Indiana University Athletics
Quoted: Isaiah Jones, Carter Smith & Tyrique Tucker
9/1/2026 6:00:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. –––– As Indiana Football's Week 1 matchup versus North Texas on Saturday (September 5) approaches, fifth year student-athletes Isaiah Jones, Carter Smith and Tyrique Tucker 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.
Isaiah Jones | LB | Fifth Year
On freshmen and transfers learning Cignetti's culture…
IJ: I think they see us lead by example, but (something that)we kind of try to get them a heads up is he's going to respect your time, but when you're here it is his time and it is going to be time well spent. So you better come ready to work and you need to come with the right attitude.
On playing with North Texas quarterback Tavyen Jackson in years past…
IJ: It kind of depends on what kind of offense a quarterback is in, but (Tayven Jackson) is an outstanding player. He is athletic. He has strong arms. So, we're preparing like we would any other quarterback, but it is just a guy we have gone against a few times in practice.
On preparing for a team filled with transfers and newcomers…
IJ: I mean, I won't lie to you, it is different. You don't have a game to watch from this season. That's the landscape of college football. That's what every team is dealing with. Every team is going to have brand new players, brand new teams, they might run brand new plays they (didn't) run last year. They had a good team last year, but that team is all gone now, so it's trying to find tendencies from the new coordinators they have coming in and how they are going to play their players strengths.
Carter Smith | OL | Fifth Year
On how the game will feel for him with Indiana being the reigning national champs
CS: A little bit, just for the fact that I haven't played since the National Championship game, but other than that, the main thing is we're keeping everything the same, approaching one week at a time. All we have to do is beat North Texas.
On what kind of an experience he had during fall camp this year did and how will that show on the field…
CS: To my experience, we must see what happens on Saturday. We have such talented defense, so it's hard going up against guys like that. But there are flashes throughout the fall camp and spring ball where you're able to point something out and be like "oh, this is good and something that you can pocket and something you can use for later"
On what the confidence level is for Josh Hoover right now
CS: He's really stepped into his leadership role, and that's something that Coach Tino (Sunseri) preaches, you know. If you're going to be the leader of the offense at the quarterback position, you really have to run against your guys and run offense the way that you want. So, he's been very vocal, and he's shown a lot of great flashes throughout fall camp against our defense.
Tyrique Tucker | DL | Fifth Year
On if the season opener feels different being the defending national champions…
TT: I don't think it hits any different. The recipe is the recipe, we have to handle everything we have to handle, do what we have to do this week and prepare the right way. Ultimately, the next opponent is our best opponent.
On the hardest part of Coach Cignetti's culture for new additions to pick up…
TT: I would just say it's how you carry yourself every day and the work you put in, it really speaks for itself. If guys are looking at you and trying to see what they need to do, they can just look right at you. It's more so trying to be a prime example for them and show them the way they can achieve what they want to achieve in this program if they put the work in, handle what they have to handle, and take care of everything off the field and on the field. More so, just be that example.
On Tobi Osunsanmi and Chiddi Obiazor and what makes them so special both individually and as a package...
TT: They naturally have built in chemistry, being that they came from the same school. They rush so hard. They're great pass rushers, they know how to fit the run, and it really helps us that we have those guys.
#NeverDaunted
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.
Isaiah Jones | LB | Fifth Year
On freshmen and transfers learning Cignetti's culture…
IJ: I think they see us lead by example, but (something that)we kind of try to get them a heads up is he's going to respect your time, but when you're here it is his time and it is going to be time well spent. So you better come ready to work and you need to come with the right attitude.
On playing with North Texas quarterback Tavyen Jackson in years past…
IJ: It kind of depends on what kind of offense a quarterback is in, but (Tayven Jackson) is an outstanding player. He is athletic. He has strong arms. So, we're preparing like we would any other quarterback, but it is just a guy we have gone against a few times in practice.
On preparing for a team filled with transfers and newcomers…
IJ: I mean, I won't lie to you, it is different. You don't have a game to watch from this season. That's the landscape of college football. That's what every team is dealing with. Every team is going to have brand new players, brand new teams, they might run brand new plays they (didn't) run last year. They had a good team last year, but that team is all gone now, so it's trying to find tendencies from the new coordinators they have coming in and how they are going to play their players strengths.
Carter Smith | OL | Fifth Year
On how the game will feel for him with Indiana being the reigning national champs
CS: A little bit, just for the fact that I haven't played since the National Championship game, but other than that, the main thing is we're keeping everything the same, approaching one week at a time. All we have to do is beat North Texas.
On what kind of an experience he had during fall camp this year did and how will that show on the field…
CS: To my experience, we must see what happens on Saturday. We have such talented defense, so it's hard going up against guys like that. But there are flashes throughout the fall camp and spring ball where you're able to point something out and be like "oh, this is good and something that you can pocket and something you can use for later"
On what the confidence level is for Josh Hoover right now
CS: He's really stepped into his leadership role, and that's something that Coach Tino (Sunseri) preaches, you know. If you're going to be the leader of the offense at the quarterback position, you really have to run against your guys and run offense the way that you want. So, he's been very vocal, and he's shown a lot of great flashes throughout fall camp against our defense.
Tyrique Tucker | DL | Fifth Year
On if the season opener feels different being the defending national champions…
TT: I don't think it hits any different. The recipe is the recipe, we have to handle everything we have to handle, do what we have to do this week and prepare the right way. Ultimately, the next opponent is our best opponent.
On the hardest part of Coach Cignetti's culture for new additions to pick up…
TT: I would just say it's how you carry yourself every day and the work you put in, it really speaks for itself. If guys are looking at you and trying to see what they need to do, they can just look right at you. It's more so trying to be a prime example for them and show them the way they can achieve what they want to achieve in this program if they put the work in, handle what they have to handle, and take care of everything off the field and on the field. More so, just be that example.
On Tobi Osunsanmi and Chiddi Obiazor and what makes them so special both individually and as a package...
TT: They naturally have built in chemistry, being that they came from the same school. They rush so hard. They're great pass rushers, they know how to fit the run, and it really helps us that we have those guys.
#NeverDaunted
Players Mentioned
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