Nebraska Football: Huskers D Earning the Right to Be Labeled 'Blackshirts'

It's a tradition that has been a part of Nebraska football since the mid-1960s. "Blackshirts," the earned label for the Huskers defense, has been something defensive players look forward to every year.

Prior to Bo Pelini's tenure, the Blackshirts were hung in players' lockers prior to the first week of the season. That changed when Pelini was hired.

"Blackshirts are earned on the field," Pelini said, per Mike Babcock of Huskers.com. He did make an exception in 2013, however. The coveted jerseys were handed out prior to the season for the first and only time. In 2014, Pelini has returned to the philosophy that the players must earn their Blackshirts.

While Nebraska lost to Michigan State on the road, it's time for Pelini to hand out the jerseys. The defense has earned them.

Against the Spartans, the Nebraska defense forced three takeaways in the first half. While the offense failed to convert, the defense was arguably holding up their end of the deal.

Plus, the Huskers managed to keep Michigan State's offense to season lows. MSU quarterback Connor Cook, for instance, was limited to only 11-of-29 passing against Nebraska. That's a far cry from his 69 percent completion rate prior to the game.

It was more than just limiting Cook, though. Here are just a few highlights from the Nebraska defense's performance against Michigan State:

• Junior defensive end Randy Gregory snagged his first interception of the season in the first quarter.
• Senior linebacker Trevor Roach recorded an impressive career-high 18 tackles, which blew past his previous record of seven tackles against Tennessee-Chattanooga in 2011.
• Four of Roach's tackles were for a loss, totaling nine yards.
• The three takeaways marked the third straight game that Nebraska had as many takeaways.

Not too bad, is it? The defense's success is only creating more confidence, too.

“I feel like we can make big plays,” nickelback Byerson Cockrell said, per Alex Lantz of the Lincoln Journal Star. “As far as interceptions, fumbles and all that, we can make those plays. … That gives me a lot more confidence. Especially when I see Nate [Gerry] catch a ball, it’s like, ‘Man, I want one now.’”

If Cockrell wants an interception, he's in good company. Looking at the defense's overall statistics shows a group that isn't something to take lightly.

Solo	Ast Total	TFL/Yds	Sacks (No-Yds)	Int-Yds	Fumbles Recovered - Yds
217	174	55-165	12-93	7-76	3-57

So, who should specifically get a Blackshirt? As of now, it looks like Roach, Zaire Anderson, Josh Mitchell and the front four deserve them most. If Pelini is all about them earning the Blackshirts, it's time to hand them out.

Nebraska may have lost to Michigan State, but there was a big victory on the defensive side of the ball. That deserves to be recognized, and there is no time like the present.