Joseph confirms Blackshirts have been removed as NU looks for 'clean slate'
During his first “Sports Nightly” appearance on the Huskers Radio Network on Thursday night, new interim head coach Mickey Joseph confirmed what many had already figured out – the Blackshirts have been taken away.
Joseph said the decision to remove the nine Blackshirts awarded at the beginning of the season wasn’t a direct consequence of last week’s loss to Georgia Southern but more following in line with a “clean slate” mentality.
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“It’s nothing negative,” Joseph said. “We talked about a new era starting. We said everybody’s going to have a clean slate, so we’re 0-0. So now it’s like we’re starting from the beginning. We’re going to practice, and we’re going to earn those Blackshirts. I’m confident that they will get them back.”
The nine players awarded Blackshirts before NU’s season opener vs. Northwestern in Ireland were EDGEs Garrett Nelson and Caleb Tannor; defensive linemen Ty Robinson and Colton Feist; linebackers Nick Henrich and Luke Reimer; and defensive backs Myles Farmer, Quinton Newsome, and Marques Buford Jr.
Former head coach Scott Frost had hinted that more players would have the chance to earn Blackshirts as the season went on, but no others were handed out after three disappointing defensive performances.
“It wasn’t taken away from them because of the game,” Joseph said. “Everybody’s on a clean slate. We’ve got to give other kids a chance to be able to get their Blackshirts also. So that was the reason for taking the Blackshirts from them. Not to be negative. Just to say, ‘Hey, it’s a clean slate. One team, one heartbeat. We’re all going to wear the red and white, and then, when we feel like you deserve to get the Blackshirts, we’ll give them back to you.’
“It’s a great tradition here. We’re going to keep the tradition going. But right now, we’re 0-0 with me. So I’m going to give the Blackshirts back when I think they should.”
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