The Tri-City Storm’s comeback efforts fell short Sunday evening at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in a 3-2 loss to the Sioux Falls Stampede. Nolan Roed scored each of the Storm’s two goals in the road loss. Tri-City returns to action on Friday, October 13th&nbsp;in another road battle against Sioux Falls. Puck drop for Friday’s matchup is scheduled for 7:05pm CT.

Christopher Pelosi scored his third goal of the season at 1:40 of Sunday’s opening period to give the Stampede a 1-0 lead in the matchup. The scoring play was assisted by Beckett Hendrickson and Tyler Borgula. Pelosi’s goal was the lone scoring play of the 1st&nbsp;period, and each team recorded 11 shots on net during the 1st&nbsp;period. The Storm trailed by a single goal entering Sunday’s middle period.

Kazimier Sobieski netted his first goal of the year at 5:21 of the 2nd&nbsp;period to increase the Stampede’s lead to two goals. Artur Cholach, and Will McDonough each recorded an assist on the play. Sioux Falls’ final goal of the battle was netted at 8:31 of the 2nd&nbsp;period. The goal was scored unassisted. Nolan Roed netted his first goal of the game, and second goal of the season, with less than two minutes to play in the 2nd&nbsp;period to bring the Storm within two goals of the Stampede’s lead. Roed’s goal was assisted by Artemi Nizameyev. The Storm was outshot 19-10 during the 2nd&nbsp;period, and faced a two-goal deficit entering Sunday’s final period.

Nolan Roed scored his second goal of the game, and third goal of the season, less than two minutes into the 3rd&nbsp;period. The scoring play was assisted by Artemi Nizameyev. Despite outshooting the Stampede 12-10 during Sunday’s 3rd&nbsp;period, the Storm couldn’t net a game-tying goal, and fell by a final score of 3-2. Sioux Falls outshot Tri-City by an overall margin of 40-33 during the matchup.

Despite making a career-high 37 saves in net during the battle, Ivan Zhigalov recorded the loss for the Storm. Michael Chambre picked up the win in goal for the Stampede after a 31-save-on-33-shot performance.

Tri-City hits the ice again on Friday, October 13th, in a road game against the Sioux Falls Stampede. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05pm CT. Skate to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.stormhockey.com/" target="_blank">www.StormHockey.com</a>&nbsp;for individual game tickets and more information regarding the Tri-City Storm organization.

Story by Tri-City CommunicationsThe Tri-City Storm’s comeback efforts fell short Sunday evening at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in a 3-2 loss to the Sioux Falls Stampede. Nolan Roed scored each of the Storm’s two goals in the road loss. Tri-City returns to action on Friday, October 13th&nbsp;in another road battle against Sioux Falls. Puck drop for Friday’s matchup is scheduled for 7:05pm CT.Christopher Pelosi scored his third goal of the season at 1:40 of Sunday’s opening period to give the Stampede a 1-0 lead in the matchup. The scoring play was assisted by Beckett Hendrickson and Tyler Borgula. Pelosi’s goal was the lone scoring play of the 1st&nbsp;period, and each team recorded 11 shots on net during the 1st&nbsp;period. The Storm trailed by a single goal entering Sunday’s middle period.Kazimier Sobieski netted his first goal of the year at 5:21 of the 2nd&nbsp;period to increase the Stampede’s lead to two goals. Artur Cholach, and Will McDonough each recorded an assist on the play. Sioux Falls’ final goal of the battle was netted at 8:31 of the 2nd&nbsp;period. The goal was scored unassisted. Nolan Roed netted his first goal of the game, and second goal of the season, with less than two minutes to play in the 2nd&nbsp;period to bring the Storm within two goals of the Stampede’s lead. Roed’s goal was assisted by Artemi Nizameyev. The Storm was outshot 19-10 during the 2nd&nbsp;period, and faced a two-goal deficit entering Sunday’s final period.Nolan Roed scored his second goal of the game, and third goal of the season, less than two minutes into the 3rd&nbsp;period. The scoring play was assisted by Artemi Nizameyev. Despite outshooting the Stampede 12-10 during Sunday’s 3rd&nbsp;period, the Storm couldn’t net a game-tying goal, and fell by a final score of 3-2. Sioux Falls outshot Tri-City by an overall margin of 40-33 during the matchup.Despite making a career-high 37 saves in net during the battle, Ivan Zhigalov recorded the loss for the Storm. Michael Chambre picked up the win in goal for the Stampede after a 31-save-on-33-shot performance.Tri-City hits the ice again on Friday, October 13th, in a road game against the Sioux Falls Stampede. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05pm CT. Skate to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.stormhockey.com/" target="_blank">www.StormHockey.com</a>&nbsp;for individual game tickets and more information regarding the Tri-City Storm organization.

Storm comeback falls short in road loss to Sioux Falls

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696856762396.jpeg" alt="RPAC Tournament" />
 <figcaption>RPAC Tournament</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696856822827.jpeg" alt="RPAC Tournament West Bracket" />
 <figcaption>RPAC Tournament West Bracket</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FRPACRundown%2Fposts%2Fpfbid07rRypabf8iXyGz1LWhkDdD55anSiXsHHj26KbNd3ZZsFa4wfAN551vgfDpuufWuKl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="422" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>

RPAC tournament bracket announcement 

Crofton 62, TCNE (Tri County Northeast) 6

Douglas County West 28, Columbus Lakeview 17

Dundy County Stratton 42, Hitchcock County 0

East Butler 48, Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family 6

Elkhorn Valley 38, Lutheran High Northeast 12

Fillmore Central 21, Grand Island Central Catholic 14

Hartington-Newcastle 40, Laurel-Concord-Coleridge 20

Johnson-Brock 64, Falls City Sacred Heart 20

Lourdes Central Catholic 58, Humboldt-Table Rock-Steinauer 22

Omaha Roncalli Catholic 28, Fort Calhoun 6

Shelby-Rising City 1, Cedar Bluffs 0 (Forfeit)

Adams Central 21, Aurora 19Ainsworth 64, St. Mary's 6Anselmo-Merna 44, Hyannis 6Aquinas Catholic 56, Archbishop Bergan 7Arapahoe 54, Southern Valley 8Ashland-Greenwood 54, Boys Town 7Auburn 14, Syracuse 0BDS 60, Diller-Odell 20Battle Creek 30, Cedar Catholic 12Beatrice 14, Crete 7Bellevue West 53, Bellevue East 14Bertrand 34, Maywood-Hayes Center 0Bishop Neumann 50, Louisville 0Bloomfield 56, Wausa 12Boone Central 35, ONeill 0Boyd County 42, CWC 0Bridgeport 90, Morrill 20Broken Bow 34, Minden 18Cambridge 36, Bayard 34Central Valley 78, Burwell 6Chase County 25, Mitchell 20Cody-Kilgore 36, Sioux County 8Crofton 62, TCNE (Tri County Northeast) 6Cross County 58, Clarkson/Leigh 12Doniphan-Trumbull 42, Gibbon 12Douglas County West 28, Columbus Lakeview 17Dundy County Stratton 42, Hitchcock County 0EPPJ 60, Niobrara/Verdigre 8East Butler 48, Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family 6Elkhorn South 45, Grand Island 10Elkhorn Valley 38, Lutheran High Northeast 12Fillmore Central 21, Grand Island Central Catholic 14Franklin 58, Harvard 22Fullerton 64, Giltner 28Garden County 56, Banner County 0Gothenburg 42, Holdrege 14Gretna 45, Papillion-LaVista South 26Hampton 77, Heartland Lutheran 20Hartington-Newcastle 40, Laurel-Concord-Coleridge 20Hastings 29, Scottsbluff 28Hastings St. Cecilia 42, Wood River 19Hay Springs 53, Crawford 14Hemingford 64, Kimball 6Hershey 30, Valentine 20Hi-Line 58, Alma 32Homer 20, Wakefield 6Howells-Dodge 46, Winside 20Humphrey St. Francis 60, Walthill 0Johnson-Brock 64, Falls City Sacred Heart 20Kenesaw 36, Blue Hill 24Lawrence-Nelson 76, Silver Lake 44Lewiston 59, Dorchester 6Lincoln Christian 36, Falls City 16Lincoln North Star 22, Norfolk 19Lincoln Northwest 27, Lexington 14Lincoln Southeast 21, Millard West 10Lourdes Central Catholic 58, Humboldt-Table Rock-Steinauer 22Malcolm 47, Lincoln Lutheran 3McCook 57, Alliance 16McCool Junction 64, Superior 20Mead 52, Omaha Christian Academy 8Millard South 14, Columbus 10Nebraska City 28, Raymond Central 26Nebraska Lutheran 44, Palmer 36Neligh-Oakdale 44, North Central 22Norfolk Catholic 49, Ponca 0North Platte 76, Lincoln Northeast 22Oakland-Craig 70, Tekamah-Herman 27Omaha Burke 49, Omaha Benson 0Omaha Roncalli Catholic 28, Fort Calhoun 6Omaha Skutt Catholic 55, Ralston 0Omaha Westside 56, Kearney 0Ord 34, Kearney Catholic 20Osceola 12, High Plains Community 6Overton 38, Ansley-Litchfield 28Papillion-LaVista 28, Omaha Central 7Pawnee City 44, Sterling 13Paxton 66, Wallace 50Pender 53, Lyons-Decatur Northeast 13Pierce 42, Central City 35Plainview 62, Summerland 34Platteview 54, Omaha Concordia 6Plattsmouth 70, Omaha Buena Vista 0Potter-Dix 80, Creek Valley 0Sandhills/Thedford 74, Leyton 8Sandy Creek 74, Heartland 16Shelby-Rising City 1, Cedar Bluffs 0 (Forfeit)Sidney 26, Cozad 21Southwest 54, Brady 20Stanton 67, Bancroft-Rosalie 14Stuart 54, Santee 14Sutton 44, Nebraska Christian 35Thayer Central 62, Freeman 14Twin Loup 34, Elm Creek 30Twin River 67, Madison 26Wahoo 32, Scotus Central Catholic 0Weeping Water 20, Elmwood-Murdock 6West Point-Beemer 28, Wayne 14Wilber-Clatonia 49, Centennial 6Wilcox-Hildreth 36, Shelton 31Wisner-Pilger 28, Guardian Angels Central Catholic 8Wynot 1, Osmond 0 (Forfeit)York 27, Seward 0

