By: Con Marshall<br>CSC Sports Information

CHADRON, Neb.-- It was bitterly cold outside with a wind chill of minus 20 degrees.  But inside the Chicoine Center at Chadron State College there was a red-hot basketball game Friday night.  It didn't end the way Eagles' fans had hoped, but it seemed to suggest that their favorites can play with the best.

Sparked by buzzer-beating 3-pointers at the end of both the first half and regulation, the Eagles sent the game into overtime, but finally succumbed to Colorado Mesa by a 102-95 score.  The Mavericks came into the shootout ranked No. 11 in NCAA Division II with an 11-2 record and a 7-0 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference mark. 

There're a tall and talented team, but the Eagles have clout, too, as this game proved.   

"We had some opportunities (to win)," Coach Shane Paben said, but he agreed that for at least the last 30 minutes, his team had played extra well.

It was the first 10 minutes that were costly. The Eagles might have won it they'd gotten off to a better start.

Mesa jumped out to a game-high 16-point lead--29-13--while sinking one of its 11 3-pointers with 10:16 left in the opening half.  Chadron State had made just five of its first 15 shots from the field.

Eventually, the Eagles started getting better shots and the ball began to drop.  In the ensuing 10 minutes, the hosts hit 11 of their 18 shots from the field and trailed by just 45-42 at halftime.

Two treys in the final seven seconds of the half helped close the gap. Dalton Peterson hit the first and, following a Mesa turnover, Josh Robinson made the second from the right corner as the buzzer was blaring. 

The buzzer-beater was a surprise to even the loyalist Chadron State fans. Robinson earned first-team All-RMAC honors last year, when he shot 59.2% from the field and averaged 14 points, but he was just one of four on 3-pointers a year ago. So far this year, he was 0-of-2 from behind the arc, but his third shot of the season from afar was nothing but net.

Another of the Eagles' veterans both began and ended the second half with 3-pointers.

Jarrett Taylor opened the half by nailing a trey that tied the score at 48-all. Some 19 minutes and 35 seconds later, the Eagles' John Jenkins was desperately looking for an open teammate, found Taylor at the top of the key, fired the ball and him and the senior guard instantly launched the shot that tied the count at 85 and sent the barn-burner into overtime.

Taylor's shot was so close to the buzzer's blare that the officials studied the video several minutes before declaring that it had indeed left Taylor's hand before the horn sounded.

Mesa opened the extra session with a free throw, before Jenkins made a layup to put Chadron State ahead- 87-86. That turned out to be the Eagles' only overtime lead. The margin was just three points with a minute left, but the Mavericks were 12 of 16 at the free throw line and CSC just four of six there in OT to determine the outcome.

Chadron State's sensational 5-10 senior guard Bryce Latimer was the game's leading scorer with 30 points on nine of 15 shooting from the field and by going 12-14 at the line. He also handed out 10 assists. Jenkins was 10-18 from the field while pouring in 25 points, Robinson scored 17 points and grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds.  Taylor finished with 11 points for the Eagles.

Five Mavericks scored in double digits. Guard Owen Koonce led with 22 points, followed by Mac Riniker with 19 to go with 11 rebounds. Trevor Baskin added 16 points and Elijah Knudsen and Chris Speller had 12 and 11, respectively.

Each team meshed 34 field goals, but Mesa sank 11 treys, three more than the Eagles, and finished 23-33 at the charity stripe while the Eagles were 19-25.

Chadron State is now 8-6 overall and 5-3 in the RMAC. It will host the Westminster Griffons on Saturday night, following the women's game that will begin at 5:30.  

Colorado Mesa—Owen Koonce 22, Mic Riniker 19, Trevor Baskin 16, Elijah Knutsen 12, Chris Speller 11, Christian Speller 7, Aidan Kuhl 6, Isaac Jessup 5, Reece Johnson 2, Ty Allred 2. Totals: 34-64 (11-28) 23-33 103 points, 46 rebounds, 15 turnovers, 16 assists.

Chadron State—Bryce Latimer 30, John Jenkins 25, Josh Robinson 17, Jarrett Taylor 11, Dalton Peterson 5, Jalen Patterson 3, Malakai Harris 2, Julio Phipps 2. Totals: 34-74 (8-24) 19-25 95 points 34 rebounds, 8 turnovers, 19 assists.

Colorado Mesa           45          42         17         ---102

Chadron State             42          43         10         ----95

3-pointers: CMU—Knudson 3, Koonce 2, Baskin 1, Jessup 1, Riniker, 1, Kuhl 1, Knudsen 1, Christian Speller 1, CSC—Taylor 3, Jenkins 2, Robinson 1, Patterson 1, Peterson 1.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705163532951.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>By: Con Marshall<br>CSC Sports Information</p><p>CHADRON, Neb.-- It was bitterly cold outside with a wind chill of minus 20 degrees.  But inside the Chicoine Center at Chadron State College there was a red-hot basketball game Friday night.  It didn't end the way Eagles' fans had hoped, but it seemed to suggest that their favorites can play with the best.</p><p>Sparked by buzzer-beating 3-pointers at the end of both the first half and regulation, the Eagles sent the game into overtime, but finally succumbed to Colorado Mesa by a 102-95 score.  The Mavericks came into the shootout ranked No. 11 in NCAA Division II with an 11-2 record and a 7-0 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference mark. </p><p>There're a tall and talented team, but the Eagles have clout, too, as this game proved.   </p><p>"We had some opportunities (to win)," Coach Shane Paben said, but he agreed that for at least the last 30 minutes, his team had played extra well.</p><p>It was the first 10 minutes that were costly. The Eagles might have won it they'd gotten off to a better start.</p><p>Mesa jumped out to a game-high 16-point lead--29-13--while sinking one of its 11 3-pointers with 10:16 left in the opening half.  Chadron State had made just five of its first 15 shots from the field.</p><p>Eventually, the Eagles started getting better shots and the ball began to drop.  In the ensuing 10 minutes, the hosts hit 11 of their 18 shots from the field and trailed by just 45-42 at halftime.</p><p>Two treys in the final seven seconds of the half helped close the gap. Dalton Peterson hit the first and, following a Mesa turnover, Josh Robinson made the second from the right corner as the buzzer was blaring. </p><p>The buzzer-beater was a surprise to even the loyalist Chadron State fans. Robinson earned first-team All-RMAC honors last year, when he shot 59.2% from the field and averaged 14 points, but he was just one of four on 3-pointers a year ago. So far this year, he was 0-of-2 from behind the arc, but his third shot of the season from afar was nothing but net.</p><p>Another of the Eagles' veterans both began and ended the second half with 3-pointers.</p><p>Jarrett Taylor opened the half by nailing a trey that tied the score at 48-all. Some 19 minutes and 35 seconds later, the Eagles' John Jenkins was desperately looking for an open teammate, found Taylor at the top of the key, fired the ball and him and the senior guard instantly launched the shot that tied the count at 85 and sent the barn-burner into overtime.</p><p>Taylor's shot was so close to the buzzer's blare that the officials studied the video several minutes before declaring that it had indeed left Taylor's hand before the horn sounded.</p><p>Mesa opened the extra session with a free throw, before Jenkins made a layup to put Chadron State ahead- 87-86. That turned out to be the Eagles' only overtime lead. The margin was just three points with a minute left, but the Mavericks were 12 of 16 at the free throw line and CSC just four of six there in OT to determine the outcome.</p><p>Chadron State's sensational 5-10 senior guard Bryce Latimer was the game's leading scorer with 30 points on nine of 15 shooting from the field and by going 12-14 at the line. He also handed out 10 assists. Jenkins was 10-18 from the field while pouring in 25 points, Robinson scored 17 points and grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds.  Taylor finished with 11 points for the Eagles.</p><p>Five Mavericks scored in double digits. Guard Owen Koonce led with 22 points, followed by Mac Riniker with 19 to go with 11 rebounds. Trevor Baskin added 16 points and Elijah Knudsen and Chris Speller had 12 and 11, respectively.</p><p>Each team meshed 34 field goals, but Mesa sank 11 treys, three more than the Eagles, and finished 23-33 at the charity stripe while the Eagles were 19-25.</p><p>Chadron State is now 8-6 overall and 5-3 in the RMAC. It will host the Westminster Griffons on Saturday night, following the women's game that will begin at 5:30.  </p><p>Colorado Mesa—Owen Koonce 22, Mic Riniker 19, Trevor Baskin 16, Elijah Knutsen 12, Chris Speller 11, Christian Speller 7, Aidan Kuhl 6, Isaac Jessup 5, Reece Johnson 2, Ty Allred 2. Totals: 34-64 (11-28) 23-33 103 points, 46 rebounds, 15 turnovers, 16 assists.</p><p>Chadron State—Bryce Latimer 30, John Jenkins 25, Josh Robinson 17, Jarrett Taylor 11, Dalton Peterson 5, Jalen Patterson 3, Malakai Harris 2, Julio Phipps 2. Totals: 34-74 (8-24) 19-25 95 points 34 rebounds, 8 turnovers, 19 assists.</p><p>Colorado Mesa           45          42         17         ---102</p><p>Chadron State             42          43         10         ----95</p><p>3-pointers: CMU—Knudson 3, Koonce 2, Baskin 1, Jessup 1, Riniker, 1, Kuhl 1, Knudsen 1, Christian Speller 1, CSC—Taylor 3, Jenkins 2, Robinson 1, Patterson 1, Peterson 1.</p>

Eagles push #11 Colorado Mesa to overtime Friday

<i>(Results can be found on TrackWrestling.com)</i>

106: Jude Connelly (GERI) over (ALLI) (For.) 113: Frost Wallace (GERI) over Kegan Nelson (ALLI) (Fall 3:16) 120: Isaiah Murillo (GERI) over Trini Trejo (ALLI) (Fall 4:54) 126: Jackson Bailey (ALLI) over Maddox Gardner (GERI) (Fall 3:56) 132: Benjamin Cassatt-Reina (ALLI) over Jayden Roberts (GERI) (Fall 0:58) 138: Jayden Hakert (GERI) over Silas Fancher (ALLI) (Fall 1:52) 144: Raul Ayala (GERI) over Brendan Watt (ALLI) (Dec 7-5) 150: Tate Thompson (ALLI) over Chace Hergenrader (GERI) (Fall 3:55) 157: Rece Knight (GERI) over Jarron Santos (ALLI) (MD 11-3) 165: Che Molina (GERI) over Andrew Fancher (ALLI) (Fall 1:54) 175: David Campos (GERI) over Matthew Moomey (ALLI) (Dec 12-8) 190: Mitchell Moravec (GERI) over Lucas Weber (ALLI) (Fall 3:40) 215: Tyler Cape (GERI) over (ALLI) (For.) 285: Noah Sentelle (GERI) over (ALLI) (For.)&nbsp;

<a href="javascript:openEvent(21)">Bridgeport, NE 56 Sidney, NE 22</a>

<a href="javascript:openEvent(7)">Bridgeport Girls, NE 25 Sidney Girls, NE 24</a>

<p><i>(Results can be found on TrackWrestling.com)</i></p><p>Boys Wrestling Dual: </p><p><b>Gering 58, Alliance 18</b></p><p>106: Jude Connelly (GERI) over (ALLI) (For.) 113: Frost Wallace (GERI) over Kegan Nelson (ALLI) (Fall 3:16) 120: Isaiah Murillo (GERI) over Trini Trejo (ALLI) (Fall 4:54) 126: Jackson Bailey (ALLI) over Maddox Gardner (GERI) (Fall 3:56) 132: Benjamin Cassatt-Reina (ALLI) over Jayden Roberts (GERI) (Fall 0:58) 138: Jayden Hakert (GERI) over Silas Fancher (ALLI) (Fall 1:52) 144: Raul Ayala (GERI) over Brendan Watt (ALLI) (Dec 7-5) 150: Tate Thompson (ALLI) over Chace Hergenrader (GERI) (Fall 3:55) 157: Rece Knight (GERI) over Jarron Santos (ALLI) (MD 11-3) 165: Che Molina (GERI) over Andrew Fancher (ALLI) (Fall 1:54) 175: David Campos (GERI) over Matthew Moomey (ALLI) (Dec 12-8) 190: Mitchell Moravec (GERI) over Lucas Weber (ALLI) (Fall 3:40) 215: Tyler Cape (GERI) over (ALLI) (For.) 285: Noah Sentelle (GERI) over (ALLI) (For.)&nbsp;</p><p>Other scores:</p><p><a href="javascript:openEvent(21)">Bridgeport, NE 56 Sidney, NE 22</a></p><p>Girls scores:</p><p><a href="javascript:openEvent(7)">Bridgeport Girls, NE 25 Sidney Girls, NE 24</a></p>

Alliance Wrestling falls to Gering, Bridgeport tops Sidney

<i>Story by NU Athletic Communications</i>

Lincoln&nbsp;- Jaz Shelley scored a game-high 17 points, while Alexis Markowski added her 10th double-double of the season to power Nebraska to a 56-48 women's basketball win over Illinois on Thursday night at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Shelley, who hit 4-of-7 three-pointers while adding five rebounds and game highs of six assists and five steals, helped the Huskers improve to 4-1 in the Big Ten for the first time since their inaugural season in the conference (2011-12) and 12-4 overall.

Markowski, who leads the Big Ten in both double-doubles and rebounding, contributed 14 points and a game-high 15 rebounds to send Illinois to 0-4 in the conference and 6-8 overall. Nebraska's 6-3 center hit the only field goal of the fourth quarter for the Big Red with 45 seconds left in the game to extend Nebraska's lead to 53-48.&nbsp;

Shelley was also huge down the stretch for the Huskers, hitting a trio of free throws around Markowski's field goal to stretch a 49-48 NU lead to 54-48 with 32 seconds left. Maddie Krull, who finished with seven points, four rebounds and two assists, closed the scoring by sealing the win with a pair of free throws with 22 seconds left.

Until Shelley hit two free throws with 2:33 left, Nebraska had been shut out in the fourth quarter, as Illinois opened the fourth with a 9-0 run after trailing 49-39 heading to the final period.&nbsp;

While Nebraska's offense struggled, its defense was spectacular down the stretch, holding Illinois to just a Makira Cook jump shot with 2:55 left. Cook, who finished with eight points and six turnovers, had the only points for the Illini in the final 5:45, as the Huskers outscored Illinois 7-0 in the final 2:54.

