Story by NU Athletic Communications

With a four-match winning streak and tie for second in the conference standings, the Nebraska soccer team (11-2-3, 5-1-2 Big Ten) aims to continue its momentum as the Huskers wrap up regular season play at home against Purdue and on the road at Illinois.&nbsp;

The Huskers host the Boilermakers (3-11-2, 0-6-2 Big Ten) on Thursday starting at 7:05 p.m. (CT) and battle the Fighting Illini (6-6-3, 2-4-2 Big Ten) on Sunday at 12 p.m. (CT) at Demirjian Park in Champaign, Ill.&nbsp;

Both matches will be streamed live on Big Ten Plus (subscription required to watch).

Last Time OutThe Huskers scored a finish in each half while keeping the Gophers scoreless, as the Nebraska soccer team defeated Minnesota on the road 2-0 Sunday afternoon.&nbsp;

Next UpAfter this week's conference matches, Nebraska ­will await the announcement of its seed for the 2023 Big Ten Women's Soccer Tournament starting on Sunday, Oct. 29.

Quick NotesThe Huskers are currently ranked 21st in this week’s RPI. Penn State (first) is the only team in the Big Ten who is ranked higher, and NU is joined by Wisconsin (26th) and Michigan State (28th) in the top 30.&nbsp;

Dale earned her fourth Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honor last week as she currently leads the country and conference in total goals (21) and game-winning goals (6), while also leading the conference in shots (93), shots on goal (44) and points (46). Additionally, she has tallied nine total braces on the season and is currently tied for fourth all-time in the Husker records in goals scored. Nationally, Dale leads in goals per game (1.31), second in shots on goal per game (2.75) and also second in points (46).&nbsp;

Dale’s total goals and points are the most in the Big Ten since 2013 when Illinois’ Jannelle Flaws had 23 goals and 48 points.

Junior forward Weber has continued her strong offensive attack as she is second in the conference standings in shots (69), third in shots on goal (30), fourth in points (24) and fifth in goals (9).

Junior midfielder Florence Belzile, a member of last week's Top Drawer Soccer team, recorded two assists in Thursday’s game against Maryland and now has a team-high 11 on the season, good for second in the conference and fourth nationally. She also is 10th in the conference standings with 17 points.&nbsp;

As a team, the Huskers are fifth in the nation in assists per game (3.12) and total goals (45), sixth in shots on goal per game (9.38) and seventh in points per game (8.75) and shots per game (19.69).

In the goal, senior Sami Hauk has recorded 61 saves on the year and is currently fourth in saves per game (3.81).

NU enters the week tied for second in the conference standings with 17 points (three points for a win, one point for a tie).

Four of NU’s six freshmen have seen the pitch so far this year, led by Reese Borer who has played 214 minutes

The Huskers’ six goals against Eastern Washington marked the most finishes the Huskers have tallied in a regular season match since the 2011 victory against Northern Arizona (8-1) and the most goals on the road since the win in 2009 at Kansas (7-4). Additionally, that was the first time since NU’s victory over Missouri in 2021 that the Big Red has netted four or more goals in the second half

This season’s win over Eastern Washington also marked the 350th win in program history. Head Coach John Walker achieved the same milestone, having been at the helm of the program since its inception in 1994.

Head Coach John Walker is in his 30th season, alongside assistant coaches Savanah Anderson-Baer (first season), Ian Bridge (eighth season) and Marty Everding (26th season).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Scouting the Purdue BoilermakersPurdue is 3-11-2 overall with a 0-6-2 record in Big Ten Play. The Boilermakers are coming off a recent 0-0 tie against No. 4 Penn State and a 2-1 loss at Illinois.

Nebraska leads the all-time series, 8-5-1, dating back to the first meeting between the schools in 2001. Most recently, the teams tied 1-1 in 2022 in Indiana.&nbsp;

Head Coach Drew Roff is in his ninth season at Purdue. He is assisted by Jim Schneiderhahn and Kelsey Brouwer.&nbsp;

Scouting the Illinois Fighting IlliniIllinois is 6-6-3 this season with a 2-4-2 record in Big Ten play. The Fighting Illini face Michigan State on Thursday night before their matchup against Nebraska on Sunday.

The Fighting Illini leads the all-time series between the two teams, 5-8-0, dating back to 2004. The Huskers are on a two-match winning streak against the Fighting Illini as NU won 3-1 in both 2021 and 2022.

Head Coach Janet Rayfield is 226-173-43 in her 22nd season at Illinois. Rayfield is assisted by Jeff Freeman and Sammy Jo Prudhomme.&nbsp;

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsWith a four-match winning streak and tie for second in the conference standings, the Nebraska soccer team (11-2-3, 5-1-2 Big Ten) aims to continue its momentum as the Huskers wrap up regular season play at home against Purdue and on the road at Illinois.&nbsp;The Huskers host the Boilermakers (3-11-2, 0-6-2 Big Ten) on Thursday starting at 7:05 p.m. (CT) and battle the Fighting Illini (6-6-3, 2-4-2 Big Ten) on Sunday at 12 p.m. (CT) at Demirjian Park in Champaign, Ill.&nbsp;Both matches will be streamed live on Big Ten Plus (subscription required to watch).Last Time OutThe Huskers scored a finish in each half while keeping the Gophers scoreless, as the Nebraska soccer team defeated Minnesota on the road 2-0 Sunday afternoon.&nbsp;Next UpAfter this week's conference matches, Nebraska ­will await the announcement of its seed for the 2023 Big Ten Women's Soccer Tournament starting on Sunday, Oct. 29.Quick NotesThe Huskers are currently ranked 21st in this week’s RPI. Penn State (first) is the only team in the Big Ten who is ranked higher, and NU is joined by Wisconsin (26th) and Michigan State (28th) in the top 30.&nbsp;Dale earned her fourth Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honor last week as she currently leads the country and conference in total goals (21) and game-winning goals (6), while also leading the conference in shots (93), shots on goal (44) and points (46). Additionally, she has tallied nine total braces on the season and is currently tied for fourth all-time in the Husker records in goals scored. Nationally, Dale leads in goals per game (1.31), second in shots on goal per game (2.75) and also second in points (46).&nbsp;Dale’s total goals and points are the most in the Big Ten since 2013 when Illinois’ Jannelle Flaws had 23 goals and 48 points.Junior forward Weber has continued her strong offensive attack as she is second in the conference standings in shots (69), third in shots on goal (30), fourth in points (24) and fifth in goals (9).Junior midfielder Florence Belzile, a member of last week's Top Drawer Soccer team, recorded two assists in Thursday’s game against Maryland and now has a team-high 11 on the season, good for second in the conference and fourth nationally. She also is 10th in the conference standings with 17 points.&nbsp;As a team, the Huskers are fifth in the nation in assists per game (3.12) and total goals (45), sixth in shots on goal per game (9.38) and seventh in points per game (8.75) and shots per game (19.69).In the goal, senior Sami Hauk has recorded 61 saves on the year and is currently fourth in saves per game (3.81).NU enters the week tied for second in the conference standings with 17 points (three points for a win, one point for a tie).Four of NU’s six freshmen have seen the pitch so far this year, led by Reese Borer who has played 214 minutesThe Huskers’ six goals against Eastern Washington marked the most finishes the Huskers have tallied in a regular season match since the 2011 victory against Northern Arizona (8-1) and the most goals on the road since the win in 2009 at Kansas (7-4). Additionally, that was the first time since NU’s victory over Missouri in 2021 that the Big Red has netted four or more goals in the second halfThis season’s win over Eastern Washington also marked the 350th win in program history. Head Coach John Walker achieved the same milestone, having been at the helm of the program since its inception in 1994.Head Coach John Walker is in his 30th season, alongside assistant coaches Savanah Anderson-Baer (first season), Ian Bridge (eighth season) and Marty Everding (26th season).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Scouting the Purdue BoilermakersPurdue is 3-11-2 overall with a 0-6-2 record in Big Ten Play. The Boilermakers are coming off a recent 0-0 tie against No. 4 Penn State and a 2-1 loss at Illinois.Nebraska leads the all-time series, 8-5-1, dating back to the first meeting between the schools in 2001. Most recently, the teams tied 1-1 in 2022 in Indiana.&nbsp;Head Coach Drew Roff is in his ninth season at Purdue. He is assisted by Jim Schneiderhahn and Kelsey Brouwer.&nbsp;Players to Watch<ul>
 <li>#24 Kayla Budish: Team-high eight points (three goals and two assists)</li><li>#10 Emily Mathews: Team-high five assists</li><li>#1 Charlotte Cyr: Has recorded 62 saves and one shutout on the year&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>Scouting the Illinois Fighting IlliniIllinois is 6-6-3 this season with a 2-4-2 record in Big Ten play. The Fighting Illini face Michigan State on Thursday night before their matchup against Nebraska on Sunday.The Fighting Illini leads the all-time series between the two teams, 5-8-0, dating back to 2004. The Huskers are on a two-match winning streak against the Fighting Illini as NU won 3-1 in both 2021 and 2022.Head Coach Janet Rayfield is 226-173-43 in her 22nd season at Illinois. Rayfield is assisted by Jeff Freeman and Sammy Jo Prudhomme.&nbsp;Players to Watch<ul>
 <li>#22 Lia Howard: Team-high 12 points (four goals and four assists)</li><li>#28 Sydney Stephens: Tied for the team-high with goals, while adding one assist</li><li>#1 Julia Cili: Has recorded 75 saves and two shutouts this season&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>

#25 Huskers Look to Purdue, Illinois

The No. 2 Nebraska volleyball team swept Northwestern 25-15, 25-16, 25-21 on Wednesday night at Welsh-Ryan Arena.&nbsp;

The Huskers hit a season-best .395 in the match while improving to 18-0 overall and 9-0 in Big Ten play. Merritt Beason had 13 kills and hit .323 with seven digs and three blocks, while Harper Murray had 10 kills and hit .412 and served a career-high four aces. Bekka Allick contributed nine kills on .800 hitting with a pair of blocks. Andi Jackson had seven kills and hit .667.&nbsp;

Bergen Reilly had 38 set assists and six digs served a pair of aces. The Huskers had nine aces in the match. Nebraska had 45 kills to 26 for Northwestern and won the digs battle, 35-26. Lexi Rodriguez had nine digs to lead the Big Red.&nbsp;

Northwestern dropped to 9-10 overall and 3-6 in Big Ten play. The Wildcats were held to a .125 hitting percentage for the match.&nbsp;

Set 1: The Huskers built a 14-6 lead with Allick registering three kills and two blocks. After Northwestern pulled within 14-10, Allick had two more kills around one by Beason for a 17-10 Husker lead. Three kills and an ace by Beason, and kills by Jackson and Batenhorst took the Huskers to set point, 24-14. A Jackson kill finished the set at 25-15. Beason had seven kills on 12 swings, while Allick had five, as the Huskers hit .483 and held the Wildcats to .136.&nbsp;

Set 2: An ace by Reilly and kill by Allick helped the Huskers to a 4-0 lead. Beason added a kill and Murray served an ace for a 6-2 lead, but the Wildcats pulled within 8-6. Nebraska then used a 9-4 spurt to go up 17-10. Jackson had two kills in that stretch, while Murray, Allick and Beason each had one. Northwestern pulled within 17-13, but Beason and Jackson answered with kills for a 19-13 lead. Reilly had a kill and ace down the stretch, and Murray and Beason tacked on kills as the Big Red won 25-16. Nebraska hit .542 in set two, and Northwestern hit .161.&nbsp;

Set 3: Nebraska led 12-11 when Beason had a kill and Jackson had a solo block to make it 14-11. Rodriguez then served Nebraska's ninth ace for a 15-11 lead. But the Huskers surrendered a 4-0 run to Northwestern and the set was tied 15-15. Murray had back-to-back kills to lift the Huskers to a 19-16 lead, and two more Murray kills made it 21-18. After the Wildcats got within 22-21, Allick and Batenhorst posted kills and Nebraska won 25-21. Murray had eight of her 10 kills in the final set.&nbsp;

Up Next: Nebraska will host No. 1 Wisconsin on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The match will be televised on Big Ten Network.&nbsp;

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsThe No. 2 Nebraska volleyball team swept Northwestern 25-15, 25-16, 25-21 on Wednesday night at Welsh-Ryan Arena.&nbsp;The Huskers hit a season-best .395 in the match while improving to 18-0 overall and 9-0 in Big Ten play. Merritt Beason had 13 kills and hit .323 with seven digs and three blocks, while Harper Murray had 10 kills and hit .412 and served a career-high four aces. Bekka Allick contributed nine kills on .800 hitting with a pair of blocks. Andi Jackson had seven kills and hit .667.&nbsp;Bergen Reilly had 38 set assists and six digs served a pair of aces. The Huskers had nine aces in the match. Nebraska had 45 kills to 26 for Northwestern and won the digs battle, 35-26. Lexi Rodriguez had nine digs to lead the Big Red.&nbsp;Northwestern dropped to 9-10 overall and 3-6 in Big Ten play. The Wildcats were held to a .125 hitting percentage for the match.&nbsp;Set 1: The Huskers built a 14-6 lead with Allick registering three kills and two blocks. After Northwestern pulled within 14-10, Allick had two more kills around one by Beason for a 17-10 Husker lead. Three kills and an ace by Beason, and kills by Jackson and Batenhorst took the Huskers to set point, 24-14. A Jackson kill finished the set at 25-15. Beason had seven kills on 12 swings, while Allick had five, as the Huskers hit .483 and held the Wildcats to .136.&nbsp;Set 2: An ace by Reilly and kill by Allick helped the Huskers to a 4-0 lead. Beason added a kill and Murray served an ace for a 6-2 lead, but the Wildcats pulled within 8-6. Nebraska then used a 9-4 spurt to go up 17-10. Jackson had two kills in that stretch, while Murray, Allick and Beason each had one. Northwestern pulled within 17-13, but Beason and Jackson answered with kills for a 19-13 lead. Reilly had a kill and ace down the stretch, and Murray and Beason tacked on kills as the Big Red won 25-16. Nebraska hit .542 in set two, and Northwestern hit .161.&nbsp;Set 3: Nebraska led 12-11 when Beason had a kill and Jackson had a solo block to make it 14-11. Rodriguez then served Nebraska's ninth ace for a 15-11 lead. But the Huskers surrendered a 4-0 run to Northwestern and the set was tied 15-15. Murray had back-to-back kills to lift the Huskers to a 19-16 lead, and two more Murray kills made it 21-18. After the Wildcats got within 22-21, Allick and Batenhorst posted kills and Nebraska won 25-21. Murray had eight of her 10 kills in the final set.&nbsp;Up Next: Nebraska will host No. 1 Wisconsin on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The match will be televised on Big Ten Network.&nbsp;

