Friday Morning Sports – 9/29/2023

BOARD OF REGENTS TO CONSIDER RENOVATIONS TO MEMORIAL STADIUM:

As the University of Nebraska celebrates the 100th anniversary of Memorial Stadium, the Board of Regents is set to consider renovation plans that will modernize the state’s most iconic facility for its next century and beyond.

Plans for the $450 million renovation will go before the Board at its Oct. 5 meeting. The meeting is open to the public and will also be live-streamed at www.nebraska.edu.

Informed by a 2022 survey that drew responses from 22,000-plus Husker fans about what improvements they wanted to see in the stadium, the modernization project has three overarching goals, according to Athletic Director Trev Alberts:

•         Enhance the evolving fan experience that encourages families to come to Memorial Stadium on game day.
•         Ensure a modern facility with infrastructure suited for the next century.
•         Provide equitable and affordable access for all Husker fans, including dedicated space for students.

If approved by the Board, the project will be paid equally from private funds ($225 million) and other funding sources, including up to $50 million from the university’s internal lending program. No student tuition dollars or university general operating dollars will be used. Unlike most athletic departments, Nebraska’s does not receive a subsidy from the university.

MEMORIAL STADIUM RENOVATIONS – TREV ALBERTS COMMENTS:

ALBERTS – SURVEYS SHOWCASED WHAT FANS WANT:

Nebraska Athletic Director Trev Alberts spoke to the media on Thursday morning to showcase the new Memorial Stadium renovation project. Alberts added that these changes come on the heels of the recently completed surveys sent to fans…

That information including several key points: fans want the gameday experience to enhance encouraging more families to arrive to Memorial Stadium; create a more modern facility, and provide more affordable access to all Husker fans.

ALBERTS – MAIN POINTS WANTED FOR MEMORIAL STADIUM RENOVATION:
Trev Alberts, Nebraska Athletic Director, broke the news on $450 million in renovation projects anticipated for Memorial Stadium arriving in 2024. Alberts spoke about the main points discussed by fans driving the change…

These main points were taken directly from surveys sent out to Nebraskans who had attended a Memorial Stadium event in 2022. 

ALBERTS – CONCOURSE CONNECTION IMPORTANT TO RENOVATION:

Trev Alberts, Nebraska Athletic Director, discussed some of the expected additions for Lincoln’s Memorial Stadium during his Thursday press conference regarding Memorial Stadium’s renovation project…

Alberts added that South stadium will be completely demolished in the process to create the new changes needed for the revamp of the home of Husker Football.

ALBERTS – CREATING MORE THAN JUST SEVEN SATURDAYS:

Nebraska Athletic Director Trev Alberts addressed during his Thursday press conference the new $450 million renovations coming to Memorial Stadium. Alberts added that these changes are to enhance not only the fan experience for football season, but beyond…

Alberts discussed additions to the North and South stadiums for community engagement, student academic studies, and much more. 

ALBERTS – SOUTH STADIUM WILL EMBRACE STUDENTS:

Trev Alberts, Nebraska Athletic Director, spoke about the anticipated renovations coming to the home of Husker Football Memorial Stadium. Alberts added he wants the students to become a more integral part of gameday…

Nebraska will demolish south stadium – the current home for most of the student section – and revamp locations and distinctions for the band and students. Alberts added that academic classrooms and student hubs may be added to portions of the facility.

ALBERTS – TIMELINE FOR DEMOLITION; RENOVATION:

Nebraska Athletic Director Trev Alberts spoke about the renovations coming to Memorial Stadium during his Thursday morning press conference. Alberts also spoke on the expected timeline of the project…

Alberts added delays should be expected, as Nebraska weather has not been kind to larger projects in the past. The renovation project is set to be on the proposal for the Board of Regents next week.

LOPER VOLLEYBALL SWEEPS WINLESS NEWMAN:

The ninth-ranked Nebraska Kearney volleyball team hit .333 and senior Emersen Cyza reached 1,000 career kills as the Lopers swept Newman Thursday night in Wichita.

