MANHATTAN, Kan. -- The threshold for climbing into Kansas State coach Bill Snyders good graces is quite high.Take the case of running back Charles Jones, who earned an uneven grade despite gashing Texas on Saturday because of his goal-line fumble. Or quarterback Jesse Ertz, whose near-flawless first half was followed by a tough second half that drew Snyders infamous ire.That may be why defensive end Jordan Willis has stood out so much.The senior had a pair of sacks in Saturdays 24-21 victory , giving him 22 1/2 for his career and moving him past Monty Beisel for fourth-most in school history. Willis also tied for the team lead with seven tackles, including three for a loss, and batted down a crucial pass at the line of scrimmage.It led to a glowing review from Snyder, no qualifiers involved.Jordan just plays so hard and he prepares exactly that way, the 77-year-old coach said. There is not one-tenth of a second of any snap that he takes that is not the best effort that he can give. I admire him and appreciate him so very much.Thats the flip-side of the high bar that Snyder sets. When you manage to achieve it, the feeling is almost otherworldly -- like a player has somehow qualified for the most exclusive of clubs.Willis has managed to scratch and claw his way in over the past four years.He was a lightly recruited defensive end out of perennial power Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, and wound up choosing the Wildcats over an offer from Indiana and not much else. But he made big strides from the moment he set foot on campus, and even earned playing time as a freshman.That would be another rarity in Snyders program.He still remembers his first sack, too. It was against Iowa State as a freshman and he had gotten into the game in the fourth quarter. It was third down and Willis lost containment on the quarterback, but managed to track him down before he got across the line of scrimmage.It went down as a sack. Willis got bawled out by the coaches on the sideline.That was not only his only sack that season, it was his only tackle. But Willis fought his way into the lineup more as a sophomore, piling up 4 1/2 sacks in 11 games, and added 8 1/2 sacks and 14 tackles for loss last year, when he earned a reputation as one of the Big 12s best pass rushers.Hes made improvement in that area, Snyder said. He just reacts quicker to certain things that have allowed his pass rush to become better. It is a matter of experience again.Perhaps the reason that Willis has been so successful is that his own standard is quite high. And in that respect, he walks lock-step with his hard-to-please coach.I think my pass rush can always be better, he said. There are always small things like pad level that we can improve on, but as a team we need to get better at tackling. ... There were not a lot of communication issues last game, but we can still improve there.We did a lot of good things but there are still some small things we can improve on.The Wildcats (4-3, 2-2) are not a team of star power, like they were with Collin Klein or Tyler Lockett or Darren Sproles in years past. Their offense takes on a decidedly committee-like approach to moving the ball, and their defense is a collection of solid, blue-collar players.As a result, Willis has become one of the few players who have stood out.Yet of all the things that endears him to Snyder, his desire to put the team first might just top the list. Willis has made enough plays that his spot in the Kansas State record book is secure, but he would rather the record ultimately show that his team was a winner.Weve had our ups and downs, he said. Right now, were a team that is doing well and then not so well -- its just a matter of putting it all together. I know Coach Snyder has been speaking about it, so its just a matter of starting the game and finishing the game and doing it all the way. Nick Williams Jersey . After taking two big hits this week -- losing at home and dropping back-to-back games for the first time all season -- Indiana struck back by playing its most complete game of the year. Tug McGraw Jersey . "It doesnt get any better than that," Giambi said. "Im speechless." The Indians are roaring toward October. Giambi belted a two-run, pinch-hit homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give Cleveland a shocking 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, keeping the Indians up with the lead pack in the AL wild-card race. http://www.philliesrookiestore.com/Phillies-Tommy-Hunter-Kids-Jersey/ . Pert has formerly spent time as an assistant coach with Cardiff City, Coventry City, and Bahrain mens national team. "Martyn is a highly-respected coach with experience at the top levels in England," said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. Chase Utley Jersey . Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the Carolina Hurricanes, announced Wednesday that the team would assign Swedish forward Elias Lindholm to his nations team for the upcoming tournament. Lenny Dykstra Jersey . -- Running backs Darren McFadden and Rashad Jennings were back at practice for the Oakland Raiders on Wednesday despite being hampered by hamstring injuries. A look at whats happening all around the majors Thursday:---STRAS STRESSThe Nationals might find out more about ace Stephen Strasburg, a day after he exited in the third inning against Atlanta. He winced on the mound, then left early in his first start since Aug. 17 after being on the disabled list because of soreness in his right elbow.BUGGYThe grounds crew in Cleveland will do its best to keep those irritating insects -- the midges -- from again descending on Progressive Field. The bugs, which notably interrupted a 2007 playoff game when Joba Chamberlain was pitching for the Yankees, were back in the ballpark Wednesday night when the Indians hosted Houston. The same teams finish their series in an afternoon start.CHECK HIMAstros shortstop Carlos Correa is back in Houston for tests on the inflammation in his left shoulder. He felt sore earlier this week and was sent home. Manager A.J. Hinch hopess to have the reigning AL Rookie of Year this weekend when Astros host the Cubs.dddddddddddd Correa is batting .274 with 19 home runs and 90 RBI for wild-card contenders.TAKE IT EASYRoyals catcher Salvador Perez will get another day to rest his ailing right wrist. He was hit by a pitch from the Twins Ervin Santana on Tuesday night and didnt start Wednesday. Kansas City is off Thursday, and manager Ned Yost hopes to have the World Series MVP behind the plate Friday night in Chicago vs. the White Sox.SECOND TIMERays righty Alex Cobb makes his second start since returning from Tommy John surgery, pitching against CC Sabathia at Yankee Stadium. Cobb was out of the majors last year and came back last week, giving up two runs in five innings against Toronto in a no-decision. ' ' '