Huskers – Page 45 – North Platte Post Archive

Huskers-Michigan State to be Played in Prime Time

Posted on April 23, 2015April 24, 2015

The Big Ten Conference and ESPN/ABC announced Thursday that Nebraska’s Nov. 7 game against Michigan State will be a prime-time contest at Memorial Stadium.

The will be carried on either ABC, ESPN or ESPN2, with kickoff at either 6 or 7 p.m. CT. The final network designation and kickoff time will be announced at a later date.

The Huskers’ matchup with Michigan State is one of the top Big Ten games this fall. The Spartans finished with an 11-2 record in 2014 and were ranked fifth in both of the final national polls.

Nebraska and Michigan State will be televised in prime time on the ESPN family of networks for the second straight season. A year ago, Michigan State defeated Nebraska,27-22, in a night game at Spartan Stadium.

Overall this will mark the fifth straight year the Nebraska-Michigan State tilt has been televised on an ESPN platform. The 2011 game in Lincoln was televised on ESPN, with each of the past three matchups were on ABC.

The Nebraska-Michigan State game is one of seven Big Ten games that will be televised in prime time on the ESPN family of networks.

As announced last week, Nebraska will also play host to South Alabama in a prime-time game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12. That contest will be televised by BTN.

Placzek Delivers Again in 7-6 Win at Creighton

Posted on April 14, 2015

Lincoln – The No. 23 Nebraska baseball team (27-11, 5-4 Big Ten) came away with a 7-6 victory on Tuesday night at TD Ameritrade Park and for the third time in four games against the Creighton Bluejays (20-9, 5-1 Big East), Nebraska’s Jake Placzek delivered the game-winning hit.

A junior from La Vista, Neb., Placzek came through with a RBI single in the top of the ninth to give the Huskers a 7-6 lead. Last season, Placzek produced a walk-off single in Lincoln on March 19 and later delivered an eighth-inning two-RBI single in a 4-2 win at TD Ameritrade Park on April 8.

Josh Roeder got the final five outs of the game for the Huskers and picked up his first win of the season after notching 11 saves on the year. The senior closer last notched a win against Illinois on May 17 of last season.

The Huskers had a 6-2 lead after the third, but the Jays scored three in the seventh and one in the eighth to tie the game. Nebraska matched a season high with three errors on the evening, that resulted in three unearned runs.

Freshman Garett King started for the Huskers and left the game with a lead, but didn’t factor into the decision. After going a career-high 8.0 innings in a 5-1 win over the Jays in Lincoln on March 31, King gave up five runs, only three earned, over 6.1 innings on Tuesday night. King allowed two hits the first inning on, but then that Anaheim Hills, Calif., native found a grove allowed four hits over the next 5.1 innings. In two starts against the Jays this season, King has allowed six runs (four earned) on eight hits and two walks over 14.1 innings, while striking out eight.

After the Jays took a 2-0 lead in the first on a pair of hits and a NU error, the Husker offense responded and tied the game in the top of the second, with the tying run scoring out a two-out double off the bat of Ryan Boldt.

The two-out hits continued in the third when the Huskers plated four runs, all with two outs, to take a 6-2 lead. With Tanner Lubach on second, Austin Darby got the two-out rally started with a single that put runners on first and third. Scott Schreiber then gave the Huskers a 3-2 lead with a RBI single and Christian Cox followed with a two-RBI double. The Jays went reliever Connor Miller, but the Huskers kept hitting, as Jake Schleppenbach lined the first offering he saw from Miller into right field for a RBI single. Schleppenbach stole second to put himself in scoring position, but Miller put an end to the bleeding when he got Boldt to groundout.

