Dave Petersen mel YourMom7times darren Jason BetterRED mitch bjones
<a href="http://bigrednetwork.com/archives/2010/07/dont_mess_with_texas_nebraska_1.htmltag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://bigrednetwork.com/archives/2010/07/dont_mess_with_texas_nebraska_1.htmlThu, 08 Jul 2010 23:12:31 GMT 00:00">Don't Mess with Texas? Nebraska Will Take its Chances
IRVING, Texas — Perhaps the Nebraska contingent did not receive as many pats on the back Monday as it might have during past Big 12 Conference football previews. But any animosity from league brethren over the Cornhuskers' decision to leave the Big 12 next summer for the Big Ten was conspicuously absent.
<a href="http://www.denverpost.com/sports2006/ci_15609112tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.denverpost.com/sports2006/ci_15609112Tue, 27 Jul 2010 20:10:06 GMT 00:00">Cornhuskers not seeing hostility from Big 12 — yet
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<a href="http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2010/07/25/from_the_land_o.html?cxntfid=blogs_bevo_beattag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2010/07/25/from_the_land_o.html?cxntfid=blogs_bevo_beatSun, 25 Jul 2010 14:51:38 GMT 00:00">From the land of the corn: 'It's personal'
Barbecue open Friday night.
There are several former University of Nebraska football players who have perpetual spots on the list of celebrities in the annual Adrian Fiala Husker Heritage Golf Tournament at Wild Horse Golf Club.
Larry Jacobson, Bill Janssen, Bill Kosch, Dave Morock and Steve Runty are just a few who come back year after year for the charity event.
They’ll join many other former NU players in Gothenburg again on Saturday for the ninth annual fund raiser for the TeamMates mentoring program.
Organizer Adrian Fiala, former color commentator and Cornhusker football historian, said once they come to Wild Horse, Husker players are hooked.
But there’s always someone new who joins the ranks of Huskers to team with four other players in the scramble.
Fiala has added Outland Trophy winner and Nebraska Football Hall of Famer Eric Weigert to the list this year and has a couple of other big names hoping to make the trip.
At least 20 former players, coaches or staff members will golf on Saturday and many will be on hand Friday night as well for a free-will donation pork barbecue beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the club house.
Fiala said Friday’s social event is an opportunity for people to meet the former Huskers, hear them retell their stories and get autographs.
“It’s very informal,” Fiala said. “It’s a great time for people to come hobnob with us.”
The Nebraska Pork Producers, Frito-Lay and Peterson’s Supermarket sponsor the barbecue with all proceeds going to the local chapter of TeamMates.
Golf begins Saturday with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. and concludes with a banquet at the club house catered by Whiskey Creek.
Proceeds from the tournament also benefit the TeamMates organization.
TeamMates is a school-based one-to-one mentoring program that identifies youth who could use a caring adult in their lives.
Former coach and current athletic director Tom Osborne founded the program with his wife Nancy in 1991.
For more information, contact Wild Horse Golf Club at 537-7700.
<a href="http://www.gothenburgtimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1532:wild-horse-to-host-ninth-annual-husker-benefit&catid=2:sports&Itemid=3tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.gothenburgtimes.com/index.php?option=com_content">Wild Horse to host ninth annual Husker benefit
Wauneta man injured in utility vehicle accident
Kent Doetker of Wauneta was life-flighted to Kearney on the evening of Monday, July 19, following a utility vehicle accident. The accident happened in a pasture south of Wauneta on land owned by Doetker. First responders were called to the scene at 7:55 p.m. MT. According to his son, Doetker was in an induced coma as of Tuesday, July 20.
Frenchman Valley Baptist VBS is July 26-30
The Frenchman Valley Baptist Church in Wauneta is hosting Vacation Bible School next week. VBS will be held in the mornings from 9 to 11:30 a.m. MT beginning on Monday, July 26, through Friday, July 30. The mornings’ activities will include Bible teaching, games and recreation. Refreshments will be served. Children prekindergarten thru sixth grade are invited to attend.
