FOOTBALL

‘I took a minute and Googled him’: Marcus Freeman discusses Curt Cignetti, Indiana football ahead of College Football Playoff

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman discusses Indiana football and Curt Cignetti ahead of their matchup next weekend.

Published

3 days ago

December 11, 2024

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman discusses Indiana football and Curt Cignetti ahead of their matchup next weekend. (Matt Cashore-Imagn Images)

Indiana football faces off against Notre Dame in the first round of the College Football Playoff next week.

Both teams are 11-1, with IU’s lone loss against Ohio State and Notre Dame’s coming against Northern Illinois.

Following the release of the bracket on Sunday afternoon, Irish head coach Marcus Freeman discusses the Indiana football program.

Here are some of the key quotes from Freeman about Curt Cignetti and Indiana.

Initial remarks:

“Extremely excited for this opportunity to play the first-ever home playoff game at Notre Dame Stadium versus a really good opponent. We haven’t been able to study much on them yet. (We) just briefly started looking at them, but obviously, to go 11-1, they’ve done a great job in the Big Ten as a program this year. So, exciting times. Our guys are a little bit relieved that we have direction into, obviously, who we’re playing and now as we get back into preparation mode for an opponent. So, looking forward to this great opportunity. With that, I’ll open up for questions.”

On Curt Cignetti:

“Coach has done a wonderful job to take this program to win 11 games in the Big Ten and in a Big Ten season, and to have this team ready to make a run in the playoffs. It’s a credit to the coach. I didn’t know much about him. I took a minute and Googled him and looked at some of the things he’s done in the past at his other places, and he’s won everywhere he’s been. So, he’s done a great job, and we expect a great opponent. I’ve just briefly started looking at him. They’re a talented team that really takes care of the football, right? They play complimentary football.

“Their defense is a pressure-attacking defense that really makes you earn everything you get. The offense has done a good job taking care of the football, being consistent at what they do and (has) done some really good things in red zone. So, that’s just my initial look at them. Obviously, we have a few days to really take a deep dive and and figure out a plan of attack as we get ready for a Friday game.”

On IU’s passing game vs ND’s struggles vs USC:

“USC was a really good offense that did some good things in the passing game. Made some plays. I think our guys are able to look at that game and see where some of our mistakes were and some of that you have to take your hat off to that opponent and to those players and that team. But our guys will be ready to go. The stats show that this offense is extremely… (has) done a really good job at the passing game and a passing attack, and so it will be a great opportunity for us to come up with a good plan and go compete on Friday.”

On playing an in-state opponent in Indiana:

“If we could have chosen, I think you would want a team that maybe comes from 80-degree weather. But listen, we’ll have a home-field advantage just because of the first-ever playoff game in Notre Dame Stadium, and our crowd, it’s going to be crazy. I can’t wait for it.

“The weather, obviously, isn’t going to give us a huge advantage with them not being too far south from here. But what a great storyline. What a great opportunity it’s going to be to have two in-state teams playing each other in the first playoff game on a campus, and it’s going to be an exciting time and a great game.”

SEE ALSO: Curt Cignetti says it’s a ‘major statement’ to provide Indiana football with resources, funding following historic year

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Related Topics:Curt Cignetti Indiana Football Marcus Freeman

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Alec Lasley

Alec Lasley is the owner of Hoosier Illustrated, a comprehensive site covering news, updates and recruiting for Indiana University athletics. Alec has covered Indiana for six years and is a credentialed media member. He has previously worked for both Rivals and 247Sports.