Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz was straightforward when sizing up this weekend’s challenge. With undefeated Indiana coming to Kinnick Stadium, Ferentz praised Curt Cignetti’s impact in turning the Hoosiers into one of the Big Ten’s most complete programs.
“Indiana is a really good football team, certainly worthy of its ranking,” Ferentz said. “They’ve upgraded even more with their personnel, done a good job with the transfer portal, and they’re playing at a high level right now. Didn’t look like they had a flaw the other night at all.”
Cignetti, who arrived from James Madison in late 2023, has built the Hoosiers into a national story by blending transfer talent with players who followed him from JMU. Ferentz called it one of the most impressive turnarounds he has seen.
“I’d have to think long and hard if anybody has done it. It’s been very impressive,” Ferentz said. “A lot of their best players are guys that played for him. That gave them a good foundation. And the fact they’ve been able to play cohesively with so many new guys, that’s really impressive. That’s good coaching.”
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Ferentz also pointed to Indiana’s balance on the field as a major test for his team. “It’s hard to find a weakness,” he said. “They have a big, physical offensive line… two really good running backs… and then the quarterback (Fernando Mendoza) might be the best quarterback in the country. Somebody was saying he’s the leader for the Heisman. I don’t have a Heisman vote, but I’d vote for him based on what I’ve seen.”
He added that Indiana isn’t just winning with offense. “They can run the ball, pass it, hit the big play. And then on top of it, they’re playing really good on defense. They’re very aggressive, and they’re good at playing with a lead, which they’ve pretty much been doing all season long.”
As Iowa prepares to honor its 1985 team during Homecoming weekend, Ferentz knows his current group faces one of the toughest challenges on its schedule. “Coach Cignetti and his staff have an identity, they’ve got a plan, and it’s worked out very well,” he said. “It’s going to be a big challenge for us.”
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