Wednesday Afternoon Sports – Frost Signing Day Comments, Nebraska Flips Two Commitments, UNK Football Adds 23 Newcomers, Kearney High School Signing Day Ceremony, Washington Football New Nickname, Local Sports Schedule

FROST SIGNING DAY COMMENTS:

FROST – BONNER IMPRESSES WITH ATHLETICISM

Nebraska Football Head Coach Scott Frost flipped the commitment of two players on Wednesday’s national signing day, as one of the two was Georgia receiver Janiran Bonner who altered his commitment from Georgia Tech. Frost adds that the receiver’s tape speaks for itself… 

Frost and the Huskers also received a commitment from TCU verbal commit Ajay Allen, a running back from Louisiana. 

FROST – THOMPSON ALREADY SHOWING OFF IN FIRST TWO WEEKS

Head Coach of Nebraska Football Scott Frost has been impressed by what he’s seen from new transfer quarterback Casey Thompson, and gave praise to his leadership skills at the start of winter conditioning… 

Frost also heaped praise on fellow transfer quarterback Chubba Purdy, and added that he expects there to be a quarterback battle this spring.

FROST – EACH QUARTERBACK WILL BE GIVEN OPPORTUNITIES TO START

Nebraska Football Coach Scott Frost was asked on his signing day press conference if transfer quarterback Casey Thompson would be given the starting job heading into spring practice… 

The Huskers have begun winter conditioning back in January and have their spring game scheduled for April 9.

HUSKERS FLIP TWO COMMITMENTS ON SIGNING DAY:

The February national signing day has lost some of its luster, but don’t try telling that to Nebraska.

Scott Frost’s football staff flipped a pair of four-star skill-position players Wednesday to continue an overhaul on the offensive side of the ball.

Ajay Allen, a running back from Louisiana who had been committed to TCU, announced his switch to Nebraska on Wednesday morning. A couple of hours later, wide receiver Janiran Bonner from Georgia did likewise after having been pledged to Georgia Tech.

The two athletes add to Nebraska’s December early-signing class and the Huskers’ substantial list of transfer-portal roster additions. Allen becomes the seventh scholarship running back on the roster, and Bonner is the 14th at wide receiver.

KEARNEY HIGH SCHOOL ANNOUNCES COLLEGIATE SIGNINGS:

Kearney High School is hosting a collegiate signing day ceremony at Kearney High School’s Auditorium at 4 PM. The list of signees includes: 

• Jordan Shaw; Track & Field, Concordia University
• D’Andrew Ndugwa; Track & Field, UNK
• Parker Wise; Football, UNK
• Rian Green; Football, Doane
• Kelsey Choplin; Softball, Northeast CC
• Kiestynn Garner; Soccer, Concordia University
• Blake Rehtus; Baseball, Dordt University
• Tanner Johnson; Baseball, Iowa Western
• Brayden Andersen; Baseball, Iowa Western
• Max Myers; Baseball, Washington University

UNK FOOTBALL SIGNS 23 NEW FACES FOR SIGNING DAY:

The Nebraska-Kearney football team announced the names of five mid-year transfers and 18 high school seniors who’ll play for the Lopers this fall.

The class breaks down to 11 offensive, 10 defensive and two special team players. Thirteen are Nebraskans, three are from Colorado, two each from Arizona, Florida and New Mexico and likely the first Loper from American Samoa. By position, there are five linebackers, four offensive linemen, three running backs and defensive backs, two receivers, defensive linemen and long snappers and one tight end and quarterback.

UNK stayed local, going up the road to Grand Island to grab long snapper Cole Bauer (GISH) and receiver Isaac Herbek (GICC) with linebackers Koren Conrad (Kearney Catholic) and Parker Wise (Kearney) and linemen Carter Klein (Pleasanton) all staying at home.

The Lopers are going through winter conditioning with “Spring Ball” set to begin on Wednesday, March 23rd, and the “Spring Game” slated for Saturday, April 23rd. A complete practice schedule will be announced closer to that date. The 2022 season kicks off Sept. 1st (Thurs.) at Missouri Southern.

WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM NO MORE, COMMANDERS NEW AFFILIATION:

Finally, a name for the Washington Football Team.

After two years of mascot purgatory, the Washington National Football League Franchise has now named their new affiliation – as the Washington Commanders. 

Since the franchise’s conception, known as the ‘Redskins’, Washington has faced scrutiny because of its depiction of Native Americans. Washington’s leaders — team president Jason Wright and coach Ron Rivera — had stressed during the 20-month search that it would like to incorporate the military because of its connection to the nation’s capital.

WEDNESDAY SPORTS NIGHTLY SCHEDULE:

With Nebraska Football Head Coach Scott Frost holding a media appearance today, Sports Nightly will provide his comments and will salute National Women/Girls in sports day. 

HUSKER WOMEN WIN OVER RUTGERS AT PINNACLE BANK ARENA:

Nebraska freshman Alexis Markowski notched her third double-double of the season with a game-high 16 points and a career-high 15 rebounds to lead the Huskers to a 50-38 women’s basketball win over Rutgers on Tuesday night at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

The Huskers improved to 16-4 overall and 5-4 in the Big Ten by notching their third consecutive victory by holding Rutgers to just 38 points, matching the fewest points ever allowed by Nebraska in a Big Ten Conference game.

Rutgers, which in turn held the Huskers to a season-low 50 points, slipped to 7-16 overall and 0-11 in the conference while Nebraska posted its largest victory margin in the history of the series with the Scarlet Knights.

Nebraska will make another quick turnaround to complete its first-ever four-game conference home stand when the Huskers play host to Penn State on Thursday. Tip-off between the Big Red and Lady Lions at Pinnacle Bank Arena is set for 7 p.m.

