Quiet isn’t a word often associated with Indiana University coach Curt Cignietti or his football teams, but Wednesday’s opening practice for the Hoosiers didn’t have any loud moments of concern nor anything to get fired up about.
It was Day 1 of a process that Cignetti hopes will whip Indiana into shape by the time of its season opener against Florida International on Aug. 31.
“It’s the second time through the offense, defense, special teams now. Guys ought to be playing faster, thinking less. And we want to promote competition,” Cignetti said.
No major players were missing from action during practice. At the quarterback spot, Kurtis Rourke took snaps along with Tayven Jackson, Tyler Cherry and Alberto Mendoza.
New running backs Justice Ellison and Kaelon Black were put their paces. Known quantities like wide receiver Donoven McCulley were joined by transfer teammates like Elijah Serratt (James Madison) and Myles Price (Texas Tech).
As always, retention from spring practice is a big key, especially in the first year of a new coaching regime.
“I think we want to get these guys playing football like the way we want them to play. We have a certain style — smart, disciplined poised. Always been one of the least penalized team in the league. Number one in turnover ratio and very highly ranked in key statistical categories which lead to success,” Cignetti said.
“[We] kind of develop that relentless mindset and resilience where you’re not affected by the circumstances of practice or a game by a good play or a bad play, or you’re down 14 points. In the second quarter you’re not affected or up 14 points.”
The template that Cignetti has repeatedly referred to was James Madison’s first season playing at the FBS level in 2022. In the third game of the season, his Dukes played at Sun Belt Conference standard-bearer Appalachian State.
“It’s like our first conference game at JMU. We went to the Sun Belt to play [Appalachian State] the year they beat [Texas] A&M about a week or two later. They’re perennial champs. We’re down 28-3 down there. Nobody flinched. Came away with a win. Two, three weeks later, happened again,” Cignetti said.
“So it’s kind of a mindset and an identity, those intangibles that we want to develop in camp as well.”
Camp continues throughout August. Cignetti said he will alter the tenor of camp as things develop.
“The first eight to 12 are similar structure, practice structure. There may be some schematic tweaks based on our summer study. And then as we get closer to the opponent, some game-specific type of things,” Cignetti noted.
The Tribune-Star, Terre Haute, Ind.
