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

Story by NU Athletic Communications

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.

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.

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.

Storm shocks Buccaneers with last-minute goal

The No. 2 Nebraska volleyball team swept No. 13 Penn State for the third time in a row with a 25-22, 25-22, 25-19 victory on Saturday night in front of a crowd of 8,590 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.

With the win, Nebraska remained perfect on the season, improving to 17-0 and 8-0 in Big Ten Conference play. The Huskers also moved to 7-0 against ranked opponents with all seven wins coming in the past 12 matches.

Merritt Beason, Lindsay Krause and Harper Murray all finished with double-figure kills. Beason had 13 kills and hit .333. Krause matched Beason for match-high honors with 13 kills while hitting .300. Krause also tied her career high with two service aces. Murray totaled 10 kills on only 22 swings and added eight digs.

Bergen Reilly led the balanced offense with 33 assists, as Nebraska hit .269 for the match. Defensively, Lexi Rodriguez tied her season high with 18 digs, including 12 in the first set, and Andi Jackson had five stuffs as Nebraska's defense limited Penn State (13-4, 7-1 Big Ten) to just 32 kills in the match and a .117 attacking percentage.

Set 1: Nebraska started off the set with a 5-0 run with two kills by Krause and a kill by Beason and block by Beason and Allick. Krause added three kills in a row to take the Huskers to a 9-3 advantage. Murray and Krause connected on kills for a 15-8 lead, but Penn State scored three in a row to cut it to 15-11. Back-to-back kills gave the Huskers an 18-12 lead, but the Nittany Lions went on a 4-0 run to cut it to 18-16. But a Krause kill gave the Huskers a key sideout, and a Jackson and Reilly block helped put the Big Red back ahead 21-17. Beason tacked on three more kills down the stretch to close out a 25-22 win.&nbsp;

Set 2: After the Huskers scored first, Penn State scored eight in a row to go up 8-1. The Huskers committed four service errors early on to allow the Nittany Lions to remain ahead by seven, 11-4. Nebraska made up some ground with a Penn State service error and back-to-back aces by Krause to get within 11-7. Another Penn State service error preceded a block by Allick and Reilly that cut it to three, 12-9. Murray had back-to-back kills, the latter after two big digs by Rodriguez, to pull within 13-11. After six sideouts in a row, Penn State hit long to bring the Huskers within one, 16-15. Beason and Murray recorded kills to keep the Huskers down just one, and Reilly won a joust to draw NU even at 18-18. After a Penn State timeout, the teams sided out six straight rallies until Krause put down her 11th kill of the match for a 22-21 Husker lead, their first since 1-0. Beason and Jackson them combined for two straight blocks to earn set point at 24-21. After a Husker hitting error made it 24-22, Beason put the set away with her 11th kill of the night.&nbsp;

Set 3: Murray and Allick had early kills, and Jackson/Krause and Reilly/Allick each had blocks to spark the Huskers to a 7-4 lead. Krause added another kill and a block to help the Huskers go up 12-7. Jackson and Murray recorded back-to-back kills for a 17-11 advantage, and Murray smacked two more to keep NU up by six, 19-13. Allick and Beason tacked on kills as the lead went to eight, 23-15. Nebraska finished off the sweep, 25-19, on Krause's 13th kill. &nbsp;

Up Next: The Huskers head back to the road on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. match at Northwestern.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697458869794.jpeg" alt="Lexi Rodriguez VB vs Penn State" />
 <figcaption>Lexi Rodriguez VB vs Penn State</figcaption>
 </figure>Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsThe No. 2 Nebraska volleyball team swept No. 13 Penn State for the third time in a row with a 25-22, 25-22, 25-19 victory on Saturday night in front of a crowd of 8,590 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.With the win, Nebraska remained perfect on the season, improving to 17-0 and 8-0 in Big Ten Conference play. The Huskers also moved to 7-0 against ranked opponents with all seven wins coming in the past 12 matches.Merritt Beason, Lindsay Krause and Harper Murray all finished with double-figure kills. Beason had 13 kills and hit .333. Krause matched Beason for match-high honors with 13 kills while hitting .300. Krause also tied her career high with two service aces. Murray totaled 10 kills on only 22 swings and added eight digs.Bergen Reilly led the balanced offense with 33 assists, as Nebraska hit .269 for the match. Defensively, Lexi Rodriguez tied her season high with 18 digs, including 12 in the first set, and Andi Jackson had five stuffs as Nebraska's defense limited Penn State (13-4, 7-1 Big Ten) to just 32 kills in the match and a .117 attacking percentage.Set 1: Nebraska started off the set with a 5-0 run with two kills by Krause and a kill by Beason and block by Beason and Allick. Krause added three kills in a row to take the Huskers to a 9-3 advantage. Murray and Krause connected on kills for a 15-8 lead, but Penn State scored three in a row to cut it to 15-11. Back-to-back kills gave the Huskers an 18-12 lead, but the Nittany Lions went on a 4-0 run to cut it to 18-16. But a Krause kill gave the Huskers a key sideout, and a Jackson and Reilly block helped put the Big Red back ahead 21-17. Beason tacked on three more kills down the stretch to close out a 25-22 win.&nbsp;Set 2: After the Huskers scored first, Penn State scored eight in a row to go up 8-1. The Huskers committed four service errors early on to allow the Nittany Lions to remain ahead by seven, 11-4. Nebraska made up some ground with a Penn State service error and back-to-back aces by Krause to get within 11-7. Another Penn State service error preceded a block by Allick and Reilly that cut it to three, 12-9. Murray had back-to-back kills, the latter after two big digs by Rodriguez, to pull within 13-11. After six sideouts in a row, Penn State hit long to bring the Huskers within one, 16-15. Beason and Murray recorded kills to keep the Huskers down just one, and Reilly won a joust to draw NU even at 18-18. After a Penn State timeout, the teams sided out six straight rallies until Krause put down her 11th kill of the match for a 22-21 Husker lead, their first since 1-0. Beason and Jackson them combined for two straight blocks to earn set point at 24-21. After a Husker hitting error made it 24-22, Beason put the set away with her 11th kill of the night.&nbsp;Set 3: Murray and Allick had early kills, and Jackson/Krause and Reilly/Allick each had blocks to spark the Huskers to a 7-4 lead. Krause added another kill and a block to help the Huskers go up 12-7. Jackson and Murray recorded back-to-back kills for a 17-11 advantage, and Murray smacked two more to keep NU up by six, 19-13. Allick and Beason tacked on kills as the lead went to eight, 23-15. Nebraska finished off the sweep, 25-19, on Krause's 13th kill. &nbsp;Up Next: The Huskers head back to the road on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. match at Northwestern.

