FOOTBALL

‘You’ve got to prove it every day’: Culture around the Indiana football program has changed — thanks to ‘blueprint’ leading IU to best start in 57 years

The culture shift is real in Bloomington and Saturday proved it even more — this Indiana football team is real and the success is no fluke.

Published

4 days ago

September 29, 2024

Alec Lasley

The culture shift is real in Bloomington and Saturday proved it even more — this Indiana football team is real and the success is no fluke. (Robert Goddin-Imagn Images)

It had been 57 years since Indiana football saw a result that it did following Saturday’s 42-28 win over Maryland. That result? A 5-0 start. The last time that happened? 1967.

Indiana has already surpassed its win total from the last three seasons and tied its win total from 14 of the last 19 seasons. All in the first five weeks of the season. But, this shouldn’t be a surprise — Indiana football head coach Curt Cignetti made it known that he wasn’t coming to Bloomington to be second or have a ramp up period for success. He wanted to win, and win right away.

He has and Saturday was just another example of how the culture has changed in just nine short months and more importantly — five quick weeks.

“We are what we are, and we have a blueprint and a plan and a philosophy how to play the game,” Cignetti said following the win. “It’s all about people and processes. I think we’ve got a chance to be a good football team. Todd Blackledge said at the end of the UCLA game that this is a good football team, Indiana. You’ve got to prove it every day, every play.”

Early success can change the atmosphere inside of a locker room for the good or bad. Wins can easily translate into complacency — a word that Cignetti has stressed will not be in this program.

It’s easy to settle and forgot about all of the hard work that got you to the success you’re sitting in now. Cignetti has also stressed that a team is either getting better or worse — it’s inevitable. There’s no coasting.

Saturday proved all of that and more. Especially with how the game started, when Indiana truly faced its first real adversity of the season. After being one of three teams to enter week five without a turnover, IU quarterback Kurtis Rourke threw two interceptions on back-to-back throws midway through the first quarter. The steady and explosive force that was Indiana’s offense through four weeks took a hit. There needed to be a reset and an adjustment.

There was. Rourke would go on to complete his next six passes after three straight incompletions, including the two interceptions. That then included 12 of his next 15 passes, including a touchdown. That was also on the heels of tremendous defensive stands by Indiana, holding Maryland to -2 yards on the two drives following both interceptions.

“Well, that’s us. We want to play every play like it’s 0-0. Never too high, never too low,” Cignetti said. “Something bad happens, okay, we’re going to play this play. You get 11 guys playing that way consistently, then you’ve got a chance.”

Despite four turnovers for the game and losing the turnover battle 4-0, Indiana gained 510 yards — the first time since 2015 that the program put together back-to-back games of 500+ yards. They totaled 28 first downs, were 7-of-13 on third down and averaged 16.3 yards per completion. And, Indiana scored 40+ points in four-straight games for the first time since 2015.

But again, the desire to be great, not good, continues to push this team — both the coaches and players.

“We still have a long way to go,” IU linebacker Aiden Fisher said. “The defense let off a lot of explosive plays that are not acceptable to our standard. The offense struggled in the first half, but we are taking steps forward and I think we are getting there one step at a time.”

This type of messaging from the players on the IU roster shouldn’t come as a surprise. Not only have every single one of them bought in to the expectations and standards Cignetti and the rest of the coaching staff set, they are now taking on the personality of Cignetti — a true testament in showing the togetherness and potential of this team.

It also is yet another example of the culture shift with Indiana football.

“That’s what this team is built on and that’s what this program is about,” Defensive lineman James Carpenter said. “Having four turnovers and giving up a couple big plays on defense, it’s always about next play mentality. Coach Cig (Cignetti) and the other coaches preach that to us and I thought we did a good job today.”

The five-game winning streak is the longest streak for Indiana football since a five-game streak during the 1987 season.

It’s no coincidence anymore. There should be no thoughts of a ‘fluke’.

Indiana football is the real deal and the success is legit.

Now, it’s the continuous battle between blocking out the outside noise and continuing with the consistent process that forged a path to the culture shift, and thus the 5-0 start.

The coaches know it. The players know it.

“Winning is good because it deepens belief in confidence and success, which leads to confidence and belief, which leads to success,” Cignetti said. “You’ve still got to put the work in, but strengthens that confidence and belief.”

“We take pride in every single win,” IU wideout Elijah Sarratt said. “But, we gotta go out there next week, do the same thing, put the work in, in practice, and try to go 6-0.”