Huskers Sweep Northwestern on the Road

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697643474713.jpeg" alt="2023-24 VBTourney Final Bracket" />
 <figcaption>2023-24 VBTourney Final Bracket</figcaption>
 </figure>

RPAC tournament results 

The Nebraska men's tennis team continues its 2023-24 fall season in Stillwater, Okla., this week at the ITA Regional Championships, Oct. 18-22. Eight Huskers are set to compete in the tournament: Rudi Christiansen, Lars Johann, Leo Linquet, Shunya Maruyama, Calvin Mueller, Anton Shepp, Nikolay Sysoev and Nic Wiedenhorn.Christiansen will enter the tournament coming off his second season with the Huskers. Winning his last four singles matches of the 2022-23 season, Christiansen is kicking off his senior season in Stillwater. He will be competing in both singles and doubles this week, playing doubles with Mueller.ITA Regionals will be Johann’s second tournament of the season, after taking on ITA All-Americans earlier this month. Johann was a difference-maker for NU his freshman season, going 8-6 in singles and 7-5 in doubles. Johann will be competing in both singles and doubles in Stillwater, playing doubles with fellow sophomore Linquet. Johann has byes in the first rounds in singles and doubles.Linquet has been a fall essential for the Huskers this season, Stillwater being his third tournament this year. At the season opener, Linquet found success in doubles, placing second in the Milwaukee Tennis Classic with Mueller. With 11 total matches under his belt for the season, Linquet will be competing in singles and doubles in Stillwater, partnered with Johann for doubles play. Linquet has byes in the first rounds in singles and doubles.Maruyama led NU in their last fall tournament, reaching the Round of 64 in singles at the ITA All-American Championships. After a strong 2022-23 season and his start in Tulsa, Maruyama will take the court again both in singles and doubles this week for the Big Red. Maruyama will be partnered with Husker newcomer Sysoev for doubles. Maruyama has a first round bye in singles.After a great doubles run with Linquet in Milwaukee, Mueller is competing in singles and doubles in Stillwater this week. The 2022-23 season was Mueller’s best collegiate season to date, with career highs in both singles wins (12) and doubles wins (14). Mueller will be taking on doubles play with Christiansen.Shepp is entering the tournament after representing the Big Red for the first time earlier this month in Tulsa. Shepp transferred from UT-Arlington, where he helped lead the team to the 2023 NCAA Tournament and clinched the conference championship win during singles play. Shepp was also a first-team All-WAC in both doubles and singles. In Stillwater, Shepp will play doubles with Wiedenhorn, as well as singles, having first round byes in both draws.Sysoev will be representing the Big Red for the first time in Stillwater, after transferring from New Mexico where he spent his freshman season. With the Lobos, Sysoev tallied seven singles wins and claimed a team conference championship. In Stillwater, Sysoev will be playing singles, as well as doubles with senior Maruyama.Wiedenhorn is entering the tournament coming off his best season with the Big Red. In the spring, Wiedenhorn tallied an 8-4 singles record. Stillwater will be Wiedenhorn’s first fall tournament this season, where he will play singles as well as doubles with Shepp. Wiedenhorn has byes in the first rounds in singles and doubles.&nbsp;ITA Regional Championship Draws can be found&nbsp;<a href="https://colleges.wearecollegetennis.com/competitions/OklahomaStateUniversityM/Tournaments/overview/4E26759A-4A69-4A62-8900-D03562C9493A?_gl=1*175ojj6*_ga*Nzc5NzY3NTY1LjE2ODg1ODU0NDM.*_ga_42FV4Y13KJ*MTY5NzQ4Mzk4Ni4xNS4xLjE2OTc0ODM5OTIuNTQuMC4w&amp;_ga=2.193925103.378629453.1697483987-779767565.1688585443" target="_blank">here</a>.Stay tuned to the ITA tournament&nbsp;<a href="https://wearecollegetennis.com/championships/ita-d1-regionals/?_gl=1%2A1oylire%2A_ga%2ANzc5NzY3NTY1LjE2ODg1ODU0NDM.%2A_ga_42FV4Y13KJ%2AMTY5NzQ4NTgxOC4xNi4xLjE2OTc0ODYwNDcuMjIuMC4w&amp;_ga=2.138357874.378629453.1697483987-779767565.1688585443" target="_blank">website</a>&nbsp;and Nebraska Men’s Tennis&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/huskermtennis" target="_blank">social channels</a>&nbsp;to keep up with Regional Championship updates and content.Doubles (Draw of 64)Leo Linquet and Lars Johann (Round One bye)Rudi Christiansen and Calvin Mueller (Round One at 5:30 p.m.)Nic Wiedenhorn and Anton Shepp (Round One bye)Nikolay Sysoev and Shunya Maruyama (Round One at 5:30 p.m.)Singles (Draw of 128)Lars Johann (Round One bye, Round Two at 1:30 p.m.)Shunya Maruyama (Round One bye, Round Two at 1:30 p.m.)Nikolay Sysoev (Round One at 10 a.m.)Rudi Christiansen (Round One at 10:30 a.m.)Calvin Mueller (Round One at 11:30 a.m.)Anton Shepp (Round One bye, Round Two at 4 p.m.)Leo Linquet (Round One bye, Round Two at 4:30 p.m.)Nic Wiedenhorn (Round One bye, Round Two at 4:30 p.m.)

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsThe Nebraska men's tennis team continues its 2023-24 fall season in Stillwater, Okla., this week at the ITA Regional Championships, Oct. 18-22. Eight Huskers are set to compete in the tournament: Rudi Christiansen, Lars Johann, Leo Linquet, Shunya Maruyama, Calvin Mueller, Anton Shepp, Nikolay Sysoev and Nic Wiedenhorn.Christiansen will enter the tournament coming off his second season with the Huskers. Winning his last four singles matches of the 2022-23 season, Christiansen is kicking off his senior season in Stillwater. He will be competing in both singles and doubles this week, playing doubles with Mueller.ITA Regionals will be Johann’s second tournament of the season, after taking on ITA All-Americans earlier this month. Johann was a difference-maker for NU his freshman season, going 8-6 in singles and 7-5 in doubles. Johann will be competing in both singles and doubles in Stillwater, playing doubles with fellow sophomore Linquet. Johann has byes in the first rounds in singles and doubles.Linquet has been a fall essential for the Huskers this season, Stillwater being his third tournament this year. At the season opener, Linquet found success in doubles, placing second in the Milwaukee Tennis Classic with Mueller. With 11 total matches under his belt for the season, Linquet will be competing in singles and doubles in Stillwater, partnered with Johann for doubles play. Linquet has byes in the first rounds in singles and doubles.Maruyama led NU in their last fall tournament, reaching the Round of 64 in singles at the ITA All-American Championships. After a strong 2022-23 season and his start in Tulsa, Maruyama will take the court again both in singles and doubles this week for the Big Red. Maruyama will be partnered with Husker newcomer Sysoev for doubles. Maruyama has a first round bye in singles.After a great doubles run with Linquet in Milwaukee, Mueller is competing in singles and doubles in Stillwater this week. The 2022-23 season was Mueller’s best collegiate season to date, with career highs in both singles wins (12) and doubles wins (14). Mueller will be taking on doubles play with Christiansen.Shepp is entering the tournament after representing the Big Red for the first time earlier this month in Tulsa. Shepp transferred from UT-Arlington, where he helped lead the team to the 2023 NCAA Tournament and clinched the conference championship win during singles play. Shepp was also a first-team All-WAC in both doubles and singles. In Stillwater, Shepp will play doubles with Wiedenhorn, as well as singles, having first round byes in both draws.Sysoev will be representing the Big Red for the first time in Stillwater, after transferring from New Mexico where he spent his freshman season. With the Lobos, Sysoev tallied seven singles wins and claimed a team conference championship. In Stillwater, Sysoev will be playing singles, as well as doubles with senior Maruyama.Wiedenhorn is entering the tournament coming off his best season with the Big Red. In the spring, Wiedenhorn tallied an 8-4 singles record. Stillwater will be Wiedenhorn’s first fall tournament this season, where he will play singles as well as doubles with Shepp. Wiedenhorn has byes in the first rounds in singles and doubles.&nbsp;ITA Regional Championship Draws can be found&nbsp;<a href="https://colleges.wearecollegetennis.com/competitions/OklahomaStateUniversityM/Tournaments/overview/4E26759A-4A69-4A62-8900-D03562C9493A?_gl=1*175ojj6*_ga*Nzc5NzY3NTY1LjE2ODg1ODU0NDM.*_ga_42FV4Y13KJ*MTY5NzQ4Mzk4Ni4xNS4xLjE2OTc0ODM5OTIuNTQuMC4w&amp;_ga=2.193925103.378629453.1697483987-779767565.1688585443" target="_blank">here</a>.Stay tuned to the ITA tournament&nbsp;<a href="https://wearecollegetennis.com/championships/ita-d1-regionals/?_gl=1%2A1oylire%2A_ga%2ANzc5NzY3NTY1LjE2ODg1ODU0NDM.%2A_ga_42FV4Y13KJ%2AMTY5NzQ4NTgxOC4xNi4xLjE2OTc0ODYwNDcuMjIuMC4w&amp;_ga=2.138357874.378629453.1697483987-779767565.1688585443" target="_blank">website</a>&nbsp;and Nebraska Men’s Tennis&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/huskermtennis" target="_blank">social channels</a>&nbsp;to keep up with Regional Championship updates and content.Doubles (Draw of 64)Leo Linquet and Lars Johann (Round One bye)Rudi Christiansen and Calvin Mueller (Round One at 5:30 p.m.)Nic Wiedenhorn and Anton Shepp (Round One bye)Nikolay Sysoev and Shunya Maruyama (Round One at 5:30 p.m.)Singles (Draw of 128)Lars Johann (Round One bye, Round Two at 1:30 p.m.)Shunya Maruyama (Round One bye, Round Two at 1:30 p.m.)Nikolay Sysoev (Round One at 10 a.m.)Rudi Christiansen (Round One at 10:30 a.m.)Calvin Mueller (Round One at 11:30 a.m.)Anton Shepp (Round One bye, Round Two at 4 p.m.)Leo Linquet (Round One bye, Round Two at 4:30 p.m.)Nic Wiedenhorn (Round One bye, Round Two at 4:30 p.m.)

Huskers travel to Stillwater for ITA Regionals

ll that was missing from the busy night for Colorado's Logan O'Connor's was an assist. He got the fight out the way almost immediately before adding what proved to be the deciding goal.

“I feel like he plays like that all the time. He's going to play as hard as he can, use his skating to his advantage,” Colorado coach Jared Bednar said. “He's willing to do all the little things it takes to have success.”

O'Connor and Arttui Lehkonen scored their first goals of the season in the second period, Mikko Rantanen scored his third with 6:15 remaining and the Avalanche beat the Seattle Kraken 4-1 on Tuesday night.

The Avalanche ruined Seattle’s home opener and matched an NHL record for the longest regular-season road winning streak spanning multiple seasons. Colorado won its 14th straight away from home dating to last season, matching the mark set by Buffalo during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons.

Colorado goalie Alexandar Georgiev made 37 saves and turned away nearly every dangerous chance.

“They were probably the better team tonight but (Georgiev) was huge back there, penalty kill was big,” O'Connor said. “He's the best penalty killer out there.”

The first meeting since Game 7 of last season’s Western Conference first-round matchup won by Seattle got off to a heated start with O’Connor and Jordan Eberle dropping the gloves inside the first 90 seconds. It was just the third fight of Eberle’s career and first since 2019.

The fight was in response to Eberle's hit on Andrew Cogliano in Game 6 of the playoff matchup. Cogliano suffered a neck fracture as a result of the hit.

“We obviously go back to the series last year. It was a tough series, tough situation,” Eberle said. "I was just trying to get my teammates going.”

Colorado's Cale Makar was greeted with hearty boos every time he touched the puck, the result of his hit on Jared McCann in Game 4 of the playoff series that drew a one-game suspension and sidelined McCann for the rest of the series.

“There's definitely a lot of animosity, I think," O'Connor said. "We feel as though we didn't give our best effort in that series last year. They played us hard. You have got to give them credit.”

Lehkonen scored at 3:50 of the second period after the puck deflected his way and Seattle goalie Philipp Grubauer was caught out of position. O’Connor’s goal was short-handed at 11:50 when Makar’s clearance hopped over the stick of Vince Dunn at the blue line and sent O’Connor free on a breakaway.

Grubauer made 23 saves and kept it a one-goal margin with some key stops before Rantanen scored his third of the season.

Valeri Nichushkin scored an empty-net goal with 3:14 left. Nichushkin missed the final five postseason games of the first-round loss to Seattle for what the team called “personal reasons.”

Kailer Yamamoto scored at 15:09 of the first period to give Seattle the lead, his first goal as the first player from Washington state to play for the Kraken. But the rest of Seattle’s home opener was filled with missed opportunities and the Kraken remained winless through four games for the first time in their three seasons.

Seattle outshot and outhit the Avalanche but couldn't capitalize on the power play going 0 for 4 and is 1 for 11 on the season.

“We lacked execution in a few spots tonight and against a good team that leaves us on the wrong side of the ledger,” Seattle coach Dave Hakstol said.

NOTES: Makar picked up his 250th career point with the assist on O'Connor's goal. O'Connor's goal was the first short-handed score of the season for Colorado and the second allowed by Seattle. ... Seattle assistant coach Dave Lowry took a puck off the top of his head during the second period and had to go back into the locker room for treatment. He returned to the bench in the third period. ... Seattle has killed 13 straight plays to begin the season.

Avalanche: Host Chicago on Thursday night in their home opener.

