Nebraska senior safety Nathan Gerry was honored for his performance against Wyoming, as he was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week Monday morning.

Gerry’s return sparked the Blackshirts to six turnovers against the Cowboys in Nebraska’s 52-17 win. The senior from Sioux Falls, S.D., finished with a pair of interceptions, a team-high seven tackles, including a TFL, and a pass breakup. The six turnovers forced by the Blackshirts – all coming in the second half – led directly to 28 Husker points, and marked the most turnovers forced by the Huskers since the 2010 season.

With his two interceptions – the first multi-interception game of his career – he moved into the top-five of NU’s career interceptions list, while he also became the fifth defensive back in program history to record 200 career tackles.

Monday marked the first time that Gerry, a two-time All-Big Ten selection, has won the conference’s weekly honor.

The Huskers return to action on Saturday, as they host No. 22 Oregon in the 350th consecutive sellout at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff for the ABC nationally televised broadcast is set for 2:30 p.m. (central).

— NU Athletics —

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Bring on Oregon.

Nebraska tuned up for the No. 24 Ducks with a 52-17 victory over Wyoming, which trailed by seven points late in the third quarter but saw the game get out of control because of Josh Allen’s six turnovers, all in the second half Saturday.

Now a Nebraska program trying to regain national relevance can turn its full attention to one of the most anticipated games in Lincoln in years.

“Oregon, they’re no joke,” said Jordan Westerkamp, who caught two of Tommy Armstrong Jr.’s three touchdown passes and had 105 yards on four receptions. “They’re a top program in the entire nation. This will be our first big test. We have to take them extremely serious and have a great week of practice because they’re going to come ready to play.

“If we can get a win against Oregon, that’ll be huge for our program. On a national level, just beating a team like that should propel us forward in a lot of people’s minds.”

Nebraska (2-0), which ran on 51 of 64 plays in last week’s 43-10 win over Fresno State, relied on the pass against Wyoming (1-1). Armstrong was 20 of 34 for 377 yards, and the Huskers finished with 412 yards through the air after backup Ryker Fyfe played the last two series.

Armstrong set the school career record for touchdown passes, with his 57th coming on a 9-yard pass to Westerkamp in the fourth quarter. The fourth-year starting QB was presented the game ball in the locker room for his accomplishment.

“I couldn’t do it without those guys,” Armstrong said. “They did a great job making plays — a bunch of catches and yards after contact. We have a lot of season left, and I’m excited about those guys out wide.”

Six of Wyoming’s last seven second-half possessions ended with turnovers — five interceptions and a bad lateral by Allen that was counted as a fumble — and the Huskers scored 28 points in the fourth quarter.

“There was a tipping point in the game, and sometimes they get away from you. That one did,” Cowboys coach Craig Bohl said. “I don’t know where the exact tipping point was, but it was after one of those interceptions. The score started getting tough.”

Kieron Williams ran back an interception 23 yards for a touchdown, and Nate Gerry picked off two passes.

“I think it’s great to be 2-0 going into this game,” Nebraska coach Mike Riley said. “The more you win, the more exciting the next game gets. This one, being who they are and what they mean nationally and where we want to go, this is exciting.”

THE TAKEAWAY

WYOMING: The Cowboys hung with the Huskers for three quarters, but there was no way Wyoming was going to survive six turnovers — all in the second half. Allen did show flashes, like when he rolled right and threw a perfect strike on a 35-yard pass to Gentry for touchdown on a fourth-and-12 late in the first half.

NEBRASKA: The Huskers put up some big offensive numbers, but they struggled again with personal fouls and other penalties, which could come back to bite them against better opponents. The defense shut down Wyoming star running back Brian Hill — good preparation for Oregon’s Royce Freeman next week.

KEY NUMBERS

WYOMING: Gentry had seven catches for 124 yards with one touchdown and now has five career 100-yard games, including two straight.

NEBRASKA: Alonzo Moore had three catches for a career-high 109 yards, including a 63-yard touchdown. The Huskers’ five interceptions were the most since they picked off five passes against Idaho in 2010.

