Husker notes: Maurice Washington's next court date scheduled for after Huskers' season opener
The next scheduled court date in the case of Husker running back Maurice Washington — who faces two charges in California, including a felony — won’t take place until after the first football game of the season.
By News Channel Nebraska
The next scheduled court date in the case of Husker running back Maurice Washington — who faces two charges in California, including a felony — won’t take place until after the first football game of the season.
Washington’s next hearing date, a preliminary examination setting, is Sept. 3 in Santa Clara County Superior Court. That’s three days after the Huskers’ season opener against South Alabama on Aug. 31.
The September date was set during a hearing Thursday.
Nebraska coach Scott Frost said at Big Ten media days last week that Washington has been working out with teammates over the summer, but the coach would “wait and see” how the case is resolved before making any decisions.
“I don’t think camp’s going to be an issue,” Frost said. “He’s already been doing some with spring ball and working out with our team. So I don’t think any decision would have to be made because of his legal issues being unresolved until the first game.”
Washington, 19, is accused of sending a 10-second video that showed a 15-year-old girl performing oral sex, to that girl, his former girlfriend, years later.
Washington was not involved in the recording of the video or the sex act. The video was recorded in 2016, and Washington allegedly sent it in March 2018 when the two reconnected on social media.
He faces a felony charge of possession of a video of a person under 18 engaging in or simulating sexual conduct. He also is charged with one misdemeanor count of sharing a recording without the person’s consent.
Washington posted a message to Twitter on Thursday evening that seemed to relate to his case.
“No matter what anyone has to say about me,” Washington wrote, “only God and myself know the truth so keep the 2 cents.”
Quinn Nichols, a Santa Clara County deputy district attorney, said Wednesday that it was too early to say what a potential resolution to the case would look like.
The charges were filed against Washington in February. The Nebraska athletic department spoke to a California investigator last September who was trying to get a hold of Washington, but NU said it didn’t know of the specifics of the allegations until February.
Redshirt freshman Andre Hunt atop Nebraska receiver depth chart, walk-on Kade Warner becoming leader
For the first time, Nebraska will have to replace a 1,000-yard receiver.
Offensive coordinator Troy Walters said that’ll come by committee.
In his spot on the Husker Sports Network’s “Sports Nightly” on Thursday, Walters said replacing Stanley Morgan is a tough job, and it’ll come down to guys in his room stepping up to the plate.
Right now in Morgan’s starting spot stands redshirt freshman Andre Hunt.
“Had a great spring,” Walters said. “At the end of the spring, he was No. 1 on the depth chart and he was more consistent, confident and comfortable. Great hands, can run, runs good routes. So as long as he puts it all together and stays consistent, you’ll see him this fall.”
Walters said this summer, walk-on Kade Warner was the one who led the wide receivers. He was the one organizing workouts and getting guys together for 7-on-7.
“He took charge,” Walters said. “He’s a quarterback’s best friend because the quarterback knows he’s gonna be in the right position.”
Walters said twice on the broadcast that the coaching staff knows how quiet JD Spielman is. And, in general, the entire wide receiver group is more quiet this year. Walters said he didn’t think the receivers had as much fun this spring in the absence of Morgan.
“It was more focused, not as much fun as we probably had in the fall, and that’s good because guys were serious, guys were focused and on a mission to prove to coaches they belong,” Walters said.
With Spielman, Walters said they just need him to be him.
“He wants to be the best,” Walters said. “If he can just continue to produce and bring guys along with him, and kinda understand he’s the guy, he’s gotta set the tone with the younger guys, they look up to him.”
It was the same story with Mike Williams and Jaron Woodyard, two juco seniors who came in last summer. Both need to be more consistent to see the field. He said he’s seen a switch flip with them both since the end of last season.
And Walters has gotten good reports on Kanawai Noa, the transfer from California.
“I’m hearing good things from the quarterbacks and from other receivers,” Walters said. “I think he’s fitting in.”
Walters expects both Wan’Dale Robinson and Jamie Nance to contribute this season, should both stay healthy. Robinson was dealing with a hamstring injury in the spring.
“We’ve become more explosive. We got guys who can take a 5-yard pass and go 90 or can run by a corner and catch a 70-yard pass,” Walters said. “We’ll continue to try to fill the void Stanley leaves, but we can’t do it with one guy. It’s gonna be by committee. And I feel good about the receivers we have and the depth we have.”
Huskers JD Spielman, Ben Stille land on preseason award watch lists
Huskers JD Spielman and Ben Stille joined their coach on Thursday by landing on a preseason award watch list.
JD Spielman made the watch list for the Hornung Award, which goes to the nation's most versatile player. Ben Stille made it for the Wuerffel Trophy, which honors community service.
Spielman is coming off a sophomore season in which he caught 66 passes for 818 yards and eight touchdowns despite missing the final two games of the year because of injury. He finished in the top 10 of NU’s single-season record book in catches (third), yards (ninth) and touchdowns (seventh).
He also set the school’s single-game receiving record with 209 yards against Wisconsin.
Spielman could handle return duties this season, as well. He returned eight kickoffs for an average of 21.1 yards last season, and six punts for an average of 17.3 yards, including a 77-yarder for a touchdown against Bethune-Cookman.
Spielman previously appeared on the watch list for the Biletnikoff Award, which goes to the nation's best receiver.
Stille, a graduate of Ashland-Greenwood High School, started 11 games last season and is expected to be a key member of the Huskers' defensive front. Off the field he received Academic All-Big Ten honors in 2017 and 2018. He received the Sam Foltz Hero 27 Leadership Award and made the Brook Berringer and Tom Osborne Citizenship Teams.
He has also volunteered his time with the FCA, Husker Heroes, TeamMates, and the Nebraska Football Road Race, in addition to making local hospital visits.
Scott Frost named to Dodd Award preseason watch list for coach of the year
Nebraska coach Scott Frost was named Thursday to the preseason watch list for the Dodd Award, which honors the coach of the year in college football.
Named for former Georgia Tech head coach Bobby Dodd, the award focuses on the criteria of "scholarship, leadership and integrity."
Frost is one of 23 coaches named to the watch list. Five other Big Ten coaches also made it — Wisconsin's Paul Chryst, Iowa's Kirk Ferentz, Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald, Penn State's James Franklin and Michigan's Jim Harbaugh. Ohio State's Ryan Day, as a first-year head coach, is not eligible for the trophy.
Husker legend Tom Osborne won the trophy in 1978. Ferentz won in 2015. Only Bill Snyder and Joe Paterno have won the award twice in their careers.
Frost joins four of his players who have been named to preseason watch lists — Adrian Martinez (Maxwell, O'Brien), JD Spielman (Biletnikoff), Mohamed Barry (Lott, Butkus) and Jack Stoll (Mackey).