Sports Update: Thursday, November 2nd

The Texas Rangers secured their first-ever World Series championship with a commanding 5-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 5. This victory gave the Rangers a 4-1 series win, making them the new World Series champions.

In high school football, the opening round of the playoffs continued with the Class 5A matchup between the Pulaski Co. Maroons (3-7) and the West Jessamine Colts (6-4). The Maroons had the upper hand in recent meetings, winning the last five matchups, including a 53-35 playoff victory against the Colts last season. The game kicked off at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday night NFL featured a clash between the Tennessee Titans (3-4) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3), with the game airing on Prime Video at 8:15 p.m.

In college basketball, the Kentucky Wildcats squared off against the Kentucky State University Thoroughbreds at Rupp Arena for the final exhibition game of the preseason. The game tipped off at 7 p.m and was broadcast on SEC Network Plus.

The sports world also mourned the loss of Hall of Fame basketball coach Bobby Knight, who passed away at the age of 83. Knight had a legendary coaching career, leading the Indiana Hoosiers to three NCAA championships.

Friday’s high school football action featured Class 2A Playoffs, where the Owen Co. Rebels (5-5) faced the Somerset Briar Jumpers (7-3) for the first time. Somerset was coming off a close 22-21 loss to Glasgow, while the Rebels lost their regular season finale 24-0 to Walton-Verona. Live coverage commenced at 6:45 p.m, with the kickoff at 7:30 p.m, airing on Somerset 106.1 FM and Somerset106.com. Additionally, the Class 5A Playoffs included a game between the East Jessamine Jaguars (2-8) and the Southwestern Warriors (7-3), with the kickoff at 7:30 p.m.

On Saturday in college football, the Kentucky Wildcats (5-3/2-3 SEC) took on the Mississippi State Bulldogs (4-4/1-4 SEC). The Wildcats were seeking to break a three-game losing streak, while the Bulldogs were coming off a 27-13 road loss to Auburn. Kentucky won the most recent meeting between these teams, with a 27-17 victory in Lexington last season. However, the Wildcats had struggled in Starkville, where they last won in 2008. The game kicked off at 7:30 p.m on SEC Network.

Simultaneously, the WKU Hilltoppers (4-4/2-2 CUSA) played the UTEP Miners (3-6/2-3 CUSA) in El Paso, Texas. WKU held a 3-0 lead in the all-time series, winning the last encounter 40-16 against the Miners in Bowling Green. The Hilltoppers were coming off a 42-29 loss at home to the Liberty Flames, while the Miners secured a 37-34 victory at Sam Houston State the previous week. Live coverage began at 8 p.m, with a kickoff at 9 p.m ET on WTLO AM 1480/97.7 FM and ESPN Plus.

Sunday Night Football featured the Cincinnati Bengals (4-3) hosting the Buffalo Bills (5-3). The Bengals were fresh from an impressive 31-17 road win against the San Francisco 49ers, while the Bills defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24-18. Buffalo led the all-time series 17-16, but the Bengals had won five of the last seven matchups, including a 27-10 victory against Buffalo last season in the Divisional Playoff. Cincinnati had a 3-17 all-time record in Sunday night football games, with live coverage beginning at 7 p.m and the kickoff at 8:20 p.m. The game was broadcast on WTLO AM 1480/97.7 FM and nationally on NBC.