Ndukwe Latest Example of IU’s Next-Man-Up Success
Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Did you see this coming, sophomore defensive lineman Daniel Ndukwe as an Oregon offense wrecker?
Did anyone outside the Indiana program?
Ndukwe’s performance against the Ducks -- two sacks, one forced fumble, one blocked punt -- was among the Hoosier highlights in their 56-22 Peach Bowl victory that propelled them into Monday night’s national championship game against Miami at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.
Losing standout defensive lineman Stephen Daley in the aftermath of the Ohio State victory, after losing standout defensive lineman Kellan Wyatt during the regular season, could have been a big blow given at the time of his injury Daley ranked second nationally with 19 tackles for loss.
Ndukwe has helped limit the negative impact.
“We’ve had some guys go down,” tight end Riley Nowakowski says, “but next guy steps up and he's making plays too.
“Daniel Ndukwe had two sacks and a blocked punt. That's huge. That's a guy that hasn't played much this season, but he comes in and he's played in the Rose Bowl and now the Peach Bowl, and he's had a big impact in those games.”
The top-seeded Hoosiers (15-0) hope for more of that impact against 10th-seeded Miami (13-2).
“When your opportunity arises,” standout linebacker Aiden Fisher says, “you’ve got to take advantage of it. Ndukwe’s doing a great job. You can tell his maturity from last year to this year has really changed. He's not just a guy that's going to be there in case we need him. He's a guy that's getting valuable snaps.
“Obviously, now it's going to be more than ever. Physically, he's cut out for the spot. There's no question about it.”
For the season, Ndukwe has played 14 games and recorded 11 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, one forced fumble, and one blocked kick.
Fisher says it’s up to him and fellow linebackers Isaiah Jones and Rolijah Hardy to help Ndukwe.
“He's got this defense down to a T,” Fisher says. “He does everything we ask of him, and he does it at a high level.
“His opportunity arose, and he took advantage of it. We need him to keep doing that. We have all the confidence in the world in him. We're happy with having him in that spot.”
Overall, the Hoosiers continue to dominate defensively. In postseason games against Ohio State, Alabama and Oregon, three of the nation’s best offenses, they allowed just 35 total points, with seven of those coming against IU reserves in the final minutes against Oregon. In that stretch, they have 11 sacks and 25 tackles for loss.
It’s yet another example of how Indiana’s next-man-up philosophy excels at a level few programs can match. Defensive coordinator Bryant Haines’ attacking scheme is at the forefront of that.
“It starts with Bryant Haines,” head coach Curt Cignetti says. “He's the leader of the defense. He goes in with a good plan and puts our guys in position to attack and make plays.
“Then the credit goes to the guys on the field. The leader of the defense is Aiden Fisher, but every unit has its leaders. It all starts up front with stopping the run and affecting the quarterback.
“Turnover ratio is huge, getting the takeaways, and limiting the explosive plays and good in critical situations.
“We're playing a little shorthanded. We've lost some guys that were valuable contributors. But it's been the next-man-up mentality, like Daniel Ndukwe, who made a couple of big plays (against Oregon). We haven't skipped a beat, so to speak.”
IU gave up a couple of big plays against Oregon. Cignetti says that was because “of the conflict Oregon can put you in offensively with tight ends that run like receivers and spread you out and create some throwing lanes.”
“You've got to be really consistent in all three phases to be successful, and I think that's what this team has been. We've been pretty consistent on offense, defense, and special teams. For the most part, we've played at a high level from play 1 to 150, regardless of the competitive circumstances.”