UP NEXT

WYOMING: The Cowboys return home to play UC Davis of the FCS Big Sky Conference for the first time. The teams have a one-game contract, with Wyoming paying a $400,000 guarantee.

NEBRASKA: The Huskers’ game against Oregon is especially meaningful to Riley, the former Oregon State coach who was 4-10 against the Ducks with his usually-outmanned Beaver teams (1997-98, 2003-14).

LAST WORD

“We went into the fourth quarter down seven. It was within reach. It just didn’t happen… Everyone’s hurting. I’m hurting. I take this one completely on myself. I didn’t put our team in a position to win,” Allen said.

— Associated Press —

WAUKESHA, Wis. (AP) — Nebraska punter Sam Foltz and former Michigan State punter Mike Sadler have died in a car crash in Wisconsin after working at a kicking clinic, a sheriff’s department official said Sunday. LSU kicker Colby Delahoussaye was injured in the crash.

Waukesha County Sheriff’s Lt. Thom Moerman said speed was likely a factor in the single-vehicle crash that happened around 11:45 p.m. Saturday.

The 24-year-old Sadler, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was driving. He and 22-year-old Foltz, of Greeley, Nebraska, both died at the scene. Delahoussaye, 21 of New Iberia, Louisiana, was also a passenger. He was treated at Waukesha Memorial Hospital and released. A statement from LSU said his injuries were minor and that he was scheduled to return home Monday.

Moerman said in a statement that Sadler lost control on the wet pavement, left the roadway and struck a tree.

The University of Nebraska said Sunday the team will skip this week’s planned Big Ten media days in Chicago because of Foltz’s death. Officials with Michigan State didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Foltz was a three-year starter for the Nebraska team and last year he was named the Big Ten’s punter of the year. Foltz graduated from Nebraska with a degree in agronomy in May. He led the Big Ten in punting last year at 44.2 yards per kick and ranked fifth in school history (42.6).

Nebraska Coach Mike Riley said Foltz was respected on the team, and had a positive influence on everyone he interacted with.

“The young men in our football program are hurting but I know that their strength of character and resolve will bring us together and we will honor Sam every day moving forward,” Riley said.

Several hundred friends and teammates of Foltz gathered outside Memorial Stadium in Lincoln Sunday afternoon to remember him. Several players talked about how hard Foltz’ worked and his faith in God.

“Sam was a kind and thoughtful young man who was a leader on the playing field, in the classroom, and in his community,” Nebraska Chancellor Ronnie D. Green said in a statement. “He was an exemplary student-athlete who grew as a player and as a person on his path to recent completion of his degree in agronomy from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and anyone who knew him can testify that he had an enduring influence on those around him.”

Sadler was a four-year starter and four-time academic All-American at Michigan State. He finished his college playing career after the 2014 season. He drew something of a cult following during his playing days because of his sense of humor and wit.

“I just asked my waitress what sport she thought I played. Her answer? Disk golf. Time to reevaluate my life,” Sadler once tweeted.

He helped get his own mock Heisman Trophy candidacy rolling one season by pushing the hashtag #sadler4heisman. He would also regularly exchange funny lines on Twitter with the @FauxPelini account, a popular parody of the former Nebraska and current Youngstown State coach Bo Pelini.

“Mike impacted so many people not only as a football player, but also from an academic standpoint and in the community as well,” Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said in a statement. “The world has lost a rising star who dreamed big and was accomplishing those dreams, one after another. He was one of those people that brightened your day.”

Dan Tracy with Kohl’s Kicking said both Sadler and Foltz had been working at a weekend clinic at the camp in Wisconsin. Tracy said the camp ended early Sunday after an announcement about the deaths.

A statement from kicking camp director Jamie Kohl said the staff was mourning with the players’ families and football programs.

“We mourn today with all of the people who were better men and women for knowing Sam and Mike,” Kohl said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with them.”

