Caleb Benning has started to feel at home in Nebraska’s defense, and the junior safety says the difference shows up in the confidence he carries every time he steps on the field.
Benning said the bigger role he’s taken on over the last few weeks has helped him settle in with the Huskers, and he pointed to the trust he’s getting from the people around him.
“They’re trusting me to go out there on that field, celebrating me making plays,” Benning said. “Playing with guys like Andrew Marshall, Owen Chambliss, guys that put in a lot of work, have played a lot of ball and are successful right now, and will continue to be successful, so it’s knowing I’m going out there to play for something much bigger than myself.”
A preseason injury slowed the Nebraska native at the start of the year, but he has now appeared in five games. His stat line includes seven tackles, one pass breakup and one quarterback hurry.
His best performance came in Nebraska’s 31-13 win at Michigan State, when he finished with three tackles. He also played a season-high number of snaps in Saturday’s 20-17 loss to No.
7 Indiana while filling in for injured starter Jamir Conn.
Benning said the transition has been helped by new safeties coach Tyler Yelk and defensive coordinator Rob Aurich. He noted how many defensive backs coaches he has already worked with and said the adjustment has gone smoothly.
“I’m pretty sure he’s my sixth defensive backs coach, so I’m building a great relationship with him, and trusting Coach Aurich’s process, and knowing that I feel well in this scheme,” Benning said.
Aurich’s 4-2-5 system lines up well with Benning’s background. Omaha Westside used a version of the scheme when he played there, and Benning said the familiarity has made the learning curve easier.
“Until Aurich got here, we didn’t really play much quarters, so I was practicing a lot of new things,” Benning said. “Obviously, as you come into college, you’ve got to learn different skill sets. It’s really just going back to my roots, quarters, driving, playing with depth, so just being put in that position helps a lot.”
Aurich said he saw enough early on to know what kind of player Nebraska had brought in. He pointed back to Benning’s showing in the bowl game and said he believes there’s more to come.
“I think my first impression of Caleb last year was watching him make 13 tackles in the bowl game, so I immediately kind of knew what we were getting into with him,” Aurich said. “I think he’s a savvy football player.
I think he has a good feel. I do think his best football’s coming up.”
That next test comes Saturday night at Oregon, where Nebraska will face a Ducks offense that Benning described as “explosive.”
Oregon enters the game 3-2 and may or may not have a starting quarterback available, but the skill talent is obvious. Senior receiver Evan Stewart has 27 catches for 352 yards and four touchdowns through five games, while sophomore Dakorien Moore has 18 receptions for 311 yards and four scores.
Benning said the Ducks attack in a lot of different ways and can stress a defense quickly.
“They got a lot of guys who can get down the field, and do it in a hurry, and they get the ball to their guys a lot of different ways, whether it’s quick screen game, different forms of counters,” Benning said. “So it’s just making sure we’re sound at every single level.”
He also said he trusts Yelk and Aurich to build the right plan for the matchup.
“I feel like him and Coach Aurich, they have a great relationship, so putting really everybody in the best position to succeed is ultimately their job, and they do a great job at it,” Benning said.
Nebraska and Oregon kick off Saturday at 10 p.m. CT on FOX and the Huskers Radio Network.
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