KEARNEY LITTLE LEAGUE ENDS SEASON AGAINST IOWA:
The Kearney Little League Midwest Regional run has come to an end. After falling to Iowa 9-3 on Tuesday afternoon, the summer wraps for the Nebraska-representatives.
Iowa now awaits the loser of the North Dakota/South Dakota matchup on Thursday. Aug. 10 at 1 PM.
Kearney ends their run in the Midwest Regional, their third year being named state champions as Nebraska representatives.
HUSKER FOOTBALL TUESDAY PRACTICE COMMENTS – MATT RHULE:
RHULE – MAVERICK NOONAN OUT FOR YEAR:
Nebraska Football Head Coach Matt Rhule gave an injury update after Tuesday’s practice including some tough news for an incoming Nebraska native…
Noonan, the son of former Husker Danny Noonan, committed to Nebraska over the winter out of Elkhorn South as a touted recruit for Rhule’s first class.
RHULE – RECEIVERS GIVEN MORE OPPORTUNITY DUE TO INJURIES:
Matt Rhule gave some updates after Tuesday’s practice, including nagging injuries to veteran receivers. Rhule added these provide new opportunities for younger players…
Nebraska also has Lincoln East standout Malachi Coleman on the roster receiving practice rotations.
RHULE – QUARTERBACKS HAVE IMPROVED SINCE START OF CAMP:
Head Coach for Nebraska Football Matt Rhule was asked about his thoughts on the development of his quarterbacks after Tuesday’s practice…
Jeff Sims is the presumed starter for the Big Red, who arrived from Georgia Tech in the portal prior to spring camp.
RHULE – HUSKERS WILL NEED STRONG LINE PLAY:
Husker Football Head Coach Matt Rhule was adamant during his Tuesday presser after practice that his team will be defined by the play of the interior of the offense and defense…
The Huskers hope to find consistency with the offensive line, aiming for a rotation of seven to ten players for the pipeline.
RHULE – OFFENSIVE LINE NUMBERS KEEP GROWING:
Matt Rhule, Nebraska Football Head Coach, shared the Big Red’s offensive comfortability with their offensive line numbers…
The Huskers currently have an injury to left tackle Teddy Prochazka, but he is expected to recover in time for the Minnesota contest.
RHULE – SPECIAL TEAMS IS A PRIORITY:
Nebraska Football has had inconsistencies in special teams season after season. First year Head Coach Matt Rhule stated after Tuesday’s practice that the expectations for the third phase of the game has shifted…
Nebraska also hired a full-time special teams coach in Ed Foley, who addressed the media after Monday’s practice.
LOPER ATHLETICS NAMES 2023 HALL OF FAME CLASS:
Four former student-athletes and a contributor will be inducted into the Nebraska-Kearney Athletic Hall of Fame during ceremonies on Homecoming weekend this Sept. 29-30.
The 2023 Hall of Fame members are softball pitcher Lisa (Graff) Timmins (‘99), football player Mike Miller (’05), basketball player Heather Steffen (’06 & ’12; UNMC), wrestler Ted Reehl, and Kearney Hub sports editor Buck Mahoney.
Full biographies and more on each inductee can be found at KGFW.com.
UNK ATHLETICS’ RACHAEL PAGE APPOINTED TO MIAA CHAIR POSITION:
Nebraska Kearney’s Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator Rachael Page was appointed to chair the MIAA’s Athletic Administrators Council.
Selected by her peers, Rachael Page will serve as the new chair of the MIAA’s Athletic Administrators Council (AAC) through June of 2025.
The Association’s AAC is made up of athletic directors and senior woman administrators from all 14 MIAA institutions. The focus of the AAC is to review and act upon recommendations from coaches and other MIAA professional groups, while also taking actions related to officiating programs, championships, schedules and administrative manuals.
UNK FOOTBALL TUESDAY PRACTICE COMMENTS – DEFENSIVE PLAYERS:
SPIES – DEFENSE IS PLAYING FAST, PLAYING TOGETHER:
UNK Football wrapped up their second day of fall practices on Tuesday morning, as returning starter and defensive lineman Tell Spies was happy to see the defense playing fast…
The Lopers defense was gauged by graduation and transfers, returning only a handful of starters and players with experience under first year Head Coach Ryan Held.
O’GUINN – DEFENSE WAS FASTER ON DAY TWO:
Loper Football’s Tre O’Guinn was happy to see improvement from his defensive teammates on Day Two of UNK’s fall practices, as the senior safety said improvement was evident from Day One…
UNK continues practices this week leading to a Saturday morning scrimmage at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium.
SCHLAGER – READY TO GET HITTING:
The Lopers practiced in only helmets on Monday and Tuesday morning, but according to returning linebacker Zach Slager the defense is ready to get hitting…
The Lopers will run in shoulder pads on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday until their scrimmage in full pads on Saturday morning.
HASTINGS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICKED FIFTH IN GPAC PRESEASON POLL:
The Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) has announced the preseason football coaches’ poll for the 2023 season. Hastings College was voted fifth, behind fourth place Midland and ahead of Concordia at sixth.
Northwestern received eight of the eleven first place votes, totaling 98 total points. Morningside was second with three first place votes.
The Broncos begin their season at Peru State on August 26.
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.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SCHEDULE:
TUESDAY SCHEDULE:
Washington Nationals @ Philadelphia Phillies
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
