Indiana eyes breakthrough moment against top ten Illinois

Brian Schaible

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Indiana eyes breakthrough moment against top ten Illinois image

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Saturday night in Bloomington has all the makings of a statement game. No. 19 Indiana welcomes No. 9 Illinois under the lights, and Curt Cignetti insists his Hoosiers are ready.

“Last year’s in the books,” Cignetti said earlier this week. “It’s a new year. This is a good football team. We’re a good football team.”

The numbers tell the story of two evenly matched programs. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza has thrown for 708 yards and nine touchdowns, while Illinois veteran Luke Altmyer counters with 709 yards and eight scores. “Very accurate, can extend plays,” Cignetti said of Altmyer. “He’s won a bunch of games for Illinois.”

The running games mirror each other as well. Illinois’ Kaden Feagin has churned out 222 yards and three touchdowns, while Indiana’s Kaelon Black sits at 217 yards. “We’re doing a good job up front and the tight end and receivers are doing a nice job blocking,” Cignetti explained. “Backs are running hard.”

On the outside, playmakers loom large. Illinois receiver Hank Beatty leads with 289 yards on 19 catches, but Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. has been electric — 299 yards and four touchdowns.

Cignetti stressed the importance of maintaining focus despite the national spotlight. “I don’t look down the road at who we play, this and that,” he said. “I just want to have a great Monday today. That’s where it starts.”

For Cignetti, the formula is simple: “Line of scrimmage, turnover ratio, battle of explosives, being good in critical situations. Never really has changed.”

A pair of unbeatens. A national NBC audience. A chance to announce themselves in the Big Ten. “It’s going to be a great environment,” Cignetti promised. “And I know our players will be excited.”

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Brian Schaible

Brian Schaible is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is an award-winning journalist with over 25 years of experience covering college and professional sports. Brian holds a master’s degree in journalism/public relations from Kent State University.