Indiana football heads into Old Oaken Bucket Game focused on Purdue
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
BLOOMINGTON — The Indiana football team is keeping its focus on the task at hand as it prepares for the 100th Old Oaken Bucket Game.
The No. 2 Hoosiers (11-0, 8-0 Big Ten) are a win away from clinching their first appearance in the Big Ten title game, but that’s not a topic that interests IU coach Curt Cignetti.
“We are 100% focused on Purdue and nothing else,” Cignetti said. “We have respect for Purdue. If you don’t respect your opponent, then you’re starting in a bad spot. I respect what I see on tape.”
Cignetti has used his weekly press conferences this season as a way to preview the message he delivers straight to his locker room.
Based on Cignetti’s comments Monday, his players should expect to hear how this year’s Boilermakers team (2-9, 0-9) is a much improved group from last year even though their record doesn’t show it.
He also doesn’t want his players walking into Ross-Ade Stadium expecting a cake walk like last year when IU won the Old Oaken Bucket with a 66-0 win, the program’s largest margin of victory in series history.
The Hoosiers put together a statement victory with former quarterback Kurtis Rourke tying a team record with six touchdown passes while the defense held the Boilermakers to 67 total yards.
Former Purdue coach Ryan Walters, who called it one of the most “dominant” performances he had ever seen, was fired less than 12 hours later. His replacement, Barry Odom, brought in 82 new players during the offseason, including 54 transfers (the most in the FBS).
“They’re playing hard,” Cignetti said. “They’re making plays. They’re in games. They’re doing a good job up there coaching, and we have to go up there prepared, and we got to play well.”
To underline the point, Cignetti gave a brief overview of the close calls on Purdue’s schedule.
The Boilermakers lost a one-possession game on the road to Michigan, were leading until late in the fourth quarter in losses to Minnesota and Rutgers and played a competitive first half against Ohio State.
Indiana’s own close call against Penn State will also be a cautionary tale.
“We’re going on the road to play a Big Ten football team, in-state rival,” Cignetti said. “That’s all we’re thinking about.”
Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Indiana football focusing on Purdue, not Big Ten title chase
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos