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HUSKERS.COM

The Husker defense will feature plenty of young talent in 2013, as the unit must replace seven senior starters from last fall. Nebraska returns a total of 10 players who earned at least one start last season, and the Huskers have a strong group of young, athletic defenders ready to make their mark this fall.

The 2013 defense is led by a nucleus of five players who were in the starting lineup together six times last season. Included in those six games were holding a potent Arkansas State offense to a season-low point total, limiting both Michigan and Minnesota to fewer than 100 yards passing and rushing and holding a ranked Northwestern squad to 14 first downs, its second-lowest total of the season despite extra possessions from three Husker fumbles.

The strength of the 2013 Husker defense will be the secondary, the most experienced position group. Nebraska must replace both starting safeties from last fall, but the Huskers return every cornerback who started a game in 2012, a group that includes four players who have combined to start 57 career games.

The secondary is highlighted by senior Ciante Evans, a first-team All-Big Ten pick in 2012 who is one of the league’s most versatile defenders. Evans (pictured) saw action at corner and as the Huskers’ nickle back in 2012, totaling 56 tackles, three TFLs, 3.0 sacks, eight pass breakups and one interception, which he returned 29 yards for a touchdown.

While Evans is NU’s top returning tackler, senior cornerback Andrew Green has started 22 career games in the Husker secondary, the most starts of any Blackshirt. He totaled 50 tackles last fall while breaking up three passes and adding three TFLs.

Senior Stanley Jean-Baptiste and junior Josh Mitchell round out Nebraska’s group of talented cornerbacks with starting experience. Jean-Baptiste intercepted a pair of passes and notched nine other pass breakups in 2012, while Mitchell added five pass breakups and 29 tackles.

At linebacker, Nebraska must replace all three starters. Aiding that transition will be the return of Zaire Anderson, a junior college All-American who played in just three games as a newcomer in 2012 before suffering a season-ending injury. Sophomore David Santos brings play-making potential to the linebacking corps, as he recorded 10 tackles and

earned Big Ten Freshman-of-the-Week honors in his only start of the 2012 season against Michigan.

Up front, senior Jason Ankrah returns to anchor Nebraska’s defensive line. Ankrah posted two sacks and six TFLs from his defensive end spot in 2012. Classmate Thad Randle, promising underclassmen Aaron Curry, Avery Moss and Kevin Williams and several talented newcomers should add depth and contribute to a defensive line that has produced an All-American in two of the last four years.

HIGHLIGHTING THE HUSKER DEFENSE» Nebraska, which returns the majority of its

secondary, led the nation in opponent completion percentage in 2012, allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete only 47.1 percent of their passes.

» The Huskers also ranked fourth nationally in pass defense (168.1 yards allowed per game) and ninth in pass efficiency defense (105.32) in 2012.

» With the secondary coming in as the most experienced group on the Husker defense, Nebraska will aim to rank in the top 10 nationally in pass efficiency defense for the fourth time in the past five years in 2013. NU will also look to rank among the top 10 nationally in pass defense this fall for the third time in the last five seasons.

» Nine of the 13 members of Nebraska’s regular secondary rotation from 2012 are back, including six players who started at least one game last fall.

» Nebraska’s defense had a knack for producing points of its own last season, tying for the Big Ten lead with three interception returns for touchdowns. The Huskers hope that trend continues this fall, as both Evans and Jean-Baptiste returned a pick for a touchdown in 2012.

» The Huskers return five players who intercepted a pass or recovered a fumble in 2012, when Nebraska ranked third in the Big Ten by forcing 23 turnovers.

» Nebraska also led the Big Ten in pass defense and pass efficiency defense in 2012, while ranking second in sacks (31).

» Overall, Nebraska returns 10 defensive players with starting experience, including three players who have made at least 18 career starts.

