HUSKER WOMEN’S HOOPS DROPS CONTEST LATE WITH ILLINOIS:
Sam Haiby scored nine of her team-high 15 points in the fourth quarter, but it was not enough to overcome a 20-0 Illinois run in the second half of Nebraska’s 72-64 women’s basketball loss to the Fighting Illini on Thursday night at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Haiby finished with 15 points, eight rebounds and four assists, while Alexis Markowski added her 12th double-double of the season, including her fourth straight, with 14 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Huskers. Jaz Shelley contributed 12 points and eight boards, while Isabelle Bourne pitched in 11 points and five rebounds, but Nebraska slipped to 14-10 overall and 6-7 in the Big Ten.
Makira Cook led Illinois (19-6, 9-5 Big Ten) with a game-high 22 points and four assists, while Kendall Bostic produced a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Nebraska returns to Big Ten road action at No. 13 Michigan on Sunday.
LOPER WOMEN TAKE CONTROL OF MIAA WITH WIN OVER JENNIES:
Four players scored in double figures and No. 11 Nebraska Kearney flashed its patent defense down the stretch in a 60-57 win over No. 10/15 Central Missouri Thursday night at the Health & Sports Center.
UNK (23-3, 16-2) pushes its win streak to 10, its home win streak to 17 and ends a five-game losing streak to the Jennies (18-3, 14-3). The Blue & Gold now sits a full-game ahead of Missouri Western (15-3) for first place in the MIAA standings.
A 22-14 UNK fourth quarter featured nine points from forward Elisa Backes (Salina, Kan.) who now ranks 10th in school-history in points (1,503).
UNK hosts Lincoln (5-18, 3-14) on Saturday. The Blue Tigers fell tonight at Fort Hays State, 77-57.
UNK MEN SNAP LOSING SKID:
Sophomore guard Sean Evans scored a team-high 23 points to help Nebraska Kearney rally and then hold off Central Missouri, 78-72, Thursday night at the Health & Sports Center.
UNK (5-18, 3-14) splits the season series with the Mules (7-10, 11-2) and improves to 4-3 at home against UCM in the MIAA era (since 2012).
UNK hosts Lincoln University Saturday. The Blue Tigers are now in a two-way tie for third place in the MIAA after a last second 59-57 loss at Fort Hays State tonight.
HUSKER FOOTBALL ASSISTANT COACH COMMENTS – WAGER & McGUIRE:
WAGER – JOURNEY GETTING TO NEBRASKA:
Nebraska Football tight ends coach Bob Wager arrived in Lincoln from the Texas High School ranks, and addressed the media for the first time Thursday afternoon talking about the journey joining the Huskers…
The Huskers are hoping Wager’s Texas ties can open up more recruiting avenues in the Lone Star State.
WAGER – TIMING WASN’T RIGHT BEFORE TO HEAD TO COLLEGE:
Nebraska Tight Ends Coach Bob Wager spoke to the media for the first time on Thursday afternoon and was asked why he chose to leave for college now instead electing to stay in the Texas high school ranks for years…
Wager ended his Texas coaching career with over 200 career wins and aiding several players to the college and professional ranks, including former No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick Myles Garrett.
WAGER – TIGHT END ROOM IS ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS
New Nebraska Tight Ends Coach Bob Wager spoke to the media for the first time Thursday afternoon and gave his views on the tight end room for the Big Red…
Nebraska has a talented room with former No. 1 overall tight end Thomas Fidone still on the roster, along with Georgia transfer Arik Gilbert.
McGUIRE – LEARNED A LOT IN CAROLINA:
New Nebraska Football wide receiver coach Garrett McGuire was introduced for the first time on Thursday afternoon, and was asked about his experience and what he learned during his stint with the Carolina Panthers…
The Huskers hired the youngest assistant coach in Big Red football history as the former Baylor quarterback is only 23 years old.
McGUIRE – FATHER ADVICE FOR COACHING:
Garrett McGuire – Nebraska Football wide receivers coach – was asked how his father has aided in his coaching progression since his departure from his playing days…
McGuire comes from a strong line of coaching, as his father Joey is the current head coach for Texas Tech and just led the Red Raiders to an 8-5 record and bowl appearance last season.