Nebraska Sweeps No. 13 Penn State

The Nebraska softball team completed its fall exhibition season with a doubleheader sweep of Colorado State on Sunday at Bowlin Stadium. The Huskers came from behind for a 4-3 walk-off victory in game one before jumping in front early and holding on for a 5-4 win in game two.

Jordy Bahl earned the win in both games, coming in for 2.0 innings of relief in game one and starting and pitching the first 4.0 innings of game two. Sarah Harness and Caitlin Olensky also saw action in the circle, combining to allow only one unearned run in 8.0 innings.

Offensively, Ava Bredwell went 3-for-7 with three RBIs in the doubleheader while Peyton Cody went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and Sydney Gray drove in two runs.

With its fall season complete, Nebraska will turn its attention to the 2024 season, which begins with four games at the Puerto Vallarta Challenge in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Feb. 8-10.

Game 1: Nebraska 4, Colorado State 3Nebraska scored twice in the sixth inning and once in the seventh to rally for a 4-3 walk-off win in game one of the doubleheader.

Colorado State jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. A leadoff walk, a stolen base, an error and a two-out RBI single plated the game’s first run.

Nebraska stranded a runner at second base in both the first and second innings before Brooke Andrews tied the game with a one-out solo home run in the bottom of the third inning.

The Huskers threatened in the bottom of the fourth when Malia Thoms walked with two outs and Ashley Smetter followed with a base hit, but NU was unable to score.

Nebraska stranded two more runners in the fifth before Colorado State took a 3-1 lead on Hailey Smith’s two-run home run in the top of the sixth inning.

In the bottom of the inning, Nebraska loaded the bases with no outs on an error and consecutive singles from Caitlynn Neal and Bella Bacon. CSU responded with two straight outs before Ava Bredwell lined a clutch two-out, two-run single to right to tie the game at 3-3.

After the Rams were retired in order in the top of the seventh, Peyton Cody doubled off the wall in left on the first pitch of the bottom of the inning. On the very next pitch, Gray lined an RBI double off the wall in right to score pinch runner Alina Felix with the winning run.

Bredwell paced the Husker offense with a 2-for-4 day that included two RBIs. Andrews also had two hits – including her home run. In the circle, Jordy Bahl earned the win in relief, allowing two runs in two innings with three strikeouts. Sarah Harness started and was charged with just a single unearned run in 5.0 innings, and she struck out four batters.

Game 2: Nebraska 5, Colorado State 4Nebraska scored five runs in the first two inningsto take a 5-1 lead and then held on for a 5-4 victory to complete the doubleheader sweep and a perfect 4-0 weekend.

In the top of the first inning, two slow-rolling infield singles and an error loaded the bases for Colorado State with one out. Bahl responded with a strikeout before a bases-loaded walk brought in the game’s first run. A strikeout then prevented further damage.

Nebraska answered back in the bottom of the first. A one-out walk to Ava Bredwell was followed by a single from Bahl. Peyton Cody then lined an RBI single off the top of the wall in left center to tie the game. Sydney Gray gave Nebraska a 2-1 advantage with a sacrifice fly to left that scored Jordy Bahl.

The Huskers scored three more runs in the bottom of the second. The inning began with a Katelyn Caneda single followed by a walk to Bella Bacon. Samantha Bland then lined a 2-0 pitch to the gap in left center for an RBI single that stretched the Husker lead to 3-1. With runners on second and third and no outs, Colorado State made a pitching change and two batters later, Bredwell made it 4-1 with an RBI ground out that scored pinch runner Alina Felix. Bahl then lined a two-out RBI single to right to bring Bland home and push the lead to 5-1.

Colorado State got a run back in the top of the third on a single, a ground out that moved the runner to second base and an RBI single.

The Rams pulled to within 5-4 with a two-run fourth inning that featured two Husker errors.

Caitlin Olensky closed out the win with 3.0 innings of one-hit relief, and she struck out a pair of batters. Olensky earned the save in relief of Bahl, who allowed four runs (one earned) over the first 4.0 innings.

Offensively, Bahl, Caneda and Bland each finished 2-for-3 with Bahl and Bland adding one RBI each.