Nebraska led from start to finish, erupting to an 18-4 lead in the opening 7:30 of the game with a pair of three-pointers from Shelley, five points from Krull, including a three, and a three-pointer from Logan Nissley to go along with the first four points of the game inside from Markowski.&nbsp;

Illinois closed the first on a 9-0 run on three three-pointers with two from Genesis Bryant and one from Jada Peebles to trail 18-13 at the end of the opening quarter. Bryant finished with nine points on 3-of-10 three-point shooting for the game, while Peebles added six points on a pair of threes.

Nebraska pushed the lead back to eight points on a three-point play from Natalie Potts with just over six minutes left in the second quarter, only to be held to just a Markowski field goal in the final six minutes. The Huskers still managed to take a 30-29 lead to halftime.

The four-time Big Ten Freshman-of-the-Week Potts then sparked Nebraska by scoring the first five points of the second half to quickly extend NU's lead to 35-29. A pair of Shelley free throws pushed the margin back to double digits at 39-29, and her fourth three-pointer of the game with 44 seconds left in the third quarter gave Nebraska its biggest lead of the half at 49-37.

Brynn Shoup-Hill led Illinois with 14 points, six rebounds and three blocks in arguably her best effort of the season. She hit 4-of-7 three-pointers after entering the game just 1-for-8 from long range in Big Ten play.

She helped the Illini hit 9-of-25 threes (.360), after opening league play just 10-for-47 (.213) from long range through the first three contests. But Nebraska held Illinois to just 8-for-24 (.333) shooting from two-point range and allowed just 5-of-8 free throws to limit the Illini to a season-low 48 points.

Nebraska answered with 20-of-59 shooting (.339), including 6-of-18 threes (.333), while doubling the Illini at the free throw line on 10-of-12 shooting. Nebraska dominated the glass 45-29, including a 12-1 edge on the offensive boards. The Huskers did not allow an offensive rebound to the Illini in the second half. The Big Red also won the turnover battle, 17-16.

The Huskers return to Big Ten road action at Minnesota on Sunday. Tip-off with the Golden Gophers, who are coming off an impressive win over Michigan on Tuesday will have two extra days rest and home-court advantage for the 2 p.m. (CT) tip with the Huskers. A live video stream will be provided for subscribers of B1G+, while fans can access free live audio across the Huskers Sports Network and Huskers.com.

<p><i>Story by NU Athletic Communications</i></p><p>Lincoln&nbsp;- Jaz Shelley scored a game-high 17 points, while Alexis Markowski added her 10th double-double of the season to power Nebraska to a 56-48 women's basketball win over Illinois on Thursday night at Pinnacle Bank Arena.</p><p>Shelley, who hit 4-of-7 three-pointers while adding five rebounds and game highs of six assists and five steals, helped the Huskers improve to 4-1 in the Big Ten for the first time since their inaugural season in the conference (2011-12) and 12-4 overall.</p><p>Markowski, who leads the Big Ten in both double-doubles and rebounding, contributed 14 points and a game-high 15 rebounds to send Illinois to 0-4 in the conference and 6-8 overall. Nebraska's 6-3 center hit the only field goal of the fourth quarter for the Big Red with 45 seconds left in the game to extend Nebraska's lead to 53-48.&nbsp;</p><p>Shelley was also huge down the stretch for the Huskers, hitting a trio of free throws around Markowski's field goal to stretch a 49-48 NU lead to 54-48 with 32 seconds left. Maddie Krull, who finished with seven points, four rebounds and two assists, closed the scoring by sealing the win with a pair of free throws with 22 seconds left.</p><p>Until Shelley hit two free throws with 2:33 left, Nebraska had been shut out in the fourth quarter, as Illinois opened the fourth with a 9-0 run after trailing 49-39 heading to the final period.&nbsp;</p><p>While Nebraska's offense struggled, its defense was spectacular down the stretch, holding Illinois to just a Makira Cook jump shot with 2:55 left. Cook, who finished with eight points and six turnovers, had the only points for the Illini in the final 5:45, as the Huskers outscored Illinois 7-0 in the final 2:54.</p><p>Nebraska led from start to finish, erupting to an 18-4 lead in the opening 7:30 of the game with a pair of three-pointers from Shelley, five points from Krull, including a three, and a three-pointer from Logan Nissley to go along with the first four points of the game inside from Markowski.&nbsp;</p><p>Illinois closed the first on a 9-0 run on three three-pointers with two from Genesis Bryant and one from Jada Peebles to trail 18-13 at the end of the opening quarter. Bryant finished with nine points on 3-of-10 three-point shooting for the game, while Peebles added six points on a pair of threes.</p><p>Nebraska pushed the lead back to eight points on a three-point play from Natalie Potts with just over six minutes left in the second quarter, only to be held to just a Markowski field goal in the final six minutes. The Huskers still managed to take a 30-29 lead to halftime.</p><p>The four-time Big Ten Freshman-of-the-Week Potts then sparked Nebraska by scoring the first five points of the second half to quickly extend NU's lead to 35-29. A pair of Shelley free throws pushed the margin back to double digits at 39-29, and her fourth three-pointer of the game with 44 seconds left in the third quarter gave Nebraska its biggest lead of the half at 49-37.</p><p>Brynn Shoup-Hill led Illinois with 14 points, six rebounds and three blocks in arguably her best effort of the season. She hit 4-of-7 three-pointers after entering the game just 1-for-8 from long range in Big Ten play.</p><p>She helped the Illini hit 9-of-25 threes (.360), after opening league play just 10-for-47 (.213) from long range through the first three contests. But Nebraska held Illinois to just 8-for-24 (.333) shooting from two-point range and allowed just 5-of-8 free throws to limit the Illini to a season-low 48 points.</p><p>Nebraska answered with 20-of-59 shooting (.339), including 6-of-18 threes (.333), while doubling the Illini at the free throw line on 10-of-12 shooting. Nebraska dominated the glass 45-29, including a 12-1 edge on the offensive boards. The Huskers did not allow an offensive rebound to the Illini in the second half. The Big Red also won the turnover battle, 17-16.</p><p>The Huskers return to Big Ten road action at Minnesota on Sunday. Tip-off with the Golden Gophers, who are coming off an impressive win over Michigan on Tuesday will have two extra days rest and home-court advantage for the 2 p.m. (CT) tip with the Huskers. A live video stream will be provided for subscribers of B1G+, while fans can access free live audio across the Huskers Sports Network and Huskers.com.</p>

Defense carries Huskers to win over Illinois

Alex Benzegala, News/Sports Director at Panhandle Post, discusses broadcast career, broadcasting at his hometown radio station as a 14-year-old, college career and journey to KCOW. Listen to the interview with Jason Wentworth and Kalin Krohe above.

<div><iframe title="POST PODCAST: Meet Alex Benzegala, News and Sports Director" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=v7y7q-1548f33-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=2&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=5" loading="lazy"></iframe></div><p>Alex Benzegala, News/Sports Director at Panhandle Post, discusses broadcast career, broadcasting at his hometown radio station as a 14-year-old, college career and journey to KCOW. Listen to the interview with Jason Wentworth and Kalin Krohe above.</p>

POST PODCAST: Meet Alex Benzegala, News and Sports Director

The No. 4 Nebraska wrestling (5-0, 0-0 Big Ten) will take on the No. 2 Iowa Hawkeyes on Friday night at the Devaney Center in a Top Five Matchup. The dual begins at 6:30pm and will be televised nationally on BTN, with Tim Johnson and Shane Sparks on the call. &nbsp;

Iowa (5-0, 0-0 Big Ten) enters Friday’s dual with a recent strong performance at the Soldier Salute and a pair of dual victories over Penn and Columbia. The Hawkeyes’ projected lineup features six wrestlers ranked inside the Top 15 of their weight class: No. 5 Drake Ayala (125), No. 7 Brody Teske (133), No. 1 Real Woods (141), No. 12 Caleb Rathjen (149), No. 2 Jared Franek (157) and No. 7 Michael Caliendo (165).&nbsp;

Competition will be fierce as four of the 10 bouts potentially feature Top 15 matchups. Nine Huskers enter the weekend ranked in the Top 30, led by No. 1 Ridge Lovett (149), No. 3 Peyton Robb (157) and Lenny Pinto (184), and No. 7 Caleb Smith (125) and Brock Hardy (141). This group boasts a collective 63-9 record and has scored 77 dual points for the Big Red this season. &nbsp;

<b>History:&nbsp;</b>Nebraska and Iowa meet for the 35th time in series history. The Hawkeyes lead the all-time series 26-7-1 and have won the last 14 matchups between the teams. The Big Red last defeated Iowa on Jan. 14, 2006, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, 24-13. &nbsp;

<b>Last Time Out:&nbsp;</b>The Huskers collected two dual wins over Wyoming and UNI on Saturday at the Devaney Center in front of 2,503 fans.&nbsp;

<b>Up Next:&nbsp;</b>Nebraska will face Minnesota on the road, Friday, Jan. 19, at 9 p.m. CT on BTN, before returning home to host Purdue on Sunday, Jan. 21, at 1 p.m. CT on B1G+. &nbsp;

<b>Nebraska’s Projected Lineup:</b>125 – No. 7 Caleb Smith (14-2)133 – Kyle Burwick (3-2) or No. 30 Jacob Van Dee (11-5)141 – No. 7 Brock Hardy (10-4)149 – No. 1 Ridge Lovett (14-0)157 – No. 3 Peyton Robb (14-1)165 – No. 19 Antrell Taylor (11-1)174 – No. 30 Bubba Wilson (9-4) or Elise Brown Ton (17-6)184 – No. 3 Lenny Pinto (11-2)197 – No. 11 Silas Allred (13-3)HWT – Harley Andrews (8-9) or Nash Hutmacher (1-0)&nbsp;

<b>Iowa’s Projected Lineup:</b>125 – No. 5 Drake Ayala (13-1)133 – No. 7 Brody Teske (8-2)141 – No. 1 Real Woods (9-0)149 – No. 12 Caleb Rathjen (10-1)157 – No. 2 Jared Franek (14-0)165 – No. 7 Michael Caliendo (13-1)174 – Patrick Kennedy (5-2)184 – Aiden Riggins (9-6)197 – No. 16 Zach Glazier (13-0)HWT – Bradley Hill (12-4)&nbsp;

<p><i>Story by NU Athletic Communications</i></p><p>The No. 4 Nebraska wrestling (5-0, 0-0 Big Ten) will take on the No. 2 Iowa Hawkeyes on Friday night at the Devaney Center in a Top Five Matchup. The dual begins at 6:30pm and will be televised nationally on BTN, with Tim Johnson and Shane Sparks on the call. &nbsp;</p><p>Iowa (5-0, 0-0 Big Ten) enters Friday’s dual with a recent strong performance at the Soldier Salute and a pair of dual victories over Penn and Columbia. The Hawkeyes’ projected lineup features six wrestlers ranked inside the Top 15 of their weight class: No. 5 Drake Ayala (125), No. 7 Brody Teske (133), No. 1 Real Woods (141), No. 12 Caleb Rathjen (149), No. 2 Jared Franek (157) and No. 7 Michael Caliendo (165).&nbsp;</p><p>Competition will be fierce as four of the 10 bouts potentially feature Top 15 matchups. Nine Huskers enter the weekend ranked in the Top 30, led by No. 1 Ridge Lovett (149), No. 3 Peyton Robb (157) and Lenny Pinto (184), and No. 7 Caleb Smith (125) and Brock Hardy (141). This group boasts a collective 63-9 record and has scored 77 dual points for the Big Red this season. &nbsp;</p><p><b>History:&nbsp;</b>Nebraska and Iowa meet for the 35th time in series history. The Hawkeyes lead the all-time series 26-7-1 and have won the last 14 matchups between the teams. The Big Red last defeated Iowa on Jan. 14, 2006, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, 24-13. &nbsp;</p><p><b>Last Time Out:&nbsp;</b>The Huskers collected two dual wins over Wyoming and UNI on Saturday at the Devaney Center in front of 2,503 fans.&nbsp;</p><p><b>Up Next:&nbsp;</b>Nebraska will face Minnesota on the road, Friday, Jan. 19, at 9 p.m. CT on BTN, before returning home to host Purdue on Sunday, Jan. 21, at 1 p.m. CT on B1G+. &nbsp;</p><p><b>Nebraska’s Projected Lineup:</b>125 – No. 7 Caleb Smith (14-2)133 – Kyle Burwick (3-2) or No. 30 Jacob Van Dee (11-5)141 – No. 7 Brock Hardy (10-4)149 – No. 1 Ridge Lovett (14-0)157 – No. 3 Peyton Robb (14-1)165 – No. 19 Antrell Taylor (11-1)174 – No. 30 Bubba Wilson (9-4) or Elise Brown Ton (17-6)184 – No. 3 Lenny Pinto (11-2)197 – No. 11 Silas Allred (13-3)HWT – Harley Andrews (8-9) or Nash Hutmacher (1-0)&nbsp;</p><p><b>Iowa’s Projected Lineup:</b>125 – No. 5 Drake Ayala (13-1)133 – No. 7 Brody Teske (8-2)141 – No. 1 Real Woods (9-0)149 – No. 12 Caleb Rathjen (10-1)157 – No. 2 Jared Franek (14-0)165 – No. 7 Michael Caliendo (13-1)174 – Patrick Kennedy (5-2)184 – Aiden Riggins (9-6)197 – No. 16 Zach Glazier (13-0)HWT – Bradley Hill (12-4)&nbsp;</p><p><b>Top Matchups to Watch: &nbsp;</b></p><ul>
                        <li>125: No. 5 Drake Ayala (IOWA) vs. No. 7 Caleb Smith (NEB); Ayala won the pair’s last matchup in 2022 at the Southern Scuffle, 5-2<b>&nbsp;</b></li><li>141: No. 1 Real Woods (IOWA) vs. No. 7 Brock Hardy (NEB); Woods won all three matches between the wrestlers last season&nbsp;<b>&nbsp;</b></li><li>157: No. 2 Jared Franek (IOWA) vs. No. 3 Peyton Robb (NEB); Robb won the first matchup between the two in the season opener, but Franek defeated Robb at the NCAA Championships<b>&nbsp;</b></li>
                    </ul>

#4 NU hosts #2 Iowa on BTN 

Chadron State's Kylie Krise hit SEVEN threes in CSC's first win at MSU-Denver in 20+ years! She visits with Voice of the Eagles Dave Collins about the game, growing up in a family of eight children in small-town Colorado, making basketball videos on Twitter and helping out with the elderly.

