Indiana University Athletics
Media Monday: FIU
8/26/2024 2:00:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. –––– The first game week of the 2024 season has arrived as FIU is slated to come to Memorial Stadium for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff on Big Ten Network Saturday (August 31). Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti addressed the media inside the Don Croftcheck Football Team Room on Monday (August 26).
Below is a full transcript of the press conference, while video of the media session can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Curt Cignetti | Head Coach
Opening Statement
CC: The game is finally here. A lot of work to be done. Have to have a great week of preparation at the day. Put ourselves in the best position to be successful to play FIU. Coach McIntyre does a great job, has throughout his entire career.
Extremely dangerous at quarterback, dual threat kind of guy. Throws the ball well, extends plays, can run and we'll have to do a great job on them. They've got a deep stable of receivers, returning two or three receivers and adding more guys from the transfer portal. Impressive with their running backs. The guys all returned that they played last season.
Experienced in the secondary at the safety, corner. Their leading tackler returns. Their linebackers, specialists are good -- kicker, long snapper, punter, return people.
So, it will be a challenge, and we'll have to play well. And I want to see us play fast and physical and work out some of the mistakes we made in the first two scrimmages -- penalties, missed signs, things of that nature -- but also play smart, disciplined and poised. So, there's a fine line there.
But we do want to attack, be that kind of team and play well.
On how Kurtis Rourke compare to quarterbacks Cignetti has worked with in the past…
CC: He probably reminds me of Cole Johnson who we had for two seasons. His last year with us, he had a tremendous year, about 41 touchdown passes, four interceptions, threw for over 4,000 yards.
Both more pocket guys but still can gain positive yards with their legs. And really smart, heady. Played a lot of football. Respected by his teammates. He's not a real "rah rah" guy on the field, which is fine. You kind of lead by example and how you do on the field. But he's got the respect of all his teammates.
On how he handles freshmen playing time and redshirting decisions…
CC: The best guys play, really. And we're a veteran team. We've got a lot of new guys. We've got a lot of seniors on this football team. So, I wouldn't anticipate seeing many freshmen out there. That doesn't mean you might not see one or two. But it's all based on who can help us be successful, who's ready to play winning football.
And things change every week. So right now, going into the first game, I don't see many freshmen having very significant role in this game.
On where he feels the offensive line is at following Nick Kidwell's injury…
CC: I feel good. Like I said previously, now you're looking at Drew Evans, Bray Lynch and Tyler Stephens, three guys for two spots. They all can snap also. And we'll see who we trot out there in the first series.
On where FIU quarterback Keyone Jenkins is dangerous and where IU's defense could give him trouble…
CC: Well, he's an extremely capable passer, but when he gets out of the pocket, he does a really nice job of extending plays. And even though he's a really good athlete that can tuck it and run and gain a lot of yards, he's going to look to throw first and does a nice job of finding people when he extends plays.
And we've got to win up front, our defensive line. And we've got to put pressure on him and keep him in the pocket and not give him much time to throw. We've got to get to him. And we need a game from our D-line.
On how this first game could set the tone for the season and his time at IU…
CC: I don't look at it that way. This is the opponent. I'm spending every second of my day with a sense of urgency trying to help put us in the best position to be as good as we can be. And that's how we look at things as coaches, I think, across the country.
On what Cignetti's process looks like now that it's game week…
CC: All the eyes are on this opponent and today. And typical for in season I was up at 4:00 a.m. and in the office before 5:00. And we'll have a light practice tonight and then tomorrow is first and second down and punt return. And then Wednesday is third down and Thursday is red area and goal line, two-minute. And the mornings and afternoons are spent preparing for those situations. And then we put it all together.
On the possibility of Omar Cooper Jr. becoming an everyday impact guy…
CC: I think he just has to take what he's done on the practice field and take it onto the game field, which I'm confident he will and can.
On what shapes his mindset and how he wants to carry over his winning culture to Indiana…
CC: I think that's well-documented at this point. But we came in and changed the roster and then you have to change the way people think -- the mindset, the culture, the identity of your football team. And I think we've made progress. But you really can't measure it until you play.
And then every week, chapter one of a 13-page book. So, I'm excited to see us play. We do have a lot of work to do before we kick it off, and I'm confident in this team.
On the health of the room and the cornerback rotation…
CC: We really don't have a few down. We had one miss some practice time in fall camp, and he's mending very quickly. So, we anticipate being close to full strength.
