NEBRASKA FOOTBALL PRACTICE COMMENTS – COACH WHITE & DVORACEK COMMENTS:
WHITE – DIFFERENT WAYS AND REASONS TO CALL DEFENSE:
Defensive Coordinator Tony White addressed the media at the conclusion of Friday’s practice, and spoke about his philosophy when calling defensive plays from the sideline…
Nebraska switched up defensive coordinators three times in the past year, beginning with Erik Chinander in 2022, followed by interim Bill Busch, and have now switched to Tony White and his 3-3-5 scheme.
WHITE – DEFENSIVE COACHES BRING IDEAS:
Tony White heaped praise on his assistant defensive coaches after Friday’s practice session, saying the entire group
The entire coaching staff is brand new, including White, defensive line coach Terrance Knighton, linebackers coach Rob Dvoracek, and secondary coach Corey Cooper.
WHITE – RETURNING LEADERS TAKE OWNERSHIP OF DEFENSE:
Defensive coordinator for Nebraska Football Tony White was asked how he leans on his returning veteran leadership during fall camp to install his new scheme…
The Huskers have an influx of talent along with returning experience, as both hope to complement each other to push Nebraska to the postseason.
DVORACEK – LINEBACKERS GET BETTER ONE PERCENT EACH DAY:
Linebackers coach for Nebraska Rob Dvoracek addressed the media for the first time in fall camp after Friday’s practice, and begin his presser simply saying he pushes his backers to improve each session…
Nebraska’s linebackers are one of the most experienced returning groups, with veterans Nick Henrich and Luke Reimer returning to their roles.
DVORACEK – HENRICH HAS PREPARED WELL TO COME BACK FROM INJURY:
Returning starting linebacker Nick Henrich missed the second half of conference play last season after a season ending injury, but new linebackers coach Rob Dvoracek said he’s pleased with the effort Henrich has put in to get back on the field…
Henrich is the second leader in career total tackles returning for Huskers this season, behind teammate Luke Reimer.
DVORACEK – DEMAND A LOT OF LINEBACKERS; EVERYONE HAS IMPROVED:
First year Husker linebackers coach Rob Dvoracek spoke to the media after Friday’s practice saying he hasn’t been easy on his group, but they have responded well throughout camp…
Nebraska’s linebackers return the most game-time experience of any defensive position group, as well as added elite transfer talent to boost the group before changing to Tony White’s 3-3-5 scheme.
UNK VOLLEYBALL AIMS TO CONTINUE NCAA TOURNAMENT STREAK; BEGINS PRACTICES MONDAY:
The Nebraska Kearney volleyball team, aiming to make the NCAA Tournament for an unprecedented 24th consecutive year, reports to fall camp on Monday, Aug. 14.
The Lopers will have eight practices prior to the annual “Blue/White” scrimmage on Saturday, Aug. 19 (3 p.m.).
This year, three additional home scrimmages are open to the public; note scores and statistics cannot be taken or reported for these matches. These workouts come against Metro State (Aug. 25; 6 pm. & Aug. 26; 12 p.m.) and South Dakota Mines (Aug. 26; 10:30 a.m.).
Head coach Rick Squiers, now 729-102 in his UNK tenure, has a 22-player roster that includes 2022 All-Americans Emersen Cyza (Alliance) and Jaden Ferguson (Lincoln SE). Ferguson is a grad transfer who previously played at MIAA rival Northwest Missouri.
The regular season begins two days later in Salt Lake City at the Westminster College Invite. The home opener comes on Wednesday, Sept. 6, vs. Peru State.
HUSKER MBB MAST LOOKS TO AID NETHERLANDS IN FIBA PRE-QUALIFIER:
Nebraska’s Rienk Mast will look to help the Netherlands advance in the FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament this week in Istanbul, Turkey.
Mast has been in training camp with the Netherlands since mid-July preparing for this qualifier. He will be making his second senior National Team appearance and first since 2019. Mast played in the 2019 Basketball World Cup qualifier averaging 4.3 points and 2.7 rebounds per game in three contests.
The teams in the Netherlands pool in Istanbul include Sweden (Aug. 13. 4:30 a.m. central), Belgium (Aug. 14, 9 a.m. central) and Croatia (Aug. 16, 9 a.m. central).
Mast is one of two current Huskers representing their national teams this summer. Keisei Tominaga is in camp with the Japanese National Team for the FIBA World Cup which begins on Aug. 25.
LOPER WOMEN’S SOCCER PICKED ELEVENTH IN MIAA POLL:
The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association announced its Preseason Coaches’ Poll for the 2023 women’s soccer season.
UNK tallied 22 total points finishing eleventh in the preseason poll, ahead of Newman but behind Missouri Southern.
