Wednesday Afternoon Sports – Stille Named Award Semifinalist, Husker Baseball Recruiting in Top 20, Blackshirts Prepare for Northwestern

BEN STILLE NAMED TO WILLIAM V. CAMPBELL AWARD SEMIFINALIST

Nebraska defensive lineman Ben Stille was announced Wednesday as a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, awarded each year by the National Football Foundation to the nation’s top football scholar-athlete.

It is the second consecutive year Stille has been Nebraska’s nominee for the award. The NFF on Oct. 27 will announce 12 to 14 finalists, each of whom will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship. The winner will be unveiled in Las Vegas on Dec. 7, and his scholarship will be boosted to $25,000.

HUSKER BASEBALL RECRUITING CLASS NAMED TO TOP 20

The Nebraska baseball program received more recognition for its 2021 recruiting class this week, as NU was ranked 20th nationally by Perfect Game and 36th by Collegiate Baseball.

Nebraska is the only Big Ten program included in the top 25 of the Perfect Game list. It marks the Huskers’ second inclusion in Perfect Game’s top 25, joining the 2014 class, which was 25th.

UNK ATHLETICS STARTING HARLON HILL CAMPAIGN FOR DAVIS

From a post from the UNK Athletics social media accounts, UNK Football’s TJ Davis has appeared to gain interest for the Harlon Hill Trophy, or the D2 equivalent of the Heisman trophy.

Davis has led two consecutive game-winning drives against Washburn and Central Missouri, capped by touchdown runs by Davis in the final minute of each contest. 

Davis is currently 2nd among all players in rushing touchdowns and atop the rushing yards and rushing touchdowns this season.

HUSKER VOLLEYBALL PREPARES FOR BIG TEN WEEKEND

The No. 12 Nebraska volleyball team continues its three-match home stand with Michigan this Friday at 6 p.m. at the Devaney Center. The match will be televised on Big Ten Network.

Nebraska squares off with Michigan State on Sunday, Oct. 3, with first serve set for 3 p.m. at the Devaney Center. The match will be televised on Big Ten Network.

NEBRASKA BASEBALL PICKS UP SCRIMMAGE FOR SATURDAY

The Nebraska baseball team will hold an intrasquad scrimmage that is open to the public this Saturday, Oct. 2 at Noon at Hawks Field at Haymarket Park. Admission will be free of charge.

The scrimmage replaces a fall exhibition game with Wichita State, which was canceled Tuesday morning in accordance with COVID-19 protocols due to issues within the Shocker program.

The exhibition game against the Shockers will not be rescheduled.

NU will hold its annual Red/White Series fall scrimmages Oct. 11-13 at Hawks Field, with game times determined in the coming weeks.

NSAA OFFICIAL APPRECIATION WEEK

Monday started the NSAA Officials Appreciation Week, which runs Sept. 27 through Oct. 2.

With the intense scrutiny of officials and the looming officials shortage, it is important to show appreciation and respect for these women and men who give their time to our student-athletes so they can participate.

All week, the NSAA, NSAA member schools and anyone wanting to show their appreciation for officials can use #NSAARespectTheRef on social media and tag @nsaahome on Twitter to share what they are doing to “respect the ref”.

CHINANDER – DEFENSE NOT POINTING FINGERS

The Blackshirts have had a tremendous start to the season stifling some of college football’s top offenses. 

Defensive Coordinator Erik Chinander spoke to the media after Tuesday’s practice and added that his defense’s effort has not shown up in the win column, but that his players refuse to point the blame elsewhere…

The Blackshirts look to help the Huskers break a two game losing streak as Nebraska takes on Northwestern Saturday night.

CHINANDER – DEFENSE TRUSTS FROST GAMEPLAN

Defensive Coordinator Erik Chinander spoke to the media after Tuesday’s practice. His Blackshirts have faced different offenses throughout the early parts of the season, and Chinander adds that the Blackshirts have so far trusted Head Coach Scott Frost’s gameplan in each contest…

Chinander had added in previous weeks that the defense thrives when being put on the field first to shut down an opponent’s first offensive possession

CHINANDER – OFFENSE CAN HELP KEEP DEFENSE FRESH

Defensive Coordinator of the Huskers Erik Chinander was asked about how the Huskers offense can help the Blackshirts defense. Chinander added that keeping the defense off the field helps in creating advantages later on…

Chinander added that the defense is looking to be opportunistic in creating turnovers as well.

CHINANDER – PREVIEW NORTHWESTERN OFFENSE

Defensive Coordinator Erik Chinander previewed the Northwestern Offense during Tuesday’s post-practice press conference…

The Blackshirts held Michigan State to only one first down after halftime in last week’s contest at Michigan State.

LUBICK – EFFORT HAS BEEN UPBEAT

The Huskers, now at 2-3 on the season, come into their homecoming contest with Northwestern on a two game losing streak. 