By Tim Booth AP Sports Writerll that was missing from the busy night for Colorado's Logan O'Connor's was an assist. He got the fight out the way almost immediately before adding what proved to be the deciding goal.“I feel like he plays like that all the time. He's going to play as hard as he can, use his skating to his advantage,” Colorado coach Jared Bednar said. “He's willing to do all the little things it takes to have success.”O'Connor and Arttui Lehkonen scored their first goals of the season in the second period, Mikko Rantanen scored his third with 6:15 remaining and the Avalanche beat the Seattle Kraken 4-1 on Tuesday night.The Avalanche ruined Seattle’s home opener and matched an NHL record for the longest regular-season road winning streak spanning multiple seasons. Colorado won its 14th straight away from home dating to last season, matching the mark set by Buffalo during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons.Colorado goalie Alexandar Georgiev made 37 saves and turned away nearly every dangerous chance.“They were probably the better team tonight but (Georgiev) was huge back there, penalty kill was big,” O'Connor said. “He's the best penalty killer out there.”The first meeting since Game 7 of last season’s Western Conference first-round matchup won by Seattle got off to a heated start with O’Connor and Jordan Eberle dropping the gloves inside the first 90 seconds. It was just the third fight of Eberle’s career and first since 2019.The fight was in response to Eberle's hit on Andrew Cogliano in Game 6 of the playoff matchup. Cogliano suffered a neck fracture as a result of the hit.“We obviously go back to the series last year. It was a tough series, tough situation,” Eberle said. "I was just trying to get my teammates going.”Colorado's Cale Makar was greeted with hearty boos every time he touched the puck, the result of his hit on Jared McCann in Game 4 of the playoff series that drew a one-game suspension and sidelined McCann for the rest of the series.“There's definitely a lot of animosity, I think," O'Connor said. "We feel as though we didn't give our best effort in that series last year. They played us hard. You have got to give them credit.”Lehkonen scored at 3:50 of the second period after the puck deflected his way and Seattle goalie Philipp Grubauer was caught out of position. O’Connor’s goal was short-handed at 11:50 when Makar’s clearance hopped over the stick of Vince Dunn at the blue line and sent O’Connor free on a breakaway.Grubauer made 23 saves and kept it a one-goal margin with some key stops before Rantanen scored his third of the season.Valeri Nichushkin scored an empty-net goal with 3:14 left. Nichushkin missed the final five postseason games of the first-round loss to Seattle for what the team called “personal reasons.”Kailer Yamamoto scored at 15:09 of the first period to give Seattle the lead, his first goal as the first player from Washington state to play for the Kraken. But the rest of Seattle’s home opener was filled with missed opportunities and the Kraken remained winless through four games for the first time in their three seasons.Seattle outshot and outhit the Avalanche but couldn't capitalize on the power play going 0 for 4 and is 1 for 11 on the season.“We lacked execution in a few spots tonight and against a good team that leaves us on the wrong side of the ledger,” Seattle coach Dave Hakstol said.NOTES: Makar picked up his 250th career point with the assist on O'Connor's goal. O'Connor's goal was the first short-handed score of the season for Colorado and the second allowed by Seattle. ... Seattle assistant coach Dave Lowry took a puck off the top of his head during the second period and had to go back into the locker room for treatment. He returned to the bench in the third period. ... Seattle has killed 13 straight plays to begin the season.UP NEXTAvalanche: Host Chicago on Thursday night in their home opener.Kraken: Host Carolina on Thursday night.

Avalanche use big 2nd period, rally for 4-1 win over winless Kraken

Story by UNK Athletic Communications

The eighth-ranked Nebraska Kearney volleyball team overcame a slow start, got contributions from multiple players, rallied in the third set, and hung in the fourth to down 21st-ranked Washburn (<a href="https://lopers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/stats/2023/washburn/boxscore/7521" target="_blank">18-25, -16, -24, -23</a>) Tuesday night at the Health &amp; Sports Center.The Lopers (21-1, 11-1) win a 12th straight match, remain in sole possession of first place in the MIAA standings and end a drought against the Ichabods (13-5, 7-4). WU had taken the last six fall matches, dating back to Oct. 2019, while UNK had won two meetings during the "non-countable" 2021 spring COVID season."As well as we've been playing, I'm sure a lot of people were looking at this one and saying 'okay, but now can you win this one?" said UNK head coach&nbsp;Rick Squiers. "We can move on from that and if we have to play them again (MIAA or NCAA Tournaments), you don't have that part where you don't think you can't do it."Things didn't start well as the 'Bods got out to a 9-1 lead in the first set with UNK having to burn both of its timeouts during this stretch. While the Loper got the deficit down to 10-8 and then 13-10, Washburn finished strong to win by seven. They outhit UNK by over 200 points and dug up seven more balls."Our defense got better as we made our way through the match. We got out of our own heads a little bit and the first part of the first set was just a disaster for us," said Squiers. "It exploited everything about the matchup that's been difficult for us. They come at you from the right side, they block touch a lot of balls … we got frustrated and changed the way we play."&nbsp;

The Lopers bounced back to trail only twice in set two. A 10-4 spurt made it 19-13 as WU committed four unforced attack errors, Minden redshirt junior DS&nbsp;Jensen Rowse&nbsp;served up an ace and Kansas sophomore outside&nbsp;Emilee Lane&nbsp;had one of her 15 kills on the night."Emilee was outstanding, and I thought this might be a match where she could play well," said Squiers. "She was one of our few bright spots down there and, for whatever reason, they had difficulty with her. Even going back to last year, she had some success against them."WU came back strong as they jetted out to leads of 13-7 and 15-9 in the third set. UNK started to chip away, tying things up at 21, 22 and 23 all. While the 'Bods turned an overpass into a 24-23 lead, the Lopers scored the final three points thanks to two kills from lane and a block from her and Missouri freshman middle&nbsp;Mia Berg."(Third set win) was huge because we've had so many 'here we go again' with these guys," said Squiers. "To get that one, I think you start to believe 'okay, we can get over the hump here."UNK really warmed up the fourth to the tune of a .405 efficiency (18-145) but WU almost came back from a 24-18 hole. After a kill by 6-3 lefty righty Rachel Schwensen, redshirt freshman DS Kali Henry made her first appearance of the night and promptly served up two aces. An unforced Loper error and another 'Bods kill made it 24-23."As the match went on, we got a little bit more confident and settled in. We had our best efficiency in the fourth set, played clean and had everything going," said Squiers. "Our serve receive was strong all night long and that group is underrated in what they do."After a decent rally, Berg finally ended the 2:15 match with a kill to the middle of the WU court. She finished with 15 kills and team-highs in both blocks (eight) and attack percentage (.448). &nbsp;While the 'Bods had two more kills (60-58) and seven more digs (79-72), the Lopers hit 19 points higher, was plus three in the serve game and had two more blocks (12-10).Lane came off the bench and reached her kill total in a team-high 38 swings while also having three blocks. Next, Kansas junior outside&nbsp;Asha Regier&nbsp;had all 10 of her kills over the final two sets with Colorado freshman middle&nbsp;Trista Marx&nbsp;having all seven of her kills down the stretch. Finally, Lincoln senior libero&nbsp;Lauren Taubenheim&nbsp;(18), Lincoln grad right side&nbsp;Jaden Ferguson&nbsp;(14) and Kansas junior DS&nbsp;Addyson Mock&nbsp;(12) combined for 44 digs.Schwensen (17 digs, three blocks, .361 pct.), junior outside Jalyn Stevenson (17 kills, 17 digs) and freshman libero Taylor Rottinghaus (219 digs) paced WU.UNK is at No. 19 Central Oklahoma (18-3, 9-2) on Friday night.

Story by UNK Athletic CommunicationsThe eighth-ranked Nebraska Kearney volleyball team overcame a slow start, got contributions from multiple players, rallied in the third set, and hung in the fourth to down 21st-ranked Washburn (<a href="https://lopers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/stats/2023/washburn/boxscore/7521" target="_blank">18-25, -16, -24, -23</a>) Tuesday night at the Health &amp; Sports Center.The Lopers (21-1, 11-1) win a 12th straight match, remain in sole possession of first place in the MIAA standings and end a drought against the Ichabods (13-5, 7-4). WU had taken the last six fall matches, dating back to Oct. 2019, while UNK had won two meetings during the "non-countable" 2021 spring COVID season."As well as we've been playing, I'm sure a lot of people were looking at this one and saying 'okay, but now can you win this one?" said UNK head coach&nbsp;Rick Squiers. "We can move on from that and if we have to play them again (MIAA or NCAA Tournaments), you don't have that part where you don't think you can't do it."Things didn't start well as the 'Bods got out to a 9-1 lead in the first set with UNK having to burn both of its timeouts during this stretch. While the Loper got the deficit down to 10-8 and then 13-10, Washburn finished strong to win by seven. They outhit UNK by over 200 points and dug up seven more balls."Our defense got better as we made our way through the match. We got out of our own heads a little bit and the first part of the first set was just a disaster for us," said Squiers. "It exploited everything about the matchup that's been difficult for us. They come at you from the right side, they block touch a lot of balls … we got frustrated and changed the way we play."&nbsp;The Lopers bounced back to trail only twice in set two. A 10-4 spurt made it 19-13 as WU committed four unforced attack errors, Minden redshirt junior DS&nbsp;Jensen Rowse&nbsp;served up an ace and Kansas sophomore outside&nbsp;Emilee Lane&nbsp;had one of her 15 kills on the night."Emilee was outstanding, and I thought this might be a match where she could play well," said Squiers. "She was one of our few bright spots down there and, for whatever reason, they had difficulty with her. Even going back to last year, she had some success against them."WU came back strong as they jetted out to leads of 13-7 and 15-9 in the third set. UNK started to chip away, tying things up at 21, 22 and 23 all. While the 'Bods turned an overpass into a 24-23 lead, the Lopers scored the final three points thanks to two kills from lane and a block from her and Missouri freshman middle&nbsp;Mia Berg."(Third set win) was huge because we've had so many 'here we go again' with these guys," said Squiers. "To get that one, I think you start to believe 'okay, we can get over the hump here."UNK really warmed up the fourth to the tune of a .405 efficiency (18-145) but WU almost came back from a 24-18 hole. After a kill by 6-3 lefty righty Rachel Schwensen, redshirt freshman DS Kali Henry made her first appearance of the night and promptly served up two aces. An unforced Loper error and another 'Bods kill made it 24-23."As the match went on, we got a little bit more confident and settled in. We had our best efficiency in the fourth set, played clean and had everything going," said Squiers. "Our serve receive was strong all night long and that group is underrated in what they do."After a decent rally, Berg finally ended the 2:15 match with a kill to the middle of the WU court. She finished with 15 kills and team-highs in both blocks (eight) and attack percentage (.448). &nbsp;While the 'Bods had two more kills (60-58) and seven more digs (79-72), the Lopers hit 19 points higher, was plus three in the serve game and had two more blocks (12-10).Lane came off the bench and reached her kill total in a team-high 38 swings while also having three blocks. Next, Kansas junior outside&nbsp;Asha Regier&nbsp;had all 10 of her kills over the final two sets with Colorado freshman middle&nbsp;Trista Marx&nbsp;having all seven of her kills down the stretch. Finally, Lincoln senior libero&nbsp;Lauren Taubenheim&nbsp;(18), Lincoln grad right side&nbsp;Jaden Ferguson&nbsp;(14) and Kansas junior DS&nbsp;Addyson Mock&nbsp;(12) combined for 44 digs.Schwensen (17 digs, three blocks, .361 pct.), junior outside Jalyn Stevenson (17 kills, 17 digs) and freshman libero Taylor Rottinghaus (219 digs) paced WU.UNK is at No. 19 Central Oklahoma (18-3, 9-2) on Friday night.

Lopers have unexpected offensive leaders in key win; #19 UCO up next

Story by NPCC Athletic Communications

The North Platte Community College volleyball team swept regional opponent Southeast Community College 3-0 Tuesday evening. The victory was sweetened by the fact that it was the last home match of the regular season for NPCC and also Sophomore Night.&nbsp;

North Platte led all the way through the first set – forging ahead until the Bobcats were down by seven. Back-to-back aces by NPCC’s Tallianna Martin brought the score to 18-8. The Bobcats gained a couple of the points at the end, slowing the momentum briefly. It wasn’t enough to catch the Knights who captured the win 25-15.

Southeast scored the first point of the second set, but it was the only time they would have the upper hand in the frame. NPCC tied the score on the next volley then ran away with ball, growing the deficit to 23-11. The Bobcats stalled the action at game point three times but ultimately fell 25-15.

Determined not to lose another one, Southeast came back strong in the third set. There were 11 ties before anyone was able to break free. The Knights finally pushed past the Bobcats 16-15 then went on a six-point run. Southeast started to creep back up with three points at the end. A kill by NPCC’s Vanessa Wood took the frame to match point, and Jaelyn Dicke won with an ace 25-18.

Wood had 12 kills to lead the Knights. Shamia Grandison contributed seven more. Aubrey Grant recorded 18 assists, and Elsie Ottun had 17. EmiLee Walnofer and Dicke tallied 23 and 19 digs, respectively.

“At this point, against region teams, every set matters, so I was glad we played how we needed to tonight,” said NPCC Volleyball Head Coach Alexa McCall. “I thought we served really well and thought we executed on offense by staying aggressive. I think it was a balanced attack from our whole team. Hopefully, this also prepares us for our game on Thursday. Since it was also Sophomore Night, I would like to thank our sophomores for their dedication to the game and our program. I have watched them all grow in their two years here and am thankful that they chose to be a Knight.”

NPCC Volleyball will wrap up regional and conference play with the final game of the regular season Thursday. The Knights will travel to Columbus for a showdown with Central Community College beginning at 6 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697632319997.jpeg" alt="Emily Johnson" />
 <figcaption>Emily Johnson</figcaption>
 </figure>Story by NPCC Athletic CommunicationsThe North Platte Community College volleyball team swept regional opponent Southeast Community College 3-0 Tuesday evening. The victory was sweetened by the fact that it was the last home match of the regular season for NPCC and also Sophomore Night.&nbsp;North Platte led all the way through the first set – forging ahead until the Bobcats were down by seven. Back-to-back aces by NPCC’s Tallianna Martin brought the score to 18-8. The Bobcats gained a couple of the points at the end, slowing the momentum briefly. It wasn’t enough to catch the Knights who captured the win 25-15.Southeast scored the first point of the second set, but it was the only time they would have the upper hand in the frame. NPCC tied the score on the next volley then ran away with ball, growing the deficit to 23-11. The Bobcats stalled the action at game point three times but ultimately fell 25-15.Determined not to lose another one, Southeast came back strong in the third set. There were 11 ties before anyone was able to break free. The Knights finally pushed past the Bobcats 16-15 then went on a six-point run. Southeast started to creep back up with three points at the end. A kill by NPCC’s Vanessa Wood took the frame to match point, and Jaelyn Dicke won with an ace 25-18.Wood had 12 kills to lead the Knights. Shamia Grandison contributed seven more. Aubrey Grant recorded 18 assists, and Elsie Ottun had 17. EmiLee Walnofer and Dicke tallied 23 and 19 digs, respectively.“At this point, against region teams, every set matters, so I was glad we played how we needed to tonight,” said NPCC Volleyball Head Coach Alexa McCall. “I thought we served really well and thought we executed on offense by staying aggressive. I think it was a balanced attack from our whole team. Hopefully, this also prepares us for our game on Thursday. Since it was also Sophomore Night, I would like to thank our sophomores for their dedication to the game and our program. I have watched them all grow in their two years here and am thankful that they chose to be a Knight.”The Knights improve to 13-19 overall.NPCC Volleyball will wrap up regional and conference play with the final game of the regular season Thursday. The Knights will travel to Columbus for a showdown with Central Community College beginning at 6 p.m.

