Sports – Page 661 – North Platte Post Archive

Group Reneges on $20M Commitment for Lincoln Arena

Posted on November 15, 2013

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A group of local leaders that promised to try to raise $20 million in private donations for a Lincoln arena will not fulfill that commitment.

The Lincoln Journal Star reports (http://bit.ly/1aXJR5U ) that Vision 2015 gave about $6.5 million to help with construction of the new Pinnacle Bank Arena.

The group says it will now focus its fundraising efforts on other projects in the West Haymarket district, including a two-rink indoor ice center and a proposed youth sports complex.

The group includes business, community and university leaders who helped brainstorm 10 important future Lincoln projects. Jennifer Brinkman, a consultant for the group, says it became difficult to raise money for the arena because it’s the project was in good financial shape.

No. 14 Michigan St. Out to Overcome Nebraska Demon

Posted on November 15, 2013

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Michigan State has defeated every Big Ten opponent it’s faced since 2011 except Nebraska. The Spartans, in fact, have never beaten the Cornhuskers.

Saturday’s game at Memorial Stadium marks the eighth Michigan State-Nebraska meeting, and the stakes have never been higher for the 14th-ranked Spartans.

If they win, they are all but assured of claiming the Legends Division. If they lose, Nebraska gains the inside track to the Big Ten championship game.

Michigan State (8-1) is 5-0 in Big Ten play for the first time in coach Mark Dantonio’s seven seasons. The Huskers (7-2, 4-1) have put themselves in contention to win the division despite the loss of quarterback Taylor Martinez, an injury-riddled offensive line and a road loss to Minnesota.

NSAA 2013 Class D1 and Class D2 State Volleyball Brackets

Posted on November 15, 2013November 15, 2013

2013 NSAA State Volleyball Championships Class D1

2013 NSAA State Volleyball Championships Class D2

Huskers Wrap Up Preparations for MSU

Posted on November 14, 2013November 15, 2013

Lincoln, Neb.- The Nebraska football team finished up its week of preparation for Saturday’s Big Ten Legends Division showdown with Michigan State on Thursday evening. The team practiced in helmets for just over 90 minutes inside the Hawks Center and outside on a beautiful Lincoln fall afternoon at the Ed and Joyanne Gass Practice Fields.

Nebraska Head Coach Bo Pelini met with media members after practice, noting that the team is excited to get out on the field against the Spartans.

“I think our guys are looking forward to playing the football game, we prepared well and now we have to put it to the test on Saturday.” Pelini said, “It is going to be a heck of a challenge for our kids.”

In the last few weeks, the high-powered Husker offense has been struck with the injury bug, especially on the offensive line. Even though Pelini wasn’t sure who would be available Saturday, he did assure Husker fans that NU will have five offensive lineman to start versus MSU.

“We have had some guys iffy and we will see come game time who is available.” Pelini said, “I promise you this, we will have five guys lined up on the offensive line, it is going to be their job and their challenge to step up to the task.”

Junior standout receiver Jamal Turner has a 50-50 shot at playing this weekend according to Pelini, as the receiver tries to recover from minor injuries that have plagued him during the past few weeks.

Even with first place in the Legends Division on the line for the Huskers this Saturday, Pelini believes the team is still taking the same approach to this game.

“I think our guys are always locked in, it is the same ‘business as usual,’ as far is that is concerned.” Pelini said, “Every game has great magnitude, it is the same, no different for us.”

Nebraska will have a walkthrough Friday as the team moves closer to its sixth conference game of the season. The Huskers will host the Michigan State Spartans on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast nationally on ABC.

McCutchen Wins NL MVP, Cabrera Takes AL Award

Posted on November 14, 2013November 15, 2013

NEW YORK (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen and Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera have won baseball’s Most Valuable Player awards.

McCutchen won the National League honor by a surprisingly wide margin Thursday. Cabrera took the AL prize for the second straight year by a comfortable gap over Mike Trout.

McCutchen received 28 of the 30 first-place votes from members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.

The 27-year-old with the long, flowing dreadlocks led a baseball revival in Pittsburgh, where the Pirates stopped a record streak of 20 losing seasons and made the playoffs for the first time since 1992.

McCutchen ranked among the NL leaders by hitting .317 with 21 home runs and 84 RBIs. He also scored 97 runs, stole 27 bases and had a .404 on-base percentage.

Cabrera drew 23 of 30 first-place votes.

Heisman Winner Rodgers Receives Pardon for Holdup

Posted on November 14, 2013November 15, 2013

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Johnny Rodgers, the Heisman Trophy winner for Nebraska in 1972, has been granted a pardon for his role in the holdup of a Lincoln gas station in 1970.

The Nebraska Pardons Board voted 3-0 on Thursday to pardon the 62-year-old Rodgers.

Rodgers has said he’s long regretted what he called a drunken prank. It was after the last day of his freshman year that he and two other men robbed the gas station. The holdup netted $90.

The crime was first investigated as an armed robbery. Rodgers pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of felony larceny and was sentenced to two years of probation. Rodgers has repeatedly denied that he had a gun during the holdup.

A pardon restores the civil rights Rodgers lost after his conviction.

Abdullah Named Doak Walker Semifinalist

Posted on November 14, 2013

Nebraska junior running back Ameer Abdullah has been named one of 10 semifinalists for the 2013 Doak Walker Award, given annually to the nation’s top running back. The announcement was made by the SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors on Thursday morning.