Offensive Coordinator Matt Lubick spoke to the media after Tuesday’s practice and said the attitude does remain upbeat…

The Huskers are 8.5 point favorites for their home tilt under the lights at Memorial Stadium.

LUBICK – JOHNSON IMPRESSING AT RUNNING BACK

Offensive Coordinator Matt Lubick was asked after his strong performance against Michigan State if Ramir Johnson has solidified himself as the Number one running back…

Three different running backs have started games for the Huskers this season, as Sevion Morrison and Markese Stepp also saw action against the Spartans. 

LUBICK – RUNNING GAME IN RED ZONE MUST IMPROVE

The Huskers are looking to shore up their red zone offense and score more touchdowns then settle for field goals inside opponents territory.

Offensive Coordinator Matt Lubick adds the solution is as simple as handing the ball off….

Lubick added that with less room to pass, a higher chance for mistakes can occur in the red zone.

LUBICK – SMOTHERS IMPRESSIVE DESPITE LIMITED PLAYING TIME

Backup quarterback Logan Smothers has had to step in on few occasions in blowouts and against Michigan State for an injured Adrian Martinez. 

Offensive Coordinator Matt Lubick has been impressed with what he’s seen in game action from the redshirt freshman… 

Lubick adds that Smothers reps will likely remain the same throughout practices. 

NEBRASKA’S SHELLEY AIDS AUSTRALIA VICTORY

Nebraska’s Jaz Shelley scored seven points to go along with three rebounds, three assists and three steals to help the Australian National Team roll to a 120-56 women’s basketball win over the Philippines at the FIBA Asia Cup in Amman, Jordan on Tuesday.

Shelley and the Opals are back in action taking on China on Wednesday.

FROST – COMPETITION IS OPEN EVERYWHERE

Head Coach Scott Frost spoke to the media after Monday’s practice. Frost mentioned that there will be competition this week in practice in some of the weaker spots for the Huskers…

Frost also added that the punter and punt returner openings will have open competitions this week.

FROST – DEMOTIONS CAN HELP THE TEAM

Head Coach Scott Frost spoke to the media at his regular Monday post-practice press conference. Frost mentioned that many positions will be battling for starting positions, and that demotions for current starters are not always the end…

Frost mentioned that the punter, punt returner, left guard, and right tackle positions will be re-evaluated this week.

Local Results & Schedules:

THIS WEEK IN LOCAL SPORTS:

TUESDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:

• • • Softball v. Hastings (DOUBLEHEADER) @ Patriot Park
      • GAME 1: Hastings 11-1
      • GAME 2: Hastings 9-0
    • Volleyball v. Lincoln East @ Kearney High
      • Lincoln East 3-0

• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:

• • Volleyball @ GICC
    • GICC 3-2
  • Softball @ Alma/Southern Valley Triangular
    • GAME 1: KCHS 12-0 Chase County
    • GAME 2: KCHS 5-4 Southern Valley/Alma

WEDNESDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • Boys Tennis @ Monarch Invite

• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • None

• UNK:
  • None

• HASTINGS COLLEGE:

• • Women’s Soccer v. Morningside @ Lloyd Wilson Field
  • Volleyball v. #17 College of St. Mary @ Lynn Farrell Arena
  • Men’s Soccer v. #22 Morningside @ Lloyd Wilson Field

THURSDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • Girls Golf @ HAC Championships @ Norfolk
  • Softball (DOUBLEHEADER) @ Lincoln Southeast

• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • Girls Golf @ Centura Invite
  • Boys Tennis Dual @ Adams Central
  • Softball v. Minden – 5 PM
  • Volleyball @ Ord
  • Football @ Broken Bow

• UNK:
  • None

• HASTINGS COLLEGE:

• • None

FRIDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • Volleyball @ Lincoln Northeast Invite – 4 PM
  • Softball @ Lincoln High – 5 PM
  • Football @ Columbus – 7 PM

• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • None

• UNK:

• • Women’s Tennis @ Central Regionals @ Edmond, OK
  • Men’s & Women’s Cross Country @ Briar Cliff Invite
  • Softball v. WNCC @ Dryden Park – 4 PM
  • Volleyball v. No. 13 Northwest Missouri State @ Health & Sports Center – 6 PM

SATURDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • Boys Tennis @ HAC Tournament @ Lincoln
  • Volleyball @ Lincoln Northeast Invite
  • Softball @ HAC Tournament @ Lincoln

• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • Volleyball @ Columbus Lakeview Invite

• UNK:
  • Women’s Tennis @ Central Regionals @ Edmond, OK
  • Volleyball v. Missouri Western State @ Health & Sports Center, 2 PM
  • Football @ Fort Hays State – 7 PM

• HASTINGS COLLEGE:

• • Men’s & Women’s Cross Country @ Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival
  • Football @ Briar Cliff University
  • Men’s Soccer @ Briar Cliff University
  • Women’s Soccer @ Briar Cliff University