Central Missouri, the defending MIAA champion, was picked to finish at the top of the league again. UCM has won 13 of the last 15 regular season titles including the last three.
UNK begins fall camp on Monday, Aug. 14. The Lopers will work out twice daily (9:30-11 a.m. & 5:30-7 p.m.) before school begins on Aug. 21. The team hosts Hastings (Aug. 20; 3 p.m.) and Augustana (Aug. 26; 12 p.m.) in home exhibition scrimmages before the regular season starts on Sept. 2 in Oklahoma.
NEBRASKA FOOTBALL UNVEILS FIRST SINGLE DIGIT JERSEY RECIPIENTS:
Nebraska football has a new tradition this fall.
First year Head Coach Matt Rhule has installed a new toughness meter in the form of single digit jersey numbers. The single digit uniforms, numbered zero through nine, will now be voted on by the team to the ten “toughest” members of the Big Red.
The first players with single-digit jerseys were unveiled Wednesday.
Senior wide receiver Billy Kemp IV picked the No. 1, safety Isaac Gifford is wearing No. 2, Luke Reimer is wearing No. 4 and quarterback Jeff Sims is wearing No. 7.
The honor is voted on by the team. More on this story at KGFW.com.
HASTINGS BRONCOS MENS’ SOCCER No. 1, WOMEN No. 2; VOLLEYBALL PICKED SEVENTH:
The GPAC Preseason polls continue to roll out for Hastings College fall sports.
On Thursday, the Broncos Men’s Soccer program was picked as the top team in the preseason GPAC poll, ahead of Concordia and Midland respectively. The Broncos picked up eight first place votes compared to the Bulldogs three.
In the women’s poll, Jamestown led with seven first place votes but Hastings claimed five to earn a second overall spot.
Finally in the preseason volleyball poll released Wednesday, Hastings was voted to finish seventh as Jamestown led the way with five of the twelve first place votes.
NEBRASKA FOOTBALL PRACTICE COMMENTS – PLAYERS:
ISAAC GIFFORD – RESPECT FOR NEW COACHING STAFF:
Nebraska Football defender Isaac Gifford was recruited and played for the Scott Frost staff before they were terminated before the end of the 2022 season. Gifford spoke after Monday’s practice that the new staff has already earned his respect…
Gifford received praise by Head Coach Matt Rhule after Tuesday’s practice stating he saw the Lincoln native as a future NFL prospect.
ISAAC GIFFORD – TEAM CONTINUES TO WORK HARD:
Isaac Gifford, a defensive back for the Nebraska Football team, spoke earlier this week about how the team’s work ethic hasn’t changed – but the coaching staff’s trust in the team did…
Nebraska made a change after their Week 2 loss last season to Georgia Southern, before completely removing the Scott Frost staff at the end of the season with the newly hired Matt Rhule as Head Coach.
ISAAC GIFFORD – CAMP IS TOUGH, ONE DAY AT A TIME:
Nebraska Football’s fall camp has tested the players and coaching staff, and Isaac Gifford – a returning veteran defensive player – stated that he enjoys taking each day one piece at a time…
Gifford’s mentality earned him the sought-after single digit uniform, awarded from his peers as one of the toughest players on the team.
ISAAC GIFFORD – PLAYING SAFETY IS NATURAL:
Nebraska Football defender Isaac Gifford has made a switch to the safety position in defensive coordinator Tony White’s new 3-3-5 scheme. Gifford added in post-practice comments that he’s comfortable with a familiar spot…
The Lincoln native is line for a big season, as Head Coach Matt Rhule spoke in media comments he believes Gifford could be a future NFL prospect.
MALCOLM HARTZOG – PRACTICE GETS EVERYONE READY:
Returning Nebraska Football defensive back Malcolm Hartzog said during the second week of fall camp that the Huskers continue to put good practices together…
The Big Red open their season on August 31 against Minnesota on the road in Big Ten conference play.
MALCOLM HARTZOG – PRACTICING AND FOCUSING AT SAFETY:
Malcolm Hartzog was a good piece to the Huskers defensive backfield last season, and is expecting a new position this year with an adjustment to safety…
The Huskers believe Hartzog to be a key piece to replacing departed starter Myles Farmer, who left the team to enter the transfer portal after the first week of fall camp.
MALCOLM HARTZOG – NEW SCHEME FITS WELL:
Nebraska defensive back Malcolm Hartzog is learning his second defensive scheme in two years, but said during the second week of fall camp he’s excited about the new opportunities in coordinator Tony White’s new 3-3-5…
Hartzog routinely made plays at cornerback last season for the Big Red, as Nebraska expects big plays again from him and returning contributor Isaac Gifford.
