Wednesday Morning Sports – Loper Volleyball Falls to Washburn, Huskers Shut Out Lopers, State Golf Results, State Softball Starts, Husker Post-Practice Comments

LOPER VOLLEYBALL SWEPT BY No. 1 WASHBURN

The ‘Bods won an 11th straight match and took the season series from the Lopers in a 3-0 sweep in Washburn Tuesday night. 

UNK hosts Pittsburg State and Missouri State this weekend before heading to Emporia State next Tuesday.

HUSKER SOFTBALL SHUTS OUT LOPERS

The Nebraska softball team played Nebraska-Kearney Tuesday night, winning 7-0.

The Huskers tallied nine hits including home runs from Brooke Andrews, Abbie Squier and Caitlynn Neal, while holding the Lopers to only one hit. 

The Huskers are back in action Saturday, Oct. 16 for a game against South Dakota at Bowlin Stadium at 10:00 a.m. 

The Lopers take on Colby Community College on Sunday in a game rescheduled from last Sunday.

KEARNEY HIGH GOLF FINISHES 11th

Kearney’s Girls Golf team finished 11th at the NSAA State Championships held in Norfolk on Monday and Tuesday. 

KEARNEY CATHOLIC SOFTBALL COMPETES WITH ST. CECILIA AT STATE

The Kearney Catholic Stars softball team won over Highway 91 in its District Final, earning the Stars’ path to the Class C State Championships. 

The Stars are seeded #7 overall at 29-6 overall, and take on the #2 Hastings St. Cecilia team (28-7) today.. The game will have its first pitch at 2 PM from the Smith Complex in Hastings.

Hastings St. Cecilia is the only team to defeat the Stars multiple times this season.

NEBRASKA VOLLEYBALL PREPARES FOR INDIANA

The No. 9 Nebraska volleyball team welcomes Indiana for a midweek match this Wednesday

First serve is set for 8 p.m. at the Devaney Center, and the match will be televised on ESPNU.

The Huskers lead the all-time series with Indiana 19-1, including 18-0 in the John Cook era. Nebraska has triumphed in 19 straight in the series dating back to 1988

NEBRASKA MEN’S BASKETBALL START TIMES ANNOUNCED

Nebraska Athletics announced Tuesday the start times of the six games scheduled to air online at B1G+ this season.

The Huskers’ exhibition opener against Peru State will tip off at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 27 and starts a busy night for Husker sports, as the Husker volleyball team will take on Wisconsin that evening at 8 p.m. at the Devaney Center. 

Nebraska’s 2021-22 season opener against Western Illinois on Tuesday, Nov. 9, is slated for 7 p.m. and is the first of four regular-season games on B1G+ this season. The start times for the Nov. 12 (Sam Houston) and Nov. 19 (Idaho State) games are adjusted to give fans a chance to get to both basketball and volleyball matches on those respective evenings.

HUSKER VOLLEYBALL START TIMES ADJUSTED FOR BIG TEN MATCHES

Nebraska Athletics announced updated start times for two upcoming volleyball home matches against Purdue and Maryland.

The Huskers’ Saturday, Oct. 23 match against the Boilermakers has been set for an 8 p.m. start on BTN.

The Friday, Nov. 12 match against the Terrapins has been adjusted to a 6 p.m. start time.

HUSKER TUESDAY POST-PRACTICE COMMENTS:

LUBICK – MINNESOTA DEFENSE PREVIEW

Offensive Coordinator of the Huskers Matt Lubick addressed the media after Tuesday’s practice and previewed Minnesota’s defense…

The Huskers offense looks to take on the 21st ranked Minnesota defense, currently giving up less than three yards a carry.

LUBICK – PLAY CALLING CHANGES EVERY GAME

Offensive Coordinator Matt Lubick was asked about how his play calling changes from game to game, especially with the different styles of defense that the Huskers have faced this season…

The Huskers are hoping to get more offensive weapons involved this week, as Zavier Betts is set to return from his injury.

LUBICK – OFFENSIVE ADJUSTMENTS

Matt Lubick was asked at his Tuesday post-practice press conference about how much the offense has had to adjust to different styles of defense the past few weeks… 

The Huskers’ second half adjustments allowed Nebraska to come back against Michigan before ultimately falling 32-29.

LUBICK – FASTER PASSING PLAYS WILL AID IN PASS PROTECTION

Offensive Coordinator Matt Lubick was asked how much the Huskers will put an emphasis on pass protection this week as freshman starter Teddy Prochazka is now ruled out for the season. 

