Quoted: Aiden Fisher & Carter Smith
8/26/2025 6:30:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. –––– As Indiana Football's Week 1 matchup versus Old Dominion on Saturday (August 30) approaches, senior Aiden Fisher and redshirt junior Carter Smith 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.
Aiden Fisher | LB | Sr.
On how Coach Cignetti coached for playing against Power 4 opponents when he was at James Madison…
AF: When we played UVA (Virginia) you kind of make it look like they're talking down on you, that you're not good enough. I'm sure they're thinking the same thing, a lot of those guys probably weren't recruited highly or transferred. I know kind of the message being sent to them, it's one that'll get you going. We have that target on our back, so we're expecting them to come in here.
On what stands out about Old Dominion's offense…
AF: They're going to go fast tempo, they're going to spread you out, they're going to try to run the ball, they're going to try to fling out to the perimeters. This team coming in, they have a really solid o-line, a lot of transfers to receiver to tight end to running back, a returning quarterback who can and is really fast, back up is the same way, he can run. They're going to come out, they're going to be quick and they're going to be fast, we just have to match the tempo and stay on top of things.
On his excitement for the anticipated crowd this weekend…
AF: I can't wait. Looking back at the FIU game last year, and the difference for our first game this year, it's going to be night and day. We're going to put a great product on the field, and the fans are really going to want to be a part of that and it's really exciting to see and kind of feel the support around here now.
Carter Smith | OL | R-Jr.
On Zen Michalski's progression under Coach Bob Bostad…
CS: He's (Zen) taken (Bob) Bostad's coaching really well and I think he's meshing with the guys, well, too. I think wherever he's going to be playing, he's going to be doing really well.
On the group's confidence level this year compared to last…
CS: I would say we're about at the same spot. We're getting into a new defense so obviously some of the things are going to change going up against ours to ODU's. I would say pretty much everything has stayed the same, though. We're all in the same mindset. It's our first game, we need to go out there with confidence, know our keys and get the job done.
On the defensive line's growth this summer…
CS: I feel like they get faster every day. Going up against Mikail (Kamara), I went against Kellan (Wyatt) last year when he was at Maryland, but being here going up against him, he has a lot more freedom to do what he wants. I think that's really unleashed him as a player. Our D-line's physical, man.
#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.
Aiden Fisher | LB | Sr.
On how Coach Cignetti coached for playing against Power 4 opponents when he was at James Madison…
AF: When we played UVA (Virginia) you kind of make it look like they're talking down on you, that you're not good enough. I'm sure they're thinking the same thing, a lot of those guys probably weren't recruited highly or transferred. I know kind of the message being sent to them, it's one that'll get you going. We have that target on our back, so we're expecting them to come in here.
On what stands out about Old Dominion's offense…
AF: They're going to go fast tempo, they're going to spread you out, they're going to try to run the ball, they're going to try to fling out to the perimeters. This team coming in, they have a really solid o-line, a lot of transfers to receiver to tight end to running back, a returning quarterback who can and is really fast, back up is the same way, he can run. They're going to come out, they're going to be quick and they're going to be fast, we just have to match the tempo and stay on top of things.
On his excitement for the anticipated crowd this weekend…
AF: I can't wait. Looking back at the FIU game last year, and the difference for our first game this year, it's going to be night and day. We're going to put a great product on the field, and the fans are really going to want to be a part of that and it's really exciting to see and kind of feel the support around here now.
Carter Smith | OL | R-Jr.
On Zen Michalski's progression under Coach Bob Bostad…
CS: He's (Zen) taken (Bob) Bostad's coaching really well and I think he's meshing with the guys, well, too. I think wherever he's going to be playing, he's going to be doing really well.
On the group's confidence level this year compared to last…
CS: I would say we're about at the same spot. We're getting into a new defense so obviously some of the things are going to change going up against ours to ODU's. I would say pretty much everything has stayed the same, though. We're all in the same mindset. It's our first game, we need to go out there with confidence, know our keys and get the job done.
On the defensive line's growth this summer…
CS: I feel like they get faster every day. Going up against Mikail (Kamara), I went against Kellan (Wyatt) last year when he was at Maryland, but being here going up against him, he has a lot more freedom to do what he wants. I think that's really unleashed him as a player. Our D-line's physical, man.
#NeverDaunted
Players Mentioned
FB: Inside IU Football with Curt Cignetti - Week 7 (at Oregon)
Thursday, October 09
FB: Under the Hood with Indiana Football - Week 7 (at Oregon)
Wednesday, October 08
FB: Pat Coogan Media Availability (10/7/25)
Tuesday, October 07
FB: Aiden Fisher Media Availability (10/7/25)
Tuesday, October 07