Stille Accepts Blackshirt, Chinander Readies Defense for Toughest Test Yet

Sophomore defensive end Ben Stille made headlines last week when he refused to accept the Blackshirt awarded to him by Scott Frost and the coaching staff. After Stille enjoyed a great game for himself, getting a few tackles and a sack in Nebraska’s 45-9 beat down of Bethune-Cookman, Stille emerged from the practice field on Tuesday wearing a Blackshirt.

“Just effort every play you know,” Stille said. “I thought the snaps we were in there, the D-line as a whole, we played well.” His defensive coordinator, Erik Chinander, agreed.

“He had a couple tacks (tackles), and I think a TFL (tackle for loss) and a sack,” Chinander said. “He practiced well and he played well.”

Nebraska will need a Blackshirt worthy performance out of every player on the defense if they want a shot at winning the game. Most betting markets have placed the Huskers as three touchdown underdogs to the Buckeyes.

It’s a daunting point spread for Nebraska, but to lose by such a margin would be the closest the Huskers will have played against them since their 34-27 victory back in 2011. In 2012, Nebraska gave up over 60 points, eventually losing by 25.

Recently, in 2016 and 2017, Nebraska has lost 62-3 and 56-14, a margin of -59 and -42 respectively. To even play the Buckeyes close will be a tall order, especially considering the threat Ohio State has at quarterback – Dwayne Haskins.

“Yeah I mean, he’s right up there at the top,” Chinander said. “He can throw it. He can run it pretty adequately when he has to. I think he can make all the throws.”The 6-3 sophomore has thrown for over 2,800 yards on the season, with 30 touchdowns. His completion percentage has dipped below 63% just one time this season, in a victory over Penn State.

Ohio State had a bye-week on October 27^th, however the week before that, the Buckeyes fell to the Boilermakers 49-20 in an unexpected blowout that caught Urban Meyer and Ohio State off guard. Nebraska will need to follow the blueprint Purdue laid down for a chance to repeat such a feat.

“If you watch through the game, Ohio State walked out on the field a little bit and then Purdue found a way to get a stop,” Chinader said. “And then they [Ohio State] got going again a little bit, and Purdue found a way to get a stop, and that kind of went on forever.”

Nebraska is currently on a two game winning streak, looking to make it three against Ohio State this Saturday at 11 A.M.