ERIC OLSON

Sports writer

Olson is an Associated Press sports writer based in Omaha, Nebraska. He covers Nebraska, Creighton, the Big Ten and national college sports issues.

Creighton fans storm the court following the team's 85-66 win over UConn in an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)

No. 15 Creighton knocks off UConn 85-66 for program’s first win over a No. 1-ranked team

Steven Ashworth scored 16 of his 20 points in the first half as Creighton built a double-digit lead, and the No. 15 Bluejays knocked off UConn 85-66 for their first win over a No. 1-ranked team.

All Sacramento State’s Matt Masciangelo can do is say ouch and laugh after getting plunked 8 times

It was a bruising opening weekend in college baseball for Sacramento State’s Matt Masciangelo. The Hornets’ junior left fielder was hit by pitch on eight of his first nine plate appearances against Loyola Marymount.

FILE - Nebraska associate head coach Chuck Love speaks to players from the sideline as they play against Michigan during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. A former Nebraska women's basketball player alleges coach Amy Williams and athletic director Trev Alberts did not take appropriate action when her sexual relationship with an assistant coach became widely known. Ashley Scoggin filed a civil lawsuit on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024, in U.S. District Court describing how Love allegedly took a special interest in her and how the relationship turned sexual and caused Scoggin to fear retaliation if she refused to engage in it. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz, File)

Nebraska’s response to player-assistant coach’s sexual relationship was inadequate, lawsuit says

A former Nebraska women’s basketball player alleges coach Amy Williams and athletic director Trev Alberts did not take appropriate action when her sexual relationship with an assistant coach became widely known.

Iowa coach Lisa Bluder presents guard Caitlin Clark (22) with a commemorative basketball after the team's NCAA college basketball game against Michigan, Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. Clark broke the NCAA women's career scoring record. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney)

Iowa’s Caitlin Clark wants more focus on team during final stretch now that NCAA record is broken

More scoring records are in sight for Caitlin Clark, but right now the Iowa superstar is looking forward to a break from the chase.

Iowa guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts after breaking the NCAA women's career scoring record during the first half of the team's college basketball game against Michigan, Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney)

Caitlin Clark of Iowa breaks the NCAA women’s career scoring record with a signature ‘logo 3'

Caitlin Clark wasted no time becoming the NCAA women’s career scoring leader, taking less than three minutes to score the eight points she needed to break Kelsey Plum’s record.

Creighton's Baylor Scheierman drives down court against Georgetown during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game ,Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)

Scheierman records No. 17 Creighton’s first triple-double since 1985 in 94-72 win over Georgetown

Baylor Scheierman recorded Creighton’s first triple-double since 1985, Trey Alexander made his first five 3-pointers and finished with 26 points, and the 17th-ranked Bluejays rolled past Georgetown 94-72.

FILE - Oregon State infielder Travis Bazzana (37) bats during an NCAA baseball game on Friday, June 2, 2023, in Baton Rouge, La. The second baseman from Australia rides momentum into the season. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton, File)

COLLEGE BASEBALL ’24: Ten players to watch

Tommy White of defending national champion LSU is among the players to watch in college baseball this season.

FILE - Wake Forest celebrates after winning an NCAA college baseball tournament super regional game against Alabama, Sunday, June 11, 2023, in Winston-Salem, N.C. The Demon Deacons are coming off the best season in program history and their first CWS appearance since 1955, and the good times are expected to continue. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley, File)

COLLEGE BASEBALL ’24: Ten teams to watch

Wake Forest enters the college baseball season as the unanimous No. 1 team. The Demon Deacons are coming off the best year in program history and their first College World Series appearance since 1955.

FILE - LSU's Tommy White (47) runs home after hitting a walk-off home run against Wake Forest in the 11th inning in a baseball game at the NCAA College World Series in Omaha, Neb., Thursday, June 22, 2023. (AP Photo/John Peterson, File)

College baseball preview: LSU’s repeat hopes hinge on transfers, Wake Forest consensus No. 1

LSU’s baseball team will have a new look as it begins its quest to repeat as national champion. An SEC-record 13 players from last year’s team were drafted.

From left to right, Nebraska's Maddie Krull, Jaz Shelley and Natalie Potts celebrate after their win over Iowa in an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)

Nebraska steals Caitlin Clark’s thunder with 82-79 victory over No. 2 Iowa

Jaz Shelley’s 3-pointer with 30 seconds left gave Nebraska its first lead and the Cornhuskers rallied from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat No. 2 Iowa 82-79.

