Wednesday Morning Sports – Allen To End Husker Career, Sergeev Named Goaltender of Week, Lofton Earns Win 250, Husker Basketball Wins, Chinander Comments

ALLEN TO END HUSKER CAREER AFTER HEROES GAME

Aurora native and Senior Tight End of the Nebraska Football team Austin Allen announced on Twitter yesterday that his final game as a Husker will be this Friday’s home contest against Iowa. 

Allen this season has already broken the tight end single season reception mark, and needs 14 yards to break the single-season tight end receiving yardage mark. 

It is unclear whether Allen will enter the portal or declare for the NFL Draft.

SERGEEV NAMED GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK

Tri-City Storm goaltender Arsenii Sergeev has been named the USHL’s Goaltender of the Week for the second time in his career after backstopping the Storm to a weekend sweep over the Des Moines Buccaneers.

He posted his third career USHL shutout in a 2-0 victory over Des Moines on Saturday night at the Viaero Center. Sergeev stopped all 22 of Des Moines’ shots in the game. On Friday, Tri-City defeated Des Moines 10-2 with Sergeev recording 21 saves on 23 shots

LOPERS WIN IN SOUTH DAKOTA, LOFTON EARNS WIN No. 250

The Nebraska-Kearney men’s basketball team shot 55 percent from the field and got 19 points from true freshman Sean Evans to rock South Dakota Mines, 81-65, Tuesday night in Rapid City.

This was the start of a five-game road trip for the Lopers (3-1) and the 250th career win for head coach Kevin Lofton. He’s in his seventh season as head coach (94 wins) after being co-head coach with Tom Kropp for a decade (156 wins). 

UNK is now off until Monday night when they visit Wayne State. The Wildcats upset No. 13 Augustana tonight at home, 65-59, for its third straight win and to improve to 3-2 on the young season.

UNK VOLLEYBALL NCAA TOURNAMENT BID:

The 12th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team is in the NCAA Tournament for a 22nd straight season and will battle MIAA rival and No. 4 Northwest Missouri State in the first round of the Central Regional on Thursday, December 2nd, in Warrensburg, Mo.

The sixth-seeded Lopers (25-6) and third-seeded Bearcats (26-5) will be meeting for the third time this fall. Northwest won in four sets in the Health and Sports Center on Oct. 1 with the Lopers sweeping the ‘Cats in Maryville on Oct. 30. UNK leads the all-time series between the two, 23-3.

UNK will battle Northwest Missouri State at noon with the winner playing in the second round Friday at 5 p.m. The title match is set for Saturday at 7 p.m. This year’s Elite Eight is Dec. 9-11 in Tampa.

The match will be available on the MIAA Network

HUSKERS STAVE OFF TIGERS RALLY, WIN AT HOME:

Alonzo Verge Jr. posted his second career double-double while Derrick Walker added a career-high 16 points as Nebraska posted a 79-73 win over Tennessee State Tuesday night. 

Leading 63-61 with 6:23, Verge and Walker keyed a decisive 9-1 run for Nebraska, as the Huskers (4-2) pulled away in the six minutes.

Verge finished with 18 points and a career-high 10 assists for his second double-double of the year,

The Huskers conclude the seven-game homestand on Saturday afternoon, when NU hosts South Dakota. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m.

NEBRASKA BASKETBALL POST-GAME COMMENTS:

HOIBERG – UNSELFISH PLAY LED TO TEAM WIN

The Nebraska Men’s Basketball team earned a win at home Tuesday night downing Tennessee State in a 79-73 win. 

Head Coach Fred Hoiberg praised two of his new stars, and said he likes when his team is playing unselfish… 

Verge and Walker were critical in a 9-1 run for Nebraska with less than 7 minutes to play to seal the win for the Huskers. 

HOIBERG – HUSKERS BROUGHT GOOD ENERGY

The Nebraska Men’s Basketball team won a key contest against Tennessee State on Tuesday night. Head Coach Fred Hoiberg said he enjoyed seeing his team locked in and ready… 

The Huskers will take some time off for Thanksgiving break but return to action on Monday night. 

STATE FOOTBALL TITLE GAME DAY 2 RESULTS:

Class C1 – Columbus Lakeview 37-25 Pierce

Class C2 – Archbishop Bergan 49-20 Norfolk Catholic

Class A – Gretna 7-3 Omaha Westside

STATE FOOTBALL TITLE GAME DAY 1 RESULTS:

(Friday) D6 – Cody-Kilgore 65-37 Potter-Dix

Class D1 – Howells-Dodge 42-12 Cross County

Class D2 – Kenesaw 48-40 Sandhills/Thedford

Class B – Bennington 42-14 Aurora

NEBRASKA FOOTBALL CHINANDER MONDAY POST PRACTICE COMMENTS:

CHINANDER – GETTING THE DEFENSE TO TACKLE BETTER IS ON ME

Defensive Coordinator Erik Chinander spoke to the media on Monday and addressed his biggest concern from Saturday’s loss to Wisconsin… 

The Huskers allowed over 220 yards rushing to freshman Braelon Allen last week. Iowa’s offense currently ranks last in the Big Ten in yards per contest. 

