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We thought it would be your normal Tuesday practice for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, however there was something special about today that folks found at the beginning of practice.
Vincent Valentine one of 15 #Huskers sporting blackshirts. pic.twitter.com/4EotBHN4yI
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) October 21, 2014
That didn't take long, did it?
Coming off the heels of a second half shutout and dominating Defensive performance against the Northwestern Wildcats this past Saturday, Bo Pelini and John Papuchis felt that players deserved the Blackshirt treatment during the workout on Tuesday.
Papuchis said coaches decided on #Blackshirts after NW game but didn't announce 'em to team. Haven't discussed them w def as group. #Huskers
— John Gaskins (@937JohnGaskins) October 21, 2014
By many counts, a total of 15 Blackshirts were handed out to members of the D. Those that got them and wore them were as follows:
DL: Randy Gregory, Vincent Valentine, Maliek Collins, Greg McMullen, Kevin Williams
LB: Trevor Roach, Zaire Anderson, David Santos
DB: Corey Cooper, Nate Gerry, Josh Mitchell, Daniel Davie, Jonathan Rose, Byerson Cockrell, Joshua Kalu.
Josh Kalu becomes the first freshman to earn a Blackshirt since Ciante Evans in 2011. #Huskers
— Robin Washut (@RobinWashut) October 21, 2014
One name that didn't appear on the listing?
Nebraska hands out 15 #Blackshirts, Josh Banderas doesn't get one. I would call it a smart motivation tactic w/ Bando. #Huskers
— Mike Welch (@RealMikeWelch) October 21, 2014
However, we found out that it wasn't a coaches decision on Banderas, but a Banderas decision.
Turns out Banderas did get a Blackshirt but declined to wear it practice today. Papuchis said Josh didn't feel like he'd earned it. #Huskers
— John Gaskins (@937JohnGaskins) October 21, 2014
The Huskers went at it for about 2 hours on & around the Gass Practice Facilities and the Hawks Championship Center in preparation for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Saturday.