Nebraska
Nebraska law enforcement joins national campaign to crack down on drunk driving
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Law enforcement agencies across Nebraska are stepping up right now to stop impaired driving.
A number of departments across the state are participating in the annual “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. It gets underway on Friday and runs until Dec. 30.
The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office said it will be increasing the number of deputies in marked patrol cars on various nights. They are concentrating efforts on traffic law violations and finding impaired drivers between 8 p.m. and 3 a.m. throughout December.
LSO said overtime will be paid for by a mini-grant funded by the Nebraska Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office.
The Lincoln Police Department already announced an increased lookout for impaired drivers late in November. Their campaign will run through Jan. 1.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 30% of all fatal crashes in Nebraska were caused by a drunk driver in 2021 alone.
Nebraska
The Weekender: Nebraska Considers Spring Game Cancelation, John Calipari Returns To Kentucky and Tempers Flare Between Arizona and Arizona State
Own the group chat with The Weekender, highlighting the biggest stories in college sports, standout writing from Eleven Warriors, and a glance at what’s next.
NEBRASKA CONSIDERS SPRING GAME CANCELATION
With the increased prevalence of tampering in college football, Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule has a unique plan to keep eyes off of his players: cancel the spring game.
“The word ‘tampering’ doesn’t exist anymore,” Rhule said. “It’s just a free open common market. I don’t necessarily want to open up to the outside world and have people watch our guys and say, ‘He looks like a pretty good player. Let’s go get him.’”
While Rhule’s decision could potentially lead to fewer transfers from the program when the spring transfer window opens, it would lose the university a large sum of revenue typically generated from the game. Nebraska’s Spring Game in 2024 drew 60,452 fans to Memorial Stadiums, the fourth-highest total attendance from spring games last season.
But, Rhule’s primary focus remains on keeping his players in Lincoln by all means necessary.
“Guys are being compensated now, and you’re putting money behind some people, a whole other set of parameters,” Rhule said. “Yet, at the same time, you have to get good. Honestly, to me, it’s about protecting the roster and protecting through that portal period.”
CALIPARI RETURNS TO KENTUCKY
In 15 seasons as the head coach of Kentucky, John Calipari elevated the program into a perennial national title contender.
With an overall record of 410-123, four Final Four appearances, and the 2012 national championship, Calipari was considered Kentucky royalty up until just last year. But, times have changed.
After a steady decline across his last few seasons with the Wildcats, Calipari took the head coaching job at Arkansas during the offseason. On Saturday, the legendary head coach returned to Rupp Arena for the first time.
Facing a hostile environment from a fanbase that he once called his own, with boos and jeers hurdled his direction, Calipari ultimately handed his former team a stunning loss, as his Razorbacks took care of business in an 89-79 decision. Arkansas was led by a trio of former Wildcats, as Adou Thiero (21 points), D.J. Wagner (17 points) and Zvonimir Ivasic (14 points) pushed the Razorbacks to the win.
“I’ve got to be honest with you: I looked up a couple of times [at the scoreboard], and I thought we were losing because I kept looking at Kentucky instead of Arkansas,” Calipari said. “I made it clear it was a privilege and an honor to coach here. We had 15 unbelievable years of a great run and support.”
TEMPERS FLARE BETWEEN ARIZONA AND ARIZONA STATE
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree when it comes to the Hurley family.
Arizona State head coach Bobby Hurley — brother of UConn coach Dan Hurley — had some words for rival Arizona after a testy finish in the Wildcats’ rivalry 81-72 win over the Sun Devils in Tempe, Arizona.
Constant trash talk throughout Saturday’s contest came to a head late in the game. With less than a minute to play, Sun Devil guard BJ Freeman head-butted Arizona’s Caleb Love — resulting in both players being ejected after Love taunted the Arizona State bench in the aftermath.
BJ Freeman headbutts Caleb Love and BOTH are ejected pic.twitter.com/hlwjDdXHIA
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) February 1, 2025
As a result of the late-game altercation, Hurley decided to pull his team from the post-game handshake line. In his post-game press conference, Hurley criticized the Wildcats for boasting after the win.
“Right near our bench, it was relentless, constant chatter from a couple of Arizona’s players that wasn’t being policed properly,” Hurley said. “Of course, they’re going to be happy with winning, but it was done with no class, in my opinion.”
Hurley also alluded to the fact that he would refuse to vote for Love for All-Big 12.
More Bobby Hurley, with a parting shot for Caleb Love:
“I get a vote for Big 12 All-Conference, and I can tell you who’s not getting my vote”pic.twitter.com/AFC6R19tHr
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) February 1, 2025
The Wildcats and Sun Devils will meet again on March 4 in Tuscon, Arizona.
ICYMI
THE BUCKEYE 20: RANKING THE 20 BEST PLAYERS FROM OHIO STATE’S 2024 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON
The Eleven Warriors staff compiled its final list of the 20 best players from Ohio State’s national championship team in 2024.
EIGHT POTENTIAL CANDIDATES TO REPLACE JUSTIN FRYE AS OHIO STATE’S OFFENSIVE LINE COACH
Eleven Warriors’ Dan Hope analyzes potential candidates to fill the void left by Justin Frye’s departure from Ohio State.
HOW WE CHOOSE TO REMEMBER
Eleven Warriors’ George Eisner reflects on Ohio State’s recent stretch of quarterbacks.
