KEARNEY LITTLE LEAGUE BATTLES ELIMINATION IN MIDWEST REGIONAL:
The Kearney Little League team – representing the state of Nebraska in the Midwest Little League Regional in Whitestown, Ind. – is set to battle Iowa to stave off elimination today.
Kearney took down Kansas 9-3 on Monday, setting up an elimination bracket matchup with Iowa after the Hawkeye State squad won over Wisconsin 2-0.
The winner will move into a final elimination matchup with the loser of North Dakota and South Dakota on Thursday, Aug. 10. Today’s matchup is set for a 10 AM first pitch with the game set for ESPN+.
Full schedule and bracket can be found here.
HUSKER FOOTBALL MONDAY PRACTICE COMMENTS – ST COACH ED FOLEY, DB COACH EVAN COOPER:
FOLEY – KICKING JOBS ARE OPEN, COMPETITION ONGOING:
Nebraska Football Special Teams coordinator Ed Foley spoke to the media after Monday’s fall practice session, saying competition is still ongoing for the top placekicker…
Foley added that returning senior Brian Buschini has locked down the punter spot as a Ray Guy award watch list member. The kicker position will come down to Omaha Westside graduate Tristan Alvano and returning starter Timmy Bleekrode.
FOLEY – KICKING COMPETITION GOOD FOR HUSKERS:
Ed Foley, Nebraska Football Special Teams’ coach was asked about the kicking competition happening in fall camp. Foley addressed the battle between Omaha Westside graduate Tristan Alvano and returning starter Timmy Bleekrode, saying Alvano’s big kicks at Memorial Stadium may help his confidence…
Alvano holds the Nebraska state record for field goals in a game and championship game, kicking five – including the game winner – in Westside’s 2022 state title last fall at Memorial Stadium.
FOLEY – RETURNERS STILL BEING DETERMINED:
Nebraska’s special teams is once again under a microscope as Ed Foley addressed the media on Monday, saying that some positions for the return game have been determined but others still need evaluation…
The Huskers have not had a special teams kickoff or punt return touchdown since 2018.
COOPER – LOOKING FOR DEFENDERS TO BE CONSISTENT:
Defensive Backs coach Evan Cooper spoke to the media for the first time in fall camp Monday, and was asked what traits he is looking for in the early stages of practices so far…
Nebraska returns several players with experience in the defensive backfield, including Isaac Gifford, Malcolm Hartzog, Tommi Hill, Quentin Newsome, and others.
COOPER – ALL DEFENSIVE BACKS WILL LEARN EACH POSITION:
Evan Cooper, Nebraska Football Defensive Backs coach, stated after Monday’s practice that each of his DBs are being trained to learn each spot in the backfield early in camp…
The Huskers lost returning starter Myles Farmer to a suspension and the transfer portal last week, leaving a void at the safety spot in the new 3-3-5 defense.
COOPER – TOMMI HILL CONTINUES TO IMPROVE THROUGH ADVERSITY:
Tommi Hill had an up-and-down first season for the Big Red – beginning as a starting defensive back, being benched then moved to receiver – and has now returned to his DB spot with assistant Evan Cooper leading the group. Coach Cooper spoke on Hill’s persistence so far in camp…
Hill aims to take a starting spot in defensive coordinator Tony White’s new 3-3-5 scheme.
LOPER FOOTBALL MONDAY PRACTICE COMMENTS – TJ DAVIS & RYAN HELD:
DAVIS – NOT DONE WITH KEARNEY; PLAYING FOR CHAMPIONSHIP:
UNK Quarterback TJ Davis received his undergraduate degree from UNK in May, but elected to return for another season for the Lopers in 2023. The former Harlon Hill runner-up said he has unfinished business…
UNK finished 2022 8-3 but did not qualify for the postseason after falling to the three teams in the MIAA who earned playoff bids – Pittsburg State, Northwest Missouri State, and Emporia State.
DAVIS – BUILDING GOOD COMMUNICATION WITH NEW HEAD COACH:
TJ Davis is one of the few returning pieces for UNK Football this season. His new head coach Ryan Held arrived at the start of the new year in January, and Davis added after the Lopers first fall practice that their communication continues to build…
Davis also added he’s excited to see the expanded passing game continue to evolve in Held’s new offensive scheme.
