Nebraska
Nebraska is halfway to Dublin. Here are 10 hot topics at midpoint of offseason
LINCOLN, Neb. — It’s all downhill from right here to Dublin.
Nebraska opens the soccer season 4 months from Wednesday at Aviva Stadium in opposition to Northwestern. 4 months in the past Tuesday, Iowa beat the Huskers for the seventh consecutive yr.
We’re formally nearer to the following recreation than the final one. Welcome to the second half of the offseason.
Nebraska stays in a precarious spot as a program on the heels of spring observe, which answered a couple of questions however left many unknowns about coach Scott Frost’s fifth staff in Lincoln.
Popping out of halftime, let’s reset the highest storylines for the 122 days forward.
1. Because the portal turns. Sunday looms because the deadline for gamers to enter the switch portal as a way to obtain clearance to play at a brand new program in 2022. (No exhausting date, exterior of enrollment deadlines, exists to decide on a brand new college.) For the Huskers, portal motion already charges because the chief subject of this offseason. They added 9 Division I transfers in January, with Furman kicker Timmy Bleekrode set to hitch the group this summer time. Twelve Huskers on scholarship have entered the portal since November — most just lately defensive lineman Casey Rogers, who visited USC final weekend and acquired different provides from the likes of TCU, Auburn, Washington, Arkansas and Purdue.
2. An enormous resolution. The Huskers are nonetheless in play for the largest catch within the portal, former TCU defensive finish Ochaun Mathis. He visited Lincoln for the Pink-White recreation and introduced this week that he’ll make his selection recognized Saturday between Nebraska and Texas. Mathis is from Manor, Texas, a 15-mile drive from the UT campus. However the Huskers aren’t out of this, partly due to their determined want for a move rusher of Mathis’ caliber. He recorded 15 1/2 sacks over the previous three seasons at TCU and will flip momentum for Nebraska in its summer time bid to rebuild the defensive entrance after its lack of Damion Daniels, Deontre Thomas and Jordon Riley, all with remaining eligibility, along with Rogers since December.
The Huskers may use former TCU defensive finish Ochaun Mathis, who will select Saturday between Nebraska and Texas, to assist rebuild their line of defense. (Jerome Miron / USA As we speak)
3. D-line drama. With or with out Mathis, the line of defense charges as a priority for the Huskers, who’ve improved steadily on the place group over the previous 4 seasons. “It’s no secret that our numbers are method down on the D-line,” Frost mentioned Monday in his month-to-month look on the Huskers Radio Community. Remaining on scholarship on the inside spots are Ty Robinson, Nash Hutmacher, Mosai Newsom, Marquis Black, Ru’Quan Buckley and Jailen Weaver. Solely Robinson returns with beginning expertise. “We like what we’ve,” Frost mentioned. Nevertheless it’s not sufficient. Defensive lineman Devin Drew, previously of Texas Tech, visited Nebraska final weekend. If the Huskers add three our bodies on the place, they’ll really feel snug.
4. The QB narrative. Frost continues to counsel that the race is unsettled regardless of proof on the contrary from early in spring observe that Casey Thompson would succeed Adrian Martinez because the Huskers’ starter. These 15 practices in entrance of Frost and offensive coordinator Mark Whipple may have narrowed the hole between Thompson and a gaggle that features Logan Smothers, getting into his third yr at Nebraska, Florida State switch Chubba Purdy and second-year QB Heinrich Haarberg. And naturally, Frost may really feel compelled to maintain his playing cards hidden for numerous causes — to maintain Northwestern at the hours of darkness and to keep away from offering a cause for one of many returning quarterbacks to open that portal door between now and Sunday.