Knights take down Southeast in final home game of regular season

Harry Crockett carded nine birdies in the second round to finish with a 68 (-4) to lead the Huskers on the opening day of the Everett Buick GMC Classic in Little Rock, Ark., on Monday.

Crockett added his second-round 68 to an opening-round 73 (+1) to complete his day at 141 (-3) in contention for the top 10 in the 84-player field on the par-72, 7,115-yard layout at the Chenal Country Club.

Although the junior from Oxted, England, concluded his 36 holes, the second round was actually suspended by darkness prior to its completion.&nbsp;

Golfers will complete the second round on Tuesday morning beginning at 8 a.m., before starting on the scheduled third round with a shotgun start at 9:15 a.m.

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsHarry Crockett carded nine birdies in the second round to finish with a 68 (-4) to lead the Huskers on the opening day of the Everett Buick GMC Classic in Little Rock, Ark., on Monday.Crockett added his second-round 68 to an opening-round 73 (+1) to complete his day at 141 (-3) in contention for the top 10 in the 84-player field on the par-72, 7,115-yard layout at the Chenal Country Club.Although the junior from Oxted, England, concluded his 36 holes, the second round was actually suspended by darkness prior to its completion.&nbsp;Golfers will complete the second round on Tuesday morning beginning at 8 a.m., before starting on the scheduled third round with a shotgun start at 9:15 a.m.

Crockett leads Huskers in Arkansas

Cale Makar scored a late tying goal, and the Colorado Avalanche beat San Jose 2-1 in a shootout on the road on Saturday night to spoil a 51-save performance by Sharks goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood.

The Avalanche scored with just over a minute left in regulation on their 49th shot on net, when Makar wristed one past Blackwood with an empty net to tie it at 1. After a scoreless overtime in which Colorado killed off a San Jose power play, Mikko Rantanen scored the lone goal in the shootout and Colorado goaltender Alexandar Georgiev stopped Mike Hoffman to secure the win for the Avalanche.

Blackwood's 51 saves was the most in NHL history by a goaltender in a team debut. On the other end, Georgiev made 20 saves for his 100th-career win.

“I thought the goalies stole the show,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. “Both guys played extremely well.”

Colorado has won seven straight games against the Sharks, and is 15-2-0 in their last 17 games against San Jose dating to the 2019-20 season. Colorado has also won 13 straight regular season road games dating to last season.

Prior to Makar’s goal, Colorado had been stymied by the Sharks’ netminder despite outplaying San Jose.

Georgiev tried to stay sharp despite not seeing many shots. He played the puck when he could, received encouragement from teammates and made big saves when it mattered. The goaltender stopped all three Sharks in the shootout to counter Blackwood.

“For me, it’s not getting caught up into what the other goalie’s doing and doing my own thing,” Georgiev said.

The Avalanche outshot the Sharks 52-21, but until the third period could not find a way past Blackwood, who made his debut for the Sharks after being traded from New Jersey in the offseason. Blackwood was 10-6 with a 3.20 goals against average last season.

He robbed Valeri Nichushkin from point-blank range with a left pad save midway through the second period. He also made a highlight-reel right pad save on Makar in the third.

Sharks head coach David Quinn called Blackwood's performance “elite.”

“Sometimes pucks go your way," Blackwood said. “I’ve been working hard with the goalie coach here and getting a lot of good work in, and I feel good about where my game is at.”

The Sharks were outshot 16-9 in the first period, but took a 1-0 lead on Thomas Bordeleau’s first career goal. Bordeleau, who was a second-round draft pick of the Sharks in 2020, tipped in a shot from the point by Matt Benning, redirecting it past Georgiev, who had 20 saves.

San Jose also killed off two Colorado power plays in the first, as well as a 5-on-3 advantage in the second. Logan O’Connor also hit the crossbar on a short-handed rush for the Avalanche late in the second period.

AVALANCHE: Forward Andrew Cogliano, who fractured his neck during the playoffs last season, returned to the lineup after sitting out the season opener against the Kings.

SHARKS: Forward Mikael Granlund, acquired by the Sharks in the Erik Karlsson trade, was placed on the injured reserve on Friday after re-aggravating a lower-body injury in the home opener against the Golden Knights and is considered week-to-week. Jacob Peterson was called up to take his place. Granlund’s injury leaves the Sharks without two of their top three centers, with captain Logan Couture still hurt. ... Defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic also left the game in the first period with a lower-body injury.

Avalanche: Visit Seattle on Tuesday night.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697459905729.jpeg" alt="Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, right, is congratulated by teammates after scoring against the San Jose Sharks during the third period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. The Avalanche won 2-1 in a shootout. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)" />
 <figcaption>Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, right, is congratulated by teammates after scoring against the San Jose Sharks during the third period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. The Avalanche won 2-1 in a shootout. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)</figcaption>
 </figure>By Eric HeAssociated PressCale Makar scored a late tying goal, and the Colorado Avalanche beat San Jose 2-1 in a shootout on the road on Saturday night to spoil a 51-save performance by Sharks goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood.The Avalanche scored with just over a minute left in regulation on their 49th shot on net, when Makar wristed one past Blackwood with an empty net to tie it at 1. After a scoreless overtime in which Colorado killed off a San Jose power play, Mikko Rantanen scored the lone goal in the shootout and Colorado goaltender Alexandar Georgiev stopped Mike Hoffman to secure the win for the Avalanche.Blackwood's 51 saves was the most in NHL history by a goaltender in a team debut. On the other end, Georgiev made 20 saves for his 100th-career win.“I thought the goalies stole the show,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. “Both guys played extremely well.”Colorado has won seven straight games against the Sharks, and is 15-2-0 in their last 17 games against San Jose dating to the 2019-20 season. Colorado has also won 13 straight regular season road games dating to last season.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697459950491.jpeg" alt="Colorado Avalanche center Fredrik Olofsson (22) skates with the puck against San Jose Sharks right wing Givani Smith (54) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)" />
 <figcaption>Colorado Avalanche center Fredrik Olofsson (22) skates with the puck against San Jose Sharks right wing Givani Smith (54) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)</figcaption>
 </figure>Prior to Makar’s goal, Colorado had been stymied by the Sharks’ netminder despite outplaying San Jose.Georgiev tried to stay sharp despite not seeing many shots. He played the puck when he could, received encouragement from teammates and made big saves when it mattered. The goaltender stopped all three Sharks in the shootout to counter Blackwood.“For me, it’s not getting caught up into what the other goalie’s doing and doing my own thing,” Georgiev said.The Avalanche outshot the Sharks 52-21, but until the third period could not find a way past Blackwood, who made his debut for the Sharks after being traded from New Jersey in the offseason. Blackwood was 10-6 with a 3.20 goals against average last season.He robbed Valeri Nichushkin from point-blank range with a left pad save midway through the second period. He also made a highlight-reel right pad save on Makar in the third.Sharks head coach David Quinn called Blackwood's performance “elite.”“Sometimes pucks go your way," Blackwood said. “I’ve been working hard with the goalie coach here and getting a lot of good work in, and I feel good about where my game is at.”The Sharks were outshot 16-9 in the first period, but took a 1-0 lead on Thomas Bordeleau’s first career goal. Bordeleau, who was a second-round draft pick of the Sharks in 2020, tipped in a shot from the point by Matt Benning, redirecting it past Georgiev, who had 20 saves.San Jose also killed off two Colorado power plays in the first, as well as a 5-on-3 advantage in the second. Logan O’Connor also hit the crossbar on a short-handed rush for the Avalanche late in the second period.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697459996042.jpeg" alt="Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev (40) is congratulated by teammates, including defenseman Jack Johnson (3), after the Avalanche defeated the San Jose Sharks in an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. The Avalanche won 2-1 in a shootout. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)" />
 <figcaption>Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev (40) is congratulated by teammates, including defenseman Jack Johnson (3), after the Avalanche defeated the San Jose Sharks in an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. The Avalanche won 2-1 in a shootout. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)</figcaption>
 </figure>TRAINERS’ ROOMAVALANCHE: Forward Andrew Cogliano, who fractured his neck during the playoffs last season, returned to the lineup after sitting out the season opener against the Kings.SHARKS: Forward Mikael Granlund, acquired by the Sharks in the Erik Karlsson trade, was placed on the injured reserve on Friday after re-aggravating a lower-body injury in the home opener against the Golden Knights and is considered week-to-week. Jacob Peterson was called up to take his place. Granlund’s injury leaves the Sharks without two of their top three centers, with captain Logan Couture still hurt. ... Defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic also left the game in the first period with a lower-body injury.UP NEXTAvalanche: Visit Seattle on Tuesday night.Sharks: Host Carolina on Tuesday night.

Avalanche beat Sharks 2-1 in shootout to spoil 51-save performance by Mackenzie Blackwood

Ratings comments:&nbsp;Grand Island drops a spot for a loss to Lincoln Northeast and Bellevue West and Gretna flip spots. The HAC and Metro tournaments this week will help determine our final season ranking next week before districts.

Receiving votes:&nbsp;Beatrice (15-10), RV; Gering (18-8), NR; Omaha Duchesne Academy (12-8), NR.

Ratings comments:&nbsp;Elkhorn North and Norris flip again after the Titans reversed the Eastern Midlands loss to the Wolves. Bennington, Waverly and Gretna East remain. Crete jumps to seventh after winning the Central Conference tournament on Saturday, defeating Seward and Northwest along the way. Seward stays in barely over Beatrice and Gering.

Receiving Votes:&nbsp;Pierce (24-3), 10; Wahoo (20-9), RV.

Ratings comments:&nbsp;The top five remain the same and DC West jumps ahead of Malcolm after winning the Nebraska Capital Conference tournament final over Syracuse. Most teams will play a final regular season game on Tuesday before sub-districts next week.

Receiving votes:&nbsp;&nbsp;Bishop Neumann (17-12), RV; Hastings St. Cecilia (19-11), 10.&nbsp;

Ratings comments:&nbsp;After an 8-6 start, Stanton has won 14 of 16 matches and avenged a loss to Oakland-Craig over the weekend in the East Husker tournament. Elmwood-Murdock won the ECNC which jumps them and drops Freeman from fourth. Bayard drops through no fault of their own.

Receiving votes:&nbsp;Axtell (20-5), RV; Burwell (18-7), RV; Pleasanton (19-8), RV.

Ratings comments:&nbsp;Amherst’s loss to SEM in the Fort Kearney tournament and SEM’s loss to Class D-2, No. 1 Overton shuffle things. GACC moves to No. 1 based on strength of schedule with no Class D losses this season. Johnson-Brock moves in with a Pioneer Conference title.

Receiving votes:&nbsp;Howells-Dodge (15-12), 10; Humboldt-Table Rock-Steinauer (17-8), RV.

Ratings comments:&nbsp;No changes to the top nine spots with Overton and Cambridge having a solid grip on the top two places. Sandhills/Thedford reenters for Howells-Dodge.

<h2>CLASS A</h2><ol>
 <li><a href="https://nebpreps.com/papillion-la-vista-south-claims-allison-weston-invitational-title/" target="_blank">Papillion-La Vista South</a>&nbsp;(31-0), 1</li><li>Lincoln Southwest (25-4), 2</li><li>Lincoln East (23-9), 3</li><li>Omaha Westside (19-9), 5</li><li><a href="https://hurrdatsports.com/featured/gritty-islanders/" target="_blank">Grand Island (22-7), 4</a></li><li>Papillion-La Vista (18-14), 6</li><li>Millard West (18-11), 7</li><li>Lincoln Pius X (20-8), 8</li><li>Bellevue West (24-8), 10</li><li>Gretna (22-11), 9&nbsp;</li>
 </ol>Receiving votes:&nbsp;none.Ratings comments:&nbsp;Grand Island drops a spot for a loss to Lincoln Northeast and Bellevue West and Gretna flip spots. The HAC and Metro tournaments this week will help determine our final season ranking next week before districts.<h2>CLASS B</h2><ol>
 <li>Omaha Skutt (18-13), 1</li><li><a href="https://hurrdatsports.com/preps-volleyball/no-3-norris-sweeps-no-2-elkhorn-north-in-regular-season-rubber-match/" target="_blank">Norris (27-3), 3</a></li><li><a href="https://nebpreps.com/wolves-top-badgers-in-top-five-conference-clash/" target="_blank">Elkhorn North (24-7), 2</a></li><li><a href="https://nebpreps.com/huskers-commit-olivia-mauch-leads-bennington-to-9-0-start/" target="_blank">Bennington (24-6), 4</a></li><li>Waverly (20-9), 5</li><li>Gretna East (22-8), 6</li><li>Crete (21-11), 8</li><li>Scottsbluff (22-9), 10</li><li>Northwest (18-12), 9</li><li>Seward (22-7), 7</li>
 </ol>Receiving votes:&nbsp;Beatrice (15-10), RV; Gering (18-8), NR; Omaha Duchesne Academy (12-8), NR.Ratings comments:&nbsp;Elkhorn North and Norris flip again after the Titans reversed the Eastern Midlands loss to the Wolves. Bennington, Waverly and Gretna East remain. Crete jumps to seventh after winning the Central Conference tournament on Saturday, defeating Seward and Northwest along the way. Seward stays in barely over Beatrice and Gering.<h2>CLASS C-1</h2><ol>
 <li>Minden (28-0), 1</li><li>Gothenburg (26-1), 2</li><li>Kearney Catholic (26-2), 3</li><li>GICC (22-3), 4</li><li>Platteview (20-7), 5</li><li>DC West (24-4), 7</li><li>Malcolm (23-4), 6</li><li>Syracuse (22-6), 8</li><li>Adams Central (20-6), 9</li><li>Ogallala (21-7), RV</li>
 </ol>Receiving Votes:&nbsp;Pierce (24-3), 10; Wahoo (20-9), RV.Ratings comments:&nbsp;The top five remain the same and DC West jumps ahead of Malcolm after winning the Nebraska Capital Conference tournament final over Syracuse. Most teams will play a final regular season game on Tuesday before sub-districts next week.<h2>CLASS C-2</h2><ol>
 <li>Lincoln Lutheran (30-1), 1</li><li>Clarkson/Leigh (28-1), 2</li><li>Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family (24-5), 5</li><li>Oakland-Craig (26-5), 3</li><li>Yutan (22-3), 6</li><li>Fremont Bergan (22-10), 8</li><li>Elmwood-Murdock (21-5), 9</li><li>Freeman (22-4), 4</li><li>Bayard (27-0), 7</li><li>Stanton (21-8), NR</li>
 </ol>Receiving votes:&nbsp;&nbsp;Bishop Neumann (17-12), RV; Hastings St. Cecilia (19-11), 10.&nbsp;Ratings comments:&nbsp;After an 8-6 start, Stanton has won 14 of 16 matches and avenged a loss to Oakland-Craig over the weekend in the East Husker tournament. Elmwood-Murdock won the ECNC which jumps them and drops Freeman from fourth. Bayard drops through no fault of their own.<h2>CLASS D-1</h2><ol>
 <li>Guardian Angels Central Catholic (20-4), 4</li><li>Amherst (21-6), 1</li><li>Southwest (24-3), 2</li><li>Sumner-Eddyville-Miller (20-4), 7</li><li>O’Neill St. Mary’s (25-1), 3</li><li>Elgin Public/Pope John (22-4), 5</li><li>Bruning-Davenport/Shickley (23-3), 6</li><li>Nebraska Christian (22-6), 8</li><li>Johnson-Brock (18-6), RV</li><li>Deshler (22-3), 10</li>
 </ol>Receiving votes:&nbsp;Axtell (20-5), RV; Burwell (18-7), RV; Pleasanton (19-8), RV.Ratings comments:&nbsp;Amherst’s loss to SEM in the Fort Kearney tournament and SEM’s loss to Class D-2, No. 1 Overton shuffle things. GACC moves to No. 1 based on strength of schedule with no Class D losses this season. Johnson-Brock moves in with a Pioneer Conference title.<h2>CLASS D-2</h2><ol>
 <li>Overton (27-1), 1</li><li>Cambridge (22-3), 2</li><li>Wynot (18-6), 3</li><li>Stuart (22-3), 4</li><li>Meridian (19-4), 5</li><li>Wallace (25-2), 6</li><li>Shelton (20-7), 7</li><li>Central Valley (18-8), 8</li><li>Leyton (22-6), 9</li><li>Sandhills/Thedford (23-4), RV</li>
 </ol>Receiving votes:&nbsp;Howells-Dodge (15-12), 10; Humboldt-Table Rock-Steinauer (17-8), RV.Ratings comments:&nbsp;No changes to the top nine spots with Overton and Cambridge having a solid grip on the top two places. Sandhills/Thedford reenters for Howells-Dodge.