Area Football scores from Oct. 6th

1.11&nbsp;Marcus Hernandez&nbsp;17:46.96&nbsp;Bertrand

<a href="https://www.athletic.net/team/10947/cross-country"></a>2. 10&nbsp;Kael Garrett&nbsp;17:48.27&nbsp;Medicine Valley

<a href="https://www.athletic.net/team/10984/cross-country"></a>3. 12&nbsp;Griffin Stemper&nbsp;18:55.43&nbsp;Alma

<a href="https://www.athletic.net/team/11136/cross-country"></a>4. 9&nbsp;Max Hanson&nbsp;18:59.62&nbsp;Wallace

<a href="https://www.athletic.net/team/10817/cross-country"></a>5. 9&nbsp;Landon Drews&nbsp;19:15.46&nbsp;Paxton

<a href="https://www.athletic.net/team/10754/cross-country"></a>6. 10&nbsp;Nolan Pfeil&nbsp;19:16.34&nbsp;Alma

<a href="https://www.athletic.net/team/11136/cross-country"></a>7. 10&nbsp;Isaac Hamilton&nbsp;19:44.24&nbsp;Southern Valley (Oxford)

<a href="https://www.athletic.net/team/10748/cross-country"></a>8. 11&nbsp;Luke Larson&nbsp;19:45.24&nbsp;Bertrand

<a href="https://www.athletic.net/team/10947/cross-country"></a>9. 12&nbsp;Wyatt Jackson&nbsp;19:52.08&nbsp;Cambridge

<a href="https://www.athletic.net/team/10962/cross-country"></a>10. 10&nbsp;Brady Ahlemeyer&nbsp;20:00.84&nbsp;Cambridge&nbsp;

1. 11&nbsp;Tayley Becker&nbsp;21:48.87&nbsp;Southern Valley (Oxford)

<a href="https://www.athletic.net/team/10748/cross-country"></a>2. 11&nbsp;Ashley Robertson&nbsp;21:55.68&nbsp;Wallace

<a href="https://www.athletic.net/team/10817/cross-country"></a>3. 12&nbsp;Dajana Garrison&nbsp;22:17.34&nbsp;Wallace

<a href="https://www.athletic.net/team/10817/cross-country"></a>4. 11&nbsp;Ryleigh Hanson&nbsp;22:26.14&nbsp;Wallace

<a href="https://www.athletic.net/team/10817/cross-country"></a>5. 12&nbsp;Brenna Deterding&nbsp;22:39.14&nbsp;Cambridge

<a href="https://www.athletic.net/team/10962/cross-country"></a>6. 10&nbsp;Elliana Robertson&nbsp;23:09.52&nbsp;Wallace

<a href="https://www.athletic.net/team/10817/cross-country"></a>7. 12&nbsp;Ainsley McConnell&nbsp;23:12.14&nbsp;Paxton

<a href="https://www.athletic.net/team/10754/cross-country"></a>8. 9&nbsp;Natalie Jorgensen&nbsp;23:15.40&nbsp;Paxton

<a href="https://www.athletic.net/team/10754/cross-country"></a>9. 12 Chayse Keith&nbsp;23:37.08&nbsp;Hitchcock County

<a href="https://www.athletic.net/team/19573/cross-country"></a>10. 11&nbsp;Rachel Harris&nbsp;24:12.14&nbsp;Cambridge

Boys Results:1.11&nbsp;Marcus Hernandez&nbsp;17:46.96&nbsp;Bertrand<a href="https://www.athletic.net/team/10947/cross-country"></a>2. 10&nbsp;Kael Garrett&nbsp;17:48.27&nbsp;Medicine Valley<a href="https://www.athletic.net/team/10984/cross-country"></a>3. 12&nbsp;Griffin Stemper&nbsp;18:55.43&nbsp;Alma<a href="https://www.athletic.net/team/11136/cross-country"></a>4. 9&nbsp;Max Hanson&nbsp;18:59.62&nbsp;Wallace<a href="https://www.athletic.net/team/10817/cross-country"></a>5. 9&nbsp;Landon Drews&nbsp;19:15.46&nbsp;Paxton<a href="https://www.athletic.net/team/10754/cross-country"></a>6. 10&nbsp;Nolan Pfeil&nbsp;19:16.34&nbsp;Alma<a href="https://www.athletic.net/team/11136/cross-country"></a>7. 10&nbsp;Isaac Hamilton&nbsp;19:44.24&nbsp;Southern Valley (Oxford)<a href="https://www.athletic.net/team/10748/cross-country"></a>8. 11&nbsp;Luke Larson&nbsp;19:45.24&nbsp;Bertrand<a href="https://www.athletic.net/team/10947/cross-country"></a>9. 12&nbsp;Wyatt Jackson&nbsp;19:52.08&nbsp;Cambridge<a href="https://www.athletic.net/team/10962/cross-country"></a>10. 10&nbsp;Brady Ahlemeyer&nbsp;20:00.84&nbsp;Cambridge&nbsp;Girls Results:1. 11&nbsp;Tayley Becker&nbsp;21:48.87&nbsp;Southern Valley (Oxford)<a href="https://www.athletic.net/team/10748/cross-country"></a>2. 11&nbsp;Ashley Robertson&nbsp;21:55.68&nbsp;Wallace<a href="https://www.athletic.net/team/10817/cross-country"></a>3. 12&nbsp;Dajana Garrison&nbsp;22:17.34&nbsp;Wallace<a href="https://www.athletic.net/team/10817/cross-country"></a>4. 11&nbsp;Ryleigh Hanson&nbsp;22:26.14&nbsp;Wallace<a href="https://www.athletic.net/team/10817/cross-country"></a>5. 12&nbsp;Brenna Deterding&nbsp;22:39.14&nbsp;Cambridge<a href="https://www.athletic.net/team/10962/cross-country"></a>6. 10&nbsp;Elliana Robertson&nbsp;23:09.52&nbsp;Wallace<a href="https://www.athletic.net/team/10817/cross-country"></a>7. 12&nbsp;Ainsley McConnell&nbsp;23:12.14&nbsp;Paxton<a href="https://www.athletic.net/team/10754/cross-country"></a>8. 9&nbsp;Natalie Jorgensen&nbsp;23:15.40&nbsp;Paxton<a href="https://www.athletic.net/team/10754/cross-country"></a>9. 12 Chayse Keith&nbsp;23:37.08&nbsp;Hitchcock County<a href="https://www.athletic.net/team/19573/cross-country"></a>10. 11&nbsp;Rachel Harris&nbsp;24:12.14&nbsp;Cambridge&nbsp;Team Results:1.&nbsp;Wallace&nbsp;62.&nbsp;Cambridge&nbsp;233.&nbsp;Paxton&nbsp;254.&nbsp;Bertrand&nbsp;445.&nbsp;Hitchcock County&nbsp;476.&nbsp;Maxwell 58&nbsp;&nbsp;

RPAC Invitational results for Cross Country

CHICAGO (AP) — Dick Butkus, a fearsome middle linebacker for the Chicago Bears, has died, the team announced Thursday. He was 80.

According to a statement released by the team, Butkus' family confirmed that he died in his sleep overnight at his home in Malibu, California.

Butkus was a Hall of Famer whose bone-rattling tackles made him one of the most intimidating players in NFL history. He was the quintessential modern linebacker, a disruptive force who roamed sideline to sideline and left a trail of broken opponents behind.

He was a first-team All-Pro selection five times and made the Pro Bowl in eight of his nine seasons before knee injuries forced his retirement at age 31. Despite a short career, Butkus came to define his position. He routinely ranks among the NFL’s top 100 players.

CHICAGO (AP) — Dick Butkus, a fearsome middle linebacker for the Chicago Bears, has died, the team announced Thursday. He was 80.According to a statement released by the team, Butkus' family confirmed that he died in his sleep overnight at his home in Malibu, California.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/BxVt7EfV9Q">pic.twitter.com/BxVt7EfV9Q</a>&mdash; Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/1710063953781440885?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Butkus was a Hall of Famer whose bone-rattling tackles made him one of the most intimidating players in NFL history. He was the quintessential modern linebacker, a disruptive force who roamed sideline to sideline and left a trail of broken opponents behind.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Dick Butkus was a legend who embodied what it means to be a Chicago Bear. Our hearts go out to his family and friends. <a href="https://t.co/8UEVuuZLwi">pic.twitter.com/8UEVuuZLwi</a>&mdash; Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/1710063847359287777?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>He was a first-team All-Pro selection five times and made the Pro Bowl in eight of his nine seasons before knee injuries forced his retirement at age 31. Despite a short career, Butkus came to define his position. He routinely ranks among the NFL’s top 100 players.

Dick Butkus, Hall of Fame Chicago Bear, dies at 80

Nebraska (2-3, 0-2 Big Ten) at Illinois (2-3, 0-2), Friday, 8 p.m. ET (FS1)

Line: Illinois by 3 1/2, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/ncaaf">FanDuel Sportsbook</a>.

Each team desperately needs a victory to stay in contention for the Big Ten West title, and to bounce back from a humbling defeat last week. Nebraska was pounded at home 45-7 by No. 2 Michigan in front of more than 87,000 fans, the 392nd consecutive sellout in Lincoln. Illinois lost 44-19 at Purdue.

Illinois’ turnover-prone and slow-starting offense against Nebraska’s defense. Illinois QB Luke Altmyer has thrown seven interceptions, and the Illini have lost four fumbles. Illinois has scored just 10 points in the first quarter this season. Altmyer is Illinois’ leading rusher with 278 yards. Reggie Love III (258 yards) missed the Purdue game with a foot injury and will be a game-time decision Friday.

Nebraska: Virginia transfer Billy Kemp IV is a dangerous pass catcher who is tied for seventh nationally among active receivers with 209 career receptions. He has 1,967 receiving yards in his career. Kemp played in 50 games in five years at Virginia. He’s eligible to play this fall because the NCAA granted Virginia football players who were in their final year of eligibility an additional year. Kemp ranks No. 4 at Virginia in career pass receptions (192) and No. 10 in career receiving yards (1,774).

