Arkansas receiver Andrew Armstrong said Tuesday that he is entering the NFL Draft. Later in the day, a school spokesman told reporters that Armstrong will skip the Razorbacks' bowl game. The destination isn't yet known. Armstrong led the Southeastern Conference in both receptions (78) and receiving yards (1,140) but caught just one touchdown in 11 games this season. His catches and yardage were both second-most in Arkansas history behind Cobi Hamilton, who had 90 receptions for 1,335 yards in 2012. "It's been a journey for the books and I wouldn't trade it for anything because it has made me into the man I am today," Armstrong said of his Razorbacks tenure in a social media post. "... I will never forget all the moments that were shared here in Fayetteville." Armstrong played two seasons at Texas A&M-Commerce before transferring to Arkansas ahead of the 2023 season. In two seasons with the Razorbacks, he caught 134 passes for 1,904 yards and six scores. --Field Level Media
It was easier to take a charge back then, and Steven Ashworth tried as often as he could. Every day was a competition in practice for Utah State’s freshman point guards, Ashworth and Rollie Worster. They came from different backgrounds. Ashworth was a knockdown shooter. Worster, once a high school quarterback, was bigger and burlier. But the skinny Ashworth had timing and willingness to take a hit from Worster’s 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame. It was a common sight and emblematic of their contrasting approaches challenging one another, forcing development. Creighton's Steven Ashworth (1) goes up for a 3-pointer against Tennessee's Zakai Zeigler (5) during an NCAA Tournament game last March. Worster and Ashworth were only teammates for one season, which ended in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Four years, three trips into the transfer portal and 188 games later, their paths again converge in Omaha on Friday, likely for the last time in their college careers as Worster’s Nebraska plays Ashworth’s Creighton at 7 p.m. inside CHI Health Center. People are also reading... “You always hear it’s a small world," Worster said, 'but especially in athletics it’s really small." Said Ashworth: “Obviously, we’ve followed each other’s careers, and we started off together in the same spot then went our separate ways. But a lot of respect for him and his game, and (I’m) excited to see him on Friday.” Worster came to Utah State as the two-time Montana Gatorade Player of the Year. Ashworth, originally from Lone Peak, Utah, had just finished a two-year mission in Indianapolis for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He progressed rapidly over the course of his freshman season, settling back in the daily grind of basketball. Rarely did they share the floor during games. Of Utah State’s 10 most used lineups that season, two of them included both, according to KenPom. The combinations added up to 6% of the Aggies’ total minutes. With Ashworth on the court, the Aggies often pushed the pace. Worster was slower, more methodical. But Worster got an up-close look at Ashworth from playing on opposite teams in practice and watching when Ashworth ran the offense. Worster tried to learn from his teammate’s shooting ability. He watched the way Ashworth moved when he had the ball, the high basketball IQ of someone who was small even by Mountain West point guard standards. “Some nights were my night, some nights were his, and I think just being able to grow from each other,” Worster said. “We both had freshman mistakes and a little bit different playing styles, but I think just to see how you watch everyone play and pick up on things or see things that maybe you do or don’t do that you can get better at.” Nebraska's Rollie Worster (24) shoots a layup while defended by Texas Rio Grande Valley's Marshal Destremau (left) and Trey Miller (right) on Nov. 4 at Pinnacle Bank Arena. The Aggies made the NCAA tournament as an 11 seed, falling to Texas Tech in Bloomington, Indiana, an hour from where Ashworth had completed his mission. Then they scattered. USU coach Craig Smith, a former Nebraska assistant, took a new job at the University of Utah. Worster joined Smith while Ashworth played at Utah State for another two years, leaving for Creighton after the 2022-23 season. Life, in Utah and Nebraska, has gone on for both. Worster transferred to Nebraska in April to finish his college career at his third school. Ashworth is now married and has a son. They’ve stayed in occasional contact in the four years since, sometimes running into each other in Utah airports. Friday will serve a full-circle moment, one more connection to their previous lives. “We’ve talked a little bit,” Worster said. “We’re rivals now so it’s a little different, but I just wish him the best success going forward.” Photos: Nebraska men's basketball vs. Fairleigh-Dickinson — Nov. 13 Nebraska's Sam Hoiberg (right) loses control of the ball while guarded by Fairleigh Dickinson's Jameel Morris (1) during the second half of the game on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Rollie Worster (right) shoots against Fairleigh Dickinson's Jo'el Emanuel (13) during the first half of the game on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Brice Williams (3), Rollie Worster (24) and Sam Hoiberg (1) defend a shot by Fairleigh Dickinson's Terrence Brown (2) during the first half of the game on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. A foul was called on Nebraska during the play. Nebraska's Cale Jacobsen (center) runs out onto the court before the game against FDU on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Brice Williams (3) waits for his name to be called during lineup announcements before the game against FDU on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Williams shaved his beard since the last game. Nebraska's Cale Jacobsen (left) celebrates a 3-pointer by his teammate during the second half of the game against FDU on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Juwan Gary (right) shoots while guarded by Fairleigh Dickinson's Jo'el Emanuel (13) on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska fan Brenda John, of Lincoln, wears a corncob shirt as she cheers during the first half of the game against FDU on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Andrew Morgan (23) shoots the ball while defended by Fairleigh Dickinson's Jacob Warren (35) during the first half of the game on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Sam Hoiberg (1) and Cale Jacobsen (31) celebrate a point during the game against FDU on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Brice Williams (3) shoots a 3-pointer during the first half of the game against FDU on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Brice Williams (3) shoots a free-throw during the first half of the game against FDU on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Ahron Ulis (2), Andrew Morgan (23) and Gavin Griffiths (12) wait for play to resume after a timeout during the second half of the game against FDU on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Sam Hoiberg (1) celebrates during the game on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Sam Hoiberg (left) shoots a layup while defended by Fairleigh Dickinson's Bismark Nsiah (7) during the first half of the game on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Berke Büyüktuncel (9) shoots the ball while guarded by Fairleigh Dickinson's Josiah Francis (15) during the game on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Cale Jacobsen (31) shoots the ball during the first half of the game against FDU on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska assistant coach Nate Loenser (left) speaks to Berke Büyüktuncel (9) during the second half of the game against FDU on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Fairleigh Dickinson's Cameron Tweedy (21) knocks the ball loose from Nebraska's Ahron Ulis (2) during the second half of the game on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Berke Büyüktuncel (9) celebrates during the second half of the game against FDU on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Brice Williams (3) shoots the ball during the second half of the game against FDU on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg watches his team play during the second half of the game against FDU on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Sam Hoiberg (1) drives to the basket while guarded by Fairleigh Dickinson's Jacob Warren (35) during the second half of the game on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Henry Burt (35) goes up for a shot against Fairleigh Dickinson's Ahmed Barba-Bey (8) during the second half of the game on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Jeffrey Grace III (8) shoots the ball over Fairleigh Dickinson's Jacob Warren (35) during the second half of the game on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Jeffrey Grace III (8) looks back and reacts at his bench after being fouled during the second half of the game against FDU on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Cale Jacobsen (31) drives to the basket during the second half of the game against Farleigh Dickinson on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Subscribe for the best Husker news & commentary Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!
IFSU launches project to empower rural communities