Indiana, Curt Cignetti look to extend perfect start vs. Charlotte

Field Level Media|published: Wed 18th September, 14:22 2024

Sep 14, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti reacts in the first half against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Indiana has caught the attention of the college football world three weeks into the season. That's because the Hoosiers have won all three games under first-year coach Curt Cignetti.

Now they'll look to keep it going in their first meeting with Charlotte on Saturday afternoon at Bloomington, Ind.

"There's a standard we do everything to, and we want to keep improving as a team," Cignetti said. "And we've got to have a great week of preparation. Starts with the staff. And stay humble and hungry as we prepare for this next opponent."

The Hoosiers (3-0) returned from their first road trip with a 42-13 trouncing of UCLA.

Charlotte (1-2) needed a comeback from 17 points down in the second half to upend FCS member Gardner-Webb 27-26 last weekend.

Against Indiana, Trexler Ivey will be Charlotte's third starting quarterback of the season after injuries to Max Brown and Deshawn Purdie.

Ivey is not a newcomer, having thrown for 1,263 yards and four touchdowns with 10 interceptions last year.

"He's tough mentally, tough emotionally," Charlotte coach Biff Poggi said. "He makes the right decisions, and our team has a tremendous amount of confidence in him."

Cignetti said the Hoosiers will prepare to face multiple Charlotte quarterbacks. He said 49ers receiver Jairus Mack is a threat regardless of who's on the field with him.

Indiana will have a more polished quarterback. Kurtis Rourke was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week after four touchdown passes against the Bruins. Rouke's experience is a plus.

"It's not like you're teaching a young guy how to play the position," Cignetti said. "You got older guys that know how to play the position and now you're just fitting them into your offensive structure and then building upon the things that they do well. And so, you know, that position, there's just so many things that go on to having an older guy. You can't put a value on it."

Indiana's 150 points through three games tied the most in program history in that time frame. The offense has not committed a turnover.

--Field Level Media