HUSKER THURSDAY PRACTICE – WHIPPLE COMMENTS:
WHIPPLE – NO CLEAR CUT STARTING RUNNING BACK:
Offensive Coordinator for the Huskers Mark Whipple addressed the media after Thursday’s practice and stated he’s undecided who the top running back is heading into Week Zero, but he’s not concerned…
Whipple has mentioned prior he’s been impressed by transfer Anthony Grant and the return of injured Gabe Ervin, who started several games last year prior to his knee injury.
WHIPPLE – RAHMIR JOHNSON WILL PLAY RECEIVER AND RUNNING BACK:
The Huskers have a new offensive weapon in running back – and newly minted receiver – Rahmir Johnson. Offensive Coordinator Mark Whipple said after Thursday’s practice that he plans to use Johnson everywhere on the field…
Johnson is the leading rusher returning from the 2021 squad, and made several key receptions throughout the past season out of the backfield.
WHIPPLE – OFFENSIVE LINE HAS STAYED HEALTHY:
The Huskers Pipeline has some question marks due to injuries suffered in 2021 and spring camp, but Offensive Coordinator Mark Whipple added after Thursday’s practice that he’s happy with his offensive line…
Whipple is referring to the week in practice and the Sunday scrimmage, adding he was excited about the explosiveness his offense showed this week in practice compared to last.
WHIPPLE – TOP THREE QUARTERBACKS LOOK GOOD WITH FIRST TEAM OFFENSE:
Offensive Coordinator Mark Whipple was asked who quarterback number one will be heading to Ireland for the Week Zero matchup. Whipple didn’t mention any names, but did give a confident answer…
Whipple added that naming the starting quarterback is a decision for Head Coach Scott Frost. The top three quarterbacks appear to be Casey Thompson, Chubba Purdy, and incumbent Logan Smothers.
WHIPPLE – NEW RED ZONE WORK NEEDS CLEANED UP:
Offensive Coordinator Mark Whipple spoke after Thursday’s practice that new plays were added to the redzone package this week, but could use some time to gel while preparing for Northwestern…
Whipple did say he was confident in the team’s ability to compete against the No. 1 Husker defense, and is looking forward to the August 27 contest in Dublin.
WHIPPLE – TEAM NEEDS TO RELAX AND ENJOY:
Mark Whipple, offensive coordinator for the Nebraska football team, gave a reminder to his offensive guys after Thursday’s practice about the enjoyment of the game of football…
Whipple and the Huskers will have some downtime before heading to Ireland next week for the Week Zero matchup with Northwestern on August 27.
BIG TEN CONFIRMS $1 BILLION TV DEAL:
The Big Ten Conference has reached the richest-ever television agreement for a college athletic league, selling the rights to its competitions for an average of at least $1 billion a year.
The seven-year arrangement cements the Big Ten as one of the nation’s pre-eminent college sports leagues.
Beyond transforming the Big Ten into a powerhouse of football scheduling, the contract’s sheer value will give the league and its members a measure of stability in the years ahead. The conference’s expiring agreement is worth about $2.6 billion over six years; the new arrangement will take effect next July.
The Big Ten’s deal calls for Fox, the dominant shareholder in the Big Ten Network, to have many of the signature football games from a league that already includes 14 universities. Fox will also air games on the Big Ten Network and FS1.
NSAA ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO GIRLS WRESTLING:
The NSAA Board voted on Wednesday for changes to the girls state wrestling tournament and how it will be conducted this February.
The Board voted 8-0 to increase the number of qualifiers to 16 per weight class and the board voted 8-0 to increase the number of weight classes to 14 just like the boys tournament.
The board also voted for matching the Class B method for assigning Districts for girls wrestling.
POLA-GATES TABBED FOR POLYNESION CFB POTY AWARD:
Nebraska defensive back Noa Pola-Gates has been named to the 2022 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award Watch List announced Thursday. The award is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes great ability and integrity.
Pola-Gates, a sophomore defensive back from Gilbert, Ariz., has played in 18 career games as a Husker over the past three seasons. Last season, he played in eight contests, primarily on special teams coverage units. Pola-Gates has also excelled in the classroom, earning Academic All-Big Ten honors in 2020.
UNK VOLLEYBALL RANKED IN PRESEASON TOP TEN:
The Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team is ranked 10th in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) preseason Division II Top 25 poll.
The Lopers finished 11th in the final 2021 rankings after going 26-7 and reaching the NCAA Tournament for a 22nd consecutive season.
