‘The only way is fast and violent and aggressive’: Bryant Haines has his formula to the dominant start on defense for Indiana football

Curt Cignetti has started his tenure as the head coach of Indiana Football as well as he could have hoped. Three convincing wins, including a blowout victory on the road against UCLA, have set the tone for the rest of the season.

The offense has clearly improved under the offensive-minded Cignetti, but the defense under defensive coordinator Bryant Haines has been the standout unit thus far.

Through three games, Indiana football has allowed just two touchdowns. In 2023 the Hoosiers allowed at least two touchdowns in 11 of their 12 games. The only game they did not allow multiple touchdowns was against Indiana State.

“We’ve flown around on defense and have got after the quarterback,” Cignetti said on Inside IU Football ahead of Week 3. “Done a good job of stuffing the run and covered pretty well.”

The run defense has been especially dominant thus far. Indiana football has yet to allow a team to surpass 100 total rushing yards in a game. Opponents are averaging 53.7 rushing yards per game on just 2.0 yards per attempt.

Last season Indiana allowed over 100 rushing yards in 10 of 12 games with opponents averaging 4.2 yards per attempt.

“The only way is fast and violent and aggressive,” Haines said on Inside IU Football ahead of Week 3. It doesn’t work if it doesn’t have that component. So (I) demand it.”

Haines and other coaches have emphasized the motto of being ‘fast‘, ‘physical‘, and ‘relentless‘.

It’s how they want their defense to run, and through the early part of the season, he has had no trouble getting his guys to buy in.

“Defense is about chemistry,” Haines said. “All 11 on defense need chemistry. Tying the back end to the front end.”

Haines has had the challenge of incorporating a mix of familiar talent from James Madison with new additions who either returned to Indiana or transferred to the program.

While he mentioned there have been challenges during both spring and fall camp, those challenges have yet to be seen on the field as they have stifled opposing offenses.

A big part of the defensive success has come because of the linebacker tandem of Aiden Fisher and Jailin Walker. Haines referred to Fisher as a ‘superhero’ with Walker being his ‘sidekick’.

“They’ve been with me for a long time. I love those guys. They know what I want,” Haines said about the duo.

Haines gives the duo, especially Fisher, a lot of responsibility on defense. Fisher has been considered the ‘quarterback’ of the defense, but both Fisher and Walker are responsible for making pre-snap checks and keeping the defense organized.

“It’s kind of like playing with a veteran quarterback on offense. Both those guys know the defense,” Cignetti said about the duo.

“There’s new things that go in every week. The defense morphs year in, year out. But they have a lot of snaps in the defense so they understand it, and, you know, Aiden wears the green dot on defense. And they’re used to playing with each other.”

Through three games Fisher is the team’s leading tackler with 30 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and a sack. Walker has added 18 tackles (second on the team) and a tackle for loss.

While the run defense has set the tone, the pass defense has been just as dominant, too. Opponents are averaging just 126.7 passing yards per game and have thrown just one touchdown while also throwing four interceptions.

Sophomore Amare Ferrell has been a star in the secondary for Indiana Football

Sep 14, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Amare Ferrell (25) celebrates with defensive back Shawn Asbury II (1) and defensive back Josh Sanguinetti (19) after intercepting a pass in the second half against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl. © Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Sophomore defensive back Amare Ferrell has played a big role in the secondary as the rover among other positions.

“That’s an important position to rover, we call that, because you’ve got to be good against the run and the pass,” Cignetti said. “And then, you know, against 12 personnel, we have a package. We put an extra linebacker in, and we put him at strong safety for (Josh) Sanguinetti.”

The coaching staff have put a lot of trust in Ferrell and his play has rewarded them.

“You see him building weekly on his successes and playing with more confidence,” Cignetti said.

Ferrell has made nine tackles and has a team-high two interceptions through the first three games.

Haines has emphasized the importance of players doing their job on defense as he wants a cohesive unit.

“All 11 guys have a job to do,” Haines said. “Can they complete their job description? If the answer is no, then I’ve got to find a way to get them to do it while keeping them hidden.”

One player who Haines has not had to hide is defensive lineman Mikail Kamara.

After a strong season in 2023 with James Madison, Kamara has taken another step forward with Indiana football.

“I noticed that in spring ball. I think the biggest thing with him is he’s been healthy,” Cignetti said about Kamara’s growth. “Because early in his career, he had a couple injuries. He started as a true freshman with two bad shoulders that were both surgically repaired so he missed the next season.”

“And now that he’s been on the field, he’s gotten better every year. I saw him turn it up another level in spring ball, which is what — that’s sort of the natural progression you want to see in all the guys is that they build off the previous year. So he’s a good athlete. He’s smart. He’s crafty. And he plays really hard.”

Kamara has led Indiana football in sacks and tackles for loss with three a piece. He also is tied for first among Power-Four players in quarterback pressures with 17 according to PFF.

Kamara and the defensive line have played a big role in the success of the defense early on this season.

As the Hoosiers head into the teeth of their schedule in the coming weeks the defense will need to continue to step up. If they can continue to put out dominant performances like the one against UCLA, Indiana football could be on their way to a special season.

SEE ALSO: ‘I don’t think that’s the best’: Kurtis Rourke has looked every part of a top tier quarterback for IU football — and he may not be done just yet

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