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All-Out Blitz Week 13: Wisconsin Badgers vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers

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All-Out Blitz Week 13: Wisconsin Badgers vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers


All-Out Blitz Week 13: Wisconsin Badgers vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers

BadgerBlitz.com brings back its All-Out Blitz weekly series for the 2024 season, where you can find everything you need to know about Wisconsin’s upcoming opponent. We look at UW’s tenth opponent in the Nebraska Cornhuskers, who the Badgers will travel to play Saturday afternoon in Lincoln at 2:30 p.m. on BTN.

QUICK PROGRAM FACTS

Head Coach: Matt Rhule (57-55 career record, second season at Nebraska)

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Nebraska All Time Record: 887-404-38 (.667)

2024 Record: 5-5 (2-5 Big Ten)

Rankings: N/A

Series vs. Wisconsin: 4-13

WHEN NEBRASKA HAS THE FOOTBALL

COMPARING THE PROJECTED STARTERS

Nebraska’s gradual decline over the course of this season is parallel with the decline of their offense.

Through the first five games, in which the team began 4-1, the offense averaged 405.4 yards per game. Over the last five, the 1-4 Cornhuskers are averaging just 294 yards per game.

This prompted the demoting of offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield, and promotion of Dana Holgorsen, prior to last week’s loss to USC.

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It was the hope that Holgorsen, a former disciple of Mike Leach, could reinvigorate freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola.

It’s hard to tell if the former No. 1 quarterback in the 2024 class is responsible for the offense’s drop-off, or merely a victim of it, but all we know is that his season has fallen off of a cliff.

Through the first five games, he threw for nine touchdowns and two interceptions while completing 70% of his passes. In the five games since, he’s down to two touchdowns and eight interceptions, completing just 60% of his passes.

Raiola hasn’t received much help from his receiving core. He never had a true No. 1 receiver, even when the offense looked good, and nobody is stepping up now. No Husker receiver has reached 100 yards in a game since the season opener against UTEP.

They added two starters via the transfer portal — Isaiah Neyor (Texas) and Jahmal Banks (Wake Forest) — but both have been solid at best.

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Wisconsin’s pass defense, which has only improved as the season has gone on, should create problems for Raiola and co.

They held Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel without a touchdown for the first time all season in what felt like a triumphant defensive performance, despite the 16-13 loss.

Beyond the strong coverage of cornerbacks Ricardo Hallman and Nyzier Fourqurean, what was most impressive about Wisconsin’s defense was how their line was able to generate consistent pressure on Gabriel.

It’ll be key for the Badgers to shut down Nebraska’s passing attack, because their running game isn’t particularly dangerous.

They rotate between three backs on a regular basis, led by Dante Dowdell, who averages a team-high 12 carries per game. Sophomore Emmett Johnson received more carries than Dowdell in the most recent outing against USC and could be ascending up the depth chart. Regardless, no Nebraska back has been a consistent threat.

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WHEN WISCONSIN HAS THE BALL

COMPARING THE PROJECTED STARTERS

This will be the first game Wisconsin plays since offensive coordinator Phil Longo was fired on Sunday.

Fickell wasn’t willing to name a replacement play caller, instead alluding to a “collaborative” operation.

However that turns out, it must lead to some sort of reinvigoration. Over Wisconsin’s three-game losing streak, the offense is averaging just 261.6 total yards per game.

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The offensive incompetence was especially frustrating against Oregon, a game in which the defense had their best performance of the season.

The offense needs to go back to basics. All season, they’ve been at their best when the offensive line opens up running lanes and allows for a balanced game plan.

Running back Tawee Walker struggled mightily against Penn State and Iowa, rushing for just 111 yards over those two games, but rebounded with a 97-yard performance last week against Oregon.

The front line will have a tough matchup against Nebraska’s defensive line trio of Ty Robinson, Jamari Butler and Nash Hutmacher, who lead the 20th-ranked rushing defense in the nation.

The production of Wisconsin’s running game will be key, because they simply can’t rely on quarterback Braedyn Locke, who’s coming off of a 96-yard passing performance against Oregon. He’s thrown an interception in all seven of his starts this season, bringing his season touchdown-interception ratio to 9-9.

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Locke will try to take advantage of a Nebraska secondary that suffered a crushing blow earlier this week, with the announcement that Tommi Hill would miss the rest of the season due to a foot injury.

The best starter besides Hill is Malcolm Herzog, the team leader in interception (four) who primarily plays in the slot. Although the biggest priority for Wisconsin will be safety Isaac Gifford, who leads the team in tackles with 59 and can manage to fly all over the field.

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Nebraska

Hail, rain, snow move into eastern Nebraska, western Iowa

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Hail, rain, snow move into eastern Nebraska, western Iowa


OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – An active weather pattern is moving into the region starting tonight, bringing some snow into the region, according to KTIV’s forecast in Sioux City.

A First Alert 6 viewer sent footage of the storms while traveling on Interstate 80 near West Branch, Iowa.

Hail near West Branch, Iowa

TUESDAY NIGHT

In Siouxland, a batch of precipitation moves in after midnight. It could initially start as rain, but most of the precipitation will fall as snow. Snow showers will likely last through sunrise on Wednesday morning.

The snow will stay light with accumulations near an inch or less. This could create some slick spots on the Wednesday morning commute. Temperatures will probably fall a bit below the freezing mark.

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Nebraska

Shelter in place issued after suspicious object found in mailbox

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Shelter in place issued after suspicious object found in mailbox


UPDATE: Grand Island Police said around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday that the shelter in place order has been lifted .

