Indiana University Athletics
Postgame Quotes: Western Kentucky
9/19/2026 8:00:00 PM | Football
Postgame Quotes
Western Kentucky at Indiana
September 19, 2026
Curt Cignetti | Indiana Head Coach
Opening Statement
CC: It was a ballgame. Western Kentucky played well early. We squandered a few opportunities, mainly offensively, where we had a chance to make some explosive plays in some critical situations.
Isaiah Jones' play was huge in terms of a momentum swing. And then we went in the locker room with two-score lead and got down there right away, had to settle for a field goal, and then made the long pass to Charlie (Becker).
And then from that point on really could have just named it maybe. We were more interested in shortening and getting out of the game instead of risking the chance of somebody (getting hurt) - because we are thin in some positions. Even when you emptied the bench, you're still thin at certain positions, so that's part of the management of the team a lot of times that never gets talked about.
Good win. I like the way we responded when the game got tight. Now we get ready for a short week against Northwestern who was 8-5 last year, went to a bowl. New quarterback from Michigan State, we all know him well, saw him run for 66 against us one play last year here. They're a good football team.
On what changed after goal line stand…
CC: Yeah, I think that was key right there. They got down there and we stopped them. Third-and-two, fourth-and-two. [It] Really gave us a shot in the arm. After that, we pretty much dominated the line of scrimmage, and the quarterback was under duress. [It] was a long day for them.
On defense's makeup through three games…
CC: We've gotten better since the first game for sure. [It] Sure will help if we have (Kellan) Wyatt and (Stephen) Daley. It's hard to measure that. We'll find out, we think, soon. But if not, we lost some key guys last year, and other guys stepped up.
I give the corners a lot of credit. AJ Harris, when we brought him in here, we thought he would help us and really he has probably practiced 20 percent of the time since he's been here.
(In) Some spots we're really thin, but we got good players, good front line players. We just got to keep them healthy. Bryant (Haines) and the defensive staff will do a good job getting them ready.
On if Charlie Becker is slated to be punt returner going forward…
CC: Today he was, yeah. And I'm on the staff about getting the No. 2 guy in there at the end of the game, but we're telling him just fair catch it, because today would've been (Amare) Ferrell, right? And you'll see Tyler (Morris) again back there. We just thought we would give him a little break because we don't want that to get in his head.
On 19 consecutive victories…
CC: It's been a nice run. Of course we get criticized because we kind of play an exhibition season before we go into the Big Ten play. I can understand that. But those exhibition seasons have been real valuable for us. Last year we played 16 games. We were 16-0. Hadn't been done since 1893 or something.
So for spring ball we had a lot of guys out with postseason surgery and even the new guys that came in, so, I mean, we've needed these games to learn about ourselves, our guys, where we are, and what we have to do to be the best we can be.
On Isaiah Jones interception…
CC: I would have to look at it on tape. It appeared to be a roll out a little bit to me. People are going to try to get the ball out of their hands quick against us. I mean, look at (Rolijah) Hardy. He's had a couple pick sixes, and now [Isaiah]. So when we're on our game we're tough to protect against. So the big play, that is two weeks in a row defense scored a touchdown. Well, they didn't score a touchdown.
On halftime messaging…
CC: Coaches make their adjustments on offense, defense, in the coaches room, and usually these kind of situations. I've said this before where we are maybe not where we quite want to be against a team that everybody believes we're better than, which we are.
I just talked to them, like, hey, let's play our game and relax and play like we can play. So we still made some mistakes in the second half, but we made progress. I see progress in areas that are hard to measure. This team has progressed.
On mental approach going into Big Ten play…
CC: I think all our guys, it's just human nature. I think that they're going to be ready to do things they got to do.
On Tobi Osunsanmi and Daniel Ndukwe performances…
CC: They're the bench guys and the leaders in the [tackles for loss] in the team, so been playing well.
On Nick Marsh's involvement early in the game…
CC: He didn't start last week. There was a reason. And then we didn't really decide until yesterday who would start there.