Illinois: Isaiah Williams leads the Big Ten in receptions (30) and receiving yards (446), and he’s tied for the most first-down catches (20) with Penn State’s KeAndre Lambert-Smith. Williams has at least one catch in all 30 games since he switched from quarterback before the start of the 2021 season, and at least three catches in 19 straight games. His 162 career receptions rank fifth all-time at Illinois.

Illinois leads the nation with four blocked kicks (two on field goal attempts, two on punts). All-American Jer’Zhan Newton has the two field goal blocks. ... Nebraska’s trip to Illinois is the only road game for the Huskers in a six-game stretch. ... Nebraska won six of the first seven Big Ten games it played against Illinois, but the Illini have won three in a row since then. ... Illinois beat Nebraska 30-22 on Aug. 28, 2021 in the Huskers’ last visit to Champaign. That game was Bret Bielema’s first as the Illini coach. ... A fire Tuesday night in a maintenance area under the horseshoe portion of the seating area at Memorial Stadium caused concern mid-week, but a structural engineering firm inspected the area and declared it safe, according to an Illinois spokesman.

Nebraska (2-3, 0-2 Big Ten) at Illinois (2-3, 0-2), Friday, 8 p.m. ET (FS1)Line: Illinois by 3 1/2, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/ncaaf">FanDuel Sportsbook</a>.Series record: Nebraska leads 13-6-1.WHAT’S AT STAKE?Each team desperately needs a victory to stay in contention for the Big Ten West title, and to bounce back from a humbling defeat last week. Nebraska was pounded at home 45-7 by No. 2 Michigan in front of more than 87,000 fans, the 392nd consecutive sellout in Lincoln. Illinois lost 44-19 at Purdue.KEY MATCHUPIllinois’ turnover-prone and slow-starting offense against Nebraska’s defense. Illinois QB Luke Altmyer has thrown seven interceptions, and the Illini have lost four fumbles. Illinois has scored just 10 points in the first quarter this season. Altmyer is Illinois’ leading rusher with 278 yards. Reggie Love III (258 yards) missed the Purdue game with a foot injury and will be a game-time decision Friday.PLAYERS TO WATCHNebraska: Virginia transfer Billy Kemp IV is a dangerous pass catcher who is tied for seventh nationally among active receivers with 209 career receptions. He has 1,967 receiving yards in his career. Kemp played in 50 games in five years at Virginia. He’s eligible to play this fall because the NCAA granted Virginia football players who were in their final year of eligibility an additional year. Kemp ranks No. 4 at Virginia in career pass receptions (192) and No. 10 in career receiving yards (1,774).Illinois: Isaiah Williams leads the Big Ten in receptions (30) and receiving yards (446), and he’s tied for the most first-down catches (20) with Penn State’s KeAndre Lambert-Smith. Williams has at least one catch in all 30 games since he switched from quarterback before the start of the 2021 season, and at least three catches in 19 straight games. His 162 career receptions rank fifth all-time at Illinois.FACTS &amp; FIGURESIllinois leads the nation with four blocked kicks (two on field goal attempts, two on punts). All-American Jer’Zhan Newton has the two field goal blocks. ... Nebraska’s trip to Illinois is the only road game for the Huskers in a six-game stretch. ... Nebraska won six of the first seven Big Ten games it played against Illinois, but the Illini have won three in a row since then. ... Illinois beat Nebraska 30-22 on Aug. 28, 2021 in the Huskers’ last visit to Champaign. That game was Bret Bielema’s first as the Illini coach. ... A fire Tuesday night in a maintenance area under the horseshoe portion of the seating area at Memorial Stadium caused concern mid-week, but a structural engineering firm inspected the area and declared it safe, according to an Illinois spokesman.

Nebraska and Illinois each look for first Big Ten win on Friday night

Big Ten Unveils Future Football Opponents

The Big Ten Conference announced on Thursday the football opponents for the 2024 through 2028 seasons. The Big Ten will maintain a nine-game conference schedule with the expansion of the conference to 18 schools beginning with the 2024 season.

Nebraska will continue to play Iowa each year in the new scheduling cycle, with the Heroes Game one of 12 protected annual matchups across the conference.&nbsp; The Big Ten’s scheduling model also ensures that all 18 schools play each conference opponent at least twice—one home and one away—in the five-year period. Nebraska faces eight teams twice in the five-year cycle and eight opponents three times in addition to the annual matchups with Iowa.

In the first season of the five-year schedule in 2024, Nebraska will play host to Illinois, Rutgers, UCLA and Wisconsin in Big Ten home games, while traveling to Indiana, Iowa, Ohio State, Purdue and USC.&nbsp; The game dates for the 2024 Big Ten Conference schedule are expected to be announced later this fall.

Below is the yearly breakdown of Nebraska’s Big Ten opponents from 2024 to 2028, and a listing of how many times Nebraska faces each Big Ten school between 2024 and 2028.

Home:&nbsp;Illinois, Rutgers, UCLA, Wisconsin

Away:&nbsp;Indiana, Iowa, Ohio State, Purdue, USC

Home:&nbsp;Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, USC

Away:&nbsp;Maryland, Minnesota, Penn State, UCLA

Home:&nbsp;Indiana, Maryland, Ohio State, Washington

Away:&nbsp;Illinois, Iowa, Michigan State, Oregon, Rutgers

Home:&nbsp;Iowa, Minnesota, Oregon, Purdue, Rutgers

Away: Northwestern, Ohio State, Washington, Wisconsin

Home:&nbsp;Northwestern, Penn State, UCLA, Wisconsin

Away:&nbsp;Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Purdue, USC

Big Ten Unveils Future Football OpponentsThe Big Ten Conference announced on Thursday the football opponents for the 2024 through 2028 seasons. The Big Ten will maintain a nine-game conference schedule with the expansion of the conference to 18 schools beginning with the 2024 season.Nebraska will continue to play Iowa each year in the new scheduling cycle, with the Heroes Game one of 12 protected annual matchups across the conference.&nbsp; The Big Ten’s scheduling model also ensures that all 18 schools play each conference opponent at least twice—one home and one away—in the five-year period. Nebraska faces eight teams twice in the five-year cycle and eight opponents three times in addition to the annual matchups with Iowa.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668135507264.jpeg" alt="Memorial Stadium will host Illinois, Rutgers, UCLA &amp; Wisconsin next season |Photo from Nebraska Athletics Department" />
 <figcaption>Memorial Stadium will host Illinois, Rutgers, UCLA &amp; Wisconsin next season |Photo from Nebraska Athletics Department</figcaption>
 </figure>In the first season of the five-year schedule in 2024, Nebraska will play host to Illinois, Rutgers, UCLA and Wisconsin in Big Ten home games, while traveling to Indiana, Iowa, Ohio State, Purdue and USC.&nbsp; The game dates for the 2024 Big Ten Conference schedule are expected to be announced later this fall.Below is the yearly breakdown of Nebraska’s Big Ten opponents from 2024 to 2028, and a listing of how many times Nebraska faces each Big Ten school between 2024 and 2028.Future Nebraska Big Ten Opponents2024Home:&nbsp;Illinois, Rutgers, UCLA, WisconsinAway:&nbsp;Indiana, Iowa, Ohio State, Purdue, USC2025Home:&nbsp;Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, USCAway:&nbsp;Maryland, Minnesota, Penn State, UCLA2026Home:&nbsp;Indiana, Maryland, Ohio State, WashingtonAway:&nbsp;Illinois, Iowa, Michigan State, Oregon, Rutgers2027Home:&nbsp;Iowa, Minnesota, Oregon, Purdue, RutgersAway: Northwestern, Ohio State, Washington, Wisconsin2028Home:&nbsp;Northwestern, Penn State, UCLA, WisconsinAway:&nbsp;Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Purdue, USC

Nebraska Football Conference schedule for 2024-2028 released

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Randy Gregory missed more games than he played during his 18-month stint in Denver, where he had almost as many surgeries (two) as sacks (three).

The Broncos (1-3) parted ways with the immensely talented but often-unavailable pass rusher Wednesday, deciding to release him — even though they're on the hook for the $10.9 million remaining on his 2023 salary — if they couldn't find a trade partner.

“We just felt with some of our younger players and where we're going, it was best for our team right now,” said coach Sean Payton, who disputed any notion that Gregory had asked for his release. “We just felt like these other guys were playing better.”

Gregory's departure came 72 hours after he appeared disinterested in a game at Chicago after losing his starting job to second-year linebacker Nik Bonitto, who ignited Denver's first victory of the season with a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Broncos/status/1708564432043811257?s=20">strip-sack</a>&nbsp;of Justin Fields that turned into the game-tying touchdown from Jonathon Cooper.

Gregory's benching came a week after he was shut out at Miami, where he failed to register a single tackle and had no sacks or pressures of Tua Tagovailoa, who led the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-broncos-dolphins-tyreek-hill-tua-tagovailoa-7b63c4ac5c48e0f4156a8a4574de5c72">Dolphins' 70-20 onslaught</a>&nbsp;in one of the biggest blowouts in NFL history.

Several Broncos said there were no hard feelings toward Gregory, whom they affectionately called by his initials.

“R.G. for me has been a great teammate,” safety Justin Simmons said. “He's been a great friend and it was awesome just watching him play in Dallas all those years he was going crazy. So, a great man and teammate. It's just the business side of the NFL. And I'm always rooting for R.G.”

Another veteran pass rusher, Frank Clark, expressed similar sentiments, calling Gregory “a great player, obviously a great teammate. He’s done a great job ever since he’s been in the league of being a pro. He had some mistakes here and there just like all of us, but a hell of a player, hell of a teammate.”

Gregory was close to re-signing with Dallas last year before Broncos general manager George Paton offered him a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/denver-broncos-dallas-cowboys-von-miller-nfl-sports-d05b6860f8096affbae9a7d123ccc46e">five-year, $70 million deal</a>&nbsp;that included $28 million in guarantees.

Much of the fanbase preferred a reunion with Von Miller, who had expressed a desire to return to Denver after helping the Rams win the Super Bowl following his midseason trade to Los Angeles in 2021.

Paton said at the time that Gregory was his top choice in free agency and he never called Miller, who wound up signing a megadeal with the Bills, where his productive 2022 season was cut short by a knee injury.

Paton's prized free agent, however, missed 11 games last season and he proved a bad fit for Payton and his staff this year.

Gregory played in just 10 of a possible 21 games during his time in Denver. He was limited to a half dozen games last season because of a knee injury after he missed all of training camp following shoulder surgery. He had two sacks last year and one this season.

