Wednesday Morning Sports – UNK Volleyball Downs Hays, High School Cross Country Districts Set, Fidone Returns, Husker Practice Comments

UNK VOLLEYBALL EARNS WIN IN HAYS, PREPARES FOR ROAD STRETCH

The Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team needed just over an hour to sweep Fort Hays State Tuesday night in Kansas.

This is the first of four Tuesday matches for the 14th-ranked Lopers over the next month. Things get a lot tougher next week with a trip to No. 1 Washburn.

The Lopers travel to No. 5 Central Missouri Friday night.

HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY DISTRICTS SET

The 2021 NSAA Class A, B, C and D Boys & Girls Cross Country District assignments were set on Tuesday.

Kearney High Girls will compete in the A-3 District in Lincoln against Bellevue East, Elkhorn South, Lincoln North Star, Millard South, Millard West, Omaha North, and Papillion LaVista.

Kearney High Boys will compete in the A-1 District in Lincoln against Columbus, Lincoln Pius X, Lincoln Southeast, Millard West, Norfolk, and Omaha Bryan.

Kearney Catholic Boys and Girls will compete in Aurora. 

HUSKERS FIDONE CLEARED TO PRACTICE

Husker Freshman Tight End Thomas Fidone has been cleared to return to practice this week. 

Fidone was the top rated tight end in the 2021 recruiting cycle, but suffered an injury in late summer that prevented the Iowa native from participating in any fall contests so far.

BURROUGHS WINS HISTORIC TITLE

Former Husker wrestler Jordan Burroughs won his fifth World Championship in the men’s freestyle 79 kg final at the World Wrestling Championships on Monday. Burroughs tied John Smith’s U.S. freestyle record of six World and Olympic Championships combined.

The victory gave Burroughs his fifth World Championship gold medal, joining his titles in 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017.

HUSKER MEN’S BASKETBALL TO APPEAR 28 TIMES ON NATIONAL STAGE

The Nebraska men’s basketball team will make a minimum of 28 national television appearances this coming season, as the Big Ten Conference and its television partners announced their 2021-22 TV schedules on Tuesday.

In all, the Huskers will make at least 19 appearances on the Big Ten Network, four on FS1 and five on the ESPN family of networks. In addition, four regular-season games and both exhibition games will be available online at B1G+.

HUSKER WOMEN FILL FS1 AND BTN SCHEDULES

The Nebraska women’s basketball program will make at least nine regular-season appearances on the Big Ten Network or FS1, the network and the conference office announced on Tuesday.

The Huskers are scheduled to make a pair of national television appearances on FS1, including a showdown with Iowa (Jan. 9) at Pinnacle Bank Arena and a clash at Ohio State (Feb. 10)

For the most updated schedule information throughout the season visit Huskers.com.

FORMER HUSKER DAVIS SIGNS WITH INDIANAPOLIS

Former Husker Khalil Davis is on the move to a new team. Davis, who was waived by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, was signed by the Indianapolis Colts on Monday.

Davis, who was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and won a Super Bowl with the franchise last season as a rookie, was waived to make room on the team’s 53-man roster. 

HUSKER BASEBALL SETS GAMETIME FOR SCRIMMAGE

The Nebraska baseball team’s annual Red-White Series will be played Oct. 11-13, with the first pitch set for 3:30 p.m. each day at Hawks Field at Haymarket Park. Each of the three scrimmages is scheduled for seven innings.

The games are open to the public, and admission is free. Gates will open one hour prior to the first pitch.

HARBAUGH – HUSKERS HITTING THEIR STRIDE

Head Coach of the Michigan Wolverines Jim Harbaugh was asked about how the Huskers look on film this year compared to last time the two teams matched up…

Michigan won the last contest in Ann Arbor 49-7.

HARBAUGH – MARTINEZ IMPRESSIVE

Jim Harbaugh, Head Coach of the Wolverines, was asked about how good of a quarterback the Huskers have in Adrian Martinez…

Harbaugh also eluded to Martinez mobility as a key strength to the Huskers offense.

HUSKER FOOTBALL TUESDAY POST-PRACTICE COMMENTS:

LUBICK – MARTINEZ READY TO SHINE VERSUS MICHIGAN

Offensive Coordinator Matt Lubick met with the media after Tuesday’s practice and said that he’s confident in what his offense is capable of against a good Wolverine defense…

Lubick continued that he does see some potential for the Huskers offense in mismatches against the Michigan defense. 

