Break Out the Blackshirts
The Nebraska defense wasn't perfect against New Mexico State, but they were darn close. After a slow start, where NU allowed the Aggies to drive down to the Husker two yard line, they stiffened and denied New Mexico State any points for three quarters and until the game was well out of reach. The touchdown the Aggies did score was very nearly a defensive touchdown anyway. They started with the ball on the four yard line after a Husker fumble.
Despite an injury to Pierre Allen (which will be a concern for the future), the Huskers didn't allow a long scoring drive by New Mexico State all day. The first drive ended in the missed field goal, the second ended with a Nebraska interception (despite two NU penalties that gave the Aggies new life in the red zone), and a garbage time drive ultimately fizzled out when time expired.
If Roy Helu hadn't made a play to prevent the defensive touchdown, we'd be talking about the first shutout of the Bo Pelini era. And how can you say a near-shutout isn't blackshirt-worthy? The timing is perfect. The next game on the slate is the biggest to date and could be the kind of signature win that really gets the Bo Pelini era rolling like Bob Devaney's win over Michigan back in his first season.
You could nitpick the effort. They let New Mexico State collect too many rushing yards. They committed too many penalties. They benefited from the ball control offense that rolled up over 300 rushing yards. It was NU's third game and the Aggies' first. But the Husker defenders also made the plays they needed to that kept the Aggies from finishing drives.
So break ‘em out Bo, break out those blackshirts!
9/13/2008
I agree, Steve.
At one point in the second half, when NU made a great goal-line stand to keep NMSU out of the end zone, I said “Okay, this is starting to feel like Blackshirt defense again.”
Why that feeling? Because you can expect the defense to make the plays you need to win ball games. Last year, by game 5 you almost just stopped hoping for any sort of big play from the D. Tonight we saw timely pressure, takaways and consistent tackling.
Also, with two weeks of practice and VT on next on the docket, the timing is right.
9/13/2008
Tonight felt like not only the black shirts but also the crowd came back. During the Goal line stand during the end of the third quaurter and start of the fourth the crowd was nuts. We were up 35-0 and were yelling like it was the play for the national championchip. I haven’t heard it that loud in a long time. The fans wanted the shut out,and wanted the black shirts back. We got to see them,during that drive. That could be the turning point towards a GREAT SEASON!
9/13/2008
I think they should break them out before the Missouri game.
9/13/2008
mjm…I think that they should be handed out now…If you wait and we blow it against VT then what do you do take a defence that sucked the game before and give them a blackshirt so the have them in conference play?
9/14/2008
Steve, at this point I’ll just guess (whats new?) and predict Bo gives ‘em up the Friday after next, like omarhuskerfan points out. I’ve thought about the meaning and read more opinions (and debated) about the meaning and definitions of what a Blackshirt is, than the entire span of my “fanhood” combined. Didn’t even think much about it last year, even when Bowman surrendered his and the starters lost theirs, en masse.
Bo has mentioned his standard and the defense hadn’t reached it, at that particular time. His team, his Blackshirts, his vision. His timeouts, too. Watson doesn’t seem to get any! Which, I think is funny.
Statistically, the defense is about average, nationally. With by far, the weakest stretch of opponents they’ll face, this year. Blackshirts or no, the defense can continue to improve and still get “worked,” in the coming weeks.
Imo, as a motivationaly ploy, the Blackshirt improves effort about as much as a grimace and a grunt does, while finishing off a set. Not much, in other words. You still grimace and grunt and Nebraska’s defense is still called the “Blackshirts.”
9/14/2008
I think Bo will definately award them before Big 12 play starts…and maybe before the VT game.
9/15/2008
Not yet. Let’s see them beat a good VaTech team like a drum before they get the blackshirts.