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A run-down of sporting stories from yesterday covering Nebraska athletics, the Big Ten and around the world.
Rex Burkhead flies under the radar, gold medals are expensive and Ole Miss' Hugh Freeze recruits in bulk. Those stories and more below.
30 days to kickoff! (Fall Camp starts Saturday!)
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Nebraska Olympic Events for Today:
Aleks Maric, Australia, Men's Basketball vs China, 5:15am CDT
Ade Dagundoro, Nigeria, Men's Basketball vs United States, 4:15pm CDT
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(Sites indicated by the double asterix (**) may have a limited number of views per 30 day/month period.)
Football
Friday Fan Day Information - Huskers.com - Nebraska Athletics Official Web Site
I hope Rex's writing hand doesn't hurt too much. They should get him a stamp.
How do you think Pelini could improve Nebraska's turnover rate?
Nebraska: 10 reasons to be excited in 2012 " Big Ten Network
For those of you who need help finding the magic. Fall camp starts Saturday!
More Nebraska football (including Rex Burkhead!) and other stories after the jump!
Burkhead's rep resonates in right places - Big Ten Blog - ESPN
Worked out pretty well for Alex Henery. In my completely unprofessional opinion, I think Burkhead ends up at New England or San Francisco in a mid-round pick.
(**) Steven M. Sipple: Pelini effusive in praise of new coaches : Husker Extra
Pelini raising coaches as well as players?
Hail Varsity: Two Tight End Evolution
It’s nearly impossible to look at Nebraska’s senior tight ends and not think of the possibilities. Reed (the former wide receiver) and Cotton (the big-body blocker with soft hands) are like junior versions of the Patriots’ potent duo. Or at least they could be.
Raise your hand if you would love to see us use the tight end more? /raises hand
Jerry Palm’s 2012-13 college football bowl projections " Big Ten Network
WAY TOO EARLY. But hey, Outback Bowl would be another new venue for our seniors! (ROSE BOWL OR BUST. In fact, we should turn down any other bowl invites.)
For you history lovers out there.
Hail Varsity: Grading the Threads
I wonder if adidas was making a nod to the 1930s or just tried to move the N off the helmets and onto the jersey. I'm assuming the second since otherwise they certainly would've mentioned it. Frankly, it would be more palpable if they indicated they were inspired by the 1930s jersey.
Volleyball
(**) Revised NCAA rule sparks debate over substitutions - Omaha.com
Current Husker coach John Cook also lands in the "purist" camp.
Cook pointed out a lower number of substitutions is an equalizer similar to the 3-point shot in basketball. It forces coaches occasionally to play their attackers and middle blockers in the back row, where they could be tactically exploited if they don't have the all-around skills of serving, digging and passing. With 15 substitutions, coaches will likely not have to worry about reaching their limit and can take out their top hitters when it is time to rotate to the back row, replacing them with passing and serving specialists.
Nice to see that Cook prefers to work for his teams' success.
(**) One more season at NU Coliseum, then a volleyball upgrade : Husker Extra
The renderings are pretty impressive. I hope the new facility helps elevate volleyball to even greater heights.
Nebrasketball
(**) Basketball recruits' window for official visits widens : Husker Extra
Sounds like things are lining up just right for Miles. Here's hoping he can execute.
Tennis
Barthel Takes Top Job at Georgia State - Huskers.com - Nebraska Athletics Official Web Site
Good luck!
Big Ten
Iowa dismisses De'Andre Johnson - Big Ten Blog - ESPN
It's overkill at this point to rehash all the problems that Iowa's tailbacks have endured. But let's also point out that it has not been a very good offseason for Big Ten running backs in general.
So...is Rex Burkhead running a corgi smuggling operation out of a bar without a liquor license?
Olympics
Winning a gold medal brings a $9,000 tax bill | Fourth-Place Medal - Yahoo! News
The list of things I didn't know got a little shorter today.
Badminton pairs expelled from London 2012 Olympics after 'match-fixing' scandal - Telegraph
Sounds to me like they should of disqualified all of the countries' teams and not just the ones involved.
Results for Nebraska's Olympians yesterday:
(**) Destinee Hooker leads US over China at Olympics : Husker Extra
Jordan Larson saw limited action against China but the US still won 3-0 (26-24, 25-16, 31-29).
Aubry, Canadians Fall to France by Four - Huskers.com - Nebraska Athletics Official Web Site
Former Husker Chelsea Aubry scored two points and had one rebound in Canada's narrow 64-60 loss to France in the Olympics on Wednesday at the London Basketball Arena.
Women's Individual Time Trial - Olympic Cycling - Road | London 2012
Amber Neben (USA) came in 7th with a time of 38:45.17, a little over a minute behind gold medalist Kristin Armstrong (USA).
Other Stories
Combat veteran Daniel Rodriguez cleared to play for Clemson - NCAA Football - SI.com
Rodriguez took part in the Battle of Kamdesh in October 2009 that saw a force of 300 Taliban overwhelm the American outpost of fewer than 40 soldiers. Rodriguez saw friend Kevin Thompson die in the fighting. It was a few days earlier Thompson encouraged Rodriguez to chase his dream of playing college football.
Rodriguez will play receiver.
Wow.
A reminder that the players are funny people too.
What if all 240 commit, coach?
On Tuesday night, Mario’s mother, Denise Fletcher, offered further clarification to the Memphis Commercial-Appeal, saying, "Ole Miss has never been anything but honest with Mario. He’s not guaranteed a scholarship anywhere unless he can play on that leg. You can’t give a scholarship to someone who can’t physically play. It’s ridiculous to think otherwise."
Essentially a non-story, but an interesting view into the workings of the media. No story? Generate one by removing context!
Pac-12 teams get top PSU transfers Redd, Fortt - Yahoo! Sports
At least the players get some room to maneuver out of the mess if they want to.
Miles confirms Bolden's addition to LSU - Yahoo! Sports
Good luck to him. Maybe he can find the other side of the 50 yard line for LSU.
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Fall camp starts Saturday. I cannot get more excited about this. ONE MONTH TO GO EVERYONE.
Join me every morning Monday to Friday for a round-up of the day's stories. Comments, rants and cat pictures are welcome below! (Not a member of CornNation? Join today and take part in the conversation!)
Have a great Thursday!
-Salt Creek and Stadium