Week Two Media Monday: Notes and Quotes From Curt Cignetti
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Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti met with the media ahead of IU’s week two matchup with Western Illinois. The Hoosiers are coming off a 31-7 win over FIU in week one.
NOTES:
- IU hosts Western Illinois (0-1) on Friday Night at 7pm.
- WR Donaven McCulley is considered day-to-day with an injury
RB Kaelon Black was limited Saturday due to hamstring tightness.
- A final Injury Report will be posted on Saturday prior to kickoff
Curt Cignetti QUOTES:
Opening Statement:
“Good solid performance in the opener, did a lot of positive things. I like the way our defense swarmed to the ball, put pressure on the quarterback, TFLs.
Offensively strung together four straight drives that averaged 75 yards, 11-plus plays, three straight touchdowns, and then a field goal. We hit that halfback pass, which we normally do in practice, then we're looking at four TDs.
Had a couple of clunker drives there at the end of the third quarter, fourth quarter. Offensively, penalties obviously, too many on offense. Got to cut those out. I think we had seven second and 11 pluses and six third and 11 pluses, some were 17, 21. Things we can teach off tape obviously, all correctible.
Last drive of the second quarter, crucial missed assignment on third and five. We should have had that play nailed. Guy didn't do what he was supposed to do.
We didn't finish the second half the way we want to finish the second half. That's always a point of emphasis. We did start the third quarter by stopping them and driving down the field. We ended up kicking a field goal, should have scored a touchdown.
Special teams was solid, and I thought the effort was good. We're excited to play again Friday.”
On the number of guys making plays on defense…
That's what I'm used to seeing. We like to pride ourselves on playing defense. We pride ourselves on being fast and physical and disruptive up front and creating a lot of different looks for the defense and being really good against the run. I think we gave up 53 yards rushing, less than 200 total yards.
And we've always been really good against the run and had TFLs and sacks. So it was nice to see that carry over with this group. We've added faces to the defense, and a lot of guys did get involved, like you said.
On what Josh Sanguinetti and Isaiah Jones to stand out during camp…
I think everybody on this team sort of starts with a clean slate and evaluated daily, in season or out of season. Once we start practice, typically fall camp, day in, day out practice and who earns the right to be on the field.
Those guys have done well and earned that right. We need them to play well throughout the whole season.
On continuing to run the offense in late game situations in non-conference games…
Yeah, we were still in attack mode. At that point we weren't really satisfied with how we had played since really our last touchdown drive. Even the one we went down and kicked the field goal, we weren't pleased we had to settle for the field goal.
There were some missed opportunities out there, and sometimes we got behind the sticks because of penalties. So we wanted to keep attacking.
On who stood out from Saturday’s season opener…
I thought they all played hard. Overall, Aiden Fisher, we thought really played well. A number of guys played well on defense. I like the way the running backs ran the ball on offense, and Carter Smith played well up front, Zach Horton did a good job.
I like the way we kicked off. McCormick, I thought was excellent on kickoffs.
We got some young guys in there at the end. Landino saw some action, and Hardy saw some action at linebacker. That was good to see. Continue to try to build some depth.
On what goes into correcting the penalties from game one…
Now you can teach it off tape and the consequence of having a holding penalty and how it puts you behind the chains. We've got to get better with our hand placement, got to get our hands inside, they can't be outside. It's always a concern going into the first game.
We don't have officials at every practice like some people do. So you harp on it during fall camp. Sometimes it takes a consequence to get the result.
On the production from the running back room in week one…
Well, I mean, every week we're going to put our best run game plan together based on the opponent, what we're seeing schematically. Then we've always tried to play three backs, keep them fresh.
And I thought Elijah Green did a nice job because Kaelon Black, you know, ham was a little tight. So we held him precautionary after he ran down on kickoff and I think had one carry. I thought all those guys did a nice job.