No Doubt – Hoosiers Ready for Nebraska Opportunity
Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Let the doubters doubt, says Indiana running back Ty Son Lawton in so many words. They don’t know what they don’t know; they don’t know what the Hoosiers know. If they see mirage in IU’s 6-0 record and top-20 national rankings, it’s of no relevance.
“There are still people out there doubting us,” Lawton says. “They still think we’re a fluke, that we didn’t play anybody. We have to stay level-headed, stay true to ourselves and get the job done.”
This week’s job focuses on No. 25 Nebraska, whose 5-1 record is marred only by an overtime loss to No. 22/21 Illinois. The teams will meet Saturday at sold-out Memorial Stadium.
The Hoosiers will be ready, running back Justice Ellison insists.
“That’s the story line of the year -- a lot of people don’t believe in Indiana, but we continue to believe,” he says. “I’m thankful to be around a group of guys who believe in the same thing, who want to develop and have success.”
Doubt has never been part of Curt Cignetti’s coaching philosophy, and IU’s fast start in his Hoosier debut season shows why.
“I think what I've learned up to this point is that we have unlimited potential as an institution and football program,” Cignetti says. “That if you commit daily and do the things you need to do to be successful, there's no imposed limitations on what you can achieve.”
Cignetti continues to push a ‘stay hungry, stay humble’ approach to ensure the national attention -- including FOX bringing its college football show, Big Noon Kickoff, to Bloomington on Saturday -- doesn’t distract his team.
“You've got to eliminate the noise and clutter and focus in on what's going to help you prepare so you can be your best on Saturday,” he says. “We have enough maturity and leadership and experience on this team. I'm confident that we can handle that. But that's my job, too, to make sure if I see an area that's maybe not quite where it needs to be, to push the right buttons and get it where it needs to be.”
Cignetti’s instant turnaround of a program coming off three-straight losing seasons reflects a system that has never produced a losing record as a head coach. The result -- he’s one of 27 coaches to make the Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year watch list.
Cignetti’s philosophy, Lawton says, is simple.
“It’s his consistency. He didn’t change from (James Madison) to here. He’s been the same guy. You need that. He makes sure everybody has the same goal and is on the same page.”
IU has dominated its opponents, outscoring them by a Big Ten-best 32.7 points per game. It has yet to trail this season, thriving with consistently strong execution in all three phases few teams can match.
The Hoosiers’ remaining six opponents -- Nebraska, Michigan State, Michigan, Washington, No. 4/5 Ohio State, and Purdue -- are a combined 22-15.
Through it all, IU remains focused on next-game-is-the-biggest game simplicity.
“It’s staying consistent, knowing that we still have a goal,” Lawton says.
Indiana’s just concluded midseason bye week was especially appreciated by Ellison given the pounding running backs take and the fact this is his fifth college season, the first four spent at Wake Forest.
“When you're on week six, you're thankful for these times,” he says. “When I was a freshman, I always thought that it was taking too long until the next game, but now I'm enjoying the process of a bye week.
“I've been trying to rest my mind and body. There are a lot of things that go into the game mentally as you get older, and this upcoming game has been a lot of mental preparation.”
Nebraska has thrived defensively, holding opponents to 11.3 points, 84.2 rushing yards, and 272.5 total yards.
“Their defense is very powerful,” Ellison says. “They have great guys up front. They have great linebackers. They do a good job of swarming the football. I’m excited to go out there with our 11 guys and our locker room and be able to expose that.
“It doesn’t matter who we play as long as we focus on excelling at a high level.”
IU’s last game was a 41-24 victory at Northwestern. The focus since then, Ellison says, is striving to consistently drive the ball downfield offensively and shut out teams defensively.
“We showed that (against Northwestern), but there were times we were a little sluggish on certain drives.
“We need to be more explosive.”
There’s no doubt about that.