Nebraska may not be handing out a depth chart just yet, but the position battles are starting to come into focus. On Tuesday, running backs coach Ryan Held said Ronald Thompkins is Nebraska’s No. 2 running back right now behind Dedrick Mills. Thompkins has already had to overcome three knee surgeries in his career, which includes two in high school. Held also shared some information about kickoff returners, saying Rahmir Johnson, Cam Taylor-Britt, Wan’Dale Robinson, Marcus Fleming and Brody Belt are getting reps. As for the outside linebacker spot, defensive coordinator Erik Chinander said the top guys at that position are JoJo Domann, Caleb Tannor, Garrett Nelson, Pheldarius Payne, Nick Henrich and Niko Cooper. The Huskers open the season at Ohio State this Saturday, kickoff will be at 11:00.
– In other Husker news: Husker junior outside linebacker and former Navy SEAL Damian Jackson is one of 38 nominees for the 2020 Armed Forces Merit Award. He was one of five finalists for the award last season, and is one of only eight active college players nominated for the 2020 award. After serving as a Navy SEAL for four years, he joined the Husker program as a walk-on, but was placed on scholarship this week.
– Here are some other Big Ten headlines: Nebrasla AD Bill Moos says track and field workouts are on hold because of a “large number” of positive COVID-19 tests.
Mayors from a dozen Big Ten college towns, but not Lincoln, are asking the conference to enact additional measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 during game days.
Penn State running back Journey Brown may miss the entire 2020 season due to an undisclosed medical condition. Brown was the Nittany Lions’ leading returning rusher after a breakout 2019 campaign that saw him average 6.8 yards per carry while piling up 890 yards and 12 touchdowns. Eighth-ranked Penn State opens the season at Indiana Saturday.
The attorney representing eight Black former Iowa football players who allege racial discrimination during their time with the Hawkeyes said Monday night that the university’s rejection of their demands, which included a payment of $20 million, is not the end of the matter.
Two Nebraska men’s basketball players, Trey McGowens and Dalano Banton, are listed on ESPN’s Impact Newcomer list. The list includes all incoming freshman, graduate transfers, sit-out transfers, and junior college transfers expected to play this season. McGowens ranks at No. 52 on the list, and Banton comes in at No. 67. The Husker men are also one of five teams tabbed by CBS’s Jon Rothstein as the most dramatically improved for this season.
The Tri-City Storms’ second preseason game against the Omaha Lancers will be played without fans in attendance tonight. Working closely with the Two Rivers Health Department, the franchise feels it is in the best interest of the fans and Kearney community to extend limited access to the Viaero Center. The Storm organization will provide updates as they become available regarding attendance at future pre-season games.
High School Schedules:
– Kearney Catholic Volleyball
– Tuesday @ Overton
– Overton def. Kearney Catholic, 25-22, 25-20, 18-25, 25-20 (3-1)
– Thursday @ Ravenna – 7:00
– Thursday – Subdistricts/District Seedings Released
– Kearney High Volleyball
– The 2020 HAC Volleyball Tournament is being played at three sites this week. Kearney High will host Pool A, Lincoln East will host Pool B, Pool C will take place at Columbus High School.
– Pool A @ Kearney High
– Thursday
– #1 Lincoln Pius vs. #4 Fremont – 5:00
– #2 Lincoln Southwest vs. #3 Kearney – 5:00
– Winners – 6:30
– Losers – 6:30
– NSAA Cross Country Championships – Friday @ Kearney Country Club
– Girls Class D – 12:00
– Boys Class D – 12:30
– Girls Class C – 1:30
– Boys Class C – 2:00
– Girls Class B – 3:00
– Boys Class B – 3:30
– Girls Class A – 4:30
– Boys Class A – 5:00
– Kearney High Football
– Friday – vs. Lincoln Northeast (1st Round Playoff Game) – 7:00 @ UNK
– Kearney Catholic Football
– Friday – vs. Cozad – 7:00 @ Miles Field
