Caleb Benning is more confident than he’s ever been in a Nebraska football uniform, and he credits his teammates and coaches for helping him grow.
The junior safety said he’s felt a sense of belonging after playing a bigger role for the Huskers over the past few weeks.
“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.”
The Nebraska native has played in five games this year as a preseason injury delayed his start. He’s recorded seven tackles, one pass breakup and one quarterback hurry. His most productive outing came in Nebraska’s 31-13 win at Michigan State, when he totaled three tackles, and he saw a season-high in snaps in Saturday’s 20-17 loss to No. 7 Indiana as he filled in for injured starter Jamir Conn.
The Omaha Westside product said new safeties coach Tyler Yelk and defensive coordinator Rob Aurich have helped him grow his confidence.
“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 runs a 4-2-5, a scheme that Benning is familiar with as Omaha Westside ran a variation of it when he was with the Warriors.
“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’s noticed Benning’s growth since the Husker legacy arrived in Lincoln.
“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.”
Benning will have a chance to showcase his talent once again when the Huskers travel to Oregon to play the Ducks on Saturday.
Oregon is heading into Saturday’s contest 3-2 is unsure who it will have under center. The team is full of talent, however, with senior wide receiver Evan Stewart and sophomore Dakorien Moore leading the way. Through five games, Stewart has caught 27 passes for 352 yards and four touchdowns while Moore has 18 receptions for 311 yards and four scores. Benning said the Ducks’ offense is “explosive.”
“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.”
Benning has trust in Yelk and Aurich to put together a good game plan to deal with the Ducks and their talented pass-catchers.
“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.
Kickoff between Nebraska and Oregon is set for 10 p.m. CT on FOX and the Huskers Radio Network.