CHINANDER – INJURIES SHOULD NOT SLOW DOWN DEFENSE

Huskers’ Defensive Coordinator Erik Chinander addressed the media on Monday and said despite the losses of JoJo Domann, Damion Daniels, and Caleb Tannor before or during the Wisconsin game, he expects his defense to continue to step up… 

The Huskers defense will be expected to make big plays on Senior Day against Iowa. The Huskers have not beaten Iowa since 2014 when Bo Pelini was the head coach.

CHINANDER – SENIORS WHO ARE WALKING ARE LEAVING

Defensive Coordinator Erik Chinander was asked about how he will handle the seniors who will be celebrated on Friday’s Senior Day activities as many are still undecided on whether they will return or not. 

Chinander said that he feels those who don’t walk and are recognized are back for 2022… 

A key defensive piece that has yet to state their intent for next season is cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt.

NEBRASKA FOOTBALL FROST MONDAY POST-PRACTICE COMMENTS:

FROST – ADRIAN BATTLED INJURY IN SECOND HALF

Head Coach of the Huskers Scott Frost confirmed that quarterback Adrian Martinez will be out for Friday’s contest against Iowa after playing through an injury in the second half against Wisconsin.

Martinez finished the season as Nebraska’s all-time leader in offensive yardage. Logan Smothers will be set to start with Heinrich Haarberg as the backup.

FROST – CONFIDENCE IN BOTH BACKUP QBs

Head Coach Scott Frost confirmed quarterback Adrian Martinez will not see the season finale against Iowa due to a shoulder injury. In his place, Logan Smothers is expected to start, however Frost adds that multiple quarterbacks could see time… 

Frost continued that a multiple quarterback system could be implemented on Friday against the Hawkeyes.

FROST – GAMEPLAN DOES NOT CHANGE WITH NEW QUARTERBACKS

Head Coach Scott Frost addressed the media after Monday’s practice and spoke about his confidence in his backup quarterbacks to run the offense against an Iowa defense without Adrian Martinez… 

Frost continued that Logan Smothers is set to start with former Kearney Catholic Star Heinrich Haarberg to be the primary backup as both are receiving first team reps. 

FROST – APPRECIATE MARTINEZ’ CAREER

Head Coach Scott Frost was asked to reflect on Adrian Martinez’ career as a Husker if his Nebraska career has come to an end. 

Frost declined to comment, but did add he is appreciative of what the head coach and quarterback have been through… 

Martinez will likely participate in Senior Day activities and be recognized prior to kickoff, according to Frost. 

FROST – ALLEN MOST RELIABLE OFFENSIVE WEAPON

Head Coach Scott Frost heaped praise onto senior Austin Allen, who is likely to smash all of Nebraska’s single-season tight end receiving records against Iowa. 

Frost added that the Aurora native has been a steady hand in the offense… 

Allen currently has 547 receiving yards on 36 receptions with two scores.

FROST – THOUGHTS ON SENIOR CLASS

Scott Frost will celebrate his senior class this Friday in the final home contest against Iowa. Frost was asked on Monday his thoughts on this class… 

It is still unknown how many seniors will be recognized on Friday as all players who were active in the 2020 pandemic season were granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA. 

Local Results & Schedules:

THIS WEEK IN LOCAL SPORTS:

TUESDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • GIRLS BASKETBALL: Jamboree Game v. GINW
    • KHS 63-27
  • BOYS BASKETBALL: Jamboree Game v. GINW
    • KHS 78-48
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • GIRLS BASKETBALL: Jamboree Game v. Cozad
  • BOYS BASKETBALL: Jamboree Game v. Cozad
• UNK:
  • MEN’S BASKETBALL: @ South Dakota School of Mines
    • UNK 81-65
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
• • WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: v. College of St. Mary @ Lynn Farrell Arena
    • St. Mary 75-72

WEDNESDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • N/a

• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • N/a
• UNK:
  • WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: v. College of St. Mary – 2 PM
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
• • N/a

THURSDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • N/a
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • N/a
• UNK:
  • N/a
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
• • N/a

FRIDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • N/a
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • N/a
• UNK:
  • N/a
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
• • MEN’S BASKETBALL: @ University of Wyoming – 7 PM

SATURDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • N/a
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • N/a
• UNK:
  • FOOTBALL: NCAA D2 Playoffs (2nd Round)
    • UNK @ Angelo State @ San Angelo, Texas – 1 PM
  • WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: v. Chadron State @ Health and Sports Center – 2 PM
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
• • N/a