Nebraska

Rex Burkhead and Jared Crick lead the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame class of 2024

Published

2 years ago

July 14, 2024

Rex Burkhead and Jared Crick lead the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame class of 2024

On Thursday, the Nebraska Football program announced that their 2024 Hall of Fame class will feature seven former Cornhuskers and one state college honoree.

Being honored on September 13 when the Huskers take on Northern Iowa at Memorial Stadium will be offensive lineman Keven Lightner (1985-87), safety Tyrone Byrd (1989-92), linebacker Terrell Farley (1995-96), defensive end Chris Kelsay (1999-2002), defensive tackle Jared Crick (2008-11), and running back Rex Burkhead (2009-12). Also being honored from the Legends Category will be Monte Johnson, a standout from 1970-72 before spending eight years in the NFL.

Being honored from the state colleges is former All-American running back Mike Miller, who was a standout at Nebraska-Kearney from 2000 through 2003

In addition to the seven honorees, the program announced that Angie and Dan Muhleisen will receive the Clarence E. Swanson Meritorious Service Award, and Joe Selig will receive the Lyell Bremser Special Merit Award. All three honorees call Lincoln home.

The Clarence E. Swanson Meritorious Service Award is given to a recipient “for outstanding contributions to the University of Nebraska and the Husker athletic department through personal service, personal support of athletic department programs, and dedication to the Husker football program and intercollegiate athletics,” according to the Huskers official website.

Additionally, the Lyell Bremser Special Merit Award is to honor those who “with a background of interest in and support of intercollegiate football, who has made a sizeable contribution to society through public service and/or self-sacrifice.”

Below, Cornhuskers Wire offers a little bit on each of the Hall of Fame’s new inductees.

Keven Lightner (1985-87)

Lightner was a first-team All-Big Eight selection in 1987 and was a key cog of the Husker’s dominant rushing attack during his time in Lincoln.

Tyrone Byrd (1989-92)

Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Byrd was a four-year starter for the Cornhuskers from 1989 through 1992 and earned first-team All-Big Eight selections in his final season with the program. A part of two Big Eight championship-winning teams, Byrd had 11 interceptions throughout his career and is considered one of the best safeties in program history.

Terrell Farley (1995-96)

28 Oct 1995: Nebraska Cornhuskers player Terrell Farley #43 runs with the ball as teammate Mike Minier #10 looks during a game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado. Nebraska won the game, 44-21. © Jed Jacobsohn

The 1995 Big Eight Defensive Newcomer of the Year, Farley was a dominant linebacker with the Cornhuskers and was a big part of the Huskers’ 1995 national championship-winning team. In two seasons, he recorded over 100 career tackles, including 19 tackles for loss and eight sacks.

Chris Kelsay (1999-2002)

Sept. 28, 2002: Iowa State’s Seneca Wallace runs from Nebraska defender Chris Kelsay during the second quarter in Ames.

Seneca Wallace And Chris Kelsay 2002 Sept. 28, 2002: Iowa State’s Seneca Wallace runs from Nebraska defender Chris Kelsay during the second quarter in Ames. Seneca Wallace And Chris Kelsay 2002 © Chris Donahue/The Register, Des Moines Register via Imagn Content Services, LLC

A two-time All-Big 12 defensive end, Kelsay was one of the biggest reasons for the Huskers’ success defensively during his time in Lincoln. In 2001, he put together a tremendous season with 17 tackles for loss and five sacks before following it up with 13 tackles for loss and seven sacks in 2002. He would play 10 years in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills. Notably, his older brother, Chad Kelsay, is also in the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame.

Jared Crick (2008-11)

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Twice named a first-team All-Big 12 selection and a two-time second-team All-American, Crick is one of the best Huskers defenders in recent memory. In a huge sophomore season in 2008, Crick recorded 73 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks. That season included a legendary five-sack, seven-tackle-for-loss performance over Baylor. In his career, he recorded 167 tackles, 29.5 tackles for loss, and 20.0 sacks. He would play five seasons in the NFL with both the Houston Texans and Denver Broncos.