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsThe Nebraska softball team completed its fall exhibition season with a doubleheader sweep of Colorado State on Sunday at Bowlin Stadium. The Huskers came from behind for a 4-3 walk-off victory in game one before jumping in front early and holding on for a 5-4 win in game two.Jordy Bahl earned the win in both games, coming in for 2.0 innings of relief in game one and starting and pitching the first 4.0 innings of game two. Sarah Harness and Caitlin Olensky also saw action in the circle, combining to allow only one unearned run in 8.0 innings.Offensively, Ava Bredwell went 3-for-7 with three RBIs in the doubleheader while Peyton Cody went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and Sydney Gray drove in two runs.With its fall season complete, Nebraska will turn its attention to the 2024 season, which begins with four games at the Puerto Vallarta Challenge in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Feb. 8-10.Game 1: Nebraska 4, Colorado State 3Nebraska scored twice in the sixth inning and once in the seventh to rally for a 4-3 walk-off win in game one of the doubleheader.Colorado State jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. A leadoff walk, a stolen base, an error and a two-out RBI single plated the game’s first run.Nebraska stranded a runner at second base in both the first and second innings before Brooke Andrews tied the game with a one-out solo home run in the bottom of the third inning.The Huskers threatened in the bottom of the fourth when Malia Thoms walked with two outs and Ashley Smetter followed with a base hit, but NU was unable to score.Nebraska stranded two more runners in the fifth before Colorado State took a 3-1 lead on Hailey Smith’s two-run home run in the top of the sixth inning.In the bottom of the inning, Nebraska loaded the bases with no outs on an error and consecutive singles from Caitlynn Neal and Bella Bacon. CSU responded with two straight outs before Ava Bredwell lined a clutch two-out, two-run single to right to tie the game at 3-3.After the Rams were retired in order in the top of the seventh, Peyton Cody doubled off the wall in left on the first pitch of the bottom of the inning. On the very next pitch, Gray lined an RBI double off the wall in right to score pinch runner Alina Felix with the winning run.Bredwell paced the Husker offense with a 2-for-4 day that included two RBIs. Andrews also had two hits – including her home run. In the circle, Jordy Bahl earned the win in relief, allowing two runs in two innings with three strikeouts. Sarah Harness started and was charged with just a single unearned run in 5.0 innings, and she struck out four batters.Game 2: Nebraska 5, Colorado State 4Nebraska scored five runs in the first two inningsto take a 5-1 lead and then held on for a 5-4 victory to complete the doubleheader sweep and a perfect 4-0 weekend.In the top of the first inning, two slow-rolling infield singles and an error loaded the bases for Colorado State with one out. Bahl responded with a strikeout before a bases-loaded walk brought in the game’s first run. A strikeout then prevented further damage.Nebraska answered back in the bottom of the first. A one-out walk to Ava Bredwell was followed by a single from Bahl. Peyton Cody then lined an RBI single off the top of the wall in left center to tie the game. Sydney Gray gave Nebraska a 2-1 advantage with a sacrifice fly to left that scored Jordy Bahl.The Huskers scored three more runs in the bottom of the second. The inning began with a Katelyn Caneda single followed by a walk to Bella Bacon. Samantha Bland then lined a 2-0 pitch to the gap in left center for an RBI single that stretched the Husker lead to 3-1. With runners on second and third and no outs, Colorado State made a pitching change and two batters later, Bredwell made it 4-1 with an RBI ground out that scored pinch runner Alina Felix. Bahl then lined a two-out RBI single to right to bring Bland home and push the lead to 5-1.Colorado State got a run back in the top of the third on a single, a ground out that moved the runner to second base and an RBI single.The Rams pulled to within 5-4 with a two-run fourth inning that featured two Husker errors.Caitlin Olensky closed out the win with 3.0 innings of one-hit relief, and she struck out a pair of batters. Olensky earned the save in relief of Bahl, who allowed four runs (one earned) over the first 4.0 innings.Offensively, Bahl, Caneda and Bland each finished 2-for-3 with Bahl and Bland adding one RBI each.