<div><iframe title="CSC Sports Journal - Kylie Krise, 1/10/23" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=ha86j-15476d6-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1b1b1b&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=c73a3a" loading="lazy"></iframe></div><p>Chadron State's Kylie Krise hit SEVEN threes in CSC's first win at MSU-Denver in 20+ years! She visits with Voice of the Eagles Dave Collins about the game, growing up in a family of eight children in small-town Colorado, making basketball videos on Twitter and helping out with the elderly.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704908731119.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure>

🎙PODCAST: CSC Sports Journal - 🏀WBB with Kylie Krise, 1/10/23

<i>By Alyssa Peters<br>Chadron Sharks</i>

<i><b>Deadwood Swimming Invitational</b></i>

In their last meet on the road before their first home meet, seven members of the Chadron Sharks Swim Team (CSST) traveled to Deadwood, SD January 6-7, 2024, as 159 swimmers competed in the 2024 Deadwood Swimming Invitational. The Sharks continued make their mark in the area’s swimming community, swimming against teams from Buffalo (BSC), Converse County (CCW), and Newcastle (NSST), WY; Spearfish (GOLD), Deadwood/Lead (DL76), Fall River (FRST), Rapid City (RST), and Sturgis (SSR), SD; and Scottsbluff (SBSC), NE.

Meet Results (* denotes State-qualifying time for Chadron Swimmer)

Fabiola Benitez-Socarras (11 years old): 50 Yard Backstroke – DQ; 100 Yard Freestyle – 1:55.49 (-8.04 seconds), 15th place; 50 Yard Breaststroke – 54.57 (-0.56 seconds), 13th place; 100 Yard Individual Medley – 2:11.71 (-7.98 seconds), 11th place; 100 Yard Backstroke – 2:04.11 (-1.43 seconds), 11th place; 50 Yard Freestyle – 47.68 (-1.68 seconds), 16th place; 100 Yard Breaststroke - DQ

Rex Ritterbush (14): 200 Yard Backstroke – 4:14.11, 4th place; 100 Yard Freestyle – 1:37.29, 14th place; 200 Yard Breaststroke – 4:18.54, 6th place; 100 Yard Backstroke – 1:50.32, 5th place; 50 Yard Freestyle – 40.94 (-5.46 seconds), 8th place; 100 Yard Breaststroke – 1:58.34, 7th place

Carter Peters (14): 100 Yard Butterfly - 1:11.61 (-5.91 seconds), 4th place; 200 Yard Backstroke – 2:38.42 (-11.46 seconds), 1st place; 100 Yard Freestyle – 58.93* (-2.41 seconds), 5th place; 200 Yard Breaststroke – 3:01.54 (-5.13 seconds), 4th place; 200 Yard Freestyle – 2:15.18* (-20.32 seconds), 3rd place; 100 Yard Backstroke – 1:11.11* (-4.39 seconds), 1st place; 50 Yard Freestyle – 25.91* (-1.96 seconds), 1st place; 100 Yard Breaststroke – 1:19.81* (-3.38 seconds), 4th place; 200 Yard Individual Medley – 2:45.63, 3rd place

Valeria Benitez-Socarras (15): 200 Yard Backstroke – 3:05.54 (-5.78 seconds), 3rd place; 100 Yard Freestyle – 1:15.86, 4th place; 200 Yard Breaststroke – 3:42.02, 2nd place; 100 yard Individual Medley – 1:25.29 (-3.58 seconds), 3rd place; 200 Yard Freestyle – 2:56.52, 3rd place; 100 Yard Backstroke – 1:24.49 (-3.74 seconds), 5th place; 50 Yard Freestyle – 32.48, 6th place; 100 Yard Breaststroke – 1:42.74, 4th place

Raylie Pourier (16): 100 Yard Butterfly – 1:15.31 (-1.38 seconds), 2nd place; 100 Yard Freestyle – 1:07.52* 2nd place; 200 Yard Breaststroke – 3:27.39, 1st place; 200 Yard Freestyle – 2:37.98 (-3.49 seconds), 2nd place; 100 Yard Backstroke – 1:19.29, 4th place; 50 Yard Freestyle – 30.31*, 4th place; 100 Yard Breaststroke – 1:31.85, 3rd place

Jessalinn Dieriex (17): 100 Yard Butterfly – 2:18.82, 2nd place; 100 Yard Freestyle – 1:31.83 (-3.61 seconds), 4th place; 1650 Yard Freestyle – 34:37.79, 4th place; 200 Yard Freestyle – 3:33.55, 3rd place; 100 Yard Backstroke – 1:55.74 (-2.41 seconds), 4th place; 50 yard Freestyle – 42.02, 5th place; 500 Yard Freestyle – 9:27.84 (-12.62 seconds), 2nd place

Kenzie Pourier (17): 100 Yard Butterfly – 1:39.69, 1st place; 200 yard Backstroke – 3:14.79, 3rd place; 100 Yard Freestyle – 1:20.28, 3rd place; 200 yard Breaststroke – 4:00.74, 2nd place; 200 Yard Freestyle – 2:55.51, 2nd place; 100 yard Backstroke – 1:27.61, 3rd place; 50 Yard Freestyle – 35.90, 4th place; 100 Yard Breaststroke – 1:48.99, 3rd place

The Sharks will have their first home meet at the Chadron Aquatic Center on January 13-14, 2024, and will be hosting teams from Scottsbluff, NE; Fall River and Sturgis, SD; and Buffalo, WY and expect around 70 swimmers to compete. The public is invited to watch, and there is no fee for spectators. Saturday will begin at 2:15 pm and Sunday will begin at 9:15 am.

<p><i>By Alyssa Peters<br>Chadron Sharks</i></p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704935622714.jpeg" alt="Rex Ritterbush swims Freestyle in Deadwood" />
                        <figcaption>Rex Ritterbush swims Freestyle in Deadwood</figcaption>
                    </figure><p><i><b>Deadwood Swimming Invitational</b></i></p><p>In their last meet on the road before their first home meet, seven members of the Chadron Sharks Swim Team (CSST) traveled to Deadwood, SD January 6-7, 2024, as 159 swimmers competed in the 2024 Deadwood Swimming Invitational. The Sharks continued make their mark in the area’s swimming community, swimming against teams from Buffalo (BSC), Converse County (CCW), and Newcastle (NSST), WY; Spearfish (GOLD), Deadwood/Lead (DL76), Fall River (FRST), Rapid City (RST), and Sturgis (SSR), SD; and Scottsbluff (SBSC), NE.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704935737273.jpeg" alt="Chadron Sharks Swim Team back row l-r: Coach Barb McCartney, Carter Peters, Valeria Benitez-Socarrás, a Raylie Pourier, Jessalinn Dieriex, Rex Ritterbush. Front row l-r: Fabiola Benitez-Soccarás, Kenzie Pourier" />
                        <figcaption>Chadron Sharks Swim Team back row l-r: Coach Barb McCartney, Carter Peters, Valeria Benitez-Socarrás, a Raylie Pourier, Jessalinn Dieriex, Rex Ritterbush. Front row l-r: Fabiola Benitez-Soccarás, Kenzie Pourier</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Meet Results (* denotes State-qualifying time for Chadron Swimmer)</p><p>11-12 Women</p><p>Fabiola Benitez-Socarras (11 years old): 50 Yard Backstroke – DQ; 100 Yard Freestyle – 1:55.49 (-8.04 seconds), 15th place; 50 Yard Breaststroke – 54.57 (-0.56 seconds), 13th place; 100 Yard Individual Medley – 2:11.71 (-7.98 seconds), 11th place; 100 Yard Backstroke – 2:04.11 (-1.43 seconds), 11th place; 50 Yard Freestyle – 47.68 (-1.68 seconds), 16th place; 100 Yard Breaststroke - DQ</p><p>13-14 Men</p><p>Rex Ritterbush (14): 200 Yard Backstroke – 4:14.11, 4th place; 100 Yard Freestyle – 1:37.29, 14th place; 200 Yard Breaststroke – 4:18.54, 6th place; 100 Yard Backstroke – 1:50.32, 5th place; 50 Yard Freestyle – 40.94 (-5.46 seconds), 8th place; 100 Yard Breaststroke – 1:58.34, 7th place</p><p>Carter Peters (14): 100 Yard Butterfly - 1:11.61 (-5.91 seconds), 4th place; 200 Yard Backstroke – 2:38.42 (-11.46 seconds), 1st place; 100 Yard Freestyle – 58.93* (-2.41 seconds), 5th place; 200 Yard Breaststroke – 3:01.54 (-5.13 seconds), 4th place; 200 Yard Freestyle – 2:15.18* (-20.32 seconds), 3rd place; 100 Yard Backstroke – 1:11.11* (-4.39 seconds), 1st place; 50 Yard Freestyle – 25.91* (-1.96 seconds), 1st place; 100 Yard Breaststroke – 1:19.81* (-3.38 seconds), 4th place; 200 Yard Individual Medley – 2:45.63, 3rd place</p><p>15-16 Women</p><p>Valeria Benitez-Socarras (15): 200 Yard Backstroke – 3:05.54 (-5.78 seconds), 3rd place; 100 Yard Freestyle – 1:15.86, 4th place; 200 Yard Breaststroke – 3:42.02, 2nd place; 100 yard Individual Medley – 1:25.29 (-3.58 seconds), 3rd place; 200 Yard Freestyle – 2:56.52, 3rd place; 100 Yard Backstroke – 1:24.49 (-3.74 seconds), 5th place; 50 Yard Freestyle – 32.48, 6th place; 100 Yard Breaststroke – 1:42.74, 4th place</p><p>Raylie Pourier (16): 100 Yard Butterfly – 1:15.31 (-1.38 seconds), 2nd place; 100 Yard Freestyle – 1:07.52* 2nd place; 200 Yard Breaststroke – 3:27.39, 1st place; 200 Yard Freestyle – 2:37.98 (-3.49 seconds), 2nd place; 100 Yard Backstroke – 1:19.29, 4th place; 50 Yard Freestyle – 30.31*, 4th place; 100 Yard Breaststroke – 1:31.85, 3rd place</p><p>17-18 Women</p><p>Jessalinn Dieriex (17): 100 Yard Butterfly – 2:18.82, 2nd place; 100 Yard Freestyle – 1:31.83 (-3.61 seconds), 4th place; 1650 Yard Freestyle – 34:37.79, 4th place; 200 Yard Freestyle – 3:33.55, 3rd place; 100 Yard Backstroke – 1:55.74 (-2.41 seconds), 4th place; 50 yard Freestyle – 42.02, 5th place; 500 Yard Freestyle – 9:27.84 (-12.62 seconds), 2nd place</p><p>Kenzie Pourier (17): 100 Yard Butterfly – 1:39.69, 1st place; 200 yard Backstroke – 3:14.79, 3rd place; 100 Yard Freestyle – 1:20.28, 3rd place; 200 yard Breaststroke – 4:00.74, 2nd place; 200 Yard Freestyle – 2:55.51, 2nd place; 100 yard Backstroke – 1:27.61, 3rd place; 50 Yard Freestyle – 35.90, 4th place; 100 Yard Breaststroke – 1:48.99, 3rd place</p><p>The Sharks will have their first home meet at the Chadron Aquatic Center on January 13-14, 2024, and will be hosting teams from Scottsbluff, NE; Fall River and Sturgis, SD; and Buffalo, WY and expect around 70 swimmers to compete. The public is invited to watch, and there is no fee for spectators. Saturday will begin at 2:15 pm and Sunday will begin at 9:15 am.</p>

Chadron Sharks youth swim team excels at Deadwood Invite

<b>🏀 High School Scoreboard - Tuesday, January 10</b>

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607522801220.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p><b>🏀 High School Scoreboard - Tuesday, January 10</b></p><p><b>GIRLS</b></p><p>Bayard 58, Morrill 37</p><p>Bridgeport 72, Burns, WY 37</p><p>Chadron 66, Hemingford 16</p><p>Garden County 47, Minatare 24</p><p>Gordon-Rushville 40, Hay Springs 37</p><p>Kimball 40, Potter-Dix 24</p><p>Sidney 71, Mitchell 14</p><p><b>BOYS</b></p><p>Bridgeport 76, Burns, WY 36</p><p>Chadron 60, Hemingford 31</p><p>Creek Valley 34, Sioux County 31</p><p>Hay Springs 69, Gordon-Rushville 33</p><p>Kimball 68, Potter-Dix 31</p><p>Minatare 50, Garden County 46</p><p>Morrill 63, Bayard 31</p><p>Sidney 61, Mitchell 34</p>

🏀 High School Scoreboard - Tuesday, January 10

Behind a blistering shooting night from 3-point range, Nebraska stunned No. 1 Purdue, 88-72, Tuesday night at Pinnacle Bank Arena,&nbsp;

The Huskers (13-3, 3-2 Big Ten) shot 60.9 percent from 3-point range, including five from Keisei Tominanga, who led four Huskers in double figures with 19 points.&nbsp;

The win was just the fourth time Nebraska has knocked off a No. 1 team and first since Feb 6, 1982. NU had lost its last 11 games against a No. 1 team, although Purdue was the first No. 1 team to play in Lincoln since 2002.&nbsp;

Rienk Mast added 18 points while C.J. Wilcher and Juwan Gary added 16, and 12 points, respectively. Mast help limit reigning national player of the year Zach Edey to 15 points and seven rebounds. &nbsp;Brice Williams nearly posted a triple double with nine points, 11 rebounds and a career-high nine assists, as Nebraska had 22 assists and just nine turnovers.&nbsp;

Nebraska trailed 28-25 with 4:15 left in the half before taking control of the contest. NU outscored Purdue, 16-2 to close the half, including the final 11 points highlighted by back-to-back 3-pointers from Tominaga and seven straight points from Sam Hoiberg off the bench to give the Huskers a 41-30 halftime lead.&nbsp;

The Huskers would never trail again but had to withstand several Purdue spurts in the second half. The Boilermakers hit eight of their first nine shots after halftime and pulled within 54-52 after an Edey basket with 13:24 remaining.

