‘A fine line between reality and creating a self-fulfilling prophecy’: Indiana football overcomes early hangover as ‘hunger’ grows with arrival of Big Ten play

Another Saturday and another dominant performance from the Indiana football program. While IU’s 52-14 win against Charlotte doesn’t tell the whole story, it tells enough; Indiana continues to dominate its opponents and week four was no different.

Saturday began just like every other week has this season for Indiana — a quick start. Indiana was up 10-0 at the end of the first quarter, bringing its first quarter scoring differential to +66, a total of 66-0.

But, it was a careless mentality that kept Charlotte not only in the game, but the score much closer than anticipated. While the offense was still clicking on all cylinders, it was the defense that struggled to contain the 49ers attack.

Charlotte went on a 10-play and 75-yard drive that stretched 5:21 and then followed that up with a 9-play drive that totaled 75 yards across 4:31 of game time. Not only did it tilt the scale in the 49ers favor, it was also the closest an opponent had been in the second quarter all year — just a 17-14 game with 5:19 left in the half.

Then, Indiana football flexed its muscled and took its play to another gear. Indiana went on to score 14 straight points in the final 5:19 to push the once three-point lead to 17 at the half.

“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,” IU head coach Curt Cignetti said after the win. “But, we did score a lot of points, had another dominant win.”

After that 17-14 score, Indiana would score 35-unanswered points the remainder of the game. It also held Charlotte to three and outs on three of its five second-half possessions.

After 177 yards in the first half, Charlotte was limited to just 79 in the second half.

It was a few weeks of stellar play, with limited mental mistakes or miscues. But, Saturday showed there were some cracks and can be no matter who you’re playing. Coming off of a terrific win to open up Big Ten play against UCLA last week, there were some questions and concerns about the mentality of the team heading into this week.

“Sometimes there’s a fine line between reality and creating a self-fulfilling prophecy,” Cignetti said. “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.”

Those letdowns have been few and far between, however. Even dating back to the offseason. And, with such a veteran group of players, leading by example is what Cignetti has come to expect.

“I think while we weren’t totally on point when the game started, 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,” Cignetti said. “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.”

Now, there’s no time to rest or blink. It’s conference play the remainder of the season.

For an Indiana team that has now garnered a lot of national attention, it’s about the little things moving forward. All of the details and consistency that helped get Indiana into the position it’s currently in.

“It starts on Monday,” IU wideout Myles Price said. “Early in the week, every day we bring that intensity to practice. No matter how we feel, we bring that intensity, show we’re ready to work, and obviously that’s showing up on Saturdays.”

“We just have to continue to stick to what we do in our training,” Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke added. “We work really hard, and every day we come in ready to work. We’re gonna need to revert back to that when adversity comes and we’re gonna have to continue to stay strong and keep going.”

That consistency and attention to detail has led Indiana to a point differential of +165 this season.

Indiana’s 202 points through the first four games are the most in any four-game stretch in program history. The Hoosiers are also the first FBS team to eclipse the 200-point mark this season.

While it’s been a terrific start, everyone on the sideline understands there’s more to be desired.

“Honestly, we are just playing really well as a team,” IU running back Kaelon Black said. “We are continuing to clean up on those little things. It’s nice to be undefeated right now, but we still have a lot of little things to work on to make sure we can maximize our full potential.”

Curt Cignetti made it known — they’re just playing whoever is on their schedule. They can’t change the the opponent they play, but they can make sure to make a statement every time they are on the field.

Well, the statements will continue to get bigger and bigger each week as Big Ten play is officially here. There are no more ‘gimmie’ games from here on out. Indiana football needs to show up with 100 percent focus and discipline every game, quarter and snap.

And, Cignetti continues to make it well known that they will.

“We’re looking forward to what’s ahead,” Cignetti said. “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.”

SEE ALSO: Indiana football continues offense tear, never slowing down in blowout win to round out non-conference play

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