CASEY THOMPSON NAMED STARTING QUARTERBACK FOR HUSKERS IN WEEK ZERO:
Head Coach for Nebraska Football Scott Frost spoke on his monthly appearance on Sports Nightly Thursday night, and was asked who QB No. 1 might be heading to Ireland…
Thompson, the Texas transfer, has the most experience under center after starting several contests the past few seasons for the Longhorns and arrived in Lincoln prior to spring camp beginning in January.
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 said he’s confident with whoever gets chosen…
Head Coach Scott Frost named Casey Thompson the No. 1 quarterback for the start of the Northwestern contest on Sports Nightly Thursday night.
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.
OHIO NAMES STADIUM AFTER SOLICH:
The Ohio football program announced Thursday that the Ohio University Board of Trustees agreed to name the football field in Peden Stadium for former head coach Frank Solich.
Solich started his Ohio legacy with a bang, securing his first home victory in his debut at Peden Stadium against Pitt.
After serving as head coach from 2005-21, Solich earned the title of Winningest Coach in the Mid-American Conference with a 115-82 overall record. In the Ohio history books, his 115 wins make him second only to Don Peden, who coached the Bobcats to 121 wins (1924-46).
With 173 career wins, Solich ranks as the fourth most active NCAA FBS head coach.
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.
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.
Local Results & Schedules:
THIS WEEK IN LOCAL SPORTS:
THURSDAY:
- KEARNEY HIGH:
- Bearcat Softball: Varsity Doubleheader @ Lincoln Pius X.
- GAME 1: LPX 9-5
- GAME 2: LPX 11-3
- Bearcat Softball: Varsity Doubleheader @ Lincoln Pius X.
- KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
- Stars Softball @ Ord
- Stars 15 – 6 Ord
- Stars Softball @ Ord
FRIDAY:
- KGFW Sports Schedule:
- Sports Nightly (6 PM – 8 PM)
SATURDAY:
- N/a
SUNDAY:
- N/a
