TUESDAY SPORTS, OCTOBER 20, 2026
MITCHELL KERNELS
— Mitchell Kernels volleyball hosts Aberdeen Central on Tuesday at 7 pm on KORN News Radio. The Kernels are 8-11 on the season and are currently the No. 12 seed in Class AA with four matches left in the regular season.
— Mitchell Kernels football closes the regular season on Thursday at Huron 3:30 p.m.
— Mitchell Kernels cross country competes at the Class AA state meet on Saturday in Rapid City.
DAKOTA WESLEYAN.
— Dakota Wesleyan linebacker Jestin Bayer has been named the GPAC Defensive Player of the Week. The redshirt junior had 11 tackles, two sacks and his first career interception in the Tigers’ 20-13 road win over Hastings on Saturday. Bayer leads DWU with 66 tackles this season and ranks second on the team with 4.5 sacks. The 4-4 Tigers are off this week before hosting No. 19 Northwestern on Oct. 31 at Joe Quintal Field in Mitchell.
— 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.
— Dakota Wesleyan football have a bye this week before hosting Northwestern on Saturday, Oct. 31.
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
— The South Dakota State vs. USD football game will kick off at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31 at Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings. The Halloween matchup will air nationally on ESPNU. Both teams enter the rivalry game ranked in the top 10 nationally in the FCS. South Dakota State is 5-2 overall, while South Dakota is 6-2. The Coyotes won last year’s meeting 24-17 in Vermillion, while the Jackrabbits won the last matchup in Brookings 20-17 in overtime.
— 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 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.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
— The Minnesota Vikings have opened the practice window for running back Jordan Mason to return from injured reserve after missing the last four games with a broken thumb. Mason suffered the injury in the Sept. 13 season opener against Green Bay. The Vikings expect him to return after the minimum four-game absence. Mason led Minnesota with 758 rushing yards and six touchdowns last season. The unbeaten Vikings are 5-0 and host Indianapolis on Sunday.
MLB PLAYOFFS
— The Tampa Bay Rays are headed to the World Series after beating the Cleveland Guardians 7-3 in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series. Yandy Díaz and Junior Caminero each hit two-run homers, while Freddy Peralta allowed one run over 5 1/3 innings. Peralta was named series MVP. Tampa Bay will face the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 Friday night in Milwaukee. Both teams are seeking their first World Series championship.
— 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.
NFL
— San Francisco remains undefeated after beating Washington 23-17 on Monday night. Brock Purdy threw for 264 yards and a touchdown, while Christian McCaffrey ran for two scores as the 49ers improved to 6-0. San Francisco built a 20-point lead before Jayden Daniels threw two second-half touchdowns to bring the Commanders within six. The 49ers defense sealed the win with a fourth-down pass breakup near the goal line and a sack on Washington’s final play.
— Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is expected to miss the rest of the season after blood clots were found in his lungs. The Eagles say Hurts has deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary emboli and is being treated with blood thinners. The team expects him to make a full recovery. Philadelphia has lost four straight games and is 2-4. Tanner McKee started Sunday in a 25-14 loss to Carolina.
— The Indianapolis Colts have fired general manager Chris Ballard after a 2-4 start and a 26-20 loss to previously winless Tennessee on Sunday. Ballard had led the team’s personnel decisions since 2017, but Indianapolis has missed the playoffs five straight seasons. The Colts visit the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
— The Los Angeles Rams will be without wide receiver Davante Adams for six to 10 weeks because of a significant hamstring injury. Coach Sean McVay said Monday that defensive tackle Poona Ford also will miss the rest of the season with a ruptured triceps. Defensive tackle Kobie Turner is headed to injured reserve with a groin injury, while kicker Blake Grupe is out for the season with a knee injury. The Rams have lost three of their last four games and are 2-4 on the season.
— The NFL has suspended Buffalo Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson for one game without pay after he spit toward Raiders players during Sunday’s game. Gardner-Johnson was ejected in the second quarter of Buffalo’s 33-30 win and apologized to his teammates and fans. The suspension runs from Oct. 26 through Nov. 2, following the Bills’ bye week.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
— Florida is the top-ranked team in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 men’s college basketball poll. The Gators received 47 of 59 first-place votes. Duke is second with 10 first-place votes, followed by Illinois. UConn and Arizona round out the top five. Michigan State is seventh, Kansas is 18th and Kentucky is 23rd. Vanderbilt returns to the preseason rankings for the first time since 2015, at No. 24.
