Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Stukenholtz: Brilliant Blackshirts Are the Real Deal
How 'bout a round of applause for the gridiron stars of the state of Nebraska:
The Blackshirts.
Before the Huskers’ 20-7 win at Illinois on Friday night, you should have been optimistic about this defense. Shut down Minnesota for much of the opener, then held Colorado down for two-plus quarters before buckling. Great against Northern Illinois, still solid versus Louisiana Tech. We don’t need to revisit Michigan, they’re different.
It became clear that this 2023 squad was going to lean on the defense pretty quickly. They have shined in big spots, but Friday night in Champaign was a critical challenge. Carry the team to victory or suffer through a long bye week at 2-4 with a bleak outlook.
There may be a bigger early-game momentum swing than a goal-line stand, but I don’t think I’d take anything else. A turnover is always nice, sure. But having your opponent thinking they’re getting into the end zone, getting so close, only to have you hold the line and keep you out? That’s a killer, especially if the offense then digs out of that hole immediately and gets points.
Nebraska getting those stops on 3rd and 4th & goal from the 1-yard line or 1-inch line was something to behold. I’d say head coach Matt Rhule was right when he said we’d find out about who this team is on Friday night.
It was an excellent start for the defense, but they didn’t stop there. Three straight 3-and-outs kept Illinois down while the offense did enough. Two touchdowns in 10 seconds, one set up by a nice special teams play recovering a muffed kickoff, gave them all the cushion they would need.
Isaac Gifford was perhaps the brightest of the stars, leading the team with eight tackles and tightly defending would-be pass catchers on the Illini’s last gasp drive. Quinton Newsome snagged his first collegiate interception. Former walk-on Phalen Sanford forced a fumble that Tommi Hill recovered.
Jimari Butler, John Bullock and Princewill Umanmielen were all credited with at least half a sack on an elusive QB. Nick Henrich played a prominent role in a 3rd quarter stop on 4th down.
Don’t take the big guys for granted, either. Ty Robinson had three QB hurries, Nash Hutmacher shut the interior offensive line down and Blaise Gunnerson blocked a punt.
Let’s keep going:
- Only four possessions across the 50.
- A single touchdown allowed.
- Kept Illini 0-for-2 on red zone chances.
- Five 3-and-outs.
- Two turnovers.
- A mere 21 yards rushing given up.
- Held Illinois to 4-for-15 on 3rd down, 1-for-4 on 4th down.
- Played without a pair of starters in Luke Reimer and DeShon Singleton.
Five games traced the outline of the picture; with this win at Illinois they are adding color so we can see things coming together.
Outside of the Blackshirts, it was odd to see bounces, close calls and even replays going Nebraska’s way more often than not. A muffed punt that you were sure went off Nebraska actually ended up hitting an Illinois player’s arm.
There is time to talk about the offense. We all can see they’re just surviving out there. It may be a struggle for them to keep their heads above water at times this season. But you can worry about the offense later.
Don’t expect wild, wholesale changes on offense, either, even with the bye week available to this staff. They have the hand they were dealt, which includes injuries, position changes, and possibly another offseason chasing a transfer quarterback. As long as they don’t self-destruct with turnovers – which they sort of did with three straight 4th quarter giveaways – this Blackshirt defense will win at least three more games and clinch bowl eligibility.
Nebraska’s got the makings of an elite defense this season. They have depth, they make adjustments, they gang tackle, and they are fun to watch.
Enjoy it.
- More coverage & commentary: HuskerMax game page
