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

DENVER (AP) — Broncos quarterback Drew Lock has a sunny personality but he’s embracing the bad guy image this weekend when his hometown Kansas City Chiefs visit Denver for a game likely in the snow. Lock compared himself to Darth Vader and said it’s a role he’s glad to handle as the Broncos try to snap a nine-game losing streak to the defending champs. Lock says he’s not shy to wear Broncos gear when he’s back in Kansas City. A victory over Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs this weekend would make it a whole lot easier for him to strut around town next offseason.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The regression was almost inevitable after Patrick Mahomes put up record-setting numbers during his first season as the Kansas City Chiefs’ starting quarterback, highlighted by nearly 5,100 yards passing and 50 touchdown throws. At least, a regression in raw statistics. Much to the chagrin of fantasy football fans, though, games are not won and lost purely on numbers. And there are plenty of reasons to believe that Mahomes has actually progressed since his second year in the league, and taken an especially big jump since last season, when he merely led the Chiefs to their first Super Bowl championship in five decades.

UNDATED (AP) — College football Saturdays this season have mostly been over by around midnight Eastern. Maybe 12:30 a.m. West of Texas, the only FBS program that has been up and running is BYU in Provo, Utah. That comes to end this weekend with the kickoff of the Mountain West season, which has been overshadowed by the much-anticipated start of the Big Ten. The marquee matchups on opening weekend include Mountain West favorite and defending champion Boise State hosting Utah State. There is also a showdown in the Big 12 and another overlooked team that is playing its first game of the season.

UNDATED (AP) — Iowa State drew national attention by beating Oklahoma. The 17th-ranked Cyclones could take perhaps a bigger step when they visit Oklahoma State. With a win, it would be the first time Iowa State opens the season with four conference wins. For all the improvement under coach Matt Campbell, the Cyclones have yet to play in a Big 12 Championship Game. Iowa State and No. 6 Oklahoma State will enter their game as two of three unbeaten teams in the Big 12, so a victory would put the Cyclones in an unusual and enviable position in the conference race.

UNDATED (AP) — Purdue offensive coordinator Brian Brohm went through his usual practice routine. He met with his older brother, Jeff, worked on scripts and prepared as best he could for Saturday’s season opener against Iowa. It’s game day that will be different. With Jeff Brohm isolating after two positive tests Sunday confirmed he had contracted COVID-19, it’s the other Brohm who will move from the coaches’ booth to field and try to make all the right calls against the Hawkeyes vaunted defense.