Nebraska responded a run of its own, as Wilcher scored eight of his 16 points in an 11-0 spurt over the next 1:31 as his second 3-pointer of the run gave NU a 65-52 lead with 11:53 left. Purdue eventually got within 68-62 after a Lance Jones basket, but a Wilcher 3 and a Gary layup stretched the lead to 11 and NU kept the Boilermakers at bay the rest of the night.&nbsp;

Mason Gillis led Purdue (14-2, 3-2) with 16 points off the bench, including 5-of-10 from 3-point range to lead five Boilermakers in double figures.&nbsp;

Nebraska hits the road to continue Big Ten play, taking on Iowa on Friday, Jan. 12 at 8:30 p.m. (CT) at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. The game is set to be televised on the Big Ten Network, with radio coverage provided by Huskers Radio Network.

<p><i>Story by NU Athletic Communications</i></p><p>Behind a blistering shooting night from 3-point range, Nebraska stunned No. 1 Purdue, 88-72, Tuesday night at Pinnacle Bank Arena,&nbsp;</p><p>The Huskers (13-3, 3-2 Big Ten) shot 60.9 percent from 3-point range, including five from Keisei Tominanga, who led four Huskers in double figures with 19 points.&nbsp;</p><p>The win was just the fourth time Nebraska has knocked off a No. 1 team and first since Feb 6, 1982. NU had lost its last 11 games against a No. 1 team, although Purdue was the first No. 1 team to play in Lincoln since 2002.&nbsp;</p><p>Rienk Mast added 18 points while C.J. Wilcher and Juwan Gary added 16, and 12 points, respectively. Mast help limit reigning national player of the year Zach Edey to 15 points and seven rebounds. &nbsp;Brice Williams nearly posted a triple double with nine points, 11 rebounds and a career-high nine assists, as Nebraska had 22 assists and just nine turnovers.&nbsp;</p><p>Nebraska trailed 28-25 with 4:15 left in the half before taking control of the contest. NU outscored Purdue, 16-2 to close the half, including the final 11 points highlighted by back-to-back 3-pointers from Tominaga and seven straight points from Sam Hoiberg off the bench to give the Huskers a 41-30 halftime lead.&nbsp;</p><p>The Huskers would never trail again but had to withstand several Purdue spurts in the second half. The Boilermakers hit eight of their first nine shots after halftime and pulled within 54-52 after an Edey basket with 13:24 remaining.</p><p>Nebraska responded a run of its own, as Wilcher scored eight of his 16 points in an 11-0 spurt over the next 1:31 as his second 3-pointer of the run gave NU a 65-52 lead with 11:53 left. Purdue eventually got within 68-62 after a Lance Jones basket, but a Wilcher 3 and a Gary layup stretched the lead to 11 and NU kept the Boilermakers at bay the rest of the night.&nbsp;</p><p>Mason Gillis led Purdue (14-2, 3-2) with 16 points off the bench, including 5-of-10 from 3-point range to lead five Boilermakers in double figures.&nbsp;</p><p>Nebraska hits the road to continue Big Ten play, taking on Iowa on Friday, Jan. 12 at 8:30 p.m. (CT) at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. The game is set to be televised on the Big Ten Network, with radio coverage provided by Huskers Radio Network.</p>

Huskers take down #1 Purdue

By: John Murphy<br>CSC Sports Information Director

CHADRON, Neb. -- Danny Woodhead, a Chadron State Football running back from 2004-07, has been selected as a member of the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame Class, The National Football Foundation and ESPN announced on Monday.

Woodhead is undoubtedly the most successful and well-known football player that Nebraska has produced in the 21st Century.  Now he's the first Chadron State College football player going into the College Football Hall of Fame

Although just 5-8, 185 pounds when he arrived at Chadron State in the fall of 2004, he had already come up big in everything he had done athletically.  As a senior at North Platte High School when he rushed for 2,037 yards and 31 touchdowns, he was the Nebraska Gatorade Football Player of the Year, offensive captain of both the Omaha World-Herald's and Lincoln Journal Star's all-class, all-state football teams and was Huskerland Report's Player of the Year. 

Since both of Woodhead's parents, Mark and Annette, were Chadron State graduates and older brother Ben was a senior wide receiver on the CSC team, the Eagles had an inside track in landing him. 

Danny didn't start the first game his freshman year, but he clinched the starting job in the third game when he rushed for a school-record 306 yards and scored five touchdowns. It launched a fantastic career. He would rush for 300-plus yards three more times, set the NCAA II record for most 200-yard or more games (19), score touchdowns in 38 consecutive games and romp at least 50 yards to the end zone 21 times.

He became college football's all-time leading rusher with 7,962 yards, rolled up 9,480 all-purpose yards and scored 109 touchdowns (tying him for the most in college football annals), helping him win two Harlon Hill Trophies, which go to Division II's outstanding player.

In addition, Woodhead was NCAA Division II's National Scholar-Athlete as a senior in 2007 and graduated with a 3.72 GPA as a health and physical education and math major. Two years later, he was voted the RMAC's All-Time Outstanding Offensive Player when its All-Century Team was selected.  He was inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 2018.

He was not drafted by an NFL team in the spring of 2008, but ended up enjoying a 10-year career in the National Football League.

After playing in 11 games for the New York Jets before being released, the Patriots quickly nabbed him and he played for them the next three years, rushing for 547 yards and five touchdowns in 2010 and catching a TD pass from Tom Brady in Super Bowl XLVI in 2012.

The next four years he was an all-purpose back for the San Diego (now Los Angeles) Chargers.  He also was an invaluable piece of Philip Rivers' arsenal.  He caught 76 passes for 605 yards and six touchdowns his first year there in 2013.

After missing most of the 2014 season, he returned in 2015 for another excellent season, grabbing 80 passes for 755 yards and 6 TDs and also rushing for 336 yards and three more scores. Another ACL injury in the second game ended his 2016 season.

The following winter, he signed a three-year contract with Baltimore, but injuries allowed him to play only eight games for the Ravens and he retired in early 2018. During his NFL career, he played in 101 games, rushed 517 times for 2,238 yards, caught 300 passes for 2,698 yards and scored 32 touchdowns.

During his farewell message, the media reported that the ever-gracious Woodhead thanked God, his family, his agent, his former coaches, singling them out by name, his former high school, college and NFL teammates and the medical personnel who had helped him along the way.

Woodhead, who was inducted into CSC's Hall of Fame this year, will officially be inducted into the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame Class on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at the 66th National Football Foundation Annual Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704828411645.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>By: John Murphy<br>CSC Sports Information Director</p><p>CHADRON, Neb. -- Danny Woodhead, a Chadron State Football running back from 2004-07, has been selected as a member of the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame Class, The National Football Foundation and ESPN announced on Monday.</p><p>Woodhead is undoubtedly the most successful and well-known football player that Nebraska has produced in the 21st Century.  Now he's the first Chadron State College football player going into the College Football Hall of Fame</p><p>Although just 5-8, 185 pounds when he arrived at Chadron State in the fall of 2004, he had already come up big in everything he had done athletically.  As a senior at North Platte High School when he rushed for 2,037 yards and 31 touchdowns, he was the Nebraska Gatorade Football Player of the Year, offensive captain of both the Omaha World-Herald's and Lincoln Journal Star's all-class, all-state football teams and was Huskerland Report's Player of the Year. </p><p>Since both of Woodhead's parents, Mark and Annette, were Chadron State graduates and older brother Ben was a senior wide receiver on the CSC team, the Eagles had an inside track in landing him. </p><p>Danny didn't start the first game his freshman year, but he clinched the starting job in the third game when he rushed for a school-record 306 yards and scored five touchdowns. It launched a fantastic career. He would rush for 300-plus yards three more times, set the NCAA II record for most 200-yard or more games (19), score touchdowns in 38 consecutive games and romp at least 50 yards to the end zone 21 times.</p><p>He became college football's all-time leading rusher with 7,962 yards, rolled up 9,480 all-purpose yards and scored 109 touchdowns (tying him for the most in college football annals), helping him win two Harlon Hill Trophies, which go to Division II's outstanding player.</p><p>In addition, Woodhead was NCAA Division II's National Scholar-Athlete as a senior in 2007 and graduated with a 3.72 GPA as a health and physical education and math major. Two years later, he was voted the RMAC's All-Time Outstanding Offensive Player when its All-Century Team was selected.  He was inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 2018.</p><p>He was not drafted by an NFL team in the spring of 2008, but ended up enjoying a 10-year career in the National Football League.</p><p>After playing in 11 games for the New York Jets before being released, the Patriots quickly nabbed him and he played for them the next three years, rushing for 547 yards and five touchdowns in 2010 and catching a TD pass from Tom Brady in Super Bowl XLVI in 2012.</p><p>The next four years he was an all-purpose back for the San Diego (now Los Angeles) Chargers.  He also was an invaluable piece of Philip Rivers' arsenal.  He caught 76 passes for 605 yards and six touchdowns his first year there in 2013.</p><p>After missing most of the 2014 season, he returned in 2015 for another excellent season, grabbing 80 passes for 755 yards and 6 TDs and also rushing for 336 yards and three more scores. Another ACL injury in the second game ended his 2016 season.</p><p>The following winter, he signed a three-year contract with Baltimore, but injuries allowed him to play only eight games for the Ravens and he retired in early 2018. During his NFL career, he played in 101 games, rushed 517 times for 2,238 yards, caught 300 passes for 2,698 yards and scored 32 touchdowns.</p><p>During his farewell message, the media reported that the ever-gracious Woodhead thanked God, his family, his agent, his former coaches, singling them out by name, his former high school, college and NFL teammates and the medical personnel who had helped him along the way.</p><p>Woodhead, who was inducted into CSC's Hall of Fame this year, will officially be inducted into the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame Class on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at the 66th National Football Foundation Annual Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada.</p>

CSC legend Danny Woodhead to be inducted into College Football Hall of Fame

Nebraska's Natalie Potts captured her fourth Big Ten Freshman of the Week award, when the conference announced its weekly winners on Monday, Jan. 8.

The 6-2 forward from O'Fallon, Mo., averaged 12.5, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.0 steals for the Huskers last week.&nbsp;

In Thursday's victory at Wisconsin, Potts powered the Huskers with 16 second-half points to help Nebraska improve to 3-0 in the Big Ten for the first time since 2011-12. She added five rebounds and a career-high three steals against the Badgers.

Potts added nine points, four rebounds and a career-high four assists against No. 14 Indiana on Sunday.

For the season, Potts leads Big Ten freshmen in both scoring (11.5 ppg) and rebounding (5.9 rpg) while hitting 72.1 percent of her two-point field goals and 81.1 percent of her free throws.

Through eight weeks of the Big Ten distributing awards, no other conference freshman has claimed more than one league honor.

In addition to the recognition for Potts, Nebraska junior center Alexis Markowski earned her fifth selection of the season to the Big Ten Weekly Honor Roll. Only Iowa's Caitlin Clark has been honored by the conference more frequently than Markowski and Potts this season.

Markowski, Potts and the Huskers (11-4, 3-1 Big Ten) return to conference home action on Thursday when they take on Illinois. Tip-off between Nebraska and the Fighting Illini at Pinnacle Bank Arena is set for 7 p.m. with tickets available now at Huskers.com. The game will be televised live by BTN.

Natalie Potts Big Ten Freshman of the Week AwardsNov. 13, Nov. 27, Dec. 11, Jan. 8

Alexis Markowski Big Ten Weekly Honor RollNov. 13, Nov. 20, Dec. 4, Jan. 2, Jan. 8

Jaz Shelley Big Ten Weekly Honor RollDec. 11

<p><i>Story by NU Athletic Communications</i></p><p>Nebraska's Natalie Potts captured her fourth Big Ten Freshman of the Week award, when the conference announced its weekly winners on Monday, Jan. 8.</p><p>The 6-2 forward from O'Fallon, Mo., averaged 12.5, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.0 steals for the Huskers last week.&nbsp;</p><p>In Thursday's victory at Wisconsin, Potts powered the Huskers with 16 second-half points to help Nebraska improve to 3-0 in the Big Ten for the first time since 2011-12. She added five rebounds and a career-high three steals against the Badgers.</p><p>Potts added nine points, four rebounds and a career-high four assists against No. 14 Indiana on Sunday.</p><p>For the season, Potts leads Big Ten freshmen in both scoring (11.5 ppg) and rebounding (5.9 rpg) while hitting 72.1 percent of her two-point field goals and 81.1 percent of her free throws.</p><p>Through eight weeks of the Big Ten distributing awards, no other conference freshman has claimed more than one league honor.</p><p>In addition to the recognition for Potts, Nebraska junior center Alexis Markowski earned her fifth selection of the season to the Big Ten Weekly Honor Roll. Only Iowa's Caitlin Clark has been honored by the conference more frequently than Markowski and Potts this season.</p><p>Markowski, Potts and the Huskers (11-4, 3-1 Big Ten) return to conference home action on Thursday when they take on Illinois. Tip-off between Nebraska and the Fighting Illini at Pinnacle Bank Arena is set for 7 p.m. with tickets available now at Huskers.com. The game will be televised live by BTN.</p><p>Natalie Potts Big Ten Freshman of the Week AwardsNov. 13, Nov. 27, Dec. 11, Jan. 8</p><p>Alexis Markowski Big Ten Weekly Honor RollNov. 13, Nov. 20, Dec. 4, Jan. 2, Jan. 8</p><p>Jaz Shelley Big Ten Weekly Honor RollDec. 11</p>

