NOTEBOOK: ‘Refreshed’ Hoosiers Totally Focused on Rival Purdue
Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Head coach Curt Cignetti is clear --Indiana’s total attention is on Friday night’s Old Oaken Bucket rivalry football game at Purdue (2-9, 0-8 Big Ten). That’s it.
Anything else for the second-ranked Hoosiers (11-0, 8-0) is not up for discussion.
“We are 100 percent focused on Purdue,” Cignetti said during Monday’s weekly media availability at Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium’s Don Croftcheck Team Room. “I have respect for Purdue. If you don't respect your opponent, then you're starting in a bad spot.
“I respect what I see on tape. They're playing hard. They're making plays. They're in games. They're doing a good job coaching. We have to go up there prepared, and we’ve got to play well.
“We're going on the road to play a Big Ten football team, in-state rival. That's all we're thinking about.”
Cignetti is 1-0 in Oaken Bucket games after last year’s 66-0 victory at Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium.
When asked about the rivalry’s significance, which includes the 100th game playing for the Oaken Bucket, he said, “We’ve played them one time. They probably weren’t in a good spot last year when we played them.”
Under first-year coach Barry Odom, Purdue has lost nine straight since a 34-17 victory over Southern Illinois on Sept. 6. It was competitive in losses to Minnesota (27-20), Rutgers (27-24), and Michigan (21-16).
The Boilers average 20.2 points and allow 29.6.
“Coach Odom has got them playing hard,” Cignetti said. “They've been very competitive at home. They go to Michigan; and lose by five. They play Rutgers; they're ahead with four minutes to go in the game. Against Minnesota, they led the whole game and lost at the end. Ohio State was a competitive game for most of the first half. Then they went to Washington, and the game got away from them (49-13). That's a hard place to play.
“We're certainly expecting their best shot. We are 100 percent in the process of preparation to put ourselves in the best position to be successful.”
Purdue quarterback Ryan Browne completes 59.8 percent of his passes for 1,915 yards, nine touchdowns, and nine interceptions. Malachi Singleton completes 59.4 percent of his passes for 439 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Five Boilers have rushed for at least 193 yards, led by Devin Mockobee’s 521 yards with four touchdowns. He is out for the season due to an injury.
Michael Jackson III is the top receiver with 57 catches for 504 yards and a touchdown. Nitro Tuggle has 29 catches for 420 yards and four touchdowns.
Kicker Spencer Porath has made 14-for-15 field goal attempts and all 29 of his extra points. His only miss came from 47 yards. He has a long of 53 yards.
“They're competing really hard,” Cignetti said. “That's what I see. There's no give-up in that team. I'm sure they're disappointed in the way it went at Washington.
“They're wide open on offense. They spread ball; they balance run and pass. Defensively, they really mix it up. Every play is something different.
“They attack. They've got an aggressive style on offense and defense and special teams. They’re a physical team. I'm sure that's the personality of the head coach, who played linebacker in college, and has been a defensive guy.”
Cignetti said receiver Elijah Sarratt is expected to return after missing the past couple of games with a lower body injury. In nine games, he has 45 catches for 609 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Defensive lineman Mikail Kamara, who has been banged up for much of the season, is also expected to start. He has 21 tackles, 3.5 for loss, with one sack. He also has four quarterback hurries and one pass breakup.
The status of offensive lineman Drew Evans, who has missed the last couple of games with an injury, is uncertain.
“We expect Kamara will start; Sarratt will start,” Cignetti said. “Drew Evans, we'll know more (on Monday). Him and the rest of (the injured Hoosiers) are working hard to get back on the field.”
With Sarratt out, backup receiver Charlie Becker has thrived. He has 19 catches for 383 yards and two touchdowns. His 20.2-yards-per-catch average leads the team.
IU is coming off a bye week. It hasn’t played since a Nov. 15, 31-7 home win over Wisconsin.
“It was a much needed off week after playing six games in a row late in the year,” Cignetti said. “I think everybody that's playing is banged up, and I think the entire organization was a little tired. I could feel it, sense it, the Penn State week and the Wisconsin week. I think (a bye) came at a really good time.
“Everybody seems to be refreshed. There was a lot of spirit at practice (on Sunday). I can tell in the office everybody is rested up, so it's a good thing.”