It’s easy to get enamored with No. 2 Indiana’s glitzy offense.

The gritty, increasingly stout defense has been just as impressive — maybe even better.

On Saturday, the Hoosiers set the tone with an interception return for a touchdown on the second play of the game and that came two weeks after holding usually high-octane Oregon to one field goal over the final 39 minutes of game time.

So, as Indiana continues chasing its goals — a perfect regular season, the first Big Ten championship game berth in school history, a second straight playoff bid and a national championship — coach Curt Cignetti knows he needs a strong, steady defense to achieve those feats.

“The kids respond,” Cignetti said after Saturday’s 56-6 rout of UCLA. “They have a lot of pride. We have some defensive backs back t

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