First things first. Saturday was a great day to be a Husker fan. It was a near perfect autumn day. Sunny, temps in the low 70s with low humidity. Spectacular fall colors were everywhere. The best part of the day was Nebraska came away with two wins.
The Match of the Day
Husker head volleyball coach, John Cook announced four years ago that he was going to take the Husker volleyball program to heights it’s never been.
Saturday night, his words rang true. Second ranked NU took on #1 Wisconsin in a battle of two undefeated volleyball teams at the Devaney Center. Both came in with perfect records: 18-0 for the season and 9-0 in the Big Ten. How good were the Badgers coming into the game? They hadn’t lost even one set in conference play this season. Wow.
NU soon put an end to that streak. Nebraska won the first set 25-22 and went on to win the match in five.
Today, the AVCA poll has rewarded the Huskers with a #1 national ranking. Congratulations to Coach Cook and his players. Awesome win, ladies!
100th Anniversary
Last Saturday marked the 100th Anniversary of the dedication of Memorial Stadium. That same day the Husker football program did what it could to honor the Old Gray Lady by getting its 4th win of the season. The victory was as close to a must win as you can get. At 4-3 for the year, NU needs just two more wins to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2016.
Between the Husker volleyball and football programs, Nebraska went two for two for the day. Not bad.
True, NU’s 17-9 football win over Northwestern didn’t attract the national attention the Husker volleyball game did, but it was a huge step forward for first year Husker head coach Matt Rhule.
What’s standing before them in pursuit of their goal?
This Saturday, the Huskers host Purdue 2-5 (1-3 in conference play). The following week, NU travels to Michigan State 2-5 (0-4), Then it’s a home game with Maryland 5-2 (2-2) and a contest at Wisconsin 5-2 (3-1). NU closes the season at home with Iowa 6-2 (2-2) on Black Friday.
Can Nebraska win two more? Yes. Will they? No one knows. What we do know is Nebraska has two things going for it: a good defense and a favorable schedule. That’s the good news. The bad news is Matt Rhule announced today in his press conference that starting offensive linemen Ethan Piper and Turner Corcoran are out for the season with injuries sustained in the Northwestern game. Also, another starter Nouredin Nouili will be out of the lineup for 1-2 weeks. Oh, and WR Billy Kemp IV will be out of the lineup with a knee sprain.
Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the play?
The Tenth Anniversary of the Hail Mary Catch
Last week, I asked Husker WR Jordan Westerkamp if he knew that next month (November 2) will mark the 10th anniversary of his walk-off Hail Mary catch made in Lincoln vs Northwestern in 2013.
He said he couldn’t believe it had been that long.
I asked him a couple of questions about that game: What do you remember about the play and what would you like younger kids to know about that game?
“I remember all of it! One of the best days of my life. Still have the ball! Was surreal watching Sports Center that night as the play was #1 on the Top Ten. Obviously statistically speaking, the odds of the play being successful are very low. I want young Husker fans to know anything is possible.”
To Jordan: Congratulations on “The Catch” and Happy Tenth Anniversary!
How Bout Them Huskers
What a weekend for Husker sports! This week’s podcast Will and I talk about the Husker football win over Northwestern as well as Nebraska’s huge volleyball win over Wisconsin. Will and I talk about Husker football recruiting and review the Big Ten standings. We also look at this Saturday’s home football contest with Purdue.
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