Bugeaters

They used to be called the Bugeaters?

Though it had a variety of nicknames, Nebraska went exclusively by the Bugeaters from 1892 to 1899. Bugeaters were insect eating bull bats that hovered over the plains. Nebraska enjoyed success in the first six seasons of that range, but had a disappointing season in 1899, prompting local sportswriter Charles S. Sherman to seize the opportunity to cease having to refer to Nebraska as the Bugeaters. At that time, Iowa had been called the Cornhuskers, but preferred the Hawkeyes, and so, Sherman began to refer to Nebraska as the Cornhuskers. The name would become the official nickname for the state.

Nebraska’s mascot, “Herbie Husker” was developed because of Nebraska’s trip to the 1974 Cotton Bowl. Artist Dirk West of Lubbock, Texas, designed a Cornhusker cartoon for the press headquarters that intrigued former Husker SID Don Bryant. Bryant and West collaborated to create the first “Herbie Husker” mascot.

Please watch this video that I dug up on Herbie Husker. It won’t disappoint.

What’s the deal with the Blackshirts?

A well-known tradition at Nebraska is nickname for the Huskers’ defensive unit, the Blackshirts. The name started in 1964 and is derived from the black, pullover jerseys worn by the defensive players in practice.

After a 56-0 victory against South Dakota, Nebraska coach Bob Devaney decided that his team would become a two-platoon football team, using offensive and defensive units. Teams were allowed to use the two-platoon system, which is now standard for collegiate squads, after changes in NCAA rules following the 1963 season. Delaney thought the change would be more efficient for his squad, and so black pullovers that would distinguish the defensive players from the offensive players were purchased.

The mystique of the Blackshirts started with how the pullovers were distributed at practice. When all members would practice with the defense, they would wear gray pullovers, but when the team was split into offensive and defensive members, the black pullovers were awarded to only the first-team defenders, motivating the lower units.

The black pullovers continually had to be earned, as they were collected after each practice and distributed anew the next practice. The tradition of the Blackshirts continued to grow with the unit’s success, as Nebraska boasted the No. 2 defense in 1964, No. 8 in 1965, and No. 1 in 1967.

A winning tradition

The Huskers won the National Championship in 1970, 1971, 1994, 1995 and 1997. The 1994 team beat Steve Spurrier’s Florida Gators in 1995.

“That’s the last and only time, and we got clobbered by Nebraska in the ‘95 game,” Spurrier said. “We went out there 12-0, which was the only undefeated regular season Florida had ever had, and because we lost the national championship game, nobody hardly talks about that ‘95 team at Florida. They’re just another team that won the conference championship, but that was really the best team of all that we had through the years down there, I think.”

No other football program has more than five national championships since 1970. Alabama and Miami also five in that time-span.

“When you think of Nebraska, you think of tradition,” said quarterback Connor Shaw. “They used to be a powerhouse and still are a very good ball team. I think it’s going to be exciting for us and we’re looking forward to it.”

“I think Nebraska is a good team and I’ve heard a lot about them,” said senior defensive lineman Travian Robertson. “They’ve got a great offensive line and I think it’s going to be a great game. We respect them and I’m pretty sure they respect us. I’m looking forward to preparing for them and watching film and I know our coaches are going to put us in the right position to get the victory and we’re just going to go out there and play.”

For South Carolina, a program that doesn’t have the same illustrious tradition of Nebraska, a win at the Capital One Bowl would be a step towards establishing that same tradition.

“We’re just trying to build a tradition here, so we feel like every week is a stepping stone for our program and it’s another opportunity to get better,” said defensive lineman Melvin Ingram. “Since we’ve been here, we went from losing our last six games our freshman year, to now, we’re 10-2 and going to the Capital One Bowl. The program has changed. We’re trying to turn it into a winning tradition, and so far, that’s what it’s going to be.”

Thanks to Huskers.com for the information used for this blog.