Gregory has stayed out of trouble since being activated from the commissioner’s exempt list on Oct. 20, 2020, the last of his four substance-abuse suspensions including one that sidelined him for the entire 2019 season.

Although Gregory didn’t have any off-the-field issues in Denver like he did during his suspension-filled seven-year stint in Dallas, his production on the field never lived up to his lofty contract.

The Broncos' pass rush is expected to get a boost with Clark (hip) and Baron Browning (knee) close to returning to action, although it's unlikely they'll play Sunday against the New York Jets (1-3) in a game that features the return of Nathaniel Hackett, whom&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/behind-call-payton-broncos-hackett-777e12db30ef1b6f776ad524403494ef">Payton trashed</a>&nbsp;in July for the work he did in Denver last season, particularly with quarterback Russell Wilson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696473833731.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Randy Gregory missed more games than he played during his 18-month stint in Denver, where he had almost as many surgeries (two) as sacks (three).The Broncos (1-3) parted ways with the immensely talented but often-unavailable pass rusher Wednesday, deciding to release him — even though they're on the hook for the $10.9 million remaining on his 2023 salary — if they couldn't find a trade partner.“We just felt with some of our younger players and where we're going, it was best for our team right now,” said coach Sean Payton, who disputed any notion that Gregory had asked for his release. “We just felt like these other guys were playing better.”Gregory's departure came 72 hours after he appeared disinterested in a game at Chicago after losing his starting job to second-year linebacker Nik Bonitto, who ignited Denver's first victory of the season with a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Broncos/status/1708564432043811257?s=20">strip-sack</a>&nbsp;of Justin Fields that turned into the game-tying touchdown from Jonathon Cooper.Gregory's benching came a week after he was shut out at Miami, where he failed to register a single tackle and had no sacks or pressures of Tua Tagovailoa, who led the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-broncos-dolphins-tyreek-hill-tua-tagovailoa-7b63c4ac5c48e0f4156a8a4574de5c72">Dolphins' 70-20 onslaught</a>&nbsp;in one of the biggest blowouts in NFL history.Several Broncos said there were no hard feelings toward Gregory, whom they affectionately called by his initials.“R.G. for me has been a great teammate,” safety Justin Simmons said. “He's been a great friend and it was awesome just watching him play in Dallas all those years he was going crazy. So, a great man and teammate. It's just the business side of the NFL. And I'm always rooting for R.G.”Another veteran pass rusher, Frank Clark, expressed similar sentiments, calling Gregory “a great player, obviously a great teammate. He’s done a great job ever since he’s been in the league of being a pro. He had some mistakes here and there just like all of us, but a hell of a player, hell of a teammate.”Gregory was close to re-signing with Dallas last year before Broncos general manager George Paton offered him a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/denver-broncos-dallas-cowboys-von-miller-nfl-sports-d05b6860f8096affbae9a7d123ccc46e">five-year, $70 million deal</a>&nbsp;that included $28 million in guarantees.Much of the fanbase preferred a reunion with Von Miller, who had expressed a desire to return to Denver after helping the Rams win the Super Bowl following his midseason trade to Los Angeles in 2021.Paton said at the time that Gregory was his top choice in free agency and he never called Miller, who wound up signing a megadeal with the Bills, where his productive 2022 season was cut short by a knee injury.Paton's prized free agent, however, missed 11 games last season and he proved a bad fit for Payton and his staff this year.Gregory played in just 10 of a possible 21 games during his time in Denver. He was limited to a half dozen games last season because of a knee injury after he missed all of training camp following shoulder surgery. He had two sacks last year and one this season.Gregory has stayed out of trouble since being activated from the commissioner’s exempt list on Oct. 20, 2020, the last of his four substance-abuse suspensions including one that sidelined him for the entire 2019 season.Although Gregory didn’t have any off-the-field issues in Denver like he did during his suspension-filled seven-year stint in Dallas, his production on the field never lived up to his lofty contract.The Broncos' pass rush is expected to get a boost with Clark (hip) and Baron Browning (knee) close to returning to action, although it's unlikely they'll play Sunday against the New York Jets (1-3) in a game that features the return of Nathaniel Hackett, whom&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/behind-call-payton-broncos-hackett-777e12db30ef1b6f776ad524403494ef">Payton trashed</a>&nbsp;in July for the work he did in Denver last season, particularly with quarterback Russell Wilson.

Broncos release former Husker Gregory after disappointing stint in Denver

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos have decided to part ways with pass rusher Randy Gregory, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team won't have anything to say about the matter until coach Sean Payton's post-practice news conference Wednesday afternoon.

Gregory's release comes just 18 months after he signed a five-year, $70 million contract that included a $14 million salary this season, $10.9 million of which he is still due.

Gregory proved an ill fit on Payton's roster and he was benched last week in favor of second-year pro Nik Bonitto, whose&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Broncos/status/1708564432043811257?s=20">strip-sack of Justin Fields</a>&nbsp;in the fourth quarter led to Jonathon Cooper's scoop-and-score for the game-tying touchdown in Denver's 31-28 comeback win over Chicago. He also had two tackles for loss and two QB hits.

Also, the Broncos (1-3) are expecting pass rushers Baron Browning (knee) and Frank Clark (hip) back on the field soon.

Gregory played in just 10 of a possible 21 games during his time in Denver. He was limited to six games last season because of a knee injury after he missed all of training camp following shoulder surgery. He had two sacks last year and one this season.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696450321156.jpeg" alt="Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields passes under pressure from Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gregory during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)" />
 <figcaption>Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields passes under pressure from Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gregory during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)</figcaption>
 </figure>ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos have decided to part ways with pass rusher Randy Gregory, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Wednesday.The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team won't have anything to say about the matter until coach Sean Payton's post-practice news conference Wednesday afternoon.Gregory's release comes just 18 months after he signed a five-year, $70 million contract that included a $14 million salary this season, $10.9 million of which he is still due.Gregory proved an ill fit on Payton's roster and he was benched last week in favor of second-year pro Nik Bonitto, whose&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Broncos/status/1708564432043811257?s=20">strip-sack of Justin Fields</a>&nbsp;in the fourth quarter led to Jonathon Cooper's scoop-and-score for the game-tying touchdown in Denver's 31-28 comeback win over Chicago. He also had two tackles for loss and two QB hits.Also, the Broncos (1-3) are expecting pass rushers Baron Browning (knee) and Frank Clark (hip) back on the field soon.Gregory played in just 10 of a possible 21 games during his time in Denver. He was limited to six games last season because of a knee injury after he missed all of training camp following shoulder surgery. He had two sacks last year and one this season.

Denver Broncos part ways with pass rusher Randy Gregory, AP source says

Coach Long and Voice of the Eagles Dave Collins breakdown the game at #2 Colorado Mines, which featured all kinds of special teams success and some big plays from the secondary! Details on game week against Fort Lewis and reflection on the first half of the season are all part of tonight's program.

<div><iframe title="Jay Long Show - October 3, 2023" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=jvbd7-14c022c-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1b1b1b&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=c73a3a" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>Coach Long and Voice of the Eagles Dave Collins breakdown the game at #2 Colorado Mines, which featured all kinds of special teams success and some big plays from the secondary! Details on game week against Fort Lewis and reflection on the first half of the season are all part of tonight's program.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666116284028.jpeg" alt="" />
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🔊 Jay Long Show - October 3, 2023

Sandhills/North Platte Post

LINCOLN, Neb - Phalen Sanford, a former multi-sport athlete at Dundy County-Stratton High School in Benkelman will get his first career start for Nebraska Friday night on the road at Illinois. Sanford has 10 tackles this season including 1 forced fumble against Louisiana Tech. Sanford is 1 of only 4 Nebraskans to start on defense this week.

Phalen Sanford, the 2021 Nebraska Special Teams Player of the Year, is a 6th year Senior for Nebraska, and would be eligible for a 7th season but intends to move on after the season. He earned his bachelor's degree in child, youth and family studies in December of 2022. In high school at Dundy County-Stratton he was a first team D1 Football player as well as a 6 time state champion in track.&nbsp;

Sandhills/North Platte PostLINCOLN, Neb - Phalen Sanford, a former multi-sport athlete at Dundy County-Stratton High School in Benkelman will get his first career start for Nebraska Friday night on the road at Illinois. Sanford has 10 tackles this season including 1 forced fumble against Louisiana Tech. Sanford is 1 of only 4 Nebraskans to start on defense this week.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696368824085.jpeg" alt="Phalen Sanford / Photo by Husker Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Phalen Sanford / Photo by Husker Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>Phalen Sanford, the 2021 Nebraska Special Teams Player of the Year, is a 6th year Senior for Nebraska, and would be eligible for a 7th season but intends to move on after the season. He earned his bachelor's degree in child, youth and family studies in December of 2022. In high school at Dundy County-Stratton he was a first team D1 Football player as well as a 6 time state champion in track.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696368989766.jpeg" alt="Husker Depth Chart vs Illinois" />
 <figcaption>Husker Depth Chart vs Illinois</figcaption>
 </figure>

DCS Standout Phalen Sanford to start at Safety vs Illinois Friday

The Nebraska wrestling team will face another challenging season as the 2023-24 slate features 11 of the top-25 finishers from last season’s NCAA Championships, Coach Mark Manning announced on Monday.&nbsp;

The Huskers will kick off the season on the road against North Dakota State on Nov. 4. NU will then return home to host Campbell on Friday, Nov. 10 before traveling to Annapolis, Md., for the Navy Classic on Saturday, Nov. 18. &nbsp;

NU will stay on the road and compete at the Cliff Keen Invite in Las Vegas on Dec. 1-2. The Huskers will conclude the 2023 year as they host South Dakota Sate on Saturday, Dec. 16. The team will then remain home to begin the year as NU hosts Wyoming and Northern Iowa on Saturday, Jan. 6.&nbsp;

Conference competition will feature eight duals, four home and four away, with Big Ten action beginning with Nebraska’s home opener against Iowa on Friday, Jan. 12. Minnesota will then host the Huskers in Minneapolis on Friday, Jan. 19 before NU returns home to host Purdue on Sunday, Jan. 21.&nbsp;

