Mecole Hardman and Damien Williams led the Chiefs to a 31-21 victory over the Chargers that allowed Kansas City to leapfrog New England for the No. 2 seed in the AFC and a first-round playoff bye. Hardman returned a kickoff 104 yards for a touchdown and Williams ran for 124 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Kansas City Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) intercepts a pass intended for Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams (81), as cornerback Rashad Fenton (27) watches, during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

His second came just as the Dolphins were scoring the go-ahead TD in their 27-24 win in Foxborough. The combination of outcomes means New England will play next week while the Chiefs can begin preparing for the divisional round.

LINCOLN, Neb. (Via HawkeyeSports.com) — University of Iowa sophomore center Monika Czinano posted a double-double with 17 rebounds and 16 points in a Big Ten women’s basketball opener Saturday, but the Hawkeyes fell to Nebraska, 78-69, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. The Hawkeyes (9-3 overall, 0-1 Big Ten) lost for just the second time since Nov. 20; Nebraska improved to 11-1, 1-0.

Czinano, the nation’s field goal percentage leader, was 6 of 8 from the field. Iowa senior Kathleen Doyle scored a game-high 19 points and made 10 of 14 free throws. Freshman McKenna Warnock made all three of her 3-point attempts and scored a career-high 14 points.

The Hawkeyes shot just 37 percent from the field (21 of 57). Five Nebraska players scored in double figures, led by Kate Cain with 16 points and 12 rebounds.

Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Ian Books threw for 247 yards and one touchdown to lead 14th-ranked Notre Dame to a 33-9 victory over Iowa State in the Camping World Bowl. Tony Jones Jr. scored on an 84-yard run and finished with 135 yards rushing. Game MVP Chase Claypool had seven receptions for 146 yards and one TD. Brock Purdy threw for 222 yards without an interception for Iowa State. The sophomore quarterback was unable to get the Cyclones in the end zone, though, after throwing for 27 touchdowns during the regular season. The Fighting Irish finished the season on a six-game winning streak a year removed from an appearance in the CFP national semifinals.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Marcus Zegarowski and Ty-Shon Alexander combined to make 14 of 19 shots from the floor, scoring 19 points apiece, and Creighton steamrolled NAIA-member Midland College 91-54. Zegarowski knocked down 7 of his 10 shots and added six assists, while Alexander nailed 7 of 9 shots for the Bluejays (11-2). Damien Jefferson had 13 points and 11 rebounds for his first career double-double.

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) — David Roddy and Kris Martin each scored 17 points, Nico Carvacho was 7-for-7 shooting for 14 more and Colorado State put away Doane 87-62. The scrappy NAIA Tigers took a 5-3 lead on an Anthony Laravie 3-pointer and didn’t give it up until there were six minutes left in the first half. Even then, Doane twice came within a point of the Rams deep into the second half. That’s when the Rams righted themselves and tore off on a 23-4 run over 9:42 to put the win away.

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) — Jake Hendricks had a season-high 21 points as Wyoming defeated Nebraska Wesleyan 82-68. Hunter Maldonado had 19 points and seven assists for Wyoming (5-9), which snapped its four-game home losing streak. A.J. Banks added 12 points. Kenny Foster had 11 points and eight rebounds for the home team. Wyoming totaled 41 points in the first half, a season best for the team.

Ian Books threw for 247 yards and one touchdown to lead 14th-ranked Notre Dame to a 33-9 victory over Iowa State in the Camping World Bowl. Tony Jones Jr. scored on an 84-yard run and finished with 135 yards rushing. Game MVP Chase Claypool had seven receptions for 146 yards and one TD.

Notre Dame running back Jafar Armstrong (8) rushes for yardage in front of Iowa State linebacker Mike Rose (23) during the first half of the Camping World Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Brock Purdy threw for 222 yards without an interception for Iowa State. The sophomore quarterback was unable to get the Cyclones in the end zone, though, after throwing for 27 touchdowns during the regular season.

WARREN COUNTY, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources say that at around 3:15-p.m. Friday (Dec. 27), the Warren County Sheriff’s Office dispatch received a call about two people that had gone through the ice at Summerset State Park, and were yelling for help.

When Warren County Sheriff’s deputies, Indianola Fire and Rescue and a DNR conservation officer responded to the scene they witnessed that Ryan Nesselroad, of Carlisle, had fallen through the ice, approximately 40 yards from the shore. A second man, Gary Anderson, of Venice, Florida, had also fallen through the ice while attempting to rescue Nesselroad.

Rescue crews used throw bags to rescue Anderson and pull him to shore. Nesselroad was farther out in the lake and was rescued by Indianola Fire and Rescue teams and was suffering from hypothermia. Both men were transported to a Des Moines area hospital to be treated.

The Iowa DNR reminds everyone to beware of ice conditions and depth. Obey all posted signs and any warning flags around lakes. Due to the recent unseasonably warm weather, it is best to avoid going onto lakes and small ponds, especially around the edges where the ice is likely very thin.