Miller kept the Jays in the game by retiring the Huskers in order in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh innings. Miller’s effort gave the Jays’ offense a chance and they took advantage in the seventh with three runs on two hits and NU’s second error of the night. After King struck out Ryan Fitzgerald to start the inning, Harrison Crawford notched his first career home run with a blast to left field. King then gave up a single and walk, and with the tying run at the plate the Huskers went to Jeff Chesnut. The junior reliever got the ground ball he needed for a double play, but Schleppenbach committed an error and a run scored. Daniel Woodrow tacked on another run with a sacrifice fly before Chesnut got out of the inning with back-to-back groundouts, but NU’s lead was cut to 6-5.

After Miller had sent down 13 straight Huskers, NU’s Ben Miller snapped the streak with a leadoff double in the eighth. Elijah Dilday entered the game as a pinch runner and was soon 90 feet from home following a sac bunt by Darby. Dilday tried to score on a ground ball off the bat of pinch-hitter Austin Christensen, but was out on the play, 4-2-5-1.

Colton Howell took the mound for the Huskers in the eighth and was quickly in trouble after Reagan Fowler started the frame with a double and Fitzgerald later produced a one-out single to put runners on the corners. NU turned the ball over to Roeder, who struck out Crawford, but on the play Fitzgerald stole second base and a throwing error by Lubach allowed Fowler to score and tie the game, 6-6. Roeder then struck out Matt Gandy to strand the go-ahead run at second base.

With the game tied, Schleppenbach led off the ninth with a double to put the go-ahead run in scoring position for the top of NU’s lineup. Creighton turned the ball over to David Gerber, who was welcome by an infield single by Boldt that put runners on the corners. Placzek stepped lined the seventh pitch he saw from Gerber back through the box for a go-ahead RBI single. Gerber then got a double play and a ground out to end the top of the ninth.

Roeder came back to the mound and struck out Kevin Connolly to start the frame, Roeder’s third strikeout of the night. Kevin Lamb then singled up the middle to put the tying run on base with the top of CU’s order coming to the plate, but Roeder stranded Lamb at first base with a fly out and a 4-3 putout, sealing the Huskers’ 27^th win of the season.

Nebraska will be back home at Hawks Field tomorrow night to host the Omaha Mavericks, with first pitch set for 6:35 p.m. The game will be streamed live on BTN Plus.

Ex-NFL and Husker Running Back Suspected of Killing Prison Cellmate

Posted on April 14, 2015April 14, 2015

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — Former NFL running back Lawrence Phillips is suspected of killing his cellmate in a Central California prison.

Prison officials said Monday that Phillips’ cellmate at Kern Valley State Prison was found lifeless over the weekend and later pronounced dead.

Phillips, 39, was once one of the nation’s top college football players at Nebraska. He played for the St. Louis Rams, until he was released in 1997 for insubordination. He also played for the Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers.

Phillips is serving a sentence of more than 31 years.

He was convicted of twice choking his girlfriend in 2005 in San Diego and later that year of driving his car into three teens after a pickup football game in Los Angeles.

It wasn’t clear if Phillips has an attorney.

Adrian Fiala, Former Nebraska LB and broadcaster, Dies at 67

Posted on April 14, 2015April 14, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Adrian Fiala, who played football for Nebraska in the 1960s and later worked as a broadcaster covering the Cornhuskers, has died. He was 67.

Fiala’s wife, Fran, said that her husband had been battling an incurable lung condition for eight years. He died Monday afternoon.

Fiala played at Ryan High School in Omaha before joining Bob Devaney’s up-and-coming football program. He lettered three years as a linebacker, with the Huskers finishing 9-2 and tying for first place in the Big Eight in his senior season in 1969. He also was the catcher on the baseball team.

Fiala was a color analyst on Huskers radio broadcasts from 2000-10 and also was a fixture on the popular statewide “Big Red Wrapup” show on public television.

