BigRich

Former Giltner Hornet and UNK Loper Corey Hoelck has been training over the last several months in hopes of a NFL landing spot.

Former Giltner Hornet and UNK Loper Corey Hoelck has been training over the last several months in hopes of a NFL landing spot.

Corey Hoelck chasing pro football dream

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, March 15, 2022
Corey Hoelck is living the dream. In his own words, he gets to be a kid for a little bit longer.  The Giltner and UNK graduate has spent the past few months in the mountains, lifting weights every day and training for a spot in the National Football League.
Aurora and Nebraska graduate Austin Allen was a participant at last week’s NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, a chance for prospects to show off their athletic talent as well as mental capability for NFL teams.

Aurora and Nebraska graduate Austin Allen was a participant at last week’s NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, a chance for prospects to show off their athletic talent as well as mental capability for NFL teams.

Austin Allen shows off at NFL combine

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
The NFL combine was something unlike anything Austin Allen has been through in his athletic lifetime.  Yet, for the Aurora native, it was just another step to reaching the ultimate goal.
Richard Rhoden

Richard Rhoden

Thank you, coach Ed

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
Kyle Ediger never let the emotions of a game get too high or too low.  In front of a packed house Friday night, though, the Hampton grad, teacher and coach surely had a little extra juice.  It still makes no sense. It’s hard to wrap your head around.
Aurora’s 7-6 win over York in the postseason was selected as the top game from the area in 2021.

Aurora’s 7-6 win over York in the postseason was selected as the top game from the area in 2021.

Softball team takes top spot in 2021’s top 10

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, January 4, 2022
What a year.  We covered games from Omaha to Scottsbluff in 2021, doing so with plenty of high stakes moments big enough to lose your backwards hat.  I thought it would be fun to keep track of how many games I went to in 2021, but after one week I lost count.
Richard Rhoden

Richard Rhoden

Oz’s record showing

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, November 23, 2021
Everything finally started to fall into place for Austin Allen in Badgerland.  Well, except for one thing.  The Nebraska co-captain had the game of his life Saturday, catching seven passes for 143 yards in Saturday’s road game at Wisconsin, a single game school record for a tight end.
Austin Allen (11) secures the edge as Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez comes off his rear for a third quarter touchdown in the Huskers’ 26-17 loss to No. 5 Ohio State Saturday.

Austin Allen (11) secures the edge as Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez comes off his rear for a third quarter touchdown in the Huskers’ 26-17 loss to No. 5 Ohio State Saturday.

Tough decisions inching closer for Austin Allen

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, November 9, 2021
Native son Austin Allen has a huge decision to ponder over Nebraska’s second bye week, one that he doesn’t take lightly.  Will the final two games against Wisconsin and Iowa be his last as a Husker? Is there a path for Oz into the NFL?
Richard Rhoden

Richard Rhoden

Hawk seniors leave program better than they found it

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, October 26, 2021
Drake Schafer didn’t know it at the time, but Hampton’s 49-7 win over Santee turned out to be his final high school football game.  But what a show the Hawk senior went out on. Schafer totaled three interceptions, two of them pick sixes in the rout of Santee.
Nebraska co-captain Austin Allen is all smiles for teammate running back Ramir Johnson after his touchdown run in the second quarter of Nebraska’s 56-7 drubbing of Northwestern Saturday night.

Nebraska co-captain Austin Allen is all smiles for teammate running back Ramir Johnson after his touchdown run in the second quarter of Nebraska’s 56-7 drubbing of Northwestern Saturday night.

Saturday night magic -- winning fixes everything

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, October 5, 2021
My mind raced faster than the Memorial Stadium light show ahead of the fourth quarter.  While Saturday’s 56-7 drubbing of the defending Big Ten West champs Northwestern evoked shock, awe, pride and celebration, I wondered: Is this what it was like to watch Nebraska in the 90s?
Nate Boerkircher (49) and Austin Allen (11) were on the field at the same time in a two tight end set late in the third quarter for the Big Red.

Nate Boerkircher (49) and Austin Allen (11) were on the field at the same time in a two tight end set late in the third quarter for the Big Red.

Boerkircher brothers relish first on-field experience

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, September 7, 2021
Nebraska’s win Saturday over FCS Fordham will be long forgotten by many. While it was a much-needed win for a confidence-starved group, it just won’t register for most fans.  However, Nebraska’s 52-7 win over Fordham will be remembered for a long time by the Boerkircher brothers.