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Two former Blackshirts optimistic about Nebraska, Scott Frost in Year 2

Kevin Cunningham

By Kevin Cunningham

Published:

Ralph Brown (1996-99) and Bryan Wilson (2006-07) were once members of Nebraska’s defense. Huskers that play on that side of the ball are also known as Blackshirts.

The two Blackshirts spoke with Athlon Sports’ Brandon Cavanaugh as the trio broke down what’s to come at Nebraska in Year 2. Needless to say, Brown and Wilson are all aboard the Cornhuskers’ hype train.

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Everyone and their mother seem to be backing Nebraska this season. Part of it is because of the team’s schedule, part of it is because of Adrian Martinez returning as the starting QB and part of it is because of what Scott Frost did in Year 2 at UCF (all he did was go 12-0).

Here is some of what Brown had to say about the Huskers:

“You come off that and you don’t go to a bowl game,” Brown said. “Now there’s hunger, there’s anger, there’s a lot of frustration and you carry that over into this season. They’ve got a chip on their shoulder.

“You can’t replace what an athlete or team feels when they feel they should’ve beaten an opponent the first time. That happened to us in 1999 against Texas. We felt like we should’ve beat them the first time then we played them again in the Big 12 Championship Game and whipped them.”

And from Wilson:

“I think the offensive line will be a lot better being with Greg [Austin] for another year. From seeing pictures, they’re looking bigger and thicker, but you don’t see bellies hanging out. Just well put together bodies.”

Here are Brown’s overall 2019 predictions:

“I think they have the ability to win the [Big Ten] championship. They could shock the world and be on the cusp of making it to the College Football Playoff if they reach that high level of play on both offense and defense.”

Quite lofty expectations by both Brown and Wilson. We’ll get to see how it all shakes out starting on Aug. 31 at home when Nebraska takes on South Alabama.

Cavanaugh’s entire article can be read here.

Kevin Cunningham

Kevin covers Big Ten football for Saturday Tradition.