GIPD said the item was retrieved by the Nebraska State Patrol Bomb Squad, who is investigating.

The area has also now been reopened.

ORIGINAL STORY:

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The Grand Island Police Department has cordoned off a local block and is urging residents to shelter in place.

According to GIPD, officers responded to the 4300 block of Sherwood Road just before 2:00 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. A resident reported finding a suspicious cylindrical object wrapped in duct tape inside a home.

The Nebraska State Patrol Bomb Squad has been called to the scene to investigate the device.

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68 students chosen as Nebraska Young Artist Award winners

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68 students chosen as Nebraska Young Artist Award winners


The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts has announced the winners of the 29th annual Nebraska Young Artist Awards.

The awards recognize 11th-grade students from Nebraska for their talents in visual art, dance, music, theatre, and film and emerging media arts. 

Sixty-eight students from more than 40 high schools across the state have been selected as award winners and will be invited to a day of activities on campus March 25.

“Our faculty always look forward to this event,” said Chris Watson, director of recruitment for the college and coordinator of the awards. “They love meeting enthusiastic young artists, working with them and celebrating their talent.”

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Students applied for the recognition and submitted an example of their work. Applications were received from 92 students. Hixson-Lied College faculty chose the winners.

Award winners were also asked to nominate the teacher who provided them with the greatest amount of mentoring and support in the development of their special talents. 

Each student will receive a certificate and an original piece of artwork commissioned for the event and created by a School of Art, Art History and Design student.

Following is a list of award winners by hometown, with their high school and specialty area(s).

Aurora:

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  • Calvin Miller, Aurora, music

Beaver City:

  • Johnathan Eakin, Southern Valley, visual arts

Bellevue:

  • Mami Lloyd, Bellevue West, music

Bennington:

  • Liliana Martic, Bennington, music

Eagle:

  • Jorie Goings, Waverly, dance

Firth:

  • Petra Van Cleave, home school, music

Fremont:

  • Xavier Herre, Bergan Catholic, theatre

Fullerton:

  • Lylla Sabata, Fullerton, music

Gretna:

  • Lillian Bock, Gretna, music

Harvard:

  • Allee Jarzynka, Harvard, music

Hendley:

  • Lily Jordan, Southern Valley, visual arts

Hooper:

  • Leo Arellano, Logan View, visual arts
  • Ellsie Meier, Logan View, visual arts

Kearney:

  • Kruz Flamig, Kearney, visual arts
  • Isaac Hooton, Kearney, visual arts
  • Mariah Kaslon, Kearney, visual arts
  • Landen Tilley, Kearney, visual arts

Lincoln:

  • Alissa Brenning, Norris, dance
  • Kali Brewer, Lincoln Southeast, visual arts
  • Ava Engel, Lincoln Northeast, dance
  • Emalie Fischer, Lincoln North Star, dance
  • Adelyn Haden, Lincoln Standing Bear, dance and music
  • Audrey Haugen, Lincoln Southwest, theatre
  • Andrea Hu, Lincoln East, music
  • Logan Lambrecht, Lincoln Southwest, music and theatre
  • Mckinzey Lile, Lincoln North Star, dance
  • Hayley Marshall, Lincoln Southwest, dance
  • Riley Minster, Lincoln East, music
  • Joslyn Morgan, Lincoln Southeast, music
  • Ariadne Ottoson, home school, music
  • Megan Plander, Lincoln Lutheran, theatre
  • Lauren Ramey, LPS Arts and Humanities Focus Program, visual arts
  • Blake Semrad, Lincoln Southwest, dance
  • Emma Shaeffer, Lincoln Southwest, dance
  • Taylor Sharpe, Lincoln Southwest, dance
  • Hugh Skretta, Lincoln High, music
  • Samuel Sulzle, Lincoln Northwest, music
  • Brooks Xia, Lincoln East, music

Martell:

  • Reese Thomas, home school, music

Norfolk:

  • Noah Asbury, Norfolk, music
  • Emily Henkel, Norfolk, music; Nathan Kaiser, Norfolk, music
  • North Platte: Brett Pfeifer, North Platte, theatre

Omaha:

  • Asher Abuhl, Trinity Classical Academy, music
  • Adam Campagna, Omaha South, film and emerging media arts
  • Liam Cowherd Richardson, Creighton Preparatory, music
  • Regina Ho, Millard South, film and emerging media arts
  • Connor Holmstedt, Fort Calhoun, music
  • Kara Leininger, Duchesne Academy, music
  • Jayden Li, Millard North, music; Violet Little, Omaha Central, dance
  • Mrethi Magesh, Millard North, dance
  • Venkatesan Marichamy, Millard North, dance
  • Moyra Matthews, Duchesne Academy, dance and music
  • Jackson Mu, Millard North, music
  • Gauri Nair, Millard North, dance
  • Angela Qi, Millard North, music
  • Jackson Ramsey, Gretna East, music
  • Tara Richardson, Creighton Prep, music
  • Vandana Santhanam, Marian, music
  • Caroline Soderlin, Millard North, music
  • Akshara Venkatesan, Millard North, dance
  • Caleigh Walkenhorst, Millard West, music

Osmond:

  • Donovan Heiman, Osmond, theatre

Papillion:

  • Emelia Weaver, Papillion-La Vista, music

Pierce:

  • Spencer Sindt, Pierce, music

Randolph:

  • Brecken Shearer, Randolph, visual arts

York:

  • Allison Holmes, York, visual arts



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