The following weekend NU kicks off a two-match road stint as it faces Northwestern on Friday, Jan. 26 and Wisconsin on Sunday, Jan. 28, before returning home to host Illinois on Sunday, Feb. 4 and Michigan on Friday, Feb. 9.&nbsp;

NU will close out Big Ten regular season action on the road with a dual against Penn State on Sunday, Feb. 18, before traveling to Arizona to face ASU on Sunday, Feb. 25 to wrap up the regular season. &nbsp;

The Big Ten Championships will be hosted by Maryland on Saturday, March 9 and Sunday, March 10. The NCAA Championships will be in Kansas City, Mo., Thursday, March 21 through Saturday, March 23.&nbsp;

2023-24 Wrestling Non-Conference ScheduleSaturday, Nov. 4: at North Dakota StateFriday, Nov. 10: CampbellSaturday, Nov. 18: at Navy ClassicFriday, Dec. 1 – Saturday, Dec. 2: at Cliff Keen InviteSaturday, Dec. 16: South Dakota StateSaturday, Jan. 6: Wyoming and Northern IowaFriday, Jan. 12: Iowa*Friday, Jan. 19: at Minnesota*Sunday, Jan. 21: Purdue*Friday, Jan. 26: at Northwestern*Sunday, Jan. 28: at Wisconsin*Sunday, Feb. 4: Illinois*Friday, Feb. 9: Michigan*Sunday, Feb. 18: at Penn State*Sunday, Feb. 25: at Arizona State&nbsp;

The Nebraska wrestling team will face another challenging season as the 2023-24 slate features 11 of the top-25 finishers from last season’s NCAA Championships, Coach Mark Manning announced on Monday.&nbsp;The Huskers will kick off the season on the road against North Dakota State on Nov. 4. NU will then return home to host Campbell on Friday, Nov. 10 before traveling to Annapolis, Md., for the Navy Classic on Saturday, Nov. 18. &nbsp;NU will stay on the road and compete at the Cliff Keen Invite in Las Vegas on Dec. 1-2. The Huskers will conclude the 2023 year as they host South Dakota Sate on Saturday, Dec. 16. The team will then remain home to begin the year as NU hosts Wyoming and Northern Iowa on Saturday, Jan. 6.&nbsp;Conference competition will feature eight duals, four home and four away, with Big Ten action beginning with Nebraska’s home opener against Iowa on Friday, Jan. 12. Minnesota will then host the Huskers in Minneapolis on Friday, Jan. 19 before NU returns home to host Purdue on Sunday, Jan. 21.&nbsp;The following weekend NU kicks off a two-match road stint as it faces Northwestern on Friday, Jan. 26 and Wisconsin on Sunday, Jan. 28, before returning home to host Illinois on Sunday, Feb. 4 and Michigan on Friday, Feb. 9.&nbsp;NU will close out Big Ten regular season action on the road with a dual against Penn State on Sunday, Feb. 18, before traveling to Arizona to face ASU on Sunday, Feb. 25 to wrap up the regular season. &nbsp;The Big Ten Championships will be hosted by Maryland on Saturday, March 9 and Sunday, March 10. The NCAA Championships will be in Kansas City, Mo., Thursday, March 21 through Saturday, March 23.&nbsp;2023-24 Wrestling Non-Conference ScheduleSaturday, Nov. 4: at North Dakota StateFriday, Nov. 10: CampbellSaturday, Nov. 18: at Navy ClassicFriday, Dec. 1 – Saturday, Dec. 2: at Cliff Keen InviteSaturday, Dec. 16: South Dakota StateSaturday, Jan. 6: Wyoming and Northern IowaFriday, Jan. 12: Iowa*Friday, Jan. 19: at Minnesota*Sunday, Jan. 21: Purdue*Friday, Jan. 26: at Northwestern*Sunday, Jan. 28: at Wisconsin*Sunday, Feb. 4: Illinois*Friday, Feb. 9: Michigan*Sunday, Feb. 18: at Penn State*Sunday, Feb. 25: at Arizona State&nbsp;

Huskers announce 2023-24 Wrestling schedule 

A trio of Nebraska volleyball student-athletes received weekly Big Ten honors on Monday, the conference office announced. Merritt Beason was named Big Ten Player of the Week for the second time this season. Bergen Reilly was named co-Big Ten Setter of the Week for the second week in a row. And Harper Murray was selected as Big Ten Freshman of the Week for the third time.&nbsp;

Beason, Reilly and Murray played key roles in leading the Huskers to a 3-2 road win at No. 17 Purdue on Friday and a 3-1 road win at Indiana on Saturday.&nbsp;

Beason led the Huskers with 4.56 kills per set on a .384 hitting percentage to go with 2.33 digs per set. The junior opposite hitter had 19 kills and hit .368 with nine digs and five blocks in the 3-2 win at No. 17 Purdue. Beason followed up on Saturday in a 3-1 win at Indiana with a career-high 22 kills and season-high 12 digs while hitting .400.&nbsp;

Murray posted 4.22 kills per set and 1.67 digs per set while hitting .278 in the two victories. On Friday night, Murray had a career-high 21 kills with 10 digs and two blocks in a 3-2 win over the Boilermakers. She followed up on Saturday at Indiana with 17 kills on a .368 hitting percentage to go with five digs.&nbsp;

A trio of Nebraska volleyball student-athletes received weekly Big Ten honors on Monday, the conference office announced. Merritt Beason was named Big Ten Player of the Week for the second time this season. Bergen Reilly was named co-Big Ten Setter of the Week for the second week in a row. And Harper Murray was selected as Big Ten Freshman of the Week for the third time.&nbsp;Beason, Reilly and Murray played key roles in leading the Huskers to a 3-2 road win at No. 17 Purdue on Friday and a 3-1 road win at Indiana on Saturday.&nbsp;Beason led the Huskers with 4.56 kills per set on a .384 hitting percentage to go with 2.33 digs per set. The junior opposite hitter had 19 kills and hit .368 with nine digs and five blocks in the 3-2 win at No. 17 Purdue. Beason followed up on Saturday in a 3-1 win at Indiana with a career-high 22 kills and season-high 12 digs while hitting .400.&nbsp;Murray posted 4.22 kills per set and 1.67 digs per set while hitting .278 in the two victories. On Friday night, Murray had a career-high 21 kills with 10 digs and two blocks in a 3-2 win over the Boilermakers. She followed up on Saturday at Indiana with 17 kills on a .368 hitting percentage to go with five digs.&nbsp;

Huskers earn three Big Ten weekly honors

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Winning does not cure all ills in the view of Sean Payton, who isn’t about to let the Denver Broncos feel too good about themselves after his first win as their coach.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/broncos-bears-russell-wilson-58a7eb938682ad1b500d6c3dd5d80249">Beating the sad-sack Chicago Bears</a>&nbsp;31-28 on Sunday sure beats giving up 10 touchdowns in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/broncos-after-blowout-loss-51f97421e605a1ae7d8e892f6344bdfe">50-point loss</a>&nbsp;at Miami a week earlier, but the celebration was muted when the Broncos watched the video Monday and found that the blunders exceeded the highlights.

Denver only allowed one sack, but guard Ben Powers was the only O-lineman who didn't get flagged as the Broncos committed five false starts.

Russell Wilson had his best passer rating as a Bronco, but the offense went into sleep mode for much of the game between an opening-drive touchdown and Denver rattling off 24 unanswered points to edge a team that hasn't won since last October.

Denver's much-maligned defense allowed both a 100-yard rusher and a 100-yard receiver for the second straight week and allowed Justin Fields to record his first career 300-yard, four-touchdown game before coming up with two takeaways in the fourth quarter.

“I said this to the team just 15 minutes ago, I said, ‘Look, I’m encouraged. We fought back into that game. But man, let's not ... feel like we're content at all with how we played,'” Payton said Monday. “There are too many things that still are disappointing or things that we have to clean up” both defensively and offensively.

“We stalled there after the first touchdown. We went a third of the game struggling,” Payton said. "But that sense of urgency has to exist again this week. We're going to play against a lot better teams here in the next month, month and a half.”

That stretch begins with a visit from the New York Jets, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-jets-mahomes-kelce-swift-rodgers-6e217106cf593473d811cbe21e331857b">made Patrick Mahomes look ordinary</a>&nbsp;Sunday night and who are still chafed over Payton's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/behind-call-payton-broncos-hackett-777e12db30ef1b6f776ad524403494ef">disparaging remarks</a>&nbsp;about them and their offensive coordinator, former Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett, over the summer.

After the upcoming grudge match, Denver faces its nemesis, the Kansas City Chiefs, twice, sandwiched around a game against Green Bay. The Broncos haven't beaten the Chiefs since Week 2 of the 2015 season.

Falling behind by 21, drawing so many whistles, getting gashed up the middle and burned in the injury-riddled secondary are all things that could spell doom against better competition.

"I think it was great pulling out that win, it shows that we don’t have no quit in us,” running back Jaleel McLaughlin said. “But there’s a lot of things that we have to clean up on the tape.”

Wilson. He has nine touchdown passes and two interceptions through four games. Last year, it took until Week 14 for him to throw his ninth TD pass. His 133.5 passer rating Sunday was his best as a Bronco.

Stopping the run. Although linebacker Alex Singleton made the play of the day by shooting the gap to stuff Khalil Herbert on fourth-and-1 from the Denver 18 in the closing minutes, the Broncos aren't sound enough along the defensive front.

Starting in place of Randy Gregory, second-year linebacker Nik Bonitto had 2 1/2 sacks, including a strip-sack that led to Jonathan Cooper's scoop-and-score for the game-tying touchdown. He also had two tackles for loss and two quarterback hits.

“Nik's definitely a big-time player for us,” defensive end Zach Allen said. “He's an elite rusher. He has all the athletic ability in the world. I haven't played with someone like that since I played with Haason Reddick. I think they're very similar players. So, he's growing, still learning, so it's exciting to see where he'll be.”

Gregory. He had three tackles in 33 snaps Sunday, better than the zeros he put up in 34 snaps at Miami, but that's not the production everyone expected when general manager George Payton signed him to a five-year, $70 million contract last year.

RB Javonte Williams (hip) got hurt Sunday, opening the door for McLaughlin, who led the team with 72 yards on just seven carries (a 10.3-yard average) and had three catches for 32 yards, including an 18-yard score.