Huskers Visit TD Ameritrade Park Tuesday, Host Mavericks Wednesday

Posted on April 13, 2015

Lincoln – Coming off a series victory over the Minnesota Golden Gophers, the No. 23 Nebraska baseball team (26-11, 5-4 Big Ten) is scheduled to play the Creighton Bluejays (20-9, 5-1 Big East) and Omaha Mavericks (16-16, 9-6 Summit) during the midweek before hosting the Ohio State Buckeyes next weekend at Hawks Field.

The Huskers and Bluejays are set to meet at 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday night at TD Ameritrade Park for the second game of a three-game season series between the two teams. The game will be shown nationally on the CBS Sports Network.

The Huskers won the first meeting of the year between the two teams, 5-1, on March 31 at Hawks Field and Tuesday night will be a rematch on the mound between Nebraska’s Garett King and Creighton’s Jeff Albrecht. King allowed two hits over 8.0 innings in the win two weeks ago, while Albrecht took the loss after giving up three runs on three hits and two walks over 1.2 innings.

The Huskers have struggled on the road this season, as they are 9-9 away from Hawks Field, including a 5-6 record in true road games. On the other side, the Jays have been great at home with an 11-3 mark at TD Ameritrade Park. The Jays enter Tuesday winners of nine straight at home, tied for their longest streak at TD Ameritrade Park.

After making the short trip to Omaha on Tuesday, the Huskers will be back at home on Wednesday night for a 6:35 p.m. showdown against the Mavericks. As of now, neither team has announced a starter.

The Huskers are 17-2 at Hawks Field this season and will look to sweep the season series from the Mavs after earning a 3-2 extra-innings road win on April 1 at Werner Park. Freshman Scott Schreiber untied the game in the top of the 10th with a solo home run and Josh Roeder closed the game with a perfect inning of relief.

Tuesday, April 14 (7:05 p.m.)

Probable Starters: RHP King (3-0) vs. LHP Albrecht (1-2)

TV: CBS Sports Network

Audio Stream: Huskers.com | Video Stream: None

Radio: Husker Sports Network

Wednesday, April 15 (6:35 p.m.)

Probable Starters: TBA vs. TBA

TV: None

Audio Stream: Huskers.com | Video Stream: BTN Plus

Radio: Husker Sports Network

Huskers-S. Alabama to Be Played in Prime Time

Posted on April 13, 2015

The Big Ten Network announced its schedule of 2015 prime-time football games on Monday, including Nebraska’s Sept. 12 home game against South Alabama.

The exact kickoff time for the Husker-South Alabama matchup will be announced at a later date. The meeting will be the first ever between the two programs. South Alabama plays in the Sun Belt Conference and reached the Camellia Bowl in 2014 in its second season as a full member of the Football Bowl Subdivision ranks.

BTN has selected 10 games to air in prime-time this fall, beginning on Sept. 4 and continuing through Nov. 14.

Additional Nebraska games could be selected for prime-time telecasts by other television partners.

BTN Announces 2015 Primetime Football Schedule

Posted on April 13, 2015

CHICAGO – BTN’s 2015 primetime football schedule will feature the conference’s 2014 West Division Champion Wisconsin Badgers, Cotton Bowl Champion Michigan State and Michigan in its first year under new head coach Jim Harbaugh among its contests on six key Saturday nights.

Twelve of the 14 Big Ten schools will play in primetime on BTN, and four of the games are conference contests, including Minnesota at Iowa in the first-ever primetime battle for the Floyd of Rosedale Trophy at Kinnick Stadium.

“Since BTN launched, there has never been more anticipation leading into the football season,” said BTN President Mark Silverman.

The first of BTN’s conference matchups in primetime features Rutgers at Penn State on Sept. 19. Last season in the Scarlet Knights’ Big Ten debut, the Nittany Lions played the spoiler and left Piscataway victorious after a late touchdown drive. This year at Beaver Stadium, Rutgers will look to even the score in this budding rivalry of neighboring state schools.