WHAT’S NEXT
- 209 Days: Ohio State football’s season-opener vs. Texas
- 300 Days: The Game
Nebraska
Head Coach Matt Rhule Has An Interesting Reason Why Nebraska Football Is Unlikely To Have A Spring Game
It’s February, which means we’re getting closer and closer to college football games.
Who doesn’t love a first look at your team to get you through the doldrums of the offseason?
Well, unfortunately, if you’re a Nebraska Cornhuskers fan, it looks like that may not be a thing for you, at least if head coach Matt Rhule’s latest comments are to be believed.
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KETV’s Lauren Michelson shared some footage of Rhule answering a question about a spring game, with the coach saying that he “highly doubts” it’ll happen.
And his reasoning might surprise you…
“I don’t know that yet, but I’ll be honest with you. I highly doubt it,” Rhule said about the future of the spring game. “I hate to say this, but last year we were one of the more televised spring games and I dealt with a lot of people offering our players a lot of opportunities after that.
“To go out and bring in a bunch of new players and then showcase them for all the other schools to watch, that doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.”
Rhule continued by saying that “tampering” no longer exists so he’s hesitant to give other programs a glimpse at some of his players.
“The word ‘tampering’ doesn’t exist anymore,” Rhule said. “It’s just an absolute free open common market. I don’t necessarily want to open up to the outside world. I don’t (want) these guys all being able to watch our guys and say, ‘Wow, he looks like a pretty good player. Let’s go get him.’ “
Alright… but then why televise any games, coach?
Well, surely these comments will go over well with Nebraska fans…
It’ll be interesting to see if Rhule follows through with this because the mere mention of skipping a spring game certainly hasn’t been particularly popular.
Nebraska
Every recruit visiting Nebraska this weekend
The Nebraska Cornhuskers are preparing for a busy recruiting weekend. Starting this Saturday, February 1, they will host more than 20 recruits from the classes of 2026 and 2027 on campus.
Matt Rhule and his staff have been traveling the country, visiting high schools from coast to coast. Now, they will have the opportunity to host some of the country’s top high school talent.
Nebraska’s class of 2026 currently has three commitments. The trio is led by Dayton Raiola, a three-star quarterback, and the younger brother of starting quarterback Dylan Raiola.
The group also includes 3-star receiver Dveyoun Bonwell Witte of Sioux Falls, SD, and 3-star cornerback CJ Bronaugh of Winter Garden, FL.
The Huskers are coming off a successful transfer portal window that saw the team add 15 players for the upcoming 2025 season. Now is a chance for Matt Rhule and his staff to return to recruiting high school prospects.
Scroll down to find a list of recruits visiting the Lincoln campus this weekend.
Jordan Campbell, Linebacker (Miami Commit), 2026
Miami Carol City High School (Miami Gardens, FL)
6-2/200 pounds
4-Stars
Kelvin Obot, Offensive Tackle, 2026
Fruitland High School (Fruitland, ID)
6-5/265 pounds
4-Stars
Claude Mpouma, Offensive Tackle, 2026
Mount Carmel High School (Chicago, IL)
6-8/260 pounds
4-Stars
Lincoln Watkins, Tight End, 2026
Port Huron Northern (Port Huron, MI)
6-4/225 pounds
3-Stars
Kasen Thomas, Linebacker, 2026
Bishop Heelan Catholic (Sioux City, IA)
6-1/190 pounds
3-Stars
Dayton Raiola, Quarterback (Nebraska Commit), 2026
Buford High School (Buford, GA)
6-1/205 pounds
3-Stars
Jase Reynolds, EDGE, 2026
Elkhorn North High (Elkhorn, NE)
6-2/190 pounds
No Stars
Rex Waterman, Offensive Tackle, 2026
Hamilton High School (Chandler, AZ)
6-5/295 pounds
No Stars
Noah Roberts, Running back, 2027
Basha High School (Chandler, AZ)
6-1/190 pounds
No Stars
Matt Erickson, Offensive Tackle, 2027
Millard West High School (Omaha, NE)
6-7.5/283 pounds
No Stars
McHale Blade, Defensive Line, 2026
Simeon High School (Chicago, IL)
6-5/230 pounds
4-Stars
Jabari Brady, Wide Receiver, 2026
Monarch High School (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
6-2/190 pounds
4-Stars
Jacob Eberhart, Athlete, 2026
Kirkwood High School (Saint Louis, MO)
6-1/210 pounds
3-Stars
Devin Jackson, Safety, 2026 (Florida Commit)
The First Academy (Winter Garden, FL)
6-2/185 pounds
3-Stars
Ryan Mosley, Athlete, 2026
Carrollton High School (Carrollton, GA)
6-2/205 pounds
4-Stars
Danny Odem, Cornerback, 2026
The First Academy (Orlando, FL)
6-0/175 pounds
3-Stars
Gregory Patrick, Inside Offensive Lineman, 2026
Portage Northern (Portage, MI)
6-4.5/280 pounds
4-Star
Valdin Sone, Defensive Line, 2026
Blue Ridge School (Dyke, VA)
6-5/290 pounds
4-Stars
Luke Sorensen, Tight End, 2026
Servite High School (Anaheim, CA)
6-4/230 pounds
3-Stars
Dominic Turnbull, Cornerback, 2026
True North Classical Academy (Miami, FL)
6-2/165 pounds
4-Stars
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