LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The No. 21-ranked Nebraska softball team completed the sweep over Northwestern on Monday, shutting out the Wildcats 3-0 in Evanston.

With the win, the Huskers swept the Wildcats for the first time since 2017, outscoring Northwestern 24-2 in the series.

The Huskers moved to 31-10 (11-3 Big Ten) on the season, and the Wildcats fell to 20-15-1 (9-4 Big Ten).

After being named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week for the fourth time this season, Jordyn Bahl tossed a complete game shutout and fanned a season-high 14 batters.

SEE ALSO: Nebraska softball’s Jordyn Bahl earns fourth weekly honor of season

Bahl only walked one batter in her sixth double-digit strikeout game of the season.

Bahl, Samantha Bland and Abbie Squier each knocked in an RBI for the Huskers, while Bahl and Emmerson Cope each tallied a double.

The Huskers will play a two-game series against Indiana starting Friday at 5 p.m. at Bowlin Stadium.

Nebraska has long lagged behind other states in seat belt use, with rates consistently lower than the national average.

In 2024, the state’s seat belt use rate was 80.2%, up from 77.3% the year before, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation. However, the national rate was 91.2% in 2024, and Nebraska’s rate was 85.9% as recently as 2017.

Nebraska’s seat belt use rate of 77.3% in 2023, the most recent year with available data, ranked 49th out of the 50 states, a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report says.

Do you have to wear a seat belt in Nebraska?

The law in Nebraska requires seat belts to be worn by each front-seat occupant in the vehicle and all children between 6 and 18 years old. It’s a secondary law, which means it’s only enforced if the driver is cited or charged for another traffic violation or some other offense. The penalty is a $25 fine.

How many traffic deaths are there in Nebraska?

A total of 251 people died in traffic crashes last year in Nebraska, up from 227 in 2023, according to a news release from the state Department of Transportation. Of the 194 vehicle occupants who died in 2024, only 56 were using seatbelts.

What states have the highest rates of seat belt use?

These states had the highest rates of seat belt use in 2023.

1. Hawaii: 98.4%
2. Oregon: 97%
3. Iowa: 96.9%
4. California: 96.2%
5. Alaska: 95.2%

What states have the lowest rates of seat belt use?

These states had the lowest rates of seat belt use in 2023.

1. Virginia: 73.2%
2. Nebraska: 77.3%
3. New Hampshire: 77.9%
4. North Dakota: 78.5%
5. Arkansas: 79.7%

Nebraska football coach Matt Rhule wants his defense to be better on third down this fall.

In 2024, Husker opponents converted on 35.2% of third downs. That rate was good for 31st in the nation and fifth in the Big Ten Conference.

But in the first five losses last year, the opponents converted at a 40.4% clip. Iowa, the sixth loss of the season, went 0-for-10 on third downs.

Rhule said the defense this fall, now under the direction of new defensive coordinator John Butler and with help from associate head coach Phil Snow, won’t “just sit in a 3-3.”

“We’re going to put five corners on the field at times, five safeties,” Rhule said at his Saturday media availability. “I want different groupings out there. I want a ton of guys playing.”

Rhule said the depth in the secondary is “really strong.”

“We can start six different guys at corner right now,” Rhule said. “We could start four or five different guys at safeties.”

Rhule acknowledged that the dynamic of the secondary and depth could change this coming week with the spring transfer portal window. Still, the addition of multiple transfer defensive backs, the return of guys like Marques Buford, Malcolm Hartzog, DeShon Singleton and Ceyair Wright, as well as the development of Jeremiah Charles, Mario Buford, Caleb Benning and more, the secondary is primed for a solid 2025.

“But for the most part, great players love competition,” Rhule said.

On the front end, Rhule has been impressed with what the pass rush is beginning to look like.

“We have some guys I know can rush. I think we have some really athletic guys. Phil’s doing a great job with those edge guys. (Defensive line coach Terry Bradden) is doing a great job with the other guys and they’re working together. I see a comprehensive rush plan starting to come together,” Rhule said.

You can watch Rhule’s full media availability from Saturday below.

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