HUSKER UP: Blackshirt Edition
21 comments so far
September 28, 2007 by
This edition of HUSKER UP is not about a particular game, as others have been. Even though Iowa State comes to Lincoln Saturday, this edition is all about the Blackshirts. I honest to God don't care if Nebraska scores 7 points or 70, this week is about the defense giving ISU nothing. If they do that, NU wins in a walk. So, it's time for all of us to do our part and lean in to it a bit more. If we want these kids to right the ship and play lights out defense, then all we can do is support them.
What It Means
This week, there has been a lot said about defense, the Blackshirt tradition, and what is happening at NU right now. So, I offer two very telling thoughts about what it means to be a Blackshirt from two very tough former Husker defenders.
I know when we played, I was playing for the guy next to me, I was playing for the guys before me.- Christian Peter
We were the meanest, nastiest guys, and we were going to go on the field and rip people's heads off for Coach McBride. I'd still walk through a wall for him today.- Kevin Ramaekers
Imagine Peter or Ramaekers saying that to you in person, and tell me you wouldn't want to go tackle the next person you see. I trust the same is true for the current group of Husker defenders.
Indelible Images
Forget "throwing the bones". I think THIS is the image Blackshirt fans expect to see.
(The photo courtesy of the great Rick Anderson)
Aggressive gang tackling defines great defense in my opinion. Gang tackles mean fewer missed tackles. Gang tackles lead to more turnovers, because players are in position to recover fumbles. Gang tackles intimidate. They hurt more, and destroy an offensive player's will. Let's see this on Saturday!
Gee, they ought to put up a statue as a monument to gang tackling. What? They did? Oh yeah...how could we forget the Husker Legacy Statue?
Maybe touch it on your way to the game, Husker fans. Bring a gang tackling mentality in to the stadium with you.
AV Club Gets Nasty
Check out this video via the magic of YouTube.
There is so much rewind-worthy goodness here. The sack at the 1:30 mark hurts to even watch. Saturday marks the next opportunity to add to the Blackshirt highlight real. Go get 'em, Blackshirts!
We Are All Blackshirts
I know why everyone is so incredibly pissed off this week. We're hurt and embarrassed that NU's defense has looked the way it has. We take it personally because deep down inside, we all want to be Blackshirts.
Many people in this state - men and women alike - wouldn't mind throwing a vicious hit on somebody, just to feel a little better right now. That's Nebraska football fans for ya.
When you enter that stadium on Saturday, take that Blackshirt attitude with you. (If you care to dress the part, I have an idea for you). But, more than anything, letting these players know you are behind them means everything right now.
Forget the band. Listen to Grant Wistrom this week --
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Tyler Sep 28 07
I would LOVE to see that aggression again. Come on, bring it on Saturday men!
Kay Sep 28 07
Thanks BRN!!! Pocket guides are printed and my black shirt is out and ready to go.
GO BIG RED
Ron Sep 28 07
If "Day by Day" by Grant Wistrom can't get you fired up. Leave the pads in your locker, turn in your helmet, withdraw from school, and just go home. You do not deserve to play for Nebraska. There are kids out there that would play their hearts out for just a chance to be on the team, let alone have the honor of wearing a "blackshirt". Seeing the video reminds me of how feared our defense once was. One change would make all the difference... Can Coz... It is obvious the kids don't want to play for him. I think you do it now... and see an immediate turn around. Keep him until the end of the year... 8-4 will be a miracle season.
Husker Up!
doombob Sep 28 07
We own this team.
NU 50, ISU 10.
Katie Sep 28 07
Just win!
It am having a weird feelin. I am nervous FOR the team... not that I am nervous... just for the team.
Beat the clones!
But I say 40-NEB 10-ISU
Tyler Sep 28 07
isn't it crazy to see what jason peter looks like in this picture? wow!
Scott Sep 28 07
Anyone remember the T-shirts some of the defenseive lineman wore during the '94 Orange Bowl? Two of the words on the front:
MEAN
NASTY
This defense needs that mentality.
I'm not so sure that these guys play for Cosgrove the way McBride's players played for him.
OU7times Sep 28 07
Doombob hit the nail on the head. 50-10 NU.
Jonathan Sep 28 07
It's been too long since we saw hitting and attitude like what was on that video.
Is there anyone who can spark some life into this D?
Scott Sep 28 07
One more thing....
Most of those plays were done by a defense that was considered to be part of the greatest team of all time.
We may never see that again.
ze Sep 28 07
Tyler,
Jason P. had to fight an addiction to painkillers while playing. which I think led to harder drug abuse. Mucho rehab.
GBR, NE 38, ISU 17
ze Sep 29 07
Ramaekers also said this week, after having seen the Husker D players up close and personal, that he'd be lucky to be 2nd or 3rd on the depth chart on this the '07 version of the Blackshirts. So, that just means the talent is there, they just have to start clicking together. I think we'll see them doing that more to our liking this week vs the 'Clones. Plus I foresee alot of smash mouth on the O side, Lucky, Glenn, Castille, Helu, since there will be some high winds at the game.
Henery 75 yard FG!(w the wind)
This Blackshirt edition has me PSYCHED!
OU7times Sep 29 07
I'm going out on a limb here but the picture of the Nebraska gang tackle was in the "80's". mid drift jerzeys? Those were the days. Face it, the Big 8 Conference days were GREAT! No Baylor and BIG RED'S (both)dominaed year after year. The Big 8 was a respected conference unlike the Big 12 Conference.
Renny Sep 29 07
I am not sure if I should be proud of this, but after watching the Blackshirt video, I ran full speed through a window.
GBR
ze Sep 29 07
OU7,
Greg Pruitt, Joe Washington, J.C. Watts, Billy Simms, Marcus Dupree--WOW!
p.s. kick Puff hiney today! Go Sooners!
doombob Sep 29 07
You know what I miss about Husker Defense? How we made every opponent's offensive playing look like broken plays. Because they were. We broke the other team's offense. I won't be very happy with anything less than that.
doombob Sep 29 07
OK, so I was a little overzealous with my score prediction - but I was very happy with the way that we looked on defense. We didn't play with emotion, we played like merciless ninja killer robots.
OU7times Sep 29 07
Nice win NU. I would have settled for a 41-40 OU win today. Oh well, parity is definetly here. Funny how things change, just like that.
ze Sep 30 07
OU&,
WOW, I turned the station when it was 24-7, next thing I know Puffs get the 'W'! My sympathys. Lot of upsets this weekend; TX got pummeled!!!
Big Red's back in the national hunt! :)
Army Ranger Sep 30 07
Blackshirts.....
I remember when every team was scared of the blackshirts. we need to go to john madden's philosophy; I dont care what happens out there, as long as you play 100% and be the meanest guys on the field. he didnt care about pinalties or anything.
The blackshirts need to just be the meanest,nastiest,beast of men any team has ever seen. well be back NU fans have faith.
Huge Fan,
U.S. Army Ranger
Troy Sep 30 07
I am so pumped up watching that video, AWESOME!!! But we all got to realize that, the athletes today are so different, they dont care about tradition, they dont care about the players in the past, and what they stood for. I am not sure if that will ever change back to the way it used to be. It is all about I anymore not about the team. I will die a Husker fan, but i dont believe in the athlete of today.