Rex Burkhead (2009-12)

Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

Despite likely not receiving a few deserved accolades, Burkhead was one of the top running backs in the country during his time with Nebraska. Totaling over 3,800 yards and 35 touchdowns from scrimmage in his career with the Huskers. He was a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2011 with 305 touches for 1,534 yards and 17 touchdowns. After his time in Lincoln, Burkhead would play 10 seasons in the NFL and is best known for his time with the New England Patriots including being a part of the franchise’s Super Bowl LIII winning team.

Monte Johnson (1970-72)

Nov 20, 2010; Houston, TX, USA; A Nebraska Cornhuskers helmet on the field before a game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Huskers will be honoring defensive lineman Monte Johnson as part of their Legends Category. A part of the Husker’s back-to-back national championship-winning teams in 1970 and 1971. After a strong career in Lincoln, he would enjoy an eight-year NFL career, winning a pair of Super Bowls with the then-Oakland Raiders.

Mike Miller (Nebraska Kearney), 2000-03

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Being honored by the Nebraska State Colleges is former Nebraska-Kearney standout running back Mike Miller. A former Harlon Hill Trophy finalist, Miller ran for over 4,800 rushing yards and 5,500 all-purpose yards in his career while being named a three-time, first-team All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference selection.

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Nebraska

Cale Jacobsen scores 15 and No. 9 Nebraska beats Iowa 84-75 in overtime after blowing late lead

Published

10 hours ago

March 9, 2026

Press Room

Cale Jacobsen scores 15 and No. 9 Nebraska beats Iowa 84-75 in overtime after blowing late lead

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Cale Jacobsen came off the bench to score 13 of his 15 points after halftime and hit the tiebreaking 3-pointer in overtime, and ninth-ranked Nebraska matched its program record for wins in a season with an 84-75 victory over Iowa on Sunday.

Sam Hoiberg, who scored 15 points and had five steals on his senior day, hugged teammate Pryce Sandfort near halfcourt as time ran out and then heaved the ball high into the stands. He and his father, coach Fred Hoiberg, embraced and a short time later the rest of the Huskers came out of the tunnel to salute the sellout crowd at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Nebraska (26-5, 15-5 Big Ten) led by 10 points with five minutes left in regulation but missed five of its next seven shots and a couple of late free throws to let the Hawkeyes back in it. Kael Combs scored Iowa’s last eight points of regulation, including a second-chance 3-pointer that tied it 70-all with 2.7 seconds left.

After Cooper Koch tied it at 75-all in overtime, Jacobsen made a 3 from the corner and the Huskers went on to score the final nine points. The Huskers beat Iowa (20-11, 10-10) for the first time in five meetings and split the season series.

Sandfort, who transferred from Iowa after last season, scored 15 points and Rienk Mast added 14 for the Huskers.

Combs and Koch had 18 points apiece for the Hawkeyes, who committed 19 turnovers.

Up next

Iowa: The Hawkeyes are the No. 9 seed in the Big Ten Tournament and play Oregon or Maryland on Wednesday.

Nebraska: The Huskers are the No. 2 seed and play Friday.

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Nebraska

Carey’s Two Home Runs Help Nebraska Baseball Stomp Michigan State, Sweep Weekend Series

Published

22 hours ago

March 8, 2026

Press Room

Carey’s Two Home Runs Help Nebraska Baseball Stomp Michigan State, Sweep Weekend Series

The first Big Ten Conference series of the year for NU ends in a sweep.

Nebraska baseball pounded Michigan State in Sunday’s series finale at Haymarket Park, 12-2, in seven innings. The Huskers improved to 10-5, while the Spartans fell to 3-11.

With Sunday’s victory, NU moves to 3-0 in the league.

The Game
The Stats
What’s Next
Nebraska Baseball’s 2026 Schedule

The Game

Down 2-0 in the series, Michigan State needed a spark early to try to salvage at least one win in Lincoln. In the top of the first inning, first baseman Randy Seymour took a 3-1 pitch from Gavin Blachowicz to right center and over the fence.