 Potts claims Fourth Big Ten Freshman Award

<p>Team Scores from 1-5 Sidney invite</p><p>1	Mitchell Girls 	105.0</p><p>2	Sidney Girls 	98.5</p><p>3	Bridgeport Girls 	92.0</p><p>3	Sandhills Valley Girls 	92.0</p><p>5	Gering Girls 	71.0</p><p>6	Southwest Girls 	64.0</p><p>7	Ogallala Girls 	60.0</p><p>8	Alliance Girls 	53.0</p><p>9	Chase County Girls 	50.0</p><p>10	Hemingford Girls 	49.0</p><p>11	Bayard Girls 	48.0</p><p>12	Sterling 	26.0</p><p>13	Scottsbluff Girls 	23.0</p><p>14	Hay Springs Girls 	22.0</p><p>14	Sutherland Girls 	22.0</p><p>16	Paxton Girls 	16.0</p><p>17	Hi-Line Girls 	4.0</p><p>18	Perkins County Girls 	0.0</p><h2>Guaranteed Places</h2><ul>
                        <li>1st Place - Carlie McKibbin of Bayard Girls</li><li>2nd Place - Avalina Stoner of Mitchell Girls</li><li>3rd Place - Analicia Hernandez of Sidney Girls</li><li>4th Place - Riley Lynch of Sterling</li>
                    </ul><h2>1st Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Carlie McKibbin (Bayard Girls) 22-2, Jr. over Avalina Stoner (Mitchell Girls) 15-3, Jr. (Dec 10-4)</li>
                    </ul><h2>3rd Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Analicia Hernandez (Sidney Girls) 13-5, Jr. over Riley Lynch (Sterling) 7-7, Fr. (Fall 1:41)</li>
                    </ul><h2>105</h2><h2>Guaranteed Places</h2><ul>
                        <li>1st Place - Kallee Klein of Mitchell Girls</li><li>2nd Place - Savannah Fegler of Gering Girls</li><li>3rd Place - Mattaya Mills of Sutherland Girls</li><li>4th Place - Hailey Webber of Ogallala Girls</li>
                    </ul><h2>Round 1</h2><ul>
                        <li>Mattaya Mills (Sutherland Girls) 13-6, Jr. over Hailey Webber (Ogallala Girls) 11-9, Sr. (Fall 1:17)</li><li>Kallee Klein (Mitchell Girls) 12-3, So. over Savannah Fegler (Gering Girls) 9-4, Sr. (Fall 3:11)</li>
                    </ul><h2>Round 2</h2><ul>
                        <li>Kallee Klein (Mitchell Girls) 12-3, So. over Mattaya Mills (Sutherland Girls) 13-6, Jr. (Fall 1:36)</li><li>Savannah Fegler (Gering Girls) 9-4, Sr. over Hailey Webber (Ogallala Girls) 11-9, Sr. (Dec 11-9)</li>
                    </ul><h2>Round 3</h2><ul>
                        <li>Savannah Fegler (Gering Girls) 9-4, Sr. over Mattaya Mills (Sutherland Girls) 13-6, Jr. (Fall 0:42)</li><li>Kallee Klein (Mitchell Girls) 12-3, So. over Hailey Webber (Ogallala Girls) 11-9, Sr. (Fall 4:00)</li>
                    </ul><h2>110</h2><h2>Guaranteed Places</h2><ul>
                        <li>1st Place - Chloe Schaeffer of Sandhills Valley Girls</li><li>2nd Place - Aurora Hinman of Hemingford Girls</li><li>3rd Place - Rylee Luce of Gering Girls</li><li>4th Place - Jalie Barnhill of Ogallala Girls</li>
                    </ul><h2>1st Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Chloe Schaeffer (Sandhills Valley Girls) 15-9, Jr. over Aurora Hinman (Hemingford Girls) 10-5, Jr. (Fall 0:34)</li>
                    </ul><h2>3rd Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Rylee Luce (Gering Girls) 11-8, So. over Jalie Barnhill (Ogallala Girls) 10-13, So. (Fall 3:33)</li>
                    </ul><h2>115</h2><h2>Guaranteed Places</h2><ul>
                        <li>1st Place - Marianne Zuniga of Sandhills Valley Girls</li><li>2nd Place - Jadyn Cottam of Sidney Girls</li><li>3rd Place - Morgan Amateis of Bridgeport Girls</li><li>4th Place - Lizbet Mireles of Chase County Girls</li>
                    </ul><h2>1st Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Marianne Zuniga (Sandhills Valley Girls) 19-4, Sr. over Jadyn Cottam (Sidney Girls) 23-3, Jr. (Fall 2:48)</li>
                    </ul><h2>3rd Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Morgan Amateis (Bridgeport Girls) 13-5, So. over Lizbet Mireles (Chase County Girls) 8-7, Jr. (Fall 1:33)</li>
                    </ul><h2>120</h2><h2>Guaranteed Places</h2><ul>
                        <li>1st Place - Saije Phelps of Sandhills Valley Girls</li><li>2nd Place - Iris Robles of Chase County Girls</li><li>3rd Place - Lily Castillo of Bridgeport Girls</li><li>4th Place - Lauren Garner of Hemingford Girls</li>
                    </ul><h2>1st Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Saije Phelps (Sandhills Valley Girls) 26-1, Jr. over Iris Robles (Chase County Girls) 3-7, Sr. (Fall 0:43)</li>
                    </ul><h2>3rd Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Lily Castillo (Bridgeport Girls) 9-11, Fr. over Lauren Garner (Hemingford Girls) 4-6, Sr. (Fall 1:26)</li>
                    </ul><h2>125</h2><h2>Guaranteed Places</h2><ul>
                        <li>1st Place - Kyra Robbins of Bridgeport Girls</li><li>2nd Place - Kyra Skiles of Ogallala Girls</li><li>3rd Place - Ashley Garza of Bayard Girls</li><li>4th Place - Breanna Stinson of Alliance Girls</li>
                    </ul><h2>1st Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Kyra Robbins (Bridgeport Girls) 12-3, Jr. over Kyra Skiles (Ogallala Girls) 15-4, Sr. (Fall 3:33)</li>
                    </ul><h2>3rd Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Ashley Garza (Bayard Girls) 9-7, Sr. over Breanna Stinson (Alliance Girls) 1-5, Jr. (MD 8-0)</li>
                    </ul><h2>130</h2><h2>Guaranteed Places</h2><ul>
                        <li>1st Place - Tyra Lewis of Ogallala Girls</li><li>2nd Place - Amelia Stoll of Mitchell Girls</li><li>3rd Place - Paige Dalimata of Bridgeport Girls</li><li>4th Place - Aiva Raymer of Alliance Girls</li>
                    </ul><h2>1st Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Tyra Lewis (Ogallala Girls) 8-14, Jr. over Amelia Stoll (Mitchell Girls) 9-9, So. (Fall 0:30)</li>
                    </ul><h2>3rd Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Paige Dalimata (Bridgeport Girls) 4-3, Jr. over Aiva Raymer (Alliance Girls) 6-5, So. (Dec 2-0)</li>
                    </ul><h2>135</h2><h2>Guaranteed Places</h2><ul>
                        <li>1st Place - Zoey Jennings of Gering Girls</li><li>2nd Place - Pearl Mayhew of Alliance Girls</li><li>3rd Place - Emma Pester of Mitchell Girls</li><li>4th Place - Aubrie Seybold of Southwest Girls</li>
                    </ul><h2>1st Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Zoey Jennings (Gering Girls) 13-3, Sr. over Pearl Mayhew (Alliance Girls) 11-4, Fr. (Fall 4:00)</li>
                    </ul><h2>3rd Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Emma Pester (Mitchell Girls) 13-6, Jr. over Aubrie Seybold (Southwest Girls) 15-9, Jr. (Fall 0:53)</li>
                    </ul><h2>140</h2><h2>Guaranteed Places</h2><ul>
                        <li>1st Place - Izabelle Owens of Sidney Girls</li><li>2nd Place - Hayden Boles of Hay Springs Girls</li><li>3rd Place - Erin Coakley of Gering Girls</li><li>4th Place - Ximenah Garcia of Mitchell Girls</li><li>5th Place - Cedi Ball of Sterling</li><li>6th Place - Ariel Gallegos of Southwest Girls</li>
                    </ul><h2>1st Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Izabelle Owens (Sidney Girls) 19-4, Sr. over Hayden Boles (Hay Springs Girls) 12-5, Sr. (Fall 0:38)</li>
                    </ul><h2>3rd Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Erin Coakley (Gering Girls) 5-4, Fr. over Ximenah Garcia (Mitchell Girls) 6-9, Fr. (Inj. 2:33)</li>
                    </ul><h2>5th Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Cedi Ball (Sterling) 3-1, So. over Ariel Gallegos (Southwest Girls) 3-6, Jr. (Fall 3:19)</li>
                    </ul><h2>145</h2><h2>Guaranteed Places</h2><ul>
                        <li>1st Place - Hayley Rusher of Chase County Girls</li><li>2nd Place - Zoleigh Reffalt of Bayard Girls</li><li>3rd Place - Kiersten Brush of Sterling</li>
                    </ul><h2>Round 1</h2><ul>
                        <li>Zoleigh Reffalt (Bayard Girls) 17-8, Fr. over Kiersten Brush (Sterling) 2-5, Fr. (Fall 2:27)</li>
                    </ul><h2>Round 2</h2><ul>
                        <li>Hayley Rusher (Chase County Girls) 12-4, So. over Kiersten Brush (Sterling) 2-5, Fr. (Fall 1:43)</li>
                    </ul><h2>Round 3</h2><ul>
                        <li>Hayley Rusher (Chase County Girls) 12-4, So. over Zoleigh Reffalt (Bayard Girls) 17-8, Fr. (Fall 2:47)</li>
                    </ul><h2>155</h2><h2>Guaranteed Places</h2><ul>
                        <li>1st Place - Mariah Duran of Sandhills Valley Girls</li><li>2nd Place - Brooke Schilke of Chase County Girls</li><li>3rd Place - Jayden Mueller of Bridgeport Girls</li><li>4th Place - Jaelyn Yetter of Mitchell Girls</li>
                    </ul><h2>Round 1</h2><ul>
                        <li>Mariah Duran (Sandhills Valley Girls) 22-2, Jr. over Jaelyn Yetter (Mitchell Girls) 4-14, Jr. (Fall 0:50)</li><li>Brooke Schilke (Chase County Girls) 10-6, Sr. over Jayden Mueller (Bridgeport Girls) 8-10, Fr. (Fall 1:34)</li>
                    </ul><h2>Round 2</h2><ul>
                        <li>Mariah Duran (Sandhills Valley Girls) 22-2, Jr. over Jayden Mueller (Bridgeport Girls) 8-10, Fr. (Fall 0:29)</li><li>Brooke Schilke (Chase County Girls) 10-6, Sr. over Jaelyn Yetter (Mitchell Girls) 4-14, Jr. (Fall 2:20)</li>
                    </ul><h2>Round 3</h2><ul>
                        <li>Mariah Duran (Sandhills Valley Girls) 22-2, Jr. over Brooke Schilke (Chase County Girls) 10-6, Sr. (Fall 3:08)</li><li>Jayden Mueller (Bridgeport Girls) 8-10, Fr. over Jaelyn Yetter (Mitchell Girls) 4-14, Jr. (Fall 0:50)</li>
                    </ul><h2>170</h2><h2>Guaranteed Places</h2><ul>
                        <li>1st Place - Ashlynn Latimer of Southwest Girls</li><li>2nd Place - Hayden Marks of Bridgeport Girls</li><li>3rd Place - Isabell Gomez of Hemingford Girls</li><li>4th Place - Addison Arvdal of Sutherland Girls</li><li>5th Place - Jazmyn Garcia of Scottsbluff Girls</li><li>6th Place - Saphira Whitley of Sidney Girls</li>
                    </ul><h2>1st Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Ashlynn Latimer (Southwest Girls) 18-5, Sr. over Hayden Marks (Bridgeport Girls) 11-6, Jr. (Fall 1:31)</li>
                    </ul><h2>3rd Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Isabell Gomez (Hemingford Girls) 16-5, Sr. over Addison Arvdal (Sutherland Girls) 15-3, Fr. (Fall 1:25)</li>
                    </ul><h2>5th Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Jazmyn Garcia (Scottsbluff Girls) 10-6, Fr. over Saphira Whitley (Sidney Girls) 13-7, Jr. (Fall 4:22)</li>
                    </ul><h2>190</h2><h2>Guaranteed Places</h2><ul>
                        <li>1st Place - Leeann Mulleavey of Sidney Girls</li><li>2nd Place - Aubree Pankonin of Mitchell Girls</li><li>3rd Place - Skylar Johnson of Paxton Girls</li><li>4th Place - Isabelle Maag of Bayard Girls</li>
                    </ul><h2>1st Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Leeann Mulleavey (Sidney Girls) 16-6, Jr. over Aubree Pankonin (Mitchell Girls) 14-6, Sr. (Fall 4:40)</li>
                    </ul><h2>3rd Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Skylar Johnson (Paxton Girls) 15-4, So. over Isabelle Maag (Bayard Girls) 10-14, Sr. (Fall 1:21)</li>
                    </ul><h2>235</h2><h2>Guaranteed Places</h2><ul>
                        <li>1st Place - Surenity Lewis of Alliance Girls</li><li>2nd Place - Olivia Minary of Southwest Girls</li><li>3rd Place - Yasmine Arias of Scottsbluff Girls</li><li>4th Place - Kaylie Greene of Sterling</li>
                    </ul><h2>1st Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Surenity Lewis (Alliance Girls) 12-4, So. over Olivia Minary (Southwest Girls) 5-11, Fr. (Fall 0:39)</li>
                    </ul><h2>3rd Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Yasmine Arias (Scottsbluff Girls) 7-11, Jr. over Kaylie Greene (Sterling) 7-4, So. (Fall 0:30)</li>
                    </ul>

