NOTEBOOK: Hoosiers Preparing for Oregon Challenge
Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Hype builds along with the national stakes, and the Indiana Hoosiers don’t deviate, don’t make Saturday afternoon’s top-10 college football showdown at Oregon bigger than it is.
Head coach Curt Cignetti has used that approach to guide the No. 7/7 Hoosiers (5-0 overall, 2-0 in the Big Ten) into the national championship conversation, a year after leading them to their first-ever playoff opportunity. Facing the No. 3/2 Ducks (5-0, 2-0) at Autzen Stadium is no reason to change.
“I just want (quarterback Fernando Mendoza), like the rest of the guys on the team, to relax and play their game,” Cignetti said during Monday’s weekly availability. “We're just going to go out there, play our game, and play it well.”
It’s the same mindset that IU uses every week, Cignetti added.
“I'm trying to get as much done (Monday) as possible and find the edge, like every game.
“You prepare for (every game) the same. Otherwise, you'd be doing a disservice to your team if you're all in one game and not all in on another. From that standpoint, it's pretty much the same.”
Oregon has won 23-straight, regular-season games, the nation’s longest streak. Head coach Dan Lanning is 40-6 in four seasons, including 22-1 at home. The Ducks are 50-3 at home since 2017.
While Autzen Stadium seating is officially 54,000, Oregon has had three crowds of more than 60,000, including a record 60,129 in last year's win against Ohio State.
“Coach Lanning has done a tremendous job recruiting, development, retention,” Cignetti said. “He’s probably one of the most impressive young coaching phenoms to come around in a while, I would say, having been in this game for a little bit. They’re a great team.”
For the record, Cignetti has been coaching since 1985.
However, IU is 1-0 at Autzen Stadium. In 2004, it upset the No. 24 Ducks 30-24 under then head coach Gerry DiNardo.
“You put together the best plan for your team that you think gives you the best chance to be successful,” Cignetti said. “I have confidence in our team.
“(Oregon) is big. They are athletic. They are a very good team. We're a good team.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, in his first year as a starter completes 74.6 percent of his passes for 1,210 yards, 14 touchdowns, and one interception. He’s also rushed for 184 yards and two TDs.
“He’s playing really well,” Cignetti said. “He's got big-time arm talent, a quick release, and is accurate. He's very athletic, very fluid. He can run, extend plays, change direction. He's getting the ball out on time and in rhythm. He snaps it off really quick. He’s really impressive on tape.
“As he’s played more, you can see he’s building on his success, his confidence and his belief. He’s one of the great quarterbacks in the country. There’s no doubt about that.”
By comparison, Mendoza completes 73.0 percent of his passes for 1,208 yards, 16 touchdowns, and one interception. He’s rushed for 102 yards and two TDs.
The Ducks have three running backs with at least 184 yards – Dierre Hill Jr. (270 yards, two touchdowns, 10.4 yards per carry), Jayden Limar (232, three touchdowns), and Noah Whittington (184, two TDs).
They also have four receivers with at least 15 catches -- Dakorien Moore (19 for 296 yards and two TDs), Malik Benson (16, 212, two), Kenyon Sadiq (15, 204, three), and Gary Bryant Jr. (16, 197, four).
“The wide receivers are equally as impressive. They have good depth at tight end, good depth at running back. They spread the ball around. They use the field, and they run well.”
Kicker Atticus Sappington is 6-for-8 on field goals, with a long of 42 yards.
Defensively, linebacker Bryce Boettcher has a team-leading 40 tackles. Outside linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei has a team-high 4.0 sacks after leading the Big Ten last year with 10.5. Oregon, which has imposing size and depth on the defensive line led by 6-foot-6, 336-pound Tionne Gray and 6-foot-3, 330-pound A'Mauri Washington, has nine sacks, 22.0 tackles for loss, and five interceptions.
IU will try to counter that size with quickness, athleticism, and scheme.
“We're not as big as Oregon,” Cignetti said. “They can roll four inside guys at D-tackle that are 330-plus. They've got big people in there.
“I guess we're going to find out this week.”
The Ducks have scored at least 30 points in every game, with a high of 69 against Oklahoma State. They average 46.6 points and 503.8 yards a game, and they allow 12.2 and 238.2.
IU got good preparation for Saturday’s road game during its 20-15 win at Iowa and 70,000-seat Kinnick Stadium.
“Anytime you do something the second time,” Cignetti said, “it helps that you've been through it one time before. Iowa was a sellout. It was loud. To have that kind of preparation going into this game will help.”
All-America cornerback D’Angelo Ponds, who missed the Iowa game with an injury, is expected to play on Saturday, Cignetti said.
“I expect Ponds to be fine and play. (Defensive coordinator Bryant Haines) took out the eraser and ink pen and the game plan changed a little bit. We played a little bit more zone than he was planning on playing going into the game, and I thought we did well.”
The Hoosiers had a successful West Coast trip last year when they won at UCLA. Cignetti said they’ll use a similar travel schedule this weekend.
“We're going to get out there slightly earlier than we did UCLA,” he said, “but it won't be by much.
“We get in about the same time in the evening, and we've got our routine. It's just the way I like to do it.”
Indiana is second in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 47.8 points to USC’s 48.4, as well as in total yards per game, at 538.2 to USC’s 565. The Hoosiers are second in points allowed at 9.6 points behind top-ranked Ohio State’s 5.0.
IU’s 38.2-point margin of victory is the Big Ten’s best. Oregon is second at 34.4.