Tuesday Afternoon Sports – 9/12/2023

NEBRASKA VOLLEYBALL PREPARES FOR TOP FIVE ROAD TEST AT STANFORD:

The No. 4 Nebraska volleyball team will play a rare Tuesday night match when it heads to California to face the No. 5 Stanford Cardinal. First serve at Maples Pavilion is set for 8 p.m. (CT). 

Tonight’s match will be televised nationally on ESPN and can be heard on KGFW with pregame beginning at 7 after a shortened Sports Nightly.

Nebraska (7-0) has won its first seven matches of the season for the second year in a row. The Huskers started 7-0 in 2022, 6-0 in 2021, 6-0 in 2020-21, and 7-0 in 2019. Nebraska has not been 8-0 since the 2016 season.

The Huskers have not beaten Stanford since 2008, and lost the past two matchups at Stanford. The Cardinal won in Lincoln last year 3-1.

NEBRASKA FOOTBALL TUESDAY PRACTICE – PLAYERS:

FIDONE – GOOD TO GET PLAYING FOOTBALL AGAIN:

Tight end for Nebraska Thomas Fidone had his first receptions and touchdown of his career as a Husker last Saturday, as the Council Bluffs native stated at Tuesday’s media presser he’s excited to keep improving…

Fidone recorded his first touchdown reception in the final three minutes of the contest from Kearney Catholic alum Heinrich Haarberg.

FIDONE – DREAM COME TRUE IN MEMORIAL STADIUM:

Despite being on the Huskers roster for two years, tight end Thomas Fidone has not yet suited up at Memorial Stadium due to two sustained injuries his freshman and sophomore years. The Council Bluffs native was asked his feelings for the home opener on Saturday…

Fidone isn’t the only Husker celebrating the home opener on Saturday, as it’s also head coach Matt Rhule’s first game at Tom Osborne Field. 

ERVIN – FOUND GOOD RHYTHM AT COLORADO:

Nebraska running back Gabe Ervin spoke to the media on Tuesday and said he felt like his running game was getting into a good groove at Colorado…

Ervin toted the rock seventeen times for the Big Red on Saturday for 74 yards. 

ERVIN – FUMBLES WERE A SURPRISE IN WEEK TWO:

Missed snaps and fumbles were the biggest headache for Nebraska Football at Colorado in Week Two, as it came as a surprise to running back Gabe Ervin from their week in preparation…

The Huskers are 128th out of 131 FBS teams in turnover margin and have lost the most fumbles in the country so far this season.

LENHARDT – NO SURPRISE TO PLAYING TIME:

Freshman defensive end Cameron Lenhardt has been a significant difference maker for the Blackshirts in two games. For the New York native, he was not shocked to see his playing time early in his Big Red career…

The preseason freshman All-American recorded two sacks against Colorado.

LENHARDT – RECORD MEANS NOTHING SO FAR:

Freshman Cameron Lenhardt has had big moments so far in the early stretch of the Huskers season despite Nebraska’s 0-2 start. Lenhardt spoke at Tuesday’s presser saying that the team is still focused on their improvement…

Nebraska hopes to keep the freshman in rotation and active, as he has already notched two sacks on the season against Colorado. 

NEBRASKA FOOTBALL MONDAY PRACTICE – HEAD COACH MATT RHULE:

RHULE – TEAM IS DISAPPOINTED; EXCITED TO PLAY AT HOME:

Nebraska Football head coach Matt Rhule opened his Monday morning press conference by saying the team is feeling down, but is excited to return to Memorial Stadium…

Nebraska hosts their home opener on Saturday taking on Northern Illinois.

RHULE – JEFF SIMS ANKLE STILL RECOVERING:

Matt Rhule, Nebraska Football head coach, was asked the health of quarterback Jeff Sims’ ankle after it was injured during the Colorado contest last Saturday…

The Huskers turned to Kearney Catholic alum Heinrich Haarberg in place of Sims after the injury in Boulder. 

RHULE – HAVE FAITH IN BACKUP QUARTERBACKS; SIMS STILL No. 1:

Nebraska Football head coach Matt Rhule reiterated at his Monday press conference that Jeff Sims is still QB1 for the Big Red, but that he does have faith in his backup quarterbacks…

The Huskers await the status of Sims’ ankle injury as they prepare for Northern Illinois on Saturday.

RHULE – OFFENSE MUST IMPROVE TO WIN:

Husker Football Head Coach Matt Rhule stated bluntly during his Monday press conference that in order for Nebraska to find their first win, they need to improve on one side of the ball…

Nebraska has scored a total of 24 points in two games and has given up eight turnovers. 

RHULE – NEED TO PRACTICE GAME-SITUATIONS:

Matt Rhule, Nebraska Football Head Coach, addressed a specific situation during his Monday press conference from the Week Two loss at Colorado as Jeff Sims did not dive on a football to protect a possession after a misplaced snap…

The Huskers had three fumbled snaps – losing two – all within Colorado territory in the 36-14 loss. 

RHULE – LOT OF FOOTBALL LEFT TO IMPROVE FOR PLAYERS:

Nebraska Football is 0-2 to start the season, but head coach Matt Rhule remains positive saying there is still plenty of time to improve…

Nebraska holds a full week of practice to prepare for Northern Illinois in their home opener on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. 

HUSKER BASKETBALL OPENING TICKETS AVAILABLE TODAY:

Husker basketball fans can claim their free tickets for Opening Night with Husker Hoops.

Fans should visit Huskers.com/tickets as there is a limit of four tickets per person. The event, scheduled for Friday, Sept. 29, highlights both the Husker men’s and women’s basketball programs while Epic Records recording artist DDG will perform to close the event’s festivities.