LUBICK – OFFENSE FINALLY HEALTHY

Offensive Coordinator Matt Lubick addressed the media on Tuesday and stated that the Huskers offense is finally operating at full health…

A notable return was receiver and returner Oliver Martin, often stated as Adrian Martinez’ favorite target. 

LUBICK – TIGHT END DEPTH VALUABLE WITH EXPERIENCE

Although the injury bug hit Nebraska early, the Huskers have recovered and will benefit from the experience in the long run adds Offensive Coordinator Matt Lubick…

The Huskers offense has seen the full return of the offense from injuries, notably both Tight Ends Austin Allen and Travis Vokalek along with receiver Oliver Martin.

LUBICK – MICHIGAN DEFENSE PREVIEW

Offensive Coordinator of the Huskers Matt Lubick previews what the Wolverine defense brings to Lincoln…

The Wolverines will face one of the best Big Ten offenses from Nebraska, as the Huskers are first in the conference in plays over 20+ yards.

LUBICK – MORE VERTICAL GAME THIS SEASON

The Huskers have been pushing the ball down the field more this season then they had in the entire 2020 season.

Offensive Coordinator Matt Lubick added that his offense is continuing to get better in the vertical passing game…

The Huskers will look for more big plays against a stifling Wolverine defense, near the top in each statistical category in the Big Ten.

HUSKER FOOTBALL MONDAY POST-PRACTICE COMMENTS:

FROST – MICHIGAN STILL A GREAT TEAM SINCE LAST MATCHUP

The Huskers have vastly improved from the last time the Huskers and Wolverines matched up in Head Coach Scott Frost’s first season at the helm in 2018. Frost mentions that he believes Michigan brings another good team to Lincoln…

Frost and the Huskers opened as one point underdogs against the top ten rated Michigan Wolverines. 

FROST – MARTINEZ STRENGTH IS RUNNING THE OPTION

A heavy dose of the option has worked well for the Husker offense so far this season. Head Coach Scott Frost has been impressed with his quarterback’s ability…

The Huskers run game will be tested by a tough Wolverines defense on Saturday night.

FROST – OFFENSIVE LINE SHOWED IMPROVEMENT WITH TALENT

Head Coach of the Huskers Scott Frost praised his offensive line with their performance from Saturday’s contest against Northwestern, and had high praise for his freshman starter Teddy Prochazka…

Frost continued that he expects to maintain the starting lineup that was seen against the Wildcats. 

FROST – GREAT FAN ATMOSPHERE AGAINST NORTHWESTERN

The lights were on in Memorial Stadium on Saturday night, and the Huskers gave the crowd plenty to cheer for with a 56-7 win. Head Coach Scott Frost said the crowd energy was the best of his coaching stint as a Husker…

The Michigan contest is the first back-to-back night game since 2017. 

FROST – TOUGH SCHEDULE JUST GETTING STARTED

The Huskers have one of the toughest schedules remaining in college football with three top ten teams coming to Lincoln in the next six contests. 

Head Coach Scott Frost is prepared for the stretch…

Frost added that his team is ready to take a break as the Huskers have been without a bye week this season.

MARTINEZ – READY FOR MICHIGAN THIS TIME

The last time Adrian Martinez faced the Michigan Wolverines was during his freshman season in 2018. Martinez adds that he remembers the game profoundly…

The Huskers look to do better than their 49-7 loss at Michigan that season.

MARTINEZ – TRUSTING OFFENSIVE LINE

Quarterback Adrian Martinez exited Monday’s practice very happy with his offensive line’s performance from Saturday and into Monday…

Martinez was not sacked once in the contest against Northwestern.

MARTINEZ – MICHIGAN DEFENSE PREVIEW

Adrian Martinez is ready to take on the Wolverines defense, and previewed what the Huskers offense will see from Michigan…

The Huskers have one of the best big strike offenses in the Big Ten, leading the conference in first downs gained per contest. 

DOMANN – AWARD A WIN FOR THE BLACKSHIRTS

Senior linebacker JoJo Domann was honored with Co-Defensive Big Ten Player of the Week honors with his two sack, two forced fumble performance on Saturday. 

Domann added that the honor was a team effort…

The Blackshirts will have a tough test in the top rushing offense in the Big Ten against Michigan, averaging over 255 rushing yards a contest. 

DOMANN – WILL NOT BUY INTO THE WOLVERINE HYPE

During his Monday post-practice press conference, linebacker JoJo Domann was asked about his thoughts on the Wolverines newly minted Top Ten rating…

Domann and the Huskers have already faced two teams rated in the Top 25 this season, as Michigan is now the second team in the Top 10 to face the Huskers. 

