Curti Cignetti Talks Indiana's Biggest Test Yet At Nebraska
· Yahoo Sports
Following Saturday's 47-15 dismantling of Rutgers, Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti praised his team's execution while making it clear that the challenge is about to get significantly tougher. The Hoosiers will travel to Nebraska on Saturday for a noon kickoff against an undefeated Cornhuskers team that has impressed Cignetti on both sides of the ball.
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"Very impressive team on tape," Cignetti said Monday. "A lot of respect for Coach Rhule, what he's accomplished throughout his career, the kind of person he is, what he represents, and what they put on tape."
Indiana enters the matchup coming off perhaps its most complete performance of the season. The Hoosier rushed for 336 yards while holding Rutgers to just 60, went without a penalty and limited the Scarlet Knights to 2-for-14 on third and fourth downs.
For Cignetti, that kind of complementary football is exactly what Indiana needs as the schedule gets more difficult.
"I think all facets of our team are improving," he said.
That improvement will be tested by a Nebraska team Cignetti believes is dangerous in virtually every phase. The Cornhuskers are averaging 44 points per game while allowing just 14, have a plus-six turnover margin and are rushing for 230 yards per game.
The biggest challenge could come from quarterback Anthony Colandrea. Cignetti knows him well from his time at James Madison and spoke very highly of the versatile signal caller. The 6-0, 200-pounder has the ability to beat defenses both from the pocket and with his legs, making him particularly difficult to contain.
"A guy that can spin it pretty good and process and get it where it's got to be accurately as quickly as possible, on time, on rhythm, that can also extend plays and make with his legs, that's a real weapon for the offense," Cignetti said. "So we'll have to do a great job of caging this guy and putting pressure on him."
Indiana's defense has been one of the team's biggest strengths, allowing roughly 10 points per game despite not producing a massive number of takeaways. Cignetti pointed to sacks, tackles for loss and fourth-down stops as evidence that his defense is consistently creating advantageous situations.
Meanwhile, the Hoosiers' running game continues to emerge as another major weapon. Cignetti singled out Turbo Richard for his patience, vision, acceleration, receiving ability and pass protection, calling the sophomore running back "a real weapon."
Now Indiana gets its first true road challenge of the Big Ten season.
"It's a Big Ten game on the road against an undefeated team, so it's a huge challenge," Cignetti said. "Our guys will be excited to play."