At receiver it's funny, somehow the opportunities come one week and then the well runs dry maybe. I remember Elijah Surratt in fall camp would be a week without having the ball thrown to him.
So a lot of variables. And I thought he played really well other than maybe cutting inside on that - we ran that bootleg out there and he cut into where the defensive pursuit was coming from.
He had a couple nice blocks. I think he played really well in all the games. And I think he's coming. I really do. (Shazz) Preston is as well.
Indiana Student-Athletes
Josh Hoover / QB
On how the team can keep challenging itself to improve across the course of the season…
JH: It goes back to what Coach (Cignetti) always preaches, right? There is a standard we are trying to play to, and that standard is perfection and playing to the best of our capabilities. I think that is a continuous process that we're chasing. Honestly, the goal is to always reach that, but sometimes you're going to fall short. So, that is the thing that keeps you driving forward. That is what I talked to the guys about is that, look, guys, these first three (games) we have done some good stuff and have some things that we have to clean up, but we just have to keep coming to work every day. That is what I love about this group, is that they are eager to work. I think we just have to continue to have that mindset.
On what he needs to do to consistently put the ball where he needs it to be to get those completions…
JH: Today there (were) a couple that I would love to have back. There was the fourth down to Nick (Marsh), where I just threw it behind him. And there was a vertical I threw off of his fingertip, and there was one of Tino down here where I thought I could have put out about a foot further and maybe had a chance to score. So, it's just a process and trying to continue to just be accurate. I know I am an accurate guy, and I know I am going to make those adjustments, and I am going to put our team in better situations on some of those third downs to continue to prolong drives. And I have to do a better job of that, and I will. So, I think we always talk about it's back to work, and I know I can make those throws, and I think the coaches know that as well. And that is why the standard is so high for me, especially for myself. I know I can make those plays. I have made those plays over the last couple of years. I will, it is just something I have got to get back to work and figure out maybe what I did wrong there and what I can improve. We will make the adjustment and move forward.
Charlie Becker / WR
On offensive performance…
CB: I think there's a lot that we need to fix. I think we came out a little slower than we wanted to. But we'll watch the film. We'll get better.
On if Friday's game will affect the preparation schedule...
CB: Not at all. We're going to stick to it like it's every other game.
On quarterback Josh Hoover…
CB: Josh brought in all the receivers together. I know there's spots that we left out, there's mistakes that I've made, but I'm going to get better. He said that he hasn't played nearly as well as he needs to be playing. But as a receiver, I think we have his back. He's a tough kid. We believe in him, and that's our QB1.
On wide receiver Nick Marsh…
CB: Nick Marsh is a really hard worker. He always wants to improve in his game. And we talk to each other during practices. Nick is looking to improve, and I love having him on my side.
Turbo Richard / RB
On what he saw out of the run game today…
TR: [We] just had to make a couple of adjustments. Coming in, I had a hard time. We made the adjustments, and I thought we came out with a better run game.
On team messaging coming out of the first half…
TR: We just [have] to keep doing what we do, look at the film, make the adjustments we need to. Make the adjustments, and you're good.
On steps needed to improve…
TR: [It's] Going back to the film, correcting our mistakes and capitalize on that. Just get as consistent as we can.
Rolijah Hardy / LB
On first-half interception…
RH: It was big. It was definitely a good game-changing play that gave us a lot of momentum going into that second half.
On team's mindset…
RH: Yeah, we play with our highest standard. Coach (Cignetti), assistant coaches to the players and leaders, we always want to keep that high standard. Week in and week out we always try to meet that standard.
On relationship with fellow linebacker Isaiah Jones…
RH: Me and Isaiah have been going at it with each other for the past two years. Like you said, we always used to joke around, but, at times, it's serious. And it's a brotherhood. He's one of my closest friends, and we use that energy to play on the field as well.
Isaiah Jones / LB
On how first-half interception helped the team…
IJ: Football is just a game where people feed off energy, no matter who you're playing. If you can't get off the field on third downs and you give them life, it breathes energy on their sidelines. I think that play just gave us the kind of energy we needed to get back on track, get back to our roots and play how we play.