— Associated Press —

Clemson, S.C. – Making its 14th appearance in the NCAA Tournament and the second in three seasons, the Nebraska baseball team (37-21) dropped its opening game of the tournament to the #18 Oklahoma State Cowboys (37-20) by a score of 6-0 on Friday afternoon at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

NU’s offense had the task of facing Big 12 Pitcher of the Year Thomas Hatch, and the Huskers were unable to score a run off the sophomore right hander. Hatch scattered six hits over 7.0 shutout innings and struck out 10. It’s the first time an opposing pitcher has record 10 or more strikeouts since March 29, 2014, when UNLV’s John Ricky also struck out 10 Huskers. On the day Hatch went over 100 strikeouts on the season, becoming the 13th player in OSU history to reach the mark.

Making his NCAA Tournament debut, freshman Matt Waldron lasted a season-low 3.2 innings, he had gone at least 5.0 innings in previous 10 starts of the year. The Cowboys scored five runs off Waldron on eight hits and two walks, while the right hander notched four strikeouts. Waldron entered the game with a streak of 24.1 straight innings without allowing an earned run, but saw that come to an end in the first inning.

Sophomore Garett King tossed 3.1 innings of one-run relief behind Waldron and struck out six, but NU’s offense was unable to get back in the game. Freshman Robbie Palkert also tossed an inning of perfect relief.

NU’s pitchers recorded 11 strikeouts on the day, but did allow 13 hits. Hatch and reliever Trey Cobb combined for 12 strikeouts, while allowing six hits.

Sophomore Jake Meyers was 2-for-3 at the plate and was on base three times, while fellow sophomore Scott Schreiber was 2-for-3 with a pair of singles after missing NU’s last four games.

OSU designated hitter Conor Costello put on a show at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs. J.R. Davis and Jon Littell also produced a three-hit day.

After Hatch stranded a pair of Huskers to start the game, the Cowboys jumped out an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first, but it could have been worse for the Huskers. A leadoff single, hit-by-pitch and another bloop single loaded the bases with no outs. The Cowboys’ No. 4 and 5 hitters delivered back-to-back RBI singles, getting OSU the early lead. With the bases still loaded and no out, Waldron got out of the jam by striking out consecutive batters looking before getting an inning-ending 6-3 groundout.

Nebraska got the tying runs on base in the second with singles from Jesse Wilkening and Luis Alvarado, but Hatch stranded both by getting a groundball off the bat of Ryan Boldt.

Following a rocky first inning, Waldron bounced back with a 1-2-3 second inning, but then the Cowboys struck again in the third. With a runner on and one down, Costello belted a 2-1 offering into the left-field seats, increasing OSU’s lead to 4-0. The Cowboys had a pair of runners on later in the inning, but Waldron stranded both with his third strikeout of the game.

After Nebraska couldn’t take advantage of a leadoff single from Schreiber in the top of the fourth, OSU tacked on a run in the bottom of the frame. Waldron got the second out of the frame and with two on the Huskers went to King. Costello welcomed him with a RBI single, his fourth RBI of the game, and OSU took a 5-0 lead. King struck out Dustin Williams to end the inning.

The Huskers mounted a scoring threat in the sixth when they had the bases loaded with one down, but Hatch dug in. After a single by Meyers, a walk to Ben Miller and a single by Schreiber loaded the bases, Hatch left them loaded with consecutive strikeouts of Wilkening and Jake Placzek, Hatch’s seventh and eighth of the game.

OSU added an insurance run in the seventh to take a 6-0 lead and the Huskers failed to get another hit after Schreiber’s single in the sixth.

With the loss the Huskers fall to the loser’s bracket and will play the loser of tonight’s game between Clemson and Western Carolina. The Huskers will play in an elimination game Saturday at 11 a.m.

— NU Athletics —

Lincoln – For the second time in three years the Nebraska baseball team earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Huskers, who are 37-20 on the year, earned an at-large invitation during the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship Selection Show Monday morning on ESPNU and will play in the Clemson Regional.

