Tuesday Morning Sports – UNK Football Climbs Polls, Volleyball Remains in Top Ten, UNK XC Invite Results, Husker Football Monday Comments

UNK FOOTBALL NOW NUMBER 12 IN COACHES POLL

The Loper Football team climbed the polls once again after a win against Central Missouri. With a 4-0 record, the Lopers now sit at No. 12.

The Lopers take on Fort Hays State in Hays, Kansas on Saturday.

UNK VOLLEYBALL REMAINS IN TOP TEN

In the latest D2 Coaches Poll, the UNK Volleyball team remained in the Top Ten despite losses on back to back weekends from No. 1 Washburn and to unranked Central Oklahoma. 

Four MIAA teams remain in the Top 15 including: No. 1 Washburn, No. 5 Central Missouri, No. 10 UNK, and No. 13 Northwest Missouri State.

Wayne State rose to No. 7 in the poll. 

KEARNEY HIGH / KEARNEY CATHOLIC XC UNK INVITE RESULTS (TOP 3)

KCHS GIRLS – 22nd team overall

• Maya Moxley, 71st
• Ava Watts, 97th
• Hadley McGowen, 117th

KCHS BOYS – 36th team overall

• Miles Sughroe, 139th
• Fletcher Clausen, 141st
• Kellen Forrest 196th

KHS GIRLS – 8th team overall

• Abigail Burger, 12th
• Emma Bonsall, 21st
• Sam Stave, 31st

KHS BOYS – 9th overall

• Cisco Rivas, 21st
• Charlie Shea, 41st
• Braedon Wall, 64th

KRAUSE NAMED BIG TEN FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK

Nebraska volleyball freshman Lindsay Krause was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week, the conference office announced Monday.

Krause averaged 3.86 kills, 1.00 digs and 0.43 blocks per set on .500 hitting for the week as No. 12 Nebraska went 2-0 with wins over Northwestern and Iowa.

HUSKERS OPEN AS FAVORITES OVER NORTHWESTERN

Nebraska, which has dropped two straight one score games to fall to 2-3 on the season, will return home as the favorite against Northwestern. 

Online oddsmakers released their initial lines on Sunday afternoon, and the Huskers will enter Saturday’s contest with the Wildcats as 8.5-point favorites. 

Nebraska holds an 8-6 margin over Northwestern in the all-time series with the Wildcats, though Northwestern has won three of the last four matchups with the Huskers, including last year’s 21-13 win over the Big Red in Evanston.

NEBRASKA/MICHIGAN SET FOR PRIMETIME KICKOFF

The Big Ten Conference announced Monday afternoon that Nebraska’s home game against Michigan on Saturday, Oct. 9, will kick off at 6:30 PM. The game will be televised nationally on ABC.

REID RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL

Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid has been released from the hospital, and the team expects him back at work later Monday or Tuesday.

Reid did not participate in his usual Monday news conference.

Reid left Arrowhead Stadium and was transported to the hospital after feeling ill following Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers, according to the team.

FROST – COMPETITION IS OPEN EVERYWHERE

Head Coach Scott Frost spoke to the media after Monday’s practice. Frost mentioned that there will be competition this week in practice in some of the weaker spots for the Huskers…

Frost also added that the punter and punt returner openings will have open competitions this week.

FROST – DEMOTIONS CAN HELP THE TEAM

Head Coach Scott Frost spoke to the media at his regular Monday post-practice press conference. Frost mentioned that many positions will be battling for starting positions, and that demotions for current starters are not always the end…

Frost mentioned that the punter, punt returner, left guard, and right tackle positions will be re-evaluated this week.

FROST – MORE OBSERVATION COMING FROM HEAD COACH

Head Coach Scott Frost is taking more of a hands-on approach this week in position groups and meetings. During his Monday morning press conference, Frost mentioned he spent the morning with a unit of concern for his team…

Frost also mentioned that he spent time with Offensive Line Coach Greg Austin and looks to clean up the mistakes that have plagued the Huskers this season.

FROST – DEFENSE HAS SHOWED VAST IMPROVEMENT

The Blackshirts have been receiving heavy praise throughout the past two weeks – holding the high-octane Oklahoma offense to only 23 points and stifling Michigan State to only one first down in the second half and overtime. 

Head Coach Scott Frost knows his defense has improved in small doses, but that the whole package has finally come together…

The Blackshirts face Northwestern on Saturday as 8.5 point favorites. 

COOK – KEEP GETTING BETTER

Head Coach of the Nebraska Volleyball team John Cook was asked if the more consistent lineups have helped his team improve. Cook responded by saying he’s just hoping his team continues to work… 

Cook added that he feels his team is stepping up to adversity after dropping three straight non-conference ranked matches. 

COOK – IMPROVING FROM GOOD TO GREAT

John Cook met with the media today as his team prepares for more Big Ten action this week. 

The Huskers head coach mentioned he wants to see his team go from good to great, and described what needs improvement…

Cook’s Huskers prepare for Michigan and Michigan State this weekend at home. 