Wauneta UMC Bible School set for July 26-29
Wauneta United Methodist Church will be the headquarters for Bible School learning and fun next week when volunteers host “Hero Headquarters” Vacation Bible School. VBS activities will be held daily from 3:30 to 6 p.m. MT, Monday thru Thursday, July 26 -29, for youngsters ages 4 thru sixth grade.
For more information contact Dawn Doetker, coordinator of this year’s UMC VBS.
Digital photo contest deadline a week away
Calling all camera buffs — the deadline for the Wauneta Harvest Festival Digital Photo Contest sponsored by Champa Group is coming up at midnight on Thursday, July 29.
This year “tractors” will be the featured subject. Photos can also be submitted in the “general” category. To submit your digital image for the contest go online to http://gallery.champgroup.com/main.php to upload your photos.
Contest entries will be on display at the Champ Group office, downtown Wauneta, on Saturday, July 31, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. During this time those visiting the exhibit can vote for their favorite photos.
Winners will be announced at the Harvest Fest barbecue.
Breeze captures two national press awards
The National Newspaper Association announced last week that staff members at the Wauneta Breeze have capture two national newspaper awards in the NNA’s Better Newspaper Contest.
Competing in the non-daily division of newspapers with circulation of up to 3,000, former Breeze staffer David Vrbas, now of Lincoln, garnered a second place award in the category of Best Humorous Column. Vrbas received the recognition for a column titled “An intrusion of nature” in which he detailed his family’s encounter with a squirrel in their house.
The Breeze also took third place in Best Photo Essay for photos and page design by Vrbas and Tina Kitt in the paper’s coverage of Wauneta’s 2009 Harvest Festival.
Vrbas received an honorable mention in Best Sports Feature Story for his profile of Wauneta’s walk-on Husker football players.
Don’t forgot your Breeze vacation issue
Summer vacation season is in full swing and those on the go are reminded to tuck a copy of the Breeze in their suitcase so they can snap a vacation issue photo.
Once a year the Breeze includes photos of our readers as they travel the globe with the Wauneta Breeze. So snap your vacation issue with the Breeze — or if you forget your newspaper just print off a page from our web site at waunetabreeze.com to include that page in the photo.
Vacation issues can be mailed to the Breeze at P.O. Box 337, Wauneta, NE 69045, emailed to us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or dropped off at the Breeze office. Be sure to include a list of names of those in the photo as well as information about where your vacation issue photo was taken.
<a href="http://www.waunetanebraska.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2042:this-weeks-briefs-uv-accident-injury-bible-school-at-united-methodist-and-baptist-churches-digital-photo-contest-deadline-breeze-captures-national-awards-&catid=25:local-news&Itemid=34tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.waunetanebraska.com/index.php?option=com_content">THIS WEEK'S BRIEFS: UV accident injury; Bible School at United Methodist and ...
18 comments so far July 23, 2010 by Darren K. Carlson
About a week ago, I ran my usual off season talent test on the Husker roster, a simple exercise I call "Five Great Players." The results looked positive. Yesterday, the Big 12 media members more or less affirmed that audit of the Husker personnel, by naming four NU players to their preseason all-conference squad. Husker fans can be optimistic for 2010 knowing that there are pieces in place for a possible conference title run. But, getting over the hump will take more than a handful of stars. It takes contributors. Football is the ultimate team game. So, who are the "next 5" for NU? Or, put differently, which players are primed to emerge or breakout for the 2010 season? Selecting this group is a much riskier proposition, but at least candidates abound for the Huskers.
An Inexact Science
It is one thing to rattle off the names of the five best players on the Husker roster and try to project them relative to the conference competition. It is something else entirely to identify the players that may breakout. It's like picking stocks - see the potential, look hard for results, and hope you get more right than wrong. In an article for last year's Cornhusker Kickoff magazine, I wrote on this subject with mixed results. The players I urged fans to watch for a breakout in 2009 included some hits (Prince Amukamara, Jared Crick), some "pushes" (Keith Williams, Will Compton) and a miss (Antonio Bell).