Nebraska is the #3 seed and will play #2 seed Oklahoma State on Friday at 11 a.m. (CT) on ESPNU.

The Clemson Tigers are the #1 seed and will face #4 seed Western Carolina at 6 p.m. (CT) on ESPN3.

Nebraska will be making its 14th NCAA Regional appearance.

— NU Athletics —

Lincoln – Andrew White III announced Wednesday evening that he has withdrawn from the NBA Draft and will return for his senior season at the University of Nebraska.

“I felt good about the pre-draft process,” White said. “It was encouraging, and I gained as much ground as anyone throughout the process. I wanted one more year to fine tune my game and put myself in better position for the NBA next summer.  I want to thank the teams who invited me their in-house workouts, and Nebraska for supporting me during this process.  It has been very helpful in gathering information in preparation for my future Thank you to everyone who has been following my progress throughout the spring and being understanding and supportive, as I evaluated whether to turn pro or return for my senior year.”

White, a 6-foot-7, 216-pound guard, earned honorable-mention All-Big Ten honors in 2015-16, averaging 16.6 points and a team-high 5.9 rebounds per game. He ranked among the Big Ten leaders in scoring (sixth), rebounding (15th) and 3-point percentage (fourth) in his first season as a Husker.

White reached double figures in 28 contests, including a pair of 30-point efforts. He had a career-high 35 points, including six 3-pointers, against Penn State on Feb. 13. White also topped the Huskers with three double-doubles in his first season at Nebraska.  White, who had nine 20-point games in 2015-16, closed the year with a 25-point performance against Maryland in the Big Ten quarterfinals. White’s 16.6 ppg is second among all Big Ten returnees in 2016-17.

“We are excited to have Andrew remain with our program,” Nebraska Coach Tim Miles said. “This has been a valuable time for him, as he has tested his skills against some of the best competition and received very important insight from key NBA personnel.  We look forward to continuing to help Andrew’s development to improve his NBA profile even more than he already has done through this process.  I believe next year could be our most complete team with a great opportunity for success in the Big Ten and NCAA tournament, I’m happy Andrew will be with us to go out and prove it.”

White’s return bolsters Nebraska’s lineup, as six of the Huskers’ top eight scorers return for 2016-17 as part of a group of seven returning letterwinners. In all, the group combined for nearly 69 percent of its scoring and 70 percent of the team’s rebounding last season.

White is one of four players who started at least 16 games last year. Fellow rising senior Tai Webster averaged 10.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game while Glynn Watson Jr. (8.6 apg; 2.4 apg) and sophomore forward Michael Jacobson (4.7 ppg; 4.3 rpg) both were starters as true freshmen in 2015-16.

NU also welcomes Louisville transfer Anton Gill, and a three-member freshman class (Jeriah Horne, Isaiah Roby, Jordy Tshimanga) which were all ranked in the top-150 seniors nationally by Rivals.com.

— NU Athletics —

Omaha – A five-run sixth inning by the Michigan State Spartans (35-18) doomed the Nebraska baseball team (37-19) on Wednesday afternoon, as the No. 7 seed Spartans beat the No. 2 seed Huskers, 5-1, in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament. The Spartans scored all five of their runs in the sixth on five hits, while notching just three hits the rest of the game.

Michigan State’s Cam Vieaux hadn’t gone more than 4.1 innings in his last four starts, but the lefty turned in a dominant 8.2-inning performance on Wednesday. It’s Vieaux’s longest outing since he tossed a complete-game shutout at Purdue on April 15. Vieaux recorded just one strikeout on the day, but limited the Huskers to one run on three hits and two walks.

Junior Derek Burkamper tossed a shutout through the first five innings on just one hit, but couldn’t make it through the sixth. The Spartans tagged Burkamper for four runs in the sixth, the most he’s allowed this year since March 25 at Purdue when the Boilermakers scored five runs (four earned).