Volleyball coaches poll week of 10-16

Opening statement:&nbsp;“Just an injury update and you might have to help with this, Luke Reimer will be back with us this week so excited to have Luke back. Other than that, I think we’re a pretty healthy team. DeShon Singleton will still be out but we’re excited to have Luke back. Obviously he will be a big boom for our defense so big week for us, huge week for us. An excellent Northwestern team, three and three, an unbelievable comeback win over Minnesota down I think it was 31-10. Coach (David) Braun did a heck of a job so it will be a heck of a ball game, excited to have a chance to play them, excited for this week, excited to see our players after the bye week so I’m sure you guys have lots of questions.”

On opportunity within the Big Ten West:&nbsp;“I’m not worried about the big picture. I think that’s the problem with Nebraska football. I think that’s why we have gone one and five down the stretch most years, looking at things outside of just going 1-0 this week. Evaluating the offensive and defensive coaches, evaluating the offense versus the defense, all this stuff outside the program, I’m going to do my best to keep it from infiltrating the program. We have to get a way to get 1-0 this week. We have to try to improve this week. It’s going to be a real challenge. To me, I had a chance to watch the teams we play. I was really happy to see Illinois play well because obviously any time we play someone and we beat them and we see them play well, it makes us feel good about who they are. I saw Northern Illinois get a huge win over five-win Ohio U so I feel good about where our team is but our team has got to eliminate the looking past just what’s important this week. After we got embarrassed against Michigan, we didn’t think about anything else other than Friday night and we were locked in and we’re going to find out about myself as a head coach and our coaches and our players and our staff. Can we have that same focus this week? We better.”

On Nebraska fans always looking at the big picture:&nbsp;“I love Husker fans, let me say that. I am talking about the team. The only reason why we have the opportunities we have is because there’s so much care about the program. I just have to make sure our players don’t act like fans, they act like the guys that go out and play. If you’re not careful, then all these things start to infiltrate the team and so I go back and look at history and you look at the team, look at Nebraska football for the last eight to 10 years in the second half of the season, it’s abysmal. That’s not a knock on anyone. I respect the heck out of, those are good coaches but we can’t be the type of team that we lost to Colorado and we’re embarrassed and we come back and we win and we play okay, not very great against LA Tech then we go out and we get embarrassed by Michigan and then we go out and now we’re embarrassed and we play great against Illinois, we just can’t be that team. I don’t want to coach that team and our players don’t want to be a part of that team and so that’s what it is. At the same time, there’s this thing out there that I can hear like, ‘Is this coach doing a good job?’ They’re all doing a good job. This program is not in good shape. They’re all doing a great job, I think. I am in charge of this football program. (Marcus) Satterfield would love to go into a huddle and score 50 points. Tony (White) would love to blitz every play. I run the program and so we are playing as a team. So all that other stuff is why we haven’t been to a bowl game. We are the only power five team that hasn’t been to a bowl game in a long time so if I start talking about bowl games, I’m part of the problem. So the fans are supposed to do this. My daughters are like, ‘Dad if we go to a bowl game can I have Taylor Swift tickets?’ My daughters are fans. They’re supposed to do that. I just have to get the team to be really locked into today, tomorrow. Because think about Coach Braun and the job that he has done. He comes from North Dakota State and he takes this job at Northwestern. He’s the DC, Coach (Pat) Fitzgerald, a great friend of mine and a man I respect gets let go, he steps in as an interim head coach as a one year deal and he has this team battling man, they are fighting for their lives. What are we doing? What are we going to be like? We’ll find out on Saturday. So that’s the message I put out there usually on Mondays when I feel this because I want our players to have this mentality but they will. I hope our fans come to this game as locked in and thinking this game is as important as anything else because I respect the team we’re playing and I respect the coaching staff, to be in the situation they’re in, to be down 21 points and to fight back, that says a lot about the character. We better have the same character.”

On if players have said there was a lack of focus in past years or if it was something he saw:&nbsp;“I talk to the players a lot. I talk to the players a lot, and I’ve talked to them a lot in the offseason. The thing that I’ve done, I think better than I normally have, is after the first two weeks, I spent a lot of time one-on-one with the players. They’ve kind of given me a lot of things. I can also just kind of feel it in my daily conversations with the people in our building. People love to send me memes from Twitter – ‘hey, look, Coach, there’s a picture of you.’ It’s just not healthy for the team. This is a team that has to learn how to be the same team every week. Isn’t that what you guys all want? Do you guys want to watch us play badly on Saturdays? We want to be the same team every week. That’s hard to do. Either you’re so talented that you don’t have to do that – some teams are so talented, they have to get up for three or four games – we have to get up for every game. We had to battle to beat Northern Illinois. We had to battle to beat LA Tech. We’re not in that place yet. We have to fight, scratch and claw. The players have kind of addressed a lot of these things with me. I’m not worried about the players as much as I’m worried about our staff and coaches and all them. We have to lead the way, I have to lead the way. I woke up after that Michigan game, Mitch (Sherman), I felt sick to my stomach that whole week. I woke up after the Colorado game, I felt like someone was standing on my chest. I don’t want to walk around this week happy. I’d rather have that same urge to go 1-0 this week. But this is not about hating Northwestern. This is just about the program in general. I’m trying to do a good job of addressing it to people because I went to Tekamah this summer and I spoke and there was a 97-year-old woman who waited in line to meet me. When I think about Husker fans, I think about her. She waited in line to meet me, that’s embarrassing to me. I just want us to be that type of a team where when you come to see us play, you know what you’re going to get. That’s the challenge for us these last six games – not to worry about what comes after them, but just to worry about how we do them.”

On recent close games versus Northwestern:&nbsp;“Yeah I watched the 2021 game and I watched last year’s game a lot. I thought what Coach (Scott) Frost and the offensive staff did two years ago was phenomenal, (Adrian) Martinez was amazing, a lot of great things happened. They played great defense. Obviously last year was a hard fought battle back and forth, but you know they have a new defensive coordinator, so there’s not a lot of things that translate, so it’s all kind of new. Those are more like off-season studies for me. I get into game week, I usually try to go back and watch personnel, you know Coach (D.J.) Vokolek is there who was here, so obviously he’ll know our personnel, so I try to go back and watch their players versus our guys a little bit, but for the most part now I have six games on them versus really good competition, two top-25 teams that they’ve played, they’re just a lot like us.”

On Jeff Sims’ status and the quarterback situation this week:&nbsp;“Yeah I think we’re working hard to get Jeff to be the best he can be, working hard to get Heinrich (Haarberg) and Chubba (Purdy) to be the best they can be. We’ll play with Heinrich for now, Jeff is ready to go on a moment’s notice. We mix him in with the ones a lot in practice, I would have no problem ever having a package to play too, not saying we would do that, but I have no problem with the way he works. But to me, Heinrich’s played well, Heinrich’s done some good things, so he’ll be the starter.”

On improving Heinrich Haarberg and getting him to be the best he can be:&nbsp;“I think we were able to go back and really identify what he does well. Because when you build something, you usually build it around who you anticipate the starter to be. So what are the things that, not only is he comfortable with, ‘hey he’s doing this pretty well.’ And then what are some of the plays that we kind of fell into, like ‘hey, these are good plays for us, what are the plays that come off of that.’ And at the same time, having to simplify a great deal with a bunch of freshman receivers now going to be playing. So, it’s kind of this unique, we’re down to third and fourth-string tailback, to start the year at least, we’re down to some young wideouts and also a new quarterback, ‘hey what do they all do well.’ We have enough good players to win with, so just trying to find what they do well. But I thought Heinrich (Haarberg) had a really good week last week, he was still a little beat up from that game, that was a hard-fought game. He went out there and battled each day at practice last week, so did Jeff (Sims), so I think we have a good feel as a team, like ‘what do those guys do well.’”

On running back Emmett Johnson’s fumble and progress in his position:&nbsp;“Emmett can play for us, I think Emmett’s a good player. We ran a counter with him and he knifed up the field, he got six or eight yards. I think he shows quickness and toughness and burst, excellent protection, and can catch the football. We just have to protect the football, he has to protect the football. Obviously his was on an exchange, it wasn’t a pure fumble, so going back to what Sam just talked about, ‘hey Heinrich wasn’t taking a lot of routes with Emmett for a couple weeks.’ Right now just getting them synced up together on some of those plays, but Emmett can really help us.”

On a points-per-game threshold identified to win games in the Big Ten:&nbsp;“I never think about that. Like just so you guys know me, like we were playing Illinois, and I was like ‘hey they’re not gonna move the ball against us today, I don’t care if we run the ball every play and punt,’ like that’s just what you get when coaching. It’s 25 mile-an-hour wind, could be a batted ball, we’re going to play that way. I want to score one more than the other team. That might be old school and kind of boring nowadays but it will result in good things in the long run."

On the narrative that the Big Ten West is down this year and if he has a reaction:&nbsp;“I have none. This is my first time going through it. Big Ten West will be gone next year anyways. I was a young coach - I don’t want you guys to think I’m always just coach-speak - I was a young head coach at Temple. I sat down at a table out the retreat with all the American conference coaches. George O'Leary, who I really looked up to, was there. UCF was rolling at the time and he was going to become the AD. I was like ‘yeah Coach we play - and I forget what year it was - Penn State but then we got Cincinnati’ and he was like ‘Matty, Matty just play them one at a time.’ And you hear that. But the teams that I thought were going to be really good that year actually were pretty down and the teams that I thought were going to be down that year were really pretty good. I think we face good teams each week. It’s a battle each week. I just think there is always the narrative out there, people watch the Iowa-Wisconsin game and say it’s a bad football game or it’s an ugly football game. I think it’s a beautiful defensive football game. I see a lot of teams that scored a lot of points early in the season in games this week and not score quite as many points as the year gets on. People catch up and it gets a little colder. Iowa is on its way to having another great year. People are making a big deal about how many points they score. It’s one more than their opponent in most games. I don’t know anything about the Big Ten West other than I’m facing each one each year and after the year I’ll probably have a better feel for kind of who everyone is and then we’ll shuffle it up and we’ll be going to the West Coast. I’ll do my best to figure that out.”

On what kind of lift Luke Reimer gives the team:&nbsp;“Luke is one of the voices. Even before the last game, I texted him on the day of the game, like ‘hey, bro, I wish you were with us.’ I feel so awful about what happened to him. He got MRSA in his arm and just got an infection. He was like ‘Hey, I already sent a message to the guys. They’re ready, Coach.’ He’s a voice that the guys listen to. When he speaks, I think it goes a long way. As a player, he’s really going to help us. He’s excellent off the ball and this is a team – Northwestern – that can spin it and they can also run it. They have athletic quarterbacks. We’ll need Luke’s athleticism out there.”

On the freshmen wide receivers:&nbsp;“Malachi (Coleman) is a starter. He’ll start. The great thing about Malchi is that he didn’t have much time to think about it. Unfortunately, Marcus (Washington) went down and Malachi had to go out there and play. He played well. He’s got things that he does differently that we have to adjust to. The things that he loves to do, we have to factor some of that in. Jaylen Lloyd is going to play a ton. Jaidyn Doss is still kind of in the middle. When you’re a freshman receiver and you don’t practice for five, six, seven weeks, that’s difficult. The other guys practiced. But Jaylen is ready to go, Malachi is ready to go. What I saw from them last week, Sean (Callahan), was that they showed up last week. They knew it was time to play. Saw Kwinten Ives, he showed up and said ‘hey, it’s time to play.’ Jaidyn showed up too. I’m just not sure exactly where Jaidyn will fall on this whole thing. The great thing about the last game is that I think Alex Bullock has figured out that he’s a really good player. 4th and 3, he makes an unbelievable catch. He makes a great catch on the slant. He’s got long speed, and then Ty Hahn made a big play for us. I think Heinrich (Haarberg) is developing a real rapport with those guys as well.”