Alliance and Hemingford girls wrestling both have top ten finishes in Sidney

<h2>Results from&nbsp; Track Wrestling.com</h2><h2>Match #1 Round 2</h2><p>Alliance defeated Limon 42-39</p><ul>
                        <li><b>113</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Hunter Bridges (Alliance)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Grant Masterson (Limon)&nbsp;Fall 2:31</li><li><b>120</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Trini Trejo (Alliance)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Tyson Gordon (Limon)&nbsp;Fall 0:47</li><li><b>126</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Jackson Bailey (Alliance)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Logan Haflich (Limon)&nbsp;Fall 1:01</li><li><b>132</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Silas Fancher (Alliance)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;Forf</li><li><b>138</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Benjamin Cassatt-Reina (Alliance)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Liam Yoder (Limon)&nbsp;Fall 5:33</li><li><b>144</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Tate Thompson (Alliance)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Jaxon Masterson (Limon)&nbsp;Fall 1:14</li><li><b>150</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Nathaniel Coonts (Limon)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;Forf</li><li><b>157</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Zach Carr (Limon)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;Forf</li><li><b>165</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Carlos Nunez (Limon)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Andrew Fancher (Alliance)&nbsp;Fall 3:49</li><li><b>175</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Keon Bandy (Limon)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Matthew Moomey (Alliance)&nbsp;Dec 10-4</li><li><b>190</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Dreison Davis (Limon)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Lucas Weber (Alliance)&nbsp;Fall 2:55</li><li><b>215</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Matthias Benzel (Alliance)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Josh Carr (Limon)&nbsp;Fall 4:32</li><li><b>285</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Spoke Carr (Limon)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;Forf</li><li><b>106</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Karson Parmer (Limon)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;Forf</li>
                    </ul><h2>Match #2 Round 3</h2><p>Sutherland defeated Alliance 57-18</p><ul>
                        <li><b>120</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Trini Trejo (Alliance)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Kale Martinez (Sutherland)&nbsp;Fall 2:53</li><li><b>126</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Oliver Nutter (Sutherland)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Jackson Bailey (Alliance)&nbsp;SV-1 4-2</li><li><b>132</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Silas Fancher (Alliance)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Jake Richter (Sutherland)&nbsp;Fall 5:20</li><li><b>138</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Luke Harper (Sutherland)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Benjamin Cassatt-Reina (Alliance)&nbsp;Fall 5:34</li><li><b>144</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Cauy Kohl (Sutherland)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;Forf</li><li><b>150</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Kason Bruns (Sutherland)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Tate Thompson (Alliance)&nbsp;Dec 2-0</li><li><b>157</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Ryker Copeland (Sutherland)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;Forf</li><li><b>165</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;David Bryner (Sutherland)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Andrew Fancher (Alliance)&nbsp;Fall 1:21</li><li><b>175</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Aydan Kaps (Sutherland)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Matthew Moomey (Alliance)&nbsp;Dec 4-1</li><li><b>190</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Lucas Weber (Alliance)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Kole Walz (Sutherland)&nbsp;Fall 1:09</li><li><b>215</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Conner Bryner (Sutherland)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Matthias Benzel (Alliance)&nbsp;Fall 2:56</li><li><b>285</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Joseph Dilley (Sutherland)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;Forf</li><li><b>106</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Scotty Anderson (Sutherland)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;Forf</li><li><b>113</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Grady Dempcy (Sutherland)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Hunter Bridges (Alliance)&nbsp;Fall 1:06</li>
                    </ul><h2>Match #3 Round 4</h2><p>Mullen defeated Alliance 37-36</p><ul>
                        <li><b>132</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Benjamin Cassatt-Reina (Alliance)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;Forf</li><li><b>138</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Silas Fancher (Alliance)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Jaylon Forsen (Mullen)&nbsp;Fall 0:41</li><li><b>144</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Jason Kraus (Mullen)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Tate Thompson (Alliance)&nbsp;Fall 5:11</li><li><b>150</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Cooper Walker (Mullen)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;Forf</li><li><b>157</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Jarren Forsen (Mullen)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;Forf</li><li><b>165</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;James Kessler (Mullen)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Andrew Fancher (Alliance)&nbsp;Fall 3:20</li><li><b>175</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Chase Gracey (Mullen)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Matthew Moomey (Alliance)&nbsp;Fall 1:56</li><li><b>190</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Tate Kvanvig (Mullen)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Lucas Weber (Alliance)&nbsp;Fall 0:42</li><li><b>215</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Matthias Benzel (Alliance)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Owen Thorberg (Mullen)&nbsp;Fall 2:54</li><li><b>285</b>&nbsp;- Double Forfeit</li><li><b>106</b>&nbsp;- Double Forfeit</li><li><b>113</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Hunter Bridges (Alliance)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;Forf</li><li><b>120</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Trini Trejo (Alliance)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;Forf</li><li><b>126</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Jackson Bailey (Alliance)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;Forf</li><li>Mullen's team score was adjusted by 1.0 for tie break criteria F (More Falls)</li>
                    </ul><h2>Match #4 Round 6</h2><p>Mitchell defeated Alliance 39-33</p><ul>
                        <li><b>138</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Silas Fancher (Alliance)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Collin Ramirez (Mitchell)&nbsp;Fall 5:27</li><li><b>144</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Tate Thompson (Alliance)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Kirkland Garcia (Mitchell)&nbsp;Fall 1:35</li><li><b>150</b>&nbsp;- Double Forfeit</li><li><b>157</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;William Thomas (Mitchell)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;Forf</li><li><b>165</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Santiago Castillo (Mitchell)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Andrew Fancher (Alliance)&nbsp;Fall 2:53</li><li><b>175</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Matthew Moomey (Alliance)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Austin Worth (Mitchell)&nbsp;Fall 2:47</li><li><b>190</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Lucas Weber (Alliance)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Wyatt Sauer (Mitchell)&nbsp;Fall 2:58</li><li><b>215</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Cael Peters (Mitchell)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Matthias Benzel (Alliance)&nbsp;Fall 3:33</li><li><b>285</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Jeremiah Coley (Mitchell)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;Forf</li><li><b>106</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Yovanni Jimenez (Mitchell)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;Forf</li><li><b>113</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Gavin Cheek (Mitchell)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Hunter Bridges (Alliance)&nbsp;Fall 2:00</li><li><b>120</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Ace Hobbs (Mitchell)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Trini Trejo (Alliance)&nbsp;SV-1 3-1</li><li><b>126</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Jackson Bailey (Alliance)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;Forf</li><li><b>132</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Benjamin Cassatt-Reina (Alliance)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Uzziah Voss (Mitchell)&nbsp;SV-1 2-0</li>
                    </ul><h2>Match #5 Round 7</h2><p>Alliance defeated Yuma 51-15</p><ul>
                        <li><b>126</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Jackson Bailey (Alliance)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Blake Stivers (Yuma)&nbsp;Fall 1:19</li><li><b>132</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Silas Fancher (Alliance)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Ethan Nadow (Yuma)&nbsp;Fall 2:24</li><li><b>138</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Benjamin Cassatt-Reina (Alliance)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Dallas Brunk (Yuma)&nbsp;Fall 1:56</li><li><b>144</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Tate Thompson (Alliance)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;Forf</li><li><b>150</b>&nbsp;- Double Forfeit</li><li><b>157</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Trey Stegman (Yuma)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;Forf</li><li><b>165</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Andrew Fancher (Alliance)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Tyson Hanson (Yuma)&nbsp;Fall 1:13</li><li><b>175</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Daden Beauprez (Yuma)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Matthew Moomey (Alliance)&nbsp;Dec 6-5</li><li><b>190</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Lucas Weber (Alliance)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Deacon Brown (Yuma)&nbsp;Dec 9-2</li><li><b>215</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Matthias Benzel (Alliance)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;Forf</li><li><b>285</b>&nbsp;- Double Forfeit</li><li><b>106</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Cooper Blach (Yuma)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;Forf</li><li><b>113</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Hunter Bridges (Alliance)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;Forf</li><li><b>120</b>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Trini Trejo (Alliance)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Augi Montes de Oca (Yuma)&nbsp;Fall 1:36</li>
                    </ul>

Alliance boys wrestling finds success Saturday at Ogallala

106: Ryan Ragsdale (HEMI) over (HASP) (For.) 120: Jarhett Anderson (HASP) over Alex Hawkins (HEMI) (Fall 4:22) 126: Parker Wellnitz (HASP) over Micah Woodbeck (HEMI) (Fall 2:28) 132: Orin Wilkins (HEMI) over (HASP) (For.) 138: Mason Albrecht (HASP) over Nathan Randolph (HEMI) (Fall 1:05) 144: Dyson Fritzler (HEMI) over (HASP) (For.) 150: Jaxon Keane (HEMI) over (HASP) (For.) 157: Josh Miller (HEMI) over Aliano Mata (HASP) (Fall 0:42) 165: Drew Varner (HEMI) over (HASP) (For.) 190: Dakota Wesley (HASP) over (HEMI) (For.) 215: Owen Plog (HEMI) over (HASP) (For.) 285: Theron Miller (HEMI) over Anthony Running Hawk (HASP) (Fall 0:21)

<p>Hemingford 48, Hay Springs 24&nbsp;</p><p><i>Fri, Jan 5</i></p><p>106: Ryan Ragsdale (HEMI) over (HASP) (For.) 120: Jarhett Anderson (HASP) over Alex Hawkins (HEMI) (Fall 4:22) 126: Parker Wellnitz (HASP) over Micah Woodbeck (HEMI) (Fall 2:28) 132: Orin Wilkins (HEMI) over (HASP) (For.) 138: Mason Albrecht (HASP) over Nathan Randolph (HEMI) (Fall 1:05) 144: Dyson Fritzler (HEMI) over (HASP) (For.) 150: Jaxon Keane (HEMI) over (HASP) (For.) 157: Josh Miller (HEMI) over Aliano Mata (HASP) (Fall 0:42) 165: Drew Varner (HEMI) over (HASP) (For.) 190: Dakota Wesley (HASP) over (HEMI) (For.) 215: Owen Plog (HEMI) over (HASP) (For.) 285: Theron Miller (HEMI) over Anthony Running Hawk (HASP) (Fall 0:21)</p>

Hemingford boys Wrestling earns dual win Friday over Hay Springs

The Nebraska men's basketball team hosts its biggest challenge of the season Tuesday evening, as the Huskers host No. 1 Purdue at Pinnacle Bank Arena.&nbsp;

(Radio Coverage in the Panhandle begins at 6 pm MT on KCOW, and panhandlepost.com) <b>This note is seperate from release</b>

It is the first time that the Nebraska men has hosted a No. 1 team since 2002, and just the sixth time in program history that NU has welcomed the nation's top-ranked team to town.&nbsp;

Nebraska (12-3, 2-2 Big Ten) looks to bounce back following an 88-72 loss at No. 21 Wisconsin on Saturday. The Huskers ran into a hot-shooting Badger team who shot 55 percent from the floor and hit a season-high 13 3-pointers to snap Nebraska's five-game win streak. Nebraska performed well offensively, shooting nearly 50 percent from the field and tied a season high with 12 3-pointers in a losing effort.&nbsp;

Senior guard Keisei Tominaga led three Huskers in double figures with 17 points, as he continued a strong week. Tominaga averaged 22.5 points per game on 64 percent shooting, including 44 percent from 3-point range, in Nebraska's two games this week.

Purdue (14-1, 3-1 Big Ten) comes off an 83-78 win over No. 9 Illinois on Friday night. While Zach Edey posted a double-double with 10 points and 15 rebounds, it was Trey Kaufman-Renn who shined with a team-high 23 points to lead four Boilermakers in double figures. Purdue built a 21-point lead with just over 12 minutes remaining and withstood a furious Illinois comeback in the final minutes.

Huskers vs. No. 1&nbsp;Tuesday's game against Purdue will mark Nebraska's 17th game against the nation's No. 1 team in program history and first since Feb. 13, 2013. &nbsp;It is also the first time that the Huskers have hosted a No. 1 team since Feb. 24, 2002, when Keith Langford’s 3-pointer with 33 seconds left lifted Kansas to an 88-87 win over the Huskers. NU is 3-13 all-time against No. 1 teams and short recaps of the three wins are below.&nbsp;

vs. Kansas State (3/3/58): Wilson Fitzpatrick's 19 points and 10 rebounds led the Huskers to a 55-48 win over a Kansas State team coached by Tex Winter and led by All-American Bob Boozer. &nbsp;It was Nebraska's second top five win in as many games, as Nebraska had topped No. 4 Kansas and Wilt Chamberlain, 43-41 in the previous contest. NU's head coach was Jerry Bush - the grandfather of current Husker coach Fred Hoiberg.

vs. Michigan (12/12/64): Fred Hare tipped in a rebound in the last second to lead Nebraska back from a 14-point deficit and a 74-73 win. With eight seconds remaining, Hare missed a 15-footer but got his own rebound and put it back in the final second to give Nebraska a win.&nbsp;

at Missouri (2/6/1982): Jack Moore and Greg Downing combined for 26 points leading Nebraska to a 67-51 win in Columbia. Missouri entered the game with a 19-0 mark and a 29-game home winning streak, but Nebraska's defense held Big Eight Player of the Year Ricky Frazier to just six points. NU went 25 of 31 from the line in earning its first win in Columbia since 1974.

Worth Noting&nbsp;• Nebraska enters Tuesday's game with a 12-3 record, the program's best start in the Big Ten era (2011-12 to present) and best since the 2010-11 team won 13 of its first 15 contests.

• The Huskers have snapped several streaks over the last month. The Dec. 10 win over Michigan State snapped an 11-game losing streak to the Spartans dating back to 2016. The Dec. 17 win over Kansas State broke a seven-game losing streak to the Wildcats dating back to 2009, while last Wednesday’s win over Indiana was its first since 2019, as Indiana had won seven straight meetings entering the contest.

• Nebraska will look to break another streak on Tuesday, as NU has lost its last five games to ranked teams dating back to a 63-53 win at No. 7 Creighton on Dec. 4, 2022. &nbsp;The Huskers are 3-5 in their last seven games against ranked opponents dating back to March 1, 2002.

• &nbsp;The Huskers are 18-6 over the last 23 games dating back to Feb. 1, 2023, which is second only to Purdue in terms of winning percentage. &nbsp;A big reason for that is NU's offense, as NU has averaged 76.5 ppg on 46 percent shooting in that stretch.

• Nebraska enters the Purdue game averaging 77.8 points per game. It is NU's highest points per game average since averaging 80.2 points per game in the 1995-96 season and on pace to finish in the top 10 in single-season scoring average. &nbsp;It is also more than 10 points per game higher than NU's average at the 15-game mark in 2002-23. NU has climbed from 149th to 44th nationally in offensive efficiency in KenPom as of Jan. 7.

• The Huskers are now 23-4 under Fred Hoiberg when scoring at least 80 points, including 18-1 over the last three seasons. The only loss was a 104-100 quadruple overtime game at North Carolina State on Dec. 1, 2021. NU has won its last 16 games when reaching the 80-point plateau.

• Nebraska held Kansas State to 46 points on Dec. 17 in holding the Wildcats to their fewest points since the 2020-21 season and third-fewest total at home since Bramlage Coliseum opened in 1988. &nbsp;It marked the fewest points NU allowed on the road since joining the Big Ten and was only the second time NU had held an opponent under 50 points on the road since the 2011-12 season. Nebraska allowed just 0.68 points per possession, its lowest total in the Big Ten era.

• The Huskers held South Carolina State to 11 first-half points on Dec. 29. The 11 points allowed broke a Pinnacle Bank Arena record for fewest points allowed in a half, breaking the mark of 13 set two times. It was also the fewest points NU allowed in a half since allowing nine to Jackson State in 2009.

