Tag: Keeanu Benton

Sights and sounds from first half as Eagles hold a 17-13 lead over Steelers

Sights and sounds from first half as Eagles hold a 17-13 lead over Steelers

Philadelphia established its passing game and was dominant on defense, but the scoreboard tells a different story as the Eagles hold just a 17-13 lead over Pittsburgh after one half.

Vic Fangio’s defense held the Steelers to just 80 yards of offense on 30 plays in the first half, but two costly Eagles turnovers and two Chris Boswell field goals have Mike Tomlin’s team within four.

With the second half set to begin, we’re looking at sights and sounds from the first half.

***

WATCH: Steelers NT Keeanu Benton snatches miraculous INT in Week 14

Pittsburgh Steelers NT Keeanu Benton amazes with a highlight-reel interception in Week 14, turning the tide against the Cleveland Browns.

Nose tackle Keeanu Benton’s talent has truly come to form in year two of his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. From showcasing his incredible leadership abilities on HBO’s brand-new Hard Knocks: In Season with the AFC North to blowing up run plays on gameday, Benton has been nothing short of remarkable in 2024.

Trailing the Cleveland Browns 7-3 at the start of the second quarter, the Steelers needed a splash play—and big Keeanu made it happen. Browns quarterback Jameis Winston tried to let a screen play develop for running back Nick Chubb, but Benton channeled his inner defensive back, leaping several feet into the air to intercept the pass.

Benton’s extraordinary effort on the interception is a play that Pittsburgh Steelers fans could watch on repeat for years to come. The young nose tackle truly shifted the momentum in the Black and Gold’s favor, and the team’s victory might not have been possible without his elite level of play in Week 14.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Former Wisconsin star nose tackle records first career interception in Steelers win

Former Wisconsin star nose tackle records first career interception in Steelers win

Former Wisconsin nose tackle Keeanu Benton snagged his first career NFL interception in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 27-14 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

The moment arrived at the 13:26-minute mark in the second quarter of the rivalry game. With Cleveland at their own 47-yard line, quarterback Jameis Winston dropped back and tossed a short pass intended for running back Nick Chubb.

Benton evaded the Browns’ offense line, slipped through an open gap, and intercepted the pass to flip possession in favor of Pittsburgh.

The Steelers capitalized on the turnover with a Najee Harris one-yard touchdown on the ensuing possession to take a 10-7 advantage over the Browns. Pittsburgh maintained the lead for the remainder of the contest.

Here’s Benton’s first career interception:

The former Badger ended the game with the interception and one total tackle. Through 13 games, he has accumulated 23 total tackles, five pass deflections, one fumble recovery and seven quarterback hits.

During his four-year college tenure in Madison, Benton foreshadowed what he could provide to NFL franchises from the time he stepped foot onto the gridiron in 2019. He departed campus with a 2022 All-Big Ten third team selection, 82 tackles, nine sacks and 19 tackles for loss before declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Steelers’ next game is scheduled for Dec. 15 against the 11-2 Philadelphia Eagles.

LOOK: Steelers deploy four former Badgers on defensive line vs. Browns

LOOK: Steelers deploy four former Badgers on defensive line vs. Browns

The Pittsburgh Steelers defensive line looked awfully familiar for Wisconsin Badgers fans on Sunday.

For a few sequences in the 27-13 victory over the Cleveland Browns, the Steelers deployed former Wisconsin nose tackle Keeanu Benton, defensive end Isaiahh Loudermilk, and linebackers Nick Herbig and T.J. Watt on the front four.

While all four playmakers have contributed to the Steelers’ defense during virtually every game this season, the foursome rarely lines up on the same snap. Both Watt and Benton start for Pittsburgh, Herbig serves as Alex Highsmith’s backup at strong-side linebacker and Loudermilk rotates in behind Larry Ogunjobi.

Another connection between the four UW alumni revolves around their time at Wisconsin. All four players suited up at Camp Randall under former Badger head coach Paul Chryst from 2015-22.