RETURNING PRODUCTIONTackles 33.9%Solo Tackles 38.7%Tackles for Loss 27.5%Sacks 24.2%Interceptions 30.8%Pass Breakups 51.8%Fumble Recoveries 20.0%Fumbles Forced 30.8%Quarterback Hurries 31.8%Defensive Touchdowns 67.0%

RETURNING LEADERSTackles Ciante Evans (56)Solo Tackles Ciante Evans (38)Tackles for Loss Jason Ankrah (6)Sacks Jason Ankrah (2.0) Ciante Evans (2.0)Interceptions S. Jean-Baptiste (2)Pass Breakups S. Jean-Baptiste (9)Fumble Recoveries Harvey Jackson (1) Thad Randle (1)Fumbles Forced Jason Ankrah (2)Quarterback Hurries Ciante Evans (4)Defensive TDs Ciante Evans (1) S. Jean-Baptiste (1)

RETURNING CAREER STARTSAndrew Green, CB 22Ciante Evans, CB 20Jason Ankrah, DE 18Josh Mitchell, CB 9Stanley Jean-Baptiste, CB 6Thad Randle, DT 6Corey Cooper, S 4Harvey Jackson, S 1Zaire Anderson, LB 1David Santos, LB 1

HUSKERS.COM

“Nebraska is the best place in America to play defense. I can’t say more about our coaches than what I know in my heart—they are the best.”

Ndamukong Suh 2009 Heisman Finalist

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from left to right: Grant Wistrom, Mike Brown, Ndamukong Suh, Barrett Ruud and Lavonte David

One of the Huskers’ most well-known traditions is the Blackshirts, which has become the common nickname for Nebraska’s defensive unit. The term originally dates back to the early 1960s and refers to the black jerseys that Nebraska’s first-string defenders wear in practice.

With the return of the two-platoon system in college football in 1964, Head Coach Bob Devaney looked for a way to distinguish the defensive units on the practice fields. Devaney dispatched Assistant Coach Mike Corgan to a local sporting goods store to find some “contrast jerseys,” a sleeveless pullover that went on top of the players’ practice jerseys. While the top offensive unit practiced in red jerseys and the second-string offense worked in green pullovers, the first string defense wore black pullovers and the second string wore the contrasting gold jerseys.

The term quickly caught on, and gained momentum during Monte Kiffin’s tenure as defensive coordinator in the mid-1970s, before the Blackshirts earned national acclaim under Charlie McBride, who served as the Huskers’ defensive coordinator from 1982 to 1999. The Blackshirts will celebrate their 50th season in 2013.

BLACKSHIRT TRADITION» Nebraska has ranked in the top 10 nationally in total defense 22 times since 1964.» Nebraska has ranked among the nation’s top 10 in all four major defensive categories

(rush defense, pass defense, total defense and scoring defense) on five occasions, including 2009 and national title seasons in 1994, 1995 and 1997.

NEBRASKA BLACKSHIRTSThe Blackshirt defense has thrived under the direction of Head Coach Bo Pelini and his

defensive staff.» Pelini made his mark as defensive coordinator in 2003. Nebraska forced a school-record

47 turnovers that season, including a Big 12 record 32 interceptions. Nebraska finished second nationally in total defense in 2003, and 16 Blackshirts from that defense went on to play in the NFL.

» In Pelini’s first season as head coach in 2008, the Blackshirts were among the nation’s most improved defenses. The Huskers finished second in the Big 12 in total defense, allowing 126.9 fewer yards per game than in 2007.

» In 2009, Nebraska had a dominant defensive unit. The Huskers led the nation in scoring defense, limiting foes to 13 or fewer points 10 times in 14 games. Nebraska finished seventh in total defense that season.

» The 2010 Blackshirts ranked in the top 12 nationally in four statistical categories, including third in pass efficiency defense, ninth in scoring defense and 11th in total defense.

» The 2011 Nebraska defense featured Lavonte David, who was named Big Ten Linebacker of the Year and Alfonzo Dennard, who was Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year.

» The 2012 Nebraska defense led the nation in opponent pass completion percentage at 47 percent. Only one other school held its opponent below 50 percent passing.

