NU notes: Finding new ways to lose, Cornhuskers keep 'Nebraska-ing'
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska coach Scott Frost says he's sick of his team finding new ways to lose and hopes his players are feeling the same way.
The Cornhuskers lost 23-20 in overtime at Michigan State after surrendering a punt return for a touchdown and Adrian Martinez's interception in the extra period.
The Huskers have lost 15 of 20 games decided by eight points or less under Frost. That includes all three losses this season.
The Huskers play at home on Saturday against Northwestern.
Game Week: Northwestern
NEBRASKA vs. NORTHWESTERN
OCT. 2, 2021 | MEMORIAL STADIUM
LINCOLN, NEB. | 6:30 PM (CT)
BROADCAST INFO
TV - BTN
RADIO - Huskers Radio Network (Greg Sharpe, Matt Davison, Jeremiah Sirles)
INTERNET RADIO - Huskers.com
SPANISH BROADCAST - Huskers.com
APP AUDIO - Official Huskers App
HUSKERS
Record: 2-3, 0-2 Big Ten
Last Game: at Michigan State (L, 23-20 OT)
Rankings: NR
Coach: Scott Frost
Career/NU Record: 33-30 (6th Year)/14-23 (4th Year)
vs. Northwestern: 1-2
WILDCATS
Record: 2-2, 0-1 Big Ten
Last Game: vs. Ohio (W, 35-6)
Rankings: NR
Coach: Pat Fitzgerald
Career/NU Record: 108-83 (16th Year)/Same
vs. Nebraska: 5-5
SERIES HISTORY
• All-Time Series: Nebraska leads, 8-6
• In Lincoln: Nebraska leads, 4-3
• Last Game: Northwestern 21 - Nebraska 13 (2020 in Evanston)
• Win Streak: Northwestern, 1 game
The Matchup
Nebraska returns to Lincoln for a two-game homestand at Memorial Stadium, beginning with a prime-time contest on Saturday against defending Big Ten West champ Northwestern. Game time at Memorial Stadium is set for shortly after 6:30 p.m., with the game televised on BTN.
Saturday's game is Nebraska's Homecoming contest and the start of five home games over the final seven games of the season.
Nebraska enters the game at 2-3 overall and 0-2 in Big Ten play following a heartbreaking 23-20 overtime loss at No. 20 Michigan State on Saturday night. The Huskers dominated the second half of the game, and held a touchdown lead late in the game, but a Spartan punt return touchdown forced overtime, where the Spartans escaped with the three-point win.
The Blackshirt defense continues to perform at an elite level. Nebraska held Michigan State to 254 yards of total offense, including just 14 second-half yards and no first downs in the final 30 minutes of regulation.
Northwestern comes to Lincoln with a 2-2 mark, including an 0-1 record in Big Ten action. The Wildcats opened the season with a home conference loss against Michigan State, and have since won two of three non-conference matchups, including a 35-6 victory over Ohio on Saturday in Evanston. Coach Pat Fitzgerald's squad controlled the line of scrimmage against Ohio, rushing for 373 yards in the victory.
Each of the five Nebraska-Northwestern matchups in Lincoln since 2011 have been decided by one score, including two Nebraska wins on the game's final play.
Series History: Nebraska vs. Northwestern
Saturday's matchup between Nebraska and Northwestern will be the 15th all-time between the two schools, with Nebraska holding an 8-6 advantage. The teams have split 10 meetings since Nebraska joined the Big Ten and the series has a history of close games.
• The five games in Lincoln since 2011 have been decided by a total of 17 points, with the largest margin being a seven-point Northwestern overtime victory in 2017. The 2013 and 2019 Husker victories were both decided on the game's final play, marking two of just three walk-off Nebraska wins in Memorial Stadium history.
• Overall, eight of the 10 meetings since 2011 have been decided by eight or fewer points, including each of the past four games.
• The schools met four times prior to Nebraska joining the Big Ten, with the Huskers holding a 3-1 edge. Nebraska defeated Northwestern, 66-17, in the 2000 Alamo Bowl, a Husker record for points scored in a bowl game.
• The schools are set to open the 2022 season against each other on Aug. 27 in Dublin, Ireland, as part of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic.
