SportsBeat KC

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How the Chiefs plan to extend their winning streak vs. Ravens to 4 games Sep 16, 2021

Show notes

The Chiefs should have a good sense of the AFC North after this weekend. After knocking off the Browns in their season opener, it’s time to face the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football.

In this episode of the daily SportsBeat KC podcast, we talk about both games with beat writer Herbie Teope, columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam Mellinger and host Blair Kerkhoff. What needs to be fixed, and what must Chiefs do to make it four victories in four years over the Ravens?

Story links:

Chiefs Orlando Brown Jr. faces former team, but he’s no snitch

Thrown into action, Chiefs (and former Mizzou linebacker) Nick Bolton made plays

How Patrick Mahomes is handling the “priceless” feeling of parenthood

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Skylar Thompson can’t catch a break, plus meet our new Mizzou beat writer Sep 15, 2021

Show notes

Not again. Kansas State quarterback Skylar Thompson suffered another injury, this time to his knee, that will force him to miss games. Remember, a year ago, Thompson missed half of the season with an injury. He returned for a sixth year and got the season off to a terrific start with a resounding triumph over Stanford. Now, he’s in recovery mode once again. But he won’t be out for the season, K-State officials say.

Beat writer Kellis Robinett discusses the Wildcats’ quarterback situation on today’s SportsBeat KC. Also on topic list: The invitations have been extended and accepted. Houston, Brigham Young, Central Florida and Cincinnati will be in the Big 12. We talk financies and scheduling possibilities.

After a break, you’ll meet new Missouri beat writer Lila Bromberg and hear about the path that brought her to The Star.

Story links:

Chris Klieman shares positive injury update on K-State quarterback Skylar Thompson

K-State AD Gene Taylor not expecting Big 12 revenue to drop after Oklahoma, Texas exit

KC Star introduces new beat reporter to cover Missouri Tigers athletics

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Let’s talk about the Royals, including hot-hitting Benintendi’s future Sep 14, 2021

Show notes

In this episode of SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily podcast, we talk about the Royals, especially the future of left fielder Andrew Benintendi. But there was also some big Royals news after we finished recording.

The Royals have promoted general manager Dayton Moore to club president and elevated assistant GM J.J. Picollo to Moore’s former position. We discuss that and other Royals developments.

Beat writer Lynn Worthy and columnist Sam Mellinger look ahead to the Royals’ 2022 season, starting with Benindenti, who is swinging one of the hottest bats in baseball, and what the club’s lineup might look like next spring.

Story links:

Royals promoting Dayton Moore to president, JJ Picollo to GM

Andrew Benintendi makes himself at home in Minnesota, leads Royals offense

Mellinger MInutes: Chiefs, Royals, all things Kansas City sports

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Chiefs were losing to Browns, then reversed their fortunes. Here’s how Sep 13, 2021

Show notes

Early in the fourth quarter, the Cleveland Browns had about an 87% probably of winning their season opener against the Chiefs.

Never count out Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, who rallied for a 33-29 triumph Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium.

The SportsBeat KC crew discussed the dramatic triumph after the game. You’ll hear from The Star’s Sam Mellinger, Vahe Gregorian, Herbie Teope, Blair Kerkhoff and Sam McDowell, along with Andy Reid and Mahomes and an audience that supplied many questions and comments.

We talk about the critical moments of the game, like Mahomes’ 75-yard touchdown pass to Tyreek Hill, the Browns’ dropped punt that led to the go-ahead touchdown, and much more.

Story links:

Chiefs’ rally over Browns is testimony to hard-wire resolve of Mahomes’ era

After trailing early, Chiefs make big statement in beating Browns in opener

Chiefs beat Browns with overwhelming pressure, “It’s just that fast.”

“I saw this little hand pop. up:” How Mahomes TD pass to Tyreek Hill unfolded

Chiefs grades: Mahomes, Hill, Kelce (really entire offense) can cure plenty of ills

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Get out the measuring stick for Saturday’s Missouri-Kentucky game Sep 10, 2021

Show notes

Missouri visits Kentucky on Saturday in an SEC East game between teams that aren’t in the polls.

But there’s plenty riding on this contest. Both teams are bidding to become the top challenger to division leaders Georgia and Florida, and there’s the matter of Mizzou ending a five-game losing streak in the series with an emphatic victory last season in Columbia.

In this episode of SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily podcast, John Clay, sports columnist for The Lexington Herald-Leader and host of the John Clay Podcast, breaks down the game and the budding rivalry between the programs. After a break, you’ll hear from Mizzou coach Eli Drinkwitz about last week’s season-opening victory over Central MIchigan and this weekend’s statement game.