On how he leans on the o-line and how he thought they played the first few games:&nbsp;“I think our offensive line has gotten better and better and better. I think they are one of the groups – I’m going to speak for them – that are really scarred by the things that are said about them out there, and they hear it. They probably were hearing it too much and not having a lot of fun playing. I think that they, in the last two weeks, have kind of gotten past that a little bit. When you run the ball for 200 yards a game, no matter how you get it, you don’t do that if guys aren’t playing well. If tight ends aren’t blocking, if guys aren’t running. I think the biggest thing that I’ve seen improvement in is our pass protection. We’re getting better and better and better. We’re not here to throw the ball 45 times a game, but we’re getting better in those regards. I like our offensive line. The amount of things that they see, the amount of things people throw at us because we don’t throw it a ton – they blitz us. They are unsung heroes to me.”

On how much he’s had to tell the o-line to not worry about PFF grades:&nbsp;“If you go back and look at anything I’ve said when I was in the NFL, I talked about that being the number one thing that affects players in the National Football League, is those grades. Because people listen to them. I would just say that if I went and graded our o-line and Donny (Donovan Raiola) went and graded our o-line, and Sat (Marcus Satterfield) graded our o-line, we would all come out sometime with different scores. I’m not going to listen to other people. I mean that with the greatest deal of respect. I don’t look at the grades of other teams. I don’t say ‘let’s go after this guy, he’s a 64.’ It’s just one more cottage industry built up around the sport, you know what I’m saying? And they’ve done a good job. We use PFF for video and stuff, it’s amazing what they do in terms of ‘show me every pass thrown to the left quadrant on third and seven.’ I’m like a geek on that stuff. But in terms of the scores, the qualitative data, I’m not going to pay attention to that. Again, don’t we just want our players to go out there and fight to play? I’m always going to defend my players and my coaches. I struggle with the fact that these players are here to get Nebraska football over the hump, because it hasn’t been over the hump. These coaches are here. When I go in for my heart exam and my doctor tells me I have calcium, I don’t yell at the heart doctor. I don’t yell at the guy trying to fix the problem, so why would anyone say anything bad about the kids that are out there playing and trying to get us back to a bowl game? Why would anyone say anything about the coaches that are trying? That’s crazy to me. I see the impact it has on young people, it’s devastating to them. Most of my job is about ‘hey, guys, ignore the noise. Ignore it. Ignore what people are saying about you.’ I’m having to do that a little bit in recruiting, sometimes too. Recruits hear everyone talk about ‘we’re not good at this and we’re not good at that.’ It’s the job. It’s challenging. I relish this. I’m not complaining about it. Everyone has a job to do. I’m proud of our players. I say this so that they hear it. A PFF score does not determine who they are. Ethan Piper is out there playing with a broken hand. He’s pass protecting #4 from Illinois, who is going to be a first-round draft pick, with a broken hand. And we won the game. I’d hug the guy, not grade him.”

On why there’s disparity between his and other coaches’ grades:&nbsp;“It’s one thing to say ‘he’s supposed to down block and he did and he gets a minus for that’, but it’s hard to move people in football. They’re on scholarship too. It’s all just subjective. It’s a moving target. It’s just subjective. If I don’t trust myself enough to do it all the time, I know what I kind of see. ‘Hey, Donny, we want this here. Hey, Sat, we want this here.’ If I can’t do it, I’m certainly not going to listen to anybody else. I live this. I don’t do anything else but this and occasionally, a girls volleyball game with my daughters. This is all I do. It’s just really subjective, and again, it makes for great theater. I just want our players walking in this building worrying about going 1-0 and about what their teammates think. At the same time, I want us to go out there and have an unbelievable crowd on Saturday that’s proud of the way we play. You just can’t live your life on Twitter.”

On going out recruiting during the bye week:&nbsp;“People were unbelievable to us. Everywhere I go people are A) seem to be grateful that we are working hard to get the program back on track and in the right direction. You feel that everywhere. Went to a game in Omaha, went to one in western Iowa and then I went out to Ainsworth and I mean I went out to Ainsworth in a windbreaker and it was 34 degrees so I went to a western store there and the gentleman owns the store and obviously a Husker fan and comes to the games every week and helped me get fitted for a nice parka and hat and went to the game and saw Ainsworth play Boyd County and people are everywhere and little kids are coming up and they’re fired up. I’m glad we won the Illinois game before we went out on the road. A lot of people were pretty fired up about that game but even if we hadn’t, it always goes back to me talking about going to Tekamah, going to Ainsworth, going to the places I’ve been, how much people care and how much we want to do a good job for them. But there was a really, really, unbelievably positive vibe out there.”

On the possibility of committed high school seniors engaging with other schools:&nbsp;“First of all I have this thing, you never get mad because you have to recruit somebody. I didn’t just take this job. I think you guys have probably had other opportunities and looked at other jobs. I only want people to come here if they really want to be here because I know what we are going to demand of them, but I also know what we are going to pour into them. I want people to come here eyes wide open so you have to understand that sometimes you fall into two tiers. There’s guys that we’re like we’ll wait until signing day for. We’re going to battle for you until the very end and as numbers get crunched, there’s some guys that we’re like, if you want to look around then just move on from us, so when it comes to players that we know can really help us, then they have to do their due diligence. Because when they come here, I want them locked in here, I want them here for the long haul and I want them here for the right reasons. We aren’t second to anybody and we aren’t backing down from anybody in recruiting. Recruiting is a lot different now, there’s a lot of different things tied to it, but when it comes down to where our player wants to go, I have no problem. When players have called me and said, ‘Hey Coach I am going to visit this game or go visit this school,’ I say, ‘Have a great time. Have a good time.’ If they are thinking about, sometimes it goes a little further than that, we have to make decisions. The thing that is going to be harder for us is, not hard, but a lot of our seniors, a lot of our guys that have a COVID year are having really good experiences. Rahmir Johnson the other day, if he can he is going to come back for his sixth year. Like a guy that when I got here, people didn’t even know if he was going to stick around for this year, he wants to come back for his sixth year. We treat players really well. We care greatly about them and we also push them. A lot of guys aren’t going to want to leave the program. Marcus Washington said, ‘Coach, is there any way I can get an extra year?’ I said, ‘Man you were dying to get out of here and now you don’t want to leave.’ I love Marcus Washington. We’ll have to figure some things out roster-wise as we move forward. Some guys will want to move on and some guys will want to stay, that’s a really good thing but yeah we’re not afraid to recruit.”&nbsp;On how he’s seen the 1-0 every week mentality grow“I hear them say it. I see the way that they work. We work in a way that sometimes I can see them be like, ‘Hey Coach how do we sustain this?’ early on and now I can see them be like, ‘We can sustain this.’ I will try to do a good job, and as the year goes on, I’ll cut back. I’m not foolish but I see them understanding that it’s about us, it’s not about the opposing team. It’s about us and the way we play. We expect that the team we play is going to play well. We know Northwestern’s going to play well. We know Northwestern after a bye week is going to have things we haven’t seen on offense, defense and special teams so we have to be prepared for everything. So I just think their work ethic and the amount of time they spend in here, their willingness to move positions, like Chief Borders being willing to move from jack to d-line, out of blind faith when I say, ‘Hey I think this would be a good move for you.’ &nbsp;When guys start doing those things because it just shows faith in the process and but I just think in the way they practice and their attention to detail, I’m excited to see them get in here tonight and what they’re like tonight because I think they’re very very locked in which I am expectant they will be.”

On the Sunday practice after Michigan:&nbsp;“So the issue in the Michigan game was not effort, to me. To me. The issue in the Michigan game was what I’m battling in the program, I’m not afraid to say it out loud. When things go well for us early, I know we are going to play well. When things don’t go well for us early, I’m kind of anxious to see how we respond. They make those TV shows and they send them to me to see if it’s all okay. They made one for Illinois, I haven’t wanted to put it out yet and I don’t know if they will or won’t. But in that pregame speech, it’s kind of funny, I said, ‘hey I know you’ll fight if we’re up 14-nothing, but how are you going to fight if we’re down 14-nothing. How are you going to fight if the ball is on the one-yard line, not knowing that eight minutes later the ball would be on the one-yard line.’ That play to me was a pivotal, pivotal turning point in this team’s growth and development. That they were just in the moment, instead of feeling sad that they just drove the ball down, they went out there and they just played. It wasn’t effort, as much as it was like, ‘what’s next. Play the next play. Just keep playing.’ And that’s what I’m talking about, like don’t worry about what happens at the end of the year, don’t worry about what people are saying about you, don’t worry about the score, just play football. You’re a Cornhusker, play football. That’s easier said than done, though. This is the process. But once we figure this out, we’re going to be a good team, and we’re going to be a good team for a while. Some teams that everybody talked a lot about, I see them in the middle of adversity, I see them crack a little on Saturday. We just got a lot of our adversity early in the year, we responded to it. What I want to see is us now for six games embrace adversity. Like Northwestern takes the opening kickoff back this week, how are we going to respond? We have success early, how are we going to respond, so that’s going to be the next step. It was fun just to put the ball down, I realize with this team I have to do that more often. I forget some of these guys didn’t play their senior year, COVID, all those things. They just need to play football a little bit, like Heinrich (Haarberg) just needs to play football, everything can’t be a seven-on-seven drill. They just got to play, and the more they play, the more I see their personalities come out. So that’s me adapting to this team, we were chanting with the crowd on Saturday, the crowd was chanting, ‘Go Big Red,’ and our guys on defense were throwing the bones, and I hate that, I hate that, because I’m like ‘watch the game.’ But I told the team, if you’re going to play well, if the crowd gets you going, I’ll adapt. I’ll be a little more new school, so I’m adapting with this team and learning their rhythms because they work hard. And if you work hard for me, I’ll try to be a little bit cooler.”

On growth during the bye week:&nbsp;“Some young players that are redshirted, we were able to get them way more reps. Some guys moved positions. ‘I know you’re a d-lineman, but I want to play you at guard for three days.’ Hopefully, they all understand that it’s because we think they’re good players and we want to get them on the field. We were able to move some guys around. We were able to do some of the things we talked about for the guys who are playing, and we were able to get some young guys in there. As we come down the stretch here, we’re worried about this week but we have some guys, maybe we get (Marques) Buford back, maybe we get DeShon (Singleton) back, getting De’Andre Barnes and getting Rahmir Stewart - getting them ready to play so that, as we have injuries, we have another crop of guys ready to go. It was a really pivotal week for us.”

On getting Billy Kemp IV the ball more:&nbsp;“We just have to. I think that was a focus for us last week. Billy is a dynamic player, and we have to get him involved more. When it’s third down they can kind of tell and they double him and bracket him. We have to get him involved more in normal downs. We have to continue to get Thomas (Fidone II) the ball more. Get (Joshua) Fleeks involved. We have enough players to win with. It’s just sometimes when you go through what you go through you kind of try to just go 1-0 this week. Now you get to the bye week and you sit down and say, ‘hey who do we need to get involved.’ I think those guys have done a good job of that. If I leave them alone they would have probably gotten that ball more. These first six weeks, I wanted to build a run-game that we could run the ball with. I wanted to build a run-defense off of last year, being 108th until now. I think the second half of the season we have to continue to do those two things. We’ve got to get better at third-down defense. We’ve got to get better at third-down offense. We have to throw the ball better. We have to play better pass-defense. Those are all things we examined over the bye week. But Billy is a big piece of that.”

On if he was sitting on Coach Satterfield offensively in terms of what he was able to call:&nbsp;“Yeah we aren’t going to play with tempo. That is just not us yet. At some point. As we continue to develop. And maybe it will be this week. Right now - like after you have eight turnovers in the first two games and you have a good defense you’re going to say, ‘hey let’s not beat ourselves up.’ We’ve won three of our last four. I sit on everybody. That’s what I’m saying. Complain about me. Don’t complain about the coaches. Ed (Foley) wants to run a fake punt every week. He wants to block every point. Ed wants to do that. (Coach Marcus Satterfield) Sat wants to throw the ball down the field every play. Garret (McGuire) wants to drop back and throw it 50 times. Tony (White) is going to go zero blitz every play. My job is to manage a team. Again, I let my coaches coach. I don’t want to make it sound like I’m sitting here going through every call but I set the tone for what we do. If we have a lead we are going to run the football and choke the game out. That is just what we are going to do. You know what will happen when we get good - and maybe we are good now maybe not I’m not saying - when we figure this whole thing out we are going to have a bunch of games when we have a lead in the fourth quarter and we run for 100 yards. Everyone is going to leave happy. I won’t be up for the Broyles award, no one is going to call me a guru. (Coach Marcus Satterfield) Sat might not be up for the Broyles award but we’ll win games. We just want to win.”

On the defensive lineman that changed positions:&nbsp;“I don’t want to say that yet. He might get upset. It’s one of the freshman. He literally just came to my office to say, ‘hey what am I doing today.’ For me I don’t like to suppose things. So I always say, ‘hey, can you give me some plays over here so I can just see it.’ Jeremiah Charles wideout, wideout, wideout. And then they were like, ‘hey can you just give us some reps at corner too?’ And now all of the sudden we watch him at corner and think he’s going to be a dynamic corner. (Tommi) Hill you know. Do you know how much (Coach Satterfield) Sat and Garret (McGuire) were upset when Tommi Hill went to full-time corner. You talk about offense or defense. I have to make those decisions. Tommi moved to full-time wideout and was just going to play third-down corner for us. DeShon (Singleton) went down and Tommi was gone in a flash. We go defense first with the personnel. I like to just see guys at different positions. And then figure out, ‘hey when we get to bowl practice where am I going to put this guy?’ Then in bowl practice you kind of get it and then when we get into the spring it helps guys because they know their future in the program."

Coach Rhule sat with the media to discuss the Huskers next opponent Northwestern

<a>The Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team&nbsp;</a>has the No. 1 breakaway roper in the Great Plains Region.

Now that the dust has cleared and the last gate has closed on the fall rodeos, it’s Whitney Jennings, of Seneca, who has come out on top in the regional standings. Jennings ends her run with 285 points, which she collected during a win at the MPCC Stampede in September and third and sixth place finishes in Wisconsin and Iowa.

Jennings isn’t the only one to make the regional leaderboard for Mid-Plains. Bareback rider Jackson Lunn, of Whitecourt, Alberta, is sitting second in his event.

