Ben Stille Quotes 10-4-21

Nebraska Football
Pre-Michigan
Monday, Oct. 4, 2021

On the 2018 Michigan game
“I think that was the most physically defeated I have ever felt after a football game in my entire career here. They were really big upfront they ran a lot of gap scheme they came downhill and physically I was not personally ready to be in that position yet.”
 
On realizations after 2018 Michigan game
“It is definitely a piece of humble pie it is wakeup call. That was my first offseason making the transition from outside linebacker to the D-line and I put on a lot of weight but clearly not enough was not big enough strong enough so it was a wakeup call for me the next off-season because really that is when you are going to make that jump again and just take on the chin it is a learning experience and just be able to be hungry that next off-season.”
 
On progress the team has made since 2018 Michigan game
“We had big guys back then I think scheme-wise though just jumping around back and forth a lot of it was understanding of the scheme. If I had today’s understanding of the scheme and technique and I was at that level the size would have been less of an issue I think. So it is a combination of it. You cannot just be huge and you still have to have great technique it does not matter how big you are.”
 
On dealing with setbacks
“I do not know what the longest strung together win streak we have had here in my tenure but it is not very many. So that is clearly something we are focused on. A year ago that was something that was a problem for us. So just having the same focus the same intensity same everything same prep going into it the next game after a win is super important.”
 
On today’s practice
“It is a pretty big mental day Monday. Obviously guys still banged up from the game. Just cleaning stuff up from last game and then getting the install and stuff in for the next week. It was a really solid Monday for us.”
 
On Nouredin Nouili and Teddy Prochazka growth
“Nouri has been fighting he has been more consistent and level than Teddy just because Teddy was young and he is still young and he is still learning and Nouri has a couple years of just playing experience. He started at Colorado State. I think that goes a long way and just having that experience. He is as quality as a walk-on as you are going to get and that is big for us. Teddy has obviously just been growing week by week to the point now where they are comfortable enough with him and he is comfortable enough with the scheme to get out there and play.”
 
On mindset ahead of Michigan game
“That is about how it is every Big Ten game. That is what you signed up for that is why you came here. We are ready for that. I think that will be on the D-line I think that will be on both sides up front. That is how it is in Big Ten football not much different than any other week.”
 
On Michigan’s offensive line
“Really big upfront. Definitely moving guys so we are going to have to be really sound in our technique to be playing with them.”
 
On playing a night game at home
“It is good. We have not had many of those in my tenure here. The leadup to the game is not necessarily fun waiting all day but it is definitely worth it once you get to the game and the environment it is obviously different. Anyone can feel that and experience that. It is different than a morning game it is different than an afternoon game so just looking forward to it and looking forward to a big time matchup. That is why we come here to play a ranked opponent like this.”
 
On having fun during Northwestern game
“Just having success both sides of the ball early that was a key obviously to get off to a hot start. Seeing the offense succeed seeing your teammates succeed all this work we put in together everything we go through that is why we do it to have that success and there is no better feeling than that.”
 
On linebacker performance
“I am trying to think who we have had at those positions. I think outside for sure that has been a lot of the same guys. They have been those guys that have been playing for awhile here now Caleb and Garrett. That was something that just needed to be worked on they were young and that is tough and they were kind of thrown into position early and they are playing at an elite level now so that is awesome to see. I think we have had some solid inside backers over the past couple years too so I am not going to say that it is the best we have ever had but those guys were also a part of that too. (Luke) Reimer has been playing for a couple years Nick (Henrich) has been playing for a couple years now so they are doing a really solid job obviously those two guys leading the Big Ten in tackles or at least close to it so they are making our jobs easy up front.”
NU Athletic Communications