On defense's confidence…
IJ: It's one play at a time. If everyone does their job, you're gonna like the result. I think it's just a culmination of all of the guys on the same page. You're gonna have mistakes, you're gonna have times when they're gonna drive the wall and get a first down, but it's that next play mentality. I think we have a lot of guys that believe in that and step up when their name is called.
On where the team can improve..
IJ: We feel like we have a lot more corrections we can make. There's maybe too many gash plays, too many throws getting completed, too many runs coming out. We know we have work to do. You have to improve every week, and we take that personally, and we have a lot of pride in that.
Tyson Helton | Western Kentucky Head Coach
Opening Statement
TH: Congratulations, Indiana. Really good football team, best in the country, [and] they showed it today. We did a lot of good things today, particularly defensively. I thought the guys battled hard defensively. [I] Thought early on, we had some things going on offensively but kind of faded away. We got to get better offensively and finish drives, do better in short-yard situations, all these apparent things. But very excited to get back home, get to play our first home game, and no matter who the opponent is we gotta play our best game. We got to put a complete game together and try to get that first home win.
On how team improved…
TH: Some areas we got better, I felt like particularly defensively from the first game until now [...] We've shown flashes offensively. We're nowhere near where we need to be offensively, [and that] starts with the offensive line. I thought we played pretty poorly in the offensive line today. They were a good front, and you're already going to have a hard time up front with them. But we did not play well. [The] Quarterback was rushed way too much, took too many hits. We got to get better offensively. The name of the game is winning. We can't assume who we play, that they'll be more motivated to come beat us, and we've got to go get a win next week.
On quarterback situation…
TH: Rodney (Tisdale Jr.) was dinged up and then also Brock (Glenn) was dinged up, but Brock was healthier than Rodney, so Brock was able to go. I'll see where Brock is tomorrow, how he's doing, and see how Rodney's health is doing and try to make decisions on him next week about where we need to go offensively with the quarterback position. But, yeah, they were both dinged up.
On momentum shift following second-quarter interception…
TH: I think it was tough. The interception right before half was tough. It takes momentum away, but you got to rebound. We got to bounce back. We come out of the locker room, halftime, we're up on defense. They hit a shot early, they scored early. [We] Just didn't put it all together, got worn down there at the end. Offense had a couple drives, stops, missed assignments, and some things that hurt us. We just couldn't sustain in the second half, that was what I was disappointed in. We started to fade in the second half. I really wanted us to become all stronger in the second half.
Western Kentucky Student-Athletes
Brock Glenn / QB
On team's performance…
BG: There's a lot to clean up, a lot to grow and get better from. Obviously, we come into every game expecting to win, and we play to win. We didn't get the job done, but I think that we have a lot to grow and learn from, and that's only gonna make us a better team.
On tailoring offense to his running ability…
BG: We like to be as versatile as possible in our offense, using the quarterback to run, expanding the pocket, staying in the pocket, play action, straight drop back. We try to do a little bit of everything and stay as dynamic as possible.
On fourth-and-2 play on the goal line…
BG: We were breaking the huddle quickly, trying to go through our reads. [I] Left the ball a little too high, couldn't really see in front of my throw, so I didn't want to throw it into the blind, so I had to leave it high. [I] Left it a little too high for my liking, though. But [it's] something to grow and learn from.
Mackavelli Malotumau / DL
On starting fast defensively…
MM: We preach executing throughout the week, going out there, starting fast and executing, and we just didn't do good enough to finish off the game. So back to the drawing board.
On facing Georgia and Indiana in consecutive games…
MM: It's building more character. It's a blessing that we're playing [...] in front of millions. We're gonna come back as one, just stack days upon days, and get better as a team.
On if Indiana took them seriously…
MM: I feel like they're (Indiana) going to play how they're going to play. We're going to play how we're going to play. So if they weren't trying, I said, we're going to try every game we get. Every game that's on our schedule, we're gonna try.
