Lincoln, Neb.- The Nebraska football team continued its preparations for its Saturday morning Big Ten conference showdown with Rutgers University on Tuesday afternoon, as the Huskers practiced for nearly two hours inside of the Hawks Championship Center and outside on the Ed and Joyanne Gass practice fields.

Defensive Coordinator John Papuchis met with media after practice, announcing that 16 Husker defenders were awarded the coveted Blackshirt jersey today before practice.

“We decided to after the game on Saturday, based on the challenges we faced at halftime, and the way they came out and corrected what we needed to be corrected and go out and play a good half to win the game,” Papuchis said. “I thought based off of that, they were deserved to be handed out.”

As for the players selected to be a part of the Blackshirt tradition in 2014, the list goes as follows.

Upfront defensive ends Randy Gregory and Greg McMullen both were selected as ends in the Blackshirt group. Gregory, the 6-6 dynamic pass rusher has recorded 28 total tackles, 13 of which were solo, adding six tackles for loss, four and a half sacks and nine quarterback hurries in his junior season. McMullen has also terrorized opposing teams’ backfields, as the sophomore from Akron has seven tackles for loss with two and half sacks.

Defensive tackles selected in the Blackshirt group were sophomore Maliek Collins, and juniors Kevin Williams and Vincent Valentine. All three have produced valiantly for NU, with Williams rejoining the trio after battling minor injuries in the early part of the ’14 season.

Four linebackers were awarded Blackshirts, with seniors Zaire Anderson, Trevor Roach, junior David Santos and sophomore Josh Banderas being the recipients. One of the most improved defensive units from 2013 to 2014, Roach, a former walk-on has led the unit with 42 total tackles (26 solo), with six tackles for loss and one sack.

A total of seven defensive backs were selected to be a part of the Blackshirt group, with veteran corners Josh Mitchell, Daniel Davie and Jonathan Rose being selected. Mitchell, a senior has recorded 19 tackles with one fumble returned for a touchdown against Miami. Davie has also shined, as the junior from Beatrice has two interceptions on the season.

Newcomers Byerson Cockrell and Joshua Kalu also were awarded Blackshirts for the contributions made at the nickel and dime cornerback position. Cockrell, a junior college transfer, and Kalu a true freshman have combined for seven pass breakups.

Finally two safeties were awarded Blackshirts, with senior Corey Cooper and sophomore Nate Gerry being the recipients. Cooper has led the back end of the Husker defense totaling 33 tackles, with one interception.

 

The Nebraska football team will continue its preparations for its Saturday morning game on Wednesday afternoon. The Huskers Big Ten conference clash against Rutgers will be nationally televised on ESPN2 at 11:00 am (Central).