MPCC cowboys also occupy almost half of the steer wrestling standings. Rex Day, of Bartlett, is second on the list. Cinch Painter, of Springview, came in fifth, Tucker Even, of Burke, S. D., is sixth, Koby Jacobson, of Haiku, Hawaii, is 13th, Eli Higa, of Honokaʻa, Hawaii, is 14th and Kahiwa Augustiro, of Hoʻolehua, Hawaii, is 15th.

D.C. Cathcart, of Carpenter, Wyo., spurred his way to fourth place on the bull riding leaderboard. Jacobson and Higa are right behind him in fifth and sixth place, respectively. Augustiro is tied for 10th with Jett Sjeklocha, of North Platte. Casey Reis, of Grand Island, is 12th, Elias Garcia, of Dalton, is 14th and Danny Perdew, of Eaton, Colo., is 15th.

Matt Miller, of Callaway, is holding onto third in the tie-down roping. Jace Richter, of Ogallala, is following in sixth place, and Day is ninth.

MPCC is represented by Jaxton Starr, of North Platte, who is third in the team roping heeler category. Augustiro is following at fifth, Ty Growcock, of Ericson, is seventh and Sage Dieter, of Alma, is 12th.

Higa threw his loop around fifth place in the team roping header division. Layton Lindner, of Broken Bow, is seventh and Clay Meyer, of Loomis, is 12th.

Mid-Plains is ranked third overall in the men’s team standings and is tied for fifth in the women’s team standings with North Dakota State University.

“What a great start to the season,” said Aukai Kaai, MPCC Rodeo Team roughstock coach. “Having so many student athletes ranked at the top is very exciting. I think we are in a very good spot headed into the spring season and look for more of them to push into the top three.”

The 2023-24 season will resume in the spring for members of the Great Plains Region.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697546050718.jpeg" alt="Mid-Plains Community College cowgirl&nbsp;Whitney Jennings, of Seneca, pulls her slack in the breakaway roping during the MPCC Stampede in September. Jennings rounds out the fall season first in the Great Plains Region breakaway standings." />
 <figcaption>Mid-Plains Community College cowgirl&nbsp;Whitney Jennings, of Seneca, pulls her slack in the breakaway roping during the MPCC Stampede in September. Jennings rounds out the fall season first in the Great Plains Region breakaway standings.</figcaption>
 </figure>Story by Mid-Plains Communication<a>The Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team&nbsp;</a>has the No. 1 breakaway roper in the Great Plains Region.Now that the dust has cleared and the last gate has closed on the fall rodeos, it’s Whitney Jennings, of Seneca, who has come out on top in the regional standings. Jennings ends her run with 285 points, which she collected during a win at the MPCC Stampede in September and third and sixth place finishes in Wisconsin and Iowa.Jennings isn’t the only one to make the regional leaderboard for Mid-Plains. Bareback rider Jackson Lunn, of Whitecourt, Alberta, is sitting second in his event.MPCC cowboys also occupy almost half of the steer wrestling standings. Rex Day, of Bartlett, is second on the list. Cinch Painter, of Springview, came in fifth, Tucker Even, of Burke, S. D., is sixth, Koby Jacobson, of Haiku, Hawaii, is 13th, Eli Higa, of Honokaʻa, Hawaii, is 14th and Kahiwa Augustiro, of Hoʻolehua, Hawaii, is 15th.D.C. Cathcart, of Carpenter, Wyo., spurred his way to fourth place on the bull riding leaderboard. Jacobson and Higa are right behind him in fifth and sixth place, respectively. Augustiro is tied for 10th with Jett Sjeklocha, of North Platte. Casey Reis, of Grand Island, is 12th, Elias Garcia, of Dalton, is 14th and Danny Perdew, of Eaton, Colo., is 15th.Matt Miller, of Callaway, is holding onto third in the tie-down roping. Jace Richter, of Ogallala, is following in sixth place, and Day is ninth.MPCC is represented by Jaxton Starr, of North Platte, who is third in the team roping heeler category. Augustiro is following at fifth, Ty Growcock, of Ericson, is seventh and Sage Dieter, of Alma, is 12th.Higa threw his loop around fifth place in the team roping header division. Layton Lindner, of Broken Bow, is seventh and Clay Meyer, of Loomis, is 12th.Mid-Plains is ranked third overall in the men’s team standings and is tied for fifth in the women’s team standings with North Dakota State University.“What a great start to the season,” said Aukai Kaai, MPCC Rodeo Team roughstock coach. “Having so many student athletes ranked at the top is very exciting. I think we are in a very good spot headed into the spring season and look for more of them to push into the top three.”The 2023-24 season will resume in the spring for members of the Great Plains Region.

Mid-Plains Rodeo Team lead the region in breakaway

&nbsp;Story by Tri-Storm Communications

Tri-City Storm&nbsp;Goaltender Cameron Korpi has been named the USHL’s Goaltender of the Week for the second time this season following his performances in the team’s two road victories last weekend. Korpi notched his first shutout of the season in Friday’s 1-0 road win over the Sioux Falls Stampede. He backstopped the team to victory in Saturday’s 4-3 road victory over the Des Moines Buccaneers.

Cameron Korpi, 19, Goaltender, of South Lyon, Michigan, notched his first shutout of the season on Friday night in the Storm’s victory over the Stampede at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center. Friday’s decision was the first league game this season to finish with a final score of 1-0. Korpi turned away all 26 of Sioux Falls’ shots on goal during the matchup, and was named the 1st&nbsp;Star of the Game. He made 25 saves on 28 shots the following night in the Storm’s one-goal win against the Buccaneers at Buccaneer Arena. Korpi finished the weekend with a 2-0 record, a Goals Against Average (GAA) of 1.50, and a Save Percentage (SV%) of .944%. He currently leads the USHL in wins this season by a goaltender with six. His season-long GAA of 1.49 is among this league’s leaders this year. His SV% of .941% ranks top-five in the USHL. Korpi is one of only five goaltenders in the USHL to record a shutout to this point in the 2023-2024 regular season.

“I thought the team played great this weekend, it’s always a good thing to get four points on the road. It was great to get my first shutout of the season against a really good Sioux Falls team.”- Goaltender Cameron Korpi

“Cam continues to do the right things on a daily basis, and he continues to be rewarded with it during the games. He put in the work and is having a great start to the year because of it.”- Goaltending Coach Matt Zaba

&nbsp;Story by Tri-Storm CommunicationsTri-City Storm&nbsp;Goaltender Cameron Korpi has been named the USHL’s Goaltender of the Week for the second time this season following his performances in the team’s two road victories last weekend. Korpi notched his first shutout of the season in Friday’s 1-0 road win over the Sioux Falls Stampede. He backstopped the team to victory in Saturday’s 4-3 road victory over the Des Moines Buccaneers.Cameron Korpi, 19, Goaltender, of South Lyon, Michigan, notched his first shutout of the season on Friday night in the Storm’s victory over the Stampede at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center. Friday’s decision was the first league game this season to finish with a final score of 1-0. Korpi turned away all 26 of Sioux Falls’ shots on goal during the matchup, and was named the 1st&nbsp;Star of the Game. He made 25 saves on 28 shots the following night in the Storm’s one-goal win against the Buccaneers at Buccaneer Arena. Korpi finished the weekend with a 2-0 record, a Goals Against Average (GAA) of 1.50, and a Save Percentage (SV%) of .944%. He currently leads the USHL in wins this season by a goaltender with six. His season-long GAA of 1.49 is among this league’s leaders this year. His SV% of .941% ranks top-five in the USHL. Korpi is one of only five goaltenders in the USHL to record a shutout to this point in the 2023-2024 regular season.“I thought the team played great this weekend, it’s always a good thing to get four points on the road. It was great to get my first shutout of the season against a really good Sioux Falls team.”- Goaltender Cameron Korpi“Cam continues to do the right things on a daily basis, and he continues to be rewarded with it during the games. He put in the work and is having a great start to the year because of it.”- Goaltending Coach Matt Zaba

Cameron Korpi named USHL Goalie of Week   

Lincoln, Neb - Lexi Rodriguez was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week on Monday, the conference office announced.&nbsp;

Rodriguez led the Huskers to a pair of wins against Michigan State and Penn State by averaging 4.86 digs per set along with 1.57 assists per set.&nbsp;

The two-time All-American libero tied her season high with 18 digs in a sweep of No. 13 Penn State on Saturday night. She had 12 digs alone in the first set. Rodriguez also had four set assists and was perfect on 23 receptions.

On Friday night against Michigan State, Rodriguez had 16 digs in a 3-1 win with seven set assists and 10 perfect receptions.&nbsp;

Rodriguez' floor defense was key as the Huskers held their opponents to a combined .106 hitting percentage on the weekend. She earnes her fourth career Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honor.&nbsp;

Lincoln, Neb - Lexi Rodriguez was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week on Monday, the conference office announced.&nbsp;Rodriguez led the Huskers to a pair of wins against Michigan State and Penn State by averaging 4.86 digs per set along with 1.57 assists per set.&nbsp;The two-time All-American libero tied her season high with 18 digs in a sweep of No. 13 Penn State on Saturday night. She had 12 digs alone in the first set. Rodriguez also had four set assists and was perfect on 23 receptions.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693226124096.jpeg" alt="Lexi Rodriguez was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week on Monday, the conference office announced" />
 <figcaption>Lexi Rodriguez was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week on Monday, the conference office announced</figcaption>
 </figure>On Friday night against Michigan State, Rodriguez had 16 digs in a 3-1 win with seven set assists and 10 perfect receptions.&nbsp;Rodriguez' floor defense was key as the Huskers held their opponents to a combined .106 hitting percentage on the weekend. She earnes her fourth career Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honor.&nbsp;

Husker Volleyball - Rodriguez Earns B1G Defensive Player of the Week

DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic couldn’t take his gaze off the NBA championship trophy sitting next to his arm.

The Denver Nuggets big man stared and stared at the list of teams engraved on the shiny gold prize, before something suddenly hit him.

“They didn’t put our name on here,” he said Monday at media day.

Actually, it was — on the very front, where Jokic couldn’t quite see.

What the two-time NBA MVP and the Nuggets&nbsp;<a href="https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=nba-finals">can see quite clearly is a path toward</a>&nbsp;repeating, despite losing veteran leader/sixth-man Bruce Brown through free agency.

That's provided, of course, they can guard against one thing — complacency.

“No one cares what you did last season,” said Nuggets coach Michael Malone,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nuggets-nba-finals-jokic-murray-943bee928eb27e9406e23c1522e41add">whose team beat Miami in five games to win the NBA title</a>. “We had success in that moment. But that moment is gone. We have a new opportunity and challenge in front of us.”

The Nuggets certainly enjoyed the summer after winning the franchise's first NBA crown. There were parades and parties before scattering for the offseason.

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cte1kQ-xTgE/">Jokic headed</a>&nbsp;back to Sombor, Serbia, where he did a little bit of everything. He was spotted&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23u4sa2eTZk">doing flips into a river off a</a>&nbsp;rubber raft, dancing at a party with family and friends, hanging out with Aaron Gordon who paid him a visit and watching his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nikola-jokic-serbia-horse-racing-denver-nuggets-6746cf1e531a09bbba49c680dc11680a">beloved horses race</a>.

“A couple times,” Jokic said. “Not much.”

“No, he didn’t,” point guard Jamal Murray playfully chided.

The team simply trusts Jokic to be his triple-double self come the season. He averaged 30 points, 13.5 rebounds and 9.5 assists in the postseason on his way to winning the Finals MVP. It more than made up for the fact&nbsp;<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_2023.html">he lost out to</a>&nbsp;Philly's Joel Embiid in his bid to win a third straight NBA MVP.

“I never tell Nikola to go home and work on a lefty jump hook," Malone said. “The greatest challenge for Nikola is to continue to find ways to be a leader and to be more vocal.”

Just before camps opened, the NBA saw the landscape dramatically change with some big names being traded. Damian Lillard is now with Milwaukee and Jrue Holiday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jrue-holiday-boston-portland-trade-c58bb1411b447443326256b315318859">wound up with Boston</a>. Holiday's older brother, Justin, plays for the Nuggets and said their dad sent a message on the family's text chain.

“Something like, ‘I’m excited for you. Congrats. You all are going to get a championship,’” Justin Holiday recounted with a laugh. “I’m like, ‘Hold on.’ I mean, I’m excited for him, but ...”

The Nuggets have a void to fill with the departure of Brown, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/indiana-pacers-free-agent-brown-b3539abc65343ce45459a796548e1f5c">signed a two-year, $45-million deal with the Indiana Pacers</a>. Christian Braun&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/denver-nuggets-braun-heat-nba-finals-ba755d799b7ff171413219972453166a">will see a bump in minutes</a>&nbsp;after his dependable play last season as a rookie. So, too, will veteran guard Reggie Jackson. The team also lost the leadership of Jeff Green and Ish Smith.

“I think right now a lot of teams view the league, quite frankly, as wide open,” general manager Calvin Booth said. “We’re going to be hunted — can we still have a hunter’s mindset?"

Murray definitely believes so. So does Michael Porter Jr., who pointed out that Denver won even with Murray (knee) and Porter (back) pretty much rehabbing throughout last season.

“To have this summer to make some steps has been amazing,” Porter said.

Murray raised his game in the postseason, averaging 26.1 points and 7.1 assists.

Next step, carry it through an entire season and earn accolades such as All-Star, which Malone fully believes Murray can.

It would be nice and all, but reaching All-Star status is down on his priority list.

“I’d rather be a champion,” Murray said. “A lot of guys are All-Stars, but not champions.”

Josh Kroenke, the president/governor of the Nuggets, has recently seen how difficult it is to win back-to-back titles. One of his other teams, the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche, won the Stanley Cup in 2022 but was eliminated in the first-round last season.

“Not to allow complacency to set in,” Kroenke said. “When you achieve the ultimate goal, your natural reaction is to ... relax a little bit. We don’t have the exact same rosters we did last year. We have the same starting five, which we feel is the best in the NBA.”

Kroenke said the team is exploring all avenues to remedy the fact that many Nuggets and Avalanche fans can’t watch their teams on local television.

In 2019, the region’s biggest cable operator, Comcast, stopped carrying&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-finals-nuggets-denver-kroenke-owner-billionaire-c08605d1e08f5566dc6f419d879a5ad3">Altitude due to a</a>&nbsp;disagreement over fees the cable giant was charging to carry the network. The ensuing legal battle has kept the Nuggets off the local airwaves in millions of homes for the last four seasons.

