August 23, will have the $10 processing fee waived, and a three-month payment plan option.Also, fans who order before the Priority Deadline of Friday, September 24, will receive a concessions discount card for $1 off popcorn, hot dogs and water all season as well as access to the season ticket exchange program and a two-month payment plan option.In addition to the home schedule, season ticket holders will have the first opportunity to pre-order tickets for the Hall of Fame Classic at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, November 22-23, and the game at INTRUST Bank Arena against Wichita State on December 5.Fans can purchase season tickets in a variety of ways, including toll free at (800) 221.CATS (2287) and online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/tickets" target="_blank">www.kstatesports.com/tickets</a>.<a>Non-Conference Schedule Set</a>Eight home games at Bramlage Coliseum, including a marquee matchup with Marquette, the Hall of Fame Classic at T-Mobile Center and road contests against regional foes Wichita State and Nebraska highlight the 2021-22 non-conference schedule that was released on July 1.K-State will open the season with four of its first six games at home, including back-to-back contests to open the season against Florida A&amp;M on Wednesday, November 10 and Omaha on Wednesday, November 17.After a trip to Kansas City for the Hall of Fame Classic, the Wildcats will return home for games against North Dakota on Sunday, November 28 and Albany on Wednesday, December 1.Other non-conference home games include a rematch with Marquette in the BIG EAST/Big 12 Battle on Wednesday, December 8 to go with matchups against Green Bay on Sunday, December 12, McNeese State on Tuesday, December 21 and Morgan State on Wednesday, December 29.In all, the Wildcats will play 18 home games in 2021-22, including the nine-game Big 12 schedule with visits from reigning national champion Baylor and NCAA Tournament participants Kansas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas Tech and West Virginia.The complete conference schedule is expected to be released early in the fall.Matchups at Hall of Fame Classic, Wichita StateIn addition to the home schedule, K-State will play regional games at the aforementioned Hall of Fame Classic at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City on Monday-Tuesday, November 22-23 as well as a matchup with Wichita State at INTRUST Bank Arena on Sunday, December 5.The Wildcats will meet Arkansas in the semifinals of the Hall of Fame Classic at 8 p.m., CT on November 22 before playing either Cincinnati or Illinois on November 23 at either 6 or 8:30 p.m., CT. It will be the first meeting with the Razorbacks in nearly 30 years and the third such meeting in Kansas City.K-State and Wichita State will meet for the first time since 2003 in the first-ever meeting at INTRUST Bank Arena in downtown Wichita on December 5. The contest is the first of a 4-game series with the Shockers that will be followed by a home game at Bramlage Coliseum in 2022.<a>The Wildcats At A Glance</a><a>K-State is set to return four of its top-5 scorers, including super senior&nbsp;Mike McGuirl&nbsp;and rising sophomores&nbsp;Davion Bradford,&nbsp;Selton Miguel&nbsp;and&nbsp;Nijel Pack, for the 2021-22 season. In all, the team will return nine lettermen, including juniors&nbsp;Kaosi Ezeagu&nbsp;and&nbsp;Carlton Linguard, Jr., sophomore&nbsp;Luke Kasubke&nbsp;and&nbsp;Seryee Lewis.</a>The only Wildcat senior in 2020-21, McGuirl led the team in assists (3.6 apg.) and steals (1.0 spg.) and was second in scoring (11.8 ppg.) while starting all 29 games. The freshman trio of Bradford, Miguel and Pack combined to average 25.4 points, 10.4 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 2.0 steals in 2020-21, as Pack (12.7 ppg.) became the first true freshman to lead the team in scoring since 2013-14.Three transfers – senior&nbsp;Mark Smith&nbsp;(Missouri), junior&nbsp;Markquis Nowell&nbsp;(Little Rock) and sophomore&nbsp;Ismael Massoud&nbsp;(Wake Forest) – have been added to the roster to go along with a pair of incoming freshmen in&nbsp;Maximus Edwards&nbsp;and&nbsp;Logan Landers.How to follow the ‘Cats:&nbsp;For complete information on K-State men’s basketball, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/" target="_blank">www.kstatesports.com</a>&nbsp;and follow the team’s social media channels on&nbsp;<a href="mailto:@KStateMBB" target="_blank">Twitter</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/kstatembb/?hl=en" target="_blank">Instagram</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/kstatembb/" target="_blank">Facebook</a>.

Men’s Basketball 2021-22 Season Tickets on Sale July 21

<a>MANHATTAN, Kan.</a>&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kansas State senior quarterback&nbsp;Skylar Thompson&nbsp;and sophomore running back&nbsp;Deuce Vaughn&nbsp;have been named to the watch list for the 2021 Maxwell Award, the Maxwell Football Club announced Monday.

