On November 2nd, 2024, Curt Cignetti led Indiana to a comeback victory over Michigan State to reclaim the Brass Spittoon and get the Hoosiers to 9-0 for the first time in program history.
After a win this
afternoon in College Park, Indiana is 9-0 again, the No. 2 team in the country, and projected to finish the regular season undefeated. Unlike last year, Indiana’s success has not caught as many people off guard, especially after the win over Oregon that vaulted the Hoosiers into the top 3 nationally.
Indiana avoided the letdown game yet again this week, overcoming a slow start offensively and a quick 3-0 deficit to coast to a third road victory on the season. A couple of wonky plays for the Terps kept things interesting for a little, but ultimately, they could not hang with the new National Powerhouse that is Indiana.
Here are three observations from the win:
Injuries
With Drew Evans out for the game, Indiana had to shuffle up its starting offensive line for the first time all season, bringing Zen Michalski in to start at left guard. Evans’ absent was felt immediately, with Maryland getting pressure on Fernando Mendoza that led to a sack and interception on the first drive.
Defensively, Indiana was also without Aiden Fisher for the majority of the game, though his replacement fared a little better than Michalski. Kaiden Turner recorded his first career interception, filling in at linebacker before appearing to tweak something on that pick.
The Hoosiers continued to deal with minor injuries throughout the game, with Kahlil Benson missing a few snaps with some kind of lower body injury. Elijah Sarratt was also pulled early for precautionary reasons after suffering from hamstring tightness on the first drive.
Indiana will need to stay healthy to achieve its goals for the season, but the fact that it was able to perform like this with so many guys banged up is a sign of just how deep, talented, and well-coached this group is.
Toughness
Unfortunately for those of us who wanted this game to end with as few injuries as possible, Indiana’s offensive skill players all looked ready to run though a brick wall today, refusing to go down after the first hit.
This was a big reason why Indiana was able to overcome its slow start and regain control of the game. While the first two drives looked like the backfield was playing behind a sleepwalking offensive line, Kaelon Black and Roman Hemby started pushing through for seven and eight yard runs on the third drive, leading to Indiana’s first score.
This was not limited to the running backs. E.J. Williams also used his body to extend a few plays after short receptions, picking up yards that either got Indiana a first down or making a first much more manageable. Omar Cooper looked dead in the water a few times before making guys miss, and Riley Nowakoski always seems to bring 3-4 guys down with him.
Even the Mendoza brothers put their bodies on the line today, taking hits at the end of their multiple long runs.
Curt Cignetti
Indiana is a more talented team than Maryland, but today’s win showcased just how special Curt Cignetti and his staff are.
The challenge for Bryant Haines today was get pressure on a relatively untested quarterback while not allowing him to get easy looks to the numerous weapons he has in the backfield, tight end room, and receiving group. Aside from one flukey touchdown, he did exactly that.
In fact, Haines did it so well that he forced two interceptions from a quarterback who had only thrown three so far this season, and also forced a fumble. While the offense struggled to get its footing, Haines made sure they had plenty of opportunities between the five turnovers, turnovers on downs, and punts forced.
On the other side of the ball, Mike Shanahan realized quickly that Maryland was challenging Indiana’s pass protection and decided to run the ball until Maryland could stop them. The Terrapins didn’t stop the run, so Shanahan didn’t stop calling runs.
Between putting their players in the best positions to succeed with schemes and game plans and inspiring every player on the roster to give it his all on every single play, it’s no secret how Cignetti has built Indiana into what it is in such short order.