• One strength of the Huskers has been getting to the free throw line. NU has shot more free throws in 12 of 15 games in 2023-24 and its +89 differential ranks fourth in the Big Ten as of Jan. 8. Nebraska has had more free throws made (236) than opponents have attempted (228). NU allows just 15.2 free throw attempts per game to rank fourth in the Big Ten as of Jan. 8.

• Nebraska enters Tuesday's game ranked fourth in the Big Ten in free throw shooting at 74.4 percent. &nbsp;While it is still early in the season, it is on pace to be one of NU's highest season percentages. NU has not shot over 74 percent from the foul line since the 2011-12 season when NU shot a school-record 76.6 percent.&nbsp;

• Nebraska's bench has provided a spark, averaging 23.4 points per game. The Huskers' leading scorer has come from the bench five times (Hoiberg-Lindenwood; Wilcher-Rider, North Dakota and South Carolina State; Gary-Stony Brook) and NU has had 13 double-figure efforts from its bench in 2023-24, including three straight from C.J. Wilcher.&nbsp;

• Nebraska won its first seven games by 10 or more points. It was just the second time in over 100 years - the other was from Dec. 3-30, 1990 - that the Huskers won seven straight games by double figures.

• The Huskers finished non-conference action with a 10-1 mark, matching itheir best non-conference record since joining the Big Ten (also 2018-19).

Numbers to Know1 - Rienk Mast is one of six players nationally and the only power conference player as of Jan. 4 averaging&nbsp;at least 10 points, 9 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game this season.&nbsp;

1.42 -Nebraska's assist-to-turnover ratio this season, which is sixth in the Big Ten as of Jan. 8. NU's best assist-to-turnover ratio in the last decade is 1.32, set in the 2018-19 season. That season, NU had 9.96 turnovers per game, the lowest average since assists were tracked in 1978-79.

2 - Wisconsin became just the second Husker opponent in the last 22 games to shoot 50 percent against Nebraska. The previous season high for a Husker opponent was .472 at Minnesota on Dec. 6. NU ranks fourth in the Big Ten in field goal percentage defense (.390) as of Jan. 8.

4 - The 14-point deficit against North Dakota on Dec. 20 was NU's largest comeback of the season and fourth time under Fred Hoiberg that Nebraska has overcome a double-digit deficit. It was also NU's largest comeback vs. a non-conference foe since the 2014-15 season.&nbsp;

9.3 - NU ranks second in the Big Ten with 9.3 3-pointers per game as of Jan. 8. &nbsp;NU has averaged more than 8.0 3-pointers/game just twice in program history (2001-02 and 2020-21). The Huskers are 7-1 this season when hitting at least 10 3-pointers.

18.5 - Keisei Tominaga is averaging 18.5 points per game on 58 percent shooting in Nebraska's games against ranked opponents this season. In his last six games againt ranked foes dating back to last year, Tominaga is shooting 52 percent, including 50 percent from 3-point range.

79.7 - Nebraska is shooting 79.7 percent from the foul line (149-187) over the last 10 contests dating back to Nov. 22. Keisei Tominaga is shooting a team-best 91.7 percent (33-of-36) in that span.

1,004 - Career points for Nebraska guard Brice Williams, who went over the 1,000-point mark in Saturday's loss at No. 21 Wisconsin. Williams had 10 points and dished out a career-high six assists against the Badgers.

About PurduePurdue comes to Lincoln with a 14-1 record following an 83-78 win over No. 9 Illinois last Friday. The Boilermakers have been battle tested with wins over Gonzaga, Tennessee, Marquette, Alabama and Arizona during non-conference action. Purdue's only loss is a three-point OT loss at Northwestern on Dec. 1.&nbsp;

Purdue returned all five starters from a team that swept the Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles and won 29 games last season for Matt Painter, who is in his 19th season at Purdue.&nbsp;

Purdue's attack starts with Zach Edey, as the 7-foot-4 center looks to become a two-time national player of the year.&nbsp; Edey leads the Big Ten in scoring (22.3 ppg), rebounding (10.6 rpg) and field goal percentage (.634) and has nine double doubles in Purdue’s 15 contests. Edey is one of four Boilermakers averaging double figures, as guards Braden Smith (13.0 ppg, 6.7 apg), Fletcher Loyer (10.9 ppg) and Lance Jones (11.2 ppg) provide perimeter scoring. Purdue averages over 85 points per game and leads the Big Ten in 3-point percentage (.394).&nbsp;

Series History: Tuesday's game between the Huskers and Purdue will be the 27th all-time meeting between the two programs in a series that dates back to 1947. Purdue holds a 20-6 lead in the all-time series, including a 13-4 mark (13-3 in regular season; 1-1 in Big Ten Tournament) since Nebraska joined the Big Ten in 2011-12. Nebraska’s last win over Purdue in 2019 featured the first triple-double in school history by Cam Mack. Last year in Lincoln, Nebraska rallied back from a 14-point deficit to send the game into overtime after Keisei Tominaga's 3-pointer with nine seconds left. In overtime, Fletcher Loyer's basket with 1:30 remaining in OT gave Purdue the lead for good, as he scored a game-high 22 points. Purdue also posted an 73-55 win in West Lafayette.&nbsp;

<p><i>Story by NU Athletic Communications</i></p><p>The Nebraska men's basketball team hosts its biggest challenge of the season Tuesday evening, as the Huskers host No. 1 Purdue at Pinnacle Bank Arena.&nbsp;</p><p>(Radio Coverage in the Panhandle begins at 6 pm MT on KCOW, and panhandlepost.com) <b>This note is seperate from release</b></p><p>It is the first time that the Nebraska men has hosted a No. 1 team since 2002, and just the sixth time in program history that NU has welcomed the nation's top-ranked team to town.&nbsp;</p><p>Nebraska (12-3, 2-2 Big Ten) looks to bounce back following an 88-72 loss at No. 21 Wisconsin on Saturday. The Huskers ran into a hot-shooting Badger team who shot 55 percent from the floor and hit a season-high 13 3-pointers to snap Nebraska's five-game win streak. Nebraska performed well offensively, shooting nearly 50 percent from the field and tied a season high with 12 3-pointers in a losing effort.&nbsp;</p><p>Senior guard Keisei Tominaga led three Huskers in double figures with 17 points, as he continued a strong week. Tominaga averaged 22.5 points per game on 64 percent shooting, including 44 percent from 3-point range, in Nebraska's two games this week.</p><p>Purdue (14-1, 3-1 Big Ten) comes off an 83-78 win over No. 9 Illinois on Friday night. While Zach Edey posted a double-double with 10 points and 15 rebounds, it was Trey Kaufman-Renn who shined with a team-high 23 points to lead four Boilermakers in double figures. Purdue built a 21-point lead with just over 12 minutes remaining and withstood a furious Illinois comeback in the final minutes.</p><p>Huskers vs. No. 1&nbsp;Tuesday's game against Purdue will mark Nebraska's 17th game against the nation's No. 1 team in program history and first since Feb. 13, 2013. &nbsp;It is also the first time that the Huskers have hosted a No. 1 team since Feb. 24, 2002, when Keith Langford’s 3-pointer with 33 seconds left lifted Kansas to an 88-87 win over the Huskers. NU is 3-13 all-time against No. 1 teams and short recaps of the three wins are below.&nbsp;</p><p>vs. Kansas State (3/3/58): Wilson Fitzpatrick's 19 points and 10 rebounds led the Huskers to a 55-48 win over a Kansas State team coached by Tex Winter and led by All-American Bob Boozer. &nbsp;It was Nebraska's second top five win in as many games, as Nebraska had topped No. 4 Kansas and Wilt Chamberlain, 43-41 in the previous contest. NU's head coach was Jerry Bush - the grandfather of current Husker coach Fred Hoiberg.</p><p>vs. Michigan (12/12/64): Fred Hare tipped in a rebound in the last second to lead Nebraska back from a 14-point deficit and a 74-73 win. With eight seconds remaining, Hare missed a 15-footer but got his own rebound and put it back in the final second to give Nebraska a win.&nbsp;</p><p>at Missouri (2/6/1982): Jack Moore and Greg Downing combined for 26 points leading Nebraska to a 67-51 win in Columbia. Missouri entered the game with a 19-0 mark and a 29-game home winning streak, but Nebraska's defense held Big Eight Player of the Year Ricky Frazier to just six points. NU went 25 of 31 from the line in earning its first win in Columbia since 1974.</p><p>Worth Noting&nbsp;• Nebraska enters Tuesday's game with a 12-3 record, the program's best start in the Big Ten era (2011-12 to present) and best since the 2010-11 team won 13 of its first 15 contests.</p><p>• The Huskers have snapped several streaks over the last month. The Dec. 10 win over Michigan State snapped an 11-game losing streak to the Spartans dating back to 2016. The Dec. 17 win over Kansas State broke a seven-game losing streak to the Wildcats dating back to 2009, while last Wednesday’s win over Indiana was its first since 2019, as Indiana had won seven straight meetings entering the contest.</p><p>• Nebraska will look to break another streak on Tuesday, as NU has lost its last five games to ranked teams dating back to a 63-53 win at No. 7 Creighton on Dec. 4, 2022. &nbsp;The Huskers are 3-5 in their last seven games against ranked opponents dating back to March 1, 2002.</p><p>• &nbsp;The Huskers are 18-6 over the last 23 games dating back to Feb. 1, 2023, which is second only to Purdue in terms of winning percentage. &nbsp;A big reason for that is NU's offense, as NU has averaged 76.5 ppg on 46 percent shooting in that stretch.</p><p>• Nebraska enters the Purdue game averaging 77.8 points per game. It is NU's highest points per game average since averaging 80.2 points per game in the 1995-96 season and on pace to finish in the top 10 in single-season scoring average. &nbsp;It is also more than 10 points per game higher than NU's average at the 15-game mark in 2002-23. NU has climbed from 149th to 44th nationally in offensive efficiency in KenPom as of Jan. 7.</p><p>• The Huskers are now 23-4 under Fred Hoiberg when scoring at least 80 points, including 18-1 over the last three seasons. The only loss was a 104-100 quadruple overtime game at North Carolina State on Dec. 1, 2021. NU has won its last 16 games when reaching the 80-point plateau.</p><p>• Nebraska held Kansas State to 46 points on Dec. 17 in holding the Wildcats to their fewest points since the 2020-21 season and third-fewest total at home since Bramlage Coliseum opened in 1988. &nbsp;It marked the fewest points NU allowed on the road since joining the Big Ten and was only the second time NU had held an opponent under 50 points on the road since the 2011-12 season. Nebraska allowed just 0.68 points per possession, its lowest total in the Big Ten era.</p><p>• The Huskers held South Carolina State to 11 first-half points on Dec. 29. The 11 points allowed broke a Pinnacle Bank Arena record for fewest points allowed in a half, breaking the mark of 13 set two times. It was also the fewest points NU allowed in a half since allowing nine to Jackson State in 2009.</p><p>• One strength of the Huskers has been getting to the free throw line. NU has shot more free throws in 12 of 15 games in 2023-24 and its +89 differential ranks fourth in the Big Ten as of Jan. 8. Nebraska has had more free throws made (236) than opponents have attempted (228). NU allows just 15.2 free throw attempts per game to rank fourth in the Big Ten as of Jan. 8.</p><p>• Nebraska enters Tuesday's game ranked fourth in the Big Ten in free throw shooting at 74.4 percent. &nbsp;While it is still early in the season, it is on pace to be one of NU's highest season percentages. NU has not shot over 74 percent from the foul line since the 2011-12 season when NU shot a school-record 76.6 percent.&nbsp;</p><p>• Nebraska's bench has provided a spark, averaging 23.4 points per game. The Huskers' leading scorer has come from the bench five times (Hoiberg-Lindenwood; Wilcher-Rider, North Dakota and South Carolina State; Gary-Stony Brook) and NU has had 13 double-figure efforts from its bench in 2023-24, including three straight from C.J. Wilcher.&nbsp;</p><p>• Nebraska won its first seven games by 10 or more points. It was just the second time in over 100 years - the other was from Dec. 3-30, 1990 - that the Huskers won seven straight games by double figures.</p><p>• The Huskers finished non-conference action with a 10-1 mark, matching itheir best non-conference record since joining the Big Ten (also 2018-19).</p><p>Numbers to Know1 - Rienk Mast is one of six players nationally and the only power conference player as of Jan. 4 averaging&nbsp;at least 10 points, 9 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game this season.&nbsp;</p><p>1.42 -Nebraska's assist-to-turnover ratio this season, which is sixth in the Big Ten as of Jan. 8. NU's best assist-to-turnover ratio in the last decade is 1.32, set in the 2018-19 season. That season, NU had 9.96 turnovers per game, the lowest average since assists were tracked in 1978-79.</p><p>2 - Wisconsin became just the second Husker opponent in the last 22 games to shoot 50 percent against Nebraska. The previous season high for a Husker opponent was .472 at Minnesota on Dec. 6. NU ranks fourth in the Big Ten in field goal percentage defense (.390) as of Jan. 8.</p><p>4 - The 14-point deficit against North Dakota on Dec. 20 was NU's largest comeback of the season and fourth time under Fred Hoiberg that Nebraska has overcome a double-digit deficit. It was also NU's largest comeback vs. a non-conference foe since the 2014-15 season.&nbsp;</p><p>9.3 - NU ranks second in the Big Ten with 9.3 3-pointers per game as of Jan. 8. &nbsp;NU has averaged more than 8.0 3-pointers/game just twice in program history (2001-02 and 2020-21). The Huskers are 7-1 this season when hitting at least 10 3-pointers.</p><p>18.5 - Keisei Tominaga is averaging 18.5 points per game on 58 percent shooting in Nebraska's games against ranked opponents this season. In his last six games againt ranked foes dating back to last year, Tominaga is shooting 52 percent, including 50 percent from 3-point range.</p><p>79.7 - Nebraska is shooting 79.7 percent from the foul line (149-187) over the last 10 contests dating back to Nov. 22. Keisei Tominaga is shooting a team-best 91.7 percent (33-of-36) in that span.</p><p>1,004 - Career points for Nebraska guard Brice Williams, who went over the 1,000-point mark in Saturday's loss at No. 21 Wisconsin. Williams had 10 points and dished out a career-high six assists against the Badgers.</p><p>About PurduePurdue comes to Lincoln with a 14-1 record following an 83-78 win over No. 9 Illinois last Friday. The Boilermakers have been battle tested with wins over Gonzaga, Tennessee, Marquette, Alabama and Arizona during non-conference action. Purdue's only loss is a three-point OT loss at Northwestern on Dec. 1.&nbsp;</p><p>Purdue returned all five starters from a team that swept the Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles and won 29 games last season for Matt Painter, who is in his 19th season at Purdue.&nbsp;</p><p>Purdue's attack starts with Zach Edey, as the 7-foot-4 center looks to become a two-time national player of the year.&nbsp; Edey leads the Big Ten in scoring (22.3 ppg), rebounding (10.6 rpg) and field goal percentage (.634) and has nine double doubles in Purdue’s 15 contests. Edey is one of four Boilermakers averaging double figures, as guards Braden Smith (13.0 ppg, 6.7 apg), Fletcher Loyer (10.9 ppg) and Lance Jones (11.2 ppg) provide perimeter scoring. Purdue averages over 85 points per game and leads the Big Ten in 3-point percentage (.394).&nbsp;</p><p>Series History: Tuesday's game between the Huskers and Purdue will be the 27th all-time meeting between the two programs in a series that dates back to 1947. Purdue holds a 20-6 lead in the all-time series, including a 13-4 mark (13-3 in regular season; 1-1 in Big Ten Tournament) since Nebraska joined the Big Ten in 2011-12. Nebraska’s last win over Purdue in 2019 featured the first triple-double in school history by Cam Mack. Last year in Lincoln, Nebraska rallied back from a 14-point deficit to send the game into overtime after Keisei Tominaga's 3-pointer with nine seconds left. In overtime, Fletcher Loyer's basket with 1:30 remaining in OT gave Purdue the lead for good, as he scored a game-high 22 points. Purdue also posted an 73-55 win in West Lafayette.&nbsp;</p>