TICKETS FOR HUSKER MBB OREGON-STATE CONTEST ON SALE THURSDAY:

Tickets for the Nebraska men’s basketball neutral-site matchup against Oregon State in Sioux Falls, S.D., will go on sale this Thursday, Sept. 14, at 10 a.m. 

The matchup will take place in the 3,200-seat Sanford Pentagon, and tickets for the matchup will be available for purchase exclusively on Ticketmaster.com  

It is the Huskers’ second trip to the Sanford Pentagon and first time since 2018.

BEARCAT VOLLEYBALL’S VANDERBEEK ADDED TO ALL-TOURNEY TEAM:

The 9th Annual KHS Volleyball invite named its all-tournament team on Monday, as the Bearcats’ Sophie Vanderbeek was added to the team. 

Vanderbeek – a junior for Kearney – is currently second in Class A in total blocks. She was the only Bearcat named to the team after KHS went 1-3 Saturday. 

Kearney is back in action tonight on the road at Columbus. 

AARON RODGERS SUFFERS TORN ACHILLES; OUT FOR YEAR:

Aaron Rodgers’ debut season with the New York Jets is already over. It didn’t even last one quarter.

The 39-year-old quarterback has a torn left Achilles tendon that will require season-ending surgery, coach Robert Saleh announced Tuesday. The Jets placed Rodgers on the injured reserve list.

An MRI revealed the severity of the four-time NFL MVP’s injury, confirming what the Jets feared after their 22-16 overtime win over Buffalo on Monday night.

CHIEFS SIGN CHRIS JONES TO ONE-YEAR DEAL:

The Kansas City Chiefs signed Chris Jones to a new one-year contract Monday, which should end the All-Pro defensive tackle’s holdout and could mean he will be back on the field when they visit the Jacksonville Jaguars for Week 2.

The Chiefs did not disclose terms, but a source told The Associated Press no years were added to his four-year, $80 million deal, which was due to expire. It instead includes incentives to substantially increase what Jones will make this season.

NFL SCHEDULE/RESULTS:

MONDAY RESULT:

New York Jets 22-16 Buffalo Bills (OT)

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SCHEDULE:

TUESDAY SCHEDULE:

Kansas City Royals @ Chicago White Sox

St. Louis Cardinals @ Baltimore Orioles – 5:35 PM

Washington Nationals @ Pittsburgh Pirates – 5:35 PM

Cincinnati Reds @ Detroit Tigers – 5:40 PM

Atlanta Braves @ Philadelphia Phillies – 5:40 PM

Texas Rangers @ Toronto Blue Jays – 6:07 PM

Arizona Diamondbacks @ New York Mets – 6:10 PM

New York Yankees @ Boston Red Sox – 6:10 PM

Miami Marlins @ Milwaukee Brewers – 6:40 PM

Tampa Bay Rays @ Minnesota Twins – 6:40 PM

Oakland Athletics @ Houston Astros – 7:10 PM

Kansas City Royals @ Chicago White Sox – 7:10 PM

Chicago Cubs @ Colorado Rockies – 7:40 PM

Los Angeles Angels @ Seattle Mariners – 8:40 PM

Cleveland Guardians @ San Francisco Giants – 8:45 PM

San Diego Padres @ Los Angeles Dodgers – 9:10 PM

Buffalo County Results & Schedules:

THIS WEEK IN BUFFALO COUNTY SPORTS:

MONDAY:

High School Sports:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • Boys Tennis: @ Lincoln East Invite @ Woods Tennis Center – KHS = 3rd
• GIBBON:
  • Volleyball: @ Ord Triangular (v. Ord, Ravenna)
    • GAME 1: Ord 2-0 Ravenna
    • GAME 2: Ravenna 2-1 Gibbon
• RAVENNA:
  • Volleyball: @ Ord Triangular (v. Gibbon, Ord)
    • GAME 1: Ord 2-0 Gibbon
    • GAME 2: Ravenna 2-1 Gibbon

TUESDAY:

High School Sports:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • Girls Golf: @ Hastings Invite @ Lochland Country Club – 10 AM
  • Boys Tennis: @ North Platte Dual @ Cody Park – 4 PM
  • Softball: @ Norfolk Doubleheader @ Ta-Ha Zoucha Complex – 5 PM
  • Volleyball: @ Columbus – 6:30 PM
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • Girls Golf: @ Hastings Invite @ Lochland Country Club – 10 AM
  • Softball: @ Polk County Triangular – 4 PM
  • Cross Country: @ Minden Invite – 4:30 PM
• AMHERST:
  • Volleyball: @ SEM – 6:30 PM
  • Softball: @ Polk County Triangular – 5:30 PM/7 PM
• PLEASANTON:.
  • Volleyball: @ Twin Loup – 6 PM
• GIBBON:
  • Girls Golf: @ Loup City – 10 AM
  • Volleyball: @ Central City Triangular (v. CC, Doniphan-Trumbull) – 5 PM
• SHELTON:
  • Cross Country: @ Minden Invite @ Minden Country Club – 4:30 PM
  • Volleyball: @ Wilcox-Hildreth Triangular
    • GAME 1: @ Wilcox-Hildreth – 5 PM
    • GAME 2: v. Axtell – 6 PM
• RAVENNA:
  • Girls Golf: @ Loup City Invite – 10 AM

College Athletics:

• UNK LOPERS:
  • N/a
• HASTINGS COLLEGE BRONCOS:
  • Men’s Golf: @ Dordt/Northwestern Invite @ Sioux City, SD
• NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS:
  • Volleyball: @ #5 Stanford @ Palo Alto, CA – 8 PM
    • KGFW Pregame at 7 PM

KGFW Sports Schedule:

• Sports Nightly (6 PM – 7 PM)
• Nebraska Volleyball @ Stanford (7 PM – 10:30 PM)