What Curt Cignetti Said After Indiana's 52-14 Football Win Over Charlotte

Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti spoke to the media after the Hoosiers' dominant win over the Charlotte 49ers.

Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti during the Indiana versus Charlotte football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. / Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Another week, another victory for Indiana's football team. This time, it was a 52-14 triumph over Charlotte.

Indiana is 4-0 and completed its nonconference season by out-scoring its foes 162-24. There have been few things to quibble about in the Hoosiers' promising start.

Here is what Indiana coach Curt Cignetti said to the media after the Charlotte game.

Opening statement ...

Cignetti: They had us on our heels, our defense, with some shifting motioning, running the ball right at us, I know defensive coaches aren't particularly pleased. We weren't really crisp and sharp offensively early, either. We missed some opportunities, but we did score a lot of points, had another dominant win. I thought special teams overall was solid and we'll enjoy this one for 24 hours and get ready for conference play.

On the importance of having to play through some rough patches ...

Cignetti: Yeah, and I noticed that in August camp, too. The highs, we didn't have those high highs and low lows. The practices were more consistent. The lows weren't as low. I think while we weren't totally on point when the game started, like you said, we didn't turn the ball over. We didn't do things that could really change the momentum of the football game, and eventually we seized the momentum and dominated the game. So I think this team has learned a lot and I think they've developed some pretty strong intangibles. We certainly have strong character on this football team and a lot of really good guys as well as good players. We're looking forward to what's ahead. I think the whole key right now is maintaining our focus. We can't have any distractions and we got to stay focused, humble, and hungry.

On mentioning during his radio show that he might have been concerned with a letdown ...

Cignetti: Yeah, sometimes there's a fine line between reality and creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. They had a big win last week. I hope they don't have a letdown. And then you're looking for the letdown. Pretty soon you're finding oh, we're having a letdown, you know, during the week. I thought we had a solid week of practice and while we've started games better, it was a solid win.

On the interchangeable production from the running backs ...

Cignetti: Yeah, that's been pretty much the plan the that's five years, six years since I have been a head coach, but of course it all starts up front with the O-line and tight ends and we have quality running backs, too. The fact that we're balanced, we can run well and that helps the passing game and the running game.

On Kurtis Rourke ...

Cignetti: I think he's playing pretty well. He will be the first to tell you it wasn't perfect and he came back from what I thought was a really outstanding performance against UCLA with a pretty solid performance today but that's why we recruited him, too, he had already proven himself on tape. I am extremely pleased to see the progress he's made since he started playing games. The games are different from practice and the last three or four quarterbacks we have taken have been players of the year in the conference and one-year starters but like him, they played somewhere else. They all struggle in the spring and then really start to get it in fall camp, so I like where he's at. We got to continue to protect him.

On how players in every phase of football have stepped up for Indiana ...

Cignetti: We're deeper at some positions than others. We're deep at running back, we're really deep at receiver, not quite as deep at Jamari's position. Glad to see him have some success. There were a lot of guys on the team last year who have bought in. We have great unity and character on this football team. That's easier to have when you're having success. We haven't really had a whole lot of adversity since the season started, but when you do, it should make it stronger, but we've got depth at some spots, not so much in others. I was glad to see Sharpe because he's a young guy. He's progressing.

On co-offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan's play-calling ...

Cignetti: That one, well, you know that's my system, don't you? (Laughter) No, Mike calls them all and Tino and Bob and all those guys and I'll interject once in a while. I just think it's a real group effort and we're not afraid to throw something up there and our guys are quick learners, we have a lot of experienced players who understand football and can handle a pretty heavy plate and if I can execute it, you're just going to put the defense in more conflict.

On halftime messaging for the defense ...

Cignetti: After halftime? When we go in at halftime, I always do a little interview on the field. The coaches are huddled up in the coach's room and I will make my quick two or three points about big picture stuff and then coaches make their adjustments and then they grab their guys and I'm not with them when they do that, so, but, you know, we did come out and dominate the second half and going in, one of the messages to the team was, look, they got players. They're going to come out ready the play, but they do wear down and I thought there was a point where there where they wore down.

On whether 4-0 is a satisfying start ...

Cignetti: I think it's a pretty decent start.

On what has evolved the most offensively since Week 1 ...

Cignetti: We weren't pleased with that last quarter and a half of offense and penalties and pressures on the quarterback. We're really behind the sticks. Some bad dine and distances. The second game of the year, the opponent wasn't very good, but we played well and I think that was good for our guys offensively and we played real well against UCLA. We have a lot of guys on offense that have played successful winning football and now they're taking it to the Big 10.

Related stories on Indiana football

• INDIANA CRUISES TO 4-0: Indiana pulled away Charlotte to earn a 52-14 victory that made the Hoosiers 4-0 on the season. CLICK HERE.

• LIVE THE GAME AS IT HAPPENED: The live blog from Indiana's 52-14 victory over Charlotte. Read about the game as it happened. CLICK HERE.

• WATCH ROURKE'S DEEP PASSES: Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke made completions of 37 and 29 yards before running back Justice Ellison scored the Hoosiers' second touchdown of the game. CLICK HERE