Nebraska to Celebrate Homecoming vs. Wildcats
This weekend will serve as Homecoming on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus. This marks the 110th Homecoming Game in Nebraska history, with Nebraska owning an all-time record of 82-23-4 (.771) in Homecoming games. Nebraska has won nine of its last 11 Homecoming games, including a 6-2 record against Big Ten teams on Homecoming.
Huskers Welcome 'Cats for Big Ten Home Opener
After playing its first two Big Ten Conference games away from Lincoln, the Huskers will play host to Northwestern for their league home opener.
• Nebraska is 7-3 in Big Ten home openers since joining the league in 2011, including a 30-23 win over Penn State last season.
Primetime in Memorial Stadium
Nebraska will play host to its first night game in Memorial Stadium since a 2019 matchup with Ohio State in Lincoln. It is just the third night game for NU in Scott Frost's four seasons as head coach.
• Historically, Nebraska has a strong history of success in night games at Memorial Stadium. The Huskers are 47-8 all-time in home night games since its first prime-time game at Memorial Stadium in 1986.
• Nebraska is 6-3 in home prime-time games against Big Ten foes since joining the league in 2011.
Nebraska Offense Showing Explosive Ability
The Nebraska offense has shown good balanced and posted several impressive statistics through five games in 2021.
• Against Fordham, Nebraska finished the game with 329 rushing yards and 304 passing yards to roll up 633 yards of total offense. It was Nebraska's best offensive output since posting 674 yards of total offense at Illinois in 2019.
• The win over Fordham marked the fifth time NU has topped 600 yards in Scott Frost's four years as head coach. Among Big Ten teams, only Ohio State (10) has more 600-yard games in that time span.
• Nebraska's 300-300 offensive output was a rare statistical feat in school history. The Huskers had reached that mark just twice previously vs. South Dakota State in 2013 and at Illinois in 2019.
• Nebraska has accounted for two of the seven 300/300 games by Big Ten teams over the past four years (Ohio State-3; Maryland-1; Penn State-1).
• The Huskers scored 52 points against Fordham, surpassing the 50-point mark for the first time since a 54-7 win at Maryland in 2019.
• In a 28-3 win over Buffalo, Nebraska gained 516 yards of offense, including plays of 71 (Martinez run), 68 (Martinez to Toure TD) and 68 yards (Martinez to Toure TD). The game marked the first time since a 2010 win at Kansas State in which Nebraska had three plays of longer than 60 yards.
• Nebraska averaged 8.5 yards on 61 offensive snaps against Buffalo. For the season, Nebraska averages 6.3 yards per play to rank sixth in the Big Ten and 42nd nationally.
• Nebraska has six plays of 50 yards or more to tie for sixth in the country in that category.
• Nebraska opened the season with a 100-yard rusher and 100-yard receiver in each of the first three games. Adrian Martinez had two 100-yard rushing games (Illinois, Buffalo), with Markese Stepp adding a third game over the century mark (Fordham). Samori Toure topped the century mark in receiving yards in back-to-back weeks (Fordham, Buffalo), after Oliver Martin surpassed 100 yards at Illinois.
• Research indicates it was the first time in school history Nebraska has had a 100-yard rusher and 100-yard receiver in three straight games.
• Nebraska ranks third in the Big Ten and 25th in the nation in total offense at 471.0 yards per game.
Blackshirts Playing at High Level in 2021
The veteran Nebraska Blackshirt defense has shown its teeth in 2021, beginning with dominant efforts in home victories over Fordham and Buffalo. The Blackshirts carried the momentum on the road with impressive efforts against nationally ranked Oklahoma and Michigan State.
• The Blackshirts most impressive defensive effort of the season may have come at No. 20 Michigan State. The Huskers held MSU to 254 total yards in an overtime loss. In the final 30 minutes of regulation, Michigan State had no first downs and gained just 14 yards on 15 offensive plays.
• Nebraska held Oklahoma's high-powered offense to 408 total yards in a 23-16 setback on Sept.18. OU's offensive output ended a streak of seven straight games with the Blackshirts limiting opponents to fewer than 400 yards. It was the first time NU has held seven straight foes to less than 400 yards of offense since an eight-game streak spanning the 2009 and 2010 seasons.