Western Kentucky at Indiana
September 19, 2026
Curt Cignetti | Indiana Head Coach
Opening Statement
CC: It was a ballgame. Western Kentucky played well early. We squandered a few opportunities, mainly offensively, where we had a chance to make some explosive plays in some critical situations.
Isaiah Jones' play was huge in terms of a momentum swing. And then we went in the locker room with two-score lead and got down there right away, had to settle for a field goal, and then made the long pass to Charlie (Becker).
And then from that point on really could have just named it maybe. We were more interested in shortening and getting out of the game instead of risking the chance of somebody (getting hurt) - because we are thin in some positions. Even when you emptied the bench, you're still thin at certain positions, so that's part of the management of the team a lot of times that never gets talked about.
Good win. I like the way we responded when the game got tight. Now we get ready for a short week against Northwestern who was 8-5 last year, went to a bowl. New quarterback from Michigan State, we all know him well, saw him run for 66 against us one play last year here. They're a good football team.
On what changed after goal line stand…
CC: Yeah, I think that was key right there. They got down there and we stopped them. Third-and-two, fourth-and-two. [It] Really gave us a shot in the arm. After that, we pretty much dominated the line of scrimmage, and the quarterback was under duress. [It] was a long day for them.
On defense's makeup through three games…
CC: We've gotten better since the first game for sure. [It] Sure will help if we have (Kellan) Wyatt and (Stephen) Daley. It's hard to measure that. We'll find out, we think, soon. But if not, we lost some key guys last year, and other guys stepped up.
I give the corners a lot of credit. AJ Harris, when we brought him in here, we thought he would help us and really he has probably practiced 20 percent of the time since he's been here.
(In) Some spots we're really thin, but we got good players, good front line players. We just got to keep them healthy. Bryant (Haines) and the defensive staff will do a good job getting them ready.
On if Charlie Becker is slated to be punt returner going forward…
CC: Today he was, yeah. And I'm on the staff about getting the No. 2 guy in there at the end of the game, but we're telling him just fair catch it, because today would've been (Amare) Ferrell, right? And you'll see Tyler (Morris) again back there. We just thought we would give him a little break because we don't want that to get in his head.
On 19 consecutive victories…
CC: It's been a nice run. Of course we get criticized because we kind of play an exhibition season before we go into the Big Ten play. I can understand that. But those exhibition seasons have been real valuable for us. Last year we played 16 games. We were 16-0. Hadn't been done since 1893 or something.
So for spring ball we had a lot of guys out with postseason surgery and even the new guys that came in, so, I mean, we've needed these games to learn about ourselves, our guys, where we are, and what we have to do to be the best we can be.
On Isaiah Jones interception…
CC: I would have to look at it on tape. It appeared to be a roll out a little bit to me. People are going to try to get the ball out of their hands quick against us. I mean, look at (Rolijah) Hardy. He's had a couple pick sixes, and now [Isaiah]. So when we're on our game we're tough to protect against. So the big play, that is two weeks in a row defense scored a touchdown. Well, they didn't score a touchdown.
On halftime messaging…
CC: Coaches make their adjustments on offense, defense, in the coaches room, and usually these kind of situations. I've said this before where we are maybe not where we quite want to be against a team that everybody believes we're better than, which we are.
I just talked to them, like, hey, let's play our game and relax and play like we can play. So we still made some mistakes in the second half, but we made progress. I see progress in areas that are hard to measure. This team has progressed.
On mental approach going into Big Ten play…
CC: I think all our guys, it's just human nature. I think that they're going to be ready to do things they got to do.
On Tobi Osunsanmi and Daniel Ndukwe performances…
CC: They're the bench guys and the leaders in the [tackles for loss] in the team, so been playing well.
On Nick Marsh's involvement early in the game…
CC: He didn't start last week. There was a reason. And then we didn't really decide until yesterday who would start there.
At receiver it's funny, somehow the opportunities come one week and then the well runs dry maybe. I remember Elijah Surratt in fall camp would be a week without having the ball thrown to him.
