No. 7 Indiana football head coach Curt Cignetti addressed the media after the Hoosiers’ 30-20 win over No. 3 Oregon on Saturday at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
Cignetti opened his press conference
by stating how proud he was of his players and coaching staff while giving a shout-out to Indiana’s fans, who made their presence known throughout the game with at least a slice of one section of Autzen Stadium standing out in Hoosier crimson.
“I feel really great for our fans and supporters,” Cignetti said. “The number one largest alumni base in America with over 800,000. It’s a great road win.”
Cignetti was asked about the significance of this win, Indiana’s first over a top-5 ranked team in the AP top-25 poll in multiple decades. He noted the importance, but stressed that Indiana must continue to perform at a high level.
“It puts us in a position, if we can continue to be successful,” Cignetti said. “Which means we have to show up to work on Monday, as a team, humble and hungry and ready to go against Michigan State.”
Cignetti was also asked about Indiana’s performance in the fourth quarter, where the Hoosiers outgained the Ducks 104-15 and held Oregon’s offense without a score.
“I thought our defense really took it to them in the second half,” Cignetti said. “Won the line of scrimmage. Run game and pass game. Put pressure on the quarterback. The offense made the plays when they needed to.”
Additionally, Cignetti touched somewhat on his outspoken public persona over the course of his time as Indiana’s head coach, particularly in relation to national perceptions about the Hoosiers.
“Last year, I was the way I was because I thought I needed to be taking over this program,” Cignetti said. “Kind of lead the charge the way I was out there a little bit. I knew that early on in December. I thought we established credibility last season. And I didn’t need to be that way and I could focus on what I do best: coach this football team.”
Asked about Indiana’s confidence level heading into the game, Cignetti said he made an emphasis out of the team’s mindset in preparation for the matchup.
“The most important thing to me was our mindset going into this game,” Cignetti said. “That we believed, expected, prepared to make it happen, and could handle the ups and downs of the game without flinching, showing frustration and anxiety. That was the only thing you don’t know until you play the game. We passed that test.”