Here’s a look at the four former Badgers gearing up for a few snaps together on Sunday:

Watt, as he tends to do, impacted the contest with a pair of quarterback hits and a tackle for loss. Loudermilk pitched in with a tackle, and Benton snagged his first career interception in the win over Jameis Winston’s Browns.

With the win, the Steelers now move to 10-3 on the season with four contests remaining on the 2024 season. Their next match — a Dec. 15 showdown with the 11-2 Philadelphia Eagles.

Steelers open up 21-day window for key defensive reserve

Adams has been on IR since October 22.

Since October 22, backup nose tackle Montravius Adams has been on IR with a knee injury. But on Wednesday, Adams returned to practice for the first time, opening up his 21-day window to return to the roster or miss the remainder of the season on IR.

The defensive line has really missed Adams since his injury. As the primary backup to Keeanu Benton, Adams has been the guy who comes in with fresh legs and really helps shore up the NFL’s No. 4 ranked run defense.

While Adams has been out, it’s been by committee on the inside and teams have had some success running the football. The Steelers currently sit at 8-3 and in first place in the AFC North. It’s unlikely Adams will be back this week when the Steelers take on the Cincinnati Bengals but it would be great to have him back in the lineup down the stretch.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Former Wisconsin star nose tackle on PFF’s ‘Team of the Week’ for NFL Week 2

Former Wisconsin star nose tackle makes PFF’s ‘Team of the Week’

Former Wisconsin star nose tackle Keeanu Benton earned a spot on the ProFootballFocus ‘Team of the Week’ for NFL Week 2 on Tuesday.

Benton, who now starts at nose tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers, registered three total tackles and one quarterback hit against the Denver Broncos on Sunday. He, alongside former Badgers Isaiahh Loudermilk, Nick Herbig and T.J. Watt, held the Broncos offense to just six points on the day.

The Janesville, Wisconsin native was accompanied by Cardinals’ edge Dennis Gardeck, Jaguars’ edge Josh Hines-Allen and Ravens’ defensive tackle Travis Jones on the defensive line.

49ers linebacker Fred Warner, Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks, Lions edge Aidan Hutchinson, Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter, Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt, Chargers safety Elijah Molden and Lions safety Brian Branch were also selected.

Since entering the league, Benton has emerged as a key force on Mike Tomlin’s defensive front. He started nine games a season ago and recorded 36 total tackles, eight quarterback hits and two pass deflections in 17 total appearances.

During his four-year college tenure in Madison, Benton foreshadowed what he could provide to NFL franchises from the time he stepped foot onto the gridiron in 2019. He departed campus with a 2022 All-Big Ten third team selection, 82 tackles, nine sacks and 19 tackles for loss before declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Steelers’ next contest is against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Sept. 22.

Former Wisconsin star nose tackle flashes potential in Steelers’ preseason finale

Former Wisconsin star nose tackle flashes potential in Steelers’ preseason finale

Former Wisconsin Badgers nose tackle Keeanu Benton flashed his defensive brilliance in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ preseason finale vs. the Detroit Lions on Saturday.

While Benton logged 0.5 sacks and an assisted tackle, his one game-wrecking play personified what he can bring to Pittsburgh’s defensive table this season.

Lined up just inside the right hash, the 2022 third-team All-Big Ten member manhandled Lions’ offensive lineman Duke Clemens to reach quarterback Hendon Hooker.

After being initially denied, Benton fakes right before tossing Clemens off him and bursting down the middle of the line to get a hand on Hooker before his Steeler teammates finished the sack.

As a 309-pound tackle, Benton’s nimbleness in open space is excellent. With that type of strength, his quickness with his cleats and ability to evade opposing lineman make him a devastating defensive presence in front of all-world linebackers T.J. Watt and Patrick Queen.

In total, the Janesville, Wisconsin native logged four tackles and one sack during Pittsburgh’s preseason.

Benton is listed as the Steelers’ No. 1 option at nose tackle ahead of the platoon’s 2024 season. Pittsburgh opens with an away contest vs. the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Sept. 8.

WATCH: Former Wisconsin linebacker addresses media after big performance vs. Bills

WATCH: Former Wisconsin linebacker addresses media after big performance vs. Bills

Former Wisconsin linebacker Nick Herbig turned heads in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills on Saturday.