UNK, in the polls for the 375th week, received 677 points and is one of nine Central Region squads in the Top 25. The others are Washburn (2nd), Concordia-St. Paul (6th), Central Missouri (8th), St. Cloud State (9th), Northwest Missouri (11th), Winona State (15th), Wayne State (17th) and Southwest Minnesota State (22nd).
Defending national champion Tampa is No. 1 with Central Washington among those receiving votes.
UNK heads to Baxter Arena this Saturday (Aug. 20) for an exhibition match with former rival Nebraska-Omaha.
BROWNS QB WATSON HAS SUSPENSION INCREASED TO ELEVEN GAMES:
The NFL and the NFL Players Association on Thursday reached a settlement in the Deshaun Watson disciplinary matter, agreeing that the Cleveland Browns quarterback will serve an 11-game suspension without pay after he was accused by more than two dozen women of sexual misconduct during massage sessions.
Watson will also pay a fine of $5 million and undergo mandatory evaluation by behavioral experts and follow their suggested treatment program.
Watson’s suspension takes effect on Aug. 30 when NFL teams cut down to the roster limit of 53 players. He will be eligible for reinstatement on Nov. 28 and will be available to play for the Browns again in Week 13, when Cleveland faces his old team, the Houston Texans, on the road.
HUSKER FOOTBALL – PRACTICE COMMENTS:
BUSCHINI – STAYING CONSISTENT WITH EACH PUNT:
Nebraska Punter Brian Buschini spoke after practice earlier this week saying he wants to remain as consistent as possible and not be a selfish punter…
The Huskers have cycled through punters throughout the Scott Frost era and are hoping that Buschini – a transfer from Montana – could be the answer to their special teams woes.
BELT – ALL PLAYERS NEED TO KNOW ALL PHASES:
Receiver Brody Belt has seen action on offense and special teams the past few seasons for the Huskers, but he adds that it is more important than ever for each player – new and old – to know everyone part of the Huskers gameplan…
The Huskers will use Belt as a utility player this season: receiver, running back, gunner, returner, and much more. Nebraska faces Northwestern on August 27 in Ireland.
BUSCH – WET BALL DRILLS WILL AID HUSKERS IN IRELAND:
Bill Busch addressed the media earlier this week and said he was happy to see some inclement weather arrive in Lincoln so his team could get used to the conditions…
The Huskers have solidified their punter for the season in Brian Buschini but an official announcement on the starting kicker has yet to be announced. It is expected that Anthony Grant and Trey Palmer will handle the return game duties.
BUSCH – PUNT RETURNERS MUST KNOW THE STANDARD TO AID OFFENSE:
Special Teams coordinator for the Huskers Bill Busch spoke to the media earlier this week and shared his insight on what he’s teaching his punt returners this season and how they can aid the offense…
Nebraska aims to use LSU transfer Trey Palmer and JUCO transfer Anthony Grant this season in the return game, although no official announcement has come yet.
DAWSON – SCRIMMAGE SHOWCASED ENERGY AND TENACITY:
Defensive Line and edge coach Mike Dawson was asked earlier this week about his thoughts on his players’ performance in the Sunday scrimmage…
The Huskers have new faces in Devin Drew from Texas Tech, Stephon Wynn from Alabama, and Ochaun Mathis from TCU hopefully adding pressure to quarterbacks this season while returning Blackshirts Garrett Nelson, Caleb Tannor, and Ty Robinson aim to continue their contributions.
DAWSON – NORTHWESTERN WILL WANT TO RUN THE FOOTBALL:
Defensive line coach for Nebraska Mike Dawson gave the first sneak preview of what Northwestern may attack the Huskers defense with when the two face off in Ireland…
Nebraska gave up 147 yards rushing per contest last season. The Huskers and Wildcats will do battle in Dublin on August 27 to kick off the college football season.
Local Results & Schedules:
THIS WEEK IN LOCAL SPORTS:
THURSDAY:
- KEARNEY HIGH:
- Girls Golf: Varsity Triangular @ Grand Island Jackrabbit Golf Course – 4 PM
- v. Grand Island, Columbus
- Bearcat Softball: Varsity Doubleheader @ Lincoln Pius X – 5 PM
- Bearcat Volleyball: Varsity Jamboree Triangular – 5:30 PM
- v. North Platte (5:30 PM); v. Broken Bow (7:30 PM)
- Girls Golf: Varsity Triangular @ Grand Island Jackrabbit Golf Course – 4 PM
- KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
- Stars Softball @ Ord – 4:30 PM
- KGFW Sports Schedule:
- Sports Nightly (6 PM – 8 PM)
FRIDAY:
- KGFW Sports Schedule:
- Sports Nightly (6 PM – 8 PM)
SATURDAY:
- N/a
SUNDAY:
- N/a
