Northwestern tasked with facing IU football — a ‘hot football team’ in the midst of a ‘tremendous turnaround’

IU football heads to Chicago to face Northwestern for its second road game of Big Ten play.

The Hoosiers are undefeated at 5-0 and ranked in the top 25 following a 42-28 win over Maryland last week.

On the flip side, Northwestern is 2-2 and coming off of a bye week. The Wildcats have losses to Duke and last time out to Washington.

David Braun is entering his first full season as the official head coach. In 2023, Braun led Northwestern to an 8-5 record as the interim coach.

Below are some key quotes from Braun about IU football head of Saturday.

On Curt Cignetti and the turnaround: “Coach Cignetti has done an incredible job. It’s a hot football team right now. They’re playing really confident, playing really well and off to a 5-0 start. No weaknesses on this team. Play really well in all three phases. Really high-level quarterback play. Well-coached offense. Well-rounded. Balanced defensively. They’re playing at a very high level — and certainly very well-coached on special teams. An incredible opportunity, incredible challenge in front of us.

“It’s no surprise to me that they’re having the success that they’re having … Coach Cignetti has been able to do this at multiple stops to get teams playing at a really high level very quickly. He’s clearly done a very good job of bringing in a lot of transfers that fit their scheme and fit their culture.”

On IU’s offense: “They’re balanced. High-end quarterback play. They do a great job in the RPO (run-pass option). Very strategic and calculated and well thought out in their shot plays. We’re going to have to find ways to affect (Kurtis Rourke), he’s the one with the ball in his hands every play. We’re going to have to force him to process post-snap. We’re going to have to find ways to affect him in the pocket.

“At the end of the day, they’re going to find ways to move the football but it comes down to limiting explosive plays and when they do get down in the redzone areas we’ve got to do a great job of bowing up and forcing them to kick field goals. If they put a drive together, let’s make sure it results in an attempt at three points, not a touchdown.”

On Kurtis Rourke: “We’ve seen some good quarterback play so far this year, he has clearly impressed me more than anyone I’ve watched on film so far this year. He’s doing a great job, and the guys around him are doing a great job of supporting him.”

Below is his full video Q&A:

SEE ALSO: ‘This is a team that’s a little bit on a mission’: Curt Cignetti isn’t surprised by the fast start for IU football — he predicted it day one. And, they’re far from done

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