But, for the Spartans, that spark was quickly extinguished.

Nebraska loaded the bases with no outs on a walk, a single, and a single. Case Sanderson then doubled to score them all. He would cross home plate two batters later when Preston Freeman smacked a 1-0 pitch down the left field line for a two-run homer.

Case Sanderson gloves the ball for an out at first base. | Amarillo Mullen

Already up 5-1, Dylan Carey lifted a two-run home run in the second inning. The Huskers would tack on one run in the third, one in the fourth, two in the fifth, and one more in the sixth. At the end of the game, Nebraska scored in every inning in which it went to the plate.

Blachowicz sat down 11 batters from the second through fifth innings. A leadoff double in the sixth inning helped Michigan State add one more run to its tally.

In the top of the seventh inning, with a 10-run rule waiting to be enacted, the Spartans got a one-out single before being put down via a fly out and a fielder’s choice to end the game.

The Stats

Blachowicz pitched the entire 7.0 innings Sunday afternoon. He allowed two earned runs on three hits, walking one and striking out 11.

The Huskers, who rattled off 11 hits, were aided by five Spartan errors. That helped bring home extra runs, with four of the 12 runs scored being unearned.

The Nebraska baseball dugout looks on against Michigan State at Haymarket Park. | Kenny Larabee, KLIn

Carey led the way at the plate for the Big Red. The shortstop went 3-for-4 with four RBI, two home runs, and three runs scored.

Nebraska left seven runners on base, while Michigan State stranded just two.

What’s Next

Nebraska’s nine-game homestand continues with a midweek contest against North Dakota State.

The Bison are 1-14 on the year and coming off a sweep at Vanderbilt. The lone victory was 5-1 over Monmouth at the Stetson Tournament on Feb. 21.

First pitch from Haymarket Park on Wednesday is slated for 6 p.m. CDT. The game will be streamed on B1G+.

Have a question or comment for Kaleb? Send an email to kalebhenry.huskermax@gmail.com.

Nebraska Baseball’s 2026 Schedule

Feb. 13 Nebraska 12, UConn 2 [7 inn.] (MLB Desert Invitational)
Feb. 14 Nebraska 7, Northeastern 4 (MLB Desert Invitational)
Feb. 15 Nebraska 9, Grand Canyon 1 (MLB Desert Invitational)
Feb. 16 Stanford 11, Nebraska 6 (MLB Desert Invitational)
Feb. 20 Louisville 4, Nebraska 2 (Amegy Bank College Baseball Series)
Feb. 21 Kansas State 3, Nebraska 3 FloCollege (Amegy Bank College Baseball Series)
Feb. 22 Nebraska 10, Florida State 1 (Amegy Bank College Baseball Series)
Feb. 27 Nebraska 9, Auburn 8 [10 inn.]
Feb. 28 Auburn 15, Nebraska 4 [7 inn.]
Mar. 1 Auburn 12, Nebraska 3
Mar. 3 Nebraska 8, Omaha 5
Mar. 4 Nebraska 5, South Dakota State 4
Mar. 6 Nebraska 5, Michigan State 4 [10 inn.]
Mar. 7 Nebraska 3, Michigan State 1
Mar. 8 Nebraska 12, Michigan State 2 [7 inn.]
Mar. 11 vs. North Dakota State 6 p.m.
Mar. 13 vs. Maine 6 p.m.
Mar. 14 vs. Maine 2 p.m.
Mar. 15 vs. Maine 12 p.m.
Mar. 17 at Wichita State 6 p.m.
Mar. 18 at Wichita State 2 p.m.
Mar. 20 at Michigan 3 p.m.
Mar. 21 at Michigan 1 p.m.
Mar. 22 at Michigan 12 p.m.
Mar. 24 at Kansas State 6 p.m.
Mar. 27 vs. Indiana 6 p.m.
Mar. 28 vs. Indiana 2 p.m.
Mar. 29 vs. Indiana 12 p.m.
Mar. 31 at Creighton 6 p.m.
Apr. 3 vs. Penn State 6 p.m.
Apr. 4 vs. Penn State 2 p.m.
Apr. 5 vs. Penn State 12 p.m.
Apr. 7 vs. Kansas 6 p.m.
Apr. 10 at Oregon 7 p.m.
Apr. 11 at Oregon 4 p.m.
Apr. 12 at Oregon 2 p.m.
Apr 14 vs. Creighton 6 p.m.
Apr. 17 vs. USC 6 p.m.
Apr. 18 vs. USC 2 p.m.
Apr. 19 vs. USC 12 p.m.
Apr. 21 at Kansas 6 p.m.
Apr. 24 at Illinois 6 p.m.
Apr. 25 at Illinois 3 p.m.
Apr. 26 at Illinois 1 p.m.
Apr. 28 vs. Kansas State 6 p.m.
May 1 at Ohio State 5 p.m.
May 2 at Ohio State 2 p.m.
May 3 at Ohio State 12 p.m.
May 8 vs. Iowa 6 p.m.
May 9 vs. Iowa 2 p.m.
May 10 vs. Iowa 1 p.m.
May 12 at Creighton 6 p.m.
May 14 at Minnesota 6 p.m.
May 15 at Minnesota 6 p.m.
May 16 at Minnesota 1 p.m.
May 19-24 Big Ten Tournament