Thompson was named to the watch list for a second-straight season. It marked the first time the Wildcats had two members on the Maxwell Award watch list since quarterback Jake Waters and wide receiver Tyler Lockett were on the initial watch list in 2014.

A career 30-game starter, Thompson enters his second senior season ranked in the top 10 in school history of 15 career categories, including the top mark in interception percentage (1.84), ranking third in yards per completion (12.87), fifth in completions (390), passing efficiency (136.01), rushing yards (1,083) and rushing touchdowns (22) by a quarterback, and seventh in passing yards (5,201) and passing touchdowns (30). The Independence, Missouri, native is just the second player in school history to throw for 5,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards, while he can be the first to hit the 6,000/1,000 mark this season.

In an injury-shortened 2020 campaign, Thompson threw for 626 yards and accounted for seven touchdowns in three games, including four total scores in K-State’s 21-point comeback win at No. 3 Oklahoma to secure the Wildcats’ first ever road win over a top-five team.

Bursting onto the scene as a true freshman in 2020, Vaughn led K-State in both rushing (642 yards) and receiving (434 yards) as he was one of just three players in the nation last season with at least 600 rushing yards and 400 receiving yards, joining Clemson’s Travis Etienne and Alabama’s Najee Harris.

Vaughn was named the True Freshman of the Year by 247Sports, a Freshman All-American by The Athletic and Football Writers Association of America, and an Honorable Mention All-American by Phil Steele and Pro Football Focus. The 2020 Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, Vaughn was the first Wildcat true freshman in the Big 12 era (since 1996) to earn First or Second Team All-Big 12 honors on offense.

Kansas State opens the 2021 campaign on September 4 at AT&amp;T Stadium in Arlington, Texas in the Allstate Kickoff Classic against Stanford. The game will kick off at 11 a.m., and will be televised by FS1. Fans can purchase tickets to the game – in addition to season and single-game tickets for the Wildcats’ seven-game home schedule – by visiting&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/tickets" target="_blank">www.kstatesports.com/tickets</a>&nbsp;or by calling 1-800-221-CATS.

<a>MANHATTAN, Kan.</a>&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kansas State senior quarterback&nbsp;Skylar Thompson&nbsp;and sophomore running back&nbsp;Deuce Vaughn&nbsp;have been named to the watch list for the 2021 Maxwell Award, the Maxwell Football Club announced Monday.Thompson was named to the watch list for a second-straight season. It marked the first time the Wildcats had two members on the Maxwell Award watch list since quarterback Jake Waters and wide receiver Tyler Lockett were on the initial watch list in 2014.A career 30-game starter, Thompson enters his second senior season ranked in the top 10 in school history of 15 career categories, including the top mark in interception percentage (1.84), ranking third in yards per completion (12.87), fifth in completions (390), passing efficiency (136.01), rushing yards (1,083) and rushing touchdowns (22) by a quarterback, and seventh in passing yards (5,201) and passing touchdowns (30). The Independence, Missouri, native is just the second player in school history to throw for 5,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards, while he can be the first to hit the 6,000/1,000 mark this season.In an injury-shortened 2020 campaign, Thompson threw for 626 yards and accounted for seven touchdowns in three games, including four total scores in K-State’s 21-point comeback win at No. 3 Oklahoma to secure the Wildcats’ first ever road win over a top-five team.Bursting onto the scene as a true freshman in 2020, Vaughn led K-State in both rushing (642 yards) and receiving (434 yards) as he was one of just three players in the nation last season with at least 600 rushing yards and 400 receiving yards, joining Clemson’s Travis Etienne and Alabama’s Najee Harris.Vaughn was named the True Freshman of the Year by 247Sports, a Freshman All-American by The Athletic and Football Writers Association of America, and an Honorable Mention All-American by Phil Steele and Pro Football Focus. The 2020 Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, Vaughn was the first Wildcat true freshman in the Big 12 era (since 1996) to earn First or Second Team All-Big 12 honors on offense.Kansas State opens the 2021 campaign on September 4 at AT&amp;T Stadium in Arlington, Texas in the Allstate Kickoff Classic against Stanford. The game will kick off at 11 a.m., and will be televised by FS1. Fans can purchase tickets to the game – in addition to season and single-game tickets for the Wildcats’ seven-game home schedule – by visiting&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/tickets" target="_blank">www.kstatesports.com/tickets</a>&nbsp;or by calling 1-800-221-CATS.