NU football notebook, 9/22: Nebraska's McKeon calls for ‘black out'

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BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star

Nebraska middle linebacker Corey McKeon wants to get the word out.

For the Huskers’ Oct. 1 home game against Iowa State, McKeon said, he’s calling on Nebraska’s student body to wear black to the contest as a symbolic gesture for NU’s surging “Blackshirts” defense.

“I’m telling everyone, spreading the word,” the sophomore said Wednesday. “Iowa State’s got a great offense. It’s our Big 12 Conference opener. Boom. We want a black out.”

McKeon, Nebraska’s leading tackler with 26 stops, said he was moved emotionally after Saturday’s 7-6 win against Pitt, when many in the Memorial Stadium crowd chanted “defense” as the Huskers left the field.

“I was like, ‘This is awesome, we have to keep this going,’ ” McKeon said.

The Huskers (3-0) — who rank ninth nationally in total defense — are in the midst of a bye week. Last season, they dropped a 34-27 decision to the Cyclones in Ames, Iowa, the start of a three-game slide to end the season.

-- PRACTICE REPORT: The Huskers practiced in helmets, shoulder pads and shorts in 100-degree heat Wednesday at Memorial Stadium. “These are great practices for us,” offensive coordinator Jay Norvell said. “They give us a chance to do a lot of fundamental things. We have gone back to the basics in a lot of areas this week.” NU will practice again today before taking the following two days off.