On how he feels about the offense compared to previous tenures entering the first game…
CC: I feel good about our offense. We have a lot of veteran players. We have a veteran quarterback. And I think we have a chance to be a good offense and defense and special teams.
But as a coach you've always got concerns, too. I've never had a team I didn't have concerns about something. But my focus right now is on preparing these guys and help them be as successful as possible Saturday. And I feel good about the pieces we have in place.
On working with a thin margin for error with the season being here…
CC: I think we were more consistent in practice as camp went on. We weren't an up-and-down team. We still have to more consistently get everybody doing what they're supposed to do assignment-wise, technique-wise.
But part of that is the challenge of camp, too, because you install everything. So, the plate is very heavy.
Now, you get into the first game and that plate lighten up a little bit. And we want to free them up from thinking too much so they can play fast and let their ability take over.
On how being at previous stops has made the transition at IU smoothly…
CC: Well, I think in every area that matters, leadership, recruiting, development, retention, managing staff, messaging, how to practice, game-day philosophy, I think every year you do this you get a little better. You learn lessons.
So, this is my 42nd year, I think, in this business. And so there hasn't been much I haven't seen, but I'm sure something will come up one day that I haven't yet.
On how late he stays at the stadium…
CC: We'll get off the field tonight about 8:15.
On if the pace of everything is the same since December when he got here…
CC: Oh, yeah, and December was very much that way. We have some rest banked right now, coaches and players. So, we should have a full tank heading into this week.
On what he hopes to see out of the running backs…
CC: When you look at (Ty Son) Lawton, (Kaelon) Black and (Justice) Ellison, they're all very similar. They can take it between the tackles. They can get the ball outside. They can catch the ball out of the backfield, and they're good pass pro guys. And Elijah Green is a good back, as well as (Solomon) Vanhorse. Lawton is capable of making the big play, catches the ball extremely well, is good inside the 10, and he's got an extra gear, and he's had a lot of success. He's a confident guy and doesn't talk very much. He doesn't say much. But on game day, he shows up and you know who he is.
On where the coordinators will be on game day and the game day communication…
CC: Yeah, in the past we've had Mike up in the booth and Bryant's been on the field, still talking through what we'll do this year. I haven't figured out what we'll do. But the game day communication can change things somewhat, whether you huddle a little bit more. To start a new series, do you huddle, gather them up on the sidelines. There's some things I think you'll see across the country that are a little different than last season.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
Below is a full transcript of the press conference, while video of the media session can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Curt Cignetti | Head Coach
Opening Statement
CC: The game is finally here. A lot of work to be done. Have to have a great week of preparation at the day. Put ourselves in the best position to be successful to play FIU. Coach McIntyre does a great job, has throughout his entire career.
Extremely dangerous at quarterback, dual threat kind of guy. Throws the ball well, extends plays, can run and we'll have to do a great job on them. They've got a deep stable of receivers, returning two or three receivers and adding more guys from the transfer portal. Impressive with their running backs. The guys all returned that they played last season.
Experienced in the secondary at the safety, corner. Their leading tackler returns. Their linebackers, specialists are good -- kicker, long snapper, punter, return people.
So, it will be a challenge, and we'll have to play well. And I want to see us play fast and physical and work out some of the mistakes we made in the first two scrimmages -- penalties, missed signs, things of that nature -- but also play smart, disciplined and poised. So, there's a fine line there.
But we do want to attack, be that kind of team and play well.
On how Kurtis Rourke compare to quarterbacks Cignetti has worked with in the past…
CC: He probably reminds me of Cole Johnson who we had for two seasons. His last year with us, he had a tremendous year, about 41 touchdown passes, four interceptions, threw for over 4,000 yards.
Both more pocket guys but still can gain positive yards with their legs. And really smart, heady. Played a lot of football. Respected by his teammates. He's not a real "rah rah" guy on the field, which is fine. You kind of lead by example and how you do on the field. But he's got the respect of all his teammates.
On how he handles freshmen playing time and redshirting decisions…
CC: The best guys play, really. And we're a veteran team. We've got a lot of new guys. We've got a lot of seniors on this football team. So, I wouldn't anticipate seeing many freshmen out there. That doesn't mean you might not see one or two. But it's all based on who can help us be successful, who's ready to play winning football.
And things change every week. So right now, going into the first game, I don't see many freshmen having very significant role in this game.