So a lot of variables. And I thought he played really well other than maybe cutting inside on that - we ran that bootleg out there and he cut into where the defensive pursuit was coming from.
He had a couple nice blocks. I think he played really well in all the games. And I think he's coming. I really do. (Shazz) Preston is as well.
Indiana Student-Athletes
Josh Hoover / QB
On how the team can keep challenging itself to improve across the course of the season…
JH: It goes back to what Coach (Cignetti) always preaches, right? There is a standard we are trying to play to, and that standard is perfection and playing to the best of our capabilities. I think that is a continuous process that we're chasing. Honestly, the goal is to always reach that, but sometimes you're going to fall short. So, that is the thing that keeps you driving forward. That is what I talked to the guys about is that, look, guys, these first three (games) we have done some good stuff and have some things that we have to clean up, but we just have to keep coming to work every day. That is what I love about this group, is that they are eager to work. I think we just have to continue to have that mindset.
On what he needs to do to consistently put the ball where he needs it to be to get those completions…
JH: Today there (were) a couple that I would love to have back. There was the fourth down to Nick (Marsh), where I just threw it behind him. And there was a vertical I threw off of his fingertip, and there was one of Tino down here where I thought I could have put out about a foot further and maybe had a chance to score. So, it's just a process and trying to continue to just be accurate. I know I am an accurate guy, and I know I am going to make those adjustments, and I am going to put our team in better situations on some of those third downs to continue to prolong drives. And I have to do a better job of that, and I will. So, I think we always talk about it's back to work, and I know I can make those throws, and I think the coaches know that as well. And that is why the standard is so high for me, especially for myself. I know I can make those plays. I have made those plays over the last couple of years. I will, it is just something I have got to get back to work and figure out maybe what I did wrong there and what I can improve. We will make the adjustment and move forward.
Charlie Becker / WR
On offensive performance…
CB: I think there's a lot that we need to fix. I think we came out a little slower than we wanted to. But we'll watch the film. We'll get better.
On if Friday's game will affect the preparation schedule...
CB: Not at all. We're going to stick to it like it's every other game.
On quarterback Josh Hoover…
CB: Josh brought in all the receivers together. I know there's spots that we left out, there's mistakes that I've made, but I'm going to get better. He said that he hasn't played nearly as well as he needs to be playing. But as a receiver, I think we have his back. He's a tough kid. We believe in him, and that's our QB1.
On wide receiver Nick Marsh…
CB: Nick Marsh is a really hard worker. He always wants to improve in his game. And we talk to each other during practices. Nick is looking to improve, and I love having him on my side.
Turbo Richard / RB
On what he saw out of the run game today…
TR: [We] just had to make a couple of adjustments. Coming in, I had a hard time. We made the adjustments, and I thought we came out with a better run game.
On team messaging coming out of the first half…
TR: We just [have] to keep doing what we do, look at the film, make the adjustments we need to. Make the adjustments, and you're good.
On steps needed to improve…
TR: [It's] Going back to the film, correcting our mistakes and capitalize on that. Just get as consistent as we can.
Rolijah Hardy / LB
On first-half interception…
RH: It was big. It was definitely a good game-changing play that gave us a lot of momentum going into that second half.
On team's mindset…
RH: Yeah, we play with our highest standard. Coach (Cignetti), assistant coaches to the players and leaders, we always want to keep that high standard. Week in and week out we always try to meet that standard.
On relationship with fellow linebacker Isaiah Jones…
RH: Me and Isaiah have been going at it with each other for the past two years. Like you said, we always used to joke around, but, at times, it's serious. And it's a brotherhood. He's one of my closest friends, and we use that energy to play on the field as well.
Isaiah Jones / LB
On how first-half interception helped the team…
IJ: Football is just a game where people feed off energy, no matter who you're playing. If you can't get off the field on third downs and you give them life, it breathes energy on their sidelines. I think that play just gave us the kind of energy we needed to get back on track, get back to our roots and play how we play.
