SportsBeat KC

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Rugged college football tests await and a great Gale Sayers story Sep 23, 2020

Show notes

College football’s biggest weekend approaches with conference games set for the Big 12 and SEC. On SportsBeat KC, beat writers Souichi Terada (Missouri), Kellis Robinett (Kansas State) and Gary Bedore (Kansas) break down their games, which begins with the prospect of playing the games in this pandemic season.

The assignments are rugged with the Tigers playing host to No. 2 Alabama in Eli Drinkwitz’s debut as Mizzou’s coach; the Wildcats visiting No. 3 Oklahoma after losing their opener two weeks ago in an upset; and KU traveling to Baylor, which owns a 10-game winning streak against the Jayhawks.

Also, Bedore and host Blair Kerkhoff remember Gale Sayers, the “Kansas Comet” whose death at age 77 was announced on Wednesday. For a high school project, Bedore interviewed Sayers and shares that experience.

Story links:

Past, present KU Jayhawks react to death of Gale Sayers: “We’ve lost somebody special.”

Five takeaways from Mizzou’s Week 1 depth chart ahead of Alabama game

Kansas State quarterback Skylar Thompson slowed by injuries as Oklahoma looms

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Chiefs-Ravens, Mahomes-Jackson first look Sep 22, 2020

Show notes

Chiefs-Ravens on Monday Night Football on Week 3? Yes, please. The top two AFC contenders that matches the previous two NFL MVPs, Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson, take center stage, and we’re here to take a first look in SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast, with columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian.

The Chiefs have defeated the Ravens in each of the previous two season, both games at a packed Arrowhead Stadium. This one will be in an empty stadium in Baltimore. Both teams are 2-0 and share a common opponent in the Houston Texans.

What are the keys, who needs to step up and how will this one go? Vahe and Sam begin to answer those questions.

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Mellinger Minutes: Chiefs’ C+, Butker’s breakout, Chiefs as new Patriots and much more

Chiefs, Chargers made like a road trip like no other for veterans sportswriters

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Chiefs kick their way to victory at SoFi. Let’s talk about it Sep 21, 2020

Show notes

Just another ho-hum victory for the Chiefs on Sunday? Uh, no. Playing the Los Angeles Chargers in the team’s first game in its new home, the $5 billion SoFi Stadium, the Chiefs got off a slow start and fell behind by 11 points in the second half. But as they did throughout last season’s Super Bowl run they battled back. This time, forcing overtime before taking the 23-20 triumph.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes was clutch and his long touchdown pass to Tyreek Hill and two-point conversion toss to Mecole Hardman in the fourth quarter go on his highlight reel.

But the game’s hero was kicker Harrison Butker, who booted three field goals, including a 58 yarder to win the game. It was his second 58 yard field goal of the contest. That distances matched the team record.

After the game, the Chiefs coverage team of Sam Mellinger, Vahe Greorgian, Sam McDowell, Herbie Teope and Pete Grathoff joined SportsBeat Live host Blair Kerkhoff and breaking down the game’s highs and lows. After a break, you’ll hear from Butker and his confidence in the game-winning attempt.

Story links:

Chiefs beat Chargers with less than their best. But now what?

Even when they look like they’re out of it, well, the Chiefs aren’t really out of it

Harrison Butker finds great moments to add depth to his kicking game

How one Patrick Mahomes throw got Chiefs back to playing like their old selves

Chiefs Andy Reid raises concerns about Chargers “very questionable” hit on Sammy Watkins

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Singer’s surge leads Royals’ encouraging run, and Frank Clark on the Chargers Sep 18, 2020

Show notes

The Royals are rolling. Probably too late to climb back into the playoff picture but this feels different than taking on victories at the end of a losing season. The starting pitching has been superb, led by rookie Brady Singer, and the development of young arms are an encouraging sign for the future.

Beat writer Lynn Worthy talks about the recent stretch and what lies ahead for the Royals in their final 10 games on SportsBeat KC with host Blair Kerkhoff. Another topic: the interruption in Danny Duffy’s season after missing a team flight earlier this week.

After a break we’ll hear from Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark, who picked up where he left off last season—feeling healthy and playing well.

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Brady Singer follows no-hit bid with dominant outing against the Tigers

Royals announce Danny Duffy will return to the pitching rotation in the next series

You can see the Royals improving. But is it enough?

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SportsBeat KC: Chiefs offense without highlight reel plays and fast food favorites Sep 17, 2020

Show notes

SportsBeat KC originated as a video program on Thursday, when beat writers Herbie Teope and Sam McDowell joined columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian in breaking down the Chiefs’ opening game victory and looking ahead to Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Also, operating the Chiefs offense without big plays, having a defense that’s ahead of the pace compared to last year’s unit, injury updates, and a peek ahead to the opponent the following week — the Baltimore Ravens — are all covered.

Plus we take questions and comments from the audience. And the A-Team reveals its favorite fast food items and highway stops.

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Chiefs’ Mahomes MVP year. A Super Bowl title run. And now the Chiefs offense is...better?