• The Blackshirts posted one of the best defensive efforts against Oklahoma in recent years. Nebraska limited the Sooners to 23 points, ending OU's FBS record streak of 65 straight games with at least 27 points.
• Oklahoma was held to seven points in the first half, marking the first time the Sooners were held to single digits in the first half of a home game since 2012.
• The Blackshirt defense allowed 33 points in a three-game stretch from Fordham to Oklahoma. That was the fewest points Nebraska has allowed in a three-game stretch since the 2010 season.
• Nebraska defeated Fordham (52-7) and Buffalo (28-3) in consecutive home wins. The defensive efforts in its two victories marked the first time Nebraska has held back-to-back opponents to single digits since 2010 when NU defeated Kansas 20-3 and lost 9-6 at Texas A&M.
• The three points allowed against Buffalo were Nebraska's fewest since a 24-3 win over Michigan State in 2011. Nebraska held the Bulls scoreless in the first half, the first opponent NU has blanked in the first half since taking a 34-0 halftime lead at Maryland in 2019.
• Nebraska went more than seven quarters without allowing a touchdown before Oklahoma's first quarter score. Nebraska also went 79:57 of game action without allowing a point prior to Buffalo's third-quarter field goal.
• Nebraska did not allow a point in the fourth quarter of its first three games before an Oklahoma touchdown in the fourth quarter. Nebraska has outscored the opposition 48-14 in the fourth quarter, with the defense allowing just seven of those points.
• The defense has also set the tone in the first quarter. Opponents have scored just nine first-quarter points (2, Illinois; 7, Oklahoma), with the Blackshirts surrending just one touchdown in five games.
• The Husker defense forced four turnovers against Fordham and Buffalo, with all four takeaways leading to Nebraska touchdowns (28 points). NU's three takeaways against Fordham were its most since forcing four turnovers at Maryland in 2019. Nebraska intercepted three passes vs. Fordham, the first game with three picks since the 2019 season opener against South Alabama.
Huskers and Wolverines to Meet in Primetime on ABC
The Big Ten Conference announced Monday afternoon that Nebraska's home game against Michigan on Saturday, Oct. 9, will kick off at 6:30 PM (CT). The game will be televised nationally on ABC.
Big Ten TV Schedule for Saturday, October 9
Noon ET/11am CT
Maryland at Ohio State – FOX
Michigan State at Rutgers – Big Ten Network
3:30pm ET/2:30pm CT
Wisconsin at Illinois – Big Ten Network
4pm ET/3pm CT
Penn State at Iowa – FOX
7:30pm ET/6:30pm CT
Michigan at Nebraska – ABC
Meet the Media: Northwestern
Head Coach Scott Frost and Husker football players met with members of the media Monday afternoon to preview this week's matchup with Northwestern. The Huskers and Wildcats meet at 6:30 PM this Saturday on BTN, and radio coverage will be provided by the Huskers Radio Network.
Saturday's matchup between Nebraska and Northwestern will be the 15th all-time between the two schools, with Nebraska holding an 8-6 advantage. The teams have split 10 meetings since Nebraska joined the Big Ten and the series has a history of close games.
Transcripts from Coach Frost and select players can be found below
Coach Frost
Linebacker JoJo Domann
Linebacker Nick Henrich
Quarterback Adrian Martinez
Defensive Lineman Ty Robinson
Offensive Lineman Matt Sichterman
Krause Honored As Big Ten Freshman of the Week
Nebraska volleyball freshman Lindsay Krause was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week, the conference office announced Monday.
Krause averaged 3.86 kills, 1.00 digs and 0.43 blocks per set on .500 hitting for the week as No. 12 Nebraska went 2-0 with wins over Northwestern and Iowa. The Papillion, Neb., native matched her season best with 15 kills on a .500 hitting night with two blocks against the Wildcats on Wednesday. She followed with her second .500 attacking performance of the week on Saturday against the Hawkeyes, totaling 12 kills with just one error.
It marks the first weekly conference honor of Krause's career. NU has counted two Big Ten Freshman-of-the-Week award winners this season, as Krause joins Lexi Rodriguez, who was honored Aug. 30.
Huskers Drop Close One At No. 9 Rutgers 1-0
Piscataway, N.J. – The Nebraska soccer team (4-6-1, 0-2-1 Big Ten) came up short against No. 9 Rutgers, 1-0, at Yurcak Field on Sunday afternoon. This game marks the first ever win of the series between the two teams as the previous six matchups resulted in a tie.
