NU Notes: Three Huskers Selected in USFL Draft
A trio of Husker alumni were selected in the United States Football League Draft, which began on Tuesday and concluded on Wednesday. Freedom Akinmoladun, Kieron Williams and Josh Banderas were each drafted by one of the eight USFL teams.
Akinmoladun was taken by the Philadelphia Stars with the sixth pick in the second round. Williams was selected with the sixth pick in the 19th round by the Michigan Panthers and Banderas went to the Stars with the fifth pick in the 21st round.
Akinmoladun played in 48 games on the defensive line for Nebraska from 2015 to 2018. He started 41 career games at defensive end, ending his career with 37 consecutive starts at the position. Akinmoladun started every game of his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. He finished his career with 106 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and 12.0 sacks. Akinmoladun went on to play in five career NFL games with the Cincinnati Bengals (2019 & 2020) and the New York Jets (2021).
Williams was a key part of the Husker secondary from 2014 to 2017. He played in 51 career games with 10 starts. Williams totaled 104 tackles in his career with five TFLs, seven pass breakups and five interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. He blocked three kicks in his career, including tying the Nebraska record with two blocked punts in the 2014 Holiday Bowl against USC.
Banderas played in 47 games with 31 starts at linebacker from 2013 to 2016. He finished his career with 232 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and three pass breakups. His 232 career tackles ranked 19th in school history at the conclusion of his career. Banderas served as a team captain in 2016, when he led Nebraska with 93 tackles and was an honorable-mention All-Big Ten selection.
The USFL begins its season on April 16.
Huskers' Thursday Beach Match Canceled
Nebraska's beach volleyball match scheduled for Thursday against Oklahoma Wesleyan at the Hawks Championship Center has been canceled due to winter weather and travel conditions in Oklahoma. The teams will attempt to re-schedule the match in March.
The Huskers instead will open their season on Friday at 8 a.m. against Wayne State and at 4 p.m. against Park, both inside the Hawks Championship Center.
Both Friday matches will have a free live video stream available to watch on Twitter (@HuskerVBall) and on the Nebraska Volleyball Facebook page. NU's home matches are closed to the public because of space limitations inside the Hawks Championship Center.
The Huskers haven't played a beach volleyball match since March 9, 2020. The rest of the 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19, and the Huskers didn't play beach volleyball in 2021 as the indoor season was played during the spring.
Before the 2020 beach season came to an end, Kenzie Knuckles and Madi Kubik had compiled an 8-2 record as a pair through 10 matches. Nicklin Hames had won seven of 10 matches played with her partner, Lauren Stivrins. Hames has a 22-12 career beach volleyball record, while Knuckles and Kubik are each 20-14 in their careers. No other Husker on the beach roster has competed in a collegiate beach volleyball match.
The Huskers will make their first road trip next week when they travel to Jacksonville, Florida for the North Florida Invitational. Nebraska will play five matches in two days in Florida before returning home for another home match on Tuesday, March 8 against Ottawa (Kansas).
Huskers Begin 2022 Beach Season This Week
For the first time in nearly two years, the Nebraska volleyball team will play a beach volleyball match when it hosts Oklahoma Wesleyan on Thursday at Noon at the Hawks Championship Center. It will be one of three matches the Huskers host in their opening week. Nebraska will also play Wayne State on Friday at 8 a.m. and Park on Friday at 4 p.m., both inside the Hawks Championship Center.
All three matches will have a free live video stream available to watch on Twitter (@HuskerVBall) and on the Nebraska Volleyball Facebook page. NU's home matches are closed to the public because of space limitations inside the Hawks Championship Center.
The Huskers haven't played a beach volleyball match since March 9, 2020. The rest of the 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19, and the Huskers didn't play beach volleyball in 2021 as the indoor season was played during the spring.
Before the 2020 beach season came to an end, Kenzie Knuckles and Madi Kubik had compiled an 8-2 record as a pair through 10 matches. Nicklin Hames had won seven of 10 matches played with her partner, Lauren Stivrins. Hames has a 22-12 career beach volleyball record, while Knuckles and Kubik are each 20-14 in their careers. No other Husker on the beach roster has competed in a collegiate beach volleyball match.
The Huskers will make their first road trip next week when they travel to Jacksonville, Florida for the North Florida Invitational. Nebraska will play five matches in two days in Florida before returning home for another home match on Tuesday, March 8 against Ottawa (Kansas).
Huskers Enter ITA Rankings at No. 59
The Nebraska women's tennis team entered the ITA Rankings at the No. 59 spot, announced Wednesday morning.
The Huskers are 5-3 so far in the spring season and have won three-straight matches.
Next weekend, the Huskers look to continue their winning streak as they welcome Kansas State to the Dillon Tennis Center on March 2nd at 4 p.m. NU's first Big Ten match will tip-off on March 5th at 11 a.m. CT against Minnesota.