Safety Tips on the Ice

• There is no such thing as 100% safe ice.
• New ice is usually stronger than old ice.
• Ice fishing is a social activity, don’t go out alone. If the worst should happen, someone would be there to call for help or to rescue.
• There could be pockets of thin ice or places where ice recently formed, so check ice thickness as you go out.
• Avoid off-colored snow or ice. It is usually a sign of weakness.
• The insulating effect of snow slows down the freezing process.
• Safety items in the bucket: Ice picks, about 50 feet of rope and a throwable floatation seat cushion for use in case of rescue.

The 7:20-a.m. Sportscast with Ric Hanson.

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Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Ihmir Smith-Marsette scored on a 6-yard run, a 98-yard kickoff return and a 12-yard reception to lead No. 19 Iowa to a 49-24 victory over No. 22 Southern California in the Holiday Bowl. Senior Nate Stanley threw two touchdown passes and the Hawkeyes (10-3) won their fourth straight game for their sixth 10-win season in coach Kirk Ferentz’s 21 years. USC freshman quarterback Kedon Slovis, who threw two touchdown passes, was knocked out of the game with an apparent arm injury early in the third quarter. The Trojans (8-5) had their three-game winning streak snapped.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals signed third baseman Maikel Franco to a $2.95 million contract to be their everyday third baseman next season. The deal was agreed to earlier this week and includes up to $1.05 million in incentives. It also means the Royals can use Hunter Dozier, their primary third baseman last season, at first base and in the outfield as they try to keep the young slugger’s bat in the lineup.

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — No. 14 Notre Dame closes another double-digit win season against Iowa State in the Camping World Bowl. The Fighting Irish are a year removed from appearing the College Football Playoff semifinals. They lost two games this season, but are trying to finish on a six-game winning streak. Iowa State lost four games this year by a total of 11 points to teams that finished in the final CFP rankings. The Cyclones are looking for a signature win against Notre Dame.

COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler needs 50 yards Sunday at Kansas City to become at least the fourth running back since the merger to have 1,000 receiving yards in a season. He leads the league in receiving yards and touchdowns by a running back and is second in receptions. Ekeler has been a rare highlight in what has been a disappointing season for the Chargers, who will finish last in the AFC West after going to the playoffs last season.

SAN DIEGO (AP) –  Ihmir Smith-Marsette scored on a 6-yard run, a 98-yard kickoff return and a 12-yard reception to lead No. 19 Iowa to a 49-24 victory over No. 22 Southern California in the Holiday Bowl, Friday night.

Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley looks to throw a pass during the first half of the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game against Southern California, Friday, Dec. 27, 2019, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Orlando Ramirez)

Senior Nate Stanley threw two touchdown passes and the Hawkeyes (10-3) won their fourth straight game for their sixth 10-win season in coach Kirk Ferentz’s 21 years. USC freshman quarterback Kedon Slovis, who threw two touchdown passes, was knocked out of the game with an apparent arm injury early in the third quarter. T

The Trojans (8-5) had their three-game winning streak snapped.

Kennesaw State (1-11) vs. No. 25 Iowa (9-3)
Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City, Iowa; Sunday, 3 p.m. CST

BOTTOM LINE: No. 25 Iowa hosts Kennesaw State in a non-conference matchup. Kennesaw State came up short in an 83-70 game at home to Wofford on Sunday. Iowa is coming off a 77-70 win in Chicago over Cincinnati last week.

TEAM LEADERSHIP: The powerful Luka Garza has put up a double-double (21.5 points and 10.2 rebounds) to lead the way for the Hawkeyes. Joe Wieskamp has complemented Garza and is maintaining an average of 12.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. The Owls have been led by Terrell Burden, who is averaging 10.3 points.GIFTED GARZA: Garza has connected on 40 percent of the 30 3-pointers he’s attempted and has made 3 of 9 over the last three games. He’s also made 63.6 percent of his foul shots this season.

STREAK STATS: Kennesaw State has dropped its last seven road games, scoring 50.6 points and allowing 77.1 points during those contests. Iowa has won its last four home games, scoring an average of 81.8 points while giving up 63.3.

ACCOUNTING FOR ASSISTS: The Hawkeyes have recently created baskets via assists more often than the Owls. Iowa has an assist on 49 of 77 field goals (63.6 percent) across its past three matchups while Kennesaw State has assists on 20 of 53 field goals (37.7 percent) during its past three games.

DID YOU KNOW: Iowa has committed a turnover on just 17.2 percent of its possessions this season, which is the second-lowest percentage among all Big Ten teams. The Hawkeyes have turned the ball over only 12.2 times per game this season.

(Learfield Sports) — The Iowa Hawkeye women open the Big Ten race on Saturday with a visit to Nebraska. The Hawkeyes are 9-2 while the Huskers enter the league race with a record of 10-1.

(That’s) Iowa coach Lisa Bluder [who] feels her team is ready for a tough league race.