McGUIRE – RECEIVER ROOM IS BUILT ON RELATIONSHIPS:
Garrett McGuire is the youngest coach on staff for the Big Red as he is touted to lead the receivers, but says his role as assistant coach is to help build relationships within the locker room…
McGuire was previously with the Carolina Panthers and was also a backup quarterback under Matt Rhule while at Baylor.
STORM SET FOR HOME WEEKEND AGAINST BLACK HAWKS:
The Tri-City Storm is set to host the Waterloo Black Hawks for a two-game series this weekend at the Viaero Center. Puck drop for tonight’s battle is scheduled for 7:05pm CT.
Tri-City (18-15-1-3) seeks to protect home ice tonight following back-to-back road victories last weekend against the Omaha Lancers and Sioux Falls Stampede.
Waterloo (25-13-0-0) enters this weekend’s road series against Tri-City four points behind the Fargo Force for 1st place in the USHL’s Western Conference standings.
MAHOMES WINS MVP; NFL AWARDS RECAP:
Patrick Mahomes dominated the voting for the AP NFL Most Valuable Player award.
Mahomes, who also won in 2018, easily outdistanced Jalen Hurts, receiving 48 of 50 first-place votes from a nationwide panel of media members who regularly cover the league. He earned 490 points to 193 for Hurts, who got one first-place vote, 26 seconds, 11 thirds and 10 fourths.
In the second-closest race Thursday, Brian Daboll won AP Coach of the Year after leading the New York Giants to their first playoff appearance in six years.
Nick Bosa made it a landslide for the AP Defensive Player of the Year award. San Francisco’s All-Pro defensive end received 46 first-place votes after leading the NFL with 18 ½ sacks in the regular season.
Jets cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner won the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
Jets receiver Garrett Wilson edged out Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker for the AP Offensive Rookie of the year award.
Justin Jefferson ran away with the AP Offensive Player of the Year award. Minnesota’s All-Pro wide receiver got 35 first-place votes and earned 192 points, outdistancing runner up Mahomes by a significant margin.
Geno Smith, who earned his first Pro Bowl berth after becoming a full-time starter for the first time since 2014, is the AP Comeback Player of the Year.
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was the Walter Payton Man of the Year.
THOMAS, REVIS HEADLINE 2023 NFL HOF CLASS:
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 was revealed Thursday night at NFL Honors, three days before Super Bowl LVII.
The members of the class include: Ronde Barber, Darrelle Revis, Joe Thomas, Zach Thomas, DeMarcus Ware, Don Coryell, Chuck Howley, Joe Klecko, and Ken Riley.
TEXAS, OKLAHOMA SET TO JOIN SEC IN 2024:
Texas and Oklahoma are heading to the Southeastern Conference in 2024, a year earlier than originally planned, after Big 12 officials cleared the way Thursday for the storied programs to exit their league.
Texas and Oklahoma will leave behind the $50 million each school would have received over the next two seasons under the Big 12′s media contracts.
Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormak said the league would only agree to an early departure “if it was in our best interest.”
BYU, Central Florida, Cincinnati and Houston are joining the Big 12 prior to the 2023 football season, giving the league a temporary membership of 14 schools.