MALCOLM HARTZOG – COOPER PROVIDES MOTIVATION:
With a new defensive scheme arrived new defensive coaches for Nebraska Football over the offseason, as Erik Chinander was replaced by defensive coordinator Tony White and his 3-3-5 scheme. Likewise, Corey Cooper is in as the secondary coach, and returning safety Malcolm Hartzog likes what Cooper provides early in fall camp…
The entire defensive staff for Nebraska is new since the final game at Iowa in 2022.
BRYCE BENHART – DORM LIFE IS NOT COMFORTABLE:
Offensive lineman for Nebraska Bryce Benhart had some fun at his first media session during fall camp, saying living in the dorms is not ideal for the returning starter…
The 6’9”, 315 pound right tackle last season has received many compliments from Head Coach Matt Rhule, as the first year Husker coach has stated he sees Benhart as a future NFL lineman.
BRYCE BENHART – HUSKERS CONTINUE TO IMPROVE EVERYDAY:
The Nebraska Offensive line struggled at times in the 2022 season, but returning starter Bryce Benhart remains positive through fall camp as he sees further improvement…
Nebraska aims to rotate at minimum seven offensive lineman this season.
BRYCE BENHART – WORKING ON CONSISTENCY:
Offensive lineman Bryce Benhart had a simple answer for what he’s improving on the most this season…
Benhart and the Huskers O-Line struggled at times in 2022, and are hoping year two under coach Donovan Raiola provides that consistency.
BRYCE BENHART – NEW COACHING PROVIDES TOUGH LOVE:
Offensive lineman Bryce Benhart was singing the praises of tough love from the new Husker coaching staff during the second week of fall camp, saying he has seen the difference from previous coaches…
Nebraska Football puts that tough love to the test on August 31, opening play at Minnesota.
PHALEN SANFORD – TEAM CONTINUES TO WORK DAY-BY-DAY:
Nebraska Football continues their fall camp with the same mantra etched in the sides of Memorial Stadium, as defensive back Phalen Sanford explained in his post-practice comments…
Sanford and the Blackshirts continue to learn Tony White’s new 3-3-5 scheme, set to make its first appearance on August 31 at Minnesota.
PHALEN SANFORD – POSITION IS FAMILIAR FOR HUSKERS:
Phalen Sanford, a returning defensive contributor, spoke after his post-practice comments about the similarities in his position last year to where is placed this season…
The Huskers have adjusted to a 3-3-5 look, allowing more defensive backs on the field to create confusion for opposing offenses.
PHALEN SANFORD – DEFENSE CREATES PLAYMAKERS:
Benkelman native Phalen Sanford explained in his post-practice comments during fall camp how the new defensive scheme for the Blackshirts will aid in creating more plays…
The Huskers aim to create more big plays from their defensive backfield this season with the switch to a 3-3-5 system.
NFL PRESEASON SCHEDULE:
THURSDAY RESULTS:
Houston Texans 20-9 New England Patriots
Seattle Seahawks 24-13 Minnesota Vikings
FRIDAY SCHEDULE:
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 6 PM
Atlanta Falcons @ Miami Dolphins – 6 PM
Green Bay Packers @ Cincinnati Bengals – 6 PM
New York Giants @ Detroit Lions – 6 PM
Washington Commanders @ Cleveland Browns – 6:30 PM
Denver Broncos @ Arizona Cardinals – 9 PM
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY SCHEDULE:
Cleveland Guardians @ Tampa Bay Rays – 5:40 PM
New York Yankees @ Miami Marlins – 5:40 PM
Minnesota Twins @ Philadelphia Phillies – 6:05 PM
Oakland Athletics @ Washington Nationals – 6:50 PM
Cincinnati Reds @ Pittsburgh Pirates – 6:05 PM
Chicago Cubs @ Toronto Blue Jays – 6:07 PM
Detroit Tigers @ Boston Red Sox – 6:10 PM
Atlanta Braves @ New York Mets – 6:10 PM
Milwaukee Brewers @ Chicago White Sox – 7:10 PM
St. Louis Cardinals @ Kansas City Royals – 7:10 PM
Los Angeles Angels @ Houston Astros – 7:10 PM
San Diego Padres @ Arizona Diamondbacks – 8:40 PM
Colorado Rockies @ Los Angeles Dodgers – 9:10 PM
Baltimore Orioles @ Seattle Mariners – 9:10 PM
Texas Rangers @ San Francisco Giants – 9:15 PM
Local Results & Schedules:
THIS WEEK IN LOCAL SPORTS:
FRIDAY:
- KGFW Sports Schedule:
- Sports Nightly (6 PM – 8 PM)
SATURDAY:
- KGFW Sports Schedule:
- N/a
SUNDAY:
- KGFW Sports Schedule:
- N/a
