Before Elijah Sarratt’s first-half touchdown ballooned Indiana’s Peach Bowl lead to 35–7, he spoke this week with the same calm confidence he later showed on the field.
The numbers at halftime told part of the story. Sarratt had already found the end zone, once again turning limited opportunities into impact. But the foundation for that moment had been laid days earlier at the podium.
Facing the Oregon Ducks, Sarratt never framed the matchup as a schematic mystery. He framed it as a test. “Talent-wise they’re right there with Ohio State, Alabama, some of the best teams in the college football world,” he said, noting that Oregon leaned heavily on press coverage the first time the teams met. “About 70% of the snaps we were getting press (coverage).”
For a receiver, that’s the league’s most honest evaluation. “If you can’t win those one-on-one matchups against press, you’re not going to make it too far in this football world,” Sarratt said. Oregon’s length and athleticism make every rep physical, but it’s a challenge he welcomes head on.
MORE: Fernando Mendoza takes the stage as Indiana fans flood Atlanta
That mentality mirrors the culture inside the Indiana Hoosiers facility under Curt Cignetti. Sarratt, one of the longest-tenured players in the program, described his head coach as relentlessly businesslike. “When you come into this facility, you understand that it’s time to go to work…He wants to find a way to win the day every single day.”
It’s also reflected in Indiana’s consistency at receiver. Drops are rare, and Sarratt attributes that to repetition more than talent. “Every day after practice I’m catching a hundred,” he said. “When we get in those tight situations, it’s just like another day at work catching passes.”
That preparation has shown up all season, including Indiana’s road win at Oregon in October. Still, Sarratt was careful not to lean on past results. “Winning that game isn’t going to do anything for us coming up now,” he said. “It’s a whole new ballgame.”
MORE: Physical first as D’Angelo Ponds defines Indiana’s Peach Bowl pick six moment
Even in praise, Sarratt speaks like a competitor. Asked about elite defensive backs, he singled out teammate D’Angelo Ponds without hesitation. “He’s a real football guy. He’s a dog…His game can travel anywhere against anybody.”
By halftime in Atlanta, Sarratt had already shown that Indiana’s approach travels, too. The touchdown was the highlight. The mindset behind it was the real statement.
More Indiana Hoosiers news:
- Draft stakes rise as Dante Moore faces Fernando Mendoza in CFP semifinal
- Peach bowl turns physical as Kaelon Black takes control for Indiana
- Indiana shocks Oregon with huge halftime lead in CFP Semifina l