Indiana football head coach Curt Cignetti addressed the media on Monday afternoon for his usual game week press conference following the 29-23 win over Northwestern last week and ahead of Saturday’s game against Rutgers.
Cignetti was asked about his team’s health, where he sees improvement or development and, of course, about the Scarlet Knight.
Here’s three things that stuck out from what he said.
Stephen Daley is improving, with room to go
Stephen Daley, who retains eligibility for now as his case works through the court system, played a huge
role in the win last Friday, being named the Hoosiers’ defensive player of the game.
Cignetti praised Daley, noting the player of the game honor, while stressing that there’s plenty of room for improvement. He cited a key mistake Daley made against the Wildcats:
“I think he’s getting closer,” Cignetti said. “He was our defensive player of the game. Also he had a critical missed assignment on a critical play on their touchdown down near our locker room where he was supposed to rush and didn’t, but he played well. His presence in that game was felt.”
Daley’s presence is massive, sorta literally, for a defensive ends room that could use some more bulk and depth on the edges. He’ll remain an impact player as long as he’s eligible to play.
Blocking goes a long way at wide receiver
Cignetti and his staff and very, very detail oriented and expect the same out of their players. That’s shown with early buy-in from the wide receivers room in the run game.
Indiana has seen some incredibly strong run blocking out wide under Cignetti and position coach Mike Shanahan who, of course, doubles as offensive coordinator and play caller. Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr. were key to setting the tone while Becker was always a monster blocker whenever he saw the field.
Nick Marsh and Shazz Preston, who of Indiana’s portal additions at the position, were lauded by the fanbase for their blocking efforts following last Friday’s win. Cignetti was asked about it yesterday and praised his players for buying in.
“That’s something we emphasize,” Cignetti said. “Mike does and me being an ex-receiver coach at Alabama where all we do was block when I was there, you know, I kind of drive that point home hard to the receivers as we get close to game day. I give them credit, they’ve responded.”
Cignetti had mentioned blocking as an area for further improvement for the group while answering a prior questions about Marsh and Chandler. Look for that to be key as Indiana’s offense takes greater shape throughout the season.
Channeling Norman Dale
Cignetti, asked about playing on the road for the first time in 2026, delivered a concise answer:
“We’re going on the road,” Cignetti said. “Still playing on a 100 yard football field, 52 yards wide. Got a lot of veterans on this team that have been there.”
If that quote jogs a memory or two for the Hoosier faithful, I have an idea as to why:
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