Indiana University Athletics
Quoted: Shawn Asbury II & Omar Cooper Jr.
10/22/2024 7:00:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. –––– As Indiana Football's Week 9 matchup against Washington on Saturday (October 26) approaches, senior defensive back Shawn Asbury II and redshirt sophomore wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. addressed the media addressed the media inside the Don Croftcheck Football Team Room on Tuesday (October 22).
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.
Shawn Asbury II | DB | Sr.
On the initial impression from Washington's offense…
They are a good team. You know they're a team that likes to focus on big plays and we just can't allow that to happen. They got a good running back; a veteran quarterback and you know they're like I said they're a good team.
On what he has seen from Will Rogers…
Like I said, he's a veteran quarterback and he executes their game plan pretty well. I mean, they got good receivers, and he tries to get them the ball. So, you know he's going to come ready to play.
On Coach Cignetti's message to him in the transfer portal…
I don't really think he had a message. I knew Cig (Cignetti) already from high school. I visited there and he recruited me in high school and when I entered the portal the first time. It wasn't really much he had to do to kind of get me here. I just wanted to win.
On if the results are validating his decision to transfer to IU…
No, I wouldn't say it validated anything. We just want to keep winning. We just want to keep going and try to win every game from a defensive perspective.
Omar Cooper Jr. | WR | R-So.
On the growth in quarterback Tayven Jackson's play from last year to this year…
OC: Yes, Tayven has become way more confident in the past year because Tino (Sunseri) has helped him out a lot. He developed a lot more in the pocket since last year. This will be a big opportunity for him and a great way for him to step up and showcase what his abilities are.
On the atmosphere around the stadium last Saturday in Bloomington…
OC: I thought it was awesome. It is a great way for fans to enjoy the pregame stuff and tailgate before the game, and then coming into the game to support the team. So, I think it is a great way for our fans to get more opportunities to showcase their support for us.
On the emotions he feels regarding the team's turnaround from last year to this year…
OC: At the end of the day, its football, so I try not to worry too much about it. I have to stay focused, knowing that I have a job to do. We can't get complacent with everything surrounding us, we just have to worry about what is in front of us.
On the validation for the team from College Gameday coming to Bloomington…
OC: Yes, it is just showing everybody that we are real this year, and no matter who we play, we are still going to do the same stuff. It's fun, but at the end of the day, It's just for the fans really. We have to be worried about football instead of worrying about the other stuff surrounding it.
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.
Shawn Asbury II | DB | Sr.
On the initial impression from Washington's offense…
They are a good team. You know they're a team that likes to focus on big plays and we just can't allow that to happen. They got a good running back; a veteran quarterback and you know they're like I said they're a good team.
On what he has seen from Will Rogers…
Like I said, he's a veteran quarterback and he executes their game plan pretty well. I mean, they got good receivers, and he tries to get them the ball. So, you know he's going to come ready to play.
On Coach Cignetti's message to him in the transfer portal…
I don't really think he had a message. I knew Cig (Cignetti) already from high school. I visited there and he recruited me in high school and when I entered the portal the first time. It wasn't really much he had to do to kind of get me here. I just wanted to win.
On if the results are validating his decision to transfer to IU…
No, I wouldn't say it validated anything. We just want to keep winning. We just want to keep going and try to win every game from a defensive perspective.
Omar Cooper Jr. | WR | R-So.
On the growth in quarterback Tayven Jackson's play from last year to this year…
OC: Yes, Tayven has become way more confident in the past year because Tino (Sunseri) has helped him out a lot. He developed a lot more in the pocket since last year. This will be a big opportunity for him and a great way for him to step up and showcase what his abilities are.
On the atmosphere around the stadium last Saturday in Bloomington…
OC: I thought it was awesome. It is a great way for fans to enjoy the pregame stuff and tailgate before the game, and then coming into the game to support the team. So, I think it is a great way for our fans to get more opportunities to showcase their support for us.
On the emotions he feels regarding the team's turnaround from last year to this year…
OC: At the end of the day, its football, so I try not to worry too much about it. I have to stay focused, knowing that I have a job to do. We can't get complacent with everything surrounding us, we just have to worry about what is in front of us.
On the validation for the team from College Gameday coming to Bloomington…
OC: Yes, it is just showing everybody that we are real this year, and no matter who we play, we are still going to do the same stuff. It's fun, but at the end of the day, It's just for the fans really. We have to be worried about football instead of worrying about the other stuff surrounding it.
#NeverDaunted
Players Mentioned
FB: Aiden Fisher Media Availability (11/11/25)
Tuesday, November 11
FB: Rolijah Hardy Media Availability (11/11/25)
Tuesday, November 11
FB: Week 12 (Wisconsin) - Curt Cignetti Press Conference
Monday, November 10
FB: Inside IU Football with Curt Cignetti - Week 11 (at Penn State)
Thursday, November 06