The Lopers (15-1, 5-1) finish 2-0 on the week and are now off until next Friday (Oct. 6) when they host Missouri Western.

To keep the Jets (0-12, 0-15) winless on the fall, UNK saw Cyza (Alliance) hit .471 and record 10 kills with pin mate Asha Regier (Newton, Kan.) at 13 kills and a .417 efficiency. Five others added at least one kill with the Lopers having only nine errors in 84 swings.

HUSKER VOLLEYBALL HEADS TO HOOSIER STATE; FACES PURDUE TONIGHT:

The second-ranked Nebraska volleyball team heads to the Hoosier State this weekend for a pair of Big Ten road matches. Tonight, the Huskers will battle No. 17 Purdue at Holloway Gymnasium in West Lafayette, Ind., at 6 p.m. (CT).

Nebraska (11-0) has won its first 11 matches of the season for the first time since 2016, when NU started 12-0. The Huskers began the 2008 season with a 20-0 record. 

The Huskers have held their opponents this season to a combined .106 hitting percentage, which ranks first nationally. Seven of Nebraska’s 11 opponents have hit under .100. 

No. 17 Purdue is 8-3 (2-0 Big Ten) after opening Big Ten play last weekend with a 3-1 win at Maryland and 3-0 win over Rutgers. 

NEBRASKA FOOTBALL THURSDAY PRACTICE COMMENTS – MATT RHULE:

RHULE – STADIUM CHANGES SET GOOD FOUNDATION:

Nebraska Football head coach Matt Rhule held his weekly Thursday press conference, but began his session talking on the newly proposed Memorial Stadium renovations…

More on the Memorial Stadium updates can be found at KGFW and Central Nebraska Today.

RHULE – BOTH QUARTERBACKS READY FOR MICHIGAN:

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule gave another update on his quarterbacks heading into the toughest test on the season yet hosting Michigan…

The Huskers have started Kearney Catholic alum Heinrich Haarberg the past two home games, resulting in two wins for the Big Red.

RHULE – BACKUP RUNNING BACKS PROVIDE DIFFERENT DYNAMICS:

Matt Rhule, Nebraska head coach, was asked how the move of Josh Fleecs from receiver to running back may affect freshman’s Kwentin Ives in the rotation…

The Huskers lost their two starting running backs in Rahmir Johnson and Gabe Ervin after the NIU contest. Anthony Grant remains the starter for the Nebraska offense. 

RHULE – MICHIGAN OFFENSE SIMILAR TO HUSKERS:

Nebraska Football head coach Matt Rhule was asked if the similarities in the Big Red offense aids the Blackshirts heading into the matchup hosting No. 2 Michigan…

RHULE – HUSKERS STAY BANGED UP:

Nebraska’s Football team has been bit by the injury bug early in the season. Head Coach Matt Rhule added updates and the team’s mentality to playing tough at his Thursday presser…

Nebraska expects linebacker Luke Reimer to start and play, as Reimer exited the contest early against Louisiana Tech.

RHULE – MICHIGAN IS TALENTED, PREPARED, AND READY:

Matt Rhule previewed what he sees from the Michigan football program leading into the matchup at Memorial Stadium on Saturday…

The Huskers host No. 2 Michigan Saturday in Lincoln.

STORM’S ANDERSON ANNOUNCES COMMITMENT TO NORTH DAKOTA:

Tri-City Storm forward Cooper Simpson has announced a commitment to play collegiate hockey in the future for the University of North Dakota. Simpson is currently in his rookie season with Tri-City after signing a tender agreement to play for the organization on April 24th, 2023.

He made his USHL debut with the team on Wednesday, September 20th, in Tri-City’s 2-1 victory over the Youngstown Phantoms in the opening game of the 2023-2024 regular season. Simpson has appeared in each of the Storm’s two regular season games ahead of tonights Home Opener at the Viaero Center.

