Indiana is preparing to play in its first-ever National Championship game on Monday as they continue their historic postseason run. However, if you speak to veteran wide receiver Elijah Sarratt, the Hoosiers are going to prepare for this game like every other game they’ve played this season, something that they have done all season long.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Sarratt explained how the Hoosiers continue to block out the noise and prepare for the biggest game of the season by leaning on the calm, cool, and collected demeanor of Coach Cignetti. “Really, just like you said, keeping things the same, eliminating the clutter, and keeping things in the locker room. There’s going to be a lot of talk on social media about how big the game is, how big the moment is. We’re treating it like any other game. That’s what you have to do. You don’t want to make the moment bigger than it is.” Sarratt explained.
Sarratt continued by explaining what he personally does to block out the outside noise. For Sarratt, it’s all about trusting in Coach Cignetti’s process and embracing his message. “It’s really a daily process and really believing what [Cignetti] says when he says don’t pay attention to all the outside noise. You have to actually try not to do it. I delete Twitter each week because I try to really embrace what he’s saying and not really worry about what everyone else is saying. Just a daily process of listening to what he’s saying and then believing in it and asserting it to yourself.”
While Sarratt is doing his best to block out the outside noise, he is taking some time to savor his journey. “Yeah, 100%, knowing this is my last couple of weeks here in this facility, here in Bloomington playing with this team. When I’m home talking to my mom and dad and brothers, like ‘dang, it’s crazy how everything works out.’ Just to be here in this moment, yeah, it’s definitely exciting.” He said.
Don’t be fooled though, Sarratt is not going to take his eye off of the prize. “I’m trying to be calm because I understand nothing really matters too much unless we win that game, but I definitely — these last couple of weeks have been like, man, just playing in the big bowl games, Rose Bowl, Peach Bowl, all of that, it’s been cool watching these games, watching legends play in these games, and for allowing me to make some plays and see my guys make some plays in these games has been exciting.”
While Sarratt has made some big plays in both of those bowl games, he wants to have his best game of the season against Miami in the National Championship game. He knows it’s going to be a battle against a talented Miami defense, but with Fernando Mendoza throwing him the ball, he’s confident.
“I’m always comfortable when you got somebody like Fernando back there throwing you the ball. And of course I believe in myself and the guys in the receiving room with me. So I’m always confident no matter who we’re going against, no matter if it’s Miami, no matter if it’s Indiana State. So, very confident in my beliefs. It’s going to be a challenge, of course. They’re in the national championship for a reason, but I will always go into every game being confident.” Sarratt explained.
Sarratt and the Hoosiers will take on the Miami Hurricanes in the National Championship on Monday, as they look to bring a title to Bloomington for the first time in program history.