Following the four-tackle, 1.5-sack performance as his ensemble’s starting outside linebacker, the three-year Badger fielded several questions from media members.

Herbig opened the contest with a solo tackle against Buffalo quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. The former Big Ten game-wrecker shot out of a cannon down the middle of the offensive line before wrapping up the former Chicago Bears QB, eliciting a booming roar from the crowd and some jubilation from fellow Badger Keanu Benton.

“That was a good call there by [defensive coordinator Teryl Austin],” Herbig said. “That was something we had in the game plan. Especially when I’m out there with Keeanu [Benton], that’s my brother. Being on the same side and having that chemistry, we knew it was going to hit a little quicker. It just opened up, and I was able to make a play.”

Herbig also alluded to another sequence later in the game where he and Benton split a sack to back the Bills up into a deep second down situation. To him, the play embodies what the Steelers defense is attempting to accomplish.

“Larry [Ogunjobi] got there first,” Herbig said. “He was starting to slip out a little, and then Keeanu came over the top and finished him. I think that’s a perfect picture of what we are in Pittsburgh, what we’re striving to be. That’s collective and aiming to do something great here.”

What’s more, Markus Golden, a nine-year NFL veteran, just retired before Pittsburgh’s preseason opener against the Houston Texans. He played 16 games with the Steelers in 2023 and served as a backup to Watt and Highsmith at linebacker.

His absence now elevates Herbig to No. 2 on the crew’s LB depth chart. As someone who once shined against some of college football’s most talented platoons, the former Badger didn’t shy away from the opportunity.

“There’s never going to be a true time when you’re like, ‘okay, I’m ready,'” Herbig said. “When the lights come on, you gotta show up. You gotta stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.”

Here’s the full clip:

Mike Tomlin expects ‘big things’ from Steelers DT Keeanu Benton

The Steelers have a future star in Keeanu Benton.

Last season the Pittsburgh Steelers got a huge bargain when they snagged defensive tackle Keeanu Benton with their second pick in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft.

In year two the Steelers are going to put even more on Benton’s plate with Cameron Heyward a year older and returning from injury. However, head coach Mike Tomlin seems very optimistic about Benton’s growth and development this season. Tomlin talked about the upside which was a huge buzzword for Benton predraft.

“Big things,” Tomlin said. “Big things. He can grow in all areas. He’s a talented young guy with tremendous upside and room for growth in all areas.”

In 2023, Benton played only 43 percent of the defensive snaps. Despite this, he earned a 74.8 grade by Pro Football Focus. Last season, Pittsburgh had some lapses in run defense and it started up front. Benton started nine games last season but should be the full-time starter in 2024 with Montravius Adams working in as his backup.

Steelers young core doesn’t impress ESPN

The Steelers have a solid group of young players but their stars are aging.

The last two NFL drafts have been great for the Pittsburgh Steelers. They have yielded a ton of young talent, especially on the offensive and defensive line. But when it comes to the Steelers core of stars, this team might be more old than many realize.

ESPN ranked all 32 NFL teams based on their best players under the age of 25 and unfortunately for the Steelers, they checked in at No. 20, which is up five spots from last season.

Here’s what ESPN had to say about Pittsburgh’s ranking:

The Steelers graduated a starting offensive tackle, Moore, from this list, but he probably won’t have a starting job this season anyway after posting an 87.5% PBWR and 73.8% RBWR. Instead, younger and higher-drafted talents will man the tackle spots, with Jones and first-round pick Troy Fautanu at age 23.

Center Zach Frazier is also 23 and will start as a rookie. At wide receiver, 23-year-old Pickens takes over as the unchallenged No. 1 receiver in Pittsburgh after having 1,140 receiving yards in 2023. Also age 23: rookie slot receiver Roman Wilson, nose tackle Keeanu Benton and second tight end Darnell Washington. The one exception when it comes to talent under 25 is No. 1 cornerback Joey Porter Jr., who turns 24 in late July.

10 of the Steelers projected starters between offense, defense and special teams are at least 28 years old while seven projected starters are 25 or younger.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]