Video, Quotes: Curt Cignetti previews IU football’s matchup against North Texas on Under the Hood

IU football coach Curt Cignetti joined host Rhett Lewis to preview this Saturday’s matchup against North Texas on the Under the Hood podcast.

Watch the full interview below or read what Cignetti had to say below:

On whether he takes a second to acknowledge the nostalgia of the people and the places that have gotten him to this point before acknowledging the grind that is to come:

“Yeah, absolutely. No doubt about it. Game week brings a different excitement level and sure great to be in game week. I can tell you that.

“But yeah, a lot of people along the way have really helped me in a lot of different ways and very appreciative of that.”

On whether he’s seen this group adapt and adopt the principles and philosophies that we saw from last season’s team:

“Yeah, I think we’ve made a lot of progress in a lot of different areas and that kind of team unity that, that doesn’t happen overnight. It didn’t happen last year coming out of camp or even after the opener against ODU. It’s something that sort of grew as the season went on and overcoming the obstacles and the challenges of the season helped that quite a bit.

“And we had a lot of great leaders on that team. And I think we got a lot of great leaders on this team, too. And now this is where you really develop those intangibles on your football team. And I look back at last year’s opener against ODU. We won the game. We accomplished that.

“They ripped off a 75-yard touchdown to first play the game. Our first touchdown was on a 90-yard punt return. And we didn’t score an offensive touchdown until three minutes and 40 seconds to go in the second quarter. And if I’m not mistaken, we’re inside the 10, six times and scored 17 points. You know, we came a long way last year.”

On what has stood out with Josh Hoover’s development:

“Well, you know, he’s played a lot of quarterback and I think he’s got the innate ability to play the position. And he’s extremely accurate throwing the football and throws a very catchable ball. And I think he’s come a long way in camp and he’s playing with confidence.

“It’s still not perfect yet, but it’s never been perfect for any of the guys in camp. And I think what we’re looking for is Josh to build off early season success and just keep improving.”

On what Hoover is going to show his teammates when the games get started:

“Well, I think he’s going to play a good quarterback for us. And those type of challenges like Iowa or at Oregon, at Penn State, and so on and so forth those happen later in a year and they’ll be coming up for us, too. And so we’ll find out a lot about our team, not only the quarterback as the season evolves, but I think we’re in a good place heading into the opener.”

On whether the QB draw is still in play:

“QB draw is always in.”

On whether he’s seen Hoover’s chemistry develop with the receivers:

“Yes, I have. But we work hard at that in practice. We program it into practice. So we get good at it. Kurtis Rourke got good at it. You know, Fernando, his back shoulders probably began in the Iowa game. So it felt like an organ. So it took a while in-game because, I mean, you got to get to look to have that opportunity. Josh did a lot of that kind of stuff at TCU.

“And of course, those back shoulders could be up-and-down balls, too, if we get on top. So he throws that ball extremely well. We got some guys that outside that can execute it.”

On whether there’s a Charlie Becker-type player who has taken advantage of opportunities and could blossom once the season starts:

“Well Charlie had a solid camp last year in August. And then it took in-season for him to get that opportunity and take advantage of his opportunities. So I think we’ve got a lot of guys that have improved.

“And sometimes the next man up, you don’t find out about it until you’re in the season. And the guy gets the opportunity. So, some positions, we got more depth than other positions.

“And that’s a great thing about playing the games is you find out a lot about your team every single week.”

On the tight end position:

“Yeah, that position is still developing. You’ve got Barker and Schott and Gibbs missed about two weeks of practice with a hamstring. He was really coming on.

“I like Elmore and Thiry, down the road. I think Elmore’s got a lot of potential. But you’re probably looking mainly at Barker and Schott right now. And so, they have potential, they’ve gotten better and got to continue to get better.”

On the offensive line:

“I feel good. We’ve got experience on that group. Four of the five have been at least three-year starters or more.
And I think we’ll run the ball really well. I like our backs a lot. And so, when you have a good offensive line, you have a chance to have a good football team.”

On replacing D’Angelo Ponds and the defensive backfield:

“Well, replacing D’Angelo Ponds is like replacing Fernando Mendoza to some degree. We’ve got three guys back there to play a lot of football. Jamari Sharpe has really improved a lot since he’s been with us. And I look for him to have an outstanding season.

“And then A.J. Harris and Gandy have played a lot of corner in their careers. And so I feel good about those three guys. And we’ve got some young depth behind them at the corner position.”

On Byron Baldwin:

“Well, I see the development and the improvement. And with him, it’s been mainly doing the right thing assignment wise. He’s going to play fast and hard and he is very athletic and he’s had a good camp. And so I’m just looking for steady progress from him and consistency.

On Isaiah Jones and Rolijah Hardy:

“Well, they’ve played a lot of football and a lot of good football and I feel really good about those two guys. We’ve got some young guys behind them, but they’re top notch guys and I’m 100% confident in both of them.”

On the depth of the defensive front:

“Well, if we can have all the guys out there available for the game that have been practicing, we have a whole lot of depth on the outside, that’s for sure and good depth inside. And so we can play a lot of people. Now we still have to play well. What you’ve done in the past really doesn’t matter, but that without a question could be a potential strength.”

On having a true freshman come in and contribute:

“It’s really hard. You know, they’re 17, 18 years old. It’s a big jump. It helps them a lot if they’re here in the winter and for spring ball. But still, it’s a lot of volume on offense and defense in terms of installation. They all improve in the summer and fall camp.

“And then it’s a matter of handling the grind in the fall, being consistent day in, day out, game in, game out, staying healthy. But there’s some guys that can do it. Most can’t do it as a starter, but there are some that can.

“And we’ll have some freshmen play significant roles for us at certain positions this year. We’ve had a few that have done a nice job. Blake Smythe up front on defense has done a really nice job for us. And so you’ll see a few of them out there.”

On what he’s most excited to learn from the North Texas game:

“I want to see if we go out there and execute from play one to play 150 and, you know, not satisfied. All the things that you’ve heard me preach a million times before, you can probably recite them in your sleep and see if we go out there and play that way in the opener.”

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