By Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Tyrique Tucker expects more from himself -- more tackles, more sacks, more disruptions.
Yes, the fifth-year defensive tackle’s eight tackles against Ohio State shared the team lead with linebacker Rolijah Hardy. Yes, that’s an unusually large number for a defensive tackle in one game.
That followed Tucker’s five tackles the previous week at Nebraska, giving him 22 for the season along with three tackles for loss, one sack, and four quarterback hurries.
Again, Tucker, a 6-foot, 307-pound football All-America as well as an academic All-Big Ten performer, isn’t satisfied.
“I feel I can be better, and I will be better and will continue to get better,” he said.
“I felt good last week (against Ohio State). I felt good against Nebraska. The stats are going to come.
“I'm always hard on myself as a competitor. No matter how well I play, I always want to get better. That's the chip on my shoulder that I walk with. I always feel I can be better.”
This drive reflects a leadership and resiliency instilled in Tucker by his late mother, Tonya Giddings-Tucker, who passed away from breast cancer in April of 2024. The lesson was clear -- no matter what, keep fighting.
That was true when Tucker was a lightly recruited prospect out of Virginia’s Life Christian Academy and then two seasons at James Madison before joining coach Curt Cignetti at IU.
“A chip has always been on my shoulder,” he says. “It’s how I was brought up and how I had to get here and the work I had to put in to be in this position.
“There’s always a chip on all of our shoulders; all of our guys have chips. We all feel that way. It’s been a theme my whole life.”
That theme continues as IU attempts to bounce back from Saturday’s 20-15 loss to Ohio State that snapped its 22-game winning streak and Cignetti’s 19-0 run at Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium.
“Regardless of how well I play,” Tucker says, “I will always say I could have played better. I’m my biggest critic. Ultimately, it’s always the goal to get better. That’s what I want to continue to do, trend upward. I feel like that’s what I’m doing. That’s always a positive.”
There are others as No. 6/6 IU (6-1 overall, 3-1 in the Big Ten) prepares to play at Michigan (4-2, 1-2) on Saturday.
Consider under Cignetti, players are chosen as captains for a particular week rather than for an entire season. Tucker has earned that designation, calling it “real special.”
“That’s because I grinded for it. I cherish it. I cherish these moments. I don’t take any of it for granted.”
Cignetti calls Tucker “one of my favorites” and that “I’m proud of the progress he’s made as a player” and that “we’re looking for more.”
“Like everything else, you have to be hungry and humble. Nothing good in life comes easy.”
Tucker has never played at Michigan Stadium, never seen a facility that officially seats 108,000, but has held as many as 115,000 for a game.
“I’m excited -- (115,000) people. That’s electric.”
IU is coming off its first loss since December of 2024. Nothing has changed, Tucker says, except the undefeated season is no longer an option.
“We still have everything that we're looking for in front of us,” he says. “We can't let that loss define us. We have to continue to get better and use that as a learning point. Not a negative, but as a positive to fix the holes, fix all the errors that we made. Ultimately, get better from that and keep going.”
Was there an over-riding lesson to learn from defeat?
“That we can compete with the best and ultimately put up good numbers,” Tucker says. “We’ve got to fix the little things, grow from it and continue to get better, trust the process and get one percent better every day.”
One Michigan uncertainty comes at quarterback. Bryce Underwood has started every game this season, but he was replaced at halftime last Saturday against Penn State. Tommy Carr took the helm and led the Wolverines to 21 second-half points and a 21-18 victory over Penn State. Wolverines coach Kyle Whittingham says the team knows who will start but won’t reveal it until Saturday.
It doesn’t matter, Tucker says.
“The new quarterback they put in (against Penn State), he was pretty good for them, but ultimately, it’s on us to prepare physically and mentally to go to war, go to battle. We’ll be prepared for whatever they throw at us.”
Underwood completes 58.1 percent of his passes for 924 yards, five touchdowns, and six interceptions. He’s also rushed for 223 yards and two TDs. Carr is 7-for-9 for 70 yards and a TD.
Basically, Tucker adds, “It’s keep watching film, stop the run and be prepared for whatever quarterback they throw at us.”
IU ranks among the nation’s best defenses in multiple categories under defensive coordinator Bryant Haines, including points allowed (12.9), total yards allowed (270.6), and rushing yards allowed (75.4). It’s no accident, Tucker says.
“It's our mentality, our attack, our relentlessness to get to the ball, and the way we play in a vertical style and an attacking style. I think that all sets up for those kinds of numbers.”
More and more, analytics are used. What does Haines look for?
“Are we getting off the field on third down?” Tucker says. “What are our explosive battles? We want to get explosives and cause explosive plays (tackles for loss, sacks, interceptions, fumbles), negative plays for the offense.”
Michigan averages 22.7 points a game. IU leads the conference by allowing those 12.9 points.
“Our defense as a whole has been really getting after it,” Tucker says, “so I feel like it's been great in that aspect.”