HUSKER WOMEN FACE PENN STATE:
Nebraska closes the first four-game conference home stand in school history on Thursday when the Huskers play host to Penn State at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Tip-off between the Huskers (16-4, 5-4 Big Ten) and the Lady Lions (9-11, 3-7 Big Ten) is set for 7 p.m
The Big Red, who are 3-0 on the current stand, have called for a “Red Out” with all fans encouraged to wear red to help celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day (Feb. 2) and National Wear Red Day (Feb. 4).
Penn State travels to Lincoln Thursday trying to snap a four-game losing streak following an 82-71 loss to Maryland in University Park, Pa., on Sunday.
NEBRASKA BASKETBALL SHOWS OFF NEW BLACK HISTORY MONTH UNIFORMS:
The Nebraska men’s and women’s basketball programs will honor and celebrate Black History Month with a uniquely symbolic uniform. The jerseys which will be worn at a home game this month, are part of adidas’ Honoring Black Excellence (HBE) initiative, celebrating the achievements of Black individuals and Black culture as a whole. HBE pays homage and recognizes individuals who are positively impacting others’ lives within and around their communities.
The Huskers’ cream-colored jersey features two distinct pieces. The multi-color pastels along the sides represent the tearing down of obstacles to create something beautiful, while the goldenrods on the lettering show gratitude and appreciation for the contributions of Black individuals within the program over the years. The goldenrod is the state flower of Nebraska. All of adidas’ power conference and HBCU schools will wear similar-themed jerseys for a game during the month of February.
The men’s jersey will honor the first African American basketball player in school history, Wilbur Wood. Wood was one of the first black players to gain prominence in collegiate hoops playing for the Huskers from 1908 to 1910.
The Husker women’s team will wear the HBE uniform for its game against Indiana on Monday, Feb. 14. During this game, the Huskers plan to honor Maurtice Ivy, who was inducted into the University of Nebraska Athletic Hall of Fame last fall. The Omaha Central graduate led Nebraska to the 1988 Big Eight Conference championship and the Huskers’ first NCAA Tournament appearance.
NEBRASKA/IOWA MEN’S CONTEST TIME CHANGED:
The Big Ten Conference announced Tuesday evening that the men’s basketball game between Nebraska and Iowa on Sunday, Feb. 13, will now start at 1 p.m. (central). The game was originally scheduled for a 2 p.m. start.
STORM ALUMS SUIT UP FOR WINTER OLYPMICS:
Former Tri-City Storm forwards Matthew Knies and Sam Hentges are set to represent the United States at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China. Knies and Hentges will become the first former players to compete in the Olympic Games in the twenty-two-year history of the Tri-City Storm organization. Knies and Hentges are two of twenty-one players with ties to the USHL to skate for Team USA in the event.
The Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament at the 2022 Winter Olympics is scheduled to take place February 10th through February 20th at the National Indoor Stadium and Wukesong Sport Center in Beijing, China.
Matthew Knies, 19, of Phoenix, Arizona, appeared in ninety games with the Storm from 2018-2021 after being drafted 38th overall by Tri-City in the 2018 USHL Phase I Draft.
Sam Hentges, 22, of New Brighton, Minnesota, appeared in seven games with the Storm during the 2017-2018 regular season. He was acquired by Tri-City from the Des Moines Buccaneers in a transaction on January 10th, 2018.
LOPER WRESTLING SCHEDULES BACK-TO-BACK DUALS FOR SUNDAY-MONDAY:
The third-ranked Nebraska-Kearney wrestling team will host Newman University in a makeup dual this coming Monday, February 7, at the Health & Sports Center.
The Lopers (9-3, 1-0) and Jets (3-3, 0-2) were slated to face each other at the Midwest Duals back in January but NU postponed its trip that weekend due to COVID issues. The dual will now take place at 6 p.m. Monday. UNK is 11-0 all-time against the Wichita-based school.
On Sunday at 2 p.m., the Lopers tangle with the top-ranked Central Oklahoma Bronchos (10-1, 1-0). UCO recently snapped St. Cloud State’s NCAA-record 77-match dual winning streak. Last year, the UNK/UCO dual was called off due to COVID issues within the ‘Chos program. Since the 2009-10 season, UNK is 7-5 vs. the ‘Chos but UCO has taken the last two duals.
