The Huskers’ 2022 Schedule: A First-Quarter Review

Faculty soccer followers know that every yr most each school soccer crew performs a 12-game schedule (excluding postseason play). Followers additionally know there are 4 quarters in every soccer recreation. In a shocking flash of genius (!), I’ve determined to evaluate the 2022 Husker soccer schedule in 4 segments – therefore the 4 quarters reference.

First up are Nebraska’s opening three opponents: Northwestern, North Dakota and Georgia Southern.

Recreation #1: Northwestern Wildcats (aka ‘The Duel in Dublin’)

• Residence: Evanston, Ailing.
• Convention: Massive Ten
• Preseason Rating: Sixth (out of seven) within the Massive Ten West
• Head Coach: Pat Fitzgerald, seventeenth yr
• 2021 Document: 3-9
• Recreation Date: Saturday, Aug. 27
• Recreation Time: 11:30 a.m. CDT
• Venue: Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Eire
• Final Yr’s Recreation: 56-7 Husker win in Lincoln
• Wildcat Transfers Misplaced: Eight
• Transfers Gained: 5

Nebraska has to journey 4,047 miles to play a crew that’s simply 530 miles from Lincoln. If that is smart to you, please e mail me with the explanations you are feeling that method.

Final yr’s 56-7 win in Lincoln over the Wildcats ought to imply little for this recreation. Final yr’s blowout by the Huskers could also be simply an aberration. Why? As a result of Pat Fitzgerald can coach. He is completed it for the previous 16 years at Northwestern. Over the past 5 years his groups have gone 10-3, 9-5, 3-9, 7-2 and 3-9. NW has crushed Nebraska three out of the previous 5 seasons. Final yr, NW struggled all yr on either side of the ball. Will Fitzgerald have back-to-back shedding seasons? Do not wager on it. If Nebraska overlooks the Wildcats, they’ll achieve this at their very own peril.

Recreation #2: North Dakota Combating Hawks

• Residence: Grand Forks, N.D.
• Convention: Missouri Valley (FCS)
• Head Coach: Bubba Schweigert, ninth yr
• Final Yr’s Document: 5-6
• Recreation Date: Saturday, Sept. 3
• Recreation Time: 2:30 p.m. CDT
• Venue: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln
• Transfers Misplaced: 9
• Transfers Gained: 10
• Final Yr’s Recreation: DNP

The largest problem for the Huskers coming into this recreation often is the jet lag (six-hour distinction) the Huskers may endure after enjoying in Dublin the week earlier than. However the danger of jet lag to a 20-something yr previous soccer participant should not be an excessive amount of of an issue.

Observe: The Hawks have a few gamers from Nebraska on their roster: linebackers Marcus Vaughn-Jones from Omaha Creighton Prep and Kason Kelley from Millard North.

Suggestion: For a really very long time, North Dakota was generally known as the Combating Sioux. That mascot title was modified in 2015 as a result of it was deemed to be offensive. Be that as it could, I had an answer that might have helped hold the title in place (sorta) and can be politically right.

How so, you ask?

Nebraska had an superior defensive sort out who was so nice, he completed close to the highest within the 2009 Heisman race. His title? Ndamukong Suh. All North Dakota needed to do was to get Suh’s permission to make use of his title and voila! ND would nonetheless be known as “The Combating Suh”! Good thought, no?

Recreation #3: Georgia Southern Eagles

• Residence: Statesboro, Ga.
• Convention: Solar Belt
• Preseason Rating: Picked final within the Solar Belt East
• Head Coach: Clay Helton, first yr
• 2021 Document: 3-9
• Recreation Date: Saturday, Sept. 10
• Recreation time: 6:30 p.m. CDT
• Venue: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln
• Transfers Gained: Seven
• Transfers Misplaced: Not listed
• Final Yr’s Recreation: DNP

The Eagles (to not be confused with the rock group) completed final yr with a 3-9 report – similar as Nebraska’s. However final yr, the Huskers have been going toe-to-toe with the likes of Oklahoma, Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin and Iowa whereas the GS Eagles confronted their Solar Belt Convention foes. To the Eagles’ credit score, although, they did play nonconference video games with Arkansas and BYU, shedding to each. Different Solar Belt groups embody Marshall and Appalachian State – each of that are ranked forward of Nebraska in 2022.

This yr, Georgia Southern will come to Lincoln with a quarterback who is aware of what it is prefer to play in Memorial Stadium. Kyle Vantrease performed final yr when his Buffalo Bulls crew misplaced Nebraska 28-3. Vantrease did not have a spectacular passing day (27-50-1 for 224 yards). However the Buffalo switch will convey some much-needed expertise when his Eagle crew, led by former USC coach Clay Helton, involves Lincoln in September.

Subsequent week we’ll take a look at Oklahoma, Indiana and Rutgers.

RB ‘Stepps’ Down

Working again Markese Stepp (’21 switch from USC) has determined to depart the Husker soccer program. Stepp joins an extended listing of Husker working backs who’ve made early exits up to now 4 years. Late final yr, the Huskers misplaced two RBs: Sevion Morrison and Marvin Scott III. For no matter cause, there was a revolving door of working backs.

How ’Bout Them Huskers

This week’s podcast options an interview grandson Will and I did with former Husker O-lineman Russ Hochstein (pronounced HOKE-styne). Russ talks about how and why he determined to play for Nebraska and what he needed to undergo to get drafted by the NFL. Hochstein performed at Nebraska from 1997-2000. He obtained a nationwide championship ring in ’97 at Nebraska and two Tremendous Bowl rings when he was with the New England Patriots. Please do not miss this episode!