Nebraska Football and Blackshirts Prepare for ‘Physical’ Clash

Nebraska football defensive end Ty Robinson and the Blackshirts clearly aren’t worried about having just one week left to prepare for their first competitive game of the season.

“The guys did a great job this week, just attacking what coach (Matt) Rhule asked us to do,” Robinson said on Tuesday’s episode of Huskers Radio Network’s “Sports Nightly.” “It was a lot more mentally focused (yesterday). Today was more of a bloody Tuesday practice. Full pads and getting down to business.”

Robinson has had a strong start to the season, as the fifth-year senior has tallied six tackles, two sacks and two pass deflections through the first three games. He is helping lead the Blackshirts to a top-25 finish in college football in total defense.

“I thought before the season, ‘This is your last chance to make something happen.’ I’m going out there with no regrets. (I’m) trying to give everything I have to help this team win,” Robinson said.

Nebraska football is ranked in the top 25 for the first time since 2019 and started the season 3-0 for the first time since 2016. The defensive lineman adds that the start of the season starts with being under the tutelage of coordinator Tony White in his second year.

“Another year under this defense, now it’s like the back of my hand,” Robinson said. “Being able to play what we call defense and adjusting during the game to what we’re doing — I think that’s really helped me solidify myself.”

Robinson went viral on social media after the win over Colorado when his celebration after a blocked kick against the Buffaloes sent assistant coach Jack Potenza to the turf. The duo recreated the moment after a defensive stop against Northern Iowa in Week 3.

“I didn’t even realize I knocked him down. I just kept walking down the sideline,” Robinson said. “He said a few words to me, saying, ‘Don’t you ever do that to me again.’ He was sore the next day from the fall.”

The defensive lineman added that it is special how the coaching staff communicates with the team after key moments in the game.

“They appreciate the hard work we put in during the offseason and even in practice during the week. Us players know how much they put into game plans and things like that during the week. When they see us go out there and be football players — it may be just 11 guys, but it’s really the whole team that’s succeeding at that point,” Robinson said.

Both Rhule and White addressed the defense’s performance after the Week 3 victory, saying the 34-3 victory was “the result the team wanted,” but that the process and “standard” weren’t where they needed to be. The Blackshirt captain and two-time member of “The Ten” agreed that the defense is ready to shine again.

“Guys are more open — not in a bullying way, but like, ‘This is what we need in this period or this practice.’ Guys have really responded well, attacking what we hold each other accountable for,” Robinson said.

The Huskers are preparing for a “physical football game” as the top-25-ranked Illini enter Lincoln on Friday night with the goal of knocking Nebraska off the list of undefeated teams left in college football. The Arizona native added that the mentality remains the same for NU.

“We just have to do what we know how to do. That starts with practice… knowing our style of football and building confidence throughout the week helps us prepare for those more physical games,” Robinson said.

The defensive lineman added that the goal for the defense is to “play at our level” and improve on their defensive efficiency compared to their Week 3 matchup against Northern Iowa.

The Huskers welcome No. 24 Illinois to Memorial Stadium on Friday with tip-off scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CDT. The game will be televised on FOX.

MORE: Nebraska’s Matt Rhule makes position change on right guard Micah Mazzccua’s status

MORE: Party Stories: ‘Party Princess’ Gets the Party Started

MORE: I-80 Club: Is Nebraska any good? Split Zone Duo’s Alex Kirshner on Huskers

MORE: The Common Fan: Expectations are rising as Huskers prepare for conference play

MORE: Nebraska vs. Illinois: This is a huge game for the Huskers

Keep up to date with all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers on SIsubscribing HuskerMax on YouTubeand visiting huskermax.com every day.