Abdullah enters Saturday’s game with Michigan State with 1,213 rushing yards on the season. His 134.8 rushing yards per game leads the Big Ten and ranks fifth nationally. In conference games, Abdullah has ran for 149.6 yards per contest to easily lead the conference. His 1,213 rushing yards are the most by a Husker player through nine games since Ahman Green in 1997.

Abdullah has topped the century mark on the ground in eight of nine games, including each of the past six games. Abdullah’s streak of six straight 100-yard rushing games is the sixth-longest in school history, and his eight 100-yard games in a season are the fifth-most in school history. Abdullah has also caught 21 receptions for 179 yards and his 159.0 all-purpose yards per game leads the Big Ten and ranks 12^th nationally.

The selection of Abdullah as a Doak Walker semifinalist marks the second time in three years Nebraska has had a semifinalist for the award. Rex Burkhead was one of 10 semifinalists during his junior season in 2011.

Abdullah is one of two Big Ten running backs on the semifinal list, joining Wisconsin sophomore Melvin Gordon. Other semifinalists include Western Kentucky senior Antonio Andrews, Arizona junior Ka’Deem Carey, South Carolina sophomore Mike Davis, Stanford senior Tyler Gaffney, Auburn junior Tre Mason, Washington junior Bishop Sankey, Baylor junior Lache Seastrunk and Boston College senior Andre Williams.

The three finalists for the Doak Walker Award will be named on Monday, Nov. 25, and the winner will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, Dec. 12 on ESPN.

Kershaw, Scherzer Easily Win Cy Young Awards

Posted on November 13, 2013

NEW YORK (AP) — Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Max Scherzer of the Detroit Tigers have won baseball’s Cy Young Awards.

Kershaw won the prize as the National League’s best pitcher for the second time in three seasons after leading the majors with a 1.83 ERA.

The 25-year-old lefty with a big-breaking curve drew 29 of 30 first-place votes from members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America in results released Wednesday. Adam Wainwright of the St. Louis Cardinals was picked first on one ballot.

Kershaw went 16-9 and topped the NL with 232 strikeouts. He won the NL Cy Young in 2011 and finished second last year.

Scherzer won the AL honor after leading the majors in wins while going 21-3. He received 28 of 30 first-place votes.

Blackshirts Look to Shut Down Spartans

Posted on November 13, 2013

Lincoln, Neb.- The Nebraska football team continued its week of preparation for Saturday’s Big Ten conference showdown with Michigan State on Wednesday afternoon. The team practiced in helmets and shoulder pads for just over two hours inside the Hawks Center and outside at the Ed and Joyanne Gass Practice Fields.

Defensive Coordinator John Papuchis addressed the media after practice, noting even though Michigan State is known for its nation-leading defense, their offense is still a huge threat for the Nebraska defense.

“I think they are a physical group. That has always been a trademark of who they are.” Papuchis said, “I like their young quarterback (Connor Cook), I think he does a good job. I think he has a strong arm and throws the outside throws really well.”

An Ohio native, Cook is the man under center for Michigan State. The sophomore first-year starter has been making Papuchis lose sleep at night, as Papuchis mentioned, he is deceptively athletic.

“There is not a lot of quarterback designed runs, but there is some. He is a good athlete.” Papuchis said, “I don’t know if that is a huge part in what he tries to do, but if he gets out and runs, he is a good athlete.”

Even though Cook may not be the most mobile quarterback in the country, he does present a lot of challenges to the Blackshirt defense. A main concern for the Husker defense is trying to take the ball away from Michigan State’s offense, especially Cook, who has thrown for 13 touchdowns with only three interceptions. According to Papuchis, forcing turnovers this weekend will be vital for the Huskers to succeed.

“We’ve got to take advantage of the opportunities. He hasn’t made a lot of bad decisions with the ball and hopefully we get enough pressure on him that guys are getting up in his face.” Papuchis said, “We are going to need some takeaways this game.”

Nebraska will hit the practice field again on Thursday as the team moves closer to its sixth conference game of the season. The Huskers will host the Michigan State Spartans on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast nationally on ABC.

Four Storm Players Sign Letters Of Intent

Posted on November 13, 2013

KEARNEY, Neb. – Four Tri-City Storm players signed on the dotted line Wednesday afternoon, making their collegiate commitments official during the first day of the fall NCAA national letter of intent period.

The players included defensemen Nolan Gluchowski and Cutler Martin, forward Drew Mayer and goaltender Hayden Lavigne.

Martin and Lavigne are headed to the University of Michigan, while Gluchowski will attend St. Lawrence and Mayer will play for Ferris State.

While the letter doesn’t mean the players will be at their respective schools next season, it takes the commitment past the verbal stage and confirms the school has pledged an athletic scholarship to each of the signees.

Mayer, who is one of the older players with the Storm at 20-years-old, said he’s been working for this day for a long time.

“It was a dream come true,” said Mayer. “I’m going to come in as a 21-year-old and hopefully I can bring leadership as a freshman. Being one of the older guys here is helping me out a lot and I’m very excited for next season.”

Martin, who will join one of the most prestigious programs in the country, was also excited to make it official.

“It feels amazing,” Martin said. “I’ve been looking forward to signing this for a long time and it’s great to get the ink down on the paper.

Tri-City will now take to the road for a five-game trip away from home that starts in Dubuque with the Fighting Saints on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and continues in Sioux Falls for a battle with the Stampede on Saturday at 7:05.

The Storm return home to face the Omaha Lancers on back-to-back nights Nov. 29-30. Tickets can be purchased by contacting the Viaero Event Center Box Office at 308.338.8011 or online atstormhockey.com.