24 — The Broncos' run of unanswered points to rally from a 28-7 deficit. That's tied for the second-biggest comeback in franchise history behind only their 24-point comeback to beat the Chargers on Oct. 15, 2012.

32 — The number of career fourth-quarter comebacks by Wilson, moving him into the top 10 and surpassing Joe Montana and Eli Manning at 31.

After surviving the Basement Battle and avoiding an 0-4 start, the Broncos host the Jets (1-3) on Sunday in a showdown spiced up by Payton calling the coaching job Hackett and his staff did in Denver last year one of the worst in NFL history.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696303322542.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Winning does not cure all ills in the view of Sean Payton, who isn’t about to let the Denver Broncos feel too good about themselves after his first win as their coach.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/broncos-bears-russell-wilson-58a7eb938682ad1b500d6c3dd5d80249">Beating the sad-sack Chicago Bears</a>&nbsp;31-28 on Sunday sure beats giving up 10 touchdowns in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/broncos-after-blowout-loss-51f97421e605a1ae7d8e892f6344bdfe">50-point loss</a>&nbsp;at Miami a week earlier, but the celebration was muted when the Broncos watched the video Monday and found that the blunders exceeded the highlights.Denver only allowed one sack, but guard Ben Powers was the only O-lineman who didn't get flagged as the Broncos committed five false starts.Russell Wilson had his best passer rating as a Bronco, but the offense went into sleep mode for much of the game between an opening-drive touchdown and Denver rattling off 24 unanswered points to edge a team that hasn't won since last October.Denver's much-maligned defense allowed both a 100-yard rusher and a 100-yard receiver for the second straight week and allowed Justin Fields to record his first career 300-yard, four-touchdown game before coming up with two takeaways in the fourth quarter.“I said this to the team just 15 minutes ago, I said, ‘Look, I’m encouraged. We fought back into that game. But man, let's not ... feel like we're content at all with how we played,'” Payton said Monday. “There are too many things that still are disappointing or things that we have to clean up” both defensively and offensively.“We stalled there after the first touchdown. We went a third of the game struggling,” Payton said. "But that sense of urgency has to exist again this week. We're going to play against a lot better teams here in the next month, month and a half.”That stretch begins with a visit from the New York Jets, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-jets-mahomes-kelce-swift-rodgers-6e217106cf593473d811cbe21e331857b">made Patrick Mahomes look ordinary</a>&nbsp;Sunday night and who are still chafed over Payton's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/behind-call-payton-broncos-hackett-777e12db30ef1b6f776ad524403494ef">disparaging remarks</a>&nbsp;about them and their offensive coordinator, former Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett, over the summer.After the upcoming grudge match, Denver faces its nemesis, the Kansas City Chiefs, twice, sandwiched around a game against Green Bay. The Broncos haven't beaten the Chiefs since Week 2 of the 2015 season.Falling behind by 21, drawing so many whistles, getting gashed up the middle and burned in the injury-riddled secondary are all things that could spell doom against better competition."I think it was great pulling out that win, it shows that we don’t have no quit in us,” running back Jaleel McLaughlin said. “But there’s a lot of things that we have to clean up on the tape.”WHAT'S WORKINGWilson. He has nine touchdown passes and two interceptions through four games. Last year, it took until Week 14 for him to throw his ninth TD pass. His 133.5 passer rating Sunday was his best as a Bronco.WHAT NEEDS WORKStopping the run. Although linebacker Alex Singleton made the play of the day by shooting the gap to stuff Khalil Herbert on fourth-and-1 from the Denver 18 in the closing minutes, the Broncos aren't sound enough along the defensive front.STOCK UPStarting in place of Randy Gregory, second-year linebacker Nik Bonitto had 2 1/2 sacks, including a strip-sack that led to Jonathan Cooper's scoop-and-score for the game-tying touchdown. He also had two tackles for loss and two quarterback hits.“Nik's definitely a big-time player for us,” defensive end Zach Allen said. “He's an elite rusher. He has all the athletic ability in the world. I haven't played with someone like that since I played with Haason Reddick. I think they're very similar players. So, he's growing, still learning, so it's exciting to see where he'll be.”STOCK DOWNGregory. He had three tackles in 33 snaps Sunday, better than the zeros he put up in 34 snaps at Miami, but that's not the production everyone expected when general manager George Payton signed him to a five-year, $70 million contract last year.INJURIESRB Javonte Williams (hip) got hurt Sunday, opening the door for McLaughlin, who led the team with 72 yards on just seven carries (a 10.3-yard average) and had three catches for 32 yards, including an 18-yard score.KEY NUMBERS24 — The Broncos' run of unanswered points to rally from a 28-7 deficit. That's tied for the second-biggest comeback in franchise history behind only their 24-point comeback to beat the Chargers on Oct. 15, 2012.32 — The number of career fourth-quarter comebacks by Wilson, moving him into the top 10 and surpassing Joe Montana and Eli Manning at 31.NEXT STEPSAfter surviving the Basement Battle and avoiding an 0-4 start, the Broncos host the Jets (1-3) on Sunday in a showdown spiced up by Payton calling the coaching job Hackett and his staff did in Denver last year one of the worst in NFL history.

Now with a win, where do Broncos go from here?

The Nebraska men's golf team put up an outstanding score for the second straight day to climb into second place after 36 holes at the 18-team Badger Invitational in Wisconsin on Monday.

The Huskers produced a 283 (-5) in Monday's second round after opening the tournament with a 282 (-6). They head to Tuesday's final round at 565 (-11). The Big Red nearly cut Florida Gulf Coast's first-round lead in half, as FGCU followed an opening-round 274 (-14) with a 286 (-2) on Monday to sit at 560 (-16). The Huskers are five strokes back of FGCU entering the final round.&nbsp;

Nebraska surged ahead of third-place Middle Tennessee, which closed the second round at 566 (-10) after a second-round 285 (-3). VCU sits in fourth at 568 (-8) after a strong second-round 280 (-8), while Illinois State rounds out the top five in the team standings at 571 (-5), including an even-par 288 on Monday.

The 18-team Badger Invitational field features six 2023 NCAA Regional qualifiers, including Illinois State, Long Beach State, Marquette, Middle Tennessee, Northern Illinois and the hosts from Wisconsin. The Badgers enter the final round in 14th at 590 (+14), while fellow Big Ten foe Maryland is 18th at 608 (+32).

Huskers Will Marshall, Hamish Murray and Quinn Yost all head to the final round among the individual top 10 with identical 36-hole scores of 141 (-3) to sit in a tie for ninth.

Marshall led Nebraska's performance on Monday with a 68 (-4) that included six birdies and 11 pars on the par-72, 7,271-yard layout at University Ridge Golf Course. The only blemish on the playing card of the fifth-year senior from Elburn, Ill., came with a double bogey on No. 10, after playing the front nine at 32 (-4) with four birdies that included three straight on No. 7, 8 and 9. Marshall quickly bounced back with a birdie on No. 11, before adding his final birdie of the day on No. 16. He vaulted 35 spots up the leader board, after closing the first round in a tie for 44th at 73 (+1).

Murray continued to play solid golf for the second straight round, carding an even-par 72 with three birdies, 12 pars and three bogeys. The junior transfer from Sydney, Australia, has played four of his first five rounds as a Husker at or below par, as he seeks his second consecutive top-10 tournament finish.

Yost matched Murray shot-for-shot for the second straight day, producing an even-par 72 of his own after opening the tournament with a 69 (-3).&nbsp; Yost, a sophomore from Farmington, N.M., notched 14 pars to go with two birdies and a pair of bogeys on Monday.&nbsp;

Marshall, Murray and Yost sit four strokes behind tournament leader Veikka Viskari from VCU, who enters the final round at 137 (-7) after rounds of 68 and 69. Zach Little from Central Arkansas sits in second at 138 (-6), while five golfers are tied for third at 139 (-5).&nbsp;

Husker Harry Crockett added an impressive second round with a 71 (-1) that also included five birdies. Crockett, a junior from Oxted, England, notched a 33 (-3) on the front nine despite a bogey on No. 1 by carding four birdies. He then overcame a double bogey of his own on No. 11 with a birdie on No. 16. Crockett is tied for 46th at 146 (+2) in the 90-player tournament field.

Reed Malleck battled through a roller-coaster round to post a 74 (+2) on Monday. The senior from York registered four birdies and an eagle on No. 16, but also had five bogeys and a triple bogey on No. 4, while managing just seven pars. Malleck's eagle marked the second straight day a Husker eagled No. 16, following the same feat by Crockett on Sunday. Malleck enters the final round tied for 36th at 145 (+1).

In other action, Nebraska's Davis Johnson added an even-par 72 in the final round of the TPC Individual at TPC Wisconsin on Monday. Johnson, who was competing as an individual, closed with a three-round score of 229 (+16) to tie for 20th in a 26-player field.

The Badger Invitational will conclude on Tuesday with the final round beginning with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. (CT). Live scoring will be provided by LeaderboardKing.com.

