LOPER FOOTBALL OPENS SEASON AT HOME
The 115th football season in Nebraska-Kearney history kicks off tonight when the Lopers host the Missouri Southern State Lions at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field.
The game kicks off at 7 p.m. and could feature some inclimate weather with rain and wind in the evening forecast.
The Lopers are beyond a veteran team as they have 37 players who’ve been a part of the program for at least four years. That includes eight graduate students, eight “super” seniors, eight redshirt seniors, and thirteen redshirt juniors. By way of contrast, Missouri Southern has 61 true or redshirt freshmen on its roster.
UNK leads the all-time series, 11-7, and has taken three straight over the Lions. This will be the third time in four years the two have met on opening night, the Lopers winning 45-0 in 2018 and 39-27 in 2019.
HUSKER VOLLEYBALL READY FOR AMERITAS PLAYER CHALLENGE
The fourth-ranked Nebraska volleyball team (2-0) plays host to the Ameritas Players Challenge this weekend, Sept. 3-4, at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The Huskers open Friday with Omaha (1-1) at 11 a.m., followed by Georgia (2-1) that evening at 6 p.m. The tournament concludes Saturday with Arizona State (2-1) in a 6 p.m. finale.
Nebraska’s matches vs. Omaha and Arizona State will be streamed on Big Ten Network+. The match vs. Georgia will be televised on BTN.
Over his 29-year coaching career, John Cook is 1-0 vs. Omaha, 3-1 vs. Georgia and 1-0 vs. Arizona State.
HUSKER BASKETBALL SET OPENING NIGHT FOR OCTOBER
Fans will get their first opportunity to see the 2021-22 Nebraska men’s and women’s basketball team on Friday, Oct. 1, with the return of Opening Night with Husker Hoops at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
The event, which is free to the public, will feature introductions of both teams, remarks from Head Coaches Fred Hoiberg and Amy Williams, a scrimmage by the Husker men and more. The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. with PBA doors opening at 6:30 p.m.
MEMORIAL STADIUM STRONGLY ENCOURAGES MASK USAGE SATURDAY
In accordance with the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department’s latest directed health measure, Nebraska Athletics and university leaders have reinstituted a mask mandate for all indoor spaces in athletic venues. Fans attending football home games against Fordham are strongly encouraged to wear an appropriate facial covering, on campus property. In Memorial Stadium, masks are required in restrooms; elevators; common indoor premium spaces; hallways and lobbies on the suite level. In addition, masks are strongly encouraged in concourse spaces, lobby entrances, suites and all outdoor seating areas.
BOOTLE SIGNS WITH KANSAS CITY PRACTICE SQUAD
Former Husker defensive back DiCaprio Bootle signed with the three time defending AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs practice squad late Wednesday. The undrafted free agent was one of the final cuts of the Chiefs 53 man roster, but will remain a part of the organization as a member of the 12 man practice squad.
LOPER MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY TEAM NATIONALLY RANKED
The UNK Men’s Cross Country team has earned national recognition, as the team is tied for 27th nationally and ranked fourth in the Central Region by the U.S. Track and Field Association and Cross Country Coaches Association.
These are the first rankings of the year and will be released every Tuesday (region) and Wednesday (national) throughout the fall starting Sept. 14.
The Lopers are home Friday night (Sept. 3) at Meadowlark Hills G.C. The men’s 6k starts around 7:30 with a women’s 4k beginning at 7 p.m. Live results will be available at www.heartlandtiming.com.
Local Results & Schedules:
THIS WEEK IN LOCAL SPORTS:
THURSDAY:
- Kearney High Boys Tennis v. Lincoln Southwest @ Harmon Park – 4 PM
- Kearney High Softball @ Lincoln High – 5 PM
- Kearney High Volleyball @ Lincoln Southwest – 6:30 PM
- Kearney Catholic Girls Golf @ GICC Invite – 9 AM
- Kearney Catholic Boys Tennis @ Adams Central – 4 PM
- Kearney Catholic Softball @ Twin River Triangular – 4:30 PM
- Kearney Catholic Cross Country @ Lexington Invite – 5 PM
- Kearney Catholic Volleyball @ Hershey – 5 PM
- UNK Loper Football v. Missouri Southern – 7 PM.
FRIDAY:
- Kearney High Girls Golf @ Grand Island Invite – 9 AM
- Kearney High Football @ Omaha Burke – 7 PM
- Kearney Catholic Boys Tennis @ Crete Invite
- Kearney Catholic Football @ Gothenburg
- UNK Volleyball @ Molloy College Invite, v. Molloy College – 11 AM
- UNK Volleyball @ Molloy College Invite v. American Internation – 3 PM
SATURDAY:
- Kearney High Cross Country @ Omaha Walnut Grove Park – 8 AM
- Kearney High Softball @ Norfolk Invite – 9 AM
- Kearney High Boys Tennis Invite @ Harmon Park – 9 AM
- UNK Volleyball @ Molloy College Invite v. Wilmington U. – 8 AM
- UNK Volleyball @ Molloy College Invite v. Gannon U. – 2 PM