“I can assure you that we’re doing all we can,” Kroenke said. “We want the best for the fans to see their teams.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697459568384.jpeg" alt="Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic spins a board with his name on it for identification purposes during the NBA basketball team's media day on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)" />
 <figcaption>Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic spins a board with his name on it for identification purposes during the NBA basketball team's media day on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)</figcaption>
 </figure>By Pat GrahamAP Sports WriterDENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic couldn’t take his gaze off the NBA championship trophy sitting next to his arm.The Denver Nuggets big man stared and stared at the list of teams engraved on the shiny gold prize, before something suddenly hit him.“They didn’t put our name on here,” he said Monday at media day.Actually, it was — on the very front, where Jokic couldn’t quite see.What the two-time NBA MVP and the Nuggets&nbsp;<a href="https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=nba-finals">can see quite clearly is a path toward</a>&nbsp;repeating, despite losing veteran leader/sixth-man Bruce Brown through free agency.That's provided, of course, they can guard against one thing — complacency.“No one cares what you did last season,” said Nuggets coach Michael Malone,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nuggets-nba-finals-jokic-murray-943bee928eb27e9406e23c1522e41add">whose team beat Miami in five games to win the NBA title</a>. “We had success in that moment. But that moment is gone. We have a new opportunity and challenge in front of us.”The Nuggets certainly enjoyed the summer after winning the franchise's first NBA crown. There were parades and parties before scattering for the offseason.<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cte1kQ-xTgE/">Jokic headed</a>&nbsp;back to Sombor, Serbia, where he did a little bit of everything. He was spotted&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23u4sa2eTZk">doing flips into a river off a</a>&nbsp;rubber raft, dancing at a party with family and friends, hanging out with Aaron Gordon who paid him a visit and watching his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nikola-jokic-serbia-horse-racing-denver-nuggets-6746cf1e531a09bbba49c680dc11680a">beloved horses race</a>.Any chance to touch a basketball?“A couple times,” Jokic said. “Not much.”“No, he didn’t,” point guard Jamal Murray playfully chided.The team simply trusts Jokic to be his triple-double self come the season. He averaged 30 points, 13.5 rebounds and 9.5 assists in the postseason on his way to winning the Finals MVP. It more than made up for the fact&nbsp;<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_2023.html">he lost out to</a>&nbsp;Philly's Joel Embiid in his bid to win a third straight NBA MVP.“I never tell Nikola to go home and work on a lefty jump hook," Malone said. “The greatest challenge for Nikola is to continue to find ways to be a leader and to be more vocal.”Just before camps opened, the NBA saw the landscape dramatically change with some big names being traded. Damian Lillard is now with Milwaukee and Jrue Holiday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jrue-holiday-boston-portland-trade-c58bb1411b447443326256b315318859">wound up with Boston</a>. Holiday's older brother, Justin, plays for the Nuggets and said their dad sent a message on the family's text chain.“Something like, ‘I’m excited for you. Congrats. You all are going to get a championship,’” Justin Holiday recounted with a laugh. “I’m like, ‘Hold on.’ I mean, I’m excited for him, but ...”The Nuggets have a void to fill with the departure of Brown, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/indiana-pacers-free-agent-brown-b3539abc65343ce45459a796548e1f5c">signed a two-year, $45-million deal with the Indiana Pacers</a>. Christian Braun&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/denver-nuggets-braun-heat-nba-finals-ba755d799b7ff171413219972453166a">will see a bump in minutes</a>&nbsp;after his dependable play last season as a rookie. So, too, will veteran guard Reggie Jackson. The team also lost the leadership of Jeff Green and Ish Smith.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697459641275.jpeg" alt="Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther, left, takes part in an interview during the NBA basketball team's media day on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)" />
 <figcaption>Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther, left, takes part in an interview during the NBA basketball team's media day on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)</figcaption>
 </figure>“I think right now a lot of teams view the league, quite frankly, as wide open,” general manager Calvin Booth said. “We’re going to be hunted — can we still have a hunter’s mindset?"Murray definitely believes so. So does Michael Porter Jr., who pointed out that Denver won even with Murray (knee) and Porter (back) pretty much rehabbing throughout last season.“To have this summer to make some steps has been amazing,” Porter said.Murray raised his game in the postseason, averaging 26.1 points and 7.1 assists.Next step, carry it through an entire season and earn accolades such as All-Star, which Malone fully believes Murray can.It would be nice and all, but reaching All-Star status is down on his priority list.“I’d rather be a champion,” Murray said. “A lot of guys are All-Stars, but not champions.”Josh Kroenke, the president/governor of the Nuggets, has recently seen how difficult it is to win back-to-back titles. One of his other teams, the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche, won the Stanley Cup in 2022 but was eliminated in the first-round last season.His advice?“Not to allow complacency to set in,” Kroenke said. “When you achieve the ultimate goal, your natural reaction is to ... relax a little bit. We don’t have the exact same rosters we did last year. We have the same starting five, which we feel is the best in the NBA.”Kroenke said the team is exploring all avenues to remedy the fact that many Nuggets and Avalanche fans can’t watch their teams on local television.In 2019, the region’s biggest cable operator, Comcast, stopped carrying&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-finals-nuggets-denver-kroenke-owner-billionaire-c08605d1e08f5566dc6f419d879a5ad3">Altitude due to a</a>&nbsp;disagreement over fees the cable giant was charging to carry the network. The ensuing legal battle has kept the Nuggets off the local airwaves in millions of homes for the last four seasons.“I can assure you that we’re doing all we can,” Kroenke said. “We want the best for the fans to see their teams.”

Nuggets gear up for title defense, guard against complacency as NBA scenery changes with big trades

The No. 6 Nebraska Rifle team, in a record-setting Sunday, defeated the No. 7 Air Force Falcons 4,728-4,716.The Huskers’ aggregate score of 4,728 is the best in program history, besting the 4,726 that NU shot against Alaska-Fairbanks last season. Nebraska’s team air rifle score was 2,384, another program record. The previous air rifle record was 2,381, also set against Alaska-Fairbanks last year.“Their hard work in practice showed through,” Head Coach Mindy Miles said. “We can still pick up a few points across the board. We broke the aggregate team score and posted a strong air score. This is the strong appearance by the Huskers I was looking forward to this season. There will be more great scores to come.”&nbsp;Huskers swept the first three spots overall. Sophomore Emma Rhode earned a first-place finish with an aggregate score of 1,186, while sophomore Tori Watts(1,185) and senior Cecelia Ossi (1,183) completed the sweep, finishing second and third, respectively. Watts’ aggregate mark was also a career high.In the air rifle, Rhode and Ossi tied for first place with scores of 597, matching the second-best score in Nebraska history. Watts and freshman Charlie Mick tied for fourth with 595s, along with Air Force’s Peninah D’Souza. Junior Mackenzie Strauch shot a career-best 593 to finish eighth.Watts and Rhode took the top two spots in the smallbore. Watts earned a career-best score of 590 in the event to take first, while Rhode shot a 589 to grab second place. Ossi finished in fourth with a 586.&nbsp;NU returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 28, when the Huskers travel to Fort Worth, Texas, to take on TCU and West Virginia.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsThe No. 6 Nebraska Rifle team, in a record-setting Sunday, defeated the No. 7 Air Force Falcons 4,728-4,716.The Huskers’ aggregate score of 4,728 is the best in program history, besting the 4,726 that NU shot against Alaska-Fairbanks last season. Nebraska’s team air rifle score was 2,384, another program record. The previous air rifle record was 2,381, also set against Alaska-Fairbanks last year.“Their hard work in practice showed through,” Head Coach Mindy Miles said. “We can still pick up a few points across the board. We broke the aggregate team score and posted a strong air score. This is the strong appearance by the Huskers I was looking forward to this season. There will be more great scores to come.”&nbsp;Huskers swept the first three spots overall. Sophomore Emma Rhode earned a first-place finish with an aggregate score of 1,186, while sophomore Tori Watts(1,185) and senior Cecelia Ossi (1,183) completed the sweep, finishing second and third, respectively. Watts’ aggregate mark was also a career high.In the air rifle, Rhode and Ossi tied for first place with scores of 597, matching the second-best score in Nebraska history. Watts and freshman Charlie Mick tied for fourth with 595s, along with Air Force’s Peninah D’Souza. Junior Mackenzie Strauch shot a career-best 593 to finish eighth.Watts and Rhode took the top two spots in the smallbore. Watts earned a career-best score of 590 in the event to take first, while Rhode shot a 589 to grab second place. Ossi finished in fourth with a 586.&nbsp;NU returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 28, when the Huskers travel to Fort Worth, Texas, to take on TCU and West Virginia.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Huskers post record team scores among victory

The Tri-City Storm shocked the Des Moines Buccaneers with a goal during the final minute of Saturday’s showdown at Buccaneer Arena to lift the team to victory. The Storm defeated the Buccaneers by a final score of 4-3, following August Falloon’s team-leading sixth goal of the season with less than a minute to play. Tri-City improved to 6-2-0-0 in the victory, and returns home for back-to-back games at the Viaero Center next weekend. Friday’s battle against the Sioux Falls Stampede is set to begin at 7:05pm CT. Puck drop for Saturday’s contest against the Dubuque Fighting Saints is scheduled for 6:05pm CT. Tickets to each home game are still available, and may be purchased online by skating to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.stormhockey.com/" target="_blank">www.StormHockey.com</a>, or by calling the Viaero Center Box Office during Box Office Hours at 308-338-8144.

Luke Posthumus scored the first goal of his USHL career just over three minutes into Saturday’s opening period to give the Storm a 1-0 lead in the matchup. The goal was netted even strength, and was assisted by Carmelo Crandell. Vladislav Lukashevich scored his second goal of the year seventeen seconds later to increase the Storm’s lead to two goals. Luke Posthumus and Carmelo Crandell each notched an assist on the scoring play. Payton Nelson responded with his first goal of the year for the Buccaneers to cut into Tri-City’s lead at 8:35 of Saturday’s 1st&nbsp;period. The goal was netted even strength, and was assisted by Ben Kevan and Andrew Clarke. Cameron Briere scored his second goal of the season at 13:27 of the 1st&nbsp;period to give the Storm another two-goal advantage in the battle. Briere’s goal was scored even strength, and was assisted by Carmelo Crandell. An unassisted goal by Ben Kevan with less than fifteen seconds to play in Saturday’s 1st&nbsp;period brought Des Moines within one of Tri-City’s lead. Each team notched nine shots on net during the opening period, and the Storm carried a 3-2 advantage into the 2nd&nbsp;period.

The lone goal of the middle period was netted by Des Moines’ Lubomir Kupco with less than a minute to play. Owen Dyer recorded the lone assist on the scoring play. Kupco’s goal was his team-leading third of the season, and was netted at 19:39 of the period. Des Moines outshot Tri-City 10-8 during Saturday’s 2nd&nbsp;period, and the 3rd&nbsp;period began with a 3-3 score.

Story by Tri-City CommunicationsThe Tri-City Storm shocked the Des Moines Buccaneers with a goal during the final minute of Saturday’s showdown at Buccaneer Arena to lift the team to victory. The Storm defeated the Buccaneers by a final score of 4-3, following August Falloon’s team-leading sixth goal of the season with less than a minute to play. Tri-City improved to 6-2-0-0 in the victory, and returns home for back-to-back games at the Viaero Center next weekend. Friday’s battle against the Sioux Falls Stampede is set to begin at 7:05pm CT. Puck drop for Saturday’s contest against the Dubuque Fighting Saints is scheduled for 6:05pm CT. Tickets to each home game are still available, and may be purchased online by skating to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.stormhockey.com/" target="_blank">www.StormHockey.com</a>, or by calling the Viaero Center Box Office during Box Office Hours at 308-338-8144.Luke Posthumus scored the first goal of his USHL career just over three minutes into Saturday’s opening period to give the Storm a 1-0 lead in the matchup. The goal was netted even strength, and was assisted by Carmelo Crandell. Vladislav Lukashevich scored his second goal of the year seventeen seconds later to increase the Storm’s lead to two goals. Luke Posthumus and Carmelo Crandell each notched an assist on the scoring play. Payton Nelson responded with his first goal of the year for the Buccaneers to cut into Tri-City’s lead at 8:35 of Saturday’s 1st&nbsp;period. The goal was netted even strength, and was assisted by Ben Kevan and Andrew Clarke. Cameron Briere scored his second goal of the season at 13:27 of the 1st&nbsp;period to give the Storm another two-goal advantage in the battle. Briere’s goal was scored even strength, and was assisted by Carmelo Crandell. An unassisted goal by Ben Kevan with less than fifteen seconds to play in Saturday’s 1st&nbsp;period brought Des Moines within one of Tri-City’s lead. Each team notched nine shots on net during the opening period, and the Storm carried a 3-2 advantage into the 2nd&nbsp;period.The lone goal of the middle period was netted by Des Moines’ Lubomir Kupco with less than a minute to play. Owen Dyer recorded the lone assist on the scoring play. Kupco’s goal was his team-leading third of the season, and was netted at 19:39 of the period. Des Moines outshot Tri-City 10-8 during Saturday’s 2nd&nbsp;period, and the 3rd&nbsp;period began with a 3-3 score.August Falloon scored his team-leading sixth goal of the year with thirty seconds to play in Saturday’s game to seal the Storm’s thrilling road victory. Falloon’s goal was the only scoring play of the final period. Trevor Connelly and Owen Beckner each notched an assist on the scoring play. The Buccaneers outshot the Storm 9-5 during the 3rd&nbsp;period, and 28-22 overall during the game.Cameron Korpi improved to 6-0-0-0 on the season in goal for Tri-City following a 25-save-on-28-shot-performance. Adam Moller made 6 saves on 9 shots during the opening period of Saturday’s game for Des Moines, but was replaced in net by Ethan Dahlmeir for the 2nd&nbsp;and 3rd&nbsp;periods. Dahlmier recorded the loss in goal for the Buccaneers after making 12 saves on 13 shots.The Storm’s powerplay finished the game 0/4, and Tri-City’s penalty kill was 3/3. August Falloon was named the 1st&nbsp;Star of the Game, with teammate Luke Posthumus collecting 2nd&nbsp;Star honors. Des Moines’ Ben Kevan was named the game’s 3rd&nbsp;Star. Tri-City improved to 6-2-0-0 overall, and 4-2-0-0 in games played against Western Conference competition in Saturday’s road victory.Tri-City hits the ice again on Friday, October 20th, in a home game against the Sioux Falls Stampede. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05pm CT. Skate to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.stormhockey.com/" target="_blank">www.StormHockey.com</a>&nbsp;for individual game tickets and more information regarding the Tri-City Storm organization.