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HUSKERS.COMPROMINENT PUPILS COACHED BY PELINI» Deion Sanders, CB, San Francisco 49ers» Merton Hanks, CB, San Francisco 49ers» Ted Johnson, LB, New England Patriots» Tedy Bruschi, LB, New England Patriots» Nai’l Diggs, LB, Green Bay Packers» Demorrio Williams, LB, Nebraska» Josh Bullocks, FS, Nebraska» Barrett Ruud, LB, Nebraska» Dan Cody, DE, Oklahoma» Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU» Craig Steltz, S, LSU» LaRon Landry, S, LSU» Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska» Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska» Jared Crick, DT, Nebraska» Lavonte David, LB, Nebraska

PRO BLACKSHIRTS» Fifteen former Nebraska Blackshirts were on NFL rosters

as of June 25, 2013.» Nebraska has had 15 defensive linemen, 11 linebackers

and 15 defensive backs drafted since 1998.» Nineteen Blackshirts have been taken in the first four

rounds of the NFL Draft since 2000.

”We have a great (defensive) tradition at Nebraska. As a former Blackshirt, it is basically the sense of urgency you play with. That is what it means to be a Blackshirt. It is being able to trust the guy next to you. It is 11 guys getting to the football.”

Trev Alberts1993 All-American and Butkus Award Winner

COMBINED NatIONal DEFENSIVE RaNkINgS (2009-12)In combined defensive numbers from 2009 to 2012, the Nebraska Blackshirts rank in the top 12 nationally in total defense, scoring defense, pass efficiency defense and passing yards allowed.

Total DefenseFour-year Average/Rank Best Season 322.02/12th 7th in 2009 (272.0 ypg)

Scoring DefenseFour-year Average/Rank Best Season 19.6 ppg/11th 1st in 2009 (10.4 ppg)

Pass Efficiency DefenseFour-year Average/Rank Best Season 101.09 rating/2nd 1st in 2009 (87.23 rating)

Passing DefenseFour-year Average/Rank Best Season 172.87 ypg/4th 4th in 2012 (168.14 ypg)

1 Pass Efficiency Defense (2003, 2009)

Turnover Margin (2003)Interceptions (2003)Scoring Defense (2009)

2 Scoring Defense (2003)

Turnovers Gained (2003)Turnover Margin (2007)

3 Total Defense (2005, 2006, 2007)

Pass Efficiency Defense (2005, 2006, 2007, 2010)Pass Defense (2006)Scoring Defense (2004, 2005)Turnovers Gained (2007)

4 Scoring Defense (2006)Pass Defense (2012)

2003, 2008-12 = Nebraska; 2004 = Oklahoma; 2005-07 = LSU

5 Pass Defense (2010)

6 Rushing Defense (2004, 2005)

7 Total Defense (2009)

9 Pass Defense (2007)

Rushing Defense (2009) Scoring Defense (2010)Pass Efficiency Defense (2012)

NATIONAL RANKINGS UNDER PELINI

NFL DEFENSIVE DRAFT PICKS (BIG TEN ONLY)SINCE 1997

55

50

34

30

27

Left: Coach Pelini congratulates three-year Blackshirt Will Compton on senior day. Right: The 2012 Blackshirts make a tackle at Northwestern.

THE PELINI FACTORBo Pelini’s college defenses have a history of dominance, not only at Nebraska, but also in his time as defensive coordinator

at LSU and Oklahoma. Pelini-led defenses have been a fixture in the top 10 of numerous national categories. During his time as Nebraska head coach, Pelini and his defensive staff have helped re-establish the Blackshirts as one

of the nation’s top defenses. Nebraska’s combined defensive statistics from 2009 to 2012 stack up favorably in the nation. Pelini’s players have also flourished in the defensive system, including:

» In the past five seasons, a Nebraska defensive lineman has topped 15 TFL in a season five times, including twice each by Ndamukong Suh and Jared Crick.

» Nebraska defensive linemen have totaled at least 7.5 sacks in a season five times since 2008.» Nebraska has had a linebacker record at least 110 tackles each of the past three seasons.» Nebraska has had at least one first-team all-conference defensive back each of the past four seasons.