“We’re on a mission to go 1-0 each week”: IU football continues to stack days despite outside noise
- Josh Pos
- 3h ago
Ask most college football pundits — IU football’s surge is undeniable. On the surface, it feels as though magic is in the air: a fairytale story of Curt Cignetti crafting a thrilling new chapter in the not-so-storied history of the program.
All the rumors are true. In less than two years, Cignetti has transformed an ignominious program into a powerhouse. But that success didn’t happen overnight and it isn’t sustained without tireless work. The blowout wins on fall Saturdays are a byproduct of a mindset and mentality that starts from the very top.
“If you want to be the best that you can be and you’re committed to being the best you can be, you do a good job when you’re in the building — a great job,” Cignetti said Monday afternoon. “Hold high standards, eat right off the field, get your rest and avoid anything that sets you back.”
It’s rare to see Cignetti crack a smile, but occasionally he dishes out a joke, often followed by his patented wink. His Monday press conferences begin with a jab at the team room’s cold temperature.
“It’s freezing in here,” he says in his thick Western Pennsylvania accent, before sipping his ever-present blue Gatorade Zero.
After that, it’s strictly business. Cignetti’s habit of repeating the same tropes — comparing next week’s opponent to a great team of the past and discussing stacking days — may sound like typical coach speak. When motivating his team, the reigning Big Ten coach of the year is rapidly turning his unorthodox methods into the standard.
The results back it up: Indiana is the only power four program this season with conference wins of 50 or more points — and it has two.
Quarterback Fernando Mendoza is earning Heisman recognition. Wide receivers Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr. have emerged as one of the nation’s best duos. Indiana’s defense, anchored by two All-Americans, continues to draw praise from college football analysts. Each week, it seems, another award watch list features a Hoosier.
That said, Indiana refuses to let individual recognition take away from the team’s togetherness.
“We’re out there playing for each other, playing for a bigger purpose to give this offense a chance to succeed,” senior center Pat Coogan said Tuesday. “We know that’s just us doing our jobs and being the best versions of ourselves.”
Coogan, Cignetti’s go-to media spokesman on Tuesdays, brings extensive experience and a proven track record of success. His time at Notre Dame gives the Palos Heights, Illinois, native a unique perspective on what success looks like from the inside.
“It’s special from a macro perspective,” he said. “At the end of the day, we need to focus on what we need to focus on to be successful.”
Whether it be one of the many spotlight players on the roster or an everyday guy, someone has always stepped up when their number is called.
The depth chart has been tested in recent weeks with injuries. Key players – linebacker Aidan Fisher and left guard Drew Evans – missed last week’s game against Maryland. Others stepped up almost immediately. Kaiden Turner made an impact with an interception, while Zen Michalski adjusted on the fly to a new spot.
It is nearly impossible to avoid a drop-off from All-American-caliber contributors. Still, the work Indiana put in leading up to the season allowed the Hoosiers to cruise to a 55-10 road victory.
“We push each other really hard from spring ball to fall camp to become the best players,” junior linebacker Isaiah Jones said. “You never know who’s going to have to step up; even our young guys have to be ready to step in and fill a role.”
One of the few holdovers from the Tom Allen era, Jones was among the ‘young guys’ who recently blossomed. Stepping into a new role, his production numbers are steadily rising, but his attitude reflects his coaches. Individual statistics don’t matter as long as the team is winning.
“We’re on a mission to go 1-0 each week,” Jones said. “We’re just going out there to do our job and come out with a victory.”
Sitting at 9-0, Indiana is flirting with the unthinkable: an undefeated season. With remaining opponents holding a combined 0-16 conference record, the path to the Big Ten championship game in Indianapolis is open. While sportsbooks have opened betting on a hypothetical Indiana-Ohio State game on Dec. 6, the Hoosiers remain focused on their next matchup.
A trip to State College is far less daunting than it seemed in September. Yet, Indiana has never emerged victorious from venerable Beaver Stadium.
With a target on its back, Indiana holds the same No. 2 spot the James Franklin’s Penn State team held in late September.
Though things have gone sideways in State College, Cignetti is not fooled. He noted that the Nittany Lions are still 22nd in ESPN’s FPI rankings. Despite the five-game skid, the core of a strong team remains intact.
“Same guys they started the year with for the most part that were ranked No. 1 to No. 3 in the country,” he said. “A lot of good football players at all positions, playing really hard here.”
Most aren’t fooled anymore by what once might have seemed like a gimmick. It is who Cignetti is and what has fueled a turnaround only seen in movies. The program’s relentless pursuit of greatness and team-first mentality has transformed Indiana football into a respected program. It even keeps skeptics believing a hallmark movie ending is possible.
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