KNOWLTON: Blackshirt defense shines against K-State

It appears last week's decision to hand out Blackshirts to 11 Nebraska defenders had its intended effect during Nebraska's 56-28 win over Kansas State on Saturday - even for the Cornhuskers who didn't receive them.

The Husker defense held the Wildcats to under 250 yards of total offense and gave up just two touchdowns. Head coach Bo Pelini said the final score was not indicative of how well the defense played because half of KSU's points came off of interception and kickoff returns.

Defensive coordinator Carl Pelini said the group's performance against KSU had a lot to do with the excitement that came along with the arrival of the Blackshirts in practice this week.

"They responded well to getting the Blackshirts," Pelini said. "They earned them and they were proud of it. They practiced this week with a little more swagger and that was good to see from our guys."

NU safety Rickey Thenarse was not one of the lucky 11 defensive players to find a black practice jersey hanging in his locker last week, but still had four solo tackles against the Wildcats this weekend - including one for a 14-yard sack. Thenarse said that he and the other non-Blackshirts on Nebraska's defense were affected by their presence in practice this week and used it as motivation against KSU.

"Some guys didn't get a Blackshirt and I believe everyone is trying to step up to become a Blackshirt," Thenarse said. "I'm taking it personal. I just saw it as another opportunity to show the coaches what I can do."

Nebraska came into the game depleted at linebacker without Cody Glenn and Phillip Dillard and were forced to rely heavily on players that continued to wear red practice jerseys last week.

Colton Koehler's eight tackles against KSU led the team and Blake Lawrence ended up tied for second with five.

"We really stepped up with two of our main guys out," senior linebacker Tyler Wortman said. "Some younger guys were able to fill in and really do a nice job. To be able to be interchangeable like that is really helpful."

Nebraska's defense dominated the line of scrimmage for the majority of the game, sacking KSU quarterback Josh Freeman four times and limiting the Wildcats to an average of just 1.8 yards per carry in the running game.

KSU had negative seven rushing yards in the first half and 63 of its 114 total yards before the break came from one deep touchdown pass from Freeman on a 3rd and 13 play in the second quarter.

"We'd like to eliminate the big plays, but for the most part the communication was good, the effort was good, we got great pressure on (Freeman) and did a great job in the secondary," Pelini said.

Pelini said the key to the game was Nebraska's ability to create havoc in the backfield with its defensive line while the rest of the defense stayed back in coverage. He added that KSU stayed in max-protection for the most of the game, which means the Wildcats kept tight ends and running backs in the backfield to block, but that they still didn't stop NU's front four.

"They're figuring it out, they're figuring out their style," Pelini said of the defensive line. "It's a real bull-rush style that you don't see a lot in college football. They've really taken to that technique. It's a difficult rush to defend for an offensive line."

KSU finished with 59 rushing yards and converted on just two of its thirteen third down conversion attempts. It was just the second time this year Nebraska had held an opponent to under 300 yards of total offense - Iowa State gained 218 against NU on Oct. 18.

The Huskers appeared to prove that they deserved to be honored last week, but Bo Pelini was asked if they lived up to the standard of the Blackshirts by shutting down the Wildcats.

"It'd be pretty hard for them to live up to my standards," he said.

krisknowltown@dailynebraskan.com