Iowa's Caitlin Clark (22) reacts after being called for a foul against Nebraska during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)

Iowa’s Caitlin Clark needs 8 points to set NCAA scoring record after finishing with 31 vs. Nebraska

Caitlin Clark’s pursuit of the NCAA women’s career scoring record will continue for at least four more days after her 31-point performance in No. 2 Iowa’s 82-79 loss to Nebraska.

Nebraska's Jordy Bahl throws during softball practice Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, at Bowlin Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. A Nebraska softball program that hasn't won a conference championship in 10 years enters this spring believing it can win a national championship. Call it the “Jordy Bahl Effect.” (Nikos Frazier/Omaha World-Herald via AP)

Jordy Bahl’s move to Nebraska creates overwhelming softball ticket demand and national title hopes

Nebraska softball is enjoying a surge in popularity with the addition of pitching phenom Jordy Bahl.

This photo provided by Dowling Catholic High School shows basketball player Caitlin Clark with head coach Kristin Meyer at the girls state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa, Feb. 25, 2020. Clark is now on the cusp of becoming Division I women's basketball's all-time leading scorer. An early sign of how her career would evolve happened when she was a high school junior. In a game against Mason City she scored 60 points and made 13 3-pointers on 17 attempts. (Earl Hulst/Dowling High School via AP)

Caitlin Clark was a grade-school phenom. Her 60-point game in high school was sign of things to come

Caitlin Clark was in sixth grade when Iowa associate head coach and chief recruiter Jan Jensen first saw her play basketball.

Butler's Landon Moore, center, hugs assistant coach Mike Pegues following their 99-98 win against Creighton during an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)

Jahmyl Telfort scores 26 points, Butler hangs on in wild finish to upset No. 13 Creighton 99-98

Jahmyl Telfort matched his season high with 26 points, DJ Davis added 22 and Butler held off No. 13 Creighton 99-98 in a wild finish Friday night.

Nebraska's Rienk Mast (51) shoots a three pointer against Wisconsin's Steven Crowl (22) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, in Lincoln, Neb. Nebraska defeated Wisconsin 80-72 in overtime. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)

Nebraska overcomes 18-point deficit in second half to upset No. 6 Wisconsin 80-72 in overtime

Nebraska came back from an 18-point second-half deficit to knock off No. 6 Wisconsin 80-72 in overtime.

FILE - Iowa State takes on Iowa in a sellout crowd of 61,500 people at Jack Trice Stadium during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Ames, Iowa. Iowa State athletes caught in a gambling sting last year were criminally charged and lost NCAA eligibility as a result of improper searches into their online wagering activities, according to defense attorneys' court filings. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney, File)

Iowa agency overseeing gambling investigation defends search of college athletes’ online activities

The agency that oversees the enforcement of Iowa’s gambling laws issued a statement Wednesday defending its investigation into sports wagering by athletes at Iowa and Iowa State.

FILE - Iowa State takes on Iowa in a sellout crowd of 61,500 people at Jack Trice Stadium during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Ames, Iowa. Iowa State athletes caught in a gambling sting last year were criminally charged and lost NCAA eligibility as a result of improper searches into their online wagering activities, according to defense attorneys' court filings. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney, File)

Gambling busts at Iowa State were the result of improper searches, athletes’ attorneys contend

Defense attorneys for three Iowa State athletes caught in a gambling sting last year say their clients face criminal charges and lost NCAA eligibility as a result of improper searches into their online wagering activities.

Iowa State fans rush the court following a 79-75 win over Kansas in a NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney)

Court stormings come in waves after Caitlin Clark incident. Expert says stiffer penalties are needed

Fans storming the court after big wins in college basketball and the safety risks associated with that have received more scrutiny in the week since Iowa star Caitlin Clark collided with an Ohio State fan after the Buckeyes’ upset of the Hawkeyes in Columbus.

Creighton's Trey Alexander (23) shoots against DePaul during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)

No. 17 Creighton pulls away early in 2nd half and beats DePaul a 20th straight time, 85-62

Trey Alexander scored 23 points and Ryan Kalkbrenner had 22 to lead No. 17 Creighton past DePaul 85-62.

