MIAMI – In a city that embodies vibrance and flashiness, Indiana football embraces the opposite. The Hoosiers aim to be as robotic as physically possible regardless of the circumstances or location. It does not matter who plays. It does not matter how many people are watching. It does not matter the stakes of the game. For 15 games, relentless consistency has delivered proven results.
Especially within Indiana’s defense, consistency from game to game is ignored. Consistency of habits and standards means everything.
“We break it down one game at a time,” Indiana defensive coordinator Bryant Haines said. “We're not trying to be great for the whole season. That's not the goal. The goal is to be great for one game, and then put that game to bed.”
As a product of habits and standards, Haines’ group has accomplished exactly what it avoids putting its mind to: consistent defensive dominance from game to game. Indiana’s defense leads the FBS in turnover margin. It is second in scoring defense, sacks, tackles for loss and rushing yards. It has allowed the fourth fewest yards per game. The list goes on.
Indiana’s defense allowed 10.9 points per game in the regular season. Opposing teams only broke the 20-point threshold twice and never scored more than 24 in a game. Still, the stakes of the game have not mattered. The Hoosiers have maintained a similar mark in the postseason, allowing 11.6 points per game across the Big Ten Championship, Rose Bowl and Peach Bowl. No team has scored more than 22.
“There is a standard to playing on this defense,” Indiana linebacker Isaiah Jones said. “And if you're going out there, you're out there for a reason. No one is going out there if they haven’t earned it and the coaches don't believe in them and trust them.”
Amid all the consistency as a group lies inconsistency in personnel on the defensive line. Edge rusher Kellan Wyatt went down with a knee injury in game seven after racking up 2.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss as a starter. Stephen Daley came in to replace him and became an All-Conference honoree after exploding for four sacks and 13.5 tackles in Wyatt’s absence. Daley’s season ended with a knee injury when celebrating following Indiana’s Big Ten Championship Game victory. Since then, true sophomore Daniel Ndukwe has filled the role with two sacks, two tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a blocked punt.
There has been no adjustment period. The roles are filled seamlessly as Indiana’s linebackers and defensive backs continue their dominance game by game. Indiana has an interception or forced fumble in each of its three postseason games. The Hoosiers have pressured every quarterback along the way. They just have to deliver one more time to complete the ultimate goal.
As Indiana is set to play Miami in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game at 7:30 p.m. Monday, the Hoosiers know who they are and what they have to do. The Hurricanes know just as well.
“They just play hard, I mean, they really, really play hard,” Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson said. “It's going to be our biggest test of the year, and we know that. So that's going to be the tell of the game.”
Outside noise is at an all-time high, as are Indiana’s expectations. Luckily for Indiana’s defense, the only noise it listens to comes from its leaders.
“I tell our guys I just need one week,” Indiana linebacker Aiden Fisher said. “I need one week of your everything. Whatever is distracting you right now, I promise it will be there after this game. If we do what we need to do, I promise it will be even better after this game.”
It all comes back to consistency. Be great for one game.
The mindset has made Indiana’s defense one of the best in the country. No reason to change it at the most pivotal moment in the program’s history.
