‘Smart, Disciplined, Poised’ to Define Hoosiers
Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Heat and humidity smother Indiana’s football practice fields in an invisible blanket, and Curt Cignetti loves it.
The Hoosiers flash moments of offensive and defensive excellence under a cloud-shrouded sun, and the head coach embraces it.
Tough teams thrive amid tough conditions.
Day 1 of August camp has wrapped up -- its 11:08 a.m. designated ending came right on schedule -- and Cignetti addresses the urgency of everyday improvement and the necessity of consistent excellence as a potentially difference-making debut season looms large.
Across the country, all-things-are-possible optimism resonates, and you’d better believe it resonates passionately in Cream & Crimson circles.
Cignetti and his staff have watched the Hoosiers drill crisply and efficiently without pads or tackling in this first practice, and if it lacks the perfection necessary to beat the likes of Ohio State or Michigan or even season-opening opponent FIU (as you’d expect, there was the occasional dropped pass, missed assignment and off-target throw), it’s trending in the right direction.
“We want to develop players, develop more consistency in performance day in, day out, play in, play out,” Cignetti says.
The quarterbacks mix short- and deep-throw accuracy. The running backs display game-breaking speed.
There are multiple other impressive plays that suggest IU is poised for a strong run at not just making a bowl (which last happened in 2020), but winning one (which hasn’t happened since 1993).
For that to happen, much work remains.
“We want to get these guys playing football the way we want them to play,” Cignetti says. “We have a certain style -- smart, disciplined, poised. We’ve always been one of the least penalized teams in the league. We’ve been No. 1 in turnover ratio and very highly ranked in key statistical categories which lead to success.”
For the last five seasons under Cignetti, that success came at James Madison. Before that, it was at Elon and at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. The challenge now comes in doing it against Big Ten competition.
“We want to develop that relentless mindset and resilience where you’re not affected by the circumstances of a practice or a game, not affected by a good play or a bad play, or if you’re down by 14 points,” Cignetti says.
That requires mental and physical toughness. Derek Owings, IU’s new director of football athletic performance after spending the previous four seasons working with Cignetti at James Madison, used the summer to refine that toughness development from his earlier winter and spring work.
“He’s a guy I have a lot of trust in,” Cignetti says. “He’s got a lot of knowledge. He’s got a great work ethic. He’s fully committed. He’s always working to improve. The players like what he does. They respect him.”
Respect includes this reality -- the Hoosiers are prepared for a hot August camp.
“You can train, but you can’t replicate football,” Cignetti says. “No matter what you do in the summer, football is a different set of movements. There’s a lot of stop and start, and then you throw in the heat. It was a real test and challenge (on Wednesday).
“We took off weight. We put on good weight. We got stronger, quicker, faster, cut down on body fat. All that good stuff. Now, we’ve got to get in football shape.”
IU’s talent upgrade includes receivers, where players such as Donaven McCulley, Omar Cooper Jr., Myles Price, Ke’Shawn Williams, E.J. Williams Jr., Elijah Sarratt, Miles Cross, and Andison Coby comprise what might be the team’s strongest position group.
What does Cignetti want from them? His answer is brief, but insightful.
“Separation from defenders, making plays.”
What should be a much-improved offensive line was boosted by the return of 6-foot-5, 316-pound offensive lineman Nick Kidwell, an all-conference player out of James Madison who has recovered from last season’s injury that limited him to four games. His recovery meant missing spring practice, but he’s cleared now.
“He was one of the two best linemen in the Sun Belt last year had he stayed healthy,” Cignetti says.
Expect plenty from transfer defensive back Cedarius Doss out of Austin Peay. He earned FCS All-America honors last season.
“He’s a real competitive guy,” Cignetti says. “He’s impressed our strength and conditioning staff this summer with his competitiveness.”
The Hoosiers haven’t shown consistent football success since then-coach Bill Mallory delivered six bowl games in an eight-year stretch in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Cignetti and his staff seek that, and more. Spring installation has evolved into August execution and, hopefully, fall winning.
“It’s getting 11 guys doing what they’re supposed to do at a high level, every play,” Cignetti says. “Now that it’s the second time through, we can start to coach the little fine details.”