WEDNESDAY SPORTS, OCTOBER 21, 2026
MITCHELL KERNELS
— Mitchell Kernels volleyball lost 3-1 (25-18, 23-25, 25-22, 25-23) on Tuesday night vs. Aberdeen Central to fall to 8-12 on the season. The Kernels had a 10-0 run in the fourth set to take a 20-19 lead after trailing 19-10. The Golden Eagles improved to 13-9 on the season. Mitchell freshman Nia Talley had 15 kills along with five digs, while Lauryn Burckhard led Aberdeen Central with 14 kills. The Kernels are back in action on Tuesday at No. 2 Brandon Valley.
— Mitchell Kernels football closes the regular season on Thursday at Huron 3:30 p.m. The loser will likely be the No. 8 seed in the Class AA playoffs next week and travel to face No. 1 Pierre. The winner is the likely No. 7 seed and would face either Tea Area or Yankton.
— Mitchell Kernels cross country competes at the Class AA state meet on Saturday in Rapid City.
DAKOTA WESLEYAN.
— Dakota Wesleyan senior forward Hannah Petrucci is the GPAC women’s soccer offensive player of the week. Petrucci scored nine goals and added an assist in two home victories. Petrucci set a school record with seven goals in an 11-1 win over Waldorf, then scored twice in a 6-0 victory over Midland. She leads the Tigers with 16 goals through 12 games.
— Dakota Wesleyan soccer will be at Morningside on Wednesday with the men’s match at 5:30 pm, followed by the women at 8 pm.
— Dakota Wesleyan volleyball will be at Dordt on Saturday at 3 pm. The Tigers are currently seventh in the GPAC with a 6-6 conference record and 17-7 overall.
— Dakota Wesleyan football has a bye this week before hosting Northwestern on Saturday, Oct. 31. The Tigers are 4-4 overall and 4-3 in the GPAC, fifth in the conference.
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
— South Dakota State football is ranked fifth and USD eighth in the first in-season FCS selection committee rankings. The Missouri Valley Football Conference has four teams in the top 10, including Youngstown State at No. 3 and North Dakota at No. 6. Montana State leads the rankings, followed by unbeaten Tarleton State. USD and North Dakota meet Saturday in Vermillion, while the Jackrabbits host Murray State before facing the Coyotes on Oct. 31 in Brookings. The committee’s final in-season rankings will be released Nov. 5.
— South Dakota State’s men’s golf team rallied from an 11-stroke deficit to tie for first at the Zach Johnson Invitational in Des Moines. The Jackrabbits shot 11-under-par in Tuesday’s final round to finish at 12-under for the tournament, tying for the second-best 54-hole score in program history. Jake Olson of Watertown won the individual title at eight-under 205, matching the school record for a 54-hole tournament. It’s SDSU’s first team victory at a non-home, non-dual tournament since winning the Summit League championship in 2017. The Jackrabbits return to action in late February.
— South Dakota State middle blocker Taylor Byl is the Summit League’s Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week. The redshirt sophomore from Sioux Falls recorded 15 blocks in two matches, averaging 1.6 blocks per set. Byl had eight blocks and seven kills against North Dakota State, then added seven blocks in a four-set win over North Dakota. It’s the first defensive weekly honor of her career.
— South Dakota State football hosts Murray State on Saturday for Hobo Day at 2 pm.
— South Dakota State volleyball faces USD on Friday night at 7 pm in Brookings.
— South Dakota State women’s soccer hosts USD on Thursday at 6 p.m. in Brookings.
SOUTH DAKOTA
— USD quarterback Austyn Modrzewski has been named to the 30-player watch list for the Jerry Rice Award, given to the top freshman in FCS football. The redshirt freshman has thrown for 1,734 yards and 22 touchdowns through eight games, completing 66% of his passes. His 22 touchdown passes rank tied for second nationally in the FCS.
— USD middle blocker Morgan Bode is the Summit League’s Offensive Player of the Week, earning the honor for the first time in her career. The sophomore recorded 28 kills, 13 blocks and two aces in matches against North Dakota and North Dakota State, hitting .436 and averaging 3.1 kills per set. Bode had a season-high 15 kills and nine blocks in a win over North Dakota, then added 14 kills in a five-set victory over North Dakota State. It’s the third straight week a Coyote has earned a Summit League weekly honor.
— USD football hosts North Dakota on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the DakotaDome.
— USD volleyball face South Dakota State on Friday at 7 p.m. in Brookings.
— USD women’s soccer visits South Dakota State on Thursday in Brookings.
