Greg Schiano doesn’t have to think very hard to see what he liked about Indiana edge Tobi Osunsanmi.
The Rutgers head coach made it clear Tuesday that Osunsanmi was a player he chased in the transfer portal this past offseason, and he’s still seeing the kind of impact that drew his attention. Osunsanmi, a senior edge for the Hoosiers and a former Kansas State transfer, has 12 total tackles and three sacks this season. He’s logged a sack in each of Indiana’s last three games, and Schiano remembered him well from Kansas State’s matchup with Rutgers in the 2024 Rate Bowl.
“Not only memories from there - memories pursuing him in the transfer portal. I really liked him as a player,” Schiano said on Tuesday.
“Didn't get a ton of traction there, but I really liked him as a player. They had a couple of kids on that team that I really liked.
He ended up at Indiana, so now we'll play against him. He's a really fine player.
He's explosive. He's twitchy.”
That’s part of the challenge waiting for Rutgers this weekend: an Indiana defense that has been ruthless. The Hoosiers have posted two shutouts this season, against Howard and Western Kentucky, and they’ve forced six turnovers, including three interceptions and three fumble recoveries. They also held Northwestern to 32 rushing yards, just 1.2 yards per carry, in a 29-23 win, while controlling the clock for only 25:13.
Through the season, Indiana has given up just 39 combined points.
Schiano didn’t soften the scouting report.
“When you look at their team, their front seven on defense is as good as there is in America. You look at the job that Bryant Haines has done as a defensive coordinator, he's just done a remarkable job,” Schiano said.
“When you look at those guys up front - Daley (defensive lineman Stephen Daley), Tucker (defensive lineman Tyrique Tucker), Landino (defensive lineman Mario Landino), Osunsanmi - I'm going to mess it up - and then the two linebackers, Hardy and Jones, that's a stacked group there. Makes it very tough sledding.
Secondary's really sound. They play very good defensive football.”
For Rutgers, the biggest offensive takeaway from last week’s win over Howard was simple: the ball stayed in its hands.
Dylan Lonergan’s offense did not turn it over for the first time this season, a welcome change after he threw two interceptions in the 42-35 loss to then-No. 12 USC and three more in the opener against UMass. Schiano pointed to the importance of a mindset built around protecting possession.
“Making the ball more important than any other completion, any yard” is how he described it.
“Being certain with your decisions and otherwise live to see another down. You don't need to win the game on that down,” Schiano said.
“You need to keep the game moving on that down. You need to make sure that we have a chance, an opportunity to continue to win the game because of that down, but you don't have to win the game on that down. If you turn it over, you can lose the game on that down.”
Lonergan said the message has been reinforced in practice, where the program’s mantra is “The ball is the program.”
“First and foremost, just having at the top of your mind every single play it's got to be there,” Lonergan said.
“And for me, technique, whether it's in the pocket or just decision making, so that kind of comes with game planning. Whether it's I'm getting hit in the pocket, so I got to squeeze the ball to my chest, or I got to make the right read.”
Lonergan’s comfort level appears to be growing as he settles into Kirk Ciarrocca’s system. Howard was his third start at Rutgers, and he said the process has been about getting more in sync with both his teammates and his play-caller.
“Getting more familiar with the players, but also getting more familiar with the coach Ciarrocca's play calling. Just getting on the same page with him. But, every game I think we'll be getting better, and looking forward to keep building on that,” Lonergan said.
“I think it's different for everybody, especially with college football nowadays with what's happening so much, I think it could definitely take a long time.”
Against Howard, Lonergan completed 12 of 17 passes for 214 yards and two touchdown throws.
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