Indiana Seeks to Take Its ‘Standard’ to Rutgers
By Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Noise blasts over Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium, carrying past Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall and even reaching soccer’s Bill Armstrong Stadium.
Indiana is preparing for Saturday night’s trip to Rutgers (1-3 overall, 0-1 in the Big Ten) and an expected Homecoming sellout crowd of 56,000. Communicating amid loud noise is crucial for success in this road game, and the three more to come at Nebraska, Michigan, and Washington.
This will be the first road game of the season for the No. 5/6 Hoosiers (4-0, 1-0). They haven’t played a true road game since winning at Purdue, 56-3, last Nov. 28. Preparations don’t change, running back Lee Beebe Jr. says.
“We have our standard. We’re going to play up to that and take it day by day, have great practices and be ready for Rutgers.”
Beebe Jr.’s 203-yard rushing performance against Northwestern last Saturday was the first 200-yard game by an IU running back since Stevie Scott III went for 204 against Virginia in 2018. Hoosier running backs have surpassed 200 rushing yards 32 times. Anthony Thompson leads with 377 against Wisconsin in 1989.
Still, Beebe Jr. says he’d grade himself anywhere from a B-plus to a regular A.
“There's always room for improvement. There were some plays in the game where I messed up or could have had a better read here and there. I could have had more yards and could have had an early touchdown.”
He praises the offensive line and downfield receiver blocking, especially from Nick Marsh and Shazz Preston, for his big Northwestern game.
“The O-line has really progressed with getting that movement in the line and just working up to those linebackers. I’d also like to shoutout the receivers because they did a great job blocking down the field. We were all just tuned in.”
For those wondering if Beebe Jr. has more to showcase, he says, “It’s my ability to make guys miss. That’s something I haven’t showcased yet. I would like to do that a little more.”
During his Thursday night radio show with Voice of the Hoosiers Don Fischer, head coach Curt Cignetti says Beebe Jr. was “fantastic” against Northwestern.
“We did great blocking, opening some holes, perimeter blocking, he broke tackles,” Cignetti tells Fischer. “Some of those runs at the end, it was just his will. He wasn't going to be denied.
“He's got a big heart. Every day he gives everything he's got. He's got a fantastic attitude. Very positive. A great guy to have in the locker room. Leads by example. I can't say enough about him.”
As a team, IU has won 20 straight games. That’s the longest streak by a Big Ten team since Ohio State won 24 in a row from 2012 to 2013. It ties Iowa from 1920-23 as the eighth longest streak by a Big Ten squad.
Michigan has the top three streaks, winning 29 in a row from 1901-03, 26 straight from 1903-05, and 25 in a row from 1946-49.
Still, Cignetti wants more from his Hoosiers.
“I'm curious to see how many more levels we can step up to in terms of our consistency, our execution, our day-in, day-out standards,” he tells Fischer.
Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano is well aware of the challenge and how Cignetti and his staff have turned IU from a perennially struggling program into a national powerhouse.
“My hat's off to Coach Cignetti and their entire program for what they've been doing these last few years. It’s a testament to how fine of coaches they are. It's been fun to watch from a distance.”
Fun includes perspective.
“There's no weakness in this team," Schiano says. "That's why they've won 20 straight. They do what I cherish and that's take care of the football, and they take it away. They've won or tied the net-turnover margin for 28 straight weeks, which is a modern-day record.”
Schiano has coaching connections to the Cignetti family. Curt’s brother, Frank, was Schiano’s offensive coordinator at Rutgers in 2011. They share many of the same coaching principles – run the ball, limit turnovers, sound defense, physical play.
“But to believe it and do it are two different things,” Schiano says. “(Curt Cignetti has) done a great job everywhere he's been. Every place he's been, he's won. He has a formula he believes in and he executes that formula.”
Cignetti praised Schiano, who has won 100 games at Rutgers and also was the head coach of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“He’s had a really storied career,” Cignetti tells Fischer. “He’s a very detailed, thorough guy who loves the game. He’s a defensive coach.”