5. The subsequent step in recruiting. Nebraska began nicely in amassing pledges for the Class of 2023, with 5 commitments. Nevertheless it has not added a member to this group since QB William Watson III of Springfield, Mass., dedicated on Feb. 22. Watson stood amongst a big group of prospects in attendance on the Pink-White recreation, a red-letter day for the Huskers’ recruiting efforts and identify, picture and likeness publicity. Nebraska assistants hit the street after spring observe to go to prospects’ faculties and to extend consciousness within the recruiting group in regards to the plan at work in Frost’s program. They’ve sorely missed this time throughout the previous two years as pandemic restrictions curtailed spring recruiting. Clearly, Nebraska nonetheless has floor to achieve, beginning close to home with the 2023 class.
6. The NFL Draft. The Huskers’ 11-year drought with out a first-round choose is unlikely to finish Thursday evening, however Nebraska, in a change, is outstanding in draft conversations. Throughout Rounds 2 and three Friday, search for heart Cam Jurgens and cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt to listen to their names referred to as. And linebacker JoJo Domann has a shot, too, in response to Dane Brugler’s newest prospect rankings. Nebraska, amazingly, hasn’t positioned three gamers within the first three rounds of the identical draft since 2007. Its most up-to-date second-rounders got here in 2015, Ameer Abdullah and Randy Gregory. All of this issues to recruits and in reconstructing the Huskers’ picture as a producer of expertise below Frost.
7. There’s a flip facet to shedding quite a lot of expertise. Together with Jurgens, Taylor-Britt and Domann, tight finish Austin Allen seems more likely to land within the draft. Large receiver Samori Toure, safeties Deontai Williams and Marquel Dismuke, defensive finish Ben Stille and defensive sort out Damion Daniels will obtain alternatives to make NFL rosters. So for observers who imagine the Huskers are on observe to win in 2022 just because they misplaced by small margins in 2021, take into account the absence of all that expertise. Transfers alone, until Nebraska provides 5 – 6 extra key components, gained’t make up for the departures. The summer time forward, capped by preseason camp, charges as vital for the Huskers to develop, come collectively and fill the holes left by the lack of NFL-bound contributors.
8. A time to heal. Frost reiterated Monday that he expects many of the gamers injured or rehabilitating throughout the spring to make a full restoration earlier than camp opens in three months. That’s good news for Sean Beckton, the Huskers’ tight ends coach who misplaced practically all of his firepower in March. It signifies that the offensive line should be at full energy when preseason camp opens, creating wanted competitors for the highest jobs at each sort out positions as Teddy Prochazka and Turner Corcoran return. With operating again Gabe Ervin, inside linebacker Luke Reimer and promising newcomers like receiver Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda and cornerback Omar Brown at work, Nebraska is a distinct staff than what it confirmed within the spring recreation.
9. The race at operating again. It doesn’t cease now that new assistant Bryan Applewhite has moved offstage. Applewhite has made clear that regardless of who performed nicely within the spring, competitors begins anew in the summertime. Ervin ranks as a contender with prime spring performers Jaquez Yant, Anthony Grant and Rahmir Johnson. Markese Stepp is attempting to get wholesome. Ajay Allen and Emmett Johnson are on their option to Lincoln. Former commit Deondre Jackson is not. A prediction: This group of backs, buoyed by Applewhite’s recent method, stands a powerful probability to price because the Huskers’ most improved place group. In that case, it bodes nicely for Mark Whipple’s offense and Thompson’s capability to remain wholesome.
10. NIL fever. How does all of it come collectively to enhance the product on the sphere? How does the uneven distribution of funds affect chemistry? The Huskers established a partnership final summer time with Athlete Branding and Advertising, LLC, which serves as a bridge between the donor group and student-athletes. The college works with Opendorse, just lately establishing a market by way of the corporate’s platform to additional empower lots of the identical athletes. Nebraska additionally struck a cope with Altius Sports activities Companions to bolster the college’s NIL program. Who’s really in cost in Lincoln of making certain that the NIL course of operates easily? It’s a storyline rising in significance — and one which gained’t let up when the Huskers contact down in Eire.
