Indiana University Athletics
Quoted: Aiden Fisher & Rolijah Hardy
11/10/2025 7:00:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. –––– As Indiana Football's Week 12 matchup against Wisconsin on Saturday (November 15) approaches, senior Aiden Fisher and sophomore Rolijah Hardy addressed the media inside the Don Croftcheck Football Team Room.
Below is a partial transcript of the press conference, while video of the media sessions can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Aiden Fisher | LB | Sr.
On the difficulty watching those seven quarter while injured…
AF: It's tough. When I first got hurt, the biggest thing that went through my mind was, you know, I could either be a really bad teammate by 'woe is me' and put my head down and look for pity, which I think would be a terrible representation of myself and what I think I've grown to mean to this team. Being as positive as can be, helping other people… Isaiah (Jones), KT (Kaiden Turner), Jeff (Utzinger), everybody getting thrown in different spots. I think I was able to help them by not being that guy. It's a selfish thing to if I were to sit on the bench with a towel over my head just because I can't finish a game. It was definitely tough but just try to do my best to be positive, encourage those guys, bring a lot of confidence to them, let them play free and fast and do a great job.
On his linebackers' room help when he was out with injury…
AF: There's a lot to it. Our scheme is pretty hectic. I think I take care of a lot of things, checks and stuff, then you pass that down to Isaiah (Jones), who did a phenomenal job. Him and (Rolijah Hardy) together took that and just ran with it, which is great to see for us as a defense. Those guys, especially, did a great job. Even some things, a guy can get in their head pretty quick if something goes wrong. Just letting them know, we've been here before. They're great football players, everyone we have in our room that plays. Just build their confidence, let them know I'm there every step of the way. You need help, ask me. Anything I see, I'm going to bring that to him, as a team or from them specifically. I can't say enough just how much those guys carry themselves; such pride when they were out there and played so well. Maybe they didn't need me as much, but they did a great job.
On Rolijah Hardy's improvement…
AF: I think mentally he's gotten out of his own head. He's playing confident, he's playing fast. (Rolijah) came in as a young guy trying to digest an entire scheme that, for me, took a whole year, year and a half, to get under my belt. Seeing how fast that he'd been able to do it, especially last year, and see how he was able to play and be productive this year. He's taken it and ran with it. He's playing confident, he's playing fast. He's very familiar with everything. I think he's comfortable in the scheme, in his position.
Rolijah Hardy | LB | So.
On being a multi-sport athlete in high school and how it contributes to his success now
RH: Yeah, it helps a lot, especially with training. My other sport was basketball, so just being able to play fast and always doing something really helped. I taught my sister everything she knows.
On this weekend being the last regular season home game...
RH: We really pride ourselves on trying to go 1-0 every weekend. Coach Cig (Cignetti) really helped us a lot with preparation, which helps us play fast. The team has always, like I said, been about pushing one another. I could definitely feel it. We try not to let it get into our heads too much, because of course we've got to go ahead and finish the year, which is the target to the national championship. But we definitely feel that, and we appreciate it.
On his improvement this year...
RH: I would definitely say God just gave me the ability to play fast. And then also Coach (Bryant) Haines and my teammates, like Fish (Aiden Fisher), they helped me be able to play fast. All season we really hammered the playbook and technique.
Below is a partial transcript of the press conference, while video of the media sessions can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Aiden Fisher | LB | Sr.
On the difficulty watching those seven quarter while injured…
AF: It's tough. When I first got hurt, the biggest thing that went through my mind was, you know, I could either be a really bad teammate by 'woe is me' and put my head down and look for pity, which I think would be a terrible representation of myself and what I think I've grown to mean to this team. Being as positive as can be, helping other people… Isaiah (Jones), KT (Kaiden Turner), Jeff (Utzinger), everybody getting thrown in different spots. I think I was able to help them by not being that guy. It's a selfish thing to if I were to sit on the bench with a towel over my head just because I can't finish a game. It was definitely tough but just try to do my best to be positive, encourage those guys, bring a lot of confidence to them, let them play free and fast and do a great job.
On his linebackers' room help when he was out with injury…
AF: There's a lot to it. Our scheme is pretty hectic. I think I take care of a lot of things, checks and stuff, then you pass that down to Isaiah (Jones), who did a phenomenal job. Him and (Rolijah Hardy) together took that and just ran with it, which is great to see for us as a defense. Those guys, especially, did a great job. Even some things, a guy can get in their head pretty quick if something goes wrong. Just letting them know, we've been here before. They're great football players, everyone we have in our room that plays. Just build their confidence, let them know I'm there every step of the way. You need help, ask me. Anything I see, I'm going to bring that to him, as a team or from them specifically. I can't say enough just how much those guys carry themselves; such pride when they were out there and played so well. Maybe they didn't need me as much, but they did a great job.
On Rolijah Hardy's improvement…
AF: I think mentally he's gotten out of his own head. He's playing confident, he's playing fast. (Rolijah) came in as a young guy trying to digest an entire scheme that, for me, took a whole year, year and a half, to get under my belt. Seeing how fast that he'd been able to do it, especially last year, and see how he was able to play and be productive this year. He's taken it and ran with it. He's playing confident, he's playing fast. He's very familiar with everything. I think he's comfortable in the scheme, in his position.
Rolijah Hardy | LB | So.
On being a multi-sport athlete in high school and how it contributes to his success now
RH: Yeah, it helps a lot, especially with training. My other sport was basketball, so just being able to play fast and always doing something really helped. I taught my sister everything she knows.
On this weekend being the last regular season home game...
RH: We really pride ourselves on trying to go 1-0 every weekend. Coach Cig (Cignetti) really helped us a lot with preparation, which helps us play fast. The team has always, like I said, been about pushing one another. I could definitely feel it. We try not to let it get into our heads too much, because of course we've got to go ahead and finish the year, which is the target to the national championship. But we definitely feel that, and we appreciate it.
On his improvement this year...
RH: I would definitely say God just gave me the ability to play fast. And then also Coach (Bryant) Haines and my teammates, like Fish (Aiden Fisher), they helped me be able to play fast. All season we really hammered the playbook and technique.
#NeverDaunted
Players Mentioned
FB: Inside IU Football with Curt Cignetti - Week 12 (Wisconsin)
Thursday, November 13
FB: Under the Hood with Indiana Football - Week 12 (Wisconsin)
Wednesday, November 12
FB: Aiden Fisher Media Availability (11/11/25)
Tuesday, November 11
FB: Rolijah Hardy Media Availability (11/11/25)
Tuesday, November 11