Indiana University Athletics
Quoted: Joe Brunner & Rolijah Hardy
10/6/2026 7:00:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. –––– As Indiana Football's Week 6 matchup at Nebraska on Saturday (October 10) approaches, offensive lineman Joe Brunner, linebacker Rolijah Hardy and running back Turbo Richard addressed the media inside the Don Croftcheck Football Team Room on Tuesday (October 6).
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.
On how rewarding it is to be an offensive lineman in a group that has put up over 600 rushing yards the last two weeks…
JB: That's the goal, that's the standard here. You want to be able to run the ball. We have incredible running backs who run their tails off every week and credit them for doing a spectacular job. For us, it's about putting our heads down and working. There are still things we can improve, but it's exciting, and we know what we're capable of."
On what the conversations are like week in and week out as they work to protect Josh Hoover...
JB: Our number one job is to protect the quarterback. Josh is a phenomenal player, and any one of the five of us would lay our life on the line for that guy. Your number one job is to keep him healthy, and we'll continue to do that for the rest of the season.
On what it's going to feel like facing a sold out crowd and the opposing team's "12th man" ...
JB: It's exciting. I've been lucky enough to go there and play twice, and it's an awesome atmosphere. There's nothing like going out there with your 70 guys as a family, with your backs against the wall, to play a Big Ten football game. It'll be fun, and it'll really challenge us to see who we are as a team right now.
On managing the first road game last week…
RH: Yeah, I think we managed that last game really well. We always talk about preparation, going into other environments and being able to play and keep that hot standard.
On playing crowd noise during practice and if it's helpful…
RH: Yeah, it's definitely helpful. We find those things where you've got to be able to signal and be able to communicate very efficiently within the team.
On having no penalties last week versus Rutgers…
RH: Yeah, that's a key point. All the way from Coach Cig to the players. We always talk about wanting to be a penalty-free team. You don't want to beat yourself.
#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.
On how rewarding it is to be an offensive lineman in a group that has put up over 600 rushing yards the last two weeks…
JB: That's the goal, that's the standard here. You want to be able to run the ball. We have incredible running backs who run their tails off every week and credit them for doing a spectacular job. For us, it's about putting our heads down and working. There are still things we can improve, but it's exciting, and we know what we're capable of."
On what the conversations are like week in and week out as they work to protect Josh Hoover...
JB: Our number one job is to protect the quarterback. Josh is a phenomenal player, and any one of the five of us would lay our life on the line for that guy. Your number one job is to keep him healthy, and we'll continue to do that for the rest of the season.
On what it's going to feel like facing a sold out crowd and the opposing team's "12th man" ...
JB: It's exciting. I've been lucky enough to go there and play twice, and it's an awesome atmosphere. There's nothing like going out there with your 70 guys as a family, with your backs against the wall, to play a Big Ten football game. It'll be fun, and it'll really challenge us to see who we are as a team right now.
On managing the first road game last week…
RH: Yeah, I think we managed that last game really well. We always talk about preparation, going into other environments and being able to play and keep that hot standard.
On playing crowd noise during practice and if it's helpful…
RH: Yeah, it's definitely helpful. We find those things where you've got to be able to signal and be able to communicate very efficiently within the team.
On having no penalties last week versus Rutgers…
RH: Yeah, that's a key point. All the way from Coach Cig to the players. We always talk about wanting to be a penalty-free team. You don't want to beat yourself.
#NeverDaunted
Players Mentioned
Tuesday, October 06
Tuesday, October 06
Tuesday, October 06
Monday, October 05