Local Results & Schedules:
THIS WEEK IN LOCAL SPORTS:
- UNK:
- Women’s Basketball: v. Central Missouri @ Health & Sports Center
- UNK 60-57 UCM
- Men’s Basketball: v. Central Missouri @ Health & Sports Center
- UNK 78-72 UCM
- Women’s Basketball: v. Central Missouri @ Health & Sports Center
FRIDAY:
- KEARNEY HIGH:
- Wrestling: DISTRICTS @ North Platte
- Swimming & Diving: HAC Championships @ Fremont YMCA – 11 AM
- Girls Basketball: @ Lincoln Southeast – 5:45 PM
- KGFW Pregame at 5:30 PM
- Boys Basketball: @ Lincoln Southeast – 7:30 PM
- KGFW Pregame after KHS GBB
- KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
- Wrestling: DISTRICTS @ Mitchell
- Swimming & Diving: HAC Championships @ Fremont YMCA – 11 AM
- Girls Basketball: v. Lincoln Christian – 5 PM
- Boys Basketball: v. Lincoln Christian – 7 PM
- UNK:
- Women’s Swimming: @ RMAC Championships @ Grand Junction, CO
- M/W T&F: @ Gorilla Classic @ Pittsburg, KS
- Women’s Tennis: v. Colorado Mesa @ Ernest Grundy Tennis Center – 10 AM
- M/W T&F: @ Ichabod Invitational @ Topeka, KS
- HASTINGS COLLEGE:
- M/W T&F: @ Concordia Indoor Invite – 10 AM
- Men’s Tennis: v. Colorado Mesa @ Ernest Grundy Tennis Center – 4 PM
- Women’s Tennis: v. Colorado Mesa @ Ernest Grundy Tennis Center – 4 PM
- Women’s Basketball: @ Briar Cliff – 6 PM
- Men’s Basketball: @ Briar Cliff – 7:45 PM
- KGFW Sports Schedule:
- Kearney Girls Basketball @ Lincoln Southeast (5:30 PM – 7:30 PM)
- Kearney Boys Basketball @ Lincoln Southeast (7:30 PM – 9:30 PM)
SATURDAY:
- KEARNEY HIGH:
- Wrestling: DISTRICTS @ North Platte – 8 AM
- Swimming & Diving: HAC Championships @ Fremont YMCA – 2 PM
- Girls Basketball: v. Columbus @ Kearney High School – 3:30 PM
- KGFW Pregame at 3:15 PM
- Boys Basketball: v. Columbus @ Kearney High School – 5:15 PM
- KGFW Pregame after KHS GBB
- KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
- Wrestling: DISTRICTS @ Mitchell
- Swimming & Diving: HAC Championships @ Fremont YMCA – 2 PM
- UNK:
- Women’s Swimming: @ RMAC Championships @ Grand Junction, CO
- M/W T&F: @ Ichabod Invitational @ Topeka, KS – 11:30 AM
- M/W T&F: @ Gorilla Classic @ Pittsburg, KS
- Women’s Basketball: v. Lincoln U. @ Health & Sports Center – 2 PM
- Men’s Basketball: v. Lincoln U. @ Health & Sports Center – 4 PM
- HASTINGS COLLEGE:
- Men’s Tennis: v. Ottawa – 12 PM
- Baseball: v. William Penn, IA @ Winfield, KS – 12 PM
- Softball: @ Bethel, KS @ North Newton, KS – 1 PM
- Women’s Tennis: v. Ottawa – 1 PM
- Women’s Basketball: @ Morningside – 2 PM
- Softball: @ Bethel, KS @ North Newton, KS – 3 PM
- Baseball: v. William Penn, IA @ Winfield, KS – 3 PM
- Men’s Basketball: @ Morningside – 3:45 PM
- KGFW Sports Schedule:
- Kearney Girls Basketball v. Columbus (3:15 PM – 5:15 PM)
- Kearney Boys Basketball v. Columbus (5:15 PM – 7:15 PM)
SUNDAY:
- KEARNEY HIGH:
- N/a
- KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
- N/a
- UNK:
- Women’s Tennis: v. Augustana @ Ernest Grundy Tennis Center – 9:30 AM
- Softball: @ Colorado Springs – 1 PM
- Women’s Tennis: v. Cowley, KS College @ Ernest Grundy Tennis Center – 2 PM
- Wrestling: @ Central Oklahoma – 2 PM
- Softball: @ Colorado Springs – 3 PM
- HASTINGS COLLEGE:
- Women’s Wrestling: @ Warrior Open @ Fremont – 9 AM
- Men’s Bowling: @ Baker Invitational @ Lawrence, KS – 10 AM
- Women’s Bowling: @ Baker Invitational @ Lawrence, KS – 10 AM
- Baseball: v. Southwestern @ Winfield, KS – 12 PM
- Baseball: v. Southwestern @ Winfield, KS – 3 PM
- KGFW Sports Schedule:
- Nebraska Women’s Basketball @ Michigan (12 PM – 3 PM)