Lubick adds that pass protection is a unit effort and will be regularly checked on… 

LUBICK – RAHMIR JOHNSON FINALLY SHOWING UP

The Huskers’ looming offensive question mark from the off-season has officially been put to rest as Rahmir Johnson looks to control the running back position after another solid performance against Michigan.

Offensive Coordinator Matt Lubick adds that it’s a welcome consistency…

Johnson had over 100 receiving yards last week against the Wolverines. 

CHINANDER – MINNESOTA OFFENSE PREVIEW

During his Tuesday post-practice press conference, Defensive Coordinator Erik Chinander previewed the Minnesota offense…

Chinander added that the Gophers will use Wildcat formations, different runners in the ground game, and multiple sets to confuse defenses.

CHINANDER – MINNESOTA EXPECTED TO OPEN UP PLAYBOOK

Defensive Coordinator of the Huskers Erik Chinander was asked what new looks the Minnesota offense could bring after having its bye week to prepare for the Blackshirts…

The Huskers defense has faced seven straight opponents for far this season with a bye week scheduled for next week.

CHINANDER – MORGAN IMPRESSIVE AT QUARTERBACK

The Blackshirts Coordinator Erik Chinander was asked at his weekly press conference what impresses him about Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan…

Chinander added that Morgan makes for a good runner as well when the play breaks down. The Blackshirts hope to stifle another Big Ten quarterback after solid outings against Michigan State and Northwestern. 

CHINANDER –  IMPORTANT TO KEEP RUNNING TEAMS OFF FIELD

Defensive Coordinator Erik Chinander spoke to the media on Tuesday after another lighter practice for the Huskers. 

Chinander reiterated the importance of keeping Minnesota’s run game from gaining success…

The Blackshirts will face Tanner Morgan, a three year starter at quarterback, and a freshman running back after both starters for the Golden Gophers are out for the season. 

UNK WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PICKED 3RD, MEN PICKED 12TH IN MIAA

The Nebraska-Kearney basketball teams have been picked to finish third (women) and 12th (men) in the 2021-22 MIAA preseason coaches’ and media polls.

Both polls were released in conjunction with “Media Day” in Kansas City. Head coaches from all 14 schools were in attendance along with a few student-athletes. 

On the women’s side, both polls had the top three being Fort Hays State, Central Missouri and UNK.

Two-time defending national champion Northwest Missouri State is number one on the men’s side with Washburn the definitive number two. 

The UNK Women return four starters, including four All-MIAA players from last season.

The UNK Men return three starters, including All-MIAA Austin Luger.

STORM ANNOUNCE 2022 FUTURES CAMP IN VEGAS

The Tri-City Storm have announced that they will host their annual Tri-City Storm USHL Futures Camp June 10th – 12th, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The three-day development and exposure camp will be held at the Las Vegas Ice Center

The Tri-City Storm 2022 USHL Futures Camp is open to any interested player who was born in 2007 and 2008 only. Camp sign up and registration information is available on the team web site and is active now. 

HUSKER BASEBALL PLAYS SECOND SCRIMMAGE

The Nebraska baseball team continued its Red-White Series Tuesday afternoon, with a late home run propelling the White squad to a 1-0 win in seven innings at Hawks Field at Haymarket Park. It evened the fall series at 1-1.

Cam Chick’s solo roundtripper broke open the scoreless game in the top of the seventh. With one out, the senior sent the first pitch he saw over the left-center wall for the only tally of the day.

Nebraska concludes the Red-White Series on Wednesday, Oct. 13, with first pitch scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at Hawks Field at Haymarket Park. Admission is free for all fans, and gates will open one hour prior to first pitch. The scrimmage will also be streamed on Facebook.

HUSKERS MONDAY POST-PRACTICE COMMENTS:

FROST – PROCHAZKA STATUS FOR SEASON

Head Coach of the Huskers Scott Frost was asked about the status of true freshman tackle Teddy Prochazka after leaving the contest against Michigan…

The loss leaves the Huskers with some shuffling to do on the offensive line, as former starter Bryce Benhart will likely replace the Elkhorn South graduate. 

FROST – RAHMIR NOW THE NUMBER ONE BACK

Scott Frost confirmed at his Monday post-practice press conference that Rahmir Johnson has solidified himself as the go-to back in the Huskers offense. 

Frost added he’s pleased with Johnson’s continued improvement…

Jaquez Yant also saw action against Michigan, toting the ball for a few carries while Johnson handled most of the workload. 

FROST – JOHNSON BRINGS THE EFFORT IN PRACTICE

Head Coach Scott Frost toted Rahmir Johnson as the new top back of the Huskers offense, and added that Johnson needed some time to show off in practice…

Johnson had over 100 receiving yards against Michigan, including a 41 yard touchdown catch-and-run.