On defense's confidence…
IJ: It's one play at a time. If everyone does their job, you're gonna like the result. I think it's just a culmination of all of the guys on the same page. You're gonna have mistakes, you're gonna have times when they're gonna drive the wall and get a first down, but it's that next play mentality. I think we have a lot of guys that believe in that and step up when their name is called.
On where the team can improve..
IJ: We feel like we have a lot more corrections we can make. There's maybe too many gash plays, too many throws getting completed, too many runs coming out. We know we have work to do. You have to improve every week, and we take that personally, and we have a lot of pride in that.
Tyson Helton | Western Kentucky Head Coach
Opening Statement
TH: Congratulations, Indiana. Really good football team, best in the country, [and] they showed it today. We did a lot of good things today, particularly defensively. I thought the guys battled hard defensively. [I] Thought early on, we had some things going on offensively but kind of faded away. We got to get better offensively and finish drives, do better in short-yard situations, all these apparent things. But very excited to get back home, get to play our first home game, and no matter who the opponent is we gotta play our best game. We got to put a complete game together and try to get that first home win.
On how team improved…
TH: Some areas we got better, I felt like particularly defensively from the first game until now [...] We've shown flashes offensively. We're nowhere near where we need to be offensively, [and that] starts with the offensive line. I thought we played pretty poorly in the offensive line today. They were a good front, and you're already going to have a hard time up front with them. But we did not play well. [The] Quarterback was rushed way too much, took too many hits. We got to get better offensively. The name of the game is winning. We can't assume who we play, that they'll be more motivated to come beat us, and we've got to go get a win next week.
On quarterback situation…
TH: Rodney (Tisdale Jr.) was dinged up and then also Brock (Glenn) was dinged up, but Brock was healthier than Rodney, so Brock was able to go. I'll see where Brock is tomorrow, how he's doing, and see how Rodney's health is doing and try to make decisions on him next week about where we need to go offensively with the quarterback position. But, yeah, they were both dinged up.
On momentum shift following second-quarter interception…
TH: I think it was tough. The interception right before half was tough. It takes momentum away, but you got to rebound. We got to bounce back. We come out of the locker room, halftime, we're up on defense. They hit a shot early, they scored early. [We] Just didn't put it all together, got worn down there at the end. Offense had a couple drives, stops, missed assignments, and some things that hurt us. We just couldn't sustain in the second half, that was what I was disappointed in. We started to fade in the second half. I really wanted us to become all stronger in the second half.
Western Kentucky Student-Athletes
Brock Glenn / QB
On team's performance…
BG: There's a lot to clean up, a lot to grow and get better from. Obviously, we come into every game expecting to win, and we play to win. We didn't get the job done, but I think that we have a lot to grow and learn from, and that's only gonna make us a better team.
On tailoring offense to his running ability…
BG: We like to be as versatile as possible in our offense, using the quarterback to run, expanding the pocket, staying in the pocket, play action, straight drop back. We try to do a little bit of everything and stay as dynamic as possible.
On fourth-and-2 play on the goal line…
BG: We were breaking the huddle quickly, trying to go through our reads. [I] Left the ball a little too high, couldn't really see in front of my throw, so I didn't want to throw it into the blind, so I had to leave it high. [I] Left it a little too high for my liking, though. But [it's] something to grow and learn from.
Mackavelli Malotumau / DL
On starting fast defensively…
MM: We preach executing throughout the week, going out there, starting fast and executing, and we just didn't do good enough to finish off the game. So back to the drawing board.
On facing Georgia and Indiana in consecutive games…
MM: It's building more character. It's a blessing that we're playing [...] in front of millions. We're gonna come back as one, just stack days upon days, and get better as a team.
On if Indiana took them seriously…
MM: I feel like they're (Indiana) going to play how they're going to play. We're going to play how we're going to play. So if they weren't trying, I said, we're going to try every game we get. Every game that's on our schedule, we're gonna try.
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Saturday, September 19
Saturday, September 19