IU football routs Indiana State in non-conference finale, shifts focus to Big Ten opener

• Josh Pos

• 2h ago

 

Curt Cignetti knew that keeping his program’s focus sharp would be a challenge.

Favored heavily against an FCS opponent with Big Ten play looming, maintaining the edge isn’t guaranteed.

But from Monday morning’s preparation to Friday’s 73-0 win against Indiana State, one message remained clear.

“Mental intensity and urgency equals energy,” Cignetti said. “We wanted to play one play at a time like it was a game on the line, regardless of the competitive circumstances.”

Throughout the short week of practice, Cignetti preached the mantra and the importance of staying focused on the task at hand. The players heard the message, but Cignetti felt that the coaching staff needed to adhere to his standard.

He hoped that the memo to the coaching staff would trickle down to the players throughout the week.

“It would come from the coaches,” Cignetti said. “If it came from the coaches at all times, the players would feed off of it.”

Consider the message received. The Hoosiers found the end zone 10 times on Friday night, securing the program’s largest shutout victory since 1901.

Indiana dazzled from the very beginning offensively. The IU offense scored on 11 of 12 drives, finishing with 680 yards of total offense.

Over 200 of those yards gained were by redshirt junior wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. The Indianapolis native had a career day, catching 10 passes for 207 yards and four touchdowns. All of which were career highs.

He credited his success mainly to the team’s preparation, despite being aware of the talent gap on the field.

“Even though we had a short week, we were able to practice hard,” Cooper Jr. said. “We knew our opponent wasn’t going to be too hard, but we still needed to respect them.”

Cignetti, however, was very high on the effort from his defense for recording its first shutout of the season.

Indiana State managed only 77 offensive yards, mostly gained late in the fourth quarter against Indiana’s backup players on defense. The Sycamores didn’t earn a first down until their final drive of the first half.

A dominant defensive performance was a testament to the four days of practice Bryant Haines’ troops had put in.

“I sensed we had a good week of practice on defense,” Cignetti said. “I felt confident we’d get a really good performance and that ought to give us confidence and belief moving forward.”

What Cignetti was most impressed with tonight was the focus on the sideline remaining constant despite the lopsided score.

Last week, Cignetti was on a high alert about his players becoming unfocused on the sideline during a blowout. However, this week, there were no issues.

Though finished for the day, the starters stayed on the sideline, maintaining a business-like focus as teammates closed the game.

“I thought we did tonight what we wanted to do and I was pleased to see that,” Cignetti said. “And I didn’t see anybody relaxing at any point in the game, coaches or players.”

Indiana put non-conference play in the rearview with an unblemished record. The focus now shifts to a top-20 showdown with Illinois.

Cignetti and his players have spent the past few weeks downplaying the week 4 matchup with Illinois. In turn, they had been stressing the importance of staying focused on the present task.

Now that Illinois is next on the schedule, the Hoosiers were a little more liberal in talking about next week’s game.

“That game is going to show us what we can be capable of this year,” Cooper Jr. said. “Being able to go out there is going to be fun and it’s going to be a great atmosphere, so I’m excited.”

For Mendoza, it will be his first big game in an Indiana uniform and an opportunity for the Cal transfer to prove his worth against a high-caliber foe.

“I wanted to play in the Big Ten,” Mendoza said. “That’s why I came here, to play great opponents like Illinois.”

Improving as a team week to week has been Cignetti’s focus during the first three weeks of the season. From Old Dominion to Kennesaw State to Indiana State, he has sought growth.

The week-to-week development is only part of Cignetti’s drive for perfection, which won’t end after next week, regardless of the result.

The primetime game under the lights to open Big Ten play serves as a litmus test for both rising programs. Clearly, Cignetti is anxious to see how his team performs in its first challenge of the new season.

Nothing will change and he will approach the following week like business as usual.

“Tomorrow, the coaches are off, and players have trainer check-in,” he said. “And we’ll get back to it next week.”

As Memorial Stadium’s lights turned off Friday night, the Hoosiers left behind another dominant non-conference slate from a Cignetti-led team.

Next Saturday, when the stadium lights shine again, a sea of cream and crimson will fill the stands, bringing a new opportunity. Indiana will take the stage with all eyes watching as it begins its nine-game conference slate.

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