This process is very subjective as well. Everyone has a favorite. I asked our BRN staff, our site's facebook followers, and several of my friends and all got different answers. It is the debate that makes it fun, right? So, here is a list of players that may be primed to breakout for NU in 2010. Is it perfect? Doubtful. Do you agree or disagree? Sound off with your favorites in the comments section.
Pierre Allen
In 2009, it was pretty easy to lose track of Allen amongst all of the SUUUUUUUH cheers and amid Crick's all-conference sophomore campaign. But, the reality is that Allen had a very productive junior season (51 tackles, 5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss). He has the physical makeup of an NFL player, going 6'5'' and 265 pounds and the athleticism that made him a spectacular basketball player in high school (he actually broke up five passes last year). If there was a prototype for a player about to make "the leap" in his senior season, it is Allen.
Baker Steinkuhler
Allen's defensive line mate also appears primed to produce in 2010. Steinkuhler's physical ability and famous Husker bloodlines are enough to garner national media attention already. Beyond the name and the 5-star recruit hype, Steinkuhler showed signs of progress last year while playing in 13 games as just a redshirt freshman. Collecting 17 total tackles doesn't exactly turn heads. But, Steinkuhler will benefit this year the way Crick did last year. A line mate drawing double teams is a gift wrapped opportunity (no, an obligation!) to make plays. Nebraska's chances up front may not hinge so much on Crick being the next Suh as much as Steinkuhler developing in to the next Crick.
DeJon Gomes
Nebraska is deep and talented in the defensive backfield. Even though NU coaches say they would build their defense around the Husker "peso" back Eric Hagg and starting corner back Alfonzo Dennard is a physical freak who will benefit from opportunities by playing opposite of Amukamara, Gomes gets the nod here because he is a proven play maker. Even without playing much in NU's first four games in 2009, Gomes still accounted for 26 tackles and four interceptions in 2009. He made enormous plays against Missouri, Kansas and Texas last year. He is also versatile enough to play nearly anywhere in the Nebraska defensive backfield.
Rex Burkhead
Seldom do you see a fan base this excited about a returning rusher who accounted for 346 yards and three touchdowns. But, everybody who saw Rex Burkhead play last year knows he has the goods. He was shelved for a big stretch of the season with a foot injury. And, he played his best ball late in the year, with strong performances against Colorado and in the Holiday Bowl. It left fans craving more. Burkhead will no doubt split time with returning starter Roy Helu and face competition from Dontrayevous Robinson for carries. But, reports out of conditioning and summer drills say that Burkhead is rounding in to the type of player that NU coaches and fans expected to see - a breakout star.
Brandon Kinnie
Kinnie is another player whose physical talent outstrips his production from 2009. Catching 15 passes for 141 yards doesn't scream "breakout", but Kinnie sure passes the eyeball test. At 6'3'' and 220 pounds, he's certainly on the all bus team (players that look good getting off of the bus). Beyond that, the explanation is that Kinnie started slowly having arrived on campus from junior college. The lion's share of his production came during the last half of the season, and it became more and more obvious that this kid can make plays. He was one of the few NU offensive players able to shake free of the rigid Texas defense. At the time of his 16 yard grab in the Big 12 title game, I was compelled to stand up and shout "will somebody please get that guy the ball!" Want another affirmation of Kinnie's ability to breakout in 2010? His teammates - particularly Niles Paul - always tout Kinnie's work ethic and ability when they are asked about players ready to emerge. That should be music to Husker fans' ears.
There are still dozens of questions about this year's Husker squad. What will happen at quarterback? Which of the 10 offensive linemen on the NU 2 deep roster will emerge? What is going on at linebacker? Who will play safety? And for each of those questions there is likely an answer or two that involves naming a breakout candidate (Taylor Martinez...Ricky Henry, Jermarcus Hardrick ... Compton, Fisher, Martin...Smith, Thenarse...etc). So, what Husker players do you think will emerge in 2010? The answers could tell the story of the season.
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18 comments so far HuskerT Jul 23 10
These are 5 really good breakout picks. In addition I would throw Eric Martin in the mix. And if he is as electrifying as everyone is saying, I hope we can get the ball in Taylor Martinez's hands.