NBA
— The Philadelphia 76ers opened their season with a 106-100 win over the defending champion New York Knicks. Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 28 points, while Jaylen Brown had 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists in his debut with the team. LeBron James added 14 points, nine rebounds and six assists as he began his record 24th NBA season. Joel Embiid contributed 13 points and 11 rebounds. Jalen Brunson led New York with 21 points.
— Oklahoma City started its season with a 116-104 win over San Antonio. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 32 points, while Jared McCain added 20. Victor Wembanyama struggled for the Spurs, shooting 1-for-13 from the field and finishing with 12 points. The teams last met in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals, when the Spurs eliminated the defending champions.
— The Detroit Pistons rallied to beat the Boston Celtics 121-113 in the NBA season opener Tuesday. Paul George scored 38 points, setting a Celtics record for points in a debut, as Boston built a 22-point lead early in the third quarter. Detroit fought back behind 22 points from Cade Cunningham and 19 from Javonte Green. Jalen Duren also scored 22 points for the Pistons.
— The Minnesota Timberwolves have signed forward Jaden McDaniels to a one-year, $40 million contract extension that runs through the 2029-30 season. McDaniels averaged career highs of 14.8 points per game and 41% shooting from 3-point range last season. The 25-year-old is also Minnesota’s top perimeter defender and earned NBA All-Defensive second-team honors in 2024.
— The NBA says its planned European basketball league will represent the biggest investment ever in the sport in Europe. The league remains on track to launch in October 2027, with investments in player development, arenas and league operations. The format would include permanent franchises and opportunities for other clubs to qualify through competition. EuroLeague owners recently rejected an initial merger proposal, but the NBA and international governing body FIBA say they remain hopeful of reaching an agreement.
Miami Heat vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, 6:30 pm on ESPN
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors, 9 pm on ESPN
NFL
— The NFL is defending the Philadelphia Eagles’ handling of quarterback Jalen Hurts’ blood clots, while the NFL Players Association is calling for a full investigation. Hurts is expected to miss the rest of the season after a blood clot in his left calf traveled to his lungs. The league’s chief medical officer says the Eagles’ medical staff acted cautiously and appropriately. The players’ union says a review is necessary to establish the facts and ensure player safety. Hurts is on injured reserve and will require blood thinners, which prevent him from participating in football activities.
— The NFL says heightened security measures will be in place for Sunday’s game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints in Paris, following violent civil unrest across France last weekend. League officials are working with French authorities and the U.S. State Department to protect players and fans. The NFL says the game in France has never been in danger of being canceled. The league is also considering expanding to 10 international games next season, with Asia among the potential new destinations.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
— Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin will miss an indefinite amount of time after injuring his throwing arm against Indiana on Saturday. Head coach Ryan Day said the third-ranked Buckeyes are preparing for the possibility Sayin could miss the rest of the season, including the playoffs. Freshmen Luke Fahey and Tavien St. Clair will compete for the starting job during Ohio State’s bye week. The Buckeyes return to action Oct. 31 at USC. Ohio State is 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the Big Ten.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
— South Carolina is No. 1 in the Associated Press preseason women’s college basketball Top 25. The Gamecocks received 23 first-place votes, followed by UConn at No. 2, USC third, Duke fourth and Michigan fifth. Defending national champion UCLA is 11th. The Big Ten leads all conferences with a record nine teams ranked in the preseason poll.
MLB
— Major League Baseball’s qualifying offer for free agents is increasing 5% to $23.1 million this offseason, up from just over $22 million last year. The amount is based on the average salary of the top 125 major league contracts. Eligible players include Seattle outfielder Randy Arozarena, Minnesota catcher Ryan Jeffers and Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki. Players have one week to accept a qualifying offer, and teams can receive draft-pick compensation when qualifying free agents sign elsewhere.
HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL – TUESDAY
Parkston 3, Bon Homme 0 – Keeara Oakley with 18 kills for Parkston.
Kimball/White Lake vs. Platte-Geddes
Lennox 3, McCook Central/Montrose 0
Mt. Vernon/Plankinton 3, Gregory 0
Avon 3, Corsica-Stickney 2 – Rilyn Thury with 28 assists and 25 digs for Avon. Kaydence Metzger added 17 kills and 30 digs, while Brielle Voigt had 53 assists.
Sanborn Central/Woonsocket 3, Hitchcock-Tulare 1 – Addison Bartholow with 18 kills and 13 digs for SCW.
Andes Central/Dakota Christian 3, Menno 2
James Valley Christian vs. Wessington Springs
Wagner 3, Winner 2 – Hannah Holzbauer with 22 kills and 24 digs for Wagner.