DOMANN – BRING ON THE CHALLENGE

Husker Linebacker JoJo Domann and the Blackshirts are coming off a dominant performance against Northwestern on Saturday. 

A tougher task in the Top Ten rated Michigan Wolverines are ahead, and Domann says the Huskers are ready for the test

The Huskers opened as one point underdogs against the Wolverines. Kickoff is set for 6:30 PM from Memorial Stadium.

UNK GOLF SMASH SCHOOL RECORDS FOR SECOND IN OKLAHOMA

Nebraska-Kearney set new school records for 18 and 36 hole team score, and senior Faviola Gonzalez broke the individual 36-hole school mark, as the Lopers placed runner up a the Grace Shin Memorial Invite Tuesday in Edmond, Okla.

UNK is in the busiest portion of its schedule as it heads to Norfolk this weekend for the Nebraska Intercollegiate and then goes to Arkansas early next week for the HSU Region Preview.

Local Results & Schedules:

THIS WEEK IN LOCAL SPORTS:

TUESDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
• • • BOYS TENNIS: Dual v. Norfolk @ Harmon Park
      • Kearney Wins 8-1
      • SINGLES:
        • #1 Asher Saulsbury defeated Jackson Schwanebeck 8-2
        • #2 Eli Bond lost to Kalen Krohn 8-5
        • #3 Quinten Shaffer defeated Michael Foster 8-2
        • #4 Sam Rademacher defeated Chase Carter 8-2
        • #5 Andy Vu defeated Alex Bauer 8-6
        • #6 Jackson Bokenkamp defeated Logan Bosh 8-0
      • DOUBLES:
        • #1 Jackson Bokenkamp/Sam Rademacher defeated Chase Carter/Michael Foster 8-3
        • #2 Quinten Shaffer/Andy Vu defeated Alex Bauer/Logan Bosh 8-0
        • #3 Eli Bond/Asher Saulsbury defeated Jackson Schwanebeck/Kalen Krohn 8-2
    • VOLLEYBALL: @ Norfolk
      • Kearney 3-2
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
• • • VOLLEYBALL: @ North Platte
      • Kearney Catholic 3-0
• UNK:
• • • VOLLEYBALL: @ Fort Hays State
      • UNK 3-0
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
• • WOMEN’S GOLF: @ Vermillion, SD

WEDNESDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
• • • N/a
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
• • • N/a
• UNK:
• • • N/a
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
• • WOMEN’S SOCCER: v. Midland @ Lloyd Wilson Field
  • MEN’S SOCCER: v. Midland @ Lloyd Wilson Field
  • VOLLEYBALL: v. #3 Midland @ Lynn Farrell Arena

THURSDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
• • • BOYS TENNIS: Quad @ Wood Tennis Center (Lincoln)
    • CROSS COUNTRY: HAC Championships @ Kearney Country Club
    • SOFTBALL: Districts Tournament
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
• • • VOLLEYBALL: Conference Tournament
• UNK:
• • • N/a
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
• • N/a

FRIDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • • BOYS TENNIS: Dual v Lincoln Southwest @ Harmon Park
    • FOOTBALL: v. Lincoln High (Homecoming) – 7 PM
      • KGFW Pregame Coverage @ 6:30 PM

• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
• • • FOOTBALL: @ Adams Central – 7 PM
• UNK:
• • • WOMEN’S GOLF: @ NE. Intercollegiate, Norfolk
    • WOMEN’S SOCCER: v. Northwest Missouri State @ Foster Field
    • VOLLEYBALL: @ Central Missouri
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
• • MEN’S GOLF: @ Norfolk
  • BOWLING: @ Waterloo, IA

SATURDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
• • • VOLLEYBALL: Double Dual @ Lincoln Southeast
      • v. LSE, v. NP
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
• • • BOYS TENNIS: Kearney Catholic Invite
    • VOLLEYBALL: @ Centennial Conference
• UNK:
• • • WOMEN’S GOLF: @ NE. Intercollegiate, Norfolk
    • CROSS COUNTRY: @ Fort Hays State
    • SOFTBALL: v. Colby Community College @ Dryden Park – 1 PM
    • FOOTBALL: v. Missouri Western State @ Ron and Carol Cope Stadium – 2 PM
      • Homecoming
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
• • MEN’S GOLF: @ Norfolk
  • FOOTBALL: v. #3 Morningside @ Lloyd Wilson Field
  • VOLLEYBALL: v. Briar Cliff, Lynn Farrell Arena
  • MEN’S SOCCER: @ Mount Marty