The Spartan offense battled at the plate all day, as NU’s pitchers couldn’t put them away. Six of MSU’s eight hits came with two strikes. NU’s three hits came from its No. 3 and 4 hitters, including two singles from Jake Meyers and a double from Ben Miller

After the Huskers left a runner in scoring position in the second, the Spartans got their first hit of the game with a two-out single from No. 9 hitter Kory Young in the top of the third, one of his three on the day. Young then stole second to get in scoring position, but Burkamper stranded him there with an inning-ending fly out.

Burkamper allowed just one hit in the first five innings, but then ran into trouble in the sixth when all nine Spartans came to the plate. Justin Hovis led off with a double, Young followed with a bunt single and on the play Burkamper sailed the throw to first, allowing Hovis to score the game’s first run. Brandon Hughes worked a four-pitch walk and Jordan Zimmerman followed with a RBI double that knocked Burkamper out of the game. Reece Eddins took over with two runners in scoring position and the first batter he faced reached on a fielding error by Jake Schleppenbach that also allowed MSU’s third run of the frame to score. MSU added two more runs on a sac fly and a pair singles to take a 5-0 lead.

Trailing 5-0 the Huskers were able to get on the board in the bottom of the sixth. Jake Placzek worked a one-out walk, the first allowed by Vieaux, and later scored when Miller doubled off the left-center field wall. Vieaux was able to limit the damage to just one run, getting Taylor Fish to fly out into shallow right field to end the inning.

Nebraska’s bullpen kept the Spartans at bay over the final three innings, but NU’s offense was also unable to solve Vieaux. Miller was NU’s lone base runner over the final three innings, working a one-out walk in the ninth.

The Huskers now fall into the loser’s bracket and face the Indiana Hoosiers in an elimination game tomorrow at 9:03 a.m. The game will be carried live on the Big Ten Network.

— NU Athletics —

Lincoln – A big piece of Nebraska’s 2016-17 basketball schedule fell into place Tuesday afternoon, as the Big Ten and ESPN announced that Nebraska will travel to Clemson for the 2016 Big Ten/ACC Challenge.

The first-ever meeting between the Huskers and Tigers will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 30 at Littlejohn Coliseum. Start time and television information will be announced at a later date.

Clemson finished 17-14 overall and tied for seventh in the ACC with a 10-8 record for Coach Brad Brownell. The Tigers tied a school record with 10 ACC wins and had three consecutive wins over ranked teams (Louisville, Duke and Miami). The Tigers could have three starters returning in 2016-17, including first-team All-ACC forward Jaron Blossomgale (18.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg), as he has not made a decision after declaring for the NBA Draft. Blossomgale is potentially one of three returning double-figure scorers for the Tigers, as Donte Grantham (10.2 ppg; 4.1 apg) and Avry Holmes (10.0 ppg; 2.8 rpg) are also back for the Tigers.

Clemson is 9-7 all time in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge following a loss at Minnesota last season, and is 4-4 in home Big Ten/ACC Challenge tilts.

Under fifth-year head coach Tim Miles, the Huskers could return as many as three starters from a team that went 16-18 in 2015-16. Six of the Huskers top-eight scorers could return, depending on the status of Andrew White III, who declared for the NBA Draft without signing with an agent. White, an honorable-mention All-Big Ten pick, averaged 16.6 points and 5.9 rebounds per game in his first season at Nebraska and would be the second-highest scorer returning in the Big Ten in 2016-17. NU also returns guards Tai Webster (10.0 ppg; 4.1 rpg; 1.4 spg) and Glynn Watson Jr. (8.6 apg; 2.4 apg) and sophomore forward Michael Jacobson (4.7 ppg; 4.3 rpg).

NU also welcomes Louisville transfer Anton Gill, and a three-member freshman class (Jeriah Horne, Isaiah Roby, Jordy Tshimanga) which were all ranked in the top-150 seniors nationally by Rivals.com

The Huskers have played well in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge under Miles, going 3-1 in four previous appearances, including road wins at Wake Forest (2012) and at Florida State (2014). The Huskers are one of three current Big Ten programs with winning records in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.

ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU will combine to televise all 14 games of the three-day event matching top college basketball programs playing for conference supremacy and the Commissioner’s Cup. All 14 games will also be available via WatchESPN.

The Big Ten held on to the Commissioner’s Cup for the seventh straight year following an 8-6 victory in 2015. The ACC leads the all-time series, 10-5-2, but the Big Ten is 5-0-2 over the last seven years.

Today’s announcement gives the Huskers five games away from Pinnacle Bank Arena in non-conference play, including a trip to Kansas on Dec. 10 as the start of a home-and-home series with the Jayhawks. In addition, the Huskers will also compete in the 2016 Wooden Legacy, an eight-team tournament which includes Texas A&M, UCLA, Dayton, New Mexico, Virginia Tech, Portland and Cal State Northridge.

— NU Athletics —

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Shavon Shields and Nebraska turned up their defense just when it looked like Rutgers was gathering momentum.

The effort sparked a 17-2 run in which the Cornhuskers took control of the game and cruised to an 89-72 victory over the Scarlet Knights at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

“Getting stops was important,” Shields said. “When they only scored two points on a run like that you’re getting stops. I think we ran well in transition. Tai (Webster) kicked it out to me twice for easy scores. Just running in transition really sparked us on offense.”

It was the 11th-seeded Cornhuskers’ third victory over No. 14 seed Rutgers this season and ended their five-game losing streak. Nebraska’s last victory was at home against Penn State on Feb. 13.

Nebraska (15-17) will take on No. 6 seed Wisconsin Thursday in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals. The two teams met just once during the regular season with the Badgers winning 72-61 in Madison.

Shields scored 20 points and pulled down 11 rebounds to lead the Cornhuskers. In that 17-2 run that put Nebraska up 60-45 with 9:51 to play, Shields had five points including a three-point play. Five different Nebraska players scored during that run.

Rutgers came to the Big Ten Tournament Wednesday having closed its season with its only conference win, March 5 against Minnesota.

With just under 17 minutes to play against Nebraska, it looked like the Scarlet Knights had a shot to make it two in a row. Corey Sanders’ 3-pointer pulled Rutgers even with the Cornhuskers and the Knights appeared to have momentum.

Rutgers (7-25) had 17 turnovers that led to 27 Nebraska points.

“You have to give credit to them,” Rutgers coach Eddie Jordan said. “Their guards got into Corey (Sanders) and Corey didn’t have his typical efficient game for us. And then we just didn’t execute some areas that we should have.”

Tai Webster had 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting. He scored 12 in the first half as Nebraska led 37-33 at the break.

“Tai was really strong in the first half and we did need it because we were awful at the rim,” said Nebraska coach Tim Miles. “They didn’t give us anything clean at the rim and that’s the way it should have been if you want to advance.”

Andrew White III had 16 points, Michael Jacobsen scored 14 and Ed Morrow had all 10 of his points in the second half.

“They were putting two on the ball so somebody was going to run free,” Miles said. “(Jacobsen) was able to get to the rim. A lot of times the ball finds you. I thought he did a good job and I thought the guys delivered it, too.”

Mike Williams led Rutgers with 14, Bishop Daniels had 13 and Omari Grier added 12 for the Scarlet Knights.

TIP-INS

Nebraska: The Cornhuskers are now 2-4 in Big Ten tournament history and this was their first win ever in Indianapolis. Their only other Big Ten tournament victory came in 2013 when No. 10 seed Nebraska beat No. 7 Purdue 57-55 at the United Center. … Nebraska is 18-38 all-time in conference tournament games.

Rutgers: Rutgers finished the season 0-14 away from home. The Scarlet Knights were 0-11 in true road games and 0-3 on neutral sites. … Rutgers is 2-5 all-time against Nebraska.

UP NEXT

Nebraska: The Cornhuskers will face No. 6 seed Wisconsin in Thursday’s quarterfinals.

Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights were eliminated from the Big Ten tournament with the loss.

— Associated Press —