Why teammates told Patrick Mahomes he had one of his best games in Chiefs opener

Chiefs’ Charvarius Ward among trio of players not to practice on Wednesday

Chiefs coach Andy Reid is defogging, but pandemic football means more oddities ahead

Chiefs prediction: No Rivers to pick on (or pick off) Sunday for the Chiefs

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ChiefsPatrick Mahomes adding another tool to the belt, patience Sep 16, 2020

Show notes

Patrick Mahomes averaged 301 passing yards per game in his career. So when he delivered 211 through the air against the Houston Texans in the opener, that had to be marked as a sub-standard effort, right? Wrong. Mahomes’ passer rating (123.3), completion percentage (75.0) and three touchdowns in a game that wasn’t in doubt after halftime showed an ability to win a game without an eye-popping yardage total.

Mahomes discusses the performance on Wednesday in a conference call with reporters and after an introduction by beat writer Sam McDowell, you’ll hear all of Mahomes’ comments on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast. After a break Andy Reid covers several topics in his meeting reporters.

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Mahomes’ MVP year. A Super Bowl title run. And now the Chiefs offense is....better?

Big Red has won 11 of 12 against the Chargers. Remember, they too wanted him in 2013

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Where it went wrong for Kansas State in season opener Sep 15, 2020

Show notes

It was a rough start for Kansas State and other Big 12 programs as college football, battling through COVID-19, opened around the conference last weekend. Beat writer Kellis Robinett joins SportsBeat KC host Blair Kerkhoff to break down what went wrong in the Wildcats’ 35-31 loss to Arkansas State, and talk about how their issues can be fixed.

The Wildcats weren’t alone. Kansas and Iowa State were knocked off by Sun Belt Conference opponents, too. A great day for that conference, a lousy one for the Big 12.

After a break, K-State coach Chris Klieman checks in. He met with reporters earlier in the day to give his assessment of last weekend’s game and a look ahead at the next — a difficult one — at Oklahoma on Sept. 26.

Story links:

“There are no excuses:” Why K-State’s loss to Arkansas State was frustrating to Chris Klieman

Game day atmosphere much different than usual for K-State’s loss to Arkansas State

Mellinger MInutes: Love letter to sports, Chiefs look *really* good, Royals improvement

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Watching NFL season through Chiefs prism. Who else looked good Week 1? Sep 14, 2020

Show notes

If you didn’t find sports to watch this weekend, you weren’t trying. The NFL, college football, baseball, NBA playoffs, Stanley Cup playoffs, U.S. Open tennis, MLS soccer and more were all in action.

Late summer is always a busy time on the sports calendar. The coronavirus has made it even more so. That made for plenty of discussion topics for columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam Mellinger, starting with how the NFL and sports are handling attendance. The consensus: The Chiefs did it well for their opener last Thursday.

Also on the docket: how we watch NFL games through a Chiefs prism, the rough start for Kansas State and Kansas football, and sizzling Royals and Aldaberto Mondesi. We talk about it all on this episode of Sportsbeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast.

Story links:

Game day atmopshere much different than usual for K-State’s loss to Arkansas State

It’s just one week, but Clyde Edwards-Helaire looks like a different maker for Chiefs

A career first for Brad Keller as Royals complete sweep and win sixth straight

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Talking cheers and boos from Chiefs’ opening game victory over Texans Sep 11, 2020

Show notes

What night at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs gave the 16,000 fans plenty to cheer for in a 34-20 victory over the Houston Texans. And some boos were heard during the pregame statement by players from both teams displaying unity.

Today’s SportsBeat KC originated as a SportBeat Live, a discussion of all things Chiefs, among The Star’s coverage team of Sam McDowell, Vahe Gregorian, Sam McDowell and Sam Mellinger.

The big games by rookies Clyde Edwards-Helaire and L’Jarius Sneed, Patrick Mahomes spreading the wealth in a short passing attack, the overall quality play of the defense and other topics are fair game for the A-team.

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The Chiefs beat a very good team and then said things like: “I’m pissed off”

Chiefs’ opening win tarnished by ugliness of some fans booing during moment of silence

No hangover for Super Bowl champion Chiefs, who soundly hammer Texans in season opener

Chiefs report card: Reid’s team win openers. Here’s how they graded out Thursday

It’s just one week but Clyde Edwards-Helaire looks like a difference-for Chiefs

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Here’s what Clyde Edwards-Helaire had to say about his NFL debut Sep 10, 2020

Show notes

Game day has arrived, so let’s talk Chiefs.

In this episode of SportsBeat KC, The Kansas City Star’s daily sports podcast, rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire discusses the anticipation of his NFL debut. It’s interesting to hear what he expects from himself against the Houston Texans.

After a break, NFL Network talent checks in and talks about the Chiefs and the NFL’s opening weekend. Michael Irvin speaks to the challenges of repeating as Super Bowl champion. His Cowboys won three Super Bowls in four years in the 1990s. Kurt Warner comments on Patrick Mahomes, where the start quarterback goes from here and where he can improve.

Broadcaster Rich Eisen and former coach Steve Mariucci discuss the challenges of playing football in a COVID-19 world — empty or near-empty stadiums, pandemic fears, a bizzare offseason and more.

Story links:

The Chiefs have a plan for the chop, and it’s subtle. Here’s what’s in store for Thursday

The Chiefs want to expand Mecole Hardman’s role. He could be a factor in the opener

NFL debut of Clyde Edwards-Helaire has arrived. That’s thrilling for several reasons

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