Badger InvitationalOct. 1-3, 2023University Ridge GC (Madison, Wis.)Par 72, 7,271 Yards

Team Standings (Two Rounds)1. Florida Gulf Coast - 274-286=560 (-16)2. Nebraska - 282-283=565 (-11)3. Middle Tennessee - 281-285=566 (-10)4. VCU - 288-280=568 (-8)5. Illinois State - 283-288=571 (-5)T6. Central Arkansas - 283-290=573 (-3)T6. Ball State - 294-279=573 (-3)8. Long Beach State - 282-292=574 (-2)9. Marquette - 291-290=581 (+5)10. South Dakota State - 286-296=582 (+6)T11. Northern Illinois - 290-293=583 (+7)T11. Eastern Michigan - 288-295=583 (+7)13. South Alabama - 300-287=587 (+11)14. Wisconsin - 296-294=590 (+14)15. Campbell - 290-301=591 (+15)16. Western Carolina - 299-294=593 (+17)17. Loyola-Chicago - 308-288=596 (+20)18. Maryland - 303-305=608 (+32)

Individual Standings (Two Rounds)1. Veikka Viskari, VCU - 68-69=137 (-7)2. Zach Little, Central Arkansas - 66-72=138 (-6)T3. Braxton Kuntz, Ball State - 70-69=139 (-5)T3. Matt Millar, FGCU - 69-70-139 (-5)T3. Austin Cherichella, FGCU - 65-74=139 (-5)T3. Kash Bellar, Ball State - 71-68=139 (-5)T3. Luke Honner, South Dakota State - 68-71=139 (-5)8. Mike Barnard, Middle Tennessee - 69-71=140 (-4)T9. Will Marshall, Nebraska - 73-68=141 (-3)T9. Hamish Murray, Nebraska - 69-72=141 (-3)T9. Quinn Yost, Nebraska - 69-72=141 (-3)T9. Joachim Tegner, Campbell - 68-73=141 (-3)T9. Tj Barger, Illinois State - 69-72=141 (-3)T9. Owen Stamper, Middle Tennessee - 69-72=141 (-3)T9. Mark Stockdale, Central Arkansas - 72-69=141 (-3)T9. Joshua Hill, South Alabama - 72-69=141 (-3)

Nebraska IndividualsT9. Will Marshall - 73-68=141 (-3)T9. Hamish Murray - 69-72=141 (-3)T9. Quinn Yost - 69-72=141 (-3)T36. Reed Malleck - 71-74=145 (+1)T46. Harry Crockett - 75-71=146 (+2)&nbsp;

The Nebraska men's golf team put up an outstanding score for the second straight day to climb into second place after 36 holes at the 18-team Badger Invitational in Wisconsin on Monday.The Huskers produced a 283 (-5) in Monday's second round after opening the tournament with a 282 (-6). They head to Tuesday's final round at 565 (-11). The Big Red nearly cut Florida Gulf Coast's first-round lead in half, as FGCU followed an opening-round 274 (-14) with a 286 (-2) on Monday to sit at 560 (-16). The Huskers are five strokes back of FGCU entering the final round.&nbsp;Nebraska surged ahead of third-place Middle Tennessee, which closed the second round at 566 (-10) after a second-round 285 (-3). VCU sits in fourth at 568 (-8) after a strong second-round 280 (-8), while Illinois State rounds out the top five in the team standings at 571 (-5), including an even-par 288 on Monday.The 18-team Badger Invitational field features six 2023 NCAA Regional qualifiers, including Illinois State, Long Beach State, Marquette, Middle Tennessee, Northern Illinois and the hosts from Wisconsin. The Badgers enter the final round in 14th at 590 (+14), while fellow Big Ten foe Maryland is 18th at 608 (+32).Huskers Will Marshall, Hamish Murray and Quinn Yost all head to the final round among the individual top 10 with identical 36-hole scores of 141 (-3) to sit in a tie for ninth.Marshall led Nebraska's performance on Monday with a 68 (-4) that included six birdies and 11 pars on the par-72, 7,271-yard layout at University Ridge Golf Course. The only blemish on the playing card of the fifth-year senior from Elburn, Ill., came with a double bogey on No. 10, after playing the front nine at 32 (-4) with four birdies that included three straight on No. 7, 8 and 9. Marshall quickly bounced back with a birdie on No. 11, before adding his final birdie of the day on No. 16. He vaulted 35 spots up the leader board, after closing the first round in a tie for 44th at 73 (+1).Murray continued to play solid golf for the second straight round, carding an even-par 72 with three birdies, 12 pars and three bogeys. The junior transfer from Sydney, Australia, has played four of his first five rounds as a Husker at or below par, as he seeks his second consecutive top-10 tournament finish.Yost matched Murray shot-for-shot for the second straight day, producing an even-par 72 of his own after opening the tournament with a 69 (-3).&nbsp; Yost, a sophomore from Farmington, N.M., notched 14 pars to go with two birdies and a pair of bogeys on Monday.&nbsp;Marshall, Murray and Yost sit four strokes behind tournament leader Veikka Viskari from VCU, who enters the final round at 137 (-7) after rounds of 68 and 69. Zach Little from Central Arkansas sits in second at 138 (-6), while five golfers are tied for third at 139 (-5).&nbsp;Husker Harry Crockett added an impressive second round with a 71 (-1) that also included five birdies. Crockett, a junior from Oxted, England, notched a 33 (-3) on the front nine despite a bogey on No. 1 by carding four birdies. He then overcame a double bogey of his own on No. 11 with a birdie on No. 16. Crockett is tied for 46th at 146 (+2) in the 90-player tournament field.Reed Malleck battled through a roller-coaster round to post a 74 (+2) on Monday. The senior from York registered four birdies and an eagle on No. 16, but also had five bogeys and a triple bogey on No. 4, while managing just seven pars. Malleck's eagle marked the second straight day a Husker eagled No. 16, following the same feat by Crockett on Sunday. Malleck enters the final round tied for 36th at 145 (+1).In other action, Nebraska's Davis Johnson added an even-par 72 in the final round of the TPC Individual at TPC Wisconsin on Monday. Johnson, who was competing as an individual, closed with a three-round score of 229 (+16) to tie for 20th in a 26-player field.The Badger Invitational will conclude on Tuesday with the final round beginning with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. (CT). Live scoring will be provided by LeaderboardKing.com.Badger InvitationalOct. 1-3, 2023University Ridge GC (Madison, Wis.)Par 72, 7,271 YardsTeam Standings (Two Rounds)1. Florida Gulf Coast - 274-286=560 (-16)2. Nebraska - 282-283=565 (-11)3. Middle Tennessee - 281-285=566 (-10)4. VCU - 288-280=568 (-8)5. Illinois State - 283-288=571 (-5)T6. Central Arkansas - 283-290=573 (-3)T6. Ball State - 294-279=573 (-3)8. Long Beach State - 282-292=574 (-2)9. Marquette - 291-290=581 (+5)10. South Dakota State - 286-296=582 (+6)T11. Northern Illinois - 290-293=583 (+7)T11. Eastern Michigan - 288-295=583 (+7)13. South Alabama - 300-287=587 (+11)14. Wisconsin - 296-294=590 (+14)15. Campbell - 290-301=591 (+15)16. Western Carolina - 299-294=593 (+17)17. Loyola-Chicago - 308-288=596 (+20)18. Maryland - 303-305=608 (+32)Individual Standings (Two Rounds)1. Veikka Viskari, VCU - 68-69=137 (-7)2. Zach Little, Central Arkansas - 66-72=138 (-6)T3. Braxton Kuntz, Ball State - 70-69=139 (-5)T3. Matt Millar, FGCU - 69-70-139 (-5)T3. Austin Cherichella, FGCU - 65-74=139 (-5)T3. Kash Bellar, Ball State - 71-68=139 (-5)T3. Luke Honner, South Dakota State - 68-71=139 (-5)8. Mike Barnard, Middle Tennessee - 69-71=140 (-4)T9. Will Marshall, Nebraska - 73-68=141 (-3)T9. Hamish Murray, Nebraska - 69-72=141 (-3)T9. Quinn Yost, Nebraska - 69-72=141 (-3)T9. Joachim Tegner, Campbell - 68-73=141 (-3)T9. Tj Barger, Illinois State - 69-72=141 (-3)T9. Owen Stamper, Middle Tennessee - 69-72=141 (-3)T9. Mark Stockdale, Central Arkansas - 72-69=141 (-3)T9. Joshua Hill, South Alabama - 72-69=141 (-3)Nebraska IndividualsT9. Will Marshall - 73-68=141 (-3)T9. Hamish Murray - 69-72=141 (-3)T9. Quinn Yost - 69-72=141 (-3)T36. Reed Malleck - 71-74=145 (+1)T46. Harry Crockett - 75-71=146 (+2)&nbsp;

Huskers Hunting for Badger Title

By: Con Marshall CSC Sports Information

SHERIDAN, Wyo. -- Some Chadron State College ropers made their loops fit well this past weekend while winning the men's team title at the Sheridan College rodeo.

Senior Grant Turek of St. Paul, Neb., and junior Jake Chasek of Mitchell joined forces to win the team roping.  Another CSC senior, Tanner Whetham of Morrill, was the heeler on the second place team roping entry.

Chasek also earned points by placing fourth in tie down roping, and so did freshman teammate Layne Palmer of Kadoka, S.D., who was fifth.

The CSC men tallied 520 points in the team standings. Gillette College the runner-up with 440.

Turek and Chasek finished their team roping runs in 7.2 and 6.5 seconds.  They tied for second and third in the first go-round and won the finals Sunday.

Whetham and his partner, John Jensen of the University of Wyoming, were fourth in the first go in 7.3 seconds and second in the finals in 6.7 seconds.

Sixty-nine teams entered the event at Sheridan.

Chasek roped and tied his calves in 10.8 and 12.0 seconds for his fourth place tie down finish. Palmer's times were 10.7 and 12.2 seconds.

CSC freshman Morgan Rosander of Wolbach placed sixth in the finals of the barrel race with an identical time of 17.90 seconds on the two runs.  Sophomore Mekenna Fisher of Sutherland was seventh in goat tying. Her times were 8.6 and 10.0 seconds.

This weekend's rodeo in the Central Rocky Mountain Region will be at Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696304033703.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By: Con Marshall CSC Sports InformationSHERIDAN, Wyo. -- Some Chadron State College ropers made their loops fit well this past weekend while winning the men's team title at the Sheridan College rodeo.Senior Grant Turek of St. Paul, Neb., and junior Jake Chasek of Mitchell joined forces to win the team roping. Another CSC senior, Tanner Whetham of Morrill, was the heeler on the second place team roping entry.Chasek also earned points by placing fourth in tie down roping, and so did freshman teammate Layne Palmer of Kadoka, S.D., who was fifth.The CSC men tallied 520 points in the team standings. Gillette College the runner-up with 440.Turek and Chasek finished their team roping runs in 7.2 and 6.5 seconds. They tied for second and third in the first go-round and won the finals Sunday.Whetham and his partner, John Jensen of the University of Wyoming, were fourth in the first go in 7.3 seconds and second in the finals in 6.7 seconds.Sixty-nine teams entered the event at Sheridan.Chasek roped and tied his calves in 10.8 and 12.0 seconds for his fourth place tie down finish. Palmer's times were 10.7 and 12.2 seconds.CSC freshman Morgan Rosander of Wolbach placed sixth in the finals of the barrel race with an identical time of 17.90 seconds on the two runs. Sophomore Mekenna Fisher of Sutherland was seventh in goat tying. Her times were 8.6 and 10.0 seconds.This weekend's rodeo in the Central Rocky Mountain Region will be at Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne.

