A run-down of sporting stories from the weekend covering Nebraska athletics, the Big Ten and around the world.
Jamal Turner learns how wideouts play in a rushing offense, Southern Miss announces their starting QB and the Sun Belt calls out the Big East. Those stories and more below.
4 days to kickoff! It's Southern Miss Game Week!
(Sites indicated by the double asterix (**) may have a limited number of views per 30 day/month period.)
N for 'Nowledge
Huskers Earn Team Academic award - Huskers.com - Nebraska Athletics Official Web Site
Congratulations, ladies!
Football (0-0)
Official Media Release - Nebraska - Huskers.com
The official release on the kickoff for Nebraska's 123rd season of college football.
Nebraska RB Rex Burkhead trying to turn odds in his favor - CBSSports.com
The 5-foot-11, 210-pound senior ran for 1,357 yards last season, the most by any Nebraska player since 2002 and most for a Cornhuskers running back since 1997. He also recorded 15 touchdowns in addition to seven 100-yard rushing games as he was a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the top player at his position.
Nebraska plans to lighten load of RB Rex Burkhead - San Antonio Express-News
Guess it'll depend on how productive and consistent his backups are.
More Nebraska football and other stories after the Jump!
(**) Divvying up the carries : Husker Extra
I'm guessing this is more gamesmanship than anything else. Considering how many two-back sets we run at Nebraska, we wouldn't want the other defense counting yards to try and figure out which back to cover.
(**) Maturing Turner motivated by last year's finish : Husker Extra
Another key to Turner seeing more playing time, Fisher said, is consistency in all facets of his game. Getting lined up. Running the right routes. Reading coverages. Understanding who he’s blocking.
I get the impression that Turner's blocking ability kept him off the field. Our wideouts have to be able to block first, catch second. (Sounds like he still needs to grow into his understanding that he has to earn playing time.)
(**) Practice report: Beck says Southern Miss has speed | sports.omaha.com
It's kind of a strange thing celebrating a mostly injury-free fall camp but compared to the last four seasons, it's a nice change.
(**) Veteran Smith battling Jackson for job : Husker Extra
Competition is good.
Southern Mississippi (0-0)
Official Media Release - Southern Mississippi Eagles
The Eagles are starting their 96th season of college football.
The quarterback is a running back. He's over 200 lbs., and can fly. He's very quick. He's been criticized about his throwing but if you go back and check the completion percentage and his interceptions versus touchdowns, he's very effective.
HEY LOOK. A college football coach's opinion of Martinez!
USM names starting quarterback | Hattiesburg American | hattiesburgamerican.com
Maybe they'll alternate by quarter like Florida.
Volleyball (3-0)
Huskers Move to No. 1 in AVCA Poll - Huskers.com - Nebraska Athletics Official Web Site
Let's hope we stay there until the end of the playoffs. Well done, ladies!
Cook Earns Weekly Big Ten Awards - Huskers.com - Nebraska Athletics Official Web Site
Congratulations to Ms. Cook!
Big Ten (0-0)
Michigan Vs. Alabama: Fitzgerald Toussaint Listed As Starter - SBNation.com
In case you missed it yesterday, Hoke will allow starting RB Toussaint to play against Alabama despite earlier suspension for a drunk driving arrest. Disappointing to say the least.
Purdue suspends LB following arrest - Yahoo! Sports
Just too bad these kids throw away their opportunities for cheap booze.
Other Stories
DIVISION FORMERLY KNOWN AS I-AA DEBATES NEW NAME - AP
How about "Minor League Football" and "Collegiate Football"? (Though it's a lot harder for players who violate the league's personal conduct policy to get back on the field in the NFL than at a BCS school.)
Sun Belt sets sights on catching C-USA - Yahoo! Sports
Sun Belt commissioner definitely calls the Big East a "below the line" conference. WELL DONE SIR.
No. 23 Florida to play QBs quarter by quarter - Yahoo! Sports
Either this is incredibly stupid or the best defensive mind game ever.
(I want to point out that I'm guessing both QBs have the same play style since they're not being used situationally a la Tebow/Leak but rather being used as "we have no idea who is good".)
(By the way, if you want some cheap humor, go read Tebow's Wikipedia page. "He is a dual threat quarterback, adept at both rushing and passing. With his unorthodox NFL quarterback skills..." /snicker)
Newsstand: Tulane plans to stay put and face Isaac head-on | Dr. Saturday - Yahoo! Sports
Hopefully the Gulf stays safe.
Navy hopes win over Irish keys bounce-back season - Yahoo! Sports
Just keep beating Army. (TEN YEARS.)
Temple Football Is The Hero The Big East Deserves - From Our Editors - SBNation.com
Wouldn't back to the future be more appropriate? Over/under on five years for Temple to be kicked out of the Big East again?
Michael Rocco Named Virginia Starter Over Alabama Transfer - SBNation.com
The backup QB is always loved more.
2012 College Football Bowl Projections: LSU, Oregon To Meet Again - SBNation.com
SB Nation has Sparta winning the Big Ten and Wisconsin somehow bumbling into a BCS bid. They must be assuming both Nebraska and Michigan are under 10 wins, if that's the case. And I don't see it. (And Mike Leach getting Washington State back to bowl eligibility after two seasons of one or less wins? Don't see it.)
LSU-Oregon title game headlines preseason bowl projections - Stewart Mandel - SI.com
Not a lot of difference here other than Mandel has Nebraska facing South Carolina in the Outback and Kirk has Nebraska facing Florida in the Gator Bowl. (Again, Wisconsin bumbles it's way into a BCS bid by virtue of both Nebraska and Michigan being below nine wins?)
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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!)
Four days!
-Salt Creek and Stadium