FROST – STILL NEED TO GET BETTER BY PLAYING GOOD TEAMS

Head Coach Scott Frost continues to reiterate his Huskers need to focus on improving against a daunting Big Ten schedule…

Frost also pointed out that some of the lapses have resulted in the close losses of the season.

FROST – MINNESOTA NO PUSHOVER PAST FEW YEARS

Nebraska’s Scott Frost earned his first Big Ten victory over Minnesota in 2018 and has yet to down the Gophers since. Frost adds his team’s mentality has changed since prior matchups… 

The Huskers have opened as 2.5 point favorites for the 11 AM kickoff on Saturday.

FROST – LIGHTER PRACTICE AFTER PHYSICAL GAME

It was a different type of practice from the usual Monday routine for the Huskers this week. Head Coach Scott Frost adds more…

Numerous players mentioned that the practice was refreshing to get a short rest and break from the normal routine. The Huskers will play their eighth straight contest of the season on Saturday against Minnesota, followed by a bye week. 

TOURE – ONTO THE NEXT ONE AFTER A TOUGH LOSS

During Monday’s post practice press conference, receiver Samori Toure was asked about if the Huskers are able to get over another tough loss…

The Huskers take on Minnesota on Saturday on the road after back-to-back home games at Memorial Stadium.

ALLEN – GEARING UP FOR BYE WEEK

The Huskers will play their eighth straight contest in a row on Saturday, taking on Minnesota who is coming off a bye week of their own. 

Tight End Austin Allen sees it as a positive for both sides…

The Huskers are 2.5 point favorites after falling to Michigan 32-29.

MARTINEZ – PUSH THROUGH TO BYE WEEK

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez was asked how the Huskers are holding up physically after their brutal start to their season with eight straight opponents. 

Martinez added that his team is ready to get a rest…

The Huskers will have a bye week after playing Minnesota, followed by two contests and another bye week before closing out the season.

MARTINEZ – MINNESOTA PREVIEW

Huskers Quarterback Adrian Martinez previewed what the Minnesota defense brings to the table for this week’s matchup…

Martinez and the Huskers last downed Minnesota at home in 2018, and have lost the following two contests to the Golden Gophers. 

HUSKER VOLLEYBALL TRIO HONORED

Three Nebraska volleyball players have claimed Big Ten weekly awards. Madi Kubik was named Big Ten Co-Player of the Week, Nicklin Hames was tabbed as Big Ten Setter of the Week and Lexi Rodriguez was recognized as Big Ten Freshman of the Week.

NU has counted six Big Ten weekly award winners this season.

Local Results & Schedules:

THIS WEEK IN LOCAL SPORTS:

TUESDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • GIRLS STATE GOLF TOURNAMENT
    • KHS = 11th
  • VOLLEYBALL: v. Lincoln Pius X
    • Pius X 3-0

• UNK:

• • SOFTBALL: @ Nebraska-Lincoln
    • Nebraska 7-0
  • VOLLEYBALL @ No. 1 Washburn
    • Washburn 3-0

WEDNESDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • N/a

• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • STATE SOFTBALL: KCHS v. Hastings St. Cecilia

• UNK:
  • N/a

• HASTINGS COLLEGE:

• • MEN’S SOCCER: @ Doane
  • WOMEN’S SOCCER: @ Doane

THURSDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • DISTRICT CROSS COUNTRY
  • BOYS TENNIS STATE TOURNAMENT

• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • DISTRICT CROSS COUNTRY: @ Aurora
  • VOLLEYBALL; @ Broken Bow
  • Hosting FKC Volleyball Tournament

• UNK:
  • VOLLEYBALL: v. Pittsburg State
  • WOMEN’S SOCCER: @ Missouri Southern

• HASTINGS COLLEGE:

• • N/a

FRIDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • FOOTBALL: v. Elkhorn South
    • KGFW Pregame Coverage @ 6:30 PM

• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • FOOTBALL: v. Holdrege

• HASTINGS COLLEGE:

• • VOLLEYBALL: @ Dakota Wesleyan

SATURDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • N/a

• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • N/a

• UNK:
  • FOOTBALL: @ Emporia State
  • VOLLEYBALL: v. Missouri Southern

• HASTINGS COLLEGE:

• • FOOTBALL: @ Doane
  • VOLLEYBALL: @ Jamestown
  • WOMEN’S SOCCER: v. Concordia
  • MEN’S SOCCER: v. Concordia