Ben Stille Quotes 9-13-21

Nebraska Football
Pre-Oklahoma
Monday, Sept. 13, 2021

Press Conference Video

On defensive improvements
“I think we kind of have proven our value over the past couple of games. It is nice knowing (Coach Frost) has confidence in us. Nobody wants to start out on the sidelines and so getting out on the field first is always enjoyable.”
 
On Oklahoma rivalry
“I mean it has been awhile. How long has it been? 2010. That puts me at 13. I do not know a ton about what I remember distinctively. But obviously that goes into the game a lot. The history of it. But for us it is another game. It is another opponent. We are going to prepare like anyone else.”
 
On playing a highly-ranked team
“Without a doubt. Always up for a challenge. We have not played anyone in the Big 12 in quite some time. It is definitely exciting to play some new faces a new conference. That is one of the nice things about a bowl game. You get to play someone from a difference conference. Something we have not done in a while so looking forward to it.”
 
On Oklahoma’s offense
“Very gap scheme. Their top plays are gap scheme dependent. So we see a lot of zone but we get a variety in the Big Ten so week to week. It depends if we are playing Northwestern or we are playing Iowa. You get a good mix of both but them having a gap scheme play as their number one play is something we do not see a lot.”
 
On the fan base excitement for the game
“Without a doubt. Definitely something that goes into that. It puts a little more weight on it. We are just excited to treat it like any other game.”
 
On the defensive pressure
“Sacks is definitely not the end all be all stat. There is definitely more that goes into putting pressure on the quarterback making them uncomfortable making them make bad throws. We definitely like to get home more. Get sacks. But I think we are doing a good job as far as pressure wise and really rushing as a unit.”
 
On Spencer Rattler  
“It is hard not to see him even when we are not preparing for him. He is one of the top quarterbacks in the nation. What little we have seen really poise in the pocket. Good runner as well. It will be a challenge for us.”
 
On Oklahoma’s offensive line
“Just kind of diving into them today. Cleaning up last week’s stuff. But they definitely do not have any weaknesses across the board. They are really solid across all five positions. It should be a good challenge for us up front.”
 
On Ohio State Oklahoma similarities
“Ohio State has been one of the top teams in the country for the past however many years. I think it is definitely a thing especially for the young kids in the program. Your first big time game like that is an eye opener. It takes some getting adjusted to. Really just understanding that you can play with them and that there really is not that big of a difference levels wise across all of college football. I think it is a bigger deal for some of the younger guys.”
 
On being considered the underdog
“I do not know how much we ever try to make it that storyline or buy into that. We really try no matter who the opponent is to try and make it about us. Our technique. What we are focused on and what we can do best. At the end of the day the opponent is not going to make a difference for how we execute our scheme and our techniques.”

NU Athletic Communications