Rolijah Hardy says Indiana Defense is “Hammering” Corrections after Saturday Disappointment

Indiana linebacker Rolijah Hardy said the Hoosiers’ defense knows it did not play up to its standard Saturday.

After going back through the film Monday, Hardy said the group’s focus has been making the needed corrections in practice.

“Nobody on that defense felt like we met the standard,” Hardy said. “Definitely gave up too many plays. It wasn’t to the defensive standard. We got to do better.”

Indiana gave up several big plays in Saturday’s game. Hardy said the Hoosiers did not see anything from the opposing offense that they had not prepared for, but they did not execute the way they needed to.

“He’s a great player, a dual quarterback,” Hardy said. “Not nothing we never seen before. We just got to keep containing and get to him.”

Hardy said the defense started its week by watching the film and identifying the mistakes it needs to clean up before the next game.

“Monday we watched film and then it’s just making those corrections,” Hardy said. “We’ve been hammering those corrections really hard in practice.”

Indiana used more three-linebacker looks Saturday, something Hardy said helps the Hoosiers match up against heavier offensive personnel.

“Definitely going big bodies,” Hardy said. “When they go 12 personnel, 12T and stuff, it’s good to have that extra linebacker in there who can make plays in the run game,” Hardy said. “So, it’s very helpful for us.”

Hardy said the defense is still continuing to build chemistry early in the season, especially with a number of new faces in the unit.

“It’s definitely a new team,” Hardy said. “You go in trying to find that chemistry. As you continue to play, you gain chemistry with your brothers. I think that’s the biggest thing, getting better every day – that 1%.”

Hardy also spoke about Jaylen Bell, who stepped up after the Hoosiers lost starting cornerbacks during Saturday’s game. Hardy said Bell’s performance was not a surprise to those inside the program.

“J Bell, you could see it in the summer and even in fall camp he was going to be a great player,” Hardy said. “For him to be able to step in is really good to see. It gives us that sense that we got great depth at that corner position.”

Hardy said the Hoosiers have the talent to improve moving forward, but it will come down to the defense taking what it saw on film and applying it on the field.

“We got to do better,” Hardy said.