One other person that I am excited to see is Ben Cotton. I think he will make some big grabs for us considering McNeil's apparent move.
AustinHusker Jul 23 10
It is interesting how little has been said and written about the LBs.
Almost makes you think we are missing something given several of them came in with much fan fair.
Mike Jul 23 10
I like the looks of this "5" and I REALLY like Burkhead!!! When I saw him I felt this kid was gonna turn heads! GBR! I really hope "Green" will turn bigtime "Red"!!!!
Kirk Jul 23 10
Good news, this is probably the first year we are so deep, that picking just 5 guys who will really stand out is pretty hard to do. I can agree with your 5. I would also include Cam Meredith, Sirles, Qvale, Cassidy, and Fisher (based on what was said about his progress in the spring). Again, we're pretty stacked, IMHO, so I would include Ankrah, Justin Jackson, Whaley, and Blue (felt bad for the kid with his injuries and I hope he has a great year).
Brian William Barnes Jul 23 10
Very good list. Kudos to calling Crick last year BTW.
LaVonte David - If Gomes can come in from Juco and have a season like he did last year under Brothers Pelini I dont see why this guy cant fill Dillard's shoes in the middle of the D.
Thadues Randall - This guy was picked as a 1st team defender ahead of 4 star Texas recruit Ashton Dorsey who garnered honorable mention accolades by Texas media his Sr. in High School. Coaches have spoke of him a number of times as a "player" we will see.
Jason Ankrah - He was ready to play last year but took the valued redshirt. If Allen or Cameron Meredith dont break out look for the young Mr. Anrah to get a lot of playing time. The former 4 star DE out of Maryland could be poised to be a playmaker in the Nebraska defense for the next few years.
My guess is that sooner or later these 3 will "break out" for the Cornhuskers. My guess is this year or next for this triplet.
Jeff_Georgia Jul 23 10
I agree with HuskerT - if Martin has gotten his head around the defensive scheme, he could have a monster season 'cause he sure has the skills, and the desire to take someone's head off on every play. A spectator's dream.
As for Burkhead, the kid is just an old fashioned football player. I think you could put him in any number of positions on the field and he would shine: RB, wildcat, split end, safety, or LB (think Cody Grimm). Heck, you might even be able to teach him to be a corner. Great attitude, work ethic, the whole package.
Kinnie - I think he could be better than Paul (and I think Paul will have a dynamite season in '10). If he ever learns to block like Paul, you might have an All-American. Once he is comfortable with the offense and assuming QB play is anything better than average, watch out!
If Lee (or Green or whomever) can get his passing game together combined with the ability of Paul, Kinnie, and McNeil (not to mention the up and comers), the Huskers could have as potent a passing attack as you could ever want to have. Watch out Big 12(10)(Texas and The Butt Boys)!
I can't wait for the season to start!
BIGREDBADDAD Jul 23 10
I don't "get" the hype on Rex Burkhead. Don't get me wrong I like Rex, great change up to Helu, but he doesn't seem to have the big play, breakaway, change the game moves that Roy has.
Dwayne Jul 23 10
BigRed,
Among a list of things, the one which stands out with Burkhead, is that he has the intangibles that aren't taught. The "thing" that Marlon Lucky never had. He's not a liability. In other words, his coaches know what they're going to get as far as a minimum day in and day out. Very dependable player.
TexasHusker Jul 23 10
I think this year you'll see why they call him Rex Burkhead "Superman." Burkhead runs decisively, finds the hole and hits it, and he runs TOUGH. He may not take every carry to the house, but he always seems good for positive yardage, he eats up the field in chunks, makes great cuts, and it generally takes three guys to bring him down.
Roy Helu runs like a cheetah. He just blazes past, around or over you.
Can't wait to see what Tray Robinson does this year. They say he's looking like the Incredible Hulk.
Nater Jul 23 10
I saw Trey after the Spring game, and Hulk describes him well.
