np_husker
Starter
Coach Bo Pelini has decided to hand out the Blackshirts. All 11 defensive starters (and a semi-reserve safety) were seen leaving the practice field Thursday wearing black jerseys.
Each year, Pelini's been a little apprehensive about rewarding his first-team defenders with the honor of being part of Nebraska's longstanding tradition. Not until they earn it, he has said.
Apparently, they have now.
Here's a list of the starters now wearing black on the practice field: Pierre Allen, Jared Crick, Baker Steinkuhler, Cameron Meredith, Eric Martin, Lavonte David, Alfonzo Dennard, Eric Hagg, Prince Amukamara, DeJon Gomes, Rickey Thenarse. P.J. Smith, the top safety reserve who plays in dime formations, also wore black Thursday.
“We thought it was the right time,” Pelini said. “It is a tradition, it's one that I believe in. You pick the time you think is right.”
In 2008, Pelini didn't give out the black jerseys until mid-November. It was October before the first-teamers wore their Blackshirts in practice last year.
http://www.omaha.com/article/20100923/BIGRED03/100929842/-1#the-blackshirts-are-back