Story links:

Mizzou linebacker Blaze Alldridge has big debut in victory over Central Michigan

Missouri at Kentucky: Details and five things to know

John Clay: There will be some NFL-style scheming when Missouri plays Kentucky

The John Clay Podcast: Kentucky-Missouri football preview

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You have questions, we have answers as Chiefs prepare for Sunday kickoff Sep 09, 2021

Show notes

The team that has played in three straight AFC Championship Games and back to back Super Bowls is about to kick off the 2021 season and we’re here to talk about it.

Beat writers Herbie Teope and Sam McDowell and columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian join Blair Kerkhoff to discuss all things Chiefs. The show started as a SportsBeat Live stream with questions and comments from you.

We covered the challenge of starting over at offensive line with five new starters, the Chiefs’ top wide receiver after Tyreek Hill, what oddsmakers think of the Chiefs and much more.

Story links:

Why Patrick Mahomes is more prepared for this opener...and defenses less so for him

What the Vegas odds say about the Chiefs’ Super Bowl chances and the 2021 season

Protecting Mahomes: Chiefs quarterback likes the look of his new offensive line

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K-State impressed in opening-game win; KU did too, by simply not losing Sep 08, 2021

Show notes

Major college football in Kansas is undefeated after one week. Kansas State was an impressive 24-7 winner over Stanford and Kansas won its first game since 2019 by defeating South Dakota 17-14.

On today’s episode of The Star’s daily podcast, SportsBeat KC, beat writers Jesse Newell and Kellis Robinett break down the games and discuss whether those outcomes change their perspective about the season.

Also, since we’re talking Big 12, realignment is always a topic. How might a new 12-team Big 12 shape up?

Story links:

Here’s what KU coach Lance Leipold was most pleased about in KU victory

Why K-State Coach Chris Klieman will never overlook an FCS opponent like Southern Illinois

Predicting what’s next for the Big 12 and expansion targets Houston, BYU, Central Florida and Cincinnati

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Developing the Royals’ young pitchers, and why metrics hate Salvy Perez Sep 07, 2021

Show notes

One more victory and the Royals can’t lose 100 games this season. So, that’s one objective that should be easily met.

How about the rest of them?

We talk about that and more Royals topics in this episode of SportsBeat KC with beat writer Lynn Worthy and columnist Sam Mellinger. How are the Royals going to use Adalberto Mondesi the rest of the season? And why do advanced metrics seem to disrespect Salvador Perez, who is on his way to having one of the greatest seasons in team history?

Story links:

Andrew Benintendi’s bat and glove were crucial late as Royals beat Orioles

Mellinger Minutes: Chiefs, Royals, college football

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Missouri Tigers poised to take next step in Drinkwitz’s second season Sep 03, 2021

Show notes

Missouri’s football season begins Saturday. The Tigers open the second year of coach Eli Drinkwitz’s tenure Saturday, when Central Michigan visits. It’s also the second year as a starter for quarterback Connor Bazelak.

Nationally, the Tigers are seen as middle-of-the pack in the SEC East. We should have a better feel for that in the season’s second week, when the Tigers visit Kentucky.

In this episode of our daily SportsBeat KC podcast, you’ll hear from Drinkwitz, who expects Bazelak to take the next step. He also challenges fans to show up at Faurot Field Saturday. After a break, defensive coordinator Steve Wilks shares his thoughts about returning to the college game after spending 14 seasons in the NFL.

Story links:

Missouri TIgers quarterback Connor Bazelak has to earn his stripes all over again

New look Mizzou defense doesn’t want to pick up where it left off in 2020

Five predictions and game-by-game picks for the Missouri Tigers

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Kansas State enters season with advantage of experienced quarterback Sep 02, 2021

Show notes

Kansas State opens the football season on a big stage — AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas — against Stanford on Saturday.

There is optimism in the Wildcats’ camp, with starting quarterback Skylar Thompson back after sitting out most of last season with an injury. Only a handful of major-college quarterbacks have more career starts than Thompson’s 30.

On today’s episode of our daily SportsBeat KC podcast, beat writer Kellis Robinett breaks down Kansas State as coach Chris Klieman begins his third season. A 10th bowl in 12 years is expected in Manhattan. After a break, you’ll hear from Klieman, who discusses opening the season in a high-profile game, his team’s depth and what to expect from running back Deuce Vaughn.

Story links:

“Pretty cool experience’ for K-State in opener might not be a one-time thing

Why Chris Klieman expects major improvement from Wildcats on defense

Is K-State’s Skylar Thompson among Big 12’s best? Only if it excels at this stat

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