Dotbo Jul 23 10
I think Eric Hagg is going to go all Troy Polamalu on opponents.
The guy can do it all. Rush the passer for sacks, intercept, take down RBs, everything a LB does and more.
Eric Hagg, people. Making plays.
darren Jul 23 10
BIGREDBADDAD - I understand your concern about Burkhead. He doesn't "flash" big play potential the way some athlete do. He's not going to go 65 yards untouched. Big plays matter. They can gut an opponent.
But, just because there isn't sizzle doesn't mean it isn't a steak.
Watch the way Burkhead gets to-in-and-through the hole when he runs. See how he falls forward to turn 6 yards in to 8. Watch the way he catches a screen pass and goes immediately up the field. He does so many things and he does them very well.
It won't be gorgeous, but he can get 85 rush yards, add 50 more on catches and score the ball. In a word, effective.
darren Jul 23 10
Dotbo - you don't have to sell me on Eric Hagg. I am buying. If Marvin Sanders says he's great, that is good enough for me.
I put Gomes in this list first b/c of the production and plays from 2009. We've *seen* Gomes do it.
The comparison to Polamalu has my head spinning. That would be something. WHOO!
Can the season get here soon enough??
Grant Jul 23 10
We better hope PJ Smith has a break out year. NU lost a lot up the middle in Suh, Dillard, Asante, and O'Hanlon. Maybe Gomes fills one spot, but PJ or Thenarse better get the rest. I'm pulling for Thenarse just b/c I think he deserves to succeed, but PJ Smith has always received high marks from coaches and players. I also agree w/ Brian Barnes in his post RE: Meredith.
Palmer Jul 23 10
I just can not wait for the season to start. I think we've really got something awesome waiting in the wind. That Beat Texas video really got Texans stirred up. I just want to remind them that Bo is going to have these players focus on the game at hand. Not just Texas! I predict Neb. goes undefeated with a 42-17 victory over texas.
Troy Jul 23 10
I'd like the list a lot more if Gomes and Burkhead hadn't already broken out last year, and another player wasn't a returning 2 year starter (Allen). Way to go out on a limb there...
Dwayne Jul 23 10
I can't help but watch Baker develop and compare what he might/will do to what Suh did last season.
Baker wass a 5 star recruit and Suh was a 4 star recruit. I will be very interested in that comparison alone and what potential he has in his tank.
Randy Jul 23 10
What about Ricky Henry, I saw him in the Holiday Bowl just destroy Arizona linemen, he was very underrated. I think the whole O line is going to be good or Cotton is gone. Cotton needs to produce.
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<a href="http://bigrednetwork.com/archives/2010/07/five_candidates_for_a_breakout.htmltag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://bigrednetwork.com/archives/2010/07/five_candidates_for_a_breakout.htmlFri, 23 Jul 2010 09:25:31 GMT 00:00">Five Candidates for a Breakout Season in 2010
Hometown Husker joins former players at charity golf tournament.
For many years, Nebraska Cornhusker football was more than a pastime, more than a goal, even more than a passion for Gothenburg High School graduate Brandon Koch.
Koch was still in junior high in the mid-1990s when he jotted a few words on a piece of paper and tucked it into his wallet.
“That’s when I made up my mind that I was going to play for the Huskers,” he says.
From the moment he wrote his goal down until Koch stripped off his No. 75 crimson jersey after Nebraska beat Michigan in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 28, 2005, Husker football was his life.
As a high school kid, Koch did something every day to work toward his goal of becoming a Husker.
He left the Swede program a decorated lineman, earning all-state honors and the chance to play in the 2001 Nebraska Shrine Bowl.
When he was accepted as a Husker walk-on the next fall, he began five incredible years of living a dream.
“That’s all I ever wanted to do,” Koch says.
Day and night, month after month year round, Koch’s life revolved around Husker football and he spent at least part of each day with his football family.
If he wasn’t on the field playing or practicing, he was in the weight room getting stronger or watching film learning more about the game.
Koch finished his football career with more accolades. He earned All-Big 12 honorable mention and Academic All-Big 12 first team.
