‘No Limits’ – Fall Camp Opener Showcases Hoosier Potential
Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Quarterback Fernando Mendoza zips completions short and long, highlighted by a 50-yard on-the-run strike to receiver E.J. Williams Jr.
Cornerback D’Angelo Ponds grabs an interception, igniting a defensive celebration, and follows with a spectacular pass breakup on the next play.
Receiver Jonathan Brady, a University of California transfer and former teammate of Mendoza, impresses with a one-handed catch and a couple of other tough-minded receptions.
These are among the highlights during Indiana’s fall camp opener held under hot and humid conditions at the IU Practice Fields.
Observing it all is head coach Curt Cignetti, whose intensity never waivers. During on-field work, he stands off to the side, focused on every play and drill, jotting down notes, demanding that things are done well all the time, the same approach that produced last season's 11-2 record-setting effort.
Cignetti’s overall team message, with the season opener against Old Dominion a month away, centers on wanting leaders who pick each other up, on expecting players to understand that the season is a marathon and not a sprint, on improving every day because the alternative is unacceptable.
“You've got to be able to handle success, failure, overcome obstacles,” he says from the Memorial Stadium Team Room, “and you have to do that during the game, good game, bad game. You have to be able to compartmentalize, rip off the rearview mirror, and play the next play.”
Cignetti says he’s already talked to the Hoosiers about Old Dominion, which is coming off a 5-7 season. He wants them to understand this Sun Belt Conference team, which is a member of the same conference Cignetti coached in while at James Madison before coming to IU, is not one to overlook.
“We have to have a great sense of urgency, have great focus, and maximize our opportunities across the board and really develop these guys, identify roles, who can do what, build depth, promote competition and then get ready to play the opener.
“I addressed Old Dominion the first team meeting because these Sun Belt teams are very capable. They have a history of knocking off (Power Four conference teams).
“They're good teams. When you play them early in the year when they're healthy and at full strength, they're especially dangerous.
“Throw in the first game, certainly the first game with what's changed, what's different from last year. We have to be ready to go. We will be.”
The Hoosiers certainly look ready in this first practice, conducted without pads or helmets. Still, there is some contact, some pushing and banging as plays are run and timing honed.
Veteran running back Kaelon Black looks shifty and elusive. Veteran receiver Omar Cooper Jr. has a couple of nice catches. Veteran defensive back Amare Ferrell leads the secondary communication that will be so vital during the season.
And then, from the coaches, comes this …
“Finish!”
“Eyes up!”
“Need effort!”
“Play fast!”
“O-linemen -- pad level, hands, execution!”
“Right now, we're looking for consistency in performance. A lot of the older guys have been through it. Some of the guys went through it last season, and some of the older guys that are projected to start and who joined us in January had a taste of it in the spring. So, they're still learning, too.
“You want consistency in performance individually and collectively day in, day out. You want to stay on that kind of a trajectory and keep improving, every play, every drill, every day. When you get 11 guys doing their jobs the way you want them to do it and teach our brand of ball, there's really no limits on what you can accomplish.”