Home games are bolded. All times central.

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Nebraska

Nebraska Secures a ‘Grand’ Sweep in Front of Sold Out Crowd

Published

1 day ago

March 8, 2026

Press Room

Nebraska Secures a ‘Grand’ Sweep in Front of Sold Out Crowd

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — Press release courtesy of LOVB Nebraska:

The state of Nebraska once again proved why it’s the Volleyball Capital of the U.S. as a sold-out Heartland Events Center played host to a LOVB Nebraska sweep of LOVB Salt Lake (29-27, 25-16, 25-22) on Saturday night in Grand Island, Nebraska.

Outside hitter Jordan Larson shined once again for Nebraska (5-7), recording her third-straight match with 15+ points. The Hooper, Nebraska, native tallied 14 kills on a season-high .385 hitting efficiency, tacking on 13 digs for her second double-double in three matches.

“I think I’ve always kind of played like this,” said Larson. “You never know when the last could be, and so to me it’s just like how can I continue to leave it all out there. How do I continue to show up and let my body do it? I’m really trying to enjoy this as much as I can.”

The other half of Nebraska’s dominant outside hitting tandem, Anne Buijs, was close behind Larson, securing 13 points on 13 kills. Opposite hitter Kimberly Drewniok rounded out a trio of Nebraska athletes in the double figures for points and kills, also scoring 13 points on 13 kills.

The true highlight of the match were the fans that filled the Heartland Events Center. Central Nebraska showed up and made it known, creating a tough environment for Salt Lake while continuously energizing the home bench.

“We’re thrilled to be in Grand Island. That’s the best crowd we’ve had all season,” said Nebraska head coach Suzie Fritz.

“You could feel the energy. I think they helped us with a couple points. They really do make a difference and it’s really impactful for us to hear that and be a part of it,” said Larson.

“When Jordan got announced in the starting lineup, I told her I got goosebumps because the fans were just so amazing,” said Drewniok.

Salt Lake (8-6) continues having midseason struggles, extending its losing streak to five matches and now falling one game back of first place. Outside hitter Claire Hoffman led all athletes on the floor tonight with a match-high 16 points and 15 kills.

“Unfortunately, really frustrated after the match,” said Salt Lake head coach Tama Miyashiro. “We gotta look forward and no one’s feeling sorry for us. We’re going to try to get back to work and fix a couple things.”

LOVB Nebraska will look to continue its hot streak next Thursday, March 12, against LOVB Madison for a 7 p.m. Central first serve at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin. The contest will stream on ESPN+.

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