The Huskers kept the pressure on the Scarlet Knights during the first half of Sunday's game holding the offense to just four shots on goal, but Rutgers pounced first, as Allison Lowrey scored her second goal of the season in the final minute of the opening period.
Nebraska continued to hold steady on defense in the second half despite injuries to defender Olivia Brown and forward Reagan Raabe. Grace Brown also left the game with an injury but returned in the second half. Offensively, the Huskers had a few last-minute chances with a shot from Ashley Zugay blocked by the goalie into the crossbar, two shots on goal by Gwen Lane and a shot from Kathleen Aitchison, but they were unable to equalize the game.
Overall, the Huskers took seven shots with five of those being shots on goal and three corner kicks.
Sophomore goalkeeper Sami Hauk, making her sixth start of the season, recorded five saves. Hauk was one of two Huskers to play the full 90 minutes, as Lane was a constant on offense and defense, recording those two late shots on goal.
Rutgers entered the weekend with an RPI of nine and sat tied for second place in the Big Ten standings with six points. The Scarlet Knights conclude the weekend with a 7-2-0 record overall and a 2-0-0 mark in Big Ten play.
The Huskers return home next week for a matchup against Michigan State on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. (CT). The game will be streamed on Big Ten Network+ (subscription required).
Huskers Win Twice Against Omaha
The Nebraska softball team swept a doubleheader Sunday afternoon against Omaha in front of more than 400 fans at Bowlin Stadium. The Huskers won the first game 5-2 and the second game 9-0.
The Huskers combined for 17 hits on the day including four doubles from junior Brooke Andrews who went 5-for-6 in the doubleheader.
In the first game, Omaha was first to score after Sydney Ross got on base and Lyndsey Tucker hit a triple to left field in the top of the second inning. The Huskers responded with a run in the bottom of the fourth inning after sophomore Billie Andrews scored after getting on from a walk. Andrews advanced home after sophomore Abbie Squire reached on an RBI infield single.
NU was able to extend the lead in the fifth inning. Senior Courtney Wallace started the inning off with a single to right field. Senior Anni Raley then put the ball in play forcing the pitcher to make a decision, which resulted in a wild throw to first base advancing sophomore pinch runner Camyl Armendariz home on the throwing error. Brooke Andrews followed with her first double of the day to center field, scoring a run, followed by another double to left field from Billie Andrews extending the lead 4-1.
Omaha responded with a solo home run from Lexi Burkhardt in the top of the sixth inning.
Nebraska immediately answered the run. Wallace singled to right field in the bottom of the sixth and sophomore Caitlynn Neal hit an RBI double in her first at bat bringing in the final run of the game.
Wallace earned the win in the circle, tossing a four-hitter with five strikeouts as NU claimed the first game 5-2.
There was plenty of offense in the second game as the Huskers scored at least one run in each inning. That was more than enough support for the Nebraska pitching staff. Senior Olivia Ferrell started in the circle for NU and allowed only one infield hit in four scoreless innings. Sophomore Kaylin Kinney relieved Ferrell and recorded three strikeouts in the final three innings, preserving the shutout.
In the first inning, Brooke Andrews singled to third base while Cam Ybarra followed with double down the right field line. Mya Felder then hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Brooke Andrews for the first run of the game. Squier brought in the second run of the inning with an RBI double to right center field.
It was all Peyton Glatter in the second inning as she hit a solo home run over the right center field fence to put the Huskers ahead 3-0.
Brooke Andrews continued to stay aggressive on offense in the third inning, hitting another double to right center, and she scored on an RBI single from Squier.
In the fourth inning, Brooke Andrews had another double to right center, driving in two more runs.
Wallace led off for the Huskers in the fifth inning with a single to center field while Neal followed with a single to center field. A double from Glatter scored both Wallace and Neal. The Huskers went into the sixth inning ahead 8-0.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Brooke Andrews hit her fourth double of the day to right center scoring Kinney, who reached base on a walk.
The Huskers were able to hold the Mavs to only four hits and no runs during the second game of the day.
The Huskers are back in action Sunday, Oct. 3 for a doubleheader at Bowlin Stadium against Missouri at Noon. Attendance for both games of the doubleheader is free.