(Prime photograph of Casey Thompson: Rebecca S. Gratz / Related Press)
Nebraska
Walt Radcliffe's friends say lobbyist was part of State Capitol’s ‘fabric' • Nebraska Examiner
LINCOLN — It was 1979, and a college freshman was searching the State Capitol for lobbyist Walt Radcliffe, who was scheduled to speak to young leaders from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Eventually, the freshman, Scott Moore, caught up with Radcliffe, who posed a profane question to the student that was something like, “What the heck am I supposed to say to these kids?”
“I knew right then that this was someone I was going to like,” said Moore, who went on to become a state senator, Nebraska Secretary of State and later, a top executive at Union Pacific.
Stories like that, and many more, circulated across the state as word spread about the death of Radcliffe, 77, on Thursday afternoon.
Work spanned 10 governors
A Lincoln native whose work spanned 10 governors, Radcliffe was the undisputed dean of the statehouse lobbying corps. He had his own padded bench in the Capitol Rotunda.
His firm, Radcliffe Gilbertson & Brady, annually ranked among the state’s top in annual revenue.
He also served as a valuable — and engaging — font of institutional knowledge about the Legislature for lawmakers and governors as such knowledge was disappearing due to term limits.
His storytelling was legendary, as were his counsel and history lessons for lawmakers and others.
“He really cared about the institution,” said Patrick O’Donnell, the former clerk of the Legislature and a long-time friend who met Radcliffe in a UNL fraternity. “The Legislature had a big loss today.”
“Nobody knew the legislative process better than him,” said Lynn Rex, executive director League of Nebraska Municipalities. She said Radcliffe was a mentor to her and many other lobbyists.
Former State Sen. John Stinner, who chaired the budget-writing Appropriations Committee, said Radcliffe once gave him valuable advice on how to tap into a state health care fund to help close a monumental $1 billion shortfall in the budget.
“He was extremely helpful in many instances,” Stinner said. “I’m going to miss him.”
Part of the place
U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb., a former speaker of the Legislature, said “people probably think we were too close to Walt as a lobbyist.”
“But he was bigger than a lobbyist,” Flood said. “He was just part of the fabric of the Legislature.”
A graduate of UNL and the NU College of Law, Radcliffe liked to point out that he worked only a couple of miles from where he grew up.
His first jobs at the Capitol were as a legislative page and a proofreader. He later served as an assistant clerk of the Legislature and as legal counsel to the Judiciary and Banking Committees, and as chief legal counsel in the clerk’s office.
Radcliffe’s lobbying career began in 1977 as a partner with former State Sen. David Tews. He purchased the firm a couple of years later, which became Radcliffe and Associates before the latest name change.
He continued to lobby this spring, though his trips to his bench — which for a time had its own Twitter account — became less frequent.
“He was a people person. That job was his lifeblood,” said Korby Gilbertson, a long-time associate at the firm. “We always knew he’d work until he couldn’t, because that’s what he did.”
Known for NU advocacy
His firm long represented the University of Nebraska, fighting for its programs and funding. But Radcliffe also represented liquor, tobacco and gambling clients because, Gilbertson said, he “wasn’t afraid of a good battle.”
In addition, Radcliffe also lobbied free-of-charge for entities opposed to the death penalty, and, his friends said, was genuinely interested in helping the state, and its institutions, do well.
Moore said that Radcliffe’s greatest skill as a lobbyist was his ability to boil down complicated subjects into simple terms. He worked long hours and was a good listener and storyteller, he said, who didn’t seek to “poach” clients from other lobbyists and was very clear where his clients stood.
”He was a man of integrity,” Moore said. “That’s why people respected him, and why he got so many things passed.”
Former Gov. Dave Heineman described Radcliffe as “very professional, very knowledgeable and a very straightforward lobbyist.”
“I enjoyed working with him,” Heineman said.
Petition work got him in trouble
Radcliffe briefly got in trouble in 1986, when he was indicted for hiring and paying petition circulators seeking to get an issue on the statewide ballot to allow a state lottery. But the charge was dismissed on appeal. Paying petition circulators is now legal and commonplace in the state.
