Indiana’s defense kept giving its offense chances at Michigan. Eventually, the Hoosiers did enough with one.
After a hard-fought overtime win at the Big House, Curt Cignetti spent part of his Monday availability praising the group that helped Indiana respond after its loss to Ohio State. But with Minnesota coming next, the Hoosiers still have work to do on the other side of the ball.
The bounce back mattered and so does what Indiana chooses to do with it.
“Tremendous job by our defense,” Cignetti said. “Came up time and time again with key plays at the right time. Just can’t say enough about them.”
Indiana’s offense found the end zone in two plays in overtime, but getting to that point required timely stops and a defense that continued to make Michigan earn its opportunities.
Tobi Osunsanmi has been a major part of that. The Kansas State transfer has nine sacks through eight games after recording eight and a half across three seasons with the Wildcats.
Cignetti credited defensive coordinator Bryant Haines and defensive line coaches Buddha Williams and Pat Kuntz for finding the right role for Osunsanmi and developing his technique.
“Our defense is all about wreaking havoc and creating TFLs and sacks and making everything happen on their side, line of scrimmage,” Cignetti said. “And he’s really good at that.”
One play against Michigan showed that his impact goes beyond simply getting after the quarterback.
On a naked bootleg, Osunsanmi stayed disciplined rather than chasing the fake. He kept himself in position and finished the sack, a play Cignetti pointed to when discussing Indiana’s red zone defense.
“So many times through the years you’ve seen that end kind of bite on the fake and that quarterback comes out Scot free,” Cignetti said. “But he had the patience and the technique and he hit him right down the middle. It was just perfectly executed.”
Rolijah Hardy also earned praise for his timely plays and ability to handle different responsibilities. Cignetti called him instinctive and smart, giving Indiana flexibility in how it uses him.
The offense, meanwhile, must find more consistency.
Cignetti said Indiana’s receivers did not create separation against Michigan. He also acknowledged the passing problems were not something that appeared only once the game started.
“Quite frankly, in practice last week the pass game wasn’t very good,” Cignetti said. “I expect it to be better this week.”
Asked about Josh’s injury and availability, Cignetti said he expected him to be fine and better this week. The competition for the third receiver spot remains unsettled, with Davion Chandler, Tyler Morris and Chazz Preston still trying to separate themselves.
That leaves Indiana with issues to address before facing a 5-2 Minnesota team that has beaten Washington, Michigan and Iowa when each was ranked.
Cignetti described the Gophers as a team that will not beat itself. Their defense can change coverages, load the box and bring pressure, forcing an offense to stay sharp rather than count on easy opportunities.
“They’re really good and you got to earn every yard and you got to earn every score,” Cignetti said.
Indiana found a way to do enough at Michigan. This week, the challenge is giving its defense more help against another opponent who is unlikely to give much away.
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