Indiana University Athletics
Quoted: Omar Cooper Jr., Stephen Daley & Carter Smith
10/21/2025 7:00:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. –––– As Indiana Football's Week 9 matchup against UCLA on Saturday (October 25) approaches, juniors Omar Cooper Jr. and Carter Smith and senior Stephen Daley addressed the media inside the Don Croftcheck Football Team Room.
Below is a partial transcript of the press conference, while video of the media sessions can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Omar Cooper Jr. | WR | R-Jr.
On playing in the slot…
OC: Just knowing that I can do multiple different routes, I'm not just limited to certain routes being just outside. It allows my game to be more open and involved. At first, I didn't want to play slot, so I'm actually glad they made that decision.
On being a top wide receiver duo with Elijah Sarratt…
OC: I would say just how hard we work each and every week. Coming out knowing that there's some way, somehow that we could still get better. So, we try and push each other and make sure that each one is not being complacent or settled with what we've done so far. So, I feel like the fact that me and him just got at it with each other and we also compete with stats. That also is a better way for us to go out there and just play hard.
On how Coach Cignetti's message to the team varies week to week…
OC: I think it depends on how we come out at practice. If we come out sluggish, or we come out like we feel like we've done something, he's going to be really hard on us, but he's still going to coach us to the level he wants us to play at. So, he continues to push us to make sure we are not focused on what happened in the past and that we have a big game coming up next.
Stephen Daley | DL | Sr.
On playing multiple positions in high school and choosing defense in college…
SD: Well, the time is based off my freshman year from high school, and all four years I played kind of something different. Like freshman year, I played tight end. In my sophomore year, we kind of switched to where I was more of a wide receiver. In my third year, I was kind of like full back. Senior year, I was straight up just a running back, like feature tailback. So, I did everything for my high school and offense, but I've always played the end position for all of high school. The reason I like defense more than offense is because I feel like offense- nothing against it- but like, only one person has a chance to really make a play. The person getting the ball, like the quarterback, but defense, everyone gets a shot. Anybody can make a play. I feel like it's more like a group. We're all working together, we all have a chance to equally impact the game on defense.
On being a track guy in high school…
SD: Yeah, I did, I ran track all four years, and I did 100-meter, 200-meter for a little bit, four by one, discus, and shotput… Junior/senior year of track [was my most impressive athletic feat], just because I made state's for throwing and sprints. Which is like, when you're at a state track meet, like I'm the only person doing it. Like, I'll have to throw discuss, they're like "okay, 100 meters start warming up." I'm like "oh I got to leave," like, everyone else there looks like offensive lineman, I'm sitting there saying "oh I got to leave to go run 100 meters," which everyone looks like wide receivers. I feel like that's the most impressive, and then just being able to– I didn't win states– I was able to hold my own. I got third my junior year, and seventh my senior year.
On Cignetti's game week preparation and how he differs from other coaches…
SD: I'll say it's just intense, the practices, but he takes care of us. They're not long, we're in and out quick, so it lets us be able to rest our bodies. Also, just being able to watch more film on teams in meetings. I feel like that's probably the biggest difference. It's nice and hard competitive like practice should be, but it's also quick enough to where we're able to rest our bodies and be fresh for Saturday's– playing fast, physical, and relentless.
Carter Smith | OL | R-Jr.
On UCLA defense…
CS: Yeah, they run a lot of things. Once you get down to the high red, they run a five-man front. Normal down and distance, a lot of four down, but one of the more unique things that they do is they run two freshmen in there, and they run a 2-4-6. They're just guys who are quicker and better in passing situations. It's just something that we have to find our targets and get fitted up well.
On being ranked as one of the best position groups in the country…
CS: We just have great camaraderie in the room. Everyone's super tight. When we're out on the field, we know what our job is and we know what we need to do. A big part of that is Fernando, too. His confidence really… rubs off on us. Whenever we have something- maybe he gets hit on a play- [the offensive line] is like "oh, Fernando are you all good?" And he's like, "dude, go do your job, go do your job. It's ok."
On the impact of Derek Owings and how he's able to keep the team relatively healthy…
CS: He sticks by his main motto. His saying is "motion is lotion." We get full range of motion in squat. He wants the knees completely sealed off, you know, ass to the floor. Being able to get a full range of motion, then we do a lot of stretches before our workouts too, that help with injury prevention stuff. This staff has been great with that.
Below is a partial transcript of the press conference, while video of the media sessions can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Omar Cooper Jr. | WR | R-Jr.