Radcliffe received a liver transplant in 1999, but in recent years battled other health issues. Gilbertson said he entered hospice care on Thursday morning after battling an infection for several days. He died hours later from kidney failure and other health issues.
Flood said he spent many hours in Radcliffe’s office across the street from the Capitol as a young state senator and later as speaker, listening and learning about past lawmakers and speakers.
“It wasn’t like he was telling me what to do in a certain situation, but he’d say, ‘We had this same problem, and this is what a past speaker did,’ and how it worked or didn’t work,” Flood said.
“While he was an advocate, he wanted the Legislature to look good, too.”
Funeral arrangements are pending.
YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE.
At first, Nebraska playing in a bowl in late December in New York City sounded like a form of punishment rather than a reward for a successful season.
It’s true, playing in a balmy Florida, Arizona or California might be more appealing. But consider this: NU is playing at noon this Saturday. That’s great day and time for a college football game.
As a result, I believe a lot of people are going to be able to watch the game. TV viewers aren’t going to care a rip about the cold. Most football fans think forty degrees is ideal football weather.
Playing in Florida does have some advantages, but three early bowl games that were played in Florida weren’t seen by many people. Why?
Bad dates and times.
Boca Raton Bowl (Boca Raton, FL)
Wednesday, December 18th 5:30pm (EST)
Western Kentucky vs James Madison
Staffdna Cure Bowl (Orlando, FL)
Friday, December 20th 12:00pm (EST)
Ohio vs Jackson State
Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl (Tampa, FL)
Friday December 20th 3:30 pm (EST)
Tulane vs Florida
Raise your hands if you watched any of those games.
I didn’t think so.
My point is, playing in a cold clime in late December is not necessarily a bad thing. The Pinstripe Bowl matchup between Nebraska and Boston College should be a TV ratings success.
The Pinstripe Bowl Matchup
To win the game, NU is going to have to:
1.) Stop the Eagles’ running game and make them one dimensional,
2.) Move the chains consistently on offense.
3.) Be able to pass on BC’s defense (BC is 111th pass defense)
4.) Win the turnover battle (NU ranks 66th while BC is 21st)
If the Huskers are able to do those things, they will come back to Lincoln with another bowl trophy to add to its collection.
What’s a stake: Win the game and NU ends the season with a winning record-its first since 2016. Lose the game and NU limps into ’25 with a 6-7 record.
You may contact me at: HuskerDan@cox.net
MORE: Analytics Preview: Nebraska Football vs. Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl
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MORE: Nebrasketball Beats Oregon State, Wins Diamond Head Classic
MORE: Idaho Transfer Defensive Back Andrew Marshall Commits to Nebraska
MORE: Former NFL Running Back Leonard Fournette Shares Praise for Nebraska Quarterback Dylan Raiola
Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, subscribing to HuskerMax on YouTube, and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.
Gov. Jim Pillen (R-NE) will undergo a rib fixation procedure on Thursday after a horse bucked him off on Sunday.
Pillen, 68, will need to be under anesthesia while doctors install metal plates to stabilize his seven broken ribs. Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly will take on the role of acting governor during the surgery.
“Based on the Governor’s health profile and active lifestyle, his doctors consider him an ideal candidate for this procedure. Nebraska Medicine has emerged as a national leader in rib fixation operations,” the governor’s office wrote in a statement.
The governor was riding a new horse with his daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter when he fell. In addition to his rib fractures, he suffered a partially collapsed lung, lacerations on his spleen and kidney, and a minor vertebrae fracture.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
“Gov. Pillen remains grateful for the exceptional care he is receiving by the team at Nebraska Medicine and thanks Nebraskans for their outpouring of support to him and his family during this time,” Pillen’s office wrote.
This surgery will result in Pillen remaining in the hospital for a few days following his surgery. He is prepared to continue to work from his hospital bed.
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