DAVIS – LOPER PASS GAME FURTHER AHEAD THAN LAST YEAR:
UNK Quarterback TJ Davis sounded off on the further advancement of the Loper Football passing game after Monday’s opening fall practice…
Davis – routinely known for his stellar running ability – looks to open up the aerial attack for the Lopers this season after UNK has finished in the bottom three of passing yards each of his seasons in the MIAA.
HELD – COMPETING EXPECTATIONS IN MIAA:
First year UNK Football Head Coach Ryan Held spoke to the media after the first practice of the fall camp on Monday and said his team is continuing to compete against the conference’s expectations…
UNK went 8-3 last season and was picked tied for fifth in the preseason coaches poll as well as sixth in the conference media poll.
HELD – FIRST PRACTICE WAS DISCIPLINED, DETAILED, TOUGH:
First year Loper Football Head Coach Ryan Held was satisfied with his team’s first performance at Monday’s opening fall camp practice…
Held’s DDT mantra continues to showcase throughout the Loper Football program as the team looks to improve on their preseason selection of fifth place by the MIAA Coaches poll.
HELD – TEAM SPEED HAS IMPROVED SINCE SPRING:
Ryan Held – first year UNK Football head coach – was happy to see some improvements from his Lopers in the opening practice of the 2023 season Monday morning…
Held added new pieces to replace lost talent in the transfer portal and graduation, as UNK returns the lowest number of starters from 2022 in the MIAA.
NEBRASKA WOMEN’S HOOPS ERUPTS IN WIN OVER CRETE:
Alexis Markowski notched her third straight double-double and Jaz Shelley led six Huskers in double figures with 20 points, as the Nebraska women’s basketball team rolled to a 124-18 win over the Crete All Stars in Heraklion on Monday.
Shelley, a two-time All-Big Ten guard, hit 7-of-14 shots from the field including 5-of-11 three-pointers, while dishing out six assists and grabbing three steals to complete Nebraska’s 3-0 foreign tour in Greece.
Nebraska will travel from Heraklion back to Athens on Tuesday, before returning from Athens to Lincoln on Wednesday to complete the tour.
CFB TOP 25 COACHES POLL RELEASED:
The USA Today Top 25 Coaches Poll was released on Monday, as two-time defending national champion Georgia earned most of the top votes. Michigan and Ohio State went No. 2 and No. 4, while perennial contender Alabama was No. 3.
The SEC held six total teams with three in the Top Five, as LSU was placed fifth. The BIg Ten was also top heavy, with four teams in the Top 25 as Wisconsin was No. 18 and Penn State at No. 7.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SCHEDULE:
TUESDAY SCHEDULE:
Washington Nationals @ Philadelphia Phillies – 3:05 PM
Minnesota Twins @ Detroit Tigers – 5:40 PM
Miami Marlins @ Cincinnati Reds – 5:40 PM
St. Louis Cardinals @ Tampa Bay Rays – 5:40 PM
Washington Nationals @ Philadelphia Phillies – 6:05 PM
Atlanta Braves @ Pittsburgh Pirates – 6:05 PM
Houston Astros @ Baltimore Orioles – 6:05 PM
Chicago Cubs @ New York Mets – 6:10 PM
Toronto Blue Jays @ Cleveland Guardians – 6:10 PM
Kansas City Royals @ Boston Red Sox – 6:10 PM
New York Yankees @ Chicago White Sox – 7:10 PM
Colorado Rockies @ Milwaukee Brewers – 7:10 PM
San Francisco Giants @ Los Angeles Angels – 8:38 PM
Texas Rangers @ Oakland Athletics – 8:40 PM
Local Results & Schedules:
THIS WEEK IN LOCAL SPORTS:
TUESDAY:
- KGFW Sports Schedule:
- Sports Nightly (6 PM – 8 PM)
WEDNESDAY:
- KGFW Sports Schedule:
- Sports Nightly (6 PM – 8 PM)
THURSDAY:
- KGFW Sports Schedule:
- Sports Nightly (6 PM – 8 PM)
FRIDAY:
- KGFW Sports Schedule:
- Sports Nightly (6 PM – 8 PM)
SATURDAY:
- KGFW Sports Schedule:
- N/a
SUNDAY:
- KGFW Sports Schedule:
- N/a
