Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti talked with the media after practice in week three of training camp.
Notes:
- IU is ranked sixth in the coaches’ and AP poll to start the season
- Indiana is in week three of training camp
- Indiana’s first game is September 5th, at noon against North Texas
Curt Cignetti Quotes:
Q: One of the challenges you said you faced kind of when you took over was establishing depth on the roster that you had to flip over, bring in 40 guys kind of two plus years later. What do you feel like the depth is overall on the roster? I know, obviously there’s spots a little better, but overall, comparing this year, you know, to two years ago depth-wise, where you’re at?
CURT CIGNETTI:
More depth this year for sure. But still, there’s areas where we have to develop players. Might be counting on some younger guys at certain spots to fill in depth.
Q: Just follow up on that, you kind of had to maybe explore some of that depth along the offensive line in the spring. You had a couple guys out with sort of postseason things. Are there some guys that you feel like you’ve seen really carry over, some of those young guys that maybe got extra work, extra reps in the carry that carry over to the ball.
CURT CIGNETTI:
Those young guys like (Adedamola) Ajani who has started a game or two and probably played in five to seven games in competitive situations. (Austin) Leibfried, (Matt) Marek, (Baylor) Wilkin, (Sam) Simpson, a true freshman has done a nice job, probably forgetting somebody but those are the guys next in right now.
Q: The scrimmage, your big takeaways, what you liked, what you didn’t like, and did you go away healthy?
CURT CIGNETTI:
Like most first scrimmages some good, bad and ugly. Not quite as many penalties as there normally are or turnovers, but still lot to clean up in terms of assignments and getting guys to do what they’re supposed to do.
Q: What did you see in Hjelle when you brought him in, and what are you hoping you get from him?
CURT CIGNETTI:
Yeah, you know, really a tough guy. Uh, that had explosive power and good movement. Uh, kind of a blue-collar guy, and uh he’ll be he’ll be in the mix inside for sure.
Q: Coach, the linebackers behind Isaiah and Elijah. What did Jeff Hinger and Kaden Turner bring to this group?
CURT CIGNETTI:
Experience. They know what to do. They’ve played before. They’re good special teams players as well. Competitive situation in terms of, you know, the third, fourth, and fifth linebacker right now. And of course, in two tight ends would like to play three linebackers. So, Kell White could figure into that mix as a linebacker against 12 personnel. Uh, but uh that, you know, that’s speculation yet because he hadn’t been out there yet, you know, in one-on-one
Q: When you were in the spring, you said the defense was a little bit ahead of the offense. Um curious how that dynamic has kind of transitioned over into fall camp when you guys have gone good on good.
CURT CIGNETTI:
It’s been back and forth, pretty good competition. They both had their moments. The defense, you know one thing about the defense because we’re deep on the defensive line when the twos go. We’ve got young linemen against older guys, but you know that’s going to happen in season too if one of those guys has to step in. So, it’s been back and forth, but I’d give the defense the edge, and that’s been pretty much the case every year I’ve been a head coach since ’19, I’d say the defense has always been a little bit ahead of the offense.
Q: Nick Marsh spoke pretty highly. How have you seen him come into his own with the program and then just what he’s done this fall?
CURT CIGNETTI:
Yeah, he’s made some really nice plays in fall camp. Made a great catch in the scrimmage. Big long, strong guy. He’s good after the catch. Him and Becker two long guys that have a good track record and now it’s kind of developing three four five in that receiving room
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