On playing in the slot…
OC: Just knowing that I can do multiple different routes, I'm not just limited to certain routes being just outside. It allows my game to be more open and involved. At first, I didn't want to play slot, so I'm actually glad they made that decision.
On being a top wide receiver duo with Elijah Sarratt…
OC: I would say just how hard we work each and every week. Coming out knowing that there's some way, somehow that we could still get better. So, we try and push each other and make sure that each one is not being complacent or settled with what we've done so far. So, I feel like the fact that me and him just got at it with each other and we also compete with stats. That also is a better way for us to go out there and just play hard.
On how Coach Cignetti's message to the team varies week to week…
OC: I think it depends on how we come out at practice. If we come out sluggish, or we come out like we feel like we've done something, he's going to be really hard on us, but he's still going to coach us to the level he wants us to play at. So, he continues to push us to make sure we are not focused on what happened in the past and that we have a big game coming up next.
Stephen Daley | DL | Sr.
On playing multiple positions in high school and choosing defense in college…
SD: Well, the time is based off my freshman year from high school, and all four years I played kind of something different. Like freshman year, I played tight end. In my sophomore year, we kind of switched to where I was more of a wide receiver. In my third year, I was kind of like full back. Senior year, I was straight up just a running back, like feature tailback. So, I did everything for my high school and offense, but I've always played the end position for all of high school. The reason I like defense more than offense is because I feel like offense- nothing against it- but like, only one person has a chance to really make a play. The person getting the ball, like the quarterback, but defense, everyone gets a shot. Anybody can make a play. I feel like it's more like a group. We're all working together, we all have a chance to equally impact the game on defense.
On being a track guy in high school…
SD: Yeah, I did, I ran track all four years, and I did 100-meter, 200-meter for a little bit, four by one, discus, and shotput… Junior/senior year of track [was my most impressive athletic feat], just because I made state's for throwing and sprints. Which is like, when you're at a state track meet, like I'm the only person doing it. Like, I'll have to throw discuss, they're like "okay, 100 meters start warming up." I'm like "oh I got to leave," like, everyone else there looks like offensive lineman, I'm sitting there saying "oh I got to leave to go run 100 meters," which everyone looks like wide receivers. I feel like that's the most impressive, and then just being able to– I didn't win states– I was able to hold my own. I got third my junior year, and seventh my senior year.
On Cignetti's game week preparation and how he differs from other coaches…
SD: I'll say it's just intense, the practices, but he takes care of us. They're not long, we're in and out quick, so it lets us be able to rest our bodies. Also, just being able to watch more film on teams in meetings. I feel like that's probably the biggest difference. It's nice and hard competitive like practice should be, but it's also quick enough to where we're able to rest our bodies and be fresh for Saturday's– playing fast, physical, and relentless.
Carter Smith | OL | R-Jr.
On UCLA defense…
CS: Yeah, they run a lot of things. Once you get down to the high red, they run a five-man front. Normal down and distance, a lot of four down, but one of the more unique things that they do is they run two freshmen in there, and they run a 2-4-6. They're just guys who are quicker and better in passing situations. It's just something that we have to find our targets and get fitted up well.
On being ranked as one of the best position groups in the country…
CS: We just have great camaraderie in the room. Everyone's super tight. When we're out on the field, we know what our job is and we know what we need to do. A big part of that is Fernando, too. His confidence really… rubs off on us. Whenever we have something- maybe he gets hit on a play- [the offensive line] is like "oh, Fernando are you all good?" And he's like, "dude, go do your job, go do your job. It's ok."
On the impact of Derek Owings and how he's able to keep the team relatively healthy…
CS: He sticks by his main motto. His saying is "motion is lotion." We get full range of motion in squat. He wants the knees completely sealed off, you know, ass to the floor. Being able to get a full range of motion, then we do a lot of stretches before our workouts too, that help with injury prevention stuff. This staff has been great with that.
#NeverDaunted
Players Mentioned
WR
/ Football
DL
/ Football
WR
/ Football
OL
/ FootballFB: Inside IU Football with Curt Cignetti - Week 9 (UCLA)
Thursday, October 23
FB: Under the Hood with Indiana Football - Week 9 (UCLA)
Wednesday, October 22
FB: Omar Cooper Jr. Media Availability (10/21/25)
Tuesday, October 21
FB: Stephen Daley Media Availability (10/21/25)
Tuesday, October 21