After a long wait — it’s here. IU football and ‘chapter one’ of the Curt Cignetti era ready for debut

After a long and event filled offseason for the IU football program, Curt Cignetti is just 48 hours away from leading the Hoosiers on the field for his debut.

He’s talked all offseason about culture, winning and rebuilding — making IU football something to talk about, again.

Saturday is the first — and most critical — moment of his tenure.

“The game is finally here,” Cignetti said on Monday. “A lot of work to be done. Have to have a great week of preparation at the day.”

Cignetti has been a ‘man of his word’ up to this lint. He’s checked the necessary boxes to make fan engagement and excitement around the program near an all-time high.

While it’s easy to look ahead at this moment, Cignetti has stayed disciplined and on script.

“All the eyes are on this opponent and today. And typical in season I was up at 4:00 a.m. and in the office before 5:00,” Cignetti said. “We’ll have a light practice tonight (Monday) and then tomorrow (Tuesday) is first and second down and punt return. And then Wednesday is third down and Thursday is red area and goal line, two-minute. And the mornings and afternoons are spent preparing for those situations.

“Then we put it all together.”

One of the consistent messages throughout the offseason and fall camp has been playing with energy, poise and passion.

But, he wants Indiana to be the ‘attacker’ in every facet of the game.

“I want to see us play fast and physical and work out some of the mistakes we made in the first two scrimmages,” Cignetti said. “Penalties, missed signs, things of that nature — but also play smart, disciplined and poised. So there’s a fine line there.

“But we do want to attack, be that kind of team and play well.”

Fall camp has not only been about instilling his system in each and every player, it’s been about teaching and installing. With four weeks to get everyone aligned and into one cohesive unit, there’s a lot of information flowing.

Cignetti understands that, but doesn’t want his team to get away from being football players and making plays.

“Part of that is the challenge of camp, too, because you install everything,” Said Cignetti of dealing with a small margin of error. “So the plate is very heavy.

“Now, you get into the first game and that plate lighten up a little bit. And we want to free them up from thinking too much so they can play fast and let their ability take over.”

Florida International is game one of a 12-game regular season. Cignetti is used to making bowl games, however.

Postseason play would be game 13.

“Chapter one of a 13-page book,” Cignetti said of Saturday’s opener. “So I’m excited to see us play. We do have a lot of work to do before we kick it off, and I’m confident in this team.”

Indiana and FIU kick off on Saturday at 3:30 pm.

SEE ALSO: 5 storylines to follow for IU football heading into the 2024 season

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