Cornhuskers Coach Pelini vs the Blackshirts Tradition

It’s been said that the DEFENSE will hold the key to the Huskers success in November and as most of you know, Coach Pelini awarded the Blackshirts at practice on October 21, 2014. It’s become tradition that they aren’t handed out to the select defensive players until WELL into the season. “Blackshirts” really has two meanings to Husker fans: 1) Top or 1st string defense; 2) Husker defense as a whole. Most Husker fans know about the Blackshirts, but do they really understand the history and tradition of the Blackshirts?

What prompted the need for “Blackshirts?” Until 1941, college football players had to play both Offense and Defense. After 1941, the NCAA started allowing player substitutions so they didn’t have to play both ways. Some coaches took advantage and played “Two Platoon” football, teams having separate offensive and defensive players. In1954, the NCAA went back to playing “One Platoon” football. Leave it up to the NCAA to make rules that make no sense!

At the end of the 1963 college football season, the NCAA decided that if teams wanted to they could begin playing “Two Platoon” football again. Husker coach Bob Devaney didn’t change over until the second game of the 1964 season.

Coaches needed a way to tell offense from the defense in practice so D-Line coach, George Kelly, and Running Back coach, Mike Corgan, had to find defensive practice jerseys.Corgan made a deal with a sporting goods store to purchase BLACK jerseys. It was the only color the store in surplus.

Nov 1, 2014; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers defender Byerson Cockrell (28) tackles Purdue Boilermakers receiver Dan Monttereroso (9) in the second half at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska won 35-14. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

The honor of wearing the Black jerseys, now called the Blackshirts, was purely performance based. A player may have a black jersey during a Tuesday practice, give a poor performance, and lose the honor for Wednesday’s practice. The tradition changed somewhat when Coach Osborne became Head Coach. He handed out the Blackshirts at the end of Fall Practice to the top defenders. The timing of this tradition continued long after Coach Osborne’s tenure.

Enter Bo Pelini as Head Coach for 2008. Pelini kept the tradition of handing out the Blackshirts, but it is obvious that Pelini wanted his players to EARN them on the battlefield, not on the practice field. Nothing wrong with that philosophy, but it does go against the tradition that most Husker fans know and love. Every year of Pelini’s tenure, fans and sportswriters complain about the timing of the Blackshirts.

Blackshirts are awarded for the top defensive players. Previous Blackshirt players would wear these shirts with pride and attitude. Other defenders would try to learn from their examples to become the best. This tradition continues as evidenced by Defensive Back Jonathan Rose, “These Blackshirts have a lot of power. If y’all see any pictures of me flexing in my jersey, just know that I was a little excited.” I just hope they understand the tradition that goes along with the Blackshirts.

Sep 20, 2014; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers fas cheer during the game against the Miami Hurricanes in the first half at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska won 41-31. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

Only one time in Pelini’s history have the Blackshirts been awarded before the Husker’s first game. Last season, 7 Blackshirts were awarded two days before the first game against Wyoming. Huskers struggled but ended up winning 37-34. In every other season, the Blackshirts were awarded during the season.

It’s the 2014 season and Coach Pelini finally awarded 16 Blackshirts prior to a victory over Rutgers, 42-24. The Defense played fairly well against Rutgers with a few mistakes, but it was the Husker offense that seemed to struggle more in the game with some very sloppy play. Against Purdue, the Husker Defense played lights out holding Purdue to only 124 yards rushing (56.9 yards below season ave.). Let’s hope the Blackshirts are ready for Wisconsin.

Why wait to hand out the Blackshirts? Yes, Coach Pelini wants his players to EARN them, but isn’t that what the players are trying to do in Fall Camp? As the season progresses, then the players who under-perform in games or practices could lose their Blackshirt with the opportunity to win it back. Other players would have the chance to earn one. The last time Nebraska has had a top ten defense was Coach Pelini’s 2009, where one Blackshirt in particular dominated the field, Ndamukong Suh!

Nebraska hasn’t lost a season opener since 1985 so why not let the players who earned the coveted Blackshirt begin the season with the award, like the Blackshirts of Old, and it will be up to that player to keep the award? If the players of old and current players are motivated by the Blackshirts, giving them swag and confidence, why wait until the middle of the season to award them? It is like a teacher giving their students an A on the first day of class and telling the students it is up to them to keep it. This works People!

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