No. 1 Harrisburg 3, No. 1 SF Christian 1
No. 2 Brandon Valley 3, No. 5 SF Washington 0
No. 3 SF Lincoln 3, O’Gorman 1
No. 4 Watertown 3, Pierre 0
Brookings 3, SF Roosevelt 0
SF Jefferson 3, Tea Area 0
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL POLL – OCTOBER 20, WEEK 9
CLASS 11AAA
1. Sioux Falls Jefferson (21), 8-0, 105
2. Sioux Falls Lincoln, 6-2, 79
3. Brandon Valley, 6-2, 63
4. Harrisburg, 5-3, 37
5. O’Gorman, 5-3, 31.
CLASS 11AA
1. Pierre (21), 8-0, 105
2. Tea Area, 6-2, 80
3. Yankton, 6-2, 63
4. Watertown, 5-3, 44
5. Sturgis, 5-3, 22.
RECEIVING VOTES: Spearfish 1.
CLASS 11A
1. Sioux Falls Christian (21), 8-0, 105
2. West Central, 7-1, 83
3. Lennox, 6-2, 62
4. Canton, 6-2, 44
5. Dell Rapids, 5-3, 21.
The Class 11B playoffs start on Thursday, Oct. 22nd, with the championship game set for Friday, Nov. 13 at 10 am at the DakotaDome in Vermillion.
1. Elk Point-Jefferson (8-0) vs. 16. Parker/Marion (1-7)
8. McCook Central/Montrose (5-3) vs. 9. Chamberlain (4-4)
4. Winner (7-1) vs. 13. Groton Area (4-4)
5. Deuel (6-2) vs. 12. Beresford (4-4)
2. St. Thomas More (8-0) vs. 15. Mt. Vernon/Plankinton (2-6)
7. Rapid City Christian (6-2) vs. 10. Sioux Valley (4-4)
3. Clark/Willow Lake (9-0) vs. 14. Mobridge-Pollock (4-4)
6. Wagner (6-2) vs. 11. Hot Springs (4-4)
The Class 9AA playoffs start on Thursday, Oct. 22nd, with the championship game set for Thursday, Nov. 12 at 7 pm at the DakotaDome in Vermillion.
1. Parkston (8-0) vs. 16. Hill City (2-6) – Q107.3
8. Bon Homme (4-4) vs. Viborg-Hurley (4-4)
4. Britton-Hecla (7-1) vs. 13. Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan (2-6)
5. Waubay/Summit (7-1) vs. 12. Sioux Falls Lutheran (3-5)
2. Hamlin (7-1) vs. 15. Stanley County (2-6)
7. Great Plains Lutheran (6-2) vs. 10. Lead-Deadwood (4-4)
3. Platte-Geddes (7-1) vs. 14. Hanson (3-5) – KORN Country 92.1
6. Garretson (6-2) vs. 11. Baltic (4-4)
The Class 9A playoffs start on Thursday, Oct. 22nd, with the championship game set for Thursday, Nov. 12 at 1 pm at the DakotaDome in Vermillion.
1. Timber Lake (8-0) vs. 16. Elkton-Lake Benton (3-5)
8. Kimball/White Lake (5-3) vs. Faulkton Area (5-3)
4. Sully Buttes (7-1) vs. 13. Corsica-Stickney (5-3)
5. Bennett County (7-1) vs. 12. Lyman (4-4)
2. Freeman (8-0) vs. 15. Scotland/Menno (4-4)
7. Howard (6-2) vs. 10. Philip (5-3)
3. Castlewood (8-0) vs. 14. Ipswich (4-4)
6. Centerville (6-2) vs. 11. De Smet (4-4)
The Class 9B playoffs start on Thursday, Oct. 22nd, with the championship game set for Thursday, Nov. 12 at 10 am at the DakotaDome in Vermillion.
1. Wall (8-0) vs. 16. Jones County (2-6)
8. Herreid/Selby Area (4-4) vs. Deubrook Area (4-4)
4. Avon (6-2) vs. 13. Iroquois/Lake Preston (3-5)
5. Hitchcock-Tulare (7-1) vs. 12. Wolsey-Wessington (3-5)
2. Dell Rapids St. Mary’s (8-0) vs. 15. Irene-Wakonda (3-5)
7. Oldham-Ramona-Rutland (6-2) vs. 10. Kadoka Area (3-5)
3. Warner (8-0) vs. 14. Northwestern (3-5)
6. Colman-Egan (6-2) vs. 11. Gettysburg (4-4)