Huskers look to bounce back against no. 1 Purdue Tuesday (coverage on KCOW)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Sean Payton senses a feeling of disappointment but not discouragement from his Denver Broncos.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/broncos-raiders-score-oconnell-17932e43be5c84cdba7067939184d325">27-14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders</a>&nbsp;on Sunday dropped the Broncos to 8-9 to finish Payton's first season as coach in Denver. And now there's plenty to be done before they play a game again.

“I reminded them: ‘Just remember how this feels,'" Payton said. "Because it’s something that you spend so much time in working towards a common goal, and then when you fall short of that, it just doesn’t sit right, it can’t with anyone. You are what your record is. In our league, that’s just the truth. Like I said, you’re disappointed, not discouraged ... because you do have an expectation and then we go from there.

“We begin this offseason, which is going to involve a lot of work.”

The Broncos struggled to find consistency with their offense under the guidance of a coach long known for his offensive X's and O's.

Denver started the season 1-5, including winnable games it lost to Las Vegas and Washington, and one in which it was pummeled for 70 points by Miami. The Broncos finished the season losing three of their last four while being outscored 104-70.

While there was nothing to play for Sunday and the Broncos had their backup quarterback in the game, it was still another indication of exactly how much work Payton is in for during the offseason.

Jarrett Stidham was 20 of 34 for 272 yards with a touchdown and an interception, while not one running back tallied more than 32 yards.

The Broncos finished with 286 yards on offense, marking the 10th straight week they finished with no more than 322. Last year, under highly scrutinized former coach Nathaniel Hackett, the Broncos finished with 323 yards or more in eight games.

“There’s a lot that goes into that,” Payton said. “We’ve had different quarterbacks play. We’ve had different running backs over the years and part of our job is to build the offense around the ingredients that are in the building, and we’ll continue to do that.”

Moving forward, the Broncos must decide what they’re doing with Russell Wilson, whom Payton benched two weeks ago in favor of Stidham, who was victorious against the Los Angeles Chargers in his first start.

Payton, whom Denver acquired in a trade from New Orleans for a first- and second-round pick, bolstered the offensive line by investing in guard Ben Powers and tackle Mike McGlinchey to big-money contracts, in addition to others, surrounding Wilson with the tools and weapons he’d need.

Wilson, who signed a five-year, $242.6 million contract last year, threw for 3,070 yards and 26 touchdowns with eight interceptions and a 98.0 passer rating in 15 starts this season.

If the Broncos are indeed moving on from Wilson, who was 11-19 in two seasons in Denver, they’ll need to find a franchise quarterback, to go along with a No. 1 receiver. Collectively, they’ll need players who can impact the scoreboard and know how to win games.

That includes defensively, with a possible bookend for two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Surtain II, who said he has confidence in what Payton built in his first year.

“There were some games that we should have won, but the main emphasis that we always talk about is finishing key games and that’s something we can improve on moving forward," Surtain said. "Especially in this league, there’s always going to be tough games. But the most important part of games is finishing the right way, for sure.

"Sean brought in that winning culture, his résumé speaks for itself. And we've got the utmost belief in him to lead this team to the promised land, and that’s what we’re looking forward to. The next step is to make it to that next step, which is playoffs and even more.”

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704727413888.jpeg" alt="" />
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                    </figure><p>LAS VEGAS (AP) — Sean Payton senses a feeling of disappointment but not discouragement from his Denver Broncos.</p><p>A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/broncos-raiders-score-oconnell-17932e43be5c84cdba7067939184d325">27-14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders</a>&nbsp;on Sunday dropped the Broncos to 8-9 to finish Payton's first season as coach in Denver. And now there's plenty to be done before they play a game again.</p><p>“I reminded them: ‘Just remember how this feels,'" Payton said. "Because it’s something that you spend so much time in working towards a common goal, and then when you fall short of that, it just doesn’t sit right, it can’t with anyone. You are what your record is. In our league, that’s just the truth. Like I said, you’re disappointed, not discouraged ... because you do have an expectation and then we go from there.</p><p>“We begin this offseason, which is going to involve a lot of work.”</p><p>The Broncos struggled to find consistency with their offense under the guidance of a coach long known for his offensive X's and O's.</p><p>Denver started the season 1-5, including winnable games it lost to Las Vegas and Washington, and one in which it was pummeled for 70 points by Miami. The Broncos finished the season losing three of their last four while being outscored 104-70.</p><p>While there was nothing to play for Sunday and the Broncos had their backup quarterback in the game, it was still another indication of exactly how much work Payton is in for during the offseason.</p><p>Jarrett Stidham was 20 of 34 for 272 yards with a touchdown and an interception, while not one running back tallied more than 32 yards.</p><p>The Broncos finished with 286 yards on offense, marking the 10th straight week they finished with no more than 322. Last year, under highly scrutinized former coach Nathaniel Hackett, the Broncos finished with 323 yards or more in eight games.</p><p>“There’s a lot that goes into that,” Payton said. “We’ve had different quarterbacks play. We’ve had different running backs over the years and part of our job is to build the offense around the ingredients that are in the building, and we’ll continue to do that.”</p><p>Moving forward, the Broncos must decide what they’re doing with Russell Wilson, whom Payton benched two weeks ago in favor of Stidham, who was victorious against the Los Angeles Chargers in his first start.</p><p>Payton, whom Denver acquired in a trade from New Orleans for a first- and second-round pick, bolstered the offensive line by investing in guard Ben Powers and tackle Mike McGlinchey to big-money contracts, in addition to others, surrounding Wilson with the tools and weapons he’d need.</p><p>Wilson, who signed a five-year, $242.6 million contract last year, threw for 3,070 yards and 26 touchdowns with eight interceptions and a 98.0 passer rating in 15 starts this season.</p><p>If the Broncos are indeed moving on from Wilson, who was 11-19 in two seasons in Denver, they’ll need to find a franchise quarterback, to go along with a No. 1 receiver. Collectively, they’ll need players who can impact the scoreboard and know how to win games.</p><p>That includes defensively, with a possible bookend for two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Surtain II, who said he has confidence in what Payton built in his first year.</p><p>“There were some games that we should have won, but the main emphasis that we always talk about is finishing key games and that’s something we can improve on moving forward," Surtain said. "Especially in this league, there’s always going to be tough games. But the most important part of games is finishing the right way, for sure.</p><p>"Sean brought in that winning culture, his résumé speaks for itself. And we've got the utmost belief in him to lead this team to the promised land, and that’s what we’re looking forward to. The next step is to make it to that next step, which is playoffs and even more.”</p>

Does Russell Wilson return? Broncos face many questions in offseason

DENVER (AP) — Jamal Murray was&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1744206314119524799">hitting jumpers</a>. Nikola Jokic was finding open teammates.

Simple as that, the Denver Nuggets were rolling.

Murray scored a season-high 37 points, Jokic had 16 assists&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/nuggets/status/1744211346927878258">and the Nuggets</a>&nbsp;handed the Pistons their 18th straight road loss by cruising past Detroit 131-114 on Sunday night.

Murray followed an off-shooting game against Orlando on Friday with a bounce-back one, hitting 14 of 24 shots from the floor. He also was 6 of 7 from the free throw line.

“His energy and his will to win really is infectious," Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. "When he sees that ball go in, he’s really unguardable.”

Jokic was more distributor and shot blocker than scorer, taking just three shots and finishing with four points. The two-time NBA MVP tied a career high with five blocked shots in between setting teammates up for easy buckets around the rim. He had a chance at his career high of 18 assists, but didn't play in the fourth quarter with the game in hand.

“Unusual stat line,” Murray cracked about his pick-and-roll teammate.

The Pistons fell to 1-19 away from home, with their lone road win on Oct. 27 at Charlotte.

Jalen Duren led Detroit with 20 points, while Alec Burks added 18. Cade Cunningham had three points before leaving midway through the second quarter with a strained left knee.

“We lost. We lost by a lot. So, I’d be lying if I said I was happy about anything that happened in the game,” Duren said when asked about helping hold Jokic to just four points. "He still affected the game and did a lot for his team.”

Denver won the last matchup with Detroit 107-103 on Nov. 20 in a game where both Jokic and Malone were ejected for arguing. Jokic picked up another technical Sunday for what was deemed a flop. He exaggerated the contact when he took a push out on the wing in the third quarter.

Soon after, Peyton Watson took a shove from Ausar Thompson while running down the floor and fell to the floor. Watson got up angry, but was restrained by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Officials called Thompson for a flagrant foul.

"The energy I needed. I fed off of it," said Watson, who had 13 of his 15 points in the third quarter. “It definitely knocked some energy into me. I'm glad I was able to go upward from there.”

It was a productive third quarter all around for Denver as the team outscored the Pistons by a 43-28 margin to take control of the game. That was a departure from the last two games in which Denver struggled coming out of intermission. Murray did his part, too, reminding his teammates in the hallway of the importance of ramping up the defense in the second half.

His words were as effective as his jumper.

“We just wanted to hold ourselves accountable," Murray explained. “I thought we did a good job coming ready to play knowing this team, they’re trying to win.”

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                    </figure><p>DENVER (AP) — Jamal Murray was&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1744206314119524799">hitting jumpers</a>. Nikola Jokic was finding open teammates.</p><p>Simple as that, the Denver Nuggets were rolling.</p><p>Murray scored a season-high 37 points, Jokic had 16 assists&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/nuggets/status/1744211346927878258">and the Nuggets</a>&nbsp;handed the Pistons their 18th straight road loss by cruising past Detroit 131-114 on Sunday night.</p><p>Murray followed an off-shooting game against Orlando on Friday with a bounce-back one, hitting 14 of 24 shots from the floor. He also was 6 of 7 from the free throw line.</p><p>“His energy and his will to win really is infectious," Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. "When he sees that ball go in, he’s really unguardable.”</p><p>Jokic was more distributor and shot blocker than scorer, taking just three shots and finishing with four points. The two-time NBA MVP tied a career high with five blocked shots in between setting teammates up for easy buckets around the rim. He had a chance at his career high of 18 assists, but didn't play in the fourth quarter with the game in hand.</p><p>“Unusual stat line,” Murray cracked about his pick-and-roll teammate.</p><p>The Pistons fell to 1-19 away from home, with their lone road win on Oct. 27 at Charlotte.</p><p>Jalen Duren led Detroit with 20 points, while Alec Burks added 18. Cade Cunningham had three points before leaving midway through the second quarter with a strained left knee.</p><p>“We lost. We lost by a lot. So, I’d be lying if I said I was happy about anything that happened in the game,” Duren said when asked about helping hold Jokic to just four points. "He still affected the game and did a lot for his team.”</p><p>Denver won the last matchup with Detroit 107-103 on Nov. 20 in a game where both Jokic and Malone were ejected for arguing. Jokic picked up another technical Sunday for what was deemed a flop. He exaggerated the contact when he took a push out on the wing in the third quarter.</p><p>Soon after, Peyton Watson took a shove from Ausar Thompson while running down the floor and fell to the floor. Watson got up angry, but was restrained by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Officials called Thompson for a flagrant foul.</p><p>"The energy I needed. I fed off of it," said Watson, who had 13 of his 15 points in the third quarter. “It definitely knocked some energy into me. I'm glad I was able to go upward from there.”</p><p>It was a productive third quarter all around for Denver as the team outscored the Pistons by a 43-28 margin to take control of the game. That was a departure from the last two games in which Denver struggled coming out of intermission. Murray did his part, too, reminding his teammates in the hallway of the importance of ramping up the defense in the second half.</p><p>His words were as effective as his jumper.</p><p>“We just wanted to hold ourselves accountable," Murray explained. “I thought we did a good job coming ready to play knowing this team, they’re trying to win.”</p><p>Michael Porter Jr. and Caldwell-Pope each had 18 points for a Nuggets team that moved to 18-0 this season against teams below .500. The Pistons fell to 0-19 versus teams above .500.</p><p>The Pistons dropped their fourth straight game. This skid comes on the heels of ending their NBA record-tying 28-game losing streak against Toronto on Dec. 30.</p><p>“We had a few mishaps tonight,” Pistons coach Monty Williams said, alluding to the 43 points the Pistons gave up in the pivotal third quarter. “We’ve just got to get over the hump as far as having those kinds of quarters.”</p><p>UP NEXT</p><p>Pistons: Begin a three-game homestand Tuesday against Sacramento.</p><p>Nuggets: At Utah on Wednesday.</p>