The reports of the Blackshirts’ demise were greatly exaggerated.
After a Big Ten opening loss to Illinois in overtime on Sept. 20, Nebraska football’s defense was callecalled into question after allowing 31 points and getting gashed for 166 rushing yards while the Illini went 4-for-4 on red zone trips, all leading to touchdowns. Defensive coordinator Tony White was put into question, the defense had unforced penalties, and doubt began to creep into Husker fans’ minds.
For the next two weeks following Nebraska’s lone loss on the season, the Blackshirts have rebounded and turned back into a force to be reckoned with. As the saying goes – numbers never lie.
In back-to-back victories on the road at Purdue and aat home against Rutgers on Saturday, Nebraska’s defense allowed 17 total points, 3.9 yards per play, and forced three turnovers including a pick-six in West Lafayette. The play of White’s defense has garnered national attention, including a statistical analysis of the elite play of the Blackshirts’ in a post that went viral on Sunday.
The claims about the Blackshirts’ decline were greatly overstated.
Following a Big Ten opening overtime loss to Illinois on September 20, Nebraska’s football defense faced criticism after conceding 31 points and allowing 166 rushing yards, with the Illini converting all four red zone opportunities into touchdowns. Doubts about defensive coordinator Tony White’s strategies arose, leading to growing concerns among Husker fans.
However, in the two weeks following their only loss of the season, the Blackshirts rebounded impressively.
In consecutive victories against Purdue and Rutgers, Nebraska’s defense surrendered just 17 points, allowed 3.9 yards per play, and forced three turnovers, including a pick-six. This strong performance has drawn national recognition, highlighted by a viral statistical analysis praising the Blackshirts’ elite play.
Nebraska currently ranks 14th in total defense by yards allowed per game (272.5) and is among the top 40 in passing defense, as well as 9th in rushing defense. The Huskers are tied for 9th with 20 total sacks and 15th with 10 turnovers forced in six games.
As noted by Ben Stevens on X, Nebraska is the only team nationwide to rank in every defensive category. Only No. 2 Ohio State surpasses the Huskers in most stats, although Ohio State has fewer forced turnovers.
The defense has also garnered attention from national media, including Kirk Herbstreit from ESPN, who noted Nebraska’s impressive stats, particularly their success in not allowing any rushing touchdowns this season.
In their latest game against Rutgers, Nebraska limited the Scarlet Knights to 264 total yards and held them to 2 of 14 on third down, marking the fourth time this season the Huskers allowed under 80 rushing yards.
Connor Happer from 1620 The Zone highlighted that Nebraska’s defense could reach elite status among Big Ten rivals, as only one team since 2021 has achieved 40 or more sacks, 20 or more takeaways, and 10 or fewer giveaways in a season—2023 Penn State.
Currently, Nebraska ranks in the top ten nationally in several categories: opposing points per game (9th), opposing yards per game (10th), yards per play (7th), yards per rush (5th), sack percentage (7th), and turnover margin (10th).
The Huskers will take their first bye this week before facing No. 18 Indiana on October 19, followed by a challenging matchup against Ohio State on October 26.
