SportsBeat KC

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The Mizzou brawl, y’all, and wild Big Eight hoops with Billy Tubbs Nov 04, 2020

Show notes

Missouri is coming off a 41-17 loss at Florida, ending the Tigers’ two game winning streak. But the game action was only part of the story. Mizzou and the Gators engaged in benches-clearing fisticuffs. Three players, one from Missouri, were ejected and Florida coach Dan Mullen was fined $25,000 for his part in the scene. Three other Missouri players will serve a half-game suspension for their roles in the incident.

Beat writer Souichi Terada and columnist Vahe Gregorian join SportsBeat KC host Blair Kerkhoff to discuss what happened at Florida and Mizzou at the halfway point of the regular season.

After a break, we remember former Oklahoma men’s basketball coach Billy Tubbs, who died earlier this week. Tubbs was brash, competitive and successful, taking the Sooners to the brink of a national championship and playing a feature role in the cast of Big Eight characters of the 1980s.

Story links:

Mizzou, Florida players suspended by SEC for halftime brawl; Gators coach fined

RIP Billy Tubbs, a brilliant coach whose humor was embodied in spats with Norm Stewart

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The analytics guy who stands at the intersection of sports and politics Nov 03, 2020

Show notes

Kansas City Star sportswriter Jesse Newell assumed a temporary assignment covering the local political landscape through the elections. And he’s heard from the “stick to sports” crowd. When he eventually returns to sports journalism, covering the Kansas Jayhawks, he figures he’ll get a few “stick to politics” suggestions.

For this Election Day show, Newell talks politics and sports with Blair Kerkhoff on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast. Sports and politics have crossed over plenty during the past few months,, from pro and college athletes engaging in voter-registration movements to teams like the Chiefs turning their playing venues into supplemental polling places.

After a break, the conversation turns to sports as Newell, an AP top 25 men’s basketball voter, shares his leaning on the preseason choice.

Story links:

If Biden wins, Politoco says this Kansas City name could be a candidate for Cabinet role

Jackson County is setting records for absentee ballots received. Here are the numbers

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Hear the A-Team and two of the three who threw passes in Chiefs’ victory Nov 02, 2020

Show notes

The expected blowout was delivered. The Chiefs knocked out the New York Jets 35-9 on Sunday and just about everything was humming, starting with Patrick Mahomes. His five touchdown passes and 414 passing yards ranking among his career best. But he wasn’t the only Chiefs player to complete a pass. Two others did, including punter Tommy Townsend.

The Star’s A-Team of Herbie Teope, Sam McDowell, Vahe Gregorian and Sam Mellinger joined SportsBeat Live host Blair Kerkhoff for a postgame conversation, now a SportsBeat KC podcast. You’ll also hear the postgame interviews of Mahomes and Townsend.

Story links:

Chiefs opponent is not the other team. It’s themselves, and right now they’re winning

No “lollipop at all.” How a fake punt paved the way in a Chiefs blowout of Jets

Yes, Patrick Mahomes can still beat you. Was that really a question?

Chiefs did what they should do in grounding the Jets. Here’s what we learned

Chiefs report card

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Are wrong teams favored in K-State game, Big 12 men’s hoop race? Oct 30, 2020

Show notes

Kansas State has won four straight, stands undefeated in the Big 12 and is ranked No. 16 in the polls. So why are the Wildcats an underdog at unranked West Virginia? Beat writer Kellis Robinett breaks down the game on SportsBeat KC with host Blair Kerkhoff.

After a break, Gary Bedore discusses KU athletic director Jeff Long’s plea for patience with football on coach Les Miles radio show. Also, for the first time in a decade the Jayhawks aren’t the preseason pick to win the Big 12 men’s basketball title.

Story links:

Why Chris Klieman radically changed his special teams philosophy at Kansas State

Jayhawks AD Jeff Long expresses confidence in Les Miles despite 0-5 team

It’s Baylor, not Kansas, as pick of Big 12 basketball coaches in preseason poll

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Diving into Chiefs-Jets, Eric Bieniemy’s next job and Halloween Oct 29, 2020

Show notes

On the Halloween edition of SportsBeat KC, the masks come on for some of the members of The Star’s A-Team of Vahe Gregorian, Herbie Teope, Sam Mellinger and Sam McDowell, along with host Blair Kerkhoff. And the Chiefs game on Sunday against the winless New York Jets could become a frightening matter.

The group covers several topics, from Eric Bieniemy’s prospects of becoming the Jets next head coach, Le’Veon’s incentive to have a big game against his former teammates, and Travis Kelce’s comments from earlier in the week when he said he likes playing the team’s “plumber or electrician” role.

Also, everyone has a Halloween costume story, some filled with more distressing than others.

Story links:

How comparing himself to a plumber, electrician reflects growth of Chiefs’ Travis Kelce

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article246778877.html

Jets coach says Le’Veon Bell is in a “great” spot in KC. As for his time in NY...

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article246775032.html

Vegas betting line says Chiefs-Jets is one of the most lopsided games in NFL history

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article246751631.html

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Mizzou meets foe with three week’s rest, and Mahomes makes NBA pitch Oct 28, 2020

Show notes

As of Wednesday, the Missouri at Florida game is on. Enough COVID-19 positive cases kept the Gators off the practice field for nearly two weeks since their last game on Oct. 10, but Coach Dan Mullen, who also tested positive during that stretch, has said Florida will have enough players to field a team for Saturday’s game in Gainesville.