FROST SIGNING DAY COMMENTS:
FROST – BONNER IMPRESSES WITH ATHLETICISM
Nebraska Football Head Coach Scott Frost flipped the commitment of two players on Wednesday’s national signing day, as one of the two was Georgia receiver Janiran Bonner who altered his commitment from Georgia Tech. Frost adds that the receiver’s tape speaks for itself…
Frost and the Huskers also received a commitment from TCU verbal commit Ajay Allen, a running back from Louisiana.
FROST – THOMPSON ALREADY SHOWING OFF IN FIRST TWO WEEKS
Head Coach of Nebraska Football Scott Frost has been impressed by what he’s seen from new transfer quarterback Casey Thompson, and gave praise to his leadership skills at the start of winter conditioning…
Frost also heaped praise on fellow transfer quarterback Chubba Purdy, and added that he expects there to be a quarterback battle this spring.
FROST – EACH QUARTERBACK WILL BE GIVEN OPPORTUNITIES TO START
Nebraska Football Coach Scott Frost was asked on his signing day press conference if transfer quarterback Casey Thompson would be given the starting job heading into spring practice…
The Huskers have begun winter conditioning back in January and have their spring game scheduled for April 9.
FROST – STILL TRYING TO FIND RIGHT FIT AT OFFENSIVE LINE
Nebraska Football Head Coach Scott Frost was asked at the National Letter of Intent signing day conference on Wednesday his thoughts on the Huskers offensive line, and if there was a front-runner to replace the departed Cam Jurgens at center…
Nebraska is still thin at the offensive line, but may continue to look to the transfer portal for added talent Frost added later on.
FROST – BUSCH COMMITTED TO SPECIAL TEAMS ROLE
A revamped assistant coaching staff for the Nebraska Football team looks to bring more wins for the Huskers this fall. One key addition is Bill Busch, as Scott Frost detailed exactly what his role will be…
The Huskers also received a new kicker, punter, and long snapper in the transfer portal this off-season to aid their special teams woes. Frost later mentioned they are still searching for the right replacement for a dynamic kick returner.
FROST – COACHING CHANGES WERE TOUGH BUT NEEDED
With new changes coming to the Nebraska coaching staff, Husker Football Head Coach Scott Frost spoke at his National Letter of Intent Day press conference on why those changes will hopefully bring more wins for Nebraska…
Nebraska hired key offensive staff additions such as offensive coordinator Mark Whipple, receivers and associate head coach Mickey Joseph, special teams coordinator Bill Busch, offensive line coach Donovan Raiola, and running backs coach Bryan Applewhite.
HUSKERS FLIP TWO COMMITMENTS ON SIGNING DAY:
The February national signing day has lost some of its luster, but don’t try telling that to Nebraska.
Scott Frost’s football staff flipped a pair of four-star skill-position players Wednesday to continue an overhaul on the offensive side of the ball.
Ajay Allen, a running back from Louisiana who had been committed to TCU, announced his switch to Nebraska on Wednesday morning. A couple of hours later, wide receiver Janiran Bonner from Georgia did likewise after having been pledged to Georgia Tech.
The two athletes add to Nebraska’s December early-signing class and the Huskers’ substantial list of transfer-portal roster additions. Allen becomes the seventh scholarship running back on the roster, and Bonner is the 14th at wide receiver.
HARBAUGH TO STAY AT MICHIGAN THROUGH 2022:
Jim Harbaugh will stay at Michigan after all, ending his possible return to the NFL after interviewing with the Minnesota Vikings for their head coach vacancy Wednesday.
In the meantime, Harbaugh will be back at his alma mater for an eighth season.
According to a person with knowledge of the decision, no offer of the job was made to Harbaugh. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because details of the process were not being made public by the university or the team. The Vikings also informed the two other finalists, Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris and New York Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, that they won’t be selected, the person said.
KEARNEY CATHOLIC HAS COLLEGIATE SIGNING DAY:
Kearney Catholic High School hosted a collegiate signing day ceremony at Kearney Catholic on Wednesday. The list of signees includes:
- Jaden Seier- Concordia
- Koren Conrad- UNK
- Riley Grieser- Chadron State College
- Jake Masker- Chadron State College
KEARNEY HIGH SCHOOL ANNOUNCES COLLEGIATE SIGNINGS:
Kearney High School hosted a collegiate signing day ceremony at Kearney High School’s Auditorium on Wednesday. The list of signees includes:
- Jordan Shaw; Track & Field, Concordia University
- D’Andrew Ndugwa; Track & Field, UNK
- Parker Wise; Football, UNK
- Rian Green; Football, Doane
- Kelsey Choplin; Softball, Northeast CC
- Kiestynn Garner; Soccer, Concordia University
- Blake Rehtus; Baseball, Dordt University
- Tanner Johnson; Baseball, Iowa Western
- Brayden Andersen; Baseball, Iowa Western
- Max Myers; Baseball, Washington University
UNK FOOTBALL SIGNS 23 NEW FACES FOR SIGNING DAY:
The Nebraska-Kearney football team announced the names of five mid-year transfers and 18 high school seniors who’ll play for the Lopers this fall.
