UNK FOOTBALL PREPARES FOR BUSY SPRING PRACTICE PERIOD:
The Nebraska-Kearney football team begins preparations for the 2022 season on Wednesday, March 23, with the start of spring practice.
The Lopers will work out the NCAA-allotted 15 times between March 23 and April 23. Weather permitting, UNK will practice three days per week between 4:15-6:45 p.m. (estimated end time) at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field. Practices are open to the public; see the scheduled dates below. The lone Saturday scrimmage will run from around 9-11:30 a.m.
Head coach Josh Lynn and his staff must replace one All-American and five other All-MIAA players off a team that went 10-3 in 2021, reached the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs and finished the year ranked 15th. Among the key departures are All-American right tackle Corey Hoelck and fellow All-MIAA selections Jacob Browne (center), Dayton Sealey (running back), Travis Holcomb (outside backer), Matt Krzysztalowicz (right guard) and Blake Schroeder (defensive end). Starters Blake Bubak (free safety), Shane Henderson (nose guard), Nathan Slusarski (long snapper), Kyler Van Housen (tight end) and Terrell Williams (corner) have graduated as well.
The Lopers do return key starters such as Harlon Hill Trophy Runner-Up TJ Davis, as well as running back Montrez Jackson and receiver Micahel Koch. An All-American at safety returns as Darius Swanson mans the defensive backfield, while linebackers Jacey Nutter and Zach Schlager provide more experience.
The 2022 season begins at Missouri Southern State on Sept. 1 (Thurs.), with fall camp beginning the first week of August.
FORMER BRONCO TO HEAD UP MEN’S BASKETBALL PROGRAM AT HASTINGS:
Hastings College Athletic Director B.J. Pumroy announced today that Hastings College alum Todd Raridon (’80) will return to Hastings College as the head basketball coach after spending the past 18 years at North Central College (IL).
In his 17 years as the Cardinals’ head coach, Raridon has directed the team to the most successful period in the College’s history. His current coaching record at North Central is 290-145, making him the winningest coach in program history. In 31 years as a collegiate head coach, Raridon owns a record of 559-270, ranking him eighth among active NCAA Division III coaches and 30th all-time in Division III in coaching victories.
During his time at North Central, the Cardinals won three College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Championships, Five CCIW Tournament Championships, Eight appearances in the NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Championship, recorded the schools most wins in a season at 28, led the program to its first No. 1 ranking, coached four All-Americans, 20 All-Region selections and 40 All-CCIW awards.
HUSKER FOOTBALL SPRING PRACTICE COMMENTS:
BUSCH – MONTANA TRANSFER AN ELITE PERFORMER
Special Teams coordinator Bill Busch spoke to the media on Tuesday and spoke very highly on Montana transfer Brian Buschini, saying he could be amongst the best in Division I this year…
Buschini joined Nebraska in the transfer portal with three years of eligibility remaining. This marks the second straight season for a former Grizzly to join the Big Red after receiver Samori Toure entered last season.
BUSCH – GOOD CHALLENGE PRACTICING IN WEATHER
First year special teams coordinator for the Nebraska Football team Bill Busch spoke to the media after Tuesday’s practice as Busch wanted to see his team face some of the weather conditions Mother Nature in Nebraska could offer…
Busch continued by saying any opportunity in the spring session there would be inclimate weather he wants to see his special teams unit practice against the wind and other factors.
BUSCH – NEW PIECES IN PUNT RETURN GAME
New special teams coordinator Bill Busch spoke to the media during Tuesday’s media session and was asked about who could be in charge of the punt return duties this upcoming season…
Palmer returned two kicks back for touchdowns in his LSU career over the past three seasons, while Belt was beginning to get into the rotation last season on punt returns while returning a handful of kick returns.
RUUD – GOOD RESPONSE BACK FROM BREAK
Inside linebackers coach Barrett Ruud spoke to the media on Tuesday and added it was very good to see his squad’s response to padded practice after being off for spring break…
Ruud’s inside linebackers hold most of the returning experience for the Blackshirts defense this upcoming season.
RUUD – ONLY POSITIVE TO INJURIES ARE MORE REPS
Inside linebackers coach Barrett Ruud has faced some adversity this spring practice session with Nick Henrich and Garrett Snodgrass being out for some time due to an injury. Ruud is not fazed however, spinning it into a positive for the rest of the group…
One name making headway: Columbus freshman Ernest Hausmann. The linebackers will be led by Henrich, Isaac Gifford, Caleb Tannor, Garrett Nelson, and Luke Reimers.
RUUD – HAUSMANN AHEAD OF CURVE
Columbus freshman Ernest Hausmann is making moves in the linebacker room for the Nebraska Football team, as inside linebackers coach Barrett Ruud has been excited to see him get more reps in the spring…
The Huskers most experienced defensive group returning are the linebackers, but will wait to see what the starting rotation could look like come fall practices.
CHICK NAMED TO SENIOR CLASS AWARD CANDIDATE:
Nebraska captain Cam Chick was among the 30 NCAA baseball student-athletes announced as candidates for the 2022 Senior CLASS Award on Tuesday.
The Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. To be eligible for the award, the student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior or graduate student and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition.
A two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, Chick has demonstrated his character by involvement in numerous initiatives at Nebraska, participating in N-Volved, the Minority Student-Athlete Collective Rally and the Diversity & Inclusion Summit. Chick was also an Inner Circle member in 2019-20.
HUSKER BASEBALL CANCELED AGAINST SOUTH DAKOTA STATE:
Wednesday’s baseball game between Nebraska and South Dakota State has been canceled due to weather.
Nebraska opens Big Ten play this weekend, hosting Michigan on Friday-Sunday, March 25-27. First pitch on Friday is set for 7:30 p.m., followed by a 2 PM start on Saturday and first pitch on Sunday at 11 a.m. Friday and Sunday’s games will be broadcast on Big Ten Network, while Saturday’s game can be seen on Nebraska Public Media. Friday’s contest will also be on KGFW with pregame set for 7 PM.
HUSKER SOFTBALL TAKES ON STANFORD:
The Nebraska softball team (19-9) is set to host No. 25 Stanford this Wednesday, March 23, in Lincoln, Neb. The game is set to start at 4 p.m. at Bowlin Stadium.
The Huskers are coming off of a 4-0 weekend at the Rock Chalk Challenge.
Stanford (20-6) is coming off a two-game losing streak after falling to No. 14 Northwestern and No. 18 Missouri at the Mizzou Classic.
HUSKER PARTICIPANTS IN ANNUAL PRO DAY:
Following Tuesday’s practice, several former Huskers worked out for NFL scouts at Nebraska’s annual Pro Day. Husker participants in Pro Day included: Austin Allen, Damion Daniels, Marquel Dismuke, JoJo Domann, Levi Falck, Cam Jurgens, Ben Stille, Cam Taylor-Britt, Samori Toure and Deontai Williams.
NEBRASKA BASEBALL SPORTS NIGHTLY COMMENTS:
BOLT – INCONSISTENT START FOR BIG RED BASEBALL
Head Coach for the Nebraska Baseball team Will Bolt joined Sports Nightly on Monday night and summarized the start for the Huskers in one word:
The Huskers will start Big Ten play later this weekend with a home series against Michigan starting on Friday.
BOLT – KNOW WHO CAN STEP UP
The Head Coach for the Nebraska baseball team Will Bolt spoke on Sports Nightly on Monday about how his team is beginning to get into a rhythm of who they can lean on for success later this season…
The Huskers start Big Ten play on Friday against Michigan at home.
BOLT – NOT IDEAL TO PUSH FRESHMEN EARLY
Will Bolt made his appearance on Sports Nightly Monday night and spoke about some of the struggles for the Husker Baseball Team has come from pushing too many young players in for experience…
Bolt and his Huskers are looking to find a consistent hitting order before walking into Big Ten play with Michigan this weekend.
Local Results & Schedules:
THIS WEEK IN LOCAL SPORTS:
WEDNESDAY:
- KEARNEY HIGH:
- N/a
- KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
- N/a
- UNK:
- N/a
- HASTINGS COLLEGE:
- N/a
THURSDAY:
- KEARNEY HIGH:
- T&F: Lincoln Northeast Relays (Girls Only)
- GIRLS SOCCER: v. North Platte – 5:30 PM
- BOYS SOCCER: v. North Platte – 7:30 PM
- KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
- GIRLS TENNIS: v. Hastings – 4 PM
- T&F: @ Minden Triangular – 4 PM
- UNK:
- N/a
- HASTINGS COLLEGE:
- N/a
FRIDAY:
- KEARNEY HIGH:
- BASEBALL: @ Lincoln Pius X Tournament
- 11 AM v. Norris
- 1:30 PM v. Lincoln Pius X
- T&F: UNK Invite (Boys Only)
- BASEBALL: @ Lincoln Pius X Tournament
- KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
- BASEBALL: @ Lincoln Pius X Tournament
- 11 AM v. Norris
- 1:30 PM v. Lincoln Pius X
- BASEBALL: @ Lincoln Pius X Tournament
- UNK:
- M/W TRACK & FIELD: @ Emporia Relays – 3 PM
- HASTINGS COLLEGE:
- MENS GOLF: @ Doane University Invite
SATURDAY:
- KEARNEY HIGH:
- BASEBALL: @ Lincoln Pius X Tournament
- Time & Opponent TBA
- BASEBALL: @ Lincoln Pius X Tournament
- KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
- BASEBALL: @ Lincoln Pius X Tournament
- Time & Opponent TBA
- BASEBALL: @ Lincoln Pius X Tournament
- UNK:
- M/W TRACK & FIELD: @ Emporia Relays – 3 PM
- SOFTBALL: v. Fort Hays State @ Patriot Park – 1 PM, 3 PM
- HASTINGS COLLEGE:
- MENS GOLF: @ Doane University Invite
- MENS TENNIS: @ Mount Marty University
- WOMENS TENNIS: @ Mount Marty University
- BASEBALL: v. Dordt University @ Duncan Field – 1 PM (Doubleheader)
- SOFTBALL: v. Briarcliff – 1 PM (Doubleheader)