On Oct. 3, Michigan visits Maryland in a Big Ten East Division clash. The Terrapins defeated the Wolverines 23-16 last year, but with a new regime in place, Michigan has high hopes of returning to the top of the pack. Maryland impressed in its first Big Ten season, finishing the season with a 7-6 record, including 4-4 in conference play.

Michigan State, which ended last season ranked No. 5 in the country after its dramatic comeback victory over Baylor in the Cotton Bowl, visits Rutgers on Oct. 10. The Spartans, a preseason top-10 squad, return quarterback Connor Cook and a number of key cogs on the defensive side who are intent on earning a spot in this year’s College Football Playoff.

BTN closes out its primetime slate on Nov. 14 with the Floyd of Rosedale rivalry game, when the Hawkeyes host the Gophers. Iowa has won six of the last 10, but Minnesota looks to capture the trophy for the second straight season after its impressive 51-14 victory last year.

BTN’s other primetime selections include Pittsburgh at Iowa on Sept. 19, when former Michigan State defensive coordinator and now Pittsburgh head coach Pat Narduzzi makes his return to the conference. Also on the schedule are Hawaii at Wisconsin and Ball State at Northwestern.

In all, BTN will televise at least 40 football games this fall. Start times and television arrangements for other early season games will be announced at a later date.

BTN’s Primetime Schedule

Saturday, Sept. 12

South Alabama at Nebraska

Saturday, Sept. 19

Rutgers at Penn State

Saturday, September 26

Hawaii at Wisconsin

Saturday, October 3

Michigan at Maryland

Saturday, October 10

Michigan State at Rutgers

Saturday, November 14

Minnesota at Iowa

*Kent State at Illinois on Friday, Sept. 4 previously announced

*Florida International at Indiana on Sept. 12, Pittsburgh at Iowa on Sept. 19 and Ball State at Northwestern on Sept. 26 will also appear in primetime in the Big Ten team’s home market and on Extra Football Game Channels and BTN2Go elsewhere.

This Week in Nebraska Athletics

Posted on April 13, 2015

Tuesday, April 14 Baseball at Creighton (CBS Sports Network) Omaha, Neb. (TD Ameritrade) 7:05 p.m.

Wednesday, April 15 Softball at Omaha Omaha, Neb. 6 p.m.

Wednesday, April 15 Baseball Omaha (BTN Plus) Hawks Field 6:35 p.m.

Friday, April 17 Men’s Tennis Penn State Lincoln, Neb. 4 p.m.

Friday, April 17 Softball Northwestern Bowlin Stadium 5:30 p.m.

Friday, April 17 Baseball Ohio State Hawks Field 6:35 p.m.

Friday, April 17 Women’s Gymnastics at NCAA Championship Semifinals Fort Worth, Texas 7 p.m.

Saturday, April 18 Men’s Golf at Hawkeye Invitational Iowa City, Iowa 9 a.m.

Saturday, April 18 Soccer at Colorado Boulder, Colo. 10:30 a.m.

Saturday, April 18 Track & Field at Michael Johnson Classic Waco, Texas 11 a.m.

Saturday, April 18 Women’s Tennis at Illinois Urbana, Ill. Noon

Saturday, April 18 Softball World’s Largest Softball Tailgate Bowlin Stadium 10 a.m.

Saturday, April 18 Softball Northwestern Bowlin Stadium 1 p.m.

Saturday, April 18 Baseball Ohio State (NET/BTN Plus) Hawks Field 2:05 p.m.

Saturday, April 18 Soccer at Denver Denver, Colo. 3 p.m.

Saturday, April 18 Women’s Gymnastics at NCAA Super Six Finals Fort Worth, Texas 6 p.m.

Sunday, April 19 Men’s Golf at Hawkeye Invitational Iowa City, Iowa 9 a.m.

Sunday, April 19 Women’s Tennis at Northwestern Evanston, Ill. 11 a.m.

Sunday, April 19 Men’s Tennis Ohio State Lincoln, Neb. Noon

Sunday, April 19 Baseball Ohio State Hawks Field 1:05 p.m.