The class breaks down to 11 offensive, 10 defensive and two special team players. Thirteen are Nebraskans, three are from Colorado, two each from Arizona, Florida and New Mexico and likely the first Loper from American Samoa. By position, there are five linebackers, four offensive linemen, three running backs and defensive backs, two receivers, defensive linemen and long snappers and one tight end and quarterback.
UNK stayed local, going up the road to Grand Island to grab long snapper Cole Bauer (GISH) and receiver Isaac Herbek (GICC) with linebackers Koren Conrad (Kearney Catholic) and Parker Wise (Kearney) and linemen Carter Klein (Pleasanton) all staying at home.
The Lopers are going through winter conditioning with “Spring Ball” set to begin on Wednesday, March 23rd, and the “Spring Game” slated for Saturday, April 23rd. A complete practice schedule will be announced closer to that date. The 2022 season kicks off Sept. 1st (Thurs.) at Missouri Southern.
THURSDAY SPORTS NIGHTLY SCHEDULE:
Sports Nightly will have a shorter show as the Husker Radio Network gets you ready for Husker Women’s Basketball versus Penn State.
Local Results & Schedules:
THIS WEEK IN LOCAL SPORTS:
WEDNESDAY:
- HASTINGS COLLEGE:
- WOMENS BASKETBALL: v. Doane
- HC 69-66
- MENS BASKETBALL: v. Doane
- Doane 85-48
- WOMENS BASKETBALL: v. Doane
THURSDAY:
- KEARNEY HIGH:
- WRESTLING: Dual v. GISH – 7 PM @ Kearney High School
- KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
- GIRLS BASKETBALL: @ Adams Central – 5:30 PM
- UNK:
- WOMENS BASKETBALL: @ Central Oklahoma – 5:30 PM
- MENS BASKETBALL: @ Central Oklahoma – 7:30 PM
FRIDAY:
- KEARNEY HIGH:
- GIRLS BASKETBALL: v. Grand Island – 6 PM @ Kearney High School
- Pregame on KGFW at 5:45 PM
- BOYS BASKETBALL: v. Grand Island – 7:45 PM @ Kearney High School
- Pregame on KGFW at 7:30 PM
- GIRLS BASKETBALL: v. Grand Island – 6 PM @ Kearney High School
- KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
- WRESTLING: @ Arcadia-Loup City Invite – 3 PM
- UNK:
- M/W T&F: @ Concordia Classic, Seward, NE
- M/W T&F: @ Husker Invite, Lincoln, NE
- HASTINGS COLLEGE:
- M/W T&F: @ Concordia Classic, Seward, NE
SATURDAY:
- KEARNEY HIGH:
- SWIMMING & DIVING: Kearney Invite – 9:30 AM @ Kearney High School
- GIRLS BASKETBALL: @ Omaha South – 5:30 PM
- Pregame on KGFW at 5:15 PM
- BOYS BASKETBALL: @ Omaha South – 7:15 PM
- Pregame on KGFW at 7 PM
- KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
- SWIMMING & DIVING: Kearney Invite – 9:30 AM @ Kearney High School
- GIRLS BASKETBALL: @ Columbus Scotus – 2 PM
- BOYS BASKETBALL: @ Columbus Scotus – 4 PM
- UNK:
- M/W T&F: @ Husker Invite, Lincoln, NE
- WOMENS TENNIS: @ Drake, Des Moines, IA
- WOMENS BASKETBALL: @ Newman – 1:30 PM
- MENS BASKETBALL: @ Newman – 3:30 PM
- HASTINGS COLLEGE:
- MENS WRESTLING: @ Missouri Valley Open
- WOMENS WRESTLING: @ Grand View Open
- SOFTBALL: Doubleheader @ Ottawa University
- M/W TENNIS: @ Bethany College
- WOMENS BASKETBALL: @ Mount Marty University – 2 PM