Nebraska sweeps doubleheader to wrap up fall season

Receiving Votes: Lincoln Southeast (5-3), RV

Receiving Votes: Broken Bow (6-2), 9; Auburn (6-2), NR; Gothenburg (5-3), NR

Receiving Votes: Hastings St. Cecilia (6-2), RV

Receiving Votes: Bruning-Davenport/Shickley (6-2), RV

Story by Nebpreps.com<h2>CLASS A&nbsp;(RECORD), PREVIOUS RANKING</h2>1. Omaha Westside (8-0), 12. Millard South (7-1), 23. Elkhorn South (7-1), 34. Omaha North (7-1), 45. Kearney (7-1), 56. Millard West (6-2), 67. Papillion-La Vista (7-1), 98. Lincoln East (6-2), 79. Gretna (6-2), 810. Bellevue West (5-3), 10Receiving Votes: Lincoln Southeast (5-3), RV<h2>CLASS B</h2>1. Bennington (8-0), 12. Skutt Catholic (7-1), 23. Waverly (8-0), 34. Elkhorn North (7-1), 45. York (6-2), 66. Plattsmouth (6-2), 57. Grand Island Northwest (5-3), 78. Norris (5-3), 89. Blair (5-3), 1010. Hastings (5-3), NRReceiving Votes: None<h2>CLASS C-1</h2>1. Boone Central (8-0), 12. Wahoo (8-0), 23. Ashland-Greenwood (7-1), 34. DC West (6-2), 65. Pierce (6-2), 56. Omaha Roncalli (6-2), 87. Adams Central (7-1), 48. Ogallala (6-2), RV9. Aurora (5-3), 1010. Sidney (7-1), 7Receiving Votes: Broken Bow (6-2), 9; Auburn (6-2), NR; Gothenburg (5-3), NR<h2>CLASS C-2</h2>1. Norfolk Catholic (8-0), 12. Battle Creek (7-1), 23. Ord (6-2), 34. Oakland-Craig (7-1), 45. Wahoo Neumann (7-1), 56. Yutan (6-2), 67. Malcolm (7-1), 78. Hartington Cedar Catholic (5-3), 89. Fillmore Central (8-0), 910. Kearney Catholic (6-2), 10Receiving Votes: Hastings St. Cecilia (6-2), RV<h2>EIGHT MAN-1</h2>1. North Platte St. Patrick’s (8-0), 12. Stanton (8-0), 23. Cross County (8-0), 34. Crofton (8-0), 55. Sandy Creek (8-0), 46. Hi-Line (7-1), 67. Plainview (8-0), 98. Exeter-Milligan/Friend (7-1), 89. Ravenna (8-0), 1010. Shelby-Rising City (7-1), 7Receiving Votes: Arapahoe (7-1), RV<h2>Eight Man-2&nbsp;(Record)</h2>1. South Loup (8-0), 12. Wynot (8-0), 23. Johnson-Brock (8-0), 34. Central Valley (8-0), 45. Dundy County Stratton (8-0), 56. Humphrey St. Francis (7-1), 67. Ainsworth (8-0), 78. Bloomfield (6-2), 89. Sandhills/Thedford (7-1), 910. Nebraska City Lourdes (7-1), 10Receiving Votes: Bruning-Davenport/Shickley (6-2), RV<h2>Six Man&nbsp;(Record)</h2>1. Sumner-Eddyville-Miller (7-0), 12. Pawnee City (7-0), 23. Arthur County (7-0), 34. Potter-Dix (7-0), 45. Parkview Christian (5-2), 56. Wilcox-Hildreth (6-1), 67. Stuart (5-2), 88. Cody-Kilgore (5-2), 99. Hampton (6-1), 1010. Southwest (5-2), NRReceiving Votes: Red Cloud (4-3), 7

Week 9 Nebpreps Football coaches poll

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

The win over the Gophers marked the Huskers’ fourth-straight conference victory, and NU’s 11 wins on the season ties for the most since 2016, when the team qualified for the NCAA Tournament. With the 2-0 defeat, Nebraska improved to 11-2-3 (5-1-2 Big Ten), while Minnesota fell to 6-5-4 (2-4-2 Big Ten).&nbsp;

Weber started where she left off and continued her strong offensive attack as she recorded the first shot for either team in the fifth minute hitting the crossbar. Then in the 16th minute, Weber tallied her ninth finish of the season off a free kick from Nicola Hauk. Hauk drove the free kick into the 18-yard box, which was met by the Minnesota defense. Weber then gathered the ball off a header from the defense and shot the ball into the back right corner of the net.&nbsp;

Weber is now third in the conference standings in goals scored and second in both shots and shots on goal behind fellow Husker Eleanor Dale.&nbsp;

At the half, the Huskers led 1-0 overall and held the advantage in shots (7-5) and shots on goal (4-1).&nbsp;

The Huskers then extended their lead to 2-0 in the 52nd minute as Florence Belzile scored her third goal of the season. Gwen Lane, off a driving pass from Dale through the Gopher defense, sent a pass to Belzile in the goal box who found the back of the net past the Minnesota goalie. Dale’s assist brought her total points on the season to 46, good for first in the conference and second nationally.&nbsp;

The Gophers were aggressive and had chances to get on the board, but the Husker defense held steady to earn NU’s fifth shutout of the season.

Overall, Minnesota led in shots (16-10) and corners (11-0), but Nebraska had the advantage in shots on goal (6-2). Five Huskers recorded shots, led by Dale (4), Weber (2) and Belzile (2). Abbey Schwarz and Sadie Waite tallied a shot apiece.&nbsp;

In the goal, senior Sami Hauk played the entire game, earned her 22nd career win and recorded two saves. Hauk was joined by Lauryn Anglim, Dale, Nicola Hauk and Haley Peterson who also played 90 minutes.&nbsp;

Up next, the Huskers host Purdue for NU’s regular-season home finale on Thursday, Oct. 19 at 7:05 p.m. (CT). Action will be streamed on Big Ten Plus.