Sunday, April 19 Women’s Gymnastics at NCAA Individual Event Finals Fort Worth, Texas 2 p.m.

Sunday, April 19 Softball Northwestern Bowlin Stadium 3 p.m.

DeZiel, Welk Earn Student-Athlete-of-the-Year Awards

Posted on April 13, 2015

The University of Nebraska Athletic Department celebrated its 25th anniversary of honoring its highest academic, athletic and community achievers with a special red carpet recognition event at the Lied Center for Performing Arts on Sunday evening.

Nebraska’s outstanding student-athletes were recognized for stellar performances in competition, the classroom and the community. In addition to naming its prestigious Student-Athlete-of-the-Year Awards and other annual team and individual accomplishments, Nebraska celebrated the addition of several new awards to honor top performances throughout the past calendar year.

John Welk and Jessie DeZiel captured two of Nebraska’s most coveted awards as the Male and Female Student-Athletes of the Year.

Welk, a two-time All-American as part of NU’s 4×100-meter relay team for Coach Gary Pepin’s men’s track and field squad, is also a two-time NCAA Elite 89 award winner. The senior nutrition science major from Bismarck, N.D., held the top grade-point average of any male student-athlete at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in both 2013 and 2014. Welk is also a two-time academic All-Big Ten selection.

Welk is the fifth consecutive Nebraska Male Student-Athlete of the Year from the Husker track and field squad, following Nicholas Gordon (2011), Tyler Hitchler (2012), Bjorn Barrefors (2013) and Seth Wiedel (2014). Overall the men’s track and field program has claimed six Male Student-Athlete-of-the-Year awards, including Aaron Plas (2006), since the award’s inception at Nebraska in 1991. Seven NU women’s track and field student-athletes also have captured the award, giving Coach Pepin’s program 13 of the 50 all-time awards.

DeZiel, a senior from Rogers, Minn., is a seven-time All-American entering next week’s NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships. A 2015 AAI Award nominee, DeZiel is also a three-time NCAA Regional vault champion. A three-time academic All-Big Ten selection as a nutrition and health sciences major, DeZiel became the sixth Husker women’s gymnast to win Nebraska’s Female Student-Athlete-of-the-Year award. She joins Nicole Duval (1995), Shelly Bartlett (1997), Richelle Simpson (2005), Stephanie Carter (2007) and Emily Wong (2014) among the elite women’s gymnasts in the history of Coach Dan Kendig’s program to win the highest honor presented by Nebraska to its student-athletes.

DeZiel and Welk also will win the conference’s most exclusive award as recipients of the Big Ten Medal of Honor in 2015. The award was the first of its kind in intercollegiate athletics to recognize academic and athletic excellence. The Big Ten Medal of Honor was first awarded in 1915 to one student-athlete from the graduating class of each university who had “attained the greatest proficiency in athletics and scholastic work.” Big Ten schools currently feature more than 9,000 student-athletes, but only 28 earn this prestigious award on an annual basis. In the 100 years of the Medal of Honor, over 1,300 student-athletes have earned this distinction.

In an exciting addition to the annual awards event, Nebraska added a pair of new awards to recognize the top athletic achievements by its student-athletes. Miles Ukaoma, who won the 2014 NCAA Outdoor Championship in the 400-meter hurdles, claimed Nebraska’s Best Male Athlete Award. A four-time All-American in the event, Ukaoma added a pair of Big Ten crowns (2012, 2014) in the event while also capturing a Big Ten title as a member NU’s 4×400-meter relay (2013). The native of Maize, Kan., completed his athletic eligibility at Nebraska last season.

