Nebraska Cornhuskers News: Andi Jackson the hero in latest sweep, more

Aug 30, 2023; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach John Cook speaks to the crowd after defeating the Omaha Mavericks at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 30, 2023; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach John Cook speaks to the crowd after defeating the Omaha Mavericks at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

The Nebraska Cornhuskers volleyball team improved to 4-0 after a win over Kansas State, and it was in large part thanks to a new hero in Andi Jackson.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers still haven’t lost a single set yet this season. Perhaps the win on Sunday afternoon against the Wildcats proved the 4th ranked squad is definitely for real. After all, there wasn’t the pomp and circumstance of their match against Omaha in Memorial Stadium.

There was every chance for a letdown against the Huskers’ former Big 12 rival. But John Cook’s squad won 25-21, 25-15, 25-19.

Jackson, a freshman middle blocker, had easily the best match of her young college career as she was tied for the team lead with 10 kills while making only one error and hitting an astounding .750 on the day.

The Nebraska volleyball defense shone as well. Kansas State didn’t have a single player with a hit percentage above .200, and several were below .100 for the match. Next up for Jackson, Merritt Beason, and company is a Wednesday match against the Creighton Bluejays.

Other Nebraska Cornhuskers news

  • The Nebraska volleyball team isn’t the only women’s team that is on quite the roll to start the season. The Nebraska Cornhuskers soccer team is red hot to start the year as well. On Sunday, they also dominated the Kansas State Wildcats, winning 4-0 thanks in large part to  Senior Eleanor Dale who scored twice in the first half as the Nebraska soccer team recorded its second-straight shutout. They’ll next take on UC Davis in a Thursday matchup.
  • This week in Husker history is a big one. Subbing for an injured Bobby Newcombe at quarterback, eventual Heisman winner Eric Crouch got his first start under center and led the Nebraska Cornhuskers to a 38-7 win over UAB.

Other Big Ten news

  • It was a bit of an up-and-down week for Big Ten football teams. Michigan State, Michigan, and Ohio State all had big, decisive wins. The Spartans struggled for a bit before handling Central Michigan 31-7. The Wolverines dominated East Carolina 30-3, and Ohio State outlasted Indiana 23-3.
  • Drew Allar and Penn State played in the Big Ten’s first prime-time game as they handled West Virginia 38-15. It was a bit of a statement game for a team that is often overlooked for OSU and Michigan.
  • Wisconsin and Iowa both won their games on Saturday but neither looked great. The Badgers had to close out a close game late against Buffal0, eventually winning 38-17 while Iowa’s offense once again floundered against Utah State, struggling to a 24-14 victory.
  • Illinois had to rally late to knock off Toledo 30-28. That can’t have been the start to the 2023 season that the Illini were looking for.
  • Illinois’ start was better than Purdue’s tho, as the Boilermakers lost to Fresno State 39-35. Ryan Walters’ debut as a head coach ends in a loss.
  • Anothew new head coach David Braun, looked over his head against Rutgers of all teams. The Northwestern Wildcats lost to the Scarlet Knights on Sunday afternoon, 24-7.
  • While there were quite a few conference games in the Big Ten this week, the Nebraska Cornhuskers and everyone else plays non-conference matchups in Week 2.