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsThe Huskers scored a finish in each half while keeping the Gophers scoreless, as the Nebraska soccer team defeated Minnesota 2-0 on the road, Sunday afternoon.&nbsp;The win over the Gophers marked the Huskers’ fourth-straight conference victory, and NU’s 11 wins on the season ties for the most since 2016, when the team qualified for the NCAA Tournament. With the 2-0 defeat, Nebraska improved to 11-2-3 (5-1-2 Big Ten), while Minnesota fell to 6-5-4 (2-4-2 Big Ten).&nbsp;Weber started where she left off and continued her strong offensive attack as she recorded the first shot for either team in the fifth minute hitting the crossbar. Then in the 16th minute, Weber tallied her ninth finish of the season off a free kick from Nicola Hauk. Hauk drove the free kick into the 18-yard box, which was met by the Minnesota defense. Weber then gathered the ball off a header from the defense and shot the ball into the back right corner of the net.&nbsp;Weber is now third in the conference standings in goals scored and second in both shots and shots on goal behind fellow Husker Eleanor Dale.&nbsp;At the half, the Huskers led 1-0 overall and held the advantage in shots (7-5) and shots on goal (4-1).&nbsp;The Huskers then extended their lead to 2-0 in the 52nd minute as Florence Belzile scored her third goal of the season. Gwen Lane, off a driving pass from Dale through the Gopher defense, sent a pass to Belzile in the goal box who found the back of the net past the Minnesota goalie. Dale’s assist brought her total points on the season to 46, good for first in the conference and second nationally.&nbsp;The Gophers were aggressive and had chances to get on the board, but the Husker defense held steady to earn NU’s fifth shutout of the season.Overall, Minnesota led in shots (16-10) and corners (11-0), but Nebraska had the advantage in shots on goal (6-2). Five Huskers recorded shots, led by Dale (4), Weber (2) and Belzile (2). Abbey Schwarz and Sadie Waite tallied a shot apiece.&nbsp;In the goal, senior Sami Hauk played the entire game, earned her 22nd career win and recorded two saves. Hauk was joined by Lauryn Anglim, Dale, Nicola Hauk and Haley Peterson who also played 90 minutes.&nbsp;Up next, the Huskers host Purdue for NU’s regular-season home finale on Thursday, Oct. 19 at 7:05 p.m. (CT). Action will be streamed on Big Ten Plus.

Huskers earn second-straight conference shutout at Minnesota

North Platte St. Patrick's will represent Class D1 as the number one seed when the 8-man playoff's begin Thursday, and Dundy County-Stratton has the top seed in Class D2. The Playoffs begin this Thursday for 8-man football, all Class A, B, C1, C2 and Six-man teams will begin the following week.&nbsp;

North Platte St. Patrick's will represent Class D1 as the number one seed when the 8-man playoff's begin Thursday, and Dundy County-Stratton has the top seed in Class D2. The Playoffs begin this Thursday for 8-man football, all Class A, B, C1, C2 and Six-man teams will begin the following week.&nbsp;<figure>
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St. Pat's & DCS headline number 1 seeds in 8-man playoffs

Football - NPHS Bulldogs Vs. Norfolk Panthers

Kelli Ann Strand earned her second career Big Ten Women's Golfer of the Week award on Wednesday, Oct. 11, after finishing as the runner-up at the Dale McNamara Invitational earlier in the week.

The conference chose Strand for its weekly honor after the sophomore from Challis, Idaho, produced the second-best performance of her career in Oklahoma. Strand closed with a three-round total of 206 (-10) on the par-72, 6,246-yard layout at the Golf Club of Oklahoma in Broken Arrow. Her effort included a season-best 66 (-6) in the second round and first- and third-round scores of 70 (-2). She notched an eagle on the par-5, 484-yard 18th hole in the final round.&nbsp;

An All-Big Ten golfer for the Huskers as a true freshman in 2022-23, Strand set the school record with her 72.05 stroke average on the season. Through nine rounds as a sophomore, Strand leads Nebraska with a 71.11 stroke average.

In 16 career collegiate tournaments, Strand owns 11 top-25 individual finishes, including seven top-10 showings.

Strand and the Huskers will be back in action to close the fall season at the Landfall Tradition in Wilmington, N.C. (Oct. 27-29).

Strand’s award was the 16th Big Ten Athlete-of-the-Week honor claimed by the Huskers across all sports during the fall season, including the third in the past three days, including Lindsey Krause (Volleyball) and Eleanor Dale (Soccer).

Nebraska Big Ten Athletes of the Week (Fall 2023)Oct. 11 – Kelli Ann Strand (Women’s Golf, Big Ten Golfer of the Week)Oct. 10 – Eleanor Dale (Soccer, Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week)Oct. 9 – Lindsey Krause (Volleyball)Oct. 3 – Eleanor Dale (Soccer, Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week)Oct. 2 – Merritt Beason (Volleyball, Big Ten Player of the Week)Oct. 2 – Bergen Reilly (Volleyball, co-Big Ten Setter of the Week)Oct. 2 – Harper Murray (Volleyball, Big Ten Freshman of the Week)Sept. 25 – Bergen Reilly (Volleyball, Big Ten Setter of the Week)Sept. 25 – Bergen Reilly (Volleyball, Big Ten Freshman of the Week)Sept. 20 – Berlyn Schutz (Cross Country, Big Ten Cross Country Athlete of the Week)Sept. 18 – Merritt Beason (Volleyball, Big Ten Player of the Week)Sept. 18 – Harper Murray (Volleyball, Big Ten Freshman of the Week)Sept. 13 - Michaela Vavrova (Women’s Golf, Big Ten Golfer of the Week)Sept. 12 – Eleanor Dale (Soccer, Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week)Sept. 5 – Eleanor Dale (Soccer, Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week)Aug. 28 – Harper Murray (Volleyball, Big Ten Freshman of the Week)