CSC cowboys take team title at Sheridan College Rodeo

<a>The men on the Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team are back on top following a weekend of competition in Dickinson, N.D.&nbsp;</a>

MPCC’s cowboys and cowgirls competed Friday and Saturday at the Blue Hawk Stampede hosted by Dickinson State University.&nbsp;The Mid-Plains’ men’s team finished first in overall standings, and the women’s team was fifth.

Koby Jacobson, of Haiku, Hawaii, continued his winning streak by claiming the top spot in the bull riding average. Jett Sjeklocha, of North Platte, and Casey Reis, of Grand Island, placed third and seventh, respectively, in the event.

Kahiwa Augustiro, of Hoʻolehua, Hawaii, took the Reserve All-Around title after placing fifth in the bull riding average, sixth in the steer wrestling and eighth in the team roping alongside teammate Eli Higa, of Honokaʻa, Hawaii.

Jackson Lunn, of Whitecourt, Alberta, earned the second-place spot on the leaderboard for bareback riding.

Rex Day, of Bartlett, was second in the average for steer wrestling, and Jacobson ended up seventh.

In the team roping, Jaxton Starr, of North Platte, and Colton Zubach, representing Dickinson State University, came in second in the average. Tucker Even, of Burke, S. D., and Slater Tople, from Black Hills State University, claimed fourth. Whitney Jennings, of Seneca, and Garrett Glines, of Smithwick, S.D., were fifth, and Layton Lindner, of Broken Bow, and Ty Growcock, of Ericson, were ninth.&nbsp;

Madison McGee, of Deloraine, Manitoba, Canada, was fourth in the breakaway average, and Jace Richter, of Ogallala, took eighth in the tie-down roping.

“I was extremely proud of the kids this weekend,” said Aukai Kaai, MPCC Rodeo Team roughstock coach.&nbsp;“They took care of business inside the arena and bounced back after a tough rodeo last weekend. I am really proud of our bull riders - four of the seven made the short round. I thought we scored well and battled all weekend long. I still believe our best is yet to come, and I think a couple tweaks in the practice pen will make it all come together.”

The MPCC Rodeo Team has one more rodeo before taking a break until spring. The fall competitions will wrap up with the Buena Vista University Rodeo Friday and Saturday in Alta, Iowa.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696264808569.jpeg" alt="Kahiwa Augustiro, of Hoʻolehua, Hawaii, catches air during a bull ride. Augustiro won the Reserve All-Around title at the Blue Hawk Stampede in Dickinson, N.D. over the weekend." />
 <figcaption>Kahiwa Augustiro, of Hoʻolehua, Hawaii, catches air during a bull ride. Augustiro won the Reserve All-Around title at the Blue Hawk Stampede in Dickinson, N.D. over the weekend.</figcaption>
 </figure>Heather Johnson<a>The men on the Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team are back on top following a weekend of competition in Dickinson, N.D.&nbsp;</a>MPCC’s cowboys and cowgirls competed Friday and Saturday at the Blue Hawk Stampede hosted by Dickinson State University.&nbsp;The Mid-Plains’ men’s team finished first in overall standings, and the women’s team was fifth.Koby Jacobson, of Haiku, Hawaii, continued his winning streak by claiming the top spot in the bull riding average. Jett Sjeklocha, of North Platte, and Casey Reis, of Grand Island, placed third and seventh, respectively, in the event.Kahiwa Augustiro, of Hoʻolehua, Hawaii, took the Reserve All-Around title after placing fifth in the bull riding average, sixth in the steer wrestling and eighth in the team roping alongside teammate Eli Higa, of Honokaʻa, Hawaii.Jackson Lunn, of Whitecourt, Alberta, earned the second-place spot on the leaderboard for bareback riding.Rex Day, of Bartlett, was second in the average for steer wrestling, and Jacobson ended up seventh.In the team roping, Jaxton Starr, of North Platte, and Colton Zubach, representing Dickinson State University, came in second in the average. Tucker Even, of Burke, S. D., and Slater Tople, from Black Hills State University, claimed fourth. Whitney Jennings, of Seneca, and Garrett Glines, of Smithwick, S.D., were fifth, and Layton Lindner, of Broken Bow, and Ty Growcock, of Ericson, were ninth.&nbsp;Madison McGee, of Deloraine, Manitoba, Canada, was fourth in the breakaway average, and Jace Richter, of Ogallala, took eighth in the tie-down roping.“I was extremely proud of the kids this weekend,” said Aukai Kaai, MPCC Rodeo Team roughstock coach.&nbsp;“They took care of business inside the arena and bounced back after a tough rodeo last weekend. I am really proud of our bull riders - four of the seven made the short round. I thought we scored well and battled all weekend long. I still believe our best is yet to come, and I think a couple tweaks in the practice pen will make it all come together.”The MPCC Rodeo Team has one more rodeo before taking a break until spring. The fall competitions will wrap up with the Buena Vista University Rodeo Friday and Saturday in Alta, Iowa.

MPCC Rodeo Team wins men’s championship in North Dakota

District A-3:Dates: Oct 4, Oct 5, 2023Site: La Vista City Park&nbsp;Host School: Papillion-La Vista&nbsp;Schools Assigned:North PlatteOmaha Buena VistaOmaha SouthPapillion-LaVistaPapillion-LaVista South&nbsp;Subdistrict C-9:Dates: Oct 2, 2023Site: Gothenburg High School&nbsp;Host School: Gothenburg&nbsp;Schools Assigned:CozadGothenburgOrdSouthern Valley/Alma&nbsp;Subdistrict C-10:Dates: Oct 2, 2023Site: Hampton Fields&nbsp;Host School: Chadron&nbsp;Schools Assigned:BayardChadronChase CountyHershey

Area Softball District assignments 

CHICAGO (AP) — Bears coach Matt Eberflus praised his team's passion and energy. He said the team's execution was “really good in spots,” and that was “a big improvement.” He pointed to what he called “a lot good moments in there.”

It was quite the take on Chicago's 14th consecutive loss dating to last season, one in which the Bears blew a 21-point lead during an ugly finish that included a couple of questionable decisions by Eberflus and his coaching staff.

Justin Fields passed for a career-high 335 yards and four touchdowns, but he also had a fumble returned for a score and threw an interception on Chicago's final drive in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/broncos-bears-russell-wilson-58a7eb938682ad1b500d6c3dd5d80249">31-28 loss</a>&nbsp;to Denver on Sunday. The Bears led 28-7 after Khalil Herbert's 2-yard TD reception with 4:11 left in the third quarter.

“Obviously we're all very disappointed in this hard-fought battle that we had today and the outcome,” Eberflus said. “But I certainly can see things moving in the right direction for our football team.”

Chicago had a 28-21 lead when Fields was stripped on a sack by Nik Bonitto. Jonathan Cooper returned the fumble 35 yards for a tying touchdown with 6:55 left.

But the Bears (0-4) bounced right back, driving down the field on their next possession. Facing a third-and-5 at the Broncos 22, Herbert rushed for 4 yards with about three minutes to go.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696255862538.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>CHICAGO (AP) — Bears coach Matt Eberflus praised his team's passion and energy. He said the team's execution was “really good in spots,” and that was “a big improvement.” He pointed to what he called “a lot good moments in there.”It was quite the take on Chicago's 14th consecutive loss dating to last season, one in which the Bears blew a 21-point lead during an ugly finish that included a couple of questionable decisions by Eberflus and his coaching staff.Justin Fields passed for a career-high 335 yards and four touchdowns, but he also had a fumble returned for a score and threw an interception on Chicago's final drive in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/broncos-bears-russell-wilson-58a7eb938682ad1b500d6c3dd5d80249">31-28 loss</a>&nbsp;to Denver on Sunday. The Bears led 28-7 after Khalil Herbert's 2-yard TD reception with 4:11 left in the third quarter.“Obviously we're all very disappointed in this hard-fought battle that we had today and the outcome,” Eberflus said. “But I certainly can see things moving in the right direction for our football team.”Chicago had a 28-21 lead when Fields was stripped on a sack by Nik Bonitto. Jonathan Cooper returned the fumble 35 yards for a tying touchdown with 6:55 left.But the Bears (0-4) bounced right back, driving down the field on their next possession. Facing a third-and-5 at the Broncos 22, Herbert rushed for 4 yards with about three minutes to go.After Denver (1-3) called timeout, Chicago lined up to go for it but then called timeout when it was unable to draw an offsides penalty.“You get him up there like you’re going for it right away and you freeze, and you call timeout right before,” Eberflus said. “And then you get your best play available, because it gives you a little bit more time to get that best play going and making sure that ... we’re all good, and we’re set up for that moment.”Instead of trying a tiebreaking field goal, the Bears had Fields line up in the shotgun for a read option. The quarterback handed the ball to Herbert, who was stuffed for no gain.“Just didn’t go our way,” Fields said. “Missed the block back side, and just got to execute in that situation.”Eberflus said he decided to go for it because he liked the way the team was running the ball. Asked about the decision to run out of shotgun instead of having Fields under center, Eberflus said they felt that was the best play at the time.“Just because you know it’s about moving people off the ball and as we’ve been doing all day,” Eberflus said, “and we’ve just got to execute in that moment.”After Wil Lutz kicked a 51-yard field goal for Denver with 1:46 left, Chicago had one last chance. But Fields was picked off by Kareem Jackson when the QB tried to find Cole Kmet over the middle on third-and-13.What was left of a Soldier Field crowd of 62,220 booed vociferously as the final seconds ticked off.“It hurts. ... We were on our way there at the end of the fourth but we just couldn’t get it done,” Kmet said.Chicago and Carolina are the last winless teams in the NFL through Week 4, and the Bears own the Panthers' first-round selection in the 2024 draft. But that's cold comfort for a Bears franchise dealing with all sorts of issues.Wide receiver Chase Claypool was a healthy scratch after he told reporters during the week that he was not being put in the best position to succeed. He was acquired from Pittsburgh for a second-round draft pick last season.The 25-year-old Claypool did not attend the game. After Eberflus indicated it was the receiver's choice, a team spokesman said the Bears asked him to stay home.“Chase, he’s a weapon. He’s passionate,” Fields said. “He just has to work on his display of his emotions, and you know me and him have had multiple conversations with that. But I mean as far as do I want him on the team, that’s an easy answer. Yes, of course.”