Indiana University Athletics
Media Monday: at Nebraska
10/5/2026 1:00:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. –––– Following Indiana's 47-15 win at Rutgers in Week 5, Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti addressed the media inside the Don Croftcheck Football Team room on Monday (October 5) ahead of the noon kickoff on Saturday (October 10) at Nebraska in Memorial Stadium.
Below is a full transcript of the press conference, while video of the media session can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
CC | Head Coach
Opening Statement
CC: CC: Good road win Saturday night. We did a lot of things well. Still some things to clean up. Zero penalties was huge, obviously, going on the road and not having any penalties, outrushing the opposition 336 to 60.
Defense held them to 2 out of 14 on 3rd and 4th down. A couple first-half stops created some nice field position.
It was a good way to start Big Ten play on the road, and we've got a tremendous challenge this week in Nebraska. Very impressive team on tape. A lot of respect for Coach Rhule, what he's accomplished throughout his career, the kind of person he is, what he represents, and what they put on tape.
They're outscoring the opposition 44-14, +6 in the turnover ratio, 230 yards a game rushing, throw it well.
The quarterback I know well. Played against him at JMU when we went to Virginia. He was a true freshman, stepped in, really played well, and he's had an outstanding career. He can beat you with his arm and his legs.
Flying around on defense, trying to keep you off balance, impressive. Impressive football team. We'll have to play really well.
Questions?
On Henry Ohlinger's position and building out a roster in the transfer portal era…
CC: Yeah, we'll evaluate the running back depth week-to-week, day-to-day. He was an outstanding running back and linebacker in high school.
In terms of numbers, I've always carried a smaller roster, even here. It's not much of an issue.
On evaluating Trevor Gibbs' performance from the weekend…
CC: Yeah, he missed some time in camp, and it was good to get him back about three weeks ago. I thought he played well Saturday night. Brock Schott got more snaps too. Andrew Barker went out early with an injury, and I thought those guys did well.
On what makes Anthony Colandrea such a hard player to defend against…
CC: Well, every year you play, you get better because repetition is the mother of learning. Nothing like game reps. He's had a lot of success throughout his career. He's very talented. He's savvy, first of all, and I think he sees the field really well, and he's very mobile and elusive too. So if there's nothing there, he has the ability to create plays with his arm and his legs.
He was their leading rusher last week. He's got a strong arm and he's really smart. They've done a really nice job with him in this offense. He was Player of the Year in the conference he came from.
On Davion Chandler's progression…
CC: Yeah, he's made plays for us. He's a playmaker. We try to put him in position to make plays, and he keeps getting better. I think every week more consistent. It's all about consistency. And I think his blocking has improved as well.
On if going on the road and getting a win has a galvanizing effect…
CC: Going on the road and winning is a good thing. It might bring you together a little bit. It's a little different when you've played four straight at home and then go on the road. It's just different.
I wouldn't say we needed to go on the road (chuckling).
On AJ Harris' progress in getting back on the field and what he saw out of the secondary…
CC: He's day-to-day. Jamari Sharpe went on the bench and played well, and Bell has played well at the field. Jaylen Bell has played well. (Quan) Sanks is playing more of a safety and rover for us. He flies around, and I like the way he plays. I think those guys have done extremely well.
On Stephen Daley's productivity and focus amidst joining the team late…
CC: I think he's focused on his craft and his game. His rehab took place when he was not on campus before, prior. He came in in decent shape, and he's playing well.
On the defense being ultra productive without creating as many turnovers…
CC: I think we're giving up 10 points a game maybe. We had two 4th down stops in the first half, which is like creating a turnover. When we get people bottled up and create sacks and TFLs, we generally get good field position on offense.
I think we keep improving. I think all facets of our team are improving. And no, I don't have any concerns. We're on the plus side of the turnover ratio, and they had no penalties. Rutgers had some explosive people in the skill positions, and I thought we did a nice job.
On if there are any parallels between Anthony Colandrea and other mobile quarterbacks faced this season…
CC: They're a little different. They're both very good players. We've played guys that are mobile and can throw it. A guy that can spin it pretty good and process and get it where it's got to be accurately as quickly as possible, on time, on rhythm, that can also extend plays and make his with his legs, that's a real weapon for the offense. So we'll have to do a great job of caging this guy and putting pressure on him.
On getting the team geared up for a big-time test this weekend at Nebraska…
CC: Well, it's a Big Ten game on the road against an undefeated team, so it's a huge challenge, which we have to respond to, and our guys will be excited to play.
I've never been to Nebraska. I've never been to the state of Nebraska, and I'm looking forward to it. I've heard great things about the stadium, the fans. Obviously great tradition and history there through the years. They're playing really well, and Coach Rhule and his entire staff have done a tremendous job of developing that program, and what they've put on tape this year is extremely impressive.
On Tobi Osunsanmi's increasing production…
CC: Repetition, again. There's still a play or two where maybe he was supposed to do this and he did that. But he's a quick-twitch guy that has really good pass rush ability. He can get from point A to point B really quickly. He plays really hard, and we can drop him in coverage and he's effective doing that too.
He's really developing into a guy that can create a difference for us.
On what Turbo Richard does to create so many big plays…
CC: Well, he prepares himself. He's a real consistent guy. His standards are high, his work ethic, his preparation. I think he sees the game quickly. He has good cutting ability, very patient, but burst and acceleration too.
He's a great guy to have on the team in terms of leadership and the running back room. He's got excellent hands, and he's really good at pass pro. Really good. He's had some outstanding games almost every game, outstanding.
He's a real weapon.
On patience being a key aspect to the running backs' success…
CC: Yeah, patience, vision, and then the ability to accelerate and hit the hole, especially against Rutgers, doing a lot of twisting and linebacker movement, finding the creases because they're not big creases a lot of times. But those guys do a good job of finding them, and Coach Miller does a tremendous job of preparing them.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
#NeverDaunted
Below is a full transcript of the press conference, while video of the media session can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
CC | Head Coach
Opening Statement
CC: CC: Good road win Saturday night. We did a lot of things well. Still some things to clean up. Zero penalties was huge, obviously, going on the road and not having any penalties, outrushing the opposition 336 to 60.
Defense held them to 2 out of 14 on 3rd and 4th down. A couple first-half stops created some nice field position.
It was a good way to start Big Ten play on the road, and we've got a tremendous challenge this week in Nebraska. Very impressive team on tape. A lot of respect for Coach Rhule, what he's accomplished throughout his career, the kind of person he is, what he represents, and what they put on tape.
They're outscoring the opposition 44-14, +6 in the turnover ratio, 230 yards a game rushing, throw it well.
The quarterback I know well. Played against him at JMU when we went to Virginia. He was a true freshman, stepped in, really played well, and he's had an outstanding career. He can beat you with his arm and his legs.
Flying around on defense, trying to keep you off balance, impressive. Impressive football team. We'll have to play really well.
Questions?
On Henry Ohlinger's position and building out a roster in the transfer portal era…
CC: Yeah, we'll evaluate the running back depth week-to-week, day-to-day. He was an outstanding running back and linebacker in high school.
In terms of numbers, I've always carried a smaller roster, even here. It's not much of an issue.
On evaluating Trevor Gibbs' performance from the weekend…
CC: Yeah, he missed some time in camp, and it was good to get him back about three weeks ago. I thought he played well Saturday night. Brock Schott got more snaps too. Andrew Barker went out early with an injury, and I thought those guys did well.
On what makes Anthony Colandrea such a hard player to defend against…
CC: Well, every year you play, you get better because repetition is the mother of learning. Nothing like game reps. He's had a lot of success throughout his career. He's very talented. He's savvy, first of all, and I think he sees the field really well, and he's very mobile and elusive too. So if there's nothing there, he has the ability to create plays with his arm and his legs.
He was their leading rusher last week. He's got a strong arm and he's really smart. They've done a really nice job with him in this offense. He was Player of the Year in the conference he came from.
On Davion Chandler's progression…
CC: Yeah, he's made plays for us. He's a playmaker. We try to put him in position to make plays, and he keeps getting better. I think every week more consistent. It's all about consistency. And I think his blocking has improved as well.
On if going on the road and getting a win has a galvanizing effect…
CC: Going on the road and winning is a good thing. It might bring you together a little bit. It's a little different when you've played four straight at home and then go on the road. It's just different.
I wouldn't say we needed to go on the road (chuckling).
On AJ Harris' progress in getting back on the field and what he saw out of the secondary…
CC: He's day-to-day. Jamari Sharpe went on the bench and played well, and Bell has played well at the field. Jaylen Bell has played well. (Quan) Sanks is playing more of a safety and rover for us. He flies around, and I like the way he plays. I think those guys have done extremely well.
On Stephen Daley's productivity and focus amidst joining the team late…
CC: I think he's focused on his craft and his game. His rehab took place when he was not on campus before, prior. He came in in decent shape, and he's playing well.
On the defense being ultra productive without creating as many turnovers…
CC: I think we're giving up 10 points a game maybe. We had two 4th down stops in the first half, which is like creating a turnover. When we get people bottled up and create sacks and TFLs, we generally get good field position on offense.
I think we keep improving. I think all facets of our team are improving. And no, I don't have any concerns. We're on the plus side of the turnover ratio, and they had no penalties. Rutgers had some explosive people in the skill positions, and I thought we did a nice job.
On if there are any parallels between Anthony Colandrea and other mobile quarterbacks faced this season…
CC: They're a little different. They're both very good players. We've played guys that are mobile and can throw it. A guy that can spin it pretty good and process and get it where it's got to be accurately as quickly as possible, on time, on rhythm, that can also extend plays and make his with his legs, that's a real weapon for the offense. So we'll have to do a great job of caging this guy and putting pressure on him.
On getting the team geared up for a big-time test this weekend at Nebraska…
CC: Well, it's a Big Ten game on the road against an undefeated team, so it's a huge challenge, which we have to respond to, and our guys will be excited to play.
I've never been to Nebraska. I've never been to the state of Nebraska, and I'm looking forward to it. I've heard great things about the stadium, the fans. Obviously great tradition and history there through the years. They're playing really well, and Coach Rhule and his entire staff have done a tremendous job of developing that program, and what they've put on tape this year is extremely impressive.
On Tobi Osunsanmi's increasing production…
CC: Repetition, again. There's still a play or two where maybe he was supposed to do this and he did that. But he's a quick-twitch guy that has really good pass rush ability. He can get from point A to point B really quickly. He plays really hard, and we can drop him in coverage and he's effective doing that too.
He's really developing into a guy that can create a difference for us.
On what Turbo Richard does to create so many big plays…
CC: Well, he prepares himself. He's a real consistent guy. His standards are high, his work ethic, his preparation. I think he sees the game quickly. He has good cutting ability, very patient, but burst and acceleration too.
He's a great guy to have on the team in terms of leadership and the running back room. He's got excellent hands, and he's really good at pass pro. Really good. He's had some outstanding games almost every game, outstanding.
He's a real weapon.
On patience being a key aspect to the running backs' success…
CC: Yeah, patience, vision, and then the ability to accelerate and hit the hole, especially against Rutgers, doing a lot of twisting and linebacker movement, finding the creases because they're not big creases a lot of times. But those guys do a good job of finding them, and Coach Miller does a tremendous job of preparing them.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
#NeverDaunted
Players Mentioned
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TE
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DB
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