SCARLET RALLIES PAST CREAM IN SOFTBALL EXHIBITION FINALE:

The Scarlet scored four runs over the fifth and sixth innings to rally for a 4-3 victory over the Cream in the final intrasquad scrimmage of the fall for the Nebraska softball team Thursday night at Bowlin Stadium.

The Scarlet trailed 3-2 in the sixth inning before Bella Bacon launched the game-winning two-run home run. Bacon finished 1-for-3 with two RBIs, while Jordy Bahl also had two hits for the Scarlet with a triple, a run scored and an RBI. For the Cream, Ava Bredwell was 2-for-3 and scored twice, while Emmerson Cope was 1-for-3 with a two-run homer.

Following three scrimmages, Nebraska plays its first exhibition game of the fall on Sunday when the Huskers host Omaha at 12:30 p.m. Admission is free into all fall exhibition games at Bowlin Stadium.

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE SCHEDULE/RESULTS:

THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL:

Detroit Lions 34-20 Green Bay Packers

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SCHEDULE:

FRIDAY SCHEDULE:

Miami Marlins @ Pittsburgh Pirates – 5:35 PM

Cleveland Guardians @ Detroit Tigers – 5:40 PM

Boston Red Sox @ Baltimore Orioles – 6:05 PM

Tampa Bay Rays @ Toronto Blue Jays – 6:07 PM

Philadelphia Phillies @ New York Mets – 6:10 PM

Washington Nationals @ Atlanta Braves – 6:20 PM

San Diego Padres @ Chicago White Sox – 6:40 PM

Chicago Cubs @ Milwaukee Brewers – 7:10 PM

Minnesota Twins @ Colorado Rockies – 7:10 PM

New York Yankees @ Kansas City Royals -7:10 PM

Cincinnati Reds @ St. Louis Cardinals – 7:15 PM

Oakland Athletics @ Los Angeles Angels – 8:38 PM

Houston Astros @ Arizona Diamondbacks – 8:40 PM

Texas Rangers @ Seattle Mariners -9:10 PM

Los Angeles Dodgers @ San Francisco Giants – 9:15 PM

Buffalo County Results & Schedules:

THIS WEEK IN BUFFALO COUNTY SPORTS:

THURSDAY:

High School Sports:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • Boys Tennis: v. Hastings Dual @ Harmon Park – KHS 10-2 Hastings
  • Softball: @ Lincoln Southeast Doubleheader
    • GAME 1: KHS 9-6 LSE
    • GAME 2: KHS 15-6 LSE
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • Softball: v. Southern Valley – KCHS 8-7 Southern Valley
  • Volleyball: @ Ord – KCHS 3-0 Ord
• AMHERST:
  • Softball: v. Southern Valley – KCHS 8-7 Southern Valley
  • Volleyball: @ Wilcox-Hildreth Triangular
    • GAME 1: Amherst 2-0 Loomis
    • GAME 2: Amherst 2-0 Wilcox-Hildreth
• PLEASANTON:.
  • Volleyball: @ Hi-Line @ Eustis Triangular:
    • GAME 1: Pleasanton 2-0 Hi-Line
    • GAME 2: Pleasanton 2-0 Elm Creek
• SHELTON:
  • Volleyball: v. Deshler – Deshler 3-0 Shelton
  • Football: v. Red Cloud @ Shelton High School – Red Cloud 57-31 Shelton
• RAVENNA:
  • Volleyball: v. Ravenna Triangular (v. Broken Bow, v. Holdrege)
    • GAME 1: Holdrege 2-0 Ravenna
    • GAME 2: Broken Bow 2-0 Ravenna

College Athletics:

• UNK LOPERS:
  • Volleyball: @ Newman @ Wichita, KS – UNK 3-0 Newman
• NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS:
  • Softball: Scrimmage @ Bowlin Stadium – Scarlet 4-3 Cream

Women’s Soccer: v. Rutgers – Draw 2-2