Omaha Supernovas' Jess Schaben-Lansman, center, hits the ball over the net against Atlanta Vibe during a Pro Volleyball Federation game Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)

US women’s professional volleyball void is filled, and possibly overflowing, with 3 upstart leagues

Volleyball has been the No. 1 girls sport in the United States for a decade. More than 90,000 fans showed up for an outdoor match in Nebraska’s football stadium last summer and the NCAA final four set attendance and television viewership records.

Creighton guard Baylor Scheierman (55) dunks the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Xavier, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Alexander scores 27 points and Scheierman hits clutch 3s in No. 17 Creighton’s 85-78 win over Xavier

Trey Alexander scored a season-high 27 points and Baylor Scheierman had 15 of his 20 in the second half to lead No. 17 Creighton past Xavier 85-78.

Ohio State's Cotie McMahon celebrates with fans after they defeated Iowa in overtime in an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Caitlin Clark’s collision with a fan raises court-storming concerns. Will conferences respond?

The visual of one of the nation’s most popular athletes knocked to the floor after a fan who was staring at her phone collided with her while storming the court was a stark reminder of the dangers athletes face when crowds get out of control.

Creighton's Trey Alexander, center, passes the ball from between St. John's Joel Soriano, left, and Nahiem Alleyne during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)

Trey Alexander’s late free throws give No. 22 Creighton a 66-65 win, ends St. John’s win streak

Trey Alexander made the go-ahead free throws with 12.3 seconds left, and No. 22 Creighton ended St. John’s four-game win streak with a 66-65 win.

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, center, with running back Blake Corum, left, and defensive back Will Johnson, right, speaks during an NCAA college football news conference Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in Houston. Harbaugh and No. 1 Michigan completed a three-year climb to a national championship by beating No. 2 Washington 34-13 Monday night in the College Football Playoff title game.(AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Michigan’s ability to contend for repeat national title hinges on decisions by Harbaugh, key players

Michigan heads into an uncertain future after winning its first national championship in 26 years. Who stays, who goes and is a repeat possible in an expanded and loaded Big Ten that will include the Washington team the Wolverines beat 34-13 in the national championship game?

Michigan running back Blake Corum is tackled by Washington during the first half of the national championship NCAA College Football Playoff game Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Michigan offense goes dormant after starting fast, springs back to life late to put away Huskies

Michigan looked like it would run away from Washington early in the College Football Playoff championship game.

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh celebrates after their win in the national championship NCAA College Football Playoff game against Washington Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez)

What’s next for Jim Harbaugh? Michigan coach faces decision on whether to stay or go back to NFL

Michigan’s three-year climb to the summit of college football ended with its 34-13 over Washington in the College Football Playoff championship game.

FILE - Former Marshall football player Randy Moss of the Oakland Raiders waves to fans prior to serving as an honorary coach during Marshall's annual Green-White game Saturday, April 22, 2006, in Huntington, W.Va. Moss and Larry Fitzgerald were among 19 players and three coaches in the latest College Football Hall of Fame class announced Monday. (AP Photo/Jeff Gentner, File)

Randy Moss, Larry Fitzgerald are among 19 players and 3 coaches voted into College Football HOF

Randy Moss and Larry Fitzgerald are among 19 players and three coaches in the College Football Hall of Fame class announced Monday.

Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer, left, and Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh pose with the trophy after a news conference ahead of the national championship NCAA College Football Playoff game between Washington and Michigan Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Houston. The game will be played Monday. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez)

CFP championship game clash between Michigan, Washington a tantalizing preview of expanded Big Ten

The College Football Playoff championship was quite the stage for Washington and Michigan to get reacquainted with each other.

Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter speaks to reporters during a news conference on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, in Los Angeles. Michigan is scheduled to play against Alabama on New Year's Day in the Rose Bowl, a semifinal in the College Football Playoff. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Experience abounds in CFP title game. 14 starters for Huskies, 9 for Wolverines in 5th or 6th years

That extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA because of the pandemic-shortened 2020 season is paying off for the teams playing in the College Football Playoff championship game Monday night.

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) celebrates on the podium after a win over Alabama in the Rose Bowl CFP NCAA semifinal college football game Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Michigan QB McCarthy says sign-stealing saga masked work of players who ‘did things the right way’

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy says the sign-stealing scandal has overshadowed the work the team has put in to go unbeaten and reach the College Football Playoff championship game.