Liz Kuhlkin, who led the Nebraska bowling team to its second NCAA team title in the last three seasons over the weekend in St. Louis, captured the Best Female Athlete Award. Kuhlkin, who was the Most Outstanding Bowler at the 2013 NCAA Championships and a member of the 2015 NCAA All-Tournament Team, was named the National Tenpin Coaches Association Player of the Year in 2015. The senior from Schenectady, N.Y., is a three-time first-team NTCA All-American and a two-time academic All-Big Ten selection.

A new scholastic award was also presented with the addition of the Outstanding Scholar Award. Welk was joined in earning that honor by fellow men’s track and field team members Will Lohman and Mark Hilderbrand along with men’s golfer Josh Reinertson. On the women’s side, the Outstanding Scholar Award went to twins Amanda and Jennifer Lauer from the women’s gymnastics program.

Coach Pablo Morales’ Nebraska women’s swimming and diving team captured the Herman Team Grade-Point Average award with a combined GPA of 3.568 for 2014, ending a streak of four straight wins by the women’s tennis program. Coach Kerry McDermott’s Husker tennis team claimed the award on the men’s side with a 3.510 GPA in 2014. The victory by the tennis team also ended a streak of four consecutive wins by the men’s golf program.

The Herman Team Grade-Point Average awards began in 1994 thanks to a generous contribution from Dick and Dale Herman. Dick, who has been a generous contributor across many levels of Nebraska Athletics, especially to the Academic support facilities and Academic recognition events, was presented a special Lifetime Achievement Award at the event.

Coach Chuck Chmelka’s Nebraska men’s gymnastics team and Coach John Walker’s women’s soccer team captured the prestigious Life Skills Awards of Excellence, for their exceptional commitment to NU’s award-winning Life Skills program. The Life Skills program also named five winners across all sports of its most prestigious individual award – the Heart & Soul Award. The Heart & Soul winners were Samantha Areman (Soccer), Devandrew Johnson (Track & Field), Rebekah Land (Swimming & Diving), Ian Ousley (Wrestling) and Desire’ Stephens (Women’s Gymnastics).

In addition to the team awards and the Heart & Soul awards, Life Skills presented 35 of Nebraska’s top all-around student-athletes across all sports with Nebraska Student-Athlete Hero Leadership awards.

Overall, a total of 269 Huskers earned academic medallions at the banquet. Gold medallions (68) were presented to those for highest academic honors (3.75-4.0 grade-point average). Silver medallions (61) were awarded to those for high honors (3.5-3.749 GPA), while bronze medallions (140) were presented to student-athletes with honors (3.0-3.499 GPA).

2015 University Nebraska Athletic/Academic/Life Skills Awards
Male Student-Athlete of the Year – John Welk (Track & Field)
Female Student-Athlete of the Year – Jessie DeZiel (Gymnastics)

Best Male Athlete – Miles Ukaoma (Track & Field)
Best Female Athlete – Liz Kuhlkin (Bowling)

Outstanding Scholar Awards (6)
Mark Hilderbrand (Track & Field)
Will Lohman (Track & Field)
John Welk (Track & Field)
Josh Reinertson (Golf)
Amanda Lauer (Gymnastics)
Jennifer Lauer (Gymnastics)

Heart & Soul Awards (5)
Samantha Areman (Soccer)
Devandrew Johnson (Track & Field)
Rebekah Land (Swimming & Diving)
Ian Ousley (Wrestling)
Desire’ Stephens (Gymnastics)

Men’s Herman Team GPA Award – Tennis (3.510 GPA)
Women’s Herman Team GPA Award – Swimming & Diving (3.568 GPA)

Men’s Life Skills Award of Excellence – Gymnastics
Women’s Life Skills Award of Excellence – Soccer

