LINCOLN — A dozen Nebraska defenders were wearing their Blackshirts for the first time Thursday, the earliest any unit has received the coveted practice jerseys under coach Bo Pelini.
But the Huskers' third-year coach didn't have much commentary about his decision to reward his first-team defenders.
“We thought it was the right time,” Pelini said. “It is a tradition, and it's one that I believe in. You pick the time you think is right.”
Pelini has said on multiple occasions in the past that he won't hand out the black jerseys until the players meet his standards. And during the past two seasons, Pelini has needed more convincing.
In 2008, Pelini didn't give out the black jerseys until mid-November. It was October before the top guys on defense wore their Blackshirts in practice last year.
Nebraska's first-team defenders have been wearing black in practice since the 1960s, when coach Bob Devaney wanted to distinguish the defense from the offense.
Wearing black Thursday were all 11 starters — senior Pierre Allen, junior Jared Crick, sophomore Baker Steinkuhler, sophomore Cameron Meredith, sophomore Eric Martin, junior Lavonte David, junior Alfonzo Dennard, senior Eric Hagg, senior Prince Amukamara, senior DeJon Gomes and senior Rickey Thenarse.
Sophomore safety P.J. Smith, a regular substitute in the dime formation, also had a Blackshirt.
The players were unavailable to speak with reporters after Thursday's practice, following the typical interview schedule during a game week.
Crick said Tuesday that he thinks the NU defense is further along than it was at this point last season.
Through three games, the Huskers have accumulated more sacks and more interceptions than they had during the first quarter of the 2009 season. On average, they're allowing 28.6 fewer yards per game, too.
But last year's stingy unit improved every week, Crick said, and by the end of the year it emerged as one of the nation's best. The challenge for NU now is to repeat that kind of growth.
“I don't think we're better right now than where we were last year, at the end of the season,” Crick said. “We've got to keep progressing and keep getting better so we can get back to that point.”
Contact the writer:
402-473-9585, jon.nyatawa@owh.com
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