Huskers Finish Successful Weekend at Rancher Invite
Los Angeles, Calif - The Nebraska men's tennis team wrapped up play at the Rancher Invite on Sunday as they built off a strong showing last weekend.
Freshman Roni Hietaranta won his singles matches Sunday after going undefeated last weekend to end the tournament with a 2-1 singles record. Senior William Gleason captured his first win of the weekend on Sunday after defeating San Diego State's Victor Castro 4-6, 6-4, 6-4. Sophomore Nic Wiedenhorn dropped his final match of the weekend after beginning the tournament with two straight wins. Senior Victor Moreno Lozano lost a close match to close out play to San Diego State's Alexander Mandma 6-0, 4-6, 6-4.
In doubles action, both teams ended the weekend going 1-2. Gleason and Wiedenhorn won on Friday night against the Aztecs 8-5, while Hietaranta and Moreno won their only match 8-3 on Saturday against Pepperdine.
The Huskers will be back in action next weekend as they take part in the All-American Tournament from Oct. 2-5
Day: 3
(Singles)
1. Johannes Seeman (SDSU) def. Nic Wiedenhorn (Nebraska) 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-3
2. Roni Hietaranta (Nebraska) def. Joe Tyler (SDSU), 6-1, 6-4
3. William Gleason (Nebraska) def. Victor Castro (SDSU), 4-6, 6-4, 6-4
4. Alexander Mandma (SDSU) def. Victor Moreno Lozano (Nebraska), 6-0, 4-6, 6-4
(Doubles)
1. Ilagan/Seric (Hawaii) def. Wiedenhorn/Lozano (Nebraska) 8-4
2. Alves/Labrunie (Hawaii) def. Gleason/Hietaranta (Nebraska) 8-7
Day: 2
(Singles)
1. Andre Ilagan (Hawaii) def. William Gleason (Nebraska) 7-6, 6-0
2. Nic Wiedenhorn (Nebraska) def. Blaz Seric (Hawaii) 6-3, 7-6
3. Roni Hietaranta (Nebraska) def. Axel Labrunie (Hawaii) 6-2, 6-2
4. Victor Moreno Lozano (Nebraska) def. Simao Telo Alves (Hawaii) 7-6, 6-7, 7-5
(Doubles)
1. Hadigian/Fellin (Pepperdine) def. Gleason/Wiedenhorn (Nebraska) 8-5
2. Hietaranta/Moreno (Nebraska) def. Rico/Summaria (Pepperdine) 8-3
Day: 1
(Singles)
1. Eric Hadigian (Pepperdine) def. William Gleason (Nebraska) 6-2, 6-2
2. Nic Wiedenhorn (Nebraska) def. Enrique Luque Rico (Pepperdine) 6-3, 6-3
3. Pietro Fellin (Ppepperdine) def. Roni Hietaranta (Nebraska) def. 2-6, 6-4, 6-4
4. Corrado Summaria (Pepperdine) def. Victor Moreno Lozano (Nebraska) 6-4, 2-6, 6-1
(Doubles)
1. Gleason/Wiedenhorn (Nebraska) def. Seeman/Mandma (SDSU) 8-5
2. Tyler/Castro (SDSU) def. Hietaranta/Moreno (Nebraska) 8-5
Shelley Helps Opals to Asia Cup Win
Nebraska guard Jaz Shelley put together an efficient opening-game effort to help the Australian National Team to a 76-65 victory over Chinese Taipei in the opening game of Group B pool play at the 2021 Asia Cup in Amman, Jordan on Monday.
Shelley, a 5-9 sophomore guard from Moe, Australia, scored six points while adding one rebound, one assist, one steal and one blocked shot in just under 15 minutes off the bench for the Opals. Shelley, who arrived in Jordan late last week to join her Opal teammates, went 2-for-4 from the field with a pair of three-pointers.
In a close game at the half, Australia surged down the stretch to pull away from Chinese Taipei in the fourth quarter. Shelley produced Australia's best plus-minus (+14) while she was on the floor in the 11-point victory.
Shelley and Australia will be back in action on Tuesday against the Philippines at 10:50 a.m. (CT). A live stream of the game is available to subscribers of ESPN+.