Lifetime Achievement Award – Dick Herman

Nebraska Student-Athlete Hero Leadership Awards (35)
Freedom Akinmoladun, Football
Landon Bartel, Track & Field
Jourden Casey, Soccer
Davon Clark, Track & Field
Byerson Cockrell, Football
Cassie Deeg, Women’s Golf
Hannah Dittmar, Soccer
Joey Felici, Football
Kelsey Fien, Volleyball
Sarah Firestone, Track & Field
Trey Foster, Football
Levi Gipson, Track & Field
Blake Headley, Baseball
Ciara Jenkins, Swimming & Diving
Collin Jensen, Wrestling
Jacqueline Juffer, Swimming & Diving
Kye Kurkowski, Basketball
Jennie Laeng, Women’s Gymnastics
Will Lohman, Track & Field
Chris Long, Football
Alex Lorentz, Rifle
Ethan Lottman, Men’s Gymnastics
Mackenna Maddox, Women’s Tennis
Cameron Palmer, Men’s Golf
De’Mornay Pierson-El, Football
Esther Ramacieri, Women’s Basketball
Siera Rohde, Track & Field
Chris Schindler, Men’s Tennis
Tristen Sharp, Track & Field
Lotte Sjulin, Softball
Kiki Stokes, Softball
Alney Tobias, Cross Country
Coleman Tokar, Men’s Gymnastics
Jessica Wright, Cross Country
Briana Zabierek, Bowling

Cox Hits Two Homers and Huskers Win 12-3

Posted on April 13, 2015

Lincoln – Behind a pair of home runs from Christian Cox and a career-high four hits from Austin Christensen, the No. 23 Nebraska baseball team (26-11, 5-4 Big Ten) notched a series win over the Minnesota Golden Gophers (12-19, 3-9 Big Ten) on Sunday afternoon with a 12-3 in the rubber-match of the series. The Huskers took the final two games of the series by a combined score of 19-7 after being shutout, 3-0, in the series opener.

Cox became the first Husker to hit two home runs in a game since Cody Asche blasted a pair of homer against Baylor on April 30, 2011. Both homers were two-run shots to right field and came directly after Christensen started the inning with a single. Cox is now tied with Tanner Lubach for the team lead with three home runs.

Christensen finished the day 4-for-5 with two runs scored and one RBI. The junior first baseman’s previous high for hits in a game was two.

The Huskers pounded out a season-high 17 hits on the day, including a season-high five doubles. Blake Headley hit his 13^th and 14^th doubles of the season, while Ben Miller, Jake Schleppenbach and Tanner Lubach each added a double. Along with Cox’s two homers, NU also notched a season-high seven extra-base hits. Six different Huskers recorded a multi-hit game, while three Huskers delivered multi-RBI performances.

The Huskers jumped on Minnesota starter Tim Shannon in the first, as Ryan Boldt started the game with an infield single and then stole second base. NU then had runners on the corners when Schleppenbach beat out a bunt, and Headley came through with a RBI double. Miller and Lubach each followed with RBI groundouts to put the Huskers ahead 3-0.

Christensen started the second with a single and Cox followed with his first home run of the day, putting the Huskers ahead 5-0.

NU starter Derek Burkamper didn’t allow a hit through the first three innings, but then struggled in the fourth when he gave up three runs on three hits. With the tying runs on base and two outs, Jeff Chesnut got the final out of the third. The junior right-handed reliever earned the win on the day to improve to 5-0 on the season.

The Husker offense responded in the bottom of the frame and got all three runs back. Christensen started the inning with a single and Cox came calling again with a homer into the visitor’s bullpen behind the right-field wall. Boldt then earned a free pass when he was HBP and scored on Schleppenbach’s double.

Nebraska’s bullpen held the Gophers scoreless the rest of the game, while NU’s offense tacked on a run in the fifth and three runs in the eighth to coast to a 12-3 win. The Huskers pounded out five hits in the eighth.

The Huskers are back in action on Tuesday night at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha for a 7:05 p.m. contest against the Creighton Bluejays. The game will be carried on CBS Sports Network. The Huskers will be home on Wednesday night against the Omaha Mavericks, before welcoming the Ohio State Buckeyes to Lincoln next weekend for a three-game series.