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsKelli Ann Strand earned her second career Big Ten Women's Golfer of the Week award on Wednesday, Oct. 11, after finishing as the runner-up at the Dale McNamara Invitational earlier in the week.The conference chose Strand for its weekly honor after the sophomore from Challis, Idaho, produced the second-best performance of her career in Oklahoma. Strand closed with a three-round total of 206 (-10) on the par-72, 6,246-yard layout at the Golf Club of Oklahoma in Broken Arrow. Her effort included a season-best 66 (-6) in the second round and first- and third-round scores of 70 (-2). She notched an eagle on the par-5, 484-yard 18th hole in the final round.&nbsp;An All-Big Ten golfer for the Huskers as a true freshman in 2022-23, Strand set the school record with her 72.05 stroke average on the season. Through nine rounds as a sophomore, Strand leads Nebraska with a 71.11 stroke average.In 16 career collegiate tournaments, Strand owns 11 top-25 individual finishes, including seven top-10 showings.Strand and the Huskers will be back in action to close the fall season at the Landfall Tradition in Wilmington, N.C. (Oct. 27-29).Strand’s award was the 16th Big Ten Athlete-of-the-Week honor claimed by the Huskers across all sports during the fall season, including the third in the past three days, including Lindsey Krause (Volleyball) and Eleanor Dale (Soccer).Nebraska Big Ten Athletes of the Week (Fall 2023)Oct. 11 – Kelli Ann Strand (Women’s Golf, Big Ten Golfer of the Week)Oct. 10 – Eleanor Dale (Soccer, Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week)Oct. 9 – Lindsey Krause (Volleyball)Oct. 3 – Eleanor Dale (Soccer, Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week)Oct. 2 – Merritt Beason (Volleyball, Big Ten Player of the Week)Oct. 2 – Bergen Reilly (Volleyball, co-Big Ten Setter of the Week)Oct. 2 – Harper Murray (Volleyball, Big Ten Freshman of the Week)Sept. 25 – Bergen Reilly (Volleyball, Big Ten Setter of the Week)Sept. 25 – Bergen Reilly (Volleyball, Big Ten Freshman of the Week)Sept. 20 – Berlyn Schutz (Cross Country, Big Ten Cross Country Athlete of the Week)Sept. 18 – Merritt Beason (Volleyball, Big Ten Player of the Week)Sept. 18 – Harper Murray (Volleyball, Big Ten Freshman of the Week)Sept. 13 - Michaela Vavrova (Women’s Golf, Big Ten Golfer of the Week)Sept. 12 – Eleanor Dale (Soccer, Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week)Sept. 5 – Eleanor Dale (Soccer, Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week)Aug. 28 – Harper Murray (Volleyball, Big Ten Freshman of the Week)

Strand named Big Ten golfer of the week

Receiving Votes: Lincoln Southeast (4-3), NR; Creighton Prep (3-4), NR

Receiving Votes: Ogallala (5-2), NR; Auburn (5-2), NR

Receiving Votes: Hastings St. Cecilia (6-1), RV

Receiving Votes: Arapahoe (6-1), NR; Elkhorn Valley (6-1), NR

Receiving Votes: Osceola (6-1), RV; Bruning-Davenport/Shickley (5-2), RV; Howells-Dodge (5-2), RV

Story by NebPreps<h2>CLASS A (RECORD), PREVIOUS RANKING</h2>1. Omaha Westside (7-0), 12. Millard South (7-0), 23. Elkhorn South (6-1), 44. Omaha North (6-1), 65. Kearney (6-1), 56. Millard West (5-2), 37. Lincoln East (5-2), 78. Gretna (5-2), RV9. Papillion-La Vista (6-1), 810. Bellevue West (5-3), 10Receiving Votes: Lincoln Southeast (4-3), NR; Creighton Prep (3-4), NR<h2>CLASS B</h2>1. Bennington (7-0), 12. Skutt Catholic (6-1), 23. Waverly (7-0), 44. Elkhorn North (7-0), 35. Plattsmouth (6-1), 56. York (5-2), 67. Grand Island Northwest (4-3), 88. Norris (4-3), 79. Seward (5-2), 910. Blair (4-3), NRReceiving Votes: None<h2>CLASS C-1</h2>1. Boone Central (7-0), 12. Wahoo (7-0), 23. Ashland-Greenwood (6-1), 34. Adams Central (7-0), 65. Pierce (6-1), 46. DC West (6-1), 57. Sidney (7-0), 98. Omaha Roncalli (6-1), 89. Broken Bow (6-1), 1010. Aurora (4-3), 7Receiving Votes: Ogallala (5-2), NR; Auburn (5-2), NR<h2>CLASS C-2</h2>1. Norfolk Catholic (7-0), 12. Battle Creek (6-1), 23. Ord (5-2), 34. Oakland-Craig (6-1), 45. Wahoo Neumann (6-1), 56. Yutan (5-2), 67. Malcolm (6-1), 78. Hartington Cedar Catholic (4-3), 89. Fillmore Central (7-0), 910. Kearney Catholic (5-2), 10Receiving Votes: Hastings St. Cecilia (6-1), RV<h2>EIGHT MAN-1</h2>1. North Platte St. Patrick’s (7-0), 12. Stanton (7-0), 23. Cross County (7-0), 34. Sandy Creek (7-0), 45. Crofton (7-0), 56. Hi-Line (6-1), 77. Shelby-Rising City (7-0), 88. Exeter-Milligan/Friend (6-1), 69. Plainview (7-0), 910. Ravenna (7-0), RVReceiving Votes: Arapahoe (6-1), NR; Elkhorn Valley (6-1), NR<h2>Eight Man-2 (Record)</h2>1. South Loup (7-0), 12. Wynot (7-0), 33. Johnson-Brock (7-0), 24. Central Valley (7-0), 55. Dundy County Stratton (7-0), 46. Humphrey St. Francis (6-1), 77. Ainsworth (7-0), 68. Bloomfield (6-1), 89. Sandhills/Thedford (6-1), 910. Nebraska City Lourdes (6-1), 10Receiving Votes: Osceola (6-1), RV; Bruning-Davenport/Shickley (5-2), RV; Howells-Dodge (5-2), RV<h2>Six Man (Record)</h2>1. Sumner-Eddyville-Miller (6-0), 12. Pawnee City (6-0), 23. Arthur County (6-0), 34. Potter-Dix (6-0), 45. Parkview Christian (4-2), 56. Wilcox-Hildreth (5-1), 67. Red Cloud (4-2), 78. Stuart (5-2), 99. Cody-Kilgore (5-2), 910. Hampton (5-1), 10Receiving Votes: Garden County (4-2), NR

Football coaches poll for week of Oct. 9th

Red overcame an early two-run deficit in the series finale of Nebraska baseball’s Red-White Series to clinch the series with a 9-4 win on Wednesday afternoon at Hawks Field at Haymarket Park.