That’s college football in 2020. The game should be a good one. Mizzou has won two straight in different ways, a grinder against Kentucky, which followed a shootout against LSU. The Gators are 2-1 and have one of the nation’s top quarterbacks in Kyle Trask. Beat writer Souichi Terada breaks down the contest.

After a break, you’ll hear from Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes on a variety of topics, including the prospect of the NBA coming to Kansas City if the Toronto Raptors are seeking a temporary headquarters.

Story links:

Mizzou football is down to 64 players, but not because of COVID-19

This is not a drill. Kansas City is making a real push to land Toronto Raptors

We the Midwest? If the Toronto Raptors are looking for a guest host, try Kansas City

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Sporting KC rolling toward MLS playoffs with Pulido at top of his game Oct 27, 2020

Show notes

Sporting KC is 4-1-1 in October and has moved into first place in the Western Conference of Major League Soccer. Three games remain in the regular season with the playoffs looming.

In this episode of The Star’s daily podcast, SKC beat writer Shaun Goodwin chats with SportsBeat KC host Blair Kerkhoff about Sporting and standout Alan Pulido, who makes a difference every time he steps on the field. So far, the $9.5 million transfer fee his presence in Kansas City required seems well worth the investment.

After a break, you’ll hear from Sporting manager Peter Vermes, who previews Wednesday’s game at Cincinnati FC and breaks down Pulido’s strengths.

Sporting takes advantage of Rapids’ long layoff on way to 4-0 home victory

Analysis: Is Sporting KC in a rebuilding phase? Reloading with fresh legs more likely

Analysis: What makes Alan Pulido such a weapon for Sporting KC? Let’s break it down

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Chiefs’ most complete game this season produces blowout win in Denver Oct 26, 2020

Show notes

The Chiefs amassed a season-low in total and passing yards. They also lost the time-of-possession battle. And yet they blew out the Denver Broncos 43-16 Sunday. How?

Their defense and special teams were terrific. The Chiefs got a touchdown in each phase. And Patrick Mahomes and the offense were good enough to come up with three touchdowns and three field goals.

The KC Star’s A-Team of Herbie Teope, Sam McDowell, Vahe Gregorian and Sam Mellinger joined host Blair Kerkhoff to break down the Chiefs’ 10th straight victory over the Broncos and sixth straight in Denver. Also, you’ll hear from one of the game’s stars, wide receiver Byron Pringle, the former Kansas State standout who returned a kickoff 102 yards for a touchdown.

Story links:

The 2020 evolution of the Chiefs, and why it’s bad news for the rest of the AFC

“Non-scholarship” players keyed Chiefs romp over Denver and embody team’s growth

Mile High Lockdown: Chiefs blowout of Broncos was illuminating. What we learned

Chiefs report card: Defense, special teams take highest marks in thorough mauling

Chiefs defense is outdoing its 2019 production. You know, when they won a Super Bowl

Good things happen for the Chiefs when K-State product Byron Pringle touches the ball

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For Bell, Lock, the game is about being a Chief and beating the Chiefs Oct 23, 2020

Show notes

SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast, focuses on two of the more intriguing figures in Sunday’s Chiefs game at Denver against the Broncos: Chiefs running back Le’Veon Bell and Broncos quarterback Drew Lock.

Bell signed with the Chiefs about a week ago and will suit up with his new team for the first time. The Chiefs’ coaches spoke highly of Bell this week, so don’t be surprised if he sees plenty of action Sunday. You’ll hear some of Bell’s meeting with reporters, with an emphasis of how and why he decided to sign with the Chiefs.

Lock was the Broncos’ second-round pick in 2018 and the Chiefs will be the first team he faces for the second time in his career. The Broncos lost at Arrowhead Stadium late last season. It’s been a good start for Lock, the former Lee’s Summit High and Mizzou star, and he spent much of his sit-down with the media this week talking about his Kansas City background and facing his hometown team.

Story links:

Chiefs’ Eric Bienemy says Le’Veon Bell contacted Clyde Edwards-Helaire before signing

Whether he’s channeling Buzz Lightyear or Darth Vader, Drew Lock remains a true son

Chiefs prediction: Vic Fangio will have something dialed up....but it won’t be enough

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Chiefs look to keep streaks alive verses the Broncos and Darth Vader Oct 22, 2020

Show notes

Both teams are coming off road victories when the Chiefs visit the Broncos on Sunday. The Chiefs won at Buffalo, the Broncos at New England. Denver seeks to end Kansas City’s recent dominance in the series with the Chiefs riding streaks of nine games overall and five games in the mile high city into the game.

The Star’s A-Team of Sam Mellinger, Vahe Gregorian, Herbie Teope and Sam McDowell, break it down on SportsBeat KC. They cover the Chiefs’ dominant running game and the addition of Le’Veon Bell. Also, is Patrick Mahomes and the passing game taking some criticism, and why did Broncos’ quarterback Drew Lock compare himself to Darth Vader?

Story links:

Patrick Mahomes is playing terrifically, no matter what you may have heard

Why Le’Veon Bell thinks the Chiefs can rejuvinate the best days of his career

Chiefs winning streak in Denver predates Mahomes. Here’s how it can continue

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