WNBA
— Angel Reese scored 30 points and grabbed 16 rebounds as the Atlanta Dream beat the Golden State Valkyries 79-65 in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals, evening the best-of-seven series at one game apiece. Atlanta held Golden State to 34% shooting. Game 3 is on Wednesday in Atlanta, with the next two games moved to State Farm Arena to accommodate more fans.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
— The U.S. Air Force has identified Tech. Sgt. Ian Patterson as the airman who died after falling while rappelling from the rafters of the Alamodome in San Antonio. Patterson, a 15-year military veteran from Georgia, was participating in a pregame demonstration before Saturday’s college football game between Navy and UTSA. He was taken to a hospital, where he died. The game was delayed about 10 minutes and continued. The Air Force says an investigation is underway.
— The SEC has fined Tennessee $500,000 for allowing fans to storm the field after the Volunteers’ 26-10 victory over Alabama on Saturday. The fine will be paid to Alabama under SEC policy. The conference can reduce the penalty to $100,000 if Tennessee proves it made a full effort to prevent the field rush, with few fans entering the field and minimal interaction with the visiting team. The incident continues a streak of 11 consecutive field stormings following an Alabama road loss, dating to 2013.
NBA
— The Charlotte Hornets have agreed to a five-year contract extension worth $209 million with forward Brandon Miller. The 23-year-old has averaged 19 points, 4.6 rebounds and three assists per game during his first three NBA seasons. Miller averaged 20.2 points per game last season. The second overall pick in the 2023 draft is expected to take on a larger scoring role after Charlotte traded LaMelo Ball to Minnesota.
Detroit Pistons vs. Boston Celtics, 2 pm on NBC
New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 6 pm on NBC
San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, 8:30 pm on NBC
HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL POLL – MONDAY, OCTOBER 20
CLASS AA
1. Harrisburg (12), 19-4, 64
2. Brandon Valley (1), 17-5, 53
3. Sioux Falls Lincoln, 12-4, 27
4. Watertown, 12-6, 22
5. Sioux Falls Washington, 13-5, 15
RECEIVING: O’Gorman 11, Rapid City Stevens 3.
CLASS A
1. Sioux Falls Christian (13), 22-8, 65
2. Dell Rapids, 21-3, 52
3. Dakota Valley, 20-10, 37
4. Clark/Willow Lake, 20-1, 26
5. St. Thomas More, 27-7, 13
RECEIVING: Hamlin 2.
Class B
1. Warner (12), 27-3, 64
2. Chester (1), 21-4, 51
3. Bennett County, 28-1, 37
4. Colman-Egan, 22-3, 24
5. Gayville-Volin, 28-2, 9
RECEIVING: Northwestern 7, Dell Rapids St. Mary 2, Harding County 1.
HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL – TUESDAY
Parkston vs. Bon Homme
Kimball/White Lake vs. Platte-Geddes
Lennox vs. McCook Central/Montrose
Gregory vs. Mt. Vernon/Plankinton
Corsica-Stickney vs. Avon
Sanborn Central/Woonsocket vs. Hitchcock-Tulare
Menno vs. Andes Central/Dakota Christian
James Valley Christian vs. Wessington Springs
Winner vs. Wagner
No. 1 SF Christian vs. No. 1 Harrisburg
No. 5 SF Washington vs. No. 2 Brandon Valley
O’Gorman vs. No. 3 SF Lincoln
Pierre vs. No. 4 Watertown
Brookings vs. SF Roosevelt
SF Jefferson vs. Tea Area
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.
CLASS 11B
1. Elk Point-Jefferson (15), 8-0, 99
2. St. Thomas More (6), 8-0, 90
3. Clark/Willow Lake, 9-0, 62
4. Winner, 7-1, 42
5. Deuel, 6-2, 16.
RECEIVING VOTES: Rapid City Christian 4, McCook Central/Montrose 1, Wagner 1.
CLASS 9AA
1. Parkston (21), 8-0, 105
2. Platte-Geddes, 7-1, 80
3. Hamlin, 7-1, 67
4. Britton-Hecla, 7-1, 40
5. Garretson, 6-2, 14.
Others receiving votes: Waubay/Summit 9.
CLASS 9A
1. Freeman (20), 8-0, 104
2. Castlewood (1), 8-0, 84
3. Timber Lake, 8-0, 57
4. Sully Buttes, 7-1, 34
5. Centerville, 6-2, 16.
RECEIVING VOTES: Bennett County 11, Howard 8, Kimball/White Lake 1.
CLASS 9B
1. Dell Rapids St. Mary (14), 8-0, 98
2. Wall (7), 8-0, 90
3. Warner, 8-0, 61
4. Avon, 6-2, 42
5. Hitchcock-Tulare, 7-1, 23.
RECEIVING VOTES: Colman-Egan 1.
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)