Indiana Begins A New Era With Curt Cignetti

Aug 30, 20242 min read

Curt Cignetti — © Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times/USA TODAY NETWORK

On Aug. 31 at 3:30 EST, the Indiana Hoosiers will start a new era. For the first time since 2017, former head coach Tom Allen won’t be roaming the sidelines when Indiana takes on Florida International University in Bloomington, Ind.

What's at Stake

Curt Cignetti looks to blaze his trail as Indiana's head coach. He wants to accomplish something no other Indiana coach has done. What is it? Make winning football a staple in Bloomington. For a school known more for the hardwood than the gridiron, Hoosier Nation will get a first-hand look at Cignetti. He is a coach who has been to the mountaintop at every stop where he's been a head coach. IU fans hope his success follows him from James Madison to Memorial Stadium.

IU Key Players

Redshirt junior running back Kaelon Black followed Cignetti from James Madison this past spring. He totaled 891 yards from scrimmage last season for the Dukes. If Indiana wants to get off to a fast start against FIU, then they should look to put the ball in his hands early and often.

Defensive back D'Angelo Ponds should be a tone-setter for Indiana. Ponds was a semifinalist for the Alexander Award at James Madison last season. The award goes to the best freshman in college football that year.

FIU's Best

Sophomore quarterback Keyone Jenkins is talented and needs some seasoning after his freshman year. He may be in for a rude awakening going against a Cignetti-coached team that ranked 20th last year in points. Moving the ball could be tough.

Redshirt senior defensive back Jamal Potts has seen a lot of tough times in his five years at FIU. Look for him to be leading this defense. He could be an emotional leader for FIU this season. If things go awry early for the Panthers, then look for No. 7 to lead the troops.

Trends to Watch

Games tend to come down to the turnover margin. A big interception in an FBS/FCS game can swing the momentum to either side. FIU was -9 in the turnover margin and Jenkins had 11 interceptions last season. If FIU wants to pull off the upset or cover the spread, then they'll need to take care of the ball. However, Indiana was -5 in the turnover margin last season. Even though there is a new era in Bloomington with new players and some new staff, the first game of the season will still bring some rust.