HOIBERG – MEN’S TEAM AHEAD OF LAST YEAR

The Nebraska Men’s Basketball team opens up their fall season on Friday with a scrimmage on the Opening Night action from Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Head Coach Fred Hoiberg has one of the most talented teams ever assembled in Lincoln, and he likes where is team is at in its season preparations…

The Huskers open up their exhibition schedule against Peru State and Colorado in the end of October.

FROST – SOMETHING HAS TO CHANGE FOR HUSKERS TO WIN

Head Coach of the Huskers Scott Frost was asked during his post-game press conference what needs to change for the Huskers to start getting wins in close games after falling in overtime to Michigan State…

Frost added that if it takes an entire week of practice to fix the special teams unit, he feels that would be necessary to correct the mistakes from the beginning of the season.

FROST – HUSKERS SICK OF LOSING

Head Coach of the Huskers Scott Frost mentioned in his post game press conference after the loss to Michigan State that his team is tired of falling in close contests…

Under Frost’s regime, the Huskers are 5-15 in one score contests. All three of Nebraska’s losses this season have been by one score or less. 

FROST – SPECIAL TEAMS NEEDS TO STEP UP

The Huskers special teams faltered once again in the loss to Michigan State, allowing a punt return touchdown in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 20 sending the contest to overtime where Nebraska would fall to the Spartans.

Head Coach Scott Frost says you can’t blame just one player or area of the unit, however…

The special teams did have some success in knocking down two field goals from Connor Culp.

MARTINEZ – NEED TO KEEP MAKING PLAYS

At the post-game press conference after the loss to Michigan State, Huskers quarterback Adrian Martinez spoke about how the Huskers continued to fight even through adversity against the Spartans…

Martinez led a touchdown drive in the fourth quarter that gave the Huskers a 20-13 lead until the Spartans returned a punt for a touchdown to tie the game at 20. Nebraska would let the regulation time expire then threw an interception in overtime. 

FROST – DEFENSE PLAYING WELL ENOUGH TO WIN GAMES

Head Coach Scott Frost was asked on his thoughts on his defense through the first four contests of the season, adding he feels the Blackshirts have done their part…

Nebraska’s defense held Michigan State to 18 plays for 36 yards after halftime, including 15 plays for 14 yards in the second half. Michigan State’s only first down after halftime came on the first play of overtime.

MARTINEZ – OFFENSE NEEDS TO STEP UP FOR DEFENSIVE EFFORTS

Quarterback Adrian Martinez was asked about his thoughts on the Blackshirts performance during Saturday’s loss at Michigan State…

The Blackshirts only gave up 16 points on defense and no first downs in the second half.

FROST – WANTED TO PLAY FOR OVERTIME

The Huskers fell to Michigan State on Saturday night, but had a chance to win the contest in regulation with two timeouts and less than a minute to play. 

Head Coach Scott Frost discussed why the Huskers instead chose to play for overtime…

The Huskers would throw an interception on their possession of overtime followed by a game-winning field goal from Michigan State. 

NFL SCORES

Monday

Dallas 41 – 21 Philadelphia

Local Results & Schedules:

THIS WEEK IN LOCAL SPORTS:

MONDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • UNK Cross Country Invitational @ Kearney Country Club
    • See Results above

• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:

• • Boys & Girls Cross Country @ UNK Invite @ Kearney Country Club
    • See Results above

TUESDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:

• • • Boys Tennis Varsity Dual v. Hastings @ Harmon Park – 4 PM
    • Softball v. Hastings (DOUBLEHEADER) @ Patriot Park – 5 PM
    • Volleyball v. Lincoln East @ Kearney High – 7 PM

• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:

• • • Girls Golf @ Adams Central Invite
    • Boys Tennis, Kearney Catholic Invite – 10 AM
    • Volleyball @ GICC – 7 PM
    • Softball @ Alma/Southern Valley Triangular

• UNK:
  • None

• HASTINGS COLLEGE:

• • Men’s Golf @ Omaha

WEDNESDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • Boys Tennis @ Monarch Invite

• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • None

• UNK:
  • None

• HASTINGS COLLEGE:

• • Women’s Soccer v. Morningside @ Lloyd Wilson Field
  • Volleyball v. #17 College of St. Mary @ Lynn Farrell Arena
  • Men’s Soccer v. #22 Morningside @ Lloyd Wilson Field

THURSDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:

• • • Girls Golf @ HAC Championships @ Norfolk
    • Softball (DOUBLEHEADER) @ Lincoln Southeast

• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:

• • • Girls Golf @ Centura Invite
    • Boys Tennis Dual @ Adams Central
    • Softball v. Minden – 5 PM
    • Volleyball @ Ord
    • Football @ Broken Bow

• UNK:
  • None

• HASTINGS COLLEGE:

• • None

FRIDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • Volleyball @ Lincoln Northeast Invite – 4 PM
  • Softball @ Lincoln High – 5 PM
  • Football @ Columbus – 7 PM

• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • None

• UNK:

• • Women’s Tennis @ Central Regionals @ Edmond, OK
  • Men’s & Women’s Cross Country @ Briar Cliff Invite
  • Softball v. WNCC @ Dryden Park – 4 PM