Blackshirts get that swagger back

[Husker IN Hawaii]

LINCOLN, Neb. – On the first day of spring the University of Nebraska campus was covered with about a foot of snow.

 

Just like football season.

 

And this spring bold statements have come from the Nebraska defense.

 

Just like football season.

 

A lot of attention was placed on Nebraska's growth in coach Bill Callahan's West Coast offense last year, but the defense's return to more characteristic form might have been a bigger factor in the Cornhuskers' rebound from a stunning 5-6 debacle in 2004 to a solid 8-4 finish in 2005.

 

 

Associated Press

 

Defensive end Jay Moore grew up dreaming of being a blackshirt.

And with seven starters back the Cornhuskers defense expects to be even better in 2006.

 

"With a flamboyant, outrageous defense like the Blackshirts out there it would be stupid to think we can't," junior linebacker Corey McKeon said. "Coach (Kevin Cosgrove) preaches to be humble, but as excited as we are and as good as we're playing it's hard to be humble."

 

Each year Nebraska is routinely among the national leaders in producing cattle, corn and ornery defensive units. That's just part of the culture.

 

Jay Moore, a senior defensive end, knows this all too well. He grew up in Elkhorn, Neb., still blames referees for the Orange Bowl loss to Florida State after the 1993 season and was a walking encyclopedia of Nebraska football by the time he was in the third grade.

 

So, two years ago when he earned one of the coveted "black shirts" – the practice jerseys that Cornhuskers defensive players wear like a badge of honor – the significance was not lost on him.

 

"It's a very respected status around here," he said. "When you come to play defense here your No. 1 goal by the time you leave is to earn one of those black shirts."

 

The Blackshirts are college football's equivalent of the NFL's Steel Curtain, a perennially intimidating defensive unit with a really cool nickname. Yet, in some recent seasons the Blackshirts had gotten a black eye.

 

In 2002 and 2004 the Cornhuskers did not even rank among the nation's top 50 in total defense. Not coincidentally those are the only seasons since 1969 in which Nebraska failed to win at least eight games. Indeed, in 2004 the Huskers ranked only 56th nationally in total defense and endured their first losing season since 1961.

 

"It really came down to guys not doing their jobs," Moore said. "They weren't taking their responsibilities: maintaining this gap or getting in that coverage. We weren't disciplined at all."

 

 

Blackshirts are back

Returning starters on the Nebraska defense:

DE Adam Carriker

DE Jay Moore

LB Steve Octavien

LB Corey McKeon

LB Lance Brandenburgh

CB Cortney Grixby

CB Zackary Bowman

That could be at least partially explained by the uncertainty of playing under their third defensive coordinator in three seasons.

Cosgrove, who turned down an offer to coach linebackers for the Minnesota Vikings, is entering his third season in Lincoln and has brought a measure of stability.

 

Last season Nebraska made significant defensive improvement, reducing the yardage allowed from 371.5 in 2004 to 332.17 and improving from 56th in the national rankings to 26th. The Huskers also led the nation with 50 quarterback sacks.

 

"We're starting to get that respect back, that swagger back," Moore said.

 

Keeping it has been among the priorities this spring.

 

Defensive end Adam Carriker, a 6-foot-6, 295-pound senior who led Nebraska with 13.5 sacks last season, has added 15 pounds of muscle and has dominated in the spring. In a recent scrimmage he recorded two sacks, blocked a kick and generally created havoc.

 

"To block Adam Carriker you more or less have to get lucky," Cornhuskers offensive tackle Matt Slauson said.

 

As good as Carriker has looked, he's not alone.

 

Junior Steve Octavien, coming back from a broken leg suffered in last year's season-opening victory over Maine, has been active and impressive. Because of players like Octavien coming back from injuries, the Cornhuskers have at least six experienced linebackers.

 

Nebraska is also set at cornerback with junior Cortney Grixby and senior Zackary Bowman, who got off to a slow start after transferring from New Mexico Military Academy but made impressive strides in the second half of the season. Bowman has continued to progress this spring.

 

 

http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.....asp?CID=530878

 

Reading about the blackshirts on the front page of a web sight like RIVALS.COM just makes me even more excited to see that the Huskers are making that charge back to national prominence.

 

GO BLACK SHIRTS

[Touchdown Tommie]

Reading about the blackshirts on the front page of a web sight like RIVALS.COM just makes me even more excited to see that the Huskers are making that charge back to national prominence.

 

 

I am so pumped for the spring game and the upcoming season. I hope the Blackshirts keep going up to bring the D back to where it belongs.

[pigsonthewing]

i havent been this excited since Tom Osbourne was the coach.

[Husker IN Hawaii]

I dont think that they have the depth chart right because LB Lance Brandenburgh is not starting over Bo Ruud. At least that is what I have been getting out of other web sights. Since I don't live in the great state of Nebraska any more I dont know. Someone fill me in.

[Spartness]

I'm so excited, I did a back flip and threw my back out.

[BIGREDFAN_in_OMAHA]

I hope to see a shut out early to help establish the D's dominance.

 

[Hunter94]

I dont think that they have the depth chart right because LB Lance Brandenburgh is not starting over Bo Ruud. At least that is what I have been getting out of other web sights. Since I don't live in the great state of Nebraska any more I dont know. Someone fill me in.

is that you *******?

[Hunter94]

yep, must be

[THROW_DA_BONES]

how cool would it be if we shut out USC? im not saying we will, just hypotheticals here, what would you do if we did.....id go CRAZY

[Husker IN Hawaii]

[pigsonthewing]

No thats not me, that name came straight fromt he article. I have never heard of ... Lance Brandenburgh ... wanted to know if anyone knew who he wan.

didnt you watch the alamo bowl? Lance was a starting linebacker in the game..

[Pedro Guerrero]

Brandenburgh is #1 at Strongside while Bradley is getting back to full speed.

[DaveH]

From what I have read, Bradley has been cleared to play but the coaches still have a green jersey on him. I guess they don't to risk and injury in the spring.

[KansasHusker]

From what I have read, Bradley has been cleared to play but the coaches still have a green jersey on him. I guess they don't to risk and injury in the spring.

yeah...he is eager to get that thing off!

[BIGREDIOWAN]

I think that our defense will be at least in the top 10 this next year don't know if we will be #1 (that would be awesome) but I think we will be pretty damn good!!!