Indiana University has never been thought of as a football school. The school’s football program played its first game in 1889 and from that game to the team’s current season, their all time record is 516 wins and 719 losses. This is the worst all time record of any college football team.
But times are changing for the Indiana Hoosiers. Indiana football head coach Curt Cignetti began his tenure with Indiana last season and arguably led the team to its best season ever. They were ranked fifth in the nation, though after losing to Ohio State they dropped to 10. This was the Hoosier’s highest ranking since 1967 when they finished the season ranked fourth.
This season, Indiana football is continuing their success. Last Saturday, Indiana beat the third ranked Oregon Ducks on the road, 30 to 20. This was the first time the Hoosiers have ever beat a top five team on the road. This win put the Hoosiers at number three in the country, the highest ranking the team has ever achieved.
This season’s success can be attributed to players and coaches alike. Returning player and star wide receiver Elijah Sarrat and linebacker Aiden Fisher have helped fuel the offense and defense respectively.
Fernando Mendoza transferred to Indiana from the University of California in the offseason and so far has been putting up Heisman worthy statistics. He has thrown for 17 touchdowns so far this season while only throwing two interceptions.
But besides these star players, coach Cignetti undoubtedly is the ultimate reason IU is having a historic season.
Second year safety and former NC graduate Heath Keizer walked onto the football team at IU last year and has played under Cignetti ever since. For Keizer, it is easy to see how Cignetti has elevated the team.
“He brings a winning mindset. He says ‘stay humble but hungry.’ He preaches hard work,” Keizer said.
IU’s success is something fans are still getting used to. Keizer is a lifelong Indiana football fan and says the immediate difference Cignetti has had on the team is historic.
“We’ve gone from waiting until the very last game to be bowl eligible to being bowl game eligible after the first six games which is pretty crazy. We are just winning games now,” Keizer said.
When asked about the rest of the season, Keizer said the team is always focused on “one week at a time.”
For himself, Keizer wants to continue his individual improvement. He says that his team’s goal is to accomplish a feat the team hasn’t come close to achieving since 1967.
“As a team we want to keep proving people wrong and eventually end up winning the National Championship,” Keizer said.
Proving people wrong is what Indiana football has been doing ever since Cignetti took over last year. His impact over the last two years has evidently been historic and the “Cignetti Era” doesn’t seem like it’s going to end anytime soon. This Thursday Cignetti signed an eight year contract worth about 11.6 million dollars per year. This contract shows the university’s willingness to keep the football team at the top.
This Saturday the Hoosiers plan on continuing their success at home, in front of a sold out crowd against Michigan State.
After Saturday’s game, there will only be five games left in the regular season. No matter how the season ends, it should not be doubted that Indiana football is having one of, if not their best season in program history.
