'Hammering Corrections' Fuels IU’s Howard Game Preparations
By Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Rolijah Hardy won’t sugar coat it. Expectations are too high, evidence too revealing.
Indiana’s heralded defense didn’t play to dominating expectations in the season opener against North Texas, hype clashed against reality in Hoosier assessment, and that’s not good enough says Hardy, a third-year veteran linebacker projected as the Big Ten’s defensive player of the year. He and the other defensive leaders pushed that message all week as the No. 5 Hoosiers (1-0) prepare to host Howard (1-1) Saturday at Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium.
“Nobody on the defense felt we met the standard,” Hardy says. “We gave up too many plays. We have to do better. We watched film and made those corrections. We've been hammering those corrections really hard in practice.”
Hammering comes with this reality -- IU lost both starting cornerbacks in the first quarter to injuries, and it’s adjusting to multiple new players on the defensive line and the secondary, but the standard doesn’t change, demands from head coach Curt Cignetti and defensive coordinator Bryant Haines don’t lessen.
“This is a new team,” Hardy says, “and we’re trying to find that chemistry. As you continue to play with your brothers, you gain that chemistry. That’s the biggest thing -- getting better every day; improving by that 1 percent.”
IU allowed 152 rushing yards against North Texas, basically double last season’s per-game average. At times, the Hoosiers used a three-linebacker approach that included Hardy, and veterans Isaiah Jones and Jeff Utzinger. Like Hardy, Jones is an acclaimed standout. Utzinger mostly played special teams before this season.
“We’re definitely going with big bodies when (opposing teams) go to 12 personnel (one running back and two tight ends),” Hardy says. “When they do, it’s good to have that extra linebacker who can make plays in the run game. It was very helpful for us.”
So was having Jones as the green-dot guy, meaning he received the defensive signals and made sure everyone was lined up correctly. Aiden Fisher had that leadership role the last two seasons.
“Isaiah is one of those guys who’s really vocal on the field,” Hardy says. “He’s a great leader. For me, it was the same as it was with Aiden, vocally.”
When cornerbacks Jamari Sharpe and A.J. Harris were injured early, second-year Jaylen Bell stepped up with four tackles. Hardy wasn’t surprised.
“You could see his improvement during the summer and fall camp; you could tell he was going to be a great player. For him to be able to step in is good to see; it gives us that sense that we have great depth at the corner position.”
Adds Cignetti: “Jaylen Bell played extensively. I thought he did a nice job.”
Fifth-year cornerback Ryland Gandy, a Pitt transfer, also thrived off the bench with six tackles.
“Gandy played well,” Cignetti says.
The Hoosiers were also without defensive lineman Blake Smythe and tight end Trevor Gibbs because of injuries. Cignetti says both are close to returning.
“We need to continue to develop there and get better,” he says. “We’re not where we need to be yet.
“We’re going to take it slow (with Gibbs). We need him long term.”
When it comes to blocking, receiver Nick Marsh made a big impression. Cignetti expects that from Marsh, who had a touchdown catch against North Texas in his IU debut after transferring from Michigan State, and all the receivers.
“(Receiver blocking) was a big point of emphasis going into the game. I didn't think we blocked very well at receiver the first two openers here.
“Explosive runs become touchdown runs with great downfield blocking, and so it was a point of emphasis, and I thought all the receivers responded.”
Running backs Turbo Richard and Lee Beebe Jr. thrived on kickoff returns. Richard had a 41-yard effort. Beebe Jr. had a 67-yard return.
“Those guys are beasts,” veteran receiver Charlie Becker says. “I wouldn't expect nothing less from them. They're very explosive. We harp a lot on that in our special teams meetings.
“(Special teams coach Grant Cain) does a great job of attacking teams' weaknesses and making them positives for us.”