Yes, Koch perfected that delicate process of balancing athletics and academics.
“No doubt about it, being a student-athlete is hard work,” he says.
Koch’s football eligibility ran out before he completed his secondary education degree. He stayed at the university another three semesters to finish.
Thankful for the opportunities he had, Koch looks back at his Husker football career with great pride.
“It was an amazing chapter of my life,” he says. “I got to do a lot of things and see a lot of places I wouldn’t have otherwise and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”
But now, he says, it’s time to move on to the next stage working toward the latest goal he’s written in his wallet.
Koch and his wife Lyndee moved back to Gothenburg because this, he says, is where they want to raise a family.
Tristan, their nearly 2-year-old son, is their pride and joy.
Koch works at Sargent Irrigation, is taking classes at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis and helps on the family farm run by his parents Mary and Loren Koch.
“When I was in high school all I wanted was to play football,” Koch says. “When I got away from home, I realized that the farm really was a pretty good life.”
Now he’s working toward his own family farming operation.
College football may be a few pages back in the last chapter of Koch’s life but it will always be part of who he is.
Koch spent the weekend at Wild Horse Golf Club with former teammates and other members of that elite Husker football “fraternity” playing in the Adrian Fiala Husker Heritage tournament.
It’s one of the few charity events Koch chooses to do.
“I’m not a golfer,” he admits. “I do have my own clubs now and I get out a few times a year but I’m not very good at it.”
Skill doesn’t matter at this fund-raiser, though. It’s more about meeting people and reminiscing.
“I enjoy listening to the older guys,” Koch says. “We’ve all gone through it but the experiences are just so different. And you’re always amazed at what you forget until you talk to everyone else. Then it all comes back to you like it was yesterday.”
Living in Gothenburg, Koch said he doesn’t feel much of the celebrity status this tournament puts on former Husker players.
Instead, he says he’s just a hometown kid who moved back.
“I am amazed, though, how many people from other towns actually recognize me and remember me as a Husker football player,” he says. “It’s kind of cool.”
Koch hopes to get back to Lincoln to cheer at a game, maybe this season.
“I’m absolutely still a fan,” he says.
Once a Husker, always a Husker.
<a href="http://www.gothenburgtimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1543:once-a-husker-always-a-husker&catid=2:sports&Itemid=3tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.gothenburgtimes.com/index.php?option=com_content">Once a Husker, always a Husker
Husker Sports Network, the multimedia rights partner of the University of Nebraska and an IMG College property, today announced a partnership extension with News Radio 1110 KFAB that will keep Nebraska Cornhusker football on the powerful Omaha station through 2014.
“Aligning with a radio station known for its strong presence in Omaha and across the region is important to University of Nebraska Athletics,” said Tom Osborne, NU Athletic Director. “We appreciate KFAB’s commitment to supporting the Cornhuskers and are delighted to continue our long and historic bond. Nebraska football Saturdays on KFAB is a great part of our state’s culture.”
“Husker Sports Network is proud to continue its excellence in radio broadcasting by extending this partnership,” said David Witty, General Manager, Husker Sports Network. “KFAB’s signal and history with the Huskers are important to Big Red fans and we’re proud to continue this relationship for listeners in the Omaha area.”
In addition to football, the extension will allow Nebraska men’s basketball to remain on KFAB through the 2014-15 season, and men’s baseball through the 2015 season. Clear Channel’s KTWI-FM will continue as NU’s Omaha outlet for volleyball and women’s basketball.
“The University of Nebraska and KFAB have a longstanding relationship dating back to the 1920s,” said Taylor Walet, General Manager, KFAB. “This is more than a business deal for us. The Huskers are part of the family. We are thrilled to continue this partnership with the University and Dave’s team at the Husker Network.”
The new agreement began July 1, 2010 and will continue until June 30, 2015.
<a href="http://www.wowt.com/sports/headlines/98801774.html?ref=774tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.wowt.com/sports/headlines/98801774.html?ref=774Tue, 20 Jul 2010 03:54:41 GMT 00:00">Nebraska Extends Contract with KFAB
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