On where he feels the offensive line is at following Nick Kidwell's injury…
CC: I feel good. Like I said previously, now you're looking at Drew Evans, Bray Lynch and Tyler Stephens, three guys for two spots. They all can snap also. And we'll see who we trot out there in the first series.
On where FIU quarterback Keyone Jenkins is dangerous and where IU's defense could give him trouble…
CC: Well, he's an extremely capable passer, but when he gets out of the pocket, he does a really nice job of extending plays. And even though he's a really good athlete that can tuck it and run and gain a lot of yards, he's going to look to throw first and does a nice job of finding people when he extends plays.
And we've got to win up front, our defensive line. And we've got to put pressure on him and keep him in the pocket and not give him much time to throw. We've got to get to him. And we need a game from our D-line.
On how this first game could set the tone for the season and his time at IU…
CC: I don't look at it that way. This is the opponent. I'm spending every second of my day with a sense of urgency trying to help put us in the best position to be as good as we can be. And that's how we look at things as coaches, I think, across the country.
On what Cignetti's process looks like now that it's game week…
CC: All the eyes are on this opponent and today. And typical for in season I was up at 4:00 a.m. and in the office before 5:00. And we'll have a light practice tonight and then tomorrow is first and second down and punt return. And then Wednesday is third down and Thursday is red area and goal line, two-minute. And the mornings and afternoons are spent preparing for those situations. And then we put it all together.
On the possibility of Omar Cooper Jr. becoming an everyday impact guy…
CC: I think he just has to take what he's done on the practice field and take it onto the game field, which I'm confident he will and can.
On what shapes his mindset and how he wants to carry over his winning culture to Indiana…
CC: I think that's well-documented at this point. But we came in and changed the roster and then you have to change the way people think -- the mindset, the culture, the identity of your football team. And I think we've made progress. But you really can't measure it until you play.
And then every week, chapter one of a 13-page book. So, I'm excited to see us play. We do have a lot of work to do before we kick it off, and I'm confident in this team.
On the health of the room and the cornerback rotation…
CC: We really don't have a few down. We had one miss some practice time in fall camp, and he's mending very quickly. So, we anticipate being close to full strength.
On how he feels about the offense compared to previous tenures entering the first game…
CC: I feel good about our offense. We have a lot of veteran players. We have a veteran quarterback. And I think we have a chance to be a good offense and defense and special teams.
But as a coach you've always got concerns, too. I've never had a team I didn't have concerns about something. But my focus right now is on preparing these guys and help them be as successful as possible Saturday. And I feel good about the pieces we have in place.
On working with a thin margin for error with the season being here…
CC: I think we were more consistent in practice as camp went on. We weren't an up-and-down team. We still have to more consistently get everybody doing what they're supposed to do assignment-wise, technique-wise.
But part of that is the challenge of camp, too, because you install everything. So, the plate is very heavy.
Now, you get into the first game and that plate lighten up a little bit. And we want to free them up from thinking too much so they can play fast and let their ability take over.
On how being at previous stops has made the transition at IU smoothly…
CC: Well, I think in every area that matters, leadership, recruiting, development, retention, managing staff, messaging, how to practice, game-day philosophy, I think every year you do this you get a little better. You learn lessons.
So, this is my 42nd year, I think, in this business. And so there hasn't been much I haven't seen, but I'm sure something will come up one day that I haven't yet.
On how late he stays at the stadium…
CC: We'll get off the field tonight about 8:15.
On if the pace of everything is the same since December when he got here…
CC: Oh, yeah, and December was very much that way. We have some rest banked right now, coaches and players. So, we should have a full tank heading into this week.
On what he hopes to see out of the running backs…
CC: When you look at (Ty Son) Lawton, (Kaelon) Black and (Justice) Ellison, they're all very similar. They can take it between the tackles. They can get the ball outside. They can catch the ball out of the backfield, and they're good pass pro guys. And Elijah Green is a good back, as well as (Solomon) Vanhorse. Lawton is capable of making the big play, catches the ball extremely well, is good inside the 10, and he's got an extra gear, and he's had a lot of success. He's a confident guy and doesn't talk very much. He doesn't say much. But on game day, he shows up and you know who he is.
On where the coordinators will be on game day and the game day communication…
CC: Yeah, in the past we've had Mike up in the booth and Bryant's been on the field, still talking through what we'll do this year. I haven't figured out what we'll do. But the game day communication can change things somewhat, whether you huddle a little bit more. To start a new series, do you huddle, gather them up on the sidelines. There's some things I think you'll see across the country that are a little different than last season.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
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