NEBRASKA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: AMY WILLIAMS POSTGAME COMMENTS:

WILLIAMS – HAPPY WITH WIN IN DEFENSIVE GAME

The Nebraska Women’s Basketball team won game number 16 on the season over Rutgers in a defensive slugfest, and head coach Amy Williams adds that she was just happy to see a W… 

The Huskers were held to their fewest points scored on the season – 50 – but also forced Rutgers to the lowest scoring total ever allowed by a Nebraska women’s basketball team in a Big Ten conference game. 

WILLIAMS – EXPERIENCED PLAYERS STEP UP FROM DOWNTOWN

Head Coach Amy Williams was handing out praise in her postgame report after the Huskers Women’s Basketball victory over Rutgers on Tuesday night. Williams added she was thrilled to see her veteran players step up from outside the arc when the Huskers needed it most… 

The Huskers were held to the lowest scoring total on the season but still earned the win and await Penn State on Thursday. 

WILLIAMS – MARKOWSKI DOMINATES AGAIN

Head Coach Amy Williams had nothing but praise for her reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Week Alexis Markowski after leading the Huskers with a double-double finish in the win over Rutgers… 

Nebraska’s defense smothered Rutgers and hopes to do the same again on Thursday against Penn State. 

NEBRASKA MEN FALL LATE IN ANN ARBOR:

Nebraska stormed back from a second-half deficit with a 19-3 run late in the second half, but Michigan held on for an 85-79 win over the Huskers on Tuesday night in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Bryce McGowens poured in a team-high 24 points to lead Nebraska, becoming the first freshman in program history to score at least 20 points in four consecutive games.

The Huskers return to action on Saturday, Feb. 5, hosting Northwestern at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Tipoff is set for noon.

HARBAUGH POTENTIALLY LEAVING BIG TEN:

Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh is headed to Minnesota for a Wednesday interview, but multiple sources say it’s a formality. Harbaugh may be headed there planning to sign a deal to become the NFL Vikings’ head coach.

Harbaugh was not in his office at Schembechler Hall this afternoon. Other sources told TheWolverine.com that while he didn’t address the team, he did say some “goodbyes” and “thank yous” on Tuesday.

Harbaugh was linked to the Las Vegas Raiders in December, with many believing he was the franchise’s top candidate. Instead, Harbaugh is expected to replace Mike Zimmer as the Vikings’ next head coach.

Harbaugh led Michigan to the Big Ten title in his seventh season, a 12-2 record with a win over Ohio State and No. 3 national finish.

UNK FOOTBALL RECEIVES MORE ALL-AMERICANS:

Quarterback TJ Davis, right tackle Corey Hoelck and safety Darius Swanson represent Nebraska-Kearney on the 2021 Don Hansen Division II All-American team.

The Don Hansen team carries out the legacy of long-time small college football advocate Don Hansen, who passed away at the age of 75 in 2010. From Brookfield, Ill., he started and published the ‘Don Hansen’s National Weekly Football Gazette’ for three decades, selecting a D2 All-America team for the first time in 1988.

Davis (Colorado Springs) garnered second-team accolades with Hoelck (Giltner) and Swanson (Aurora, Colo.) tabbed honorable mention.

Local Results & Schedules:

THIS WEEK IN LOCAL SPORTS:

WEDNESDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • Collegiate Signing Day @ Kearney High School Auditorium – 4 PM
• UNK:
  • N/a
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
  • WOMENS BASKETBALL: v. Doane – 6 PM @ Lynn Farrell Arena
  • MENS BASKETBALL: v. Doane – 7:45 PM @ Lynn Farrell Arena

THURSDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • WRESTLING: Dual v. GISH – 7 PM @ Kearney High School
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • GIRLS BASKETBALL: @ Adams Central – 5:30 PM
• UNK:
  • WOMENS BASKETBALL: @ Central Oklahoma – 5:30 PM
  • MENS BASKETBALL: @ Central Oklahoma – 7:30 PM
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
  • N/a

FRIDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • GIRLS BASKETBALL: v. Grand Island – 6 PM @ Kearney High School
    • Pregame on KGFW at 5:45 PM
  • BOYS BASKETBALL: v. Grand Island – 7:45 PM @ Kearney High School
    • Pregame on KGFW at 7:30 PM
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • WRESTLING: @ Arcadia-Loup City Invite – 3 PM
• UNK:
  • M/W T&F: @ Concordia Classic, Seward, NE
  • M/W T&F: @ Husker Invite, Lincoln, NE
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
  • M/W T&F: @ Concordia Classic, Seward, NE

SATURDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • SWIMMING & DIVING: Kearney Invite – 9:30 AM @ Kearney High School
  • GIRLS BASKETBALL: @ Omaha South – 5:30 PM
    • Pregame on KGFW at 5:15 PM
  • BOYS BASKETBALL: @ Omaha South – 7:15 PM
    • Pregame on KGFW at 7 PM
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • SWIMMING & DIVING: Kearney Invite – 9:30 AM @ Kearney High School
  • GIRLS BASKETBALL: @ Columbus Scotus – 2 PM
  • BOYS BASKETBALL: @ Columbus Scotus – 4 PM
• UNK:
  • M/W T&F: @ Husker Invite, Lincoln, NE
  • WOMENS TENNIS: @ Drake, Des Moines, IA
  • WOMENS BASKETBALL: @ Newman – 1:30 PM
  • MENS BASKETBALL: @ Newman – 3:30 PM
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
  • MENS WRESTLING: @ Missouri Valley Open
  • WOMENS WRESTLING: @ Grand View Open
  • SOFTBALL: Doubleheader @ Ottawa University
  • M/W TENNIS: @ Bethany College
  • WOMENS BASKETBALL: @ Mount Marty University – 2 PM