Keeping the Edge -- Hoosiers Ready for Buckeye Challenge
Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - A screaming crowd rocks Memorial Stadium at eardrum-punishing decibel levels, the roar spilling out into the deepening twilight and surrounding parking lots.
Except, there is no crowd and its Tuesday evening. It’s sound without flesh-and-blood substance, noise with closed-practice purpose as the No. 5 Hoosiers (10-0) prepare to face No. 2 Ohio State (9-1) Saturday at Ohio Stadium.
High stakes are everywhere you look, but not what you hear from IU players and coaches.
“It’s the same as every other game,” quarterback Kurtis Rourke says. “It’s just another week. No matter what their logo is, we still have to prepare every day the same way.”
This follows head coach Curt Cignetti’s focus-driven approach that has delivered unprecedented success. The next game is the biggest game. Nothing else matters.
The Hoosiers are all in.
“We align with what he says,” Rourke says. “It’s reflected in our week and mindset. At the start of every week, it’s a big game because it’s the next one. We whole heartedly believe that.
“We can play with anybody,” Rourke says. “It doesn’t matter who we play, we just have to execute, and we’ll be fine. That’s our mindset going into this week as it was every other week.”
“The intensity is high,” linebacker Aiden Fisher says. “There are a lot of details going into this game plan, as there are every week, but this week especially, so we’re making sure everything is locked in and cleaned up.”
So, the Hoosiers practice under bright Memorial Stadium lights and the imaginary crowd roars to try to mimic Saturday’s reality. Even sideline conversations are difficult.
Ohio Stadium’s capacity is listed at 102,780, but 105,135 watched the Buckeyes beat Iowa 35-7 last month. Attendance was 106,787 when Ohio State hosted Michigan in 2022.
Rourke played five years at Ohio University, and while he never faced Ohio State, he did play at Penn State with its 110,000-seat Beaver Stadium.
“That was an awesome atmosphere,” he says. “This won’t be the most people I’ve played in front of, but I recognize the history behind Ohio Stadium, the amount of fans and how great the atmosphere will be. I’m excited about that and excited for the challenge.”
On Saturday, IU will try to negate the noise with hand signals and false signals, with mental toughness and resolve.
“It’s one of the loudest environments (in the country),” Rourke says, “but we have crowd noise every week. It will be a crazy atmosphere no matter what. It will be loud, especially at first. We have to quiet them down.”
The key -- strong execution.
“We’re working to make sure we’re on the same page,” Fisher says.
That’s the message Cignetti wants delivered. His calm, but serious sideline game demeanor reflects an approach that demands poise and focus from his players no matter what. He also radiates confidence because greatness doesn’t come from doubt.
These Hoosiers dare great.
“A lot of people say certain things and go about things in a different way,” Fisher says. “The way he talks, he walks what he talks. That’s huge to see especially going into a game like this.
“There will be moments when you’re low, moments when you’re high, moments when you’re having good and bad plays. No matter what, you’re in the moment the whole time. You’re making sure the next play isn’t bigger than the last play or the next play.
“There will be a lot of plays that will go our way, some plays that go their way, some plays in the middle. The biggest thing is making sure we stay together.”
IU’s dramatic transformation from a program that won nine games in the previous three seasons was fueled by a head coach with a proven winning system, bringing key assistant coaches well versed in that system with him, landing quality college transfers that included 13 who played for him at James Madison, retaining important Hoosiers veterans, and utilizing chip-on-our-shoulder motivation.
“It’s the hunger and edge this team has,” Fisher says. “It starts with Coach Cig. Then you look at the transfers who came in and the guys who stayed. Now everybody has this winning feeling. We’re going to do everything we can to keep it and keep this edge.
“A lot of the guys here were under-recruited. They feel should have been here the whole time. That’s the edge we play with and the hunger we have. We want to keep this thing rolling.”
And if rolling means beating a team Indiana hasn’t beaten since 1988, at a place it hasn’t won at since 1987, well, bring it on.
“I get anxious and excited before every game because it’s another opportunity,” Rourke says. “These games are ones you feel you prepared all season for and you’re ready to show what the final product is.
“I look forward to the challenge ahead of us. It’s another chance to win with these guys.”