Red scored nine runs on six hits, while White had four runs on 10 hits and three errors.

Jalen Worthley had the start on the mound for Red, allowing two runs on five hits with three strikeouts and two walks in 2.2 innings of work. Evan Borst collected the win after surrendering one run on three hits in 2.1 innings. Brett Sears allowed one run in one inning, while Kyle Perry tossed a scoreless inning with a pair of strikeouts.

White’s Caleb Clark pitched three innings in the start, giving up four runs, two earned, on two hits with two strikeouts and four walks. Casey Daiss suffered the loss after allowing three runs, two earned, on one hit in 2.1 innings. JC Gutierrez and Will Rizzo recorded one out each in the final inning.

Red’s Dylan Carey was 2-for-3 at the plate with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored. Will Walsh and Aaron Manias recorded a hit and two RBI each, while Clay Bradford and Bryce Hughes had one hit.

Garrett Anglim had a 2-for-4 afternoon with a double and two RBI to lead the White offense. Joshua Overbeek and Max Buettenback turned in two-hit performances with one double each, while Cayden Brumbaugh and Hayden Lewis tallied a hit. Will Jesske was 1-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and a run scored.

White opened the scoring in the second after Overbeek reached on a one-out double to right-center, and Jesske blasted a two-run homer 376 feet down the left-field line.

Hughes began the bottom of the third with a single to right and advanced to third with back-to-back groundouts to second base. Carey locked the game at two with a 336-foot two-run home run into the bullpen in right.

White took back the lead in the top of the fourth after consecutive two-out singles from Brumbaugh and Anglim gave the visitors on the scoreboard a 3-2 advantage.

The Red offense responded immediately, plating three runs without a hit and two White errors to claim a 5-3 lead after four innings. Ben Columbus and Rhett Stokes reached on walks to start the inning, while Bradford loaded the bases on a throwing error on the sacrifice bunt attempt. Manias reached on a fielding error that plated Columbus and Stokes, while a sacrifice bunt by Riley Silva scored Bradford to make it a 5-3 game.

White trimmed the deficit in half after Anglim’s first-pitch RBI double to left scored Brumbaugh to bring White within 5-4 in the sixth.

The Red offense answered quickly, blowing the game open with four runs on four hits and an error to take a commanding 9-4 lead into the final inning. Stokes started the inning being plunked on a 2-0 pitch and scored on Bradford’s RBI double to right. A one-out RBI single from Manias brought home Bradford while Walsh’s two-RBI single to right later in the inning had White out front by five.

Perry worked around a two-out double down the left-field line by Buettenback to clinch the 9-4 win for White.

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsRed overcame an early two-run deficit in the series finale of Nebraska baseball’s Red-White Series to clinch the series with a 9-4 win on Wednesday afternoon at Hawks Field at Haymarket Park.Red scored nine runs on six hits, while White had four runs on 10 hits and three errors.Jalen Worthley had the start on the mound for Red, allowing two runs on five hits with three strikeouts and two walks in 2.2 innings of work. Evan Borst collected the win after surrendering one run on three hits in 2.1 innings. Brett Sears allowed one run in one inning, while Kyle Perry tossed a scoreless inning with a pair of strikeouts.White’s Caleb Clark pitched three innings in the start, giving up four runs, two earned, on two hits with two strikeouts and four walks. Casey Daiss suffered the loss after allowing three runs, two earned, on one hit in 2.1 innings. JC Gutierrez and Will Rizzo recorded one out each in the final inning.Red’s Dylan Carey was 2-for-3 at the plate with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored. Will Walsh and Aaron Manias recorded a hit and two RBI each, while Clay Bradford and Bryce Hughes had one hit.Garrett Anglim had a 2-for-4 afternoon with a double and two RBI to lead the White offense. Joshua Overbeek and Max Buettenback turned in two-hit performances with one double each, while Cayden Brumbaugh and Hayden Lewis tallied a hit. Will Jesske was 1-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and a run scored.White opened the scoring in the second after Overbeek reached on a one-out double to right-center, and Jesske blasted a two-run homer 376 feet down the left-field line.Hughes began the bottom of the third with a single to right and advanced to third with back-to-back groundouts to second base. Carey locked the game at two with a 336-foot two-run home run into the bullpen in right.White took back the lead in the top of the fourth after consecutive two-out singles from Brumbaugh and Anglim gave the visitors on the scoreboard a 3-2 advantage.The Red offense responded immediately, plating three runs without a hit and two White errors to claim a 5-3 lead after four innings. Ben Columbus and Rhett Stokes reached on walks to start the inning, while Bradford loaded the bases on a throwing error on the sacrifice bunt attempt. Manias reached on a fielding error that plated Columbus and Stokes, while a sacrifice bunt by Riley Silva scored Bradford to make it a 5-3 game.White trimmed the deficit in half after Anglim’s first-pitch RBI double to left scored Brumbaugh to bring White within 5-4 in the sixth.The Red offense answered quickly, blowing the game open with four runs on four hits and an error to take a commanding 9-4 lead into the final inning. Stokes started the inning being plunked on a 2-0 pitch and scored on Bradford’s RBI double to right. A one-out RBI single from Manias brought home Bradford while Walsh’s two-RBI single to right later in the inning had White out front by five.Perry worked around a two-out double down the left-field line by Buettenback to clinch the 9-4 win for White.

Red takes series with 9-4 win in finale

The Nebraska women’s gymnastics team released its 2024 schedule on Wednesday, Oct. 11. It features five home meets at the Bob Devaney Sports Center amongst 14 competitions.

NU will open its season with an away meet at Iowa State in Ames, Iowa, on Friday, Jan. 5. The Huskers will then travel to Salt Lake City, Utah, to take on Arizona, North Carolina and Boise State starting at 8 p.m. (CT) on Friday, Jan. 12.

The Huskers are set to face Illinois at 6:30 p.m. (CT) in their home debut on Saturday, Jan. 20. The Big Red will host the Michigan Wolverines in the second home meet of the season on Saturday, Jan. 27 at 3 p.m. (CT).

NU will go back on the road for two matches – Sunday, Feb. 4 against Iowa and Saturday, Feb. 10 against Maryland – before returning home to face off with Penn State at 7 p.m. (CT) on Saturday, Feb. 17.&nbsp;

The Huskers will travel to State College, Pa., to compete in the Big Fives meet featuring Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio State and Rutgers. The Big Red will compete in Session 1 on Friday, Feb. 23.

NU will compete against North Carolina for the second time in the season at the Bob Devaney Sports Center on Sunday, March 3, at 1 p.m. (CT). The meet will also feature Southeast Missouri State and Illinois State.

The Huskers will host their final home meet of the season in the Master’s Classic at 6 p.m. (CT) on Saturday, March 9. The meet will highlight Nebraska, along with Florida, Lindenwood and Eastern Michigan.

The Big Red will compete in its final regular-season match in Fayetteville, Ark., against the Razorbacks on Friday, March 15.&nbsp;

The 2024 Big Ten Championships will take place in East Lansing, Mich., on Saturday, March 23.&nbsp;

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsThe Nebraska women’s gymnastics team released its 2024 schedule on Wednesday, Oct. 11. It features five home meets at the Bob Devaney Sports Center amongst 14 competitions.NU will open its season with an away meet at Iowa State in Ames, Iowa, on Friday, Jan. 5. The Huskers will then travel to Salt Lake City, Utah, to take on Arizona, North Carolina and Boise State starting at 8 p.m. (CT) on Friday, Jan. 12.The Huskers are set to face Illinois at 6:30 p.m. (CT) in their home debut on Saturday, Jan. 20. The Big Red will host the Michigan Wolverines in the second home meet of the season on Saturday, Jan. 27 at 3 p.m. (CT).NU will go back on the road for two matches – Sunday, Feb. 4 against Iowa and Saturday, Feb. 10 against Maryland – before returning home to face off with Penn State at 7 p.m. (CT) on Saturday, Feb. 17.&nbsp;The Huskers will travel to State College, Pa., to compete in the Big Fives meet featuring Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio State and Rutgers. The Big Red will compete in Session 1 on Friday, Feb. 23.NU will compete against North Carolina for the second time in the season at the Bob Devaney Sports Center on Sunday, March 3, at 1 p.m. (CT). The meet will also feature Southeast Missouri State and Illinois State.The Huskers will host their final home meet of the season in the Master’s Classic at 6 p.m. (CT) on Saturday, March 9. The meet will highlight Nebraska, along with Florida, Lindenwood and Eastern Michigan.The Big Red will compete in its final regular-season match in Fayetteville, Ark., against the Razorbacks on Friday, March 15.&nbsp;The 2024 Big Ten Championships will take place in East Lansing, Mich., on Saturday, March 23.&nbsp;NCAA Regionals are set for Thursday, March 30 and Saturday, April 1. The 2024 NCAA Championships will take place on Thursday, April 13 and Saturday, April 15 in Fort Worth, Texas.&nbsp;2024 Nebraska Women’s Gymnastics ScheduleJan. 5 - Iowa State (Ames, Iowa) - TBDJan. 12 - Arizona, UNC, BSU (Salt Lake City, Utah) - 8 p.m.Jan. 20 - Illinois (Bob Devaney Sports Center) - 6:30 p.m.Jan. 27 - Michigan (Bob Devaney Sports Center) - 3 p.m.Feb. 4 - Iowa (Iowa City, Iowa) - TBDFeb. 10 - Maryland (College Park, Md.) - TBDFeb. 17 - Penn State (Bob Devaney Sports Center) - 7 p.m.Feb. 23 - Big Fives (State College, Pa.) - TBDMarch 3 - UNC, SEMO, ISU (Bob Devaney Sports Center) - 1 p.m.March 9 - Master’s Classic (Bob Devaney Sports Center) - 6 p.m.March 15 - Arkansas (Fayetteville, Ark.) - TBDMarch 23 - Big Ten Championships (East Lansing, Mich.) - TBDMarch 30 &amp; April 1 - NCAA